Taking Life Off Pause

Even if you can’t get over it, get on with it! – R. Gilbert

Esau was infuriated with his brother Jacob for ‘stealing’ his blessing, but he managed to make a good life for himself and his people. It changed his heart too! WOW!

Life is a series of actions, circumstances, and events that come upon us all. And oftentimes the end results are not pleasant or to our liking. But we must remember God is not so much concerned about our ‘comfort’ in life as He is with our character. The things He allows (and yes sometimes He uses our enemies) are to help shape and mold us into what He needs us to be. We injure ourselves and slow our progress when we hold grudges or revenge in our heart – it's just excess baggage. Our lives should not be on hold because of what happened yesterday, we should be continually pressing on toward ‘the prize.’

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw of everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance, the race marked out for us.” – Hebrews 12:1

Master Craftsmen

Amazing. The more often I try something, the better I get at it! - G. Richards

Nehemiah, the more he prayed, the more he had need to pray. Amen!

When you hear titles like 'Virtuoso,' 'Master Craftsman,' 'Expert,' etc., you tend to think of individuals who are very, very good at what they do. They've mastered their craft or skill through hours and hours and hours of repetition and testing. The same dynamic holds true for us as well. We can and do become proficient at anything we do often enough, and with continued practice/application become highly skilled or a master. But here is the caveat - when we don't practice the things that make us strong and help us to grow in our faith, we are actually in fact practicing the things that will turn us away from God. We either practice righteousness or unrighteousness - there is no in-between or sitting still. We're often tempted not to do something for God for we fear we will do a poor job. That's just the enemy getting in our head. We need to remember every giant in the faith before us started out just as us, but just kept on being faithful. Remember we're responsible for the work, the increase is up to God.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters." - Matthew 12:30

Just Different

There is no such thing as bad weather; it’s just a different sort. – J. Ruskin

God spoke with Abraham man to man. He spoke to the Israelites from the mountain. He spoke to us through His Son. Different ways – same God! Hmm!

The great thing about life is no 2 days are ever alike. But often in our lives when our circumstances seem to tax us to the 'Nth' degree we say things like “I’m having a streak of bad luck” or “my life is going from bad to worse.” In reality the only thing that has really changed is our outlook on the situation. When we see things as “bad” it means we’ve taken our eyes off of our sustainer – GOD. God is "good all the time." Life may be hard at times, but it is not bad, it’s just different given the situation. But as sure as day follows night God can and often will change our outlook if we just look up.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.” – II Samuel 22:29-30