When It Doesn't Work Out

Huge failures are often divine redirections. – D. Harvey

Paul thought he was cut out to be a Pharisee, but 'Oh,' what a fisherman he became. Hmm!

We sing a song entitled ‘God Never Fails,’ and firmly know that to be true. The scriptures even bear it out that God cannot fail. But we are often heart broken and ready to give up our faith when something we think we’re doing for God goes awry or flat out fails. While God does not fail, it was never promised that all we strive to do for Him would succeed. He himself knows the purpose for which He created each and every one of us, and He will bring it about in His time. So though we may fail at one thing and suffer a little heartache, it is not final. Life is not defined by one or two events, but the sum total of all we do. And God can and will bring it all together for us if we allow Him some ‘wiggle room.’ If things aren’t the way we want them, maybe we should look to God's design.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

God's Work In Progress

I don’t have it all together, but I have a God in who’s hands I have put it. – Anon

Paul proclaimed He hadn’t attained it all yet, but he continued to press forward and trust the God who promised it to him. Amen!

Life! It happens fast, hits hard, takes no prisoners, and asks no questions. For the common person they may go by the saying “it is what it is!” But for us saints who profess to truly live by our faith the saying is “this is what is….but God and I are working on it. We’re nowhere near being done and we’re enjoying each other’s company as we go along on the journey. The one thing we know and take heart in is that whatever the situation, circumstance, heartache, sorrow, or loss is now – when God and I get through this I will look a little bit more like Jesus.” And that’s okay with me! What about you?

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“…..your love, Lord, endures forever – do not abandon the works of your hands.” – Psalm 138:8

Stepping Stones to Move Forward

We cannot change our memories, but we can change their meaning and the power they have over us. – D. Seamans

Joseph let God erase all the hatred from his heart against his brothers for what they had done. He even ‘cried’ when he saw them again. The reunion was all good. AMEN!

The thing about life is it throws many events our way, some good; some bad. The things that have happened to us cannot be undone. We cannot go back and change it but we should not fear it either, nor let it hold us prisoner. One can only truly fear future events. And since our future is not set in stone, fear is just a head trip. Oftentimes we get stuck in a way of thinking, in a behavior, or in our expectations because we have been hurt before and we have not truly brought the situation to God. From God’s perspective events from our past (good and bad) are stepping stones to move forward in righteousness and faith, for He can bring good out of any situation. Pain is sometimes inevitable, but allowing a memory to keep us in suffering is a choice. God can adjust our attitudes if we allow him.

Until I return…..Aloha

Pastor Botts

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him….” – Romans 8:28

Today's Wonder

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. – K. Kelley

When God spoke to the Israelites from the mountaintop, they were in AWE. Too bad they missed him all the other times. Hmm!

A baby's first steps or first words. A beautiful sunrise or sunset. Gazing into the Grand Canyon. Winning a game at the buzzer. These are all events that are common to most folks, and all with heart-throbbing emotion, and a need for expression. The key is to notice they are events, not things. Events that require us to take the focus off of ourselves and shift it to others. We spend a great deal of life trying to acquire things, but God is found in the interactions with others and his creation. Jesus said, “my Father is always at his work,” and with that truth we can expect to be awed and amazed sometime today.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man’s behalf.” – Psalm 66:5

Live Courageously

Being an optimist after you’ve gotten everything you want doesn’t count. – F.M. Hubbard

When Jesus’ mother troubled him about the wine at the wedding feast, she knew something would be done, and it would be good. Wow!

Make no mistake friend, this world can present itself as a very formidable and powerful opponent; with its shocking human interest stories, depressing economic news, or downright evil activities of mankind seemingly going on all day, every day. But as those who trust in God, we must always know He is in control, nothing happening is catching Him off-guard, and He is always with us. So, in the midst of our surroundings, we can still live courageously, not shrinking back or retreating at all, but holding steady, listening for His call to move forward or move out of the way. Yes, this world will test us, but we only need remember the battle is the Lord’s and He has already assured us of the victory. So, whatever today brings, know that if we hold fast, we will overcome.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“…and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him….” – Romans 8:28

A New View

One secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his time when it comes. – B. Disraeli

Isaiah didn’t fully know what his role would be, but he did say “here am I, send me!” Amen.

The New Year is upon us. An open road, clear window – however you view it – is present. How about we start it out with a solid foundational point of reference: “I am a beautiful representation of the God who made me!” A start from here should lay to rest any and all ego issues, comparison issues, and/or value issues. We no longer have to try and seek the approval of others, wish we looked like a movie star or other hero, think we’re less than because we’re not worth millions, or feel we can’t tell others about Jesus because we barely know a scripture or two. Just trusting in the God who made us, and resting in the truth that God loves us no matter what should be enough. May we all learn to value and love ourselves better in His sight this year.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” – Psalm 139:14

God had a different idea

Huge failures are often divine redirections. – D. Harvey

Paul thought he was cut out to be a Pharisee, but 'Oh,' what a fisherman he became. Hmm! 

We sing a song entitled ‘God Never Fails,’ and firmly know that to be true. The scriptures even bear it out that God cannot fail. But we are often heart broken and ready to give up our faith when something we think we’re doing for God goes awry or flat out fails. While God does not fail, it was never promised that all we strive to do for Him would succeed. He himself knows the purpose for which He created each and every one of us, and He will bring it about in His time. So though we may fail at one thing and suffer a little heartache, it is not final. Life is not defined by one or two events, but the sum total of all we do. And God can and will bring it all together for us if we allow Him some ‘wiggle room.’ If things aren’t the way we want them, maybe we should look to God's design. 

Until tomorrow….. 

Pastor Botts 

“And we know that in all things God works for

the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

– Romans 8:28

Today's scripture reading: Proverbs 28

Today's scripture reading question: Regarding verse 9, which 'law' is he referring to, God's law, government laws, or both?

Don't Die a Counterfeit

Everyone is born an original, but sadly many will die as a copy. – Abraham Lincoln

Early in his reign king Asa trusted God and received favor. Later he trusted more in men, lost God’s favor and died diseased and lonely. Hmm!

The US Treasury spends millions each year to protect our currency from counterfeiters, for they know counterfeit currency de-values the original and is bad for our overall economy. It’s a noble and righteous pursuit. But interestingly enough, when it comes to us as people, most of us spend money profusely, use our bodies wildly, and educate ourselves illicitly to fit in with the culture and practices of everyone else – thus de-valuing the originality God gave us – becoming in essence a counterfeit or copy. This is a clever ruse of the enemy. God designed each one of us uniquely according to His good purpose and desire for us, and great craftsmanship needs no other work upon it, just care and nurturing. If we won’t be who God made us to be, who will?

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - Psalm 139:14

Incog-Christo

A celebrity is a person who works hard all their life to become well known, then wears dark glasses to avoid being recognized. – Fred Allen

On the fateful night Jesus was betrayed, Peter, his most outspoken disciple; did all he could to avoid being identified as his follower. Hmm!

Why do I go to church on Sunday, and forget everything I heard on Monday. Why do I sing “My Life to Him I Give,” and never in my daily walk for Him do I live….. True they are only words from a poem, but they have a degree of truth to them. When we look at the world around us there is often little, if any, difference between them and us. It’s honestly hard to tell if someone belongs to Christ. And no, God doesn’t expect us to go around wearing clothing emblazoned with ‘Jesus’ on it – it’s our actions and conversation that should speak loudly to others who we are, and to WHOM we belong. If people are truly searching for Jesus, they should be able to see him living in us.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him, when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” – Mark 8:38

Don't Miss the Good

Some people miss the silver lining because they’re expecting gold. – M. Setter

Though the ‘agreed upon’ wages were enough to support them and their families, some vineyard workers were upset when the paymaster paid everyone in full. The key is they were paid.

We are truly a blessed people, moreso than we will ever know. We live in a land of plenty with great freedoms, yet we are often upset or angry at life. But everything God allows upon us has a place in His perfect plan – because He’s working it out for our good. So even in the valley of despair we can have hope and joyful expectation that ‘good’ is ours to find for He works ‘all things’ together that way. The key is to see it from God’s point of view and not our own. He never promised our walk would always be easy, but He did promise to walk with us. And besides, all that glitters isn’t gold anyway!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

Pursuit of Perfection

You can always become better! – Anon

Paul said he ‘pressed forward’ everyday to endear himself more and more to His Lord. Hmm!

¡New and Improved! It seems like every product eventually goes this route. But so often we get to certain ages or stages in life and want to say that’s it, “I am who I am. I may not be the best, but I’m certainly not the worst.” But discipline and commitment are relentless, for God continuously works in us and on us, and He will not leave us as He found us. He desires to give us His best and for us to give Him our best, and since ‘perfection’ is our goal, we should never think we can’t do any better. If Moses didn’t reach his prime until age 80 and Caleb at age 85, it seems the sky’s the limit. So today is another opportunity to become better than we were yesterday.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Be very careful, then, how you live……making the most of every opportunity….” – Ephesians 5:15