A Legacy Worth Leaving

Most people simply accept their lives - they don't lead them. - Anon

Until God called him 'mighty warrior' Gideon was content to hide in the winepress. Hmm!

Most of us know the frustration of driving or walking behind someone who's just plodding along aimlessly, purposeless, just plain in the way. It's aggravating. In reality, most people live this way. They seem to have no purpose, no sense of direction or a path to follow, and worse, no thought for those coming behind them, or those looking up to them. Every one of us will leave some sort of legacy or lasting impression in all our relationships be it good or bad. The key is to know what kind of legacy you want to leave and begin to live it now. Life is the most precious gift of God, and His expectation is that we will live to influence and lead others to Him. Today is a gift from God, how we use it is our gift to Him and others. Live On!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord......bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God...." - Colossians 1:10

Worthy Conduct

The smaller we are the more room God has. - Anon

Though Jacob was deceived with Leah after working 7 years for a wife, his love for Rachel kept him tempered. Hmm!

The world has win/lose standards, and we're expected to measure up and carry ourselves by these standards. It can be a major task and stress inducer, leading us into actions we may want to reconsider. Why, because in Christ, it's not win/lose, but 'worth'. No matter the game, circumstance, tone of conversation, etc., the question is did we conduct ourselves worthy of the one who lives in us. Yes, the situation or person before us may perplex or frustrate us, may even get the better of us, our response is ours. Though it may be fueled by our bruised ego, insulted intellect, or stance on the truth; is it worthy of the Jesus we died unto and who now lives in us.

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"...whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit..." - Philippians 1:27

Shout Now!

"Don't wait til' the battle is over to shout now....." - song refrain

David put his victory over Goliath in the hands of God before he even picked up a stone to sling. Hmm!

Praising God is ALWAYS in order. There is NEVER a time when it is out of order. However, we often only offer true praise after the battle or victory is won. God had the Israelites shout choruses of praise BEFORE the walls of Jericho came down. He had Gideon and his rag-tag band of 100 cry out "for the Lord and Gideon" prior to engaging the battle. Could there be a lesson here? I think so. NO matter where we are in life - up/down, joyful/sorrow, etc., - God is worthy of praise. And in that praise we never know just how He might respond, but one thing for sure is certain, He WILL respond. Either by bringing victory over the situation or strength/patience to bear with it until He's ready to take us through it. Now that's something worthy of praise.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory, but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame." - Psalm 44:6-7

Praise to Set Your Heart Free

Praise is the song of a soul set free. - Anon

Though David's wife Michal didn't like his dancing, God was pleased. Hmm!

It happens every so often. Just a few notes of a tune from our past and our hearts go aflutter - it's our 'JAM' - that song or melody that takes us back in memory to a time where our hearts were light and seemingly no troubles or trials existed. For a brief moment we're free of care. Wow, it seems like God knew we would need our hearts set free from time to time long before we did, and in a way that would be much more meaningful. How so? Well, when you think it through our 'jam' never did anything for us specifically, only offer a momentary respite; but God does everything for us and is a constant presence and source of peace. And I think we'd take that any day, anytime, and anyplace. Just think of Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail. If we can't praise, maybe we're not as free as we think.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise....." - Psalm 48:1

Conduct Becoming

The smaller we are the more room God has. - Anon

Though Jacob was deceived with Leah after working 7 years for a wife, his love for Rachel kept him tempered. Hmm!

The world has win/lose standards, and we're expected to measure up and carry ourselves by these standards. It can be a major task and stress inducer, leading us into actions we may want to reconsider. Why, because in Christ, it's not win/lose, but 'worth'. No matter the game, circumstance, tone of conversation, etc., the question is did we conduct ourselves worthy of the one who lives in us. Yes, the situation or person before us may perplex or frustrate us, may even get the better of us, but what about our response. Though it may be fueled by our bruised ego, insulted intellect, or stance on the truth; is it worthy of the Jesus we died unto and who now lives in us.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"...whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit....." - Philippians 1:27

Living Legacy

Most people simply accept their lives - they don't lead them. - Anon

Until God called him 'mighty warrior' Gideon was content to hide in the winepress. Hmm!

Most of us know the frustration of driving or walking behind someone who's just plodding along aimlessly, purposeless, just plain in the way. It's aggravating. Truthfully, most people live this way. They seem to have no purpose, no direction, and no thought for those coming behind them, or those looking up to them. Every one of us will leave some sort of legacy or lasting impression in all our relationships be it good or bad. The key is to know what kind of legacy you want to leave and begin to live it now. Life is the most precious gift of God, and His expectation is that we will live to influence and lead others to Him. Today is a gift from God, how we use it is our gift to Him others. Live On!

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord......bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God...." - Colossians 1:10

The Praise Connect

We praise God not for His benefit, but for our own. – Richard Murray

In the throes of all his woes Job refused to let go of God. He knew God was all he had left – and God richly rewarded him. Hmm!

Though God needs nothing from us He ‘covets’ our praise. Not because He needs them but because He is worthy of them. He will continue to exist and be God whether we praise Him or not. As we give God - the ‘Audience of One’ - our allegiance, worship, and praise; it bears noting that the major benefactor in all of this is we ourselves. Praise allows us to come closer to God, get connected to him, hear what his heart is beating for. To live our lives any other way is to live dis-connected from the very God who gave us ‘the breath of life.’ And as we praise him, and the more we praise him, the more we will have our eyes opened to see how he has blessed us in abundance already; which will in turn lead to more praise. AMEN!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will comment your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.” – Psalm 145:3-4

Win Lose or Worth?

The smaller we are the more room God has. - Anon

Though Jacob was deceived with Leah after working 7 years for a wife, his love for Rachel kept him tempered. Hmm!

The world has win/lose standards, and we're expected to measure up and carry ourselves by these standards. It can be a major task and stress inducer, leading us into actions we may want to reconsider. Why, because in Christ, it's not win/lose, but 'worth'. No matter the game, circumstance, tone of conversation, etc., the question is did we conduct ourselves worthy of the one who lives in us. Yes, the situation or person before us may perplex or frustrate us, may even get the better of us, but what about our response. Though it may be fueled by our bruised ego, insulted intellect, or stance on the truth; is it worthy of the Jesus we died unto and who now lives in us.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"...whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that  you stand firm in the one Spirit....." - Philippians 1:27

Mind Games

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. – Eleanor Roosevelt

Though the Pharisee tried to snub him at prayer time, the publican held his peace. Only one of them went home blessed and it wasn’t the Pharisee. Hmm!

The slogan of the United Negro College Fund is “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”  Very powerful, and very true.  It’s no secret that the enemy we face day in and day out is trying to sway our mind or way of thinking. Two of his major weapons are doubt and discouragement, for they create the illusion in our mind that we are not worthy or we can never measure up. But the completed work of God through Jesus Christ has made us ‘worthy’ in all things. So no matter our outward circumstances we “are more than conquerors” in any situation we face. As the day unfolds and the assaults come remember the God you serve.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free…..” – Romans 8:1-2

Praise for our own good

We praise God not for His benefit, but for our own. – R. Murray

In the throes of all his woes Job refused to let go of God. He knew God was all he had left – and God richly rewarded him.

Though God needs nothing from us He ‘covets’ our praise. Not because He needs them but because He is worthy of them. He will continue to exist and be God whether we praise Him or not. But we should note, though He is an ‘audience of one’ that we give all our allegiance, worship, and praise to, the major benefactor in all of this is we ourselves. Praise allows us to come closer to God, get connected to him, hear what his heart is beating for. To live our lives any other way is to live dis-connected from the very God who gave us ‘the breath of life.’ And as we praise him, and the more we praise him, the more we will have our eyes opened to see how he has blessed us in abundance already; which will in turn lead to more praise. AMEN!

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. One generation will comment your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.” – Psalm 145:3-4

Handling Ourselves

The smaller we are the more room God has. - Anon

Though Jacob was deceived with Leah after working 7 years for a wife, his love for Rachel kept him tempered. Hmm!

The world has win/lose standards, and we're expected to measure up and carry ourselves by these standards. It can be a major task and stress inducer, leading us into actions we may want to reconsider. Why, because in Christ, it's not win/lose, but 'worth'. No matter the game, circumstance, tone of conversation, etc., the question is did we conduct ourselves worthy of the one who lives in us. Yes, the situation or person before us may perplex or frustrate us, may even get the better of us, but what about our response. Though it may be fueled by our bruised ego, insulted intellect, or stance on the truth; is it worthy of the Jesus we died unto and who now lives in us.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"...whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that  you stand firm in the one Spirit....." - Philippians 1:27

Hearts Set Free

Praise is the song of a soul set free. - Anon

Though David's wife Michal didn't like his dancing, God was pleased. Hmm!

It happens every so often. Just a few notes of a tune from our past and our hearts go aflutter - it's our 'JAM' - that song or melody that takes us back in memory to a time where our hearts were light and seemingly no troubles or trials existed. For a brief moment we're free of care. Wow, it seems like God knew we would need our hearts set free from time to time long before we did, and in a way that would be much more meaningful. How so? Well, when you think it through our 'jam' never did anything for us specifically, only offer a momentary respite; but God does everything for us and is a constant presence and source of peace. And I think we'd take that any day, anytime, and anyplace. Just think of Paul and Silas in the Philippian jail. If we can't praise, maybe we're not as free as we think.

Until tomorrow.....

Pastor Botts

"Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise....." - Psalm 48:1

THAT Part. Our Part.

God’s part we cannot do. Our part God does not do. – R. Murray

God told Moses He would set His people free. All He needed was for Moses to go to Pharaoh, and the rest is HIStory.

The Creation Account tells us God created everything necessary for man’s existence in six days, then He created man. Man was not consulted in the creation account but he was given charge to manage it for God. Regardless of what has happened since then, the fact is we still have a responsibility to God. He has expectations that we conduct ourselves in a manner that is proper for a ‘manager.’ Adam’s sin does not let us off the hook, for God has already provided a redeemer, but He will not force us to accept Him, nor force us to live for Him. That is still our part. Today matters to God so it should matter to us.

Until Monday

Pastor Botts

“Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.” – I Peter 3:10-11

Defeating Doubt & Discouragement

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. – E. Roosevelt

Though the Pharisee tried to snub him at prayer time, the publican held his peace. Only one of them went home blessed and it wasn’t the Pharisee. Hmm!

The slogan of the United Negro College Fund is “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”  Very powerful, and very true.  It’s no secret that the enemy we face day in and day out is trying to sway our mind or way of thinking. Two of his major weapons are doubt and discouragement, for they create the illusion in our mind that we are not worthy or we can never measure up. But the completed work of God through Jesus Christ has made us ‘worthy’ in all things. So no matter our outward circumstances we “are more than conquerors” in any situation we face. As the day unfolds and the assaults come remember the God you serve.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free…..” – Romans 8:1-2

Sufficient Grace

Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace. – R. Otto

Abraham, Jacob, David, Peter, Paul….the list could go on and on with men like these who knew God lives on both sides of the grace equation. And that’s a good thing. AMEN!

As he so often does; the enemy of God tries to deceive us into thinking we are unworthy of God’s goodness in any case whether good or bad. If sin beats us, he screams “you’re not worthy of His forgiveness or mercy.” If blessings become us, he states “you don’t deserve such favor.” But God looks for opportunity in either case to extend His wonderful matchless grace to us. No matter what comes your way today or tomorrow, always remember “His grace is sufficient.”

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many….But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” – Romans 5:15, 20

P.S. - Don't forget tonight's African American Heritage Celebration at 7:30 PM.And Sunday's Campaign kick-off at 9AM.