Elated Labor

Motivation is high when you have a stake in the outcome. - J. Clear

Though Joseph was sold as a slave, then thrown in prison, it's clear to see he enjoyed his work. Hmm!

Monday morning! WORK - ugh! Can't wait until Friday! Hmm! If you hate your work (job/career) maybe you're looking to it for all the wrong reasons. It's a means to an end, not an end to all means. It was not given to define us, classify us, or grant boasting rights. It was given to us as a meaningful way to be productive and happy as we support God's kingdom work and the family he blesses us with. When these two ideas are understood and become our focus, work then becomes a joy because we 'get to' assist in the greater good, and not have to feel like 'indentured servants' for someone else. This is what we were made for.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"....I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil -this is the gift of God." - Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

Today's Miracle

Life is lived in the present. Yesterday, with all its memories is gone, tomorrow with all its hope is yet to be. Today is the miracle. – Anon

When Simeon held the baby Jesus in his arms at the temple, he realized it was no ordinary day. It was rather miraculous. AMEN!

Though we may relish in the spiritual highs of yesterday or wish for a sunny tomorrow, we still must deal with the present God has given us right now, for it is all we have. As we count our own years, or those of our children, or growing nieces and nephews, we soon realize one more day (Today) is indeed a miracle. And no matter how we feel physically or mentally, spiritually we are blessed, and when God blesses us he has more than us in mind. We must then realize that whatever God is involved in can never be ordinary. So today it's up to us to let the extraordinary show. Though it's Friday no coasting is allowed.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” – Proverbs 27:1

Absolutely Not

You can't keep praying and sinning at the same time! - Anon

The priest Eli died an inglorious death because of his failure to heed God's commands regarding his sons in the priesthood. Hmm!

This life is full of absolutes like: "What goes up must come down!" or "Everyone may not grow up, but they do grow older..." Absolutes are those tried, tested, never failing rules that we are governed by. And in our attempt to live a godly life there is this absolute: 'You can't keep praying and sinning at the same time! You will soon give one of them up, but not both. As we look at our lives the question we have to answer is which one? And in truth, the answer will be totally obvious, not only to ourselves but to those around us. God is able to change our heart, attitude, tame our tongue, control our temper, and even our primal urges. So if we're not changing in any of these areas maybe it's because we've stopped going into our prayer closet. The good thing is God is still waiting.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him." - I John 3:6

Human Beings Human Doings Humans Helping

Greatness lies not in trying to be somebody, but in trying to help somebody. - Anon

Esther's story is recorded in the bible not because she was the king's wife, but because she wanted to help her people. Hmm!

It's a message we hear very early in life: "I want you to grow up and be somebody." It's the motto of the US Army: 'Be All That You Can Be.' It seems pretty clear cut we're here on this earth to make something of ourselves, and if not we're failing our potential. So we spend a lifetime trying to achieve status, respect, fame, or a name for ourselves; that 'one thing' that will make us stand out from amongst everyone else. But in truth the greatest name we can achieve on this earth is saint (belonging to God), and that name carries with it a requirement of servanthood. Jesus said to be great one has to be a servant. We may not have to 'wash feet,' but we should always be looking for the opportunity to help.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Each of you should not look only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.....taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness." - Philippians 2:4,5,7

Because HE Says So

Wisdom is not a product of schooling but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it. - Albert Einstein

When God told Abram to go, he went, no questions asked. And the rest is history. Hmm!

"Because I said so!" I can still hear that voice resonate in my ears and mind all these years later. Mom/dad speaking it with authority, and me being completely okay with it, even though I didn't fully understand why. Now, I look back and relish those moments. They knew then what I know now, and I'm much more the better for their care and insight. I realize it's the same with Father God. Our complete understanding of His ways before we act is not what He's after. But, He does require our steadfast faith, trust, and confidence in His love for us, no matter the circumstances we may be going through at the present. He is with us and will see us through because He is faithful and true and promised to bring 'good' to our lives. So when He says "because I say so!" may we respond like little children and just rest assured it'll be for the better of us.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ..." - II Corinthians 9:13

What Does the Heart Say?

When it comes to righteousness, the heart of the problem is always the problem of the heart. - Anon

Paul admitted there was always a battle going on within his heart, but he was ‘thankful’ to Jesus for the victory. Hmm!

HEART. The word has many positive uses in our everyday language. When someone shows courage we say they are ‘lion-hearted.’ When someone shows kindness we say they have a ‘heart of gold.’ When we try to encourage others we say ‘take heart.’ Even in our studies when we learn something well we say we ‘know it by heart.’ There are many others you could attach, some even with negative connotations. But the rudimentary thought is this, “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” So, it begs the question – how are WE? Do others place a positive or negative connotation with our name? If we’re ever to live like Christ and be the example of Him to the world today, we must give Him our heart.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” – Mark 12:30

Being Slow to Speak

When you have to have the last word, usually it’s an apology. – Sparks

Job so badly wanted to plead his cause to God he talked his friends ears off. After hearing God speak all he could say was OOPS, Sorry about that!

Because we have the ability or opportunity to say certain things doesn’t mean we should in all cases. Many of us often take the point of view that because I have something to say on the matter, I’m going to say it, and often our emphasis is in error. There’s a common saying that goes “Speak when you’re angry and you’ll make the greatest speech you’ll ever regret.” Sometimes swallowing our words now is much easier than eating them later.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.” - Proverbs 10:19-20