Open Up My Eyes In Wonder

Some things have to be believed to be seen. – A. Hodgson

Noah had never seen rain in his life, but that didn’t stop him from building the ark. It came in handy later on. WOW!

We readily “ooh” and “aah” and applaud thunderously at magicians with their sleight of hand, smoke and mirrors, and trick angle presentations to amuse us, though we know its trickery. But everyday God presents an incomparable array of natural beauty, windows of great opportunity, and unconditional love; yet He barely gets a raised eyebrow from most. We often miss it because of our self-centered focus. God does reward those who truly seek after Him, for it is only through the eyes of faith that we can actually see Him at work, and when we do it is a most beautiful sight. If we’ve been missing God, it’s not because He’s not there, it’s because we have too much glare (distractions) in our lives. Maybe we need to put on the sunglasses of faith to see a bit more clearly.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice….Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.” – Hebrews 11:17,19

Moving With Him

Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps if you are not willing to move your feet. – Anon

John in his gospel tells us that many people, after they heard the hard words of what it means to follow Jesus went back and “walked with him no more.” A tragic decision. Hmm!

Often, we forget that ours is a Christian journey; being led by our Lord. We willingly signed up when we accepted His call to “follow me.” Though the path may not seem “wise” to us or even dangerous, we must remember, “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, thou art with me,” we are not alone. He alone knows the path to His Father’s house for “He came from the Father,” and “He goes back to the Father.” We often feel we know our way around down here better than anyone, and that may be true, but it is not “down here” we want to stay if we expect eternal glory one day. So, as Jesus or the Word of God speaks to us, let us move in harmony with the request.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?...the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built his house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.” – Luke 6:46,49

Moving At the Pace of Together

The journey with others is sometimes slower, but God is never in a hurry. – Anon

Moses spent an additional 40 years in the wilderness with the rebellious Hebrew children, but he got to know God much better. AMEN!

As you travel along any road, street, or highway you’ll notice them. Signs with posted ‘safe’ speed limits. Limits determined to keep us safe and under control. We tend to want to speed through life, set our pace, hit our stride,; and not have anyone interfere with it. It’s as if we have a set time to arrive at a set destination. But God is not confined to our schedules, our pace, nor our end desires. It is we ‘who live and move and have our being in Him,’ and not the other way around. The best way for us to perfect our character is in relationship (with God and man) so God often engineers situations and circumstances for us to work or serve with those in whom we see no benefit, but He does. Ours is to enjoy the journey.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“We then who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” – Romans 15:1-2

Together On 3! Together On 3!

No one can whistle a symphony. – H. Luccock

Though Jesus came to save the world, he employed 12 ordinary men to help him. They turned it upside down. WOW!

A symphony takes a full orchestra of musical talents each working together to produce a recognizable harmonic resonance. It is in essence a community of believers sold out for the cause – the music – not their individual desires. This illustration is what God desires for us in community, where we learn to love and trust in one another for the good of the kingdom, not ourselves. To try to do it alone is tiring, ineffective, and selfish. If life is a song, and love is the music, then our time here on earth is where we learn to play in God’s orchestra.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” – I Corinthians 1:10

The Necessary Heartbreak

If through a broken heart God can bring His purposes to pass in the world, then thank Him for breaking your heart. – Oswald Chambers

God heard Hannah’s painful heart-broken prayers. He answered by giving her a son mighty in the priesthood. AMEN!

Necessity may be the mother of invention, but pain, sweat, and tears are what get the job done. Now admittedly, we all have an aversion to pain of any kind. With so much to do, so many places to go, or people to interact with we seldom have time to be laid up or sidelined with it. But that is the call of an intercessor, to have a deep-hearted pain for others that only God can soothe and heal. Pain is not optional in our Christian walk, it is inevitable; and as much as we try to avoid it, sometimes we need to ask God to break our heart.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” – Psalm 51:16-17

The Best Lubricant for Life

The cure for anything is salt water, whether it be sweat, tears, or the sea! - I. Dinesen

An in-depth view of Jesus' life shows that He 'served' often, wept at times, and did some of His best teaching by the seashore. Hmm!

God said, "by the sweat of your brow you'll earn your keep!" We say, "never let them see you sweat!" God said, "a broken and contrite heart He will not despise!" We say, "never let them see you cry!" God said, "take a day of rest to enjoy Him!" We say, "learn to multitask and get more done!" Seemingly, all the ways God gave to us to show we're human and frail, we've turned into ways and ideas to show our strength and ability to go beyond. But it begs the question: What are we going 'beyond' to and for whose benefit? Maybe it's no small wonder why we live in a culture of burnt-out, substance dependent, anxiety laden people - our methods just don't work. I'll agree God is not against us being more efficient, but I stand fast on the fact the best lubricant for us is our life is salt water. Why not start with a trip to the seashore for a sunrise or sunset. It couldn't hurt and you might meet God there.

Until tomorrow...

Pastor Botts

"Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus." - John 21:4

Blessings That Keep On Blessing

When God blesses you, He always has more than you in mind. – R. Jutze

God blessed and favored Joseph immensely in his life not for Joseph’s sake, but for Israel’s sake. Joseph remembered! Hmm!

God is always at his work, and normally he works through those who willingly serve him. He has planned out this very day to give great blessings to those in need. Today is a blessing, a gift from Almighty God. And if it is a gift, He fully expects us to bless someone else with it, someone He has already chosen to cross our paths. He leaves the ‘how’ up to us to determine, based on the individual connections we’ll have today. It is only when we forget about ourselves that we do things that are blessings to others. Here’s hoping you’ve got your blessings all planned out.

Until Monday…

Pastor Botts

“Because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore…” – Genesis 22:16-17