Curiously Defined

Curiosity in children is but an appetite for knowledge, and we are ALWAYS God’s children. - Anon

The heavens 'declaring God's glory' is a hard vision to imagine but it's no less true. WOW!

Awesome! Mighty! Magnificent! These words summon up some colossal thoughts and ideas in our minds, particularly when we try to apply them to our Great God and measure His vast nature. But in truth they are only our definitions to help us and our curious minds. God's nature and character go beyond any description we can come up with. He transcends all of life and its beauty because He Himself created it. And though we can have some vivid imaginations the scriptures tell us He is also able "to do more than we can imagine." If the highest heavens can't contain Him what makes us think we can truly define Him. We should just bask in the truth. He is both Great and Good all the time, and we should seek to know Him in a new and different way today. Now that's a thought worth pondering.

I will be away for a few days so this keyboard will be silent. Until then....

Pastor Botts

".....no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him...." - I Corinthians 2:9

The Cherished Friend

I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not even consult his calendar. – R. Brault

Jesus stayed and talked with the two on the Emmaus Road until they finally saw the 'light'. Hmm!

The numbers bear out a startling truth. The more we are connected socially in this wireless, WiFi society the more we disconnected physically. It seems more and more we’re all trying to find time to do it all and have it all. And what often happens is we wind up with sometimes shallow conversations and face time fellowship with the ONES who supposedly love us most, because the gadgets never leave our hand or our side and certainly not our attention. It's the same with Christ, the ONE who loves us more than anything, we've somewhat relegated Him to the electronic device, and without it we can't seem to function. Maybe it's time we took a closer look at HIS example of friendship where no boundaries or interruptions exist, and HE sits just waiting for US to come. I pray we'll become HIS 'cherished' friend.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

"..........that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple...." - Psalm 27:4

Disciples Duties

To the believer, the idea is not to render ourselves important but useful. – Anon

The apostle Paul ‘often’ worked side by side with those he was also ministering to. Hmm!

Admittedly, recognition is great. It can lead to opening many doors and avenues for success, but oftentimes the recognition is for personal benefit or ego-stroking. The heart God is trying to perfect in us is that of a servant. It is said that the heart of a servant is the sanctuary of God. Position, education, financial standing, and even age, are all irrelevant when it comes to our faith walk. As disciples we are called and commanded to go where Jesus went, and do as Jesus did – by pouring ourselves out unto others for His glory. God has given us today to make a choice as to whether we will be important or useful.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe – as the Lord has assigned to each his task.” – I Corinthians 3:5

Offerings From the Heart

A picture is worth a 1,000 words! Anon

It wasn't the poor widow's money (2 coins) that astonished Jesus, it was her heart when she gave it. WOW!

They cover refrigerators all over the world. Drawings of 'stick figure families', not quite perfectly shaped hearts, crooked houses with stumpy trees, etc. Drawings by children, and though they are not a museum masterpiece, they are a heartwarming offering of love to a parent. In the same way, God loves our imperfect offerings and delights in them when they are offered from our hearts like those childhood drawings, for it's not so much the finished product that He sees, but the heart, devotion, and intent (love) we put into it. So, what rendering will you present to Him this day?

Until Monday...

Pastor Botts

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." - I Peter 4:8

Hope to see you tonight at 6:30pm for our Good Friday service.

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

People Over Products

Unfortunately, most blessings in life are not valued till they are gone. – T. Fuller

The Israelites gave Moses much grief along their journey, but when he died they mourned some 30 days for him. WOW!

We prize ‘possessions’ not relationships. We gather ‘things and gadgets’ not people. We seek external media input over good face-to-face conversations. It is wonderful to have some possessions in life, for they help to make it a bit more bearable. But it’s the people in our lives that make it full, and God Himself that makes it complete. These are the 2 greatest blessings one could have, but we seem bent on giving them very low priority. We could survive without the big screen TV, the fancy car/home, the latest model phone, or even without some now expensive grocery items, but without a relationship with God, and without relationships with family and friends life is pretty unbearable. And the deeper the relationship the richer we become. Today is a good day to re-connect with or strengthen an existing relationship or even build a new one. Remember, God’s kingdom will be filled with people, not products.

Until tomorrow…

Pastor Botts

“….then their eyes were opened and they recognized [Jesus], and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, ‘were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’” – Luke 24:31-32

The Prayer Formula?

Half an hour’s meditation each day is essential, except when you are busy. Then a full hour is needed. – St Francis de Sales

That Jesus withdrew to lonely places to pray, that his disciples went to the temple at the hour of prayer seems important.

Early morning, late afternoon, 5 minutes, 1 hour or more – these are all variables bantered about when it comes to prayer and meditation with God. The truth of the matter is there is no secret formula or one-size fits all. What is important is that we take time from our busy lives each day to spend with God, talking to and LISTENING to Him. The One who planned the day surely knows how it will pan out and the direction He has purposed for us. It is important to note that the more time we spend with God the more we hear and understand His heart and the less inclined we are to go off on our own path.

Until tomorrow……

Pastor Botts

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you.” – Matthew 6:6