True test of Faith

When you get to the end of all light and reason that you know, and its time to step into the realm of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things will happen: Either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly. – E. Teller  

Abram had no concrete reason to leave his family, country, and kindred; but because God said so he did. It worked out better than he imagined. Hmm!  

Columbus sailed to prove the world was round, he wasn’t completely sure but had faith it was. The Wright brothers risked life and limb because they had faith that man could one day fly across the sky. Men and women like them have often come before us and with nothing but faith in God and faith in themselves, have made great lives for themselves and others. The true test of faith is not having everything in hand or life completely ordered before stepping out, it’s stepping out fully trusting God will make a way, and with whatever he provides it will be sufficient for the task. God can still do the impossible, but we have to have the faith to attempt it first.  

Until tomorrow……  

Pastor Botts  

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” – Hebrews 11:1-2

Get It!

If opportunity isn’t knocking, maybe you need to build a door! – Anon  

Zacchaeus had much more on his mind than just ‘seeing’ Jesus when he climbed that tree. Hmm!  
So often we wonder why it seems others are prospering, getting invitations, answers, and results when it seems we’re in the midst of the most arid desert around. Sadly, the answer may be us. Could we be unapproachable, where our demeanor or attitude turns people off? Could we be unavailable, where our time or our rank in life is so valuable that those we deem of no help to us we shun? Or could we just be lazy, missing out on wave after wave of opportunity God sends our way because it might require us getting out of our comfort zone. The good news is that to turn it around all we need to do is look within, and then fall on our knees. God has ample work to be done, and as we offer ourselves to Him and His kingdom building purposes, we’ll soon find out that the harder we work the ‘luckier’(more blessed) we seem to become.  

Until tomorrow…..  

Pastor Botts  

“….and that He rewards those who earnestly seek after Him…” – Hebrews 11:6

Sight Beyond Sight

Good vision consists of being able to see the trees and the forest. Great vision sees the maker. – O. Battista  

When Jesus healed the blind man of Bethsaida, he was able to physically see, yet he missed out knowing WHO truly healed him. Hmm!  

For the most part we are a grateful people. We often take time to thank God for our blessings and what He has done in our lives, but often we miss the very essence of God Himself within the blessings He gives, or even the understanding of what He is doing in our lives when He is doing it. Just as Jesus stood before Pilate who was so focused on tradition and man-made doctrines he ‘missed’ God before his very eyes; we sometimes get so caught up in the blessing God sends we fail to see the spirit of God in the blessing. Hindsight is 20/20 vision, but we should pray that we will see God often face to face today.  

Until tomorrow….  

Pastor Botts  

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went. Even though he did not know where he was going…For he was looking forward to the city with foundations whose architect and builder is God.” – Hebrews 11:8,10

Sunglasses of Faith

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 reasonedthat God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.” – Hebrews 11:17,19

Trusting Faith

Faith sometimes has to travel under sealed orders. – O. Sanders   

Abram left his country, his people, and his father’s house without a clue as to where God was sending him. He trusted that God knew! AMEN.   

In certain hierarchical situations information is only given when completely necessary. The lack of vital information however does not in any way relieve any of the subordinates of their duty, they are to trust that the commanding officers know what is best. God is the same with us at times asking us to trust him and go forth without fully understanding it all, but trusting He knows best. If we are to be contagious we must first be courageous. He’s trusting us to GO today!   

Until tomorrow……   

Pastor Botts  

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” –Hebrews 11:1-2