Answers are waiting

Heaven is full of answers to prayer for which no one bothered to ask.  - B. Graham  

James told the saints of old “they have not because they ask not.” Makes good sense to me! AMEN!  

“It’s the squeaky wheel that gets the oil,” is a phrase many of us remember growing up with; indicating that the one who cried out the most and/or the loudest seemingly got all the attention. That’s a good analogy to use when it comes to prayer. We can’t cry out too loud or too often to God. Oftentimes in our prayer lives we seemingly don’t bother God with various problems or issues thinking them too little or vain or even silly. But with God there is no small, vain, or silly prayer – as He just loves to hear from His children, and He has ‘wonderful things in store’ for those who ask.  You might’ve noticed in some of His answers an abundance of blessing, could it be possibly because He hears from us so rarely He just pours it on? Hmm!  

Until tomorrow…..  

Pastor Botts  

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven…..” – II Chronicles 7:14

Don't take it for granted

This is the day that the Lord has made – PERIOD! - Anon  

Paul was quick to point out that all he possessed or became was because of Jesus alone. AMEN!  

I’m sure if we all give it some thought we can remember a time or two when we reached for something and got our hand smacked by mom or dad because we did not ask permission. We just assumed that because it was in reach, and it was good for us, it was ours for the taking; no thoughts about anything else. But the lesson learned from this experience ran deeper than just asking permission, it forced us to think about the who, the why, the where issues behind it and realize we should never take things for granted. Jesus taught his disciples through prayer to ‘ask’ of God all their needs, with phrases such as “Give us this day”….or “forgive us our trespasses”….or even “lead us not into temptation,” etc. Well, TODAY is a gift. If we’ve taken anything without asking God’s permission, it’s not too late to say THANKS!  

Until tomorrow…..  

Pastor Botts  

“….As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.” – II Corinthians 6:1

Un-Fixed

No one is poor who can by prayer open up the storehouse of God. – Anon  

Solomon prayed asking God for guidance and wisdom to rule his people. He got that and every other blessing God could muster. Amen!  

When it comes to living on this earth most of us are poor because we live on “fixed” incomes. Fixed by what WE see, what WE can do, and by what WE are. But we serve a God who is the Creator of all things and is able to “do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.” Yet we live as paupers. God is ready to open the storehouse of heaven for us if only we would ask. The key however, is not only praying in God’s will, but in making God’s will OUR will – then all of heaven is at our disposal. I’m not advocating the ‘prosperity gospel’ some preach but the truth that a Christian in any situation knows they are rich beyond measure.  

Until Monday……  

Pastor Botts  

“You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” – James 4:2-3  

P.S. - Don't forget this Sunday's Devotional time at 9AM in the fellowship hall. You don't want to miss it.