Spirit of Giving

True charity sees the need, not the cause. – German Proverb  

When Jesus looked out over the crowds he saw them as sheep without a shepherd and had compassion. Then He went to help them. Hmm!  

We live in a world where it seems everyone has a hand out. We spread our paycheck out as much as we can and there are still needs to be met.  And all too often we want to determine why the need is there, what caused it; before we decide if we’re going to do anything about it. And in this day and age, though this is wise thinking; we should never lose our heart of compassion for the truly needy. Being burned in the past should not turn us off altogether, and if so we miss great opportunities to minister and reach out. It’s in many of these situations that seeds get planted. It’s not so much the actual gift but the giving of one’s self that makes it worthwhile.  

Until Monday....  

Pastor Botts  

“The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want…” – Mark 14:7

To Love or To Judge?

We can either judge others or we can love others – but we can’t do both. – Anon  

When the crowd brought the woman taken in “the very act” of adultery to Jesus, they were shocked by His response – LOVE!  

Decisions, decisions, decisions. One of the toughest things in the world for us as Christians is to practice consistent decision making. We often go from one extreme to the other always with ‘OUR OWN’ best interests at hand. But if the word of God tells us to “consider others better than ourselves,” I think God’s calling to us is to practice love, not law. This is not to say that we condone the actions of those who transgress God’s commands, but neither do we become judge, jury, and executioner. Ours is to keep ourselves pure and extend grace to others in hopes of their repentance.  I pray we will be like Him today.  

Until tomorrow…..  

Pastor Botts  

“The second [command] is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these’.” – Mark 12:31

Show Love

If we look for opportunities to show love, we’ll overlook many, many opportunities to hate.  – Anon  

The town was stirred with hatred and ready to stone the adulterous woman, but Jesus seized a chance to practice love. Hmm!  

Often, because someone is not of our ilk, or up to our standards, or allowing us the freedoms we want, we shamelessly find ways to “put them down.” But if we’re to “love even our enemies,” then hatred and separation should be the last thing we seek. If God loves us in our imperfect status because he sees what we can be, we should love others the same. Love may not make the world go round, but it does often make the ride worthwhile, and you’ll find life a bit less stressful as well.  

Until tomorrow…..  

Pastor Botts  

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” – John 3:16-17

What's the score?

The surest way to win in a relationship: just don’t keep score! - Sparks  

Though the disciples failed him many times and even fled, Jesus still entrusted the church to them. They later turned the world upside down for him. AMEN!  

Record keeping is good for business matters, but bad for relationships. Relationships are built upon love, and God’s model is best. God is gracious, merciful, and forgiving. No matter the size of the infraction, He willingly forgives and shows mercy if we seek Him. This is not to say we continue in sin and error, it is just God’s way of letting us know He understands our imperfections and is willing to work with us to overcome them. Likewise He fully expects us to demonstrate the same traits in our daily lives (“freely you have received, freely give”) with those we interact with. The goal is not to win the war but to win the person.  

Until tomorrow……  

Pastor Botts  

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” – I Corinthians 13:4-7

Getting Better

You can always be better. – Anon  
Abel was not just content to offer God the ‘fat portions’ of his increase, he took them from the firstborn of his flock. Hmm!  

“Close enough!” If ever a phrase limited man that’s it. We’ve become a people or society that lives by that credo. It’s given us license to reset the target, lower our expectations, and rest our pursuits. But today was given to us for just one purpose – we can all always be better. Better at loving, better at forgiving, better at extending mercy, better at lending a hand, better at listening with an open heart, better at speaking gracefully, better at exercising patience, better at stewardship, better at friendship, and even better at work or play. The list can go on and on and on – for we were all made in the image of God (in character and nature) and He has ALWAYS given us His best, so in truth we have nothing but upside potential. Besides, by getting better in any of the above we actually get better at giving God praise, and in the end that’s what really matters.  

Until tomorrow…..  

Pastor Botts  

“….So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty….’” – Luke 17:10

All in or All Lie

A half-truth is a whole lie. – Anon

When Jesus stated “these people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me,” it wasn’t a one time occurrence. WOW!  
We all know from our school and life lessons in logic that if any part of a statement is false, the whole statement is false. We should remember that deception in any form is a tool of the enemy. Half-truths are often told with the intent to deceive in some form or fashion. Unfortunately, many people seem to like living their lives this way. When we live by our own sense of morality, our own brand of truth, or our own standard of justice; and claim to belong to Christ also, we’re only half-right and in actuality only deceiving ourselves. Jesus said His way was the “ONLY” way. The Christian ‘life’ is in word and deed, not word only.
 
Until tomorrow…..
 
Pastor Botts
 
“…‘The most important {truth},’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength….Love your neighbor as yourself…” – Mark 12:29-31

Listen Up

The first duty of LOVE – is to LISTEN! – Tillich  

To love Jesus is to know His Word. To know His Word is to listen. Hmm!  

We start out as babies in the crib listening for the calming voices of our parents. Then we proceed to adolescence where we’re instructed by those we love to listen to the voice of authority to guide us correctly in life. Somehow it seems in adulthood we forget this process, or assume it’s unnecessary, or tune into the wrong frequency, thus making our life messy. If our goal truly is heaven, I think we need to learn this lesson over again and ‘listen’ for the Master, as He’s the only one with directions on how to get there.  

Until Monday……  

Pastor Botts  

“The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’ And the Lord said to Samuel: ‘See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle’” – I Samuel 3:10-11

Christmas Perspective

The gift of Christmas leaves none wanting or wishing if it is truly received. - Anon

The Israelites had God as their loving leader,  instead after looking at their neighbors they wanted a king like everyone else. It really cost them. Hmm!

Admittedly, we are imperfect human beings in nature. We know what God says to us in His Word, but yet we go against it anyway. For instance, we know that envy is sin, but sometimes in our human frailness and particularly in this time of the year where we see the blessings, gifts, and fellowships others are enjoying envy can rear its head. Thus, we must guard ourselves against that natural tendency to feel resentment and jealousy towards others because of their good fortune. As a believer, we have absolutely no right or reason to be envious of anyone, because we ourselves are already possessors of the greatest gift of all creation: God’s Grace through Christ. Nothing matches it, exceeds it, or compares with it, and it abounds more and more each day. So a simple suggestion guaranteed to keep us satisfied and content is to fill our hearts with God’s love, His promises, and His Son, and that will not leave any room for any bitter activity.

We will be taking a few days off until the New Year, so until then…..
Pastor Botts

“…..therefore, laying aside all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy……desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” – I Peter 2:1-2

God (Love) is...Everyday

We may love God too little, but we can never love Him too much. – R. Murray  

How would you answer the question Jesus asked of Peter: “Do you love me?” Hmm!  

In truth at times everyone thinks they’re overdoing it for God. With the time at church, involvement in ministry, serving on committee, etc. While these are all well and good, it does not necessarily correlate to a love for God nor a love of God. It goes without saying that love is an action word. It is expressed in our deeds, actions, and way of life as directed by what’s in our heart, moreso than any verbal expression we can muster. Yes, we show it in our tenderness, our dedication, our discipline, our sharing, and our fellowship among other things. But the key is we want to express it in as many ways as we can and as often as we can. God is not limited to being loved only on Sunday, or at meal time, or just before we lay down at night. Just as His love for us is unrestrained and boundless and shows up in so many different ways, so should our love be for Him. And there should be no cause for us to worry for just as sure as we can’t beat God giving, we can’t out love Him either.  

Until tomorrow….  

Pastor Botts  

“….and I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge….” – Ephesians 3:17-19

Direct AND Correct

To find direction from God you must take correction from God. – Anon  

Before Isaiah uttered his familiar refrain to God, “Here am I, Send me,” God had to purge and cleanse him for the task. Hmm!  

All too often we want God to just pour out His blessing on us without speaking a word into our lives. But God is a God of relationship and covenant, our Heavenly Father; and as such has the authority to “correct” us when we stray. Just as our parents spoke into our lives and provided for us as we were growing up, the pattern they followed was given by God. So if we want and expect His blessings we must seek His ways. If we heed not the correction His ways require we are not his children nor entitled to the blessings. I pray we may all find our way today.  

Until Monday…..  

Pastor Botts  

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and he chastises everyone He ACCEPTS as a son.” – Hebrews 12:5-6

Are you defeated?

True defeat occurs only when YOU totally give up and quit. - Anon
 
Peter’s great message on the Day of Pentecost was fueled somewhat by the memory of his earlier betrayal of Jesus. Hmm!  

The occasional disappointments and heartaches of life are not in the least discriminatory, they befall all of us, no matter age or status. They are born out of our desire and willingness to take a risk at loving someone, or being willing to pursue a goal or dream. Even though we may suffer upsets, we’ve not really lost; we’ve gained a rich experience to draw upon that should help us further mold our faith. God gifted us with the ability to learn and discern no matter what the situation, if we are willing. And God Himself was there with us the whole time, and He is true to His promises to heal, restore, refresh, replenish, and love endlessly. And knowing this, should only serve as inspiration to spur us on to risk even more for God.  

Until tomorrow….  

Pastor Botts  

“…..I have loved you with an everlasting love, I have drawn you out with loving-kindness…” – Jeremiah 31:3

How far does Your love go?

Christian love goes the second mile, and the third, and the fourth if necessary. – Anon  

Jesus, our perfect example; showed us how far his love went – all the way to the cross. WOW!  

Peter was asked of Jesus 3 times “Do you love me,” each time more probing than before. Jesus wanted Peter to know his love could not have any bounds. It’s a question we must all answer as Christians. How far does our love go? Does it go far enough to help the one who is down and out, far enough to bear the indignity of our co-worker, far enough to bear the sleight of our friend, far enough to forgive the hurt caused by our family member, far enough to disrupt our schedule for someone in need, or far enough to continue to fight in spite of surmounting odds against us. And if the answer is YES, then we must ask ourselves would we do it again and again. God did, and continues to do it for us. His desire in this is that we “go and do likewise.”  

Until tomorrow…….  

Pastor Botts  

“...and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God..." - Ehpesians 3:19

Using that Good Word

To understand the bible requires openness; first you open it, then you open you. – Anon

When Jesus taught them from the ‘scriptures’ of old they wondered where did he get such wisdom. Hmm!

The bible is a priceless gift, a tool for Christians to live by. It’s a love letter from God. The reason we so often get ‘love’ all mixed up and confused is because we search for it in every other thing and every other place, not understanding that we can never fully know love until we understand it from God’s perspective, the giver of the gift. And because we often keep this great tool closed and/or out of sight we mutter through life unfulfilled. The world is filled with hungering folks who have exactly what they need at their fingertips. We cannot truly love God and live fully unless we know Him, and He wants to be known. God’s Holy Word is indeed, a priceless, one-of-a-kind treasure. Yes, it needs to be handled with care, but more importantly, we need to handle it every day. Today’s great day to start.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“…Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God…” – Matthew 4:4

Golden Rule Living

Just as mirrors only reflect what they see, our lives only produce what we believe. - Anon

God often brought unpleasant circumstances before His people just to see what was in their heart. Hmm!

No doubt about it, we all would like the world to be a better place. That’s a great sentiment, and a noble desire. But the question we need answer is:  ’What can we do to make it a better place?’ We all know the ‘Golden Rule’ – treat others in the same way you want to be treated – but do we really believe and practice it as Jesus commanded? To go the extra mile. To be kind in spite of others. To love expecting nothing in return. To go beyond our comfort zone. True faith never asks whether good works are to be done or even considered. Faith just acts on impulse for the works are its lifeblood, faith without works is dead.  Everyone wants to change the world but no one wants to start with himself, so we often leave it to others ‘greater’ than our self. God will not ask us why weren’t we more like Paul, Esther, David, etc., He’s just going to ask were we faithful and true. Hopefully our answer is already being written in the affirmative, and we’re doing all we can to confirm it each day.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“…So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12

Somebody to Love

Love is an act of faith, therefore whoever is of little faith is also of little love. – E. Fromm 

Though she was looked upon with contempt and even called a dog, the Canaanite woman’s faith impressed Jesus. It was motivated by love for her daughter, not herself. Hmm! 

It’s a true statement: What the world needs now is love! The scriptures bear it out loud and clear many, many times, “God is love” (I John 4:8), “for God so loved the world” (John3:16). The point is He’s asked us to show it by our faith. We extend love to others not because we expect love in return, but because it is Christ within us reaching out to man. If we cannot love all men, we cannot truly love God. In our chance encounters and circumstances today we're expected to practice the faith. 

Until tomorrow…… 

Pastor Botts 

“Hear , O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.’” – Mark 12:29-31

Gracious Love for All

Those who deserve love the least, need it the most. – Anon 

Matthew and Zacchaeus. Tax collectors hated and despised by their own people. Yet Jesus counted them among his ‘friends.’ Hmm! 

At any given moment most of us could possibly think of someone who we would deem as unworthy of any grace or love (murderers/killers, terrorists, enemies, vagrants, etc.). But in reality, we too are never really deserving of God’s love, but yet he extends it freely to all. And his love knows no bounds or limits and covers a multitude of sins – OURS. Acceptance of the gift doesn’t make us better than the next person, it just makes us aware of our own needs. God wants everyone to know of his love and has given us the honor and privilege of sharing it. As you face the day remember his love knows no color or circumstances it cannot touch. 

Until tomorrow…… 

Pastor Botts 

“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful……the grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” – I Timothy 1:12,14

HE Loves Us

God loves us not because of who we are, but because of who He is. – R. Murray

After his denials of Christ Peter went and wept. After his resurrection, Jesus went to Peter and ‘reinstated’ him. WOW! 

The world gives adulation to its own. Movie stars, star athletes, writers, politicians, etc. are heaped great praise and adoration for their actions, and often begin to believe they deserve such. It’s easy for us to get caught up into the mode of thinking we deserve God’s love because of what we’ve accomplished for Him, how long we’ve been faithful, or even because we can see the ‘change’ in our lives. The truth of the matter is God loved us from the very beginning, when we weren’t the people we are now, when we had not accomplished the things we’ve accomplished now. He even loved us when we went astray, and rejected Him. Aside from His holiness, love is His nature. There is nothing we can really do earn His love, for He freely gives it to all. May you feel loved today! 

Until tomorrow……. 

Pastor Botts 

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

Blessed to Bless

People who do things that count never stop to count them. – Bulletin Digest 

In Acts 9 we read of a lady named Tabitha. Her only claim to fame was “she was always doing good and helping the poor.” God through Peter “smiled” on her. Hmm! 

We sing a song entitled ‘Count Your Blessings’ and from that we truly realize we could never count how much or how often we have been blessed. And God blesses us to be a blessing to others. Unfortunately many of us seem to sometime carry itemized lists of the times we’ve helped people and often remind them of it, and convince ourselves we’ve earned a rest or bye or certainly some type of grand recognition. If Jesus is our example maybe we need to re-think this. 

Until tomorrow….. 

Pastor Botts 

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners to that…..But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is king to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”- Luke 6:32-36 

Loving Each Other

If you plant hope today in any hopeless heart, if someone's burden becomes lighter because you do your part, if you cause a laugh that chases a tear away, if tonight your name is mentioned when someone kneels to pray, then your day will be well spent. – Anon 

The greatest thing Andrew did was go find his brother Peter and tell him about the Messiah. Hmm! 

Most people would jump at the chance to do something for notoriety, fame, or fortune. Just look at the continuing onslaught of ‘reality based TV’ shows and the number of contestants just waiting to make it big, do the improbable or the impossible. But God’s improbable or impossible is just for us to be human and humane to one another. God never expects us to do the impossible, but to do just what is ‘natural’ in the course of being a compassionate individual; to help someone a little further on their way, for in doing so it helps us on our way. That’s loving our neighbor as ourselves. 

Until tomorrow….. 

Pastor Botts ….

"This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no greater commandment greater than these.’” – Mark 12:31

More than Rules

God’s will is not an itinerary, but an attitude. – A. Dhuse 

The Pharisee checked off his to-do-list in his prayer time to God. God was not impressed. Hmm! 

It is always good to follow instructions, particularly when they are sound, just, and beneficial. And in general it is what we're supposed to do. And true, the bible is a good instruction book and has a lot of do’s and don’ts in it. But it is not just a book of regulations and instructions to follow and lists to march by, it is a letter to learn about God and how we should live. Without it, we have no idea of who God is and how to love Him. With it we know not only how to love God, but others and ourselves as well. Love is the greatest attitude. Practice sessions will be happening throughout the day. 

Until tomorrow….. 

Pastor Botts 

"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” – I John 4:11-12