Real Trust

Sorry looks back, Worry looks around, Faith looks up! – Anon  

Paul had a laundry list of persecutions and afflictions he suffered personally, but he always looked up to Christ. AMEN!  

Our outlook on life is based on our attitude within. The issues and circumstances of life happen upon us all for the purpose of perfecting our character here on earth. How we respond is based upon what we have within. We can blame the world and everyone else and feel sorry for ourselves, we can cry conspiracy and believe everyone and the system is out to get us, or we can believe God and trust that everything that comes upon us can and will be worked out for our good and His glory. The decision is purely ours.  

Until tomorrow…..  

Pastor Botts  

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.” – Isaiah 12:2

Working out Success

Success comes neither through the mail or prayer, but through faithful effort. – Anon

Even though God promised victory to him in the prayer before the battle, David still had to fight the battle. Hmm!

It should come as no surprise that life is somewhat an action sport – meaning; that to get anything from it , we must live it out. The things we desire success in, Christian living, marriage, career path, education, etc., will only be achieved through concerted effort. Faith and prayer are the fuels we use to sustain us, but faith and prayer without work is just ‘whistlin in the wind.’ God fully expects us to use the skill sets, gifts, and mental acuity He has blessed us with, and we will have to give an accounting to Him one day about it. And last, we must remember no matter how great we may become, how good we may be at doing things, or the accolades others may heap upon us, God holds the only definition that really matters for success – salvation.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things..…….Come and share your master’s happiness” – Matthew 25:21

The Cost

Salvation is free……but discipleship will cost you your life. - D. Bonhoeffer  

Peter said he was willing to die for Jesus, until that fateful night and the cock “crowed.” Hmm!  

The average person likes a bargain in any deal, where you get more for less; but if we’re not careful we begin to apply that type of mentality to God and His church. Salvation is free but God expects whole-hearted devotion. Whole-heartedness shows itself in perseverance, there may be a failure or two at first, but the earnest devotee thinks, “it is the Lord’s work, and it must be done; I signed up for it, My Lord has bidden ME to do it, and in His strength I will do it.” I pray there is no “crowing” in our inner chamber.  
Until tomorrow…..  

Pastor Botts  

“As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’ Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head’….Still another said, ‘I will follow you Lord, but first let me go back and say good by to my family.’ Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’” – Luke 9:57-58, 61-62

God's Meter

Just because you can’t see God doesn’t mean He isn’t near. – Anon 

The angel of the Lord stood right in front of Balaam, yet only the donkey saw him. Hmm! 

Gas, water, electric – meters. Every house or apartment has them, and they report how much we use. Now the regulators are not there, but the meter runs everyday or every time you use the services. The regulators don’t see you use it, they don’t see how you use it (good, bad, illegal, etc.), and they don’t see what you use it on. But at the appointed time they send you a bill. We may get angry when it comes and dispute the amount, but we pay it because we don’t like the consequences of being without. God too, has a meter – our heart or conscience – and there will come a time when the ‘bill’ is due. The question that must be answered is will it show we had a heart for and after Him or for other things. Here’s hoping we know for sure where we stand. 

I will be leaving on vacation as of today. My prayers are that while I’m away you continue to grow in your faith walk with God. So until I return this keyboard will be silent…. 

Pastor Botts 

“….And do this, understanding the present time….because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” – Romans13:11 

P.S. –

Don’t forget the Sunday School Devotional time this Sunday at 9AM in Parmes Hall. Your attendance could make a difference. 

Also, PARENTS, don’t forget the called meeting this Sunday after morning services.