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

Getting vs Becoming

Our reward is what we become, not what we get. – R. Murray  

Abraham became a ‘friend’ of God, Moses became ‘God’s man’ and neither of them made it to the Promised Land God spoke of. Hmm!  

All too often in our prayer lives we go to God asking Him to give, grant, supply, or meet our needs – which are mostly physical – and rarely do we thank Him for what He is making of us. All of us can look back and see the changes God has made in us and for this we should be profusely thankful. The idea of getting things is great, but just like a new toy when the novelty wears off, we’re back to asking for more. Life is not so much about getting as it is becoming, and that becoming or manifesting all of what God made us for. So if there is no getting today, just give thanks for what God is making of you.  

Until tomorrow…..  

Pastor Botts  

“I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” – John 15:1-2

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