Expert Discernment

Beware of self-styled experts. An ‘ex’ is a has-been, and a ‘spurt’ is a drip under pressure. – D. Wagoner

Simon the Sorcerer amazed the people posing himself to be the great “Divine Power of God”, until he ran into God’s man Philip. What a wonderful CHANGE! (Acts 8)

It's no secret that we all desire to be at our best, in the know, and on top of our game; even in our walk with God. But in this day and age of free-flowing information, books, tapes, etc. and our desire to stay positively focused on God’s desires; it is very easy to get caught up in ‘winds of doctrine’ that sound true but are not. Many bestsellers by well known individuals are fraught with erroneous theology, embellished truths, and positions of thought that are out of order and often contrary with the one true source, God’s word. Our prayer should be for a discerning heart.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” – I John 4:1

Little by Little

It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because we can only do a little. – S. Smith

Aaron helping Moses lift his arms in prayer during the battle was a small thing, but not to Joshua. Amen!

Every ant colony or beehive is so built, established and run with efficiency because each one does their part. It is not so much that it is a small part to play, it’s the fact that it is a necessary role to be filled. Without it, the whole cannot be completed, so each ant or bee works diligently without complete knowledge of the others doing their part, but with conviction the task they themselves  are doing is beneficial to the cause leading to greater benefits. God in His wisdom has never asked us to do it all, He only asks us to do what we know needs to be done. He can work around us, but He would rather Jesus live in us and work through us, than in spite of us. We just need remember ‘inch by inch it’s a cinch!

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“…greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world….” - IJohn 4:4

Faith Does

One person with a belief is greater than a force of 99 who only have interests. – Plato 

Jonathan, with one sword and only his armor bearer slew some 20 men, while his father and 600 soldiers caroused under a tree. Hmm! 

Most of us as Christians will say we have faith and mean it. The problem is sometimes we don’t understand it. Faith is not a noun or adjective, but a VERB. That means it takes more than lip service, it takes or requires action on our part. We often refer to the 11th chapter of Hebrews as the "Hall of Faith" as it bears out what our ancestors DID in their lives announcing “by faith they did…… . whatever their part.” God doesn’t expect us to do it all, He only expects us to allow Him to work through us to accomplish His purposes, or in other words do our part to continue in writing HIS-story. We were made for a purpose – HIS! 

Until tomorrow….. 

Pastor Botts 

“You dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” – I John 4:4

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