God Options

God always has options. – Anon

Both Abraham and Job had to be reminded that “nothing was too hard for God.” Not a thing! Amen.

McGuyver! The A-Team! Mission Impossible! The premise of these shows was always that the fate of the world rested in the hands of the individual(s), and they were always met with almost insurmountable odds and enemies; but yet they still won out. If they could do it, and in their own strength, how about the God we serve. He is the creator of Heaven and earth, so there is nothing he can’t handle, and He has promised us victory if we remain faithful. So no matter what we’re up against, or how dark the way may seem, or how hopeless life may appear; though we may not see a way out, just remember God has ways of delivering us that we haven’t even considered yet. And that is the essence of our hope.

Until tomorrow…..  

Pastor Botts  

“Now to Him who is able to immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever! Amen.” – Ephesians 3:20-21

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

On time

Punctuality is the politeness of kings. – Louis XVIII  

Even though Abraham was going to the mountaintop to sacrifice his son, he still rose early in the morning to get started. Hmm!  

It’s both amazing and somewhat sadly amusing when you think about it, but the One who transcends time is the One always on time. God is never late. He may show up unannounced, that’s His nature; but He shows up on time; every time. And in truth, when we think about it, He deserves the same from us. Everything else in this world gets our early attention. We’ll tailgate before football games, show up early at the ballpark to watch batting practice, get to the movies early to watch the previews, stand in line overnight to get a bargain, and on and on. But when it comes to church, bible study, Sunday School, or some other ‘God function’ it seems tardiness is the norm. If it’s important to us that God be on time in our lives, maybe, just maybe it’s important to God that we be on time for His activities.  

Until tomorrow….  

Pastor Botts  

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven…” – Ecclesiastes 3:1    

P.S. - Malestorm Event: please meet up at the church tomorrow at NOON. We will plan our event from there as the golfing outting has to be cancelled due to league play at the course.

Obey This

Unless he obeys, a man cannot believe no matter how often he says he does. – D. Bonhoffer 

When God gave 99-year old Abraham the covenant of circumcision, that very day he and his household were circumcised. Hmm! 

Everyday we witness it and think little of it, but it has a profound belief behind it – a traffic light. We obey the colors and we know unequivocally RED means stop, so we obey. The danger in not obeying is too great. We’ve seen the destruction that happens when one disobeys. The same is true in life. We see it everyday as well, lives interrupted or shipwrecked by disobedience to God’s Word by those who say they confess Christ as Lord. God’s desire is not to cause us harm but good, so somewhere there must be a disconnect. Life is more than platitudes and feel good statements. It may make us feel good to say “God knows my heart” and He does indeed know it, but he is still looking for obedience. It is a matter of living up to what we say we profess. God would have it no other way. 

Until tomorrow….. 

Pastor Botts 

“But Samuel replied: Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice…” I Samuel 15:22