Your Response Is...

The remarkable thing about us is, we have a choice each day regarding the attitude we will embrace. – C. Swindoll  

Though in constant pain and suffering, Job continued to have a healthy attitude toward God his maker! His restoration soon came. AMEN!  

Life comes in full doses each and every day, whether we are well and on top of our game or sick and lowly. God created us to live life to the fullest for him, and nothing plays a more important role than our attitude. Life, drama, circumstances, and accidents will happen but the intensity, longevity, and impact of the situation will be based on our response as dictated by our attitude. The key is that those who find Jesus early in the morning are way ahead of the game.  

Until tomorrow……    

Pastor Botts  

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant.” – Philippians 2:5-7.

Standing Tall

You can stand tall without standing on someone, and you can be a victor without having victims. – H. Woods  

Jesus said “there is none greater in heaven than John the Baptist,” and all he did was preach and baptize. Hmm!  

One of the worldly perspectives we digest early on in life is that there is always a winner and a loser, that someone has to come out on top; and at all costs we’re to make sure that someone is us. And in truth we spend an inordinate amount of time trying to ‘scratch and claw’ our way up the ladder of success, for success requires the type of thinking and action where one must fight for all they get. In the search for significance, however; one seeks how they may best benefit society and those around them. Their way of thinking is not self-fulfillment but the enrichment of others, which is wholly in line with God’s desires, for we never stand taller than when we reach down to help someone else up.  

Until tomorrow….  

Pastor Botts  

“Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself….” – Romans 15:2-3

Where God Lives

God enters by private door into every individual. – R.W. Emerson

Jesus lived and walked among the people and many of them didn’t know who He was. Hmm!

Ask any child where God lives and odds are they’ll tell you “in heaven!” Ask any adult and you’ll probably get a list of answers depending on their personal theological perspective. Such answers miss an important point. The truth is God takes up residence in our heart. He lives in us. That should be a very sobering thought. This fact alone should keep us mindful of our attitude, our speech, and our behavior at all times. If our body truly is the ‘temple’ of God, then He should always have say over what we do, and how we do it. The reason the world keeps searching for God is obvious, that’s because He is not on display enough in the lives of His children. He is engineering situations for us all today to give us opportunity to show He’s alive and present.

Until tomorrow….

Pastor Botts

“[Jacob said]….how awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, this is the gate of heaven…” – Genesis 28:17  

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

Today vs Tomorrow

If you have one eye on yesterday, and one eye on tomorrow, you’re going to miss today. – Anon  

On the road to Emmaus the 2 disciples were so concerned with what had happened and what might’ve been, they almost missed HIM WHO IS!    

Last minute shopping, making preparations for the holiday, looking back over the years events, making new calendars and agendas for next year. Does any of this sound familiar? Possibly so for most of us! This time of year we lament on how fast the year has gone by and begin to make plans on how we’ll attack the New Year. It’s enough to wear you out. God knows what’s best for us which is why He only promises one day at a time. We should give the bulk of our resources, the bulk of our attention, and the bulk of our time to those people who cross our path today. This is how we spread the Good News and build the kingdom. At the last day God is not going to ask us if we worried about the needs or cares of life, but if we met the needs of those He sent our way.    

Until tomorrow……  

Pastor Botts  

“Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among all nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” – I Chronicles 16:23-24

Time Keeps on Slipping...

You cannot kill time without injury to eternity. – H. D. Thoreau  

Jesus told his disciples they MUST work while it is day, for it would soon come a time when they couldn’t. OUCH!  

Alarms, bells, whistles, chimes, etc. We’re surrounded by gadgets that each day remind us of the time. Time is the most precious commodity on planet earth. It is even more valuable than money. We can get more money, but we cannot get more time.  Each morning we all awake with the same 24-hour timeframe with which to work. How we spend it will well determine where we go when our time is no more. The key is not to waste it on fruitless endeavors, dead-end roads, harboring resentment and hate, or meaningless living; but rather invest it in lives and projects that will make an eternal difference. Martin Luther King, Jr. said “the time is always right to do what is right.” And that time is now, for none of us is getting younger by the day.  

Until tomorrow…..  

Pastor Botts  

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12

I Just Wanna Thank You

A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues. – Cicero

The psalms tell us indirectly there are 2 words the Lord never tires of – “thank you.” Maybe we should try it!

So often, we allow ourselves to become so preoccupied with the demands of daily living that we forget to say ‘thank you’ to the Giver of all good gifts. Worship and praise should be a part of everything we do for it is who we are at our core – a work of praise and worship to God. Praise is effusive in thanksgiving and adoration, and it opens our hearts to walk even more closely with God. It is when we forget to praise Him that we are so easily overwhelmed by life’s issues and lose our perspective. Work may be hard and strenuous, but we should thank Him for the means to provide for ourselves. Heartache may visit us from time to time, but we should thank Him that we have learned what love is all about. No matter the situation we may currently be facing, we should praise Him. Not only does it pay to praise God, but it lifts the spirit of our hearts, and that friend, is a blessing in itself.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“….through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess His name….” – Hebrews 13:15

Endings & Beginnings

Life is filled with endings, but every ending is also a new beginning. – Anon  

Adam & Eve were ushered out of God’s Garden after the fall ending their special relationship, but by then God had purposed to send Jesus. Marvelous!  

It’s true if we really think about it, the one constant in life is change. Every day, whether good or bad comes to an end and there is precious little we can do about it. We can however, thank God that he brought us through it, and begin to look with eager anticipation and expectation upon the next new beginning. This also applies in our relationships, friendships, jobs, and other areas. When God closes one door of opportunity he opens another. May you find his leadings. Today is Friday, the week-end. But praise God – Sunday’s comin.’  

Until Monday…….  

Pastor Botts  

“Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:25  

P.S. - Please make every attempt to make it to our Sunday School Devotional at 9AM. It's a 'special' presentation that you don't want to miss.

Blessed Failure

Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently. – H. Ford  

The Israelites failed miserably at keeping the covenant of Moses given by God. But then along came JESUS with a new way. HALLELUJAH!  

When it comes to tests, exams, tryouts, etc., within our hearts all of us want to do our best; be perfect even. But often, though we are well prepared we usually don’t fare well at times. The same holds true for life’s events, we usually fall short of expectations or perfection. The key is not to think life is over or our future is sealed because we didn’t succeed. We should take heart we have a God who believes in 2nd, 3rd, even 100th chances to get it right. And he has “graced” us with another day, TODAY, to hopefully start anew. I would suggest that the best way to start intelligently is with Him!  

Until tomorrow……  

Pastor Botts  

“The time is coming declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel….I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people.” – Jeremiah 31:31, 33

Clothed with New Life

Christianity is not turning over a new leaf, it’s turning over a new life. – Sparks

Paul, a man of means and status (Pharisee), considered his former life “rubbish” compared to a relationship with Jesus. HMMM!  

Sweatshirts. Rainwear. Sweaters, etc. We often wear these outer garments when the weather dictates it. Often however, we wear our “Christianity” the same way, when situations dictate it. But in reality our relationship with Christ must be an inward change of the heart permeating every area of our life, and not areas we want to pick and choose. Remember, if you don’t LIVE IT, you don’t BELIEVE IT!  

Until Monday…..  

Pastor Botts  

“You were taught, with regard to your  former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” – Ephesians 4:22-24

Prayer Power

When we rely upon #Education, we get what education can do; when we rely upon #Skill, we get what skill can do; when we rely upon #Technology, we get what technology can do; but when we rely upon #Prayer, we get what #God will do. – #RobertLeroe  

When Peter and John were charged not to preach Jesus anymore the early church didn’t start a letter writing campaign nor go on strike – they prayed. GOD MOVED!  

Without a doubt most of us are highly qualified for the work we do. We’ve spent years in disciplined training and vast hours in education. We’ve honed our skills to near perfection and enhanced our life with the latest technological innovations. But often we find in life, when it comes to dealing with people no matter how much education, skill, or technology you have, they are of little help. That’s why it pays to be a praying person. Prayer can do things all these other advantages can’t. Prayer interjects Our God who can change the hardest of hearts – even ours.  

Until tomorrow……  

Pastor Botts  

“Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” – Luke 18:1  

Note: There WILL NOT be a rally this comng Sunday (9/29) nor will we have a Vesper Service. Blessings!

Lesson Learned?

The toughest lesson to learn is probably the one you thought you already had. – Sparks  

Peter thought he was ready to die for Jesus until it was showtime. True he failed, but Jesus gave him another opportunity. AMEN!  

Déjà vu, coincidence! It seems life is like this quite often for most. Things we thought we were over and done with, habits we thought we had firmly broken away from or grown up from; seem to reappear on the horizon, tripping us up time and again. But often when we look at it properly we see they are not coincidental, they are the life lessons God is trying to work out in our lives. And until we pass the test convincingly with understanding, we will be sorely tried on every hand. God is effectively trying to cleanse and purge us from all sin (not big sin, little sin; but ALL sin) and He wants us to prove our love to Him not by words but by our actions and our heart. Life today will be filled with opportunity.  

Until tomorrow….  

Pastor Botts  

“So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory.” – I Peter 1:12-13

Crowd Mentality

Though important to know where you are going, better still is to know who you are following. – Sparks  

Paul/Saul knew he was a highly dedicated and well-trained man on a mission for God, until he met Jesus on the road. WOW!  

Upon reflection, I’m sure most of us can remember a journey or two we took where we didn’t like the end results. And in most cases it was more than likely because we did not know fully the details, we were ‘excited to be invited.’ However, without question; whether it be trend or person the majority of people today will still follow along without question. The common thinking is often that the “consensus can’t be wrong, the excitement can’t be false,” so this must be real.  Though God has given us the church, pastors, teachers, leaders, friends, etc; His call for us is not to them but to His Word. People are fallible and may stray, but God’s Word will always lead us to Him. In circumstances that come upon us the question to ask is ‘whose lead are we following?’  

Until tomorrow….  

Pastor Botts  

“Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong…… do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd.” – Exodus 23:2

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

Prayer Work

Remember that nothing will run itself, unless it’s running downhill. – Anon

In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus exhorted the disciples to “keep watch and pray” and not sleep.  Though they failed on several occasions, they finally got it right later. AMEN!

It’s true the life Jesus promised us is the life we all want, but it’s also true that to have the life we want we must put in the “work” required.  If we were to ever seriously look at the life Jesus lived we would see the first and last order of work is prayer. The reasons our lives are often run down, drained, and without effect is because we don’t do the necessary work in prayer. Prayer is what keeps the life running. It is as vital to the Christian life as food is to the physical life. Without it we cease to exist. I pray yours is effective.

Until Monday…..

Pastor Botts

“Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me and answer me. When thou saidst, ‘Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger, thou hast been my help, leave me not neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.’” – Psalm 27:7-9  

P.S. Hope to see you at the picnic. We'll join for prayer around 9:30AM.

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

Living the Flexible Life

Life is like a 10-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use. – C. Schultz  

James and John wanted to ‘call down fire’ on the Samaritans because they didn’t welcome Jesus. Jesus got them to relax and later on faith won the day. HMMM!  

Look on any freeway at any time and you’ll see them – Porsche’s, Maserati’s, Ferrari’s – built for excessive speed yet limited by the law, sheer pictures of frustration. Most of us live life that way as if we have only 1 speed. It is either a blistering race to the finish line (which we have no idea is where or when), or a scenic snails pace stopping at every turn (not making any progress). The life Jesus calls us to requires us to be very flexible – sometimes waiting and fasting, sometimes stealing away quickly, and sometimes taking long journeys – to experience the ‘abundance’ He promised. The idea is to take it 1 day at a time using all the gifts God has given us at the pace God sets, for He gives ‘grace sufficient for the day.’  

Until Monday…..  

Pastor Botts  

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” – Romans 12:1

How many of us have them?

A good library is a collection of friends. – L. Abbott  

When distress came upon Job his friends immediately came to his side. They weren’t the brightest, but they were there for him. Hmm!  

Batman & Robin. The Lone Ranger & Tonto. Crimefighters yes, but friends as well. No matter how we try to live out our lives we will soon discover it’s much better and easier with good friends than without them. Yes some events call for solitude but God wired us to be in communion with Him and “not to be alone.” Good fellowship with friends helps build up our spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being. The key to having them is to allow God to place them in our lives, and then enjoy. Why not read a chapter or two today.  
Until tomorrow…..  

Pastor Botts  

“One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles.” – Luke 6:12-13

No Complaints

The best years in life are those between birth and death. – Anon  

Through good times and a lot of suffering, Jesus made the most out of his life here on earth so at the last he could profoundly say “It is finished.” WOW!  

Complain, complain, complain! Sometimes it seems it’s all we can do or it’s all we hear from others. It almost makes one think life is not worth the living no matter what age one reaches. But in truth, it really doesn’t matter how young or old one is the best time of life is right now. No matter the circumstances, good or bad, up or down, sickness or health, the joy or misery that comes out of them will be directly proportional to the effort and attitude we attack them with. True we may not like our station in life right now but God still expects us to ‘rejoice’ in it, meaning we can look for the lessons and inspiration He would have us learn from it. Today is a great gift just full of blessings and benefits if we know how to approach it. The choice is ours and ours alone.  

Until tomorrow….  

Pastor Botts  

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Something WILL happen

Being an optimist after you’ve gotten everything you want doesn’t count. – F.M. Hubbard

When Jesus’ mother troubled him about the wine at the wedding feast, she knew something would be done, and it would be good. Wow!

Make no mistake friend, this world can present itself as a very formidable and powerful opponent; with its shocking human interest stories, depressing economic news, or downright evil activities of mankind seemingly going on all day, every day. But as those who trust in God, we must always know He is in control, nothing happening is catching Him off-guard, and He is always with us. So in the midst of our surroundings we can still live courageously, not shrinking back or retreating at all, but holding steady, listening for His call to move forward or move out of the way. Yes, this world will test us but we only need remember the battle is the Lord’s and He has already assured us of the victory. So whatever today brings, know that if we hold fast we will overcome.  

Until tomorrow……  

Pastor Botts  

“…and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him….” – Romans 8:28