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.

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

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

With God

Sometimes there is no safer place than in the eye of the storm with God - Anon

In spite of his wife, health, and friends; Job continued to trust God. God answered mightily. Hmm!

In a world filled with a host of temptations and dangers, God is our ultimate armor. In a world filled with misleading and mixed messages, God’s word is our ultimate truth. In a world filled with frustration after frustration, God’s Son offers the perfect peace. And in a world where death is the ultimate enemy; God’s promise of eternal life with Him in heaven is hopefully reassuring. As we can see from this and other things in life, it doesn’t matter what the world throws at us, God has the answer and He cannot fail. We only need to trust in Him and His promises. Things may not be to our liking right now, but the day is new, and God has promised……..

Until tomorrow…….

Pastor Botts

“…the Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8

Frustrations

Life is often unfair, that’s why there’s God. - Anon

Even on the worst day of his life, when he lost everything; Job still refused to give up or get mad with God. Hmm!

Sometimes the toast gets burnt, the kid spills the milk, the car breaks down, or maybe we get stuck in a traffic jam. These are minor frustrations of life, but we must catch ourselves, slow down, gain perspective and not let these minor frustrations become a major attitude issue. Every day God gives us is perfect, but yet it doesn’t mean everything that happens will be good and perfect. But His promise is to take it all and bring good from it in His good time if we remain faithful and true. The frustrations that happen to us rob God neither of His power or promises. So in spite of the frustrations we might face, an attitude of gratitude will win the day with God.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God…..For the Lord your God is a merciful God…..” – Deuteronomy 4:30-31

Sacred Idleness

Work is not always required. There is such a thing as sacred idleness. – G. MacDonald

The Israelites were not allowed to plow or plant their fields every 7th year. They were to trust that God would provide. He did! 

Though money is not required to buy one necessity of the soul, we often work like it is. The work week stretches from 40 to 50 or 60+ hours a week. We often look for extra hours or weekends to pad the paycheck. This is not necessarily bad, but it often interferes with or cuts time we could spend replenishing body, mind and spirit, particularly the time God set aside for us to visit His house. It’s important to remember that when God made us he made us human, not machines. 

Until Monday……. 

Pastor Botts 

“By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from ALL HIS WORK.” – Genesis 2:2

The Ability to Do

If you want to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first create the universe. – C. Sagan 

Paul stated emphatically that “all things were possible only in Christ.” Hmm! 

Most of us can do some pretty amazing things, create some astounding inventions or designs, or even uncover deep-deep truths and wisdom. And it’s no secret most people pride themselves by such accomplishments and feats. While such skills and talents are wonderful, we must never forget they are ‘gifts’ from our Creator. Everything we work with was given by Him. And just as He reminded Job about where he stood in the creation, we must never define ourselves by these skills and talents, be remember to give thanks that they are ours to use for His glory. 
Until tomorrow……. 

Pastor Botts 

“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.” – I Timothy 6:7

Impact seasoned with Salt

It’s important that people should know what you stand for, it’s more important they can stand you. – Anon 

Job called his three friends ‘miserable’ comforters for their advice, but they were still his friends. In the end he got to pray for them. Hmm! 

By way of definition – conversation – means a two-way pleasant exchange of ideas, ideals, or information. But sometimes all to often in our conversing we go off pontificating, or belittling, or even being downright obstinate with those who don’t agree with us; creating such a stir and fuss it creates alienation and hard feelings. God expects us to stand up for truth and morality and all things righteous and holy, but not at the expense of ‘crucifying’ others who disagree. Jesus’ way was to show care and concern for the individual and then illuminate them on the truth. True, not everyone accepted it, but they all marveled at his teaching, so the more we’re around others the greater the opportunity we'll have to impact their lives. Opportunities will be plentiful today. 

Until tomorrow…. 

Pastor Botts 

“…always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…”
– I Peter 3:15