Self is not the center

Most of the shadows in this life are caused by standing in one’s own sunshine. – R. W. Emerson  

Even after Solomon was anointed king by David, Adonijah still tried to gain the spotlight by asking for Abishag; David’s wife. It cost him dearly. HMM!  

It's been said "the hardest instrument to play in the orchestra is 2nd fiddle." No one wants to be second string or back-up, we all for some reason want to be first; that we may gain the recognition and notoriety we aptly deserve. We want, we covet, we boast, we brag – it’s all about us – never once thinking maybe God has a different perspective and a different purpose in mind. This is often how many of our problems get the best of us, for we keep the focus on ourselves. Receiving praise is one thing, but living for it spells trouble; for our purpose is not to deflect light to ourselves but to our Heavenly Father.  

Until tomorrow….  

Pastor Botts  

“But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.’” – Numbers 20:12

Un-Fixed

No one is poor who can by prayer open up the storehouse of God. – Anon  

Solomon prayed asking God for guidance and wisdom to rule his people. He got that and every other blessing God could muster. Amen!  

When it comes to living on this earth most of us are poor because we live on “fixed” incomes. Fixed by what WE see, what WE can do, and by what WE are. But we serve a God who is the Creator of all things and is able to “do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.” Yet we live as paupers. God is ready to open the storehouse of heaven for us if only we would ask. The key however, is not only praying in God’s will, but in making God’s will OUR will – then all of heaven is at our disposal. I’m not advocating the ‘prosperity gospel’ some preach but the truth that a Christian in any situation knows they are rich beyond measure.  

Until Monday……  

Pastor Botts  

“You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” – James 4:2-3  

P.S. - Don't forget this Sunday's Devotional time at 9AM in the fellowship hall. You don't want to miss it.  

Happiness: Attitude and Heart Choice

It is not our position that makes us happy or unhappy, it’s our disposition. – R. Murray 

Rehoboam took over the great kingdom of his father Solomon, and immediately got mad at the people. Hmm! 

It takes all kinds of people to make up this crazy mixed-up world, and unfortunately many are – sad, unhappy, depressed, etc. – and the truth is they don’t have to be that way, it all depends on how you look at life. God has gifted us with that life, but how we live it and enjoy its ups and downs, starts and stops, and sometimes indecipherable events is solely up to us as individuals. Material blessings may make life a bit more comfortable or easygoing, but they can never make one happy; for happiness is an attitude and heart choice. And though God says we should “choose life and its blessings;” He will not force us to do so. So if we’re waiting or looking for happiness, just know it’s been there all along. 

Until tomorrow…. 

Pastor Botts 

“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” – Proverbs 15:13

Just Read and Believe

The world is a spiritual kindergarten, where thousands of bewildered children are trying to spell ‘GOD’ with all the wrong blocks. – E.A. Robinson 

King Solomon. He spared himself no expense nor pleasure to find the true meaning and purpose of life, only to conclude it’s God and His word. Hmm! 

We all know what we like and dislike, and we're pretty quick and adamant to let our family, friends, and associates know, so that we'll get the respect, treatment, and cooperation we want. That's just part of our nature, it's what helps to make us who we are. Interestingly enough though, we rarely seem to give that same type of thinking to God and His desires. Often we just wear ourselves out looking under every rock or behind every tree for the latest fad to draw closer to Him. He's given us His Word that we might know Him deeply, but somehow we think an open book test is all too easy. Maybe it’s just time for us to read and believe the bible. After all, what have we got to lose? 

Until tomorrow…… 

Pastor Botts 

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” – Psalm 1:1-2

Working with Purpose

By working faithfully eight hours a day, you may eventually get to be a boss and work twelve hours a day. – R. Frost 

Even though he was king, Solomon’s quest for wisdom knew no bounds and kept him so busy he had to cry out “meaningless” or “I give up.” Now that’s WISE! 

While we are called to be diligent in all we do, and climbing the “corporate ladder” or pursuing the ‘career opportunity’ is a noble and worthwhile task, let us not forget that work is a means to an end, not an end of itself. God gives us ‘work’ as a means of providing for ourselves, the church, and others. As we progress in life and status we must remember that in all things God is not only a part of our life, He is most important in our lives and commands first place in all things. 

Until tomorrow…… 

Pastor Botts 

“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that IN EVERYTHING he might have the supremacy.” – Colossians 1:17-18