Godly Change

If man is not rising upwards to be like an angel, he is sinking downwards to be a devil. – S.T. Coleridge  

Near the end of his ministry Jesus told his disciples one of them was a devil. And each one had to give it some deep thought. HMMM!  

Family reunions are great times to catch-up on old times and bring one another up to date. Often you’ll eventually hear the phrase “you haven’t changed one bit.” But to say we are the same person today as we were 5 -10 years ago is to say we have wasted a great deal of God’s time. There should be some definite growth in the life we live and the way we view the world. And done in accordance with God’s plan our growth will create a desire for even greater growth and closeness to God. God is testing us in this life to ensure our eternal desire is for Him alone, for if we don’t love to praise Him in all things here, heaven is not for us.  

Until tomorrow……  

Pastor Botts  

“One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” – Psalm 27:4

My Heart Will Sing No Other Name. Jesus! Jesus!

We cannot vex the devil more than by teaching, preaching, singing and talking of Jesus. - M. Luther  

When Satan attacked him, Jesus just let God’s Word do the talking. How simple. Hmm!  

Just as certain as us waking this morning, our enemy is already planning ways to pounce on our parade. And he has a distinct advantage because he’s been awake all night plotting against us. And since the Garden scene he’s used the same method all these years, deceit and deception. He’s the master of putting so much into our lives and deceiving us into thinking it’s necessary, that we can’t seem to find time to spend with Jesus; for he know that’s our only way to defeat him. The bible tells us he has no defense against Jesus. So if the day gets burdensome and heavy laden maybe we need to do a bit more ‘vexing’ than complaining. It’s guaranteed to change the outlook.  

Until tomorrow……  

Pastor Botts  

“Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.” – Ephesians 5:19

Did the devil REALLY make you do it?

No power can make us do wrong without our consent. – Anon 

Eve did not force the forbidden fruit upon Adam, he was a willing accomplice. It cost him and us dearly. OUCH! 

Flip Wilson popularized the line “the devil made me do it”. But in reality we know though Satan is real, he only has the power of suggestion, he needs our consent to carry out his schemes and ungodly behaviors. This is why the Word of God tells us to “resist the devil and he will flee” from us. The moment we try to debate or outwit him we lose, for he is the craftiest of them all. We must also realize that sometimes our silence or refusal to “flee” the presence of evil is indeed implied consent. As you journey todayremember who you are, to WHOM you belong, and the POWER you have. 

Until tomorrow…… 

Pastor Botts 

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger of sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” – Romans 8:35-37

Again, don't get Bitter, get Better!

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you mad. – A. Huxley 

The Pharisees and religious leaders of Jesus’ day were always at odds with Jesus just because he was the TRUTH. Go figure! 

Stress. Anger. Anxiety. These words and others like them wreak havoc on our physical make-up. Why, because God made us in His image to be at peace with Him. It is really only when we are confronted with the truth, which we refuse to accept and obey; that we begin to suffer such maladies. We can’t put any more hours in the day, work any harder than we already are, or change anyone’s thinking. WE CAN control ourselves and our obedience to the truth. God’s word is not given to take the fun out of life, but that we may have life more abundantly. So when the truth confronts, don’t get angry, get right! 

Until tomorrow….. 

Pastor Botts 

“In your anger, do not sin! Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold…” – Ephesians 4:26-27