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!

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

Praying Through

The self-sufficient do not pray, the self-satisfied will not pray, the self-righteous cannot pray. No man will be greater than his prayer life. – L. Ravenhill  

The unjust judge was so self-centered he even refused to acknowledge God. But a little old widow made his prayerless life miserable. Hmm!  

Most of us know prayer is a privilege. Most of us know prayer brings us into intimate communion with God. Most of us know almost all there is to know about prayer. But few of us pray or pray often, as life’s demands beckon. But in reality, we can’t face anything until we have prayed. God has been gracious to us in many things, imagine how much more so if we really took the time to pray. The aim of prayer is not necessarily to get the answer, but to get hold of God. If your prayer life is suffering it’s time to look at “self.”  

Until tomorrow…..  

Pastor Botts  

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – II Chronicles 7:14  

P.S. - Bro. Artie will be having surgery this afternoon, please say a prayer for him.

Our Future

The great thing about the future is it is written one day at a time. - Anon

The ‘Prodigal Son’ lost it all and was subsequently restored. God still works the same way? Hmm!

God has already told us His plans for our life – and they are GREAT! We also know that He does not and cannot lie, nor desire to withhold any good thing from us. The question is how bright and pleasing do we believe our future to be? In spite of what we see happening around us, dire economic predictions and forecasts, and even our own current limitations; how much faith and trust will we put in God. The way we think about our future will be a powerful driving determinant in how things turn out. Yes we pray like everything depends on God, but we also work like everything depends on us. God loves it when His people are willing to work as they pray for it gives Him great latitude in the ways which He can work. So really, the only way we can’t be expecting a terrific tomorrow or 2013 is if we’re not working and trusting in God. So our lives or ‘fortunes’ will unfold just as we help to determine it.

Until tomorrow….. Pastor Botts

“….For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future….” – Jeremiah 29:11

Counting Blessings

When you’re unable to pray, count your blessings. – Anon  

King Saul sought out a medium or spiritist in his turmoil. David continued faithful and waited on God for his answer. We know which one was God’s man! Hmm.  
Prayer is our most important communication link with God. He covets it and there is never a time when He does not hear us. But there are times in life when it seems like our prayer link to God is broken, we just can’t seem to get through when we really need Him most no matter how often we call. In truth, there are times that God is silent not because of our sin or distance, but because He has already “graced” us with blessings that fulfill all we need. Just try counting, I’m sure you’ll find you won’t be disappointed.  

Until tomorrow…..  

Pastor Botts  

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; BLESSED is the man who takes refuge in him.” – Psalm 34:8

Why worry?

Why worry when you can pray for free? – Anon

Though Sanballat and Tobiah were openly hostile to Nehemiah, he left it in God’s hands and continued to work on rebuilding the wall. He had great success. AMEN!

As long as we live there will always be something going on that begs to get our attention, that seeks to get our focus and energies diverted there – to worry about. When you think about it, worry is really just a negative way of praying. Worry is really just ‘you’ talking to yourself in your head, and allowing the doubts, fears, and unknowns to escape and impact your health. This leads to stress, anxiety, restlessness, lack of focus, and distrust. God invites us to come freely before Him to make our pleas and petitions known, tell Him the desires of our heart; and He will gladly bear our burdens. If your life seems heavy, anxiety filled, or unfocused, maybe you need some ‘closet’ time.

Until tomorrow…..

Pastor Botts

“…..Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life….” – Matthew 6:27

All Access Pass

No one has more access to God than you! – Anon 

The friends of the paralytic man cut a hole in the roof, just to put him before Jesus. He was welcomed and healed. WOW! 

It’s funny how we sometimes think others have an ‘in’ with God that we don’t, as if there were some secret to it. Upon Jesus’ death on the cross the ‘veil of the temple’ was torn asunder; giving all believers equal access to God. It is true others may be more devoted in their prayer and meditational times with God – but He patiently waits and longs for each one of us to come by and come often. Yes, it’s good, healthy, and scriptural to ask others to pray for you, but God will hear each one of us as if we were the most important person there is. Remember, He shows no partiality! 

Until tomorrow…… 

Pastor Botts 

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become the children of God.” – John 1:12

All Access Pass

No one has more access to God than you! – Anon 

The friends of the paralytic man cut a hole in the roof, just to put him before Jesus. He was welcomed and healed. WOW! 

It’s funny how we sometimes think others have an ‘in’ with God that we don’t, as if there were some secret to it. Upon Jesus’ death on the cross the ‘veil of the temple’ was torn asunder; giving all believers equal access to God. It is true others may be more devoted in their prayer and meditational times with God – but He patiently waits and longs for each one of us to come by and come often. Yes, it’s good, healthy, and scriptural to ask others to pray for you, but God will hear each one of us as if we were the most important person there is. Remember, He shows no partiality! 

Until tomorrow…… 

Pastor Botts 

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become the children of God.” – John 1:12