Beyond Suiting Up

Equipment isn’t everything! – D. Swanberg  

David couldn’t wear the battle clothes of king Saul to fight Goliath, he had to go in his own strength. Hmm!  

We’ve seen them, maybe even been them. You know, those who think the equipment makes the man. It’s like the person who buys the off-road vehicle and equips it with every add-on you could imagine and never leaves the confines of the city. Or the person who thinks they must get a PhD in bible study before they can stand up for God. It’s a trick of the enemy to control our minds and hearts that way. This is not to say we shouldn’t prepare our best, but we should realize that no matter how much we prepare or equip ourselves, if God is not in the process and leading the way; we will look somewhat foolish. So sometimes we need to realize like David did, that less is really more.  

Until tomorrow…..  

Pastor Botts  

“…be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…” – Hebrews 13:5

Practice Practice Practice

Every time you are not practicing, someone else is. – B. Becker 

Satan never got the upper hand on Jesus because of his practice. He communed with his Father daily. Hmm! 

It’s a strange phenomenon, but when we see professional athletes, businesspeople, or friends continuously “handed their lunch” by someone, we say they are weak or need more practice. But we often never apply that logic to ourselves in our Christian walk, suffering the same sins and breakdowns over and over. We know within ourselves that our enemy never takes a break or holiday, but we often never take time out to prepare for his onslaughts, which leave us frustrated. True, we walk by faith, but effectiveness comes from being prepared. 

Until tomorrow….. 

Pastor Botts 

“Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge. In the night I remember your name, O Lord, and I will keep your law. This has been my practice: I obey your precepts.” – Psalm 119:54-56

Prepare Invest THEN Reap

Don’t anticipate your ship coming in to port if you’ve never sent one out. – Anon

Joseph told Pharaoh he needed to prepare for the future for severe famine was on the way. With Joseph in charge the Egyptians never faced want. Wow!

It’s amazing how often people think things will magically work out. They often hold out for the day their ‘luck’ will change and everything will fall into line when ‘their ship’ comes in. But just as we would never go to a bank to withdraw money when we’ve never deposited any or expect a paycheck for a job we’ve never worked, it’s just as foolish to expect our life to be changed by an event that cannot happen because we’ve done nothing to cause it to happen. It’s amazing how we often expect our lives to become more godly and Christ like when we don’t do the things to cause it to happen. To reap the rewards of an investment you must invest. Today is another opportunity God has given us to prepare.

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