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Waking Up To God's Dream

The Straight Stick…

Mar 12

Posted by Jim Botts in Hearing God | Comments

"The best way to show that a stick is crooked is...to lay a straight stick alongside it." -D. L. Moody

What do you believe about Scripture (aka the Bible)?  Is it merely “a word from God,” or “the Word of God?”  Because I don’t to waste your time, let me cut to the chase: loyalty to Jesus means loyalty to Jesus’ view of Scripture!

Here’s a quick rundown of what Jesus said about Scripture…

1.  We err because we do not know the Scriptures.

Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God” ~ Matt 22:29, NIV

Many leaders in Christian circles today put the Scriptures in the back seat in the name of “the power of God.”  Words of knowledge, prophetic utterance, or internal-voice-of-God-revelations should never usurp the Scriptures.  For Jesus, the Scriptures are the straight stick by which we evaluate what is called “the power of God.”

2.  We dispel darkness with “it is written!”

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone’ ” ~ Luke 4:4, NIV    Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only’ ” ~ Luke 4:8, NIV.

Jesus countered the devil’s attack–not with words of knowledge, wisdom, or ecstatic utterance–but with reference to the written Word of God.  The Scriptures shed the authoritative light of God that automatically dispels darkness.  If we do not know, trust, and rely on Scripture…we’ll unwittingly face spiritual conflicts unarmed.

3.  Without the Scriptures, we worship in vain

Jesus ~ They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.” ~ Mark 7:7-8, NIV

So much is done in the name of worship that finds little basis in Scripture.  Worship and Scripture are friends, not enemies.  Without the commands of God, we would worship golden calves of our own making (i.e. trendy theologies, fashionable forms, celebrity speakers et al).  Scripture informs, discloses, and exposes us to the reality of a God worthy of worship.

4.  We only understand God’s ways through God’s Word

Jesus ~ It is written: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors’ ; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment” ~ Luke 22:37, NIV

Jesus saw the scenes of His life as framed by Scripture (His ministry, His temporal suffering, and His future glory).  Jesus came to understand God’s ways through God’s Word.  As a result, He let God have His way with Him.  Without God’s Word, God’s ways are hidden from us.

Obviously, this short summary barely scratches the surface.  But I reiterate, you should not claim loyalty to Jesus unless you claim loyalty to Jesus’ view of Scripture (the written Word of God in the Old and New Testaments).

According to Jesus, Scripture is THE straight stick by which the crookedness of ALL things is revealed.  Scripture tells us what is true and real, as well exposing what is false and mistaken.

It is written / so, read it / and rely on it / forsaking all others.

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Living In Your Time Zone

Mar 6

Posted by Jim Botts in Hearing God, Relationships | Comments

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A while back my family and I relocated into a different time zone.  We moved from the CST time zone (Central Standard Time) to the PST time zone (Pacific Standard Time).   “What’s the big deal?” you ask.  Well, just a two-hour time difference.  Two hours may seem like a small change, but it created huge upheaval for me.

All of my life rhythms got knocked off balance.  I felt as awkward as a dog in the back seat on a car ride.  My fitness routines were disrupted.  My spiritual disciplines became disheveled.  Every routine in my life got knocked into a state of disequilibrium.  I really could’ve used a time zone converter to help me adjust to living in my time zone.

There are times in life when all of us find it hard to live in our current time zone–not geographically, but existentially.  Past mistakes (or successes) as well as future worries (or expectations) can keep us from peace in the present.  Here are some lessons I learned about living in my current time zone.

1.  Get past the past ~ The biggest obstacle to present-tense-peace was my own desire for things to be the way they were.  I loved the consistency of routines that helped me grow physically, spiritually, and relationally.  However, those days were gone and they weren’t coming back.  Moving to a different place meant moving on to new rhythms.

2.  Build the future today ~ Everyday I preached to myself, “The road to tomorrow runs through today!”  Like a song that makes the day go faster, I kept reminding myself that I was creating tomorrow’s life-rhythms today.  Every awkward action became another stepping stone carrying my feet into the future.

3.  Live in the present ~ Living in the present moment is much harder than it sounds.  Distractions, frustrations, dead lines, and obligations confronted me like a bullies in the lunch line with their hands out.  Present-tense-peace is something I had to fight for; over and over, and moment by moment.

I’ve discovered that God is in-tense.  He is fully present “in” the present “tense.”  And if God is in-tense, I needed to learn how to live in-tense too.  In-tense living has been all about the moment-by-moment realization that I can only experience God’s Presence in my present tense.

I’m really learning how to live in my time zone.  Everyday I fight to be in-tense with God, my wife, my kids, and whoever God puts in front of me.

After all, the past is past.  The future flows through the present.  And I can only experience God in this present moment.  Just like God, I want to live in-tense!

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A Wedding And A Funeral…On The Same Day!

Jan 22

Posted by Jim Botts in Hearing God | Comments

The day I did a wedding and a funeral on the same day...and got them backwards!

The day I did a wedding and a funeral on the same day...and got them backwards!

As I Pastor, I have the privilege of officating people’s weddings and funerals.  Nothing compares to the gravity of helping people connect with God at life’s major moments.  Last weekend I had the rare experience of officiating a wedding and a funeral on the same day…and I got them backwards!  Here’s how.

When my friends heard that I was officiating a funeral in the morning and a wedding in the evening, they all agreed, “At least you get to end the day on a happy note!”  I felt the same way…until I stood before hundreds of people at the funeral service.  Then it occurred to me, I had it all backwards.

MISTAKE #1 ~ Thinking that the funeral was the downer! In fact, it was quite the opposite.  At the funeral we celebrated the life of a genuine man of God. This man left behind a tremendous legacy of faith in God, hope in Christ, and love for people.  We laughed, we cried, and we celebrated a life lived for Christ.   Though he left behind 3 teenage boys and an amazing wife, we thanked God for releasing this man from his pain.  And we looked forward to a grand reunion in Christ when Jesus renews all things.

MISTAKE #2 ~ Thinking that the wedding was the high note! The young couple that stood before me were embarking on a new beginning of life together.  But, they also faced the crisis of trading up the single life (marked by the pursuit of self), for the married life (marked by the pursuit of oneness).  Yet, they did not know what they did not know. What they didn’t know was just how hard life together would be.  They did not know just how abruptly their honeymoon would end and life’s harsh realities would settle in.

Like a quarterback calling an audible at the line, what I saw affected what I did.

  • At the funeral, I proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ in no uncertain terms from John 14:1-6. My friend who asked me to officiate his funeral wanted me to share Christ and invite a response.  That’s exactly what I did.  Only, having just celebrated my friend’s faith in Christ, I became overwhelmed with the hope of the gospel, rather than the heaviness of a funeral.
  • At the wedding, I impressed upon this young couple the gravity of their new union before God.  I framed their vows as weighty words transferring them out of an individual life and into a marriage union.  And that God would forever hold them accountable for the gift that is their marriage mate, and the reality that is their marriage union.

Don’t get me wrong, the wedding was a fun and the funeral was sad.  But here’s what God showed me ~ the gospel of Jesus Christ declares Jesus as Lord - Lord over our living (as in the wedding), and Lord over our dying (as in the funeral)!  As a minister, I’ve renewed my sense of responsibility to proclaim Jesus Christ, Lord over our living and our dying.

“For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living” ~ Romans 14:9, ESV

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One Thing in 2010 ~ The Gospel!

Dec 31

Posted by Jim Botts in Hearing God | Comments

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“You can’t chase two rabbits!”  Or even better, “you can’t run in two directions!”

As I close the chapter on 2009 and start a new chapter titled 2010, it’s a good time to reflect, repent, and redirect.

In 2009 I got distracted by too many competing things.

In 2010 I’m going to obsess on ONE THING ~ Jesus and His Gospel!

“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it” (Mark 8:35, ESV)

In 2009 I repented too little and forgot to believe the Gospel!

In 2010 I’ll  repent often, and re-believe the  Gospel!

“Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel’” (Mark 1:14-15, ESV)

In 2009 I diffused my energy in several directions.

In 2010 I will focus my energy to advance the Gospel.

“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.  I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings” (1 Cor 9:22-23, ESV)

In 2009 I let the trees (details of life) get in the way of the forest (what God was doing)

In 2010 I will focus on the forest (what God is doing) amid the trees (the details of life)

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24, ESV)

Goodbye 2009, and the year of trying to run in too many directions!

Hello 2010, and the year of running in one direction ~ with Jesus for the Gospel!

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God’s Family ~ My Family…

Nov 30

Posted by Jim Botts in Following Christ, Hearing God, Relationships | Comments

Special Guest Speaker: Jim Botts from Neighborhood Church of Redding on Vimeo.

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Y Follow U?

Oct 31

Posted by Jim Botts in Following Christ, Leading Others | Comments

KR_Traits-of-a-Leader-FINAL

Lots of people these days have leadership titles, but how many of them have leadership traits?

Titles are granted, traits are earned.

Titles are impersonal, traits are relational.

Titles are easy to come by, traits are developed over time.

Titles can be an end in themselves, traits are the means to an end.

Titles create entitlement, traits necessitate empowerment.

Titles make much of self, traits make much of others.

For Jesus, leadership was not about titles, but traits like servanthood, self-sacrifice, and serving as an example for others…

So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-25, NLT)


Jesus didn’t look for leaders who would serve.  He looked for servants who could lead!

Jesus modeled for us how servanthood develops leadership!

If you have a leadership title of any sort (Dad, Mom, Boss, Pastor etc), ask yourself…

1.  If the people in your life served like you, what would their schedule look like?

~ (connect people to God, caring / coaching others)

2,  If the people in your life loved like you, what would their relationships look like?

~ (marriage, work / school, difficult people)

3.  If the people in your life handled resources like you do, what would their finances look like?

~ (debt, tithing, helping others)

4.  If the people in your life pursued Jesus like you, what would their life look like?

~ (prayer, Scripture, community, mission)

Jesus never awarded any leadership titles.  But He did model leadership traits for us to develop.

#1 – servanthood / #2 – self sacrifice / #3 – serving as an example for others to follow.

For further reading check out 1 Peter 5:1-7

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Evil is an opportunity…

Oct 23

Posted by Jim Botts in Leading Others, The Jesus Mission | Comments

good_evil

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good,

to bring it about that many people should be kept alive,

as they are today” (Genesis 50:20, ESV).

Every leader will stare into “the mouth of a lion” called evil at some point.   It may be the evil of people’s sinful choices, the evil of un-Christlike attitudes, or the evil of a person spreading division in your ministry.

When facing evil, arm yourself with the truth that evil doesn’t have to have the last word.   Genesis 50:20 reminds us that evil can often be turned into good…if it’s placed under the leadership of Jesus.  But, therein lies the challenge…

FACT ~ most leaders prefer to avoid confronting evil.  TRUTH ~ evil is allowed by God to accomplish some good.

FACT ~ leaders often just want the evil to go away.  TRUTH ~ God wants the evil to be turned into good.

FACT ~ too many leaders see only the bad of evil.  TRUTH ~ God wants you to see the opportunity of evil.

Here are some things meant for evil that can be turned into good…

1.  Conflict turned into intimacy ~ When conflict rears its ugly head, Satan (the Accuser) gets ready to pounce on people.  Perhaps the reason most leaders run from conflict is because they can sense the real opportunity for evil.  But what about the real opportunity for good?

Matthew 18:15-17 details Jesus’ method of turning conflict into intimacy.  At every stage Jesus pushes people toward each other, to communicate the issues, and to involve leaders.  This process itself forges a genuine bond of intimacy!

2.  Division turned into unity ~ If you’re a leader, then chances are you’ve lost sleep over the divisive behaviors of those you’ve led.  When people undermine your leadership, cast aspersions against your character, and turn people against you…they are being duped into doing the Devil’s work for him ~ read 2 Timothy 2:24-26.

Although division is a work of the flesh, and is called sin in Scripture…it can be turned into good.  1 Corinthians 11:18-19 teaches that division provides an opportunity for authentic leaders to step up and shine.

3.  Sinfulness turned into forgiveness ~ Nothing reveals a leader’s true heart more than how they handle sin.  Jesus was tender toward repentant sinners, and tough toward religious hypocrites.  Sadly, many churches (and church leaders) have gotten this backward.  The cross of Jesus reminds us that God is at His best, when people are at their worst.

2 Corinthians 2:5-11 is a tender passage where the Apostle Paul urges the church to forgive and restore the repentant guy whose sin caused so much anguish in their church.  Sin can be turned into good when leaders push toward the goal of repentance and restoration, not rejection, of the sinner.

God is the God of great reversals.  Under His leadership sin is turned into redemption, sickness into healing, and evil into good.

Can you put a name to a specific form of evil emerging under your leadership?

What opportunity for good might God be seeking to accomplish?

What does Scripture say about that specific evil?  About God’s desired good?

What is your next step?

When will you take it?

Who needs to come alongside you?

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People = carriers!

Oct 19

Posted by Jim Botts in Following Christ, Relationships | Comments

swine-flu

With the spread of H1N1 (aka swine flu), lots of people are worried about catching diseases from others.  And they should worry–because people are carriers!

Everybody’s carrying something, not just physically, but spiritually too!  Scripture teaches that you can catch spiritually transmitted diseases from people.

“Don’t you realize that this sin is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old ‘yeast’ by removing this wicked person from among you.” (1 Cor 5:6-7, NLT)

People can be contagious carriers without ever realizing it.  In fact, some of the most spiritually infected people have no clue that they are sick…or that they are harming others.

Here’s what to watch for in order to avoid spiritually transmitted diseases…

1.  An uncovered mouth ~ everyone knows that an uncovered mouth is the portal to serious sickness.  All too often, people open their mouths and spew division, suspicion, and negativity on you.  If you put up with it, it’ll make you sick.  When dealing with verbally infected Christians,  Scripture cautions us to keep our distance.

2.  Unwashed hands ~ infectious germs spread rapidly through unclean hands.  Some people never deal with their dirt, and thereby infect others with the junk they never dealt with.  If you get too close, their dirt will become yours.  When it comes to unrepentant Christians, Scripture says to quarantine those who WILL NOT come clean.

3.  Inconsiderate attitude ~ some people never think about how their sickness affects others.  These people bring their runny-nosed kids to school.  They sit by you all day, and later admit they had the flu all night long. Everyone gets sick, but not everyone cares about not spreading their sickness. When it comes to infected Christians, Scripture tells us to give them a dose of loving truth.

God doesn’t want us to live like germophobes, seeking to isolate ourselves in a bacteria-free world.  He wants us to care about and protect the health of His community.

As for me…I’m gonna cover my mouth, keep my hands clean, and be mindful of the affect I’m having on others.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Read about how one person created a pandemic of spiritual sickness affecting a whole community here ~ read Joshua 7.

**Post your thoughts / comments below**

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The Body Language of Leadership

Sep 16

Posted by Jim Botts in Leading Others, The Jesus Mission | Comments

12198090531909861341man silhouette.svg.hiWhat image comes to mind when you hear the word “leader”?

For so many people, the word “leader” conjures up negative images of people who were in a leadership position over them, but never really brought the best out of them.

Most of us need image replacement therapy!

We need new images of what healthy Biblical leadership looks like!

If we look at Jesus, we’ll see the body language of a healthy leader…

An Ear ~ To Listen

Jesus asked 183 questions in the four Gospels.  Not because He lacked information, but because He valued interaction.  Jesus interacted with, and listened to, the people that He led.  Great leaders are great listeners, and great listeners ask great questions.

Don’t get me wrong, Jesus did not lead by popular vote!  He led people by earning people’s trust, and listening builds trust for leadership.

A Shoulder ~ To Lean On

Jesus compared His leadership to an ancient device used to lighten the load on an animal.  Healthy leaders do NOT dump on their people or unload on their followers.  Instead, like Jesus, they bear the burdens of those they lead!!!

A Hand ~ To Lift You

Jesus had dirty hands.  He reached down and lifted up people who stumbled and fell.  After Peter had denied Jesus three times, he gave up on his own leadership and went back to his old life of fishing.  Jesus met Him at that place, reached out and lifted him back up, restoring Peter’s life and leadership.   John 21:15-25 shows Jesus lifting up, NOT putting down, one of His fallen followers!

Sadly, all too often leaders punish those who fail them.  Unhealthy leaders retaliate by withholding good, shaming, or by failing to lift up and restore fallen followers.

An Eye ~ To Cast Vision

Jesus was the Master Vision-Caster.  He constantly painted a picture for His followers of God’s vision and perspective.   Healthy leaders lead with the Bible!  People need to see what God sees, understand what God is up to, and enter into what God is doing.  Just as a gold fish grows to the size of its bowl, followers grow into the size of the vision cast for them.  Jesus modeled how BIG vision develops BIG followers.

A Foot ~ To Move You

Honestly, what most of us need more than anything, is a swift kick in the pants from a trusted leader (in Christian love, of course).  Jesus often put His foot in the small of His followers backs and gave them a gentle nudge.  Jesus demonstrated that healthy leadership means nudging people out of complacency and into mission (Matthew 10:1-42).

A Heart ~ To Love You

Jesus loved His followers, and they knew it!  They knew it because He prayed over them, He patiently instructed them, He lovingly corrected them, and He always gave His time to them.  Healthy leaders love those they lead by giving them ~ time, attention, affirmation, direction, perspective, and prayer support.  If you’re being led well, you are being loved well, because leaders love those they lead.

I’m trying my best to allow Jesus to lead through me in this same way.  As a result, two times in the last 24 hours I’ve had people tell me, “this is the first time anyone has ever taken the time to lead me like this.”  I’ll never be a perfect leader, but I can be a healthy leader growing into Christ.

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Life Is…Relationships!

Jul 24

Posted by Jim Botts in Relationships | Comments

dysfunction

Nothing will determine the quality and direction of our lives like our relationships.  As our relationships go, so goes our lives.

Very few things can ruin relationships faster than gossip. Here’s a helpful definition ~ “gossip is passing on information about others when I am neither part of the problem, nor part of the solution.”

FACT ~ Gossip destroys relationships.

FACT ~ God totally hates gossip.

FACT ~ Gossip is the Devil’s playground.

Most people don’t realize that the Devil’s name refers to his favorite strategy for ruining our relationships.  Whenever we slander, criticize or accuse others falsely…we’re being duped into doing the Devil’s job for him.

We all know that spreading gossip is wrong, but did you know it’s just as wrong to listen to gossip?  Listening to gossip is like accepting stolen property, it makes you just as guilty as the person who committed the crime.

In order to have a great life, we must work hard to maintain great relationships.  So here are a few  biblical ways to guard your relationships from gossip.

Six Steps To Stopping Slander – OR – Six Rules For Respecting My Relationships…

  1. I will not listen to, or give audience to, anyone who’s sharing the shortcomings of others.
  2. I will dismiss negative reports about others and give them the benefit of the doubt.
  3. I will immediately redirect the gossiper to the person they talked about.
  4. I will not repeat what I heard to anyone other than the involved parties.
  5. I will protect the reputation and dignity of those in my relationships.
  6. I will make no exceptions to these rules.

Proverbs 26:20 says, “Where there is no fuel a fire goes out; where there is no gossip arguments come to an end.”

I’ve never met a person who worked hard at relationships and lived a lonely, regret-filled life.  But I have met lots of people who are living lonely, regret filled lives.   As your relationships go…so goes your life!

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