"My soul melteth (is emptied out) for heaviness (depression); strengthen thou me according unto thy word."(Psalm 119:28)
Depression is experienced for various reasons and I'm certainly not a physician trying to diagnose anyone. As a Preacher I am seeing it more today than I did yesterday. Some are depressed, regardless of their circumstances, they just can't shake it off because they possibly need medication for a condition. All of us certainly suffer from what I call "circumstantial oppression", as a result of being pressed down and overwhelmed at different periods in our lives. How long has it been since you found out your friends were phonies or have you not made it that far in life yet? Have you lost your job recently and the company you worked for let you go without any care for your welfare? Is there an emptiness in your heart that you just can't seem to fill regardless what you try? How long has it been since the morning came and you faced it with a real smile on your face. Life is challenging but its really challenging when you lean on someone or something other than God!! Please don't let your soul melt down before giving it all to God to handle in His time and in His way!!! You have a purpose so please don't let opinions of others, circumstances beyond your control and your own emotions destroy the dream that God put in you!!! Don't allow the dream killers stop you from seeing it through to the end.
Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad."(Proverbs 12:25) God has a good word for you today, just let Him talk to you.
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
Forgive it or live with it.....
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you". Ephesians 4:32
"Forgiving one another" Learning to let things go is one of the greatest challenges we face as humans but to grow in Christ we must do so. You may say that forgiving a person that has hurt you is above and beyond the call of duty. Well, we are supposed to be like Jesus, aren't we? The last time I read my Bible that's what it said! As a matter of fact I'm sitting here looking at several verses on forgiveness as I write this devotion. It's the memory of the incident that caused all this pain and trauma in your life that you can't forget much less forgive the "devil" that did the deed. When the "WWJD" bracelets came out we all bought one and wore it like a badge of spirituality. Wearing a bracelet and forgiving someone that has hurt you are two different things. There is a vast difference between the two. Forgiveness is painful but freeing, yes, you have borne the pain, the hurt, the trauma but you'll never be free until you truly forgive the person as Christ forgave you. If you read Job chapter 42 you will find out that Job got double blessings after he prayed for his friends that had hated on him for 42 long chapters. They heaped oppression on top of Job's depression but he forgave and got blessed. Forgiveness is costly, you are paying the price of the pain whether you forgive or not, if you don't let it go, it will turn to bitterness which will rot your bones like a cancer. You are living with the consequences of the evil that's been done to you, why not forgive and be free. The person you forgive may never even know, they may never change, but YOU will and it will be a day to remember. FORGIVENESS FIXES YOUR PAIN NOT THE OTHER PERSONS BEHAVIOR!!! Allow me to let you in on a secret, you are not responsible for everyone's behavior, just yours. Forgive someone today and you will be amazed at what God is about to do in your life
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
"Forgiving one another" Learning to let things go is one of the greatest challenges we face as humans but to grow in Christ we must do so. You may say that forgiving a person that has hurt you is above and beyond the call of duty. Well, we are supposed to be like Jesus, aren't we? The last time I read my Bible that's what it said! As a matter of fact I'm sitting here looking at several verses on forgiveness as I write this devotion. It's the memory of the incident that caused all this pain and trauma in your life that you can't forget much less forgive the "devil" that did the deed. When the "WWJD" bracelets came out we all bought one and wore it like a badge of spirituality. Wearing a bracelet and forgiving someone that has hurt you are two different things. There is a vast difference between the two. Forgiveness is painful but freeing, yes, you have borne the pain, the hurt, the trauma but you'll never be free until you truly forgive the person as Christ forgave you. If you read Job chapter 42 you will find out that Job got double blessings after he prayed for his friends that had hated on him for 42 long chapters. They heaped oppression on top of Job's depression but he forgave and got blessed. Forgiveness is costly, you are paying the price of the pain whether you forgive or not, if you don't let it go, it will turn to bitterness which will rot your bones like a cancer. You are living with the consequences of the evil that's been done to you, why not forgive and be free. The person you forgive may never even know, they may never change, but YOU will and it will be a day to remember. FORGIVENESS FIXES YOUR PAIN NOT THE OTHER PERSONS BEHAVIOR!!! Allow me to let you in on a secret, you are not responsible for everyone's behavior, just yours. Forgive someone today and you will be amazed at what God is about to do in your life
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
"Flourishing"
Your life is not over because God says that His people will flourish even in their last days!!! There is no age limit on God's Blessing in your life so regardless of your age when you and God get it together, its not too late!!!
"The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;"(Psalm 92:12-14)
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
"The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;"(Psalm 92:12-14)
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
Comfort the broken hearted that you cross paths with today and God will meet you on your path of pain with Comfort!!
"Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."(2 Corinthians 1:4)
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
Religious Bureau of Investigation
The RBI (Religious Bureau of Investigation) seem to know everything about everyone but themselves!! Very Interesting... "And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?"(Matthew 7:3)
God, Help me to see myself through Your eyes? I know this is going to be shocking but go ahead and tun the lights on......I'm sitting down, GO!!!
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
God, Help me to see myself through Your eyes? I know this is going to be shocking but go ahead and tun the lights on......I'm sitting down, GO!!!
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
The Spirit of God moved...
Nothing has changed since the beginning of creation!! We need the Spirit of God to move in our lives. Without the Hoy Spirit, we are without form, void and dark!! This remind you of anything? Maybe the world we live in today, maybe your life? No purpose, no peace, no hope and no plan to ever get back on track. Solomon said that what God has done He will do and what He's going to do, He has done!! So if your life is void and without purpose, all you need is for God to do what He always does, move in your life. That's what He does, That's what He has always done and He will always do on your behalf because of JESUS!!
"And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."(Genesis 1:2)
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
"And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."(Genesis 1:2)
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
God have Mercy on our Nation!!!
"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are NEW every morning: great is thy faithfulness."(Lamentations 3:22-23)
I believe that I am Blessed through JESUS CHRIST by faith in God's promise to save all that call on the Name of The Lord. I am in covenant with God the Father by the shed Blood of Jesus Christ therefore I am blessed and everything I do prospers!! "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper".(Psalm 1:3) I believe that God Almighty has an unique purpose for each one in His Kingdom! I ask you to join me today in calling that purpose forth into manifestation. We need a manifestation of the MOUNTAIN MOVING POWER OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD IN OUR NATION!!! We are created in the Image of God, to create He spoke, so lets speak... Our leaders are blind therefore they cannot see God's Vision for our country, they are deaf therefore they cannot hear the Voice of God!!!! We must call forth God's Purpose for America. "As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations, before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and CALLETH THOSE THINGS which be not as though they were"(Romans 4:17) "Our Heavenly and Holy Father, please forgive us of all our sins, they are far too many to list and they are great! Please wash us in the Blood of Your Son, Jesus, forgive us and Baptize us in Fire from Heaven!! Let the Power of The Holy Ghost flow through all of God's people to change the course of our nation. Have mercy upon us, our children and our future generations!! Our only Hope is in Your MERCY! "We believe therefore we speak", (2 Cor. 4:13) In the Mighty Name of Jesus we call forth Your Mercy, Grace, Power and Purpose today!! And God's people said, AMEN!!!
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
I believe that I am Blessed through JESUS CHRIST by faith in God's promise to save all that call on the Name of The Lord. I am in covenant with God the Father by the shed Blood of Jesus Christ therefore I am blessed and everything I do prospers!! "And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper".(Psalm 1:3) I believe that God Almighty has an unique purpose for each one in His Kingdom! I ask you to join me today in calling that purpose forth into manifestation. We need a manifestation of the MOUNTAIN MOVING POWER OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD IN OUR NATION!!! We are created in the Image of God, to create He spoke, so lets speak... Our leaders are blind therefore they cannot see God's Vision for our country, they are deaf therefore they cannot hear the Voice of God!!!! We must call forth God's Purpose for America. "As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations, before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and CALLETH THOSE THINGS which be not as though they were"(Romans 4:17) "Our Heavenly and Holy Father, please forgive us of all our sins, they are far too many to list and they are great! Please wash us in the Blood of Your Son, Jesus, forgive us and Baptize us in Fire from Heaven!! Let the Power of The Holy Ghost flow through all of God's people to change the course of our nation. Have mercy upon us, our children and our future generations!! Our only Hope is in Your MERCY! "We believe therefore we speak", (2 Cor. 4:13) In the Mighty Name of Jesus we call forth Your Mercy, Grace, Power and Purpose today!! And God's people said, AMEN!!!
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
God has you in His hands!!!
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of MY FATHER'S HAND."(John 10:27-29)
Why are you holding on with a grip of fear?
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of MY FATHER'S HAND."(John 10:27-29)
Why are you holding on with a grip of fear?
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
God is greater than anything in your past so don't run and hide!!
After praying for 2500 people, by myself in one night in a jungle in southeastern India I was too exhausted to walk through the jungle in the dark to a safe house. Each night after preaching we would immediately walk to a small home where we would sit for an indefinite period of time before being driven to the room where we would sleep for the night. This particular night I told my native Pastors that I couldn't walk because of dehydration and that I had to lay down immediately. They asked me to wait but I wasn't able to walk to the safe house and told them to take us too our room immediately by whatever means available. Upon arriving at the room, a white van that had followed us for, what was now 5 days, pulled up behind us and got out to make there play on snatching us. By this time it was probably 2:00 am or later and Daniel said to me, "Bro Scotty, they are getting out tonight". They were probably 10 to 15 feet away so I had all of 3 seconds to prepare for this encounter. I stopped, turned around and just stared at them for what seemed like an eternity but they stopped, got back in their van and just sat there as usual. We went into our room and thanked God for His amazing power to protect us. Stop running, turn around and stare the fear down. You have the God given power to stop the evil that is following you around trying to destroy you.
"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."(1 John 4:4)
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."(1 John 4:4)
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
Opening the Gates of God!!!
BAD CAN ALWAYS GET WORSE!! Be thankful to God in all things and thanksgiving will open the "Gates of God" in your life. It is God's will for us to be thankful "IN" all things not necessarily "FOR" all things!!
"Enter into His gates with THANKSGIVING, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him and bless His name."(Psalm 100:4)
"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."(1 Thessalonians 5:18) Thanksgiving is a choice not a feeling!!
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
"Enter into His gates with THANKSGIVING, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him and bless His name."(Psalm 100:4)
"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."(1 Thessalonians 5:18) Thanksgiving is a choice not a feeling!!
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
Is your lover a person or an experience?
"The mandrakes give a smell, and at our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved."(Song of Solomon 7:13)
"The new and the old" In this book, Solomon is referred to as "The Beloved" and his lover is referred to as "My Love". In this verse there is an aroma of pleasant fruits at the gates of the city. If you will notice, the fruit is new and old. The old fruit refers to our past which, regardless of what it is, it has shaped us into whatever we are today. In real time, we are what we are but there is new fruit to be borne of us. We must enter the gate of the future, the morrow cometh, so we must run to meet it with hope and expectation. At this point in Solomon's relationship with his "Love", she hasn't understood every experience but yet she says, with confidence, "I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me."(SS 7:10). She continues her statement of hope and confidence by saying, "Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages. Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves."(SS 7:11-12). It is a new day so let's run to meet it with the Love of God in our hearts. We are told that LOVE never fails so if we become the expression of God's Love in the earth, we cannot fail. "Charity never faileth:"(1 Corinthians 13:8a). She was so in love with Solomon that she was consumed with desperation when not in His presence. She was addicted to him and he was addicted to her. If you read the book in its entirety, you will notice that they move from one experience to another but at first she hesitates because she is so attached to the experience of their relationship that she doesn't want to move on to the new day!! As their relationship progresses she realizes that He is more important than an experience. Our experiences change, so enjoy them but don't get attached. Religions are built by people trying to re-play an old experience that was wonderful but in the past. When He moves, move with Him! Experiences are bound by time which is restricted to moments but He has no boundaries nor restrictions. We must enter each new day in the freedom of Christ, free from the law of sin, free to follow His vision for our lives. We must not allow the disapproval of others to hold us captive in some time frame, a mental snap shot of us from ten years ago or even yesterday. Please don't allow someone else's image of you to define or identify who you are at present and especially not in your future!!
"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?"(Isaiah 43:19) It's going to be good!!
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
"The new and the old" In this book, Solomon is referred to as "The Beloved" and his lover is referred to as "My Love". In this verse there is an aroma of pleasant fruits at the gates of the city. If you will notice, the fruit is new and old. The old fruit refers to our past which, regardless of what it is, it has shaped us into whatever we are today. In real time, we are what we are but there is new fruit to be borne of us. We must enter the gate of the future, the morrow cometh, so we must run to meet it with hope and expectation. At this point in Solomon's relationship with his "Love", she hasn't understood every experience but yet she says, with confidence, "I am my beloved's, and his desire is toward me."(SS 7:10). She continues her statement of hope and confidence by saying, "Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us lodge in the villages. Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves."(SS 7:11-12). It is a new day so let's run to meet it with the Love of God in our hearts. We are told that LOVE never fails so if we become the expression of God's Love in the earth, we cannot fail. "Charity never faileth:"(1 Corinthians 13:8a). She was so in love with Solomon that she was consumed with desperation when not in His presence. She was addicted to him and he was addicted to her. If you read the book in its entirety, you will notice that they move from one experience to another but at first she hesitates because she is so attached to the experience of their relationship that she doesn't want to move on to the new day!! As their relationship progresses she realizes that He is more important than an experience. Our experiences change, so enjoy them but don't get attached. Religions are built by people trying to re-play an old experience that was wonderful but in the past. When He moves, move with Him! Experiences are bound by time which is restricted to moments but He has no boundaries nor restrictions. We must enter each new day in the freedom of Christ, free from the law of sin, free to follow His vision for our lives. We must not allow the disapproval of others to hold us captive in some time frame, a mental snap shot of us from ten years ago or even yesterday. Please don't allow someone else's image of you to define or identify who you are at present and especially not in your future!!
"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?"(Isaiah 43:19) It's going to be good!!
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
"Do not try this at home"
"Do not try this at home"
There is an old saying, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer". PLEASE DO NOT TRY THIS, it should only be done by trained professionals that doesn't know any better!!
"He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed."(Proverbs 13:20)
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
There is an old saying, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer". PLEASE DO NOT TRY THIS, it should only be done by trained professionals that doesn't know any better!!
"He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed."(Proverbs 13:20)
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
"Who do you Love"
Check your Christian vital signs by reading the entire chapter of Love, 1Corinthians 13:1-13. It is a very challenging chapter in the Word of God. It is the core of christian character and integrity. I've challenged myself to read this chapter often, it will make a true follower of Christ out of Me! Christ Himself said that we would be known by our love for one another. (John 13:35)
"Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self- seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything without weakening."
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (Amp)
I Believe,
Pastor Scott L Boatner
"Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self- seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything without weakening."
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (Amp)
I Believe,
Pastor Scott L Boatner
9/11/01 Nearly 3000 dead!!!!
Where were we 13 years ago today? Where are we today? Did they all die in vain? What have we become? Is Congress and this Administration leading us in the right direction? What will we become in 13 more years?
"Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people."(Proverbs 14:34)
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
"Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people."(Proverbs 14:34)
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
God guides us everyday, FOLLOW HIs lead and go somewhere!!
"And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not."(Isaiah 58:11)
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
I Believe,
Scott L. Boatner
Lean on Jesus and you will STAND the test of time!
The Blood of Jesus has been applied to the Mercy Seat of God on your behalf and Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father interceding for those that have accepted Him as Savior. It is because of that Precious Blood that you are righteous and your house will STAND!!
"The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall STAND."(Proverbs 12:7)
I Believe,
Scott L Boatner
"The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall STAND."(Proverbs 12:7)
I Believe,
Scott L Boatner
Would you like your name called in prayer today?
Today, 32 years ago, I surrendered to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ!! I normally try to spend this day in the Presence of God seeking His insight for any present trying circumstances and His will for our ministry in the days ahead. Today I'm going to do something I haven't done since entering our ministry into the social media world. As I spend the day in prayer, if you would like for me to call your name in prayer please just type AMEN in the comments and it will be done!!! God Bless!!
"Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you."(John 16:23)
I Believe,
Scott L Boatner
"Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you."(John 16:23)
I Believe,
Scott L Boatner
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