2018
Double-Check Your Armor
Sometimes, my mind plays trick on me. Dark thoughts creep in from nowhere: “You always seem to fail in that area. Other people do it so much better than you.” “Why did you say that? You’re so stupid.” “You’re not very good at that. Are you really good at anything?” Before I know it, I begin to consider the words and become cloaked in discouragement.
I know better. God does not speak words like that to me; they are clearly lies. God says: I am a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), loved (John 3:16), free (John 8:36)…and the list goes on. But the other words are so strong! Where do these messages come from? Do these suggestive thoughts really appear from “nowhere”?
Of course not. There are unseen forces at work (Ephesians 6:12). The apostles knew this. Peter warns us, “…your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 Paul instructs us to, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11 James admonishes us as well: “…submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee…” (James 4:7)
Be very careful of the messages you allow inside your mind today. If they do not align with scripture, immediately turn to God. Resist the attack—because that is exactly what it is. Draw near to God—read His Word and pray, and renew your mind in Him (Romans 12). Double-check your armor, and then stand firm in the truth.
–Katie Botello
2018
Live Peaceably
“…Do not be wise in your own opinion…If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:16b, 18
While living in Fort Worth many years ago, my pastor, gray-haired and possessing a white goatee that lent itself to a look of ancient wisdom, was in the habit of shaking his head when struck with something profound or with a weighty matter and saying, “My, my, my…” in his thick Welsh accent. I always felt like that short repetition said it all, and to the scripture above I say, shaking my head, “My, my, my…” This is profound and weighty.
Recently, I allowed myself to become frustrated with and offended by an acquaintance, and we had a disagreement. The issue came down to a lack of proper communication, and in the end, though my instinct was to defend myself, I found that the Holy Spirit (per His piercing conviction) was much more concerned with: What kind of testimony did I demonstrate in my frustration and offense?
Christ never said to defend yourself when faced with friction or adversity, but to love humbly—so much so that if the one who opposes you required that you walk a mile with them…you would walk two (Matthew 5). This is not popular in a generation constantly asking itself, “What about me?”
In my situation, I am now humbled with the task of reconciliation, which would not be necessary if I had heeded Romans 12. Today, as much as possible “live peaceably” with those around you and love them humbly.
–Katie Botello
2018
Let Your Burden be Light
“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
How do I describe the immediate relief I feel inside my heart, my mind and my soul the moment I read these words? The relief is so immediate, the sensation of instantaneous release so complete, that the gratitude of it makes me want to weep.
Sometimes the burdens of life feel so heavy, so real, so present, that I behold them with a fixed gaze, overwhelmed by their impossibility, forgetting that I am able to quickly and altogether hand them over. How foolish am I that I do not turn to Jesus to relieve the burdens but more often choose to bear the ponderous weight—needlessly… And why? Do I feel that by some means I am able to fix or control my misfortunes?
Let it be clear, however, Jesus offers relief in the burden not the yoke. We will all be led by a yoke, but will it be by a yoke of slavery laden with the burden of sin—worry, doubt and fear—or by the yoke of Christ who offers love, forgiveness and hope? He extends it willingly, to be traded permanently—not to be traded back someday when we fear our circumstances but forever.
Today, trade your yoke, and let your burden be light.
–Katie Botello
2018
Bear Much Fruit
There is lovely apple tree in my mom’s yard that has grown very large and very fruitful, so large and so fruitful that its branches hang heavy and droop with perfect little green and red apples.
Not too long ago, I was standing below that very tree, holding a yellow plastic bag, helping to collect some of the abundance. At some point, I remember looking up and saying out loud, “How is it possible for one tree to bear so much fruit?” The moment the words left my mouth, my heart quickened with conviction. Why should I be surprised that one tree was able to bear so much fruit? And why should I be amazed that it could bear fruit above and beyond what was expected? Are we not called to do the same? Jesus himself said, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit;…” John 15:5b
Jesus makes it clear that we are to bear much fruit and the key to this is to remain in Him because He says, “…without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5b
I also noticed that very few of the apples on this tree had been corrupted…so much of the fruit was completely unjaded. Likewise, we are called to the same thing—to be uncorrupted and unjaded by the world. “Do not love the world or the things in the world…For all that is in the world…is not of the Father…” 1 John 2:15a, 16a,b
Today, do not love the things of this world, remain in Jesus and bear much fruit.
–Katie Botello
2018
Stop and Reach Out
One day, many years ago, my students were milling about the classroom gathering supplies for a project. I noticed some of them began to giggle and congregate at one of the classroom windows. Being curious, I followed them. It seemed that in the chain link fence on the other side of the window was a prairie dog—stuck! …about a foot off of the ground, upside down, bottom in the air.
I admit, it was a humorous sight. How in the world had the little guy ended up in that position?
Though I had the students return to their task, I quietly continued to watch the scenario. It was then I noticed that he had a little prairie dog friend. Periodically, the friend would run here and there, seemingly trying to find help, and when none was to be found, he would return to his friend, and wait with him. I was amazed. What a clear example of how we are to be toward one another.
In Romans, Paul states, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15 Paul also mentions in Galatians that we are to, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2
Today, if you know of a friend who is “stuck” in a tough position or who maybe just needs a little of your time, encouragement and support—stop and reach out. Wait with them, cry with them, rejoice with them. Help them bear their burden and in doing so “fulfill the law of Christ.”
–Katie Botello
2018
The Heart and Tongue
Probably one of the most poignant chapters in the book of James is chapter 3. In this chapter, James declares: “…no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” James 3:8-10
How easily we fall into the trap…a few choice words when we are discontent with another person or mumbling to ourselves about someone else’s “stupidity”. Sometimes we just whisper the words in our mind or heart and justify our intentions by saying to ourselves, “I never said the words out loud.” And yet, Christ says, “…out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:45b It all starts in the heart…so yes, it counts.
This is highly convicting. This matter of the tongue—blessings and curses coming from the same mouth—speaks to a very tenacious, lingering part of our sin nature. It is not only a part of our sin nature that fervently holds on but exposes a part of our heart that has yet to be submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It is an indicator of something inside that has not been reconciled to Christ—anger, unforgiveness, envy.
Today, if this resonates with you, ask God to reveal the root that is feeding this sin. Repent of it and let Him cleanse you of it with His forgiveness.
–Katie Botello
2018
Listen for the Lord
In 1 Samuel chapter 3, the child Samuel (son of Hannah and future prophet of Israel) hears what he believes is Eli the priest calling to him in the night. Twice he comes to Eli, and twice Eli sends him away. The third time, Eli recognizes that something is happening; it is the Lord who is calling Samuel. He tells Samuel how to reply: “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.’ ” 1 Samuel 3:9a Samuel did as he was told and received a vision, message and revelation from the Lord Himself.
In his child-like faith, Samuel took Eli at his word and obeyed his instruction, listened for the Lord again, and without justifying or reasoning away the call, he responded, as we should, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” 1 Samuel 3:10b
Sometimes the Lord calls to us in the night but we may not recognize the sound. We tell ourselves that we are just awakening because of our sleep cycle, we need a drink of water, etc, but it could be that the Lord Himself is calling to us to read His Word or pray, or perhaps He just wants to sit a while with us when we are not distracted.
The next time you awake in the middle of the night, respond to the Lord as Samuel did: “Speak, for Your servant hears.” You may be amazed by a revelation He shares with you or the sweet intimate time you share with Him.
–Katie Botello
2018
A Message in This
Coming out of church last Sunday, a tiny piece of gravel lodged itself in my sandal. Though I kept hobbling along hoping it would work itself out of my shoe, it did not. I had to purposefully stop my trek, remove my sandal and release the small stone before I could move on.
As I put my sandal back on, I realized there was a message in this…one that is strongly resonating in my hear:
Sometimes we carry tiny gravel-like sin in our lives that causes us to stagger along or stumble instead of walk in peace with Jesus. The sin seems so minor or insignificant but is potentially the cause of a great faltering in our faith.
Satan would lull us into false security, convincing us that the small pokings and proddings of that sin are not that bad and the sin itself isn’t that big of a deal. We must not listen to that voice. Though the sin my seem “small”, it is enough to render us ineffective for Christ and potentially affect our testimony for Him.
People around us will eventually notice us stumbling, and though they may not see the exact source of the stumbling, they will see its effects–the limping, the stuttering steps–and they will question it.
“…Walk as children of light…walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:8b, 15b, 16
Today, if there is a tiny stone in your shoe, hindering your walk with the Lord at all, do not hesitate, remove it.
–Katie Botello
2018
A Still, Small Voice
A beautiful story in the Bible is that of the prophet Elijah and his escape to Mount Horeb found in 1 Kings 18 and 19. In this account, Elijah has just called down fire from Heaven and killed 450 prophets of Baal—a great victory; however, Jezebel gets wind of it and sends a message to Elijah threatening to take his life, so he runs.
He is discouraged, depressed, and overwhelmed. In fact, at one point during his journey, Elijah prays that he might die.
This does not sound beautiful yet, right? That’s because the beauty is in the details of the story. On Elijah’s journey, God lovingly sends an angel to minister to him, and when he arrives at the mountain of God (Mount Horeb), though Elijah hides in a cave, God calls to him. God understood Elijah’s desperation; He understood Elijah’s fear, and God knew Elijah needed to hear from Him and did not condemn him but treated him gently:
“…And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.”
Sometimes God speaks to us softly as He did with Elijah because that’s what we need. If you’re at the end of yourself today, listen for His still small voice.
–Katie Botello
2018
Be Joyful Before the Lord
I always find it interesting when there is resistance to the suggestion that we should be excited for Jesus, resistance to the idea that we should be cheerful and joyful for Jesus. No one would ever just come out and say, “Don’t be joyful for Jesus,” but sometimes believers tend to communicate in various ways that there are levels of acceptable expressions of joy that may be exhibited, or that any exuberance for Jesus should not be outwardly shown with more than a smile and an “amen” in public, and anything else must be done in the privacy of our homes. But, what if the world saw us get excited for Jesus? Of course, I am not talking about a superficial expression but a genuine expression of joy.
What does the Bible say about joy? A lot! In fact, it commands us to be joyful. What?! “Shout joyfully before the Lord, the King.” Psalm 98:6b But what if I’m sad? “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10b But what if people look down on me for outwardly expressing my deep gratitude and joy for the Lord? “So David went and brought up the ark of God…with gladness… Then David danced before the Lord with all his might…” “’Therefore I will play music before the Lord. And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight.’” from 2 Samuel 6
Be joyful before the Lord. Get excited! Shout, dance, sing! And like David, do it with all your might!
–Katie Botello
2018
Enjoy the “Crickets”
There is a story, an anecdote, that speaks of a blind man. I do not recall the entire story, but I do remember its poignant ending.
The setting of the story is a city—the kind of city where there is the constant hum of activity—pedestrian chatter, honking car horns, emergency vehicles, power tools on a construction site, and so on. In the midst of this setting, the blind man is asked to share what he hears amongst all the noise. The man’s response is that he hears a cricket.
The person who asked him the question is amazed! How is it possible to hear a cricket in the loud din of the downtown noise?! The blind man’s response is simple—he is able to hear the cricket because he is listening.
The other morning I almost missed one of my “crickets”, a magnificent sunrise. It caught my eye, and I heard that familiar voice inside saying, “Stop, be still, enjoy, and thank the Lord for the beauty…” but I couldn’t. My heart and mind were too “cluttered”—consumed with thoughts of my “to do” lists, obligations, concerns… No time to stop, appreciate and listen.
“…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith….” Hebrew 12:1b,2a
Today, allow the Lord to help you “declutter”. Stop, listen and take time to enjoy the “crickets” in your life.
–Katie Botello
2018
Longing to be Near
My little schnauzer, Bella, loves to cuddle up next to me. She waits for and anticipates the moment that I will sit so that she may lie down next to me or lie upon my lap. Sometimes, when she thinks that I am just about to do that—have a seat and settle in one place for a while, she leaps about excitedly, eagerly.
And it’s funny…when I do sit, she immediately snuggles in, getting as close to me as possible, and goes to sleep. All that excitement and anticipation…only to fall asleep.
The Lord convicted my heart that this sweet little scenario is actually a mirror to a much bigger picture of how we are to be with Him…longing to be near our Master, anticipating the next moment when we can sit alone with Him, getting as close to Him as possible; excitedly awaiting that set-aside time where we may enjoy Him, eat of His Word, drink of His Spirit and rest in His presence.
The Psalmist declares, “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever…But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all Your works.” Psalm 73:25,26,28
Go home today. Get alone with God. Draw near to Him; allow His Spirit to speak to you and rest in His loving, faithful, beautiful Presence.
–Katie Botello
2018
Discouraged? Overwhelmed? Praise Him!
One day this summer, I woke up discouraged, with a heaviness that I could not shake. My mind was filled with seemingly unsolvable situations. I could not see past the details of each circumstance and was becoming increasingly weighed down by them. I prayed and complained to the Lord of my discouragement only to find that the heaviness remained.
Moving on with my day, I got up and started my morning routine. I usually sing praise songs while I get ready; this day, though, I didn’t feel much like singing.
But it crossed my mind, just a whisper of a thought, that not only did I need to sing praise songs this day, I needed to sing songs of thankfulness to the Lord. At first, it was like eating a sour piece of fruit…but only because I was not in the frame of mind for wanting to be thankful.
However, the more I sang, and the more I listened to the words I was singing, I felt a familiar warmth creep into my heart, the warmth of the Holy Spirit softening my spirit. As I sang, thoughts of thankfulness overtook me.
Isaiah chapter 61 reminds us that Jesus can give us, “…the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…” In fact, He is able to “bind up the brokenhearted”, “proclaim freedom for the captives”, provide “release from darkness for the prisoners”, and more.
If you are discouraged today, praise Him. If you are overwhelmed today, praise Him. Let His Spirit soften you and His love overwhelm you.
–Katie Botello
2018
Deep Roots
Coming out of church last Sunday, I noticed my favorite tree in Aztec…the one across the street in Park Avenue’s playground. It’s beautiful. Large, thick branches full of shimmering green leaves. A trunk so massive, it makes one stop in wonder, …and this day it made me wonder, “I bet a tree that magnificent has incredibly deep roots.” That’s when the Holy Spirit reminded me of us, His people. We are to have incredibly deep roots, too.
Psalm 1 declares, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” …and here it is… “He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.”
We are to be planted firm in His soil, His Word. We are to love His Word and find joy in it, to think about it “day and night”. The deeper we dig into His Word…the more we put His Word into practice, the firmer our roots are in His soil. Circumstances will come—the winds of life, the rains, the storms, the floods, the droughts…, but our roots in Him will remain.
Today, ask God to give you a deep love for His word and the heart to faithfully walk out its commands.
–Katie Botello
2018
A Deep Heart’s Cry
In the story of Hannah found in 1 Samuel chapters one and two, Hannah had a deep heart’s cry, one that she had had for years. It filled her heart so completely that it overwhelmed her.
There came a point where Hannah could not contain the overflow of her heart, so she went to the house of the Lord, and there she wept in bitterness, anguish and grief that the Lord would hear her petition. Her heart was so sorrowful that as she wept and prayed in her heart, mouthing the words of her prayer, the priest Eli thought she was drunk.
Although Eli reprimanded her for being intoxicated, she was able to quickly explain that she was not, that she had “…poured out [her] soul before the Lord.” 1 Samuel 1:15b
The beauty of the story is that the Lord heard her petition, heard her cry and answered her prayer. He loved her and He gave her the desire of her heart.
The Lord is willing to answer our prayers when we pray according to His will. Often He places desires in our heart, desires that we are meant to take before Him and continually pray over and at the right time, He will answer our prayer because it is His desire to give us good gifts.
Sometimes we give up too soon in our prayers; we do not persevere. It is possible that the Lord has laid a deep desire on your heart, and you need not to give up in prayer but press in harder.
–Katie Botello
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