Psalm 73: the soul's aspirin

Our speaker during Family Bible Hour was Mr Ken Botton. His message is Psalm 73 by Asaph.  The Psalm reveals a window into Asaph's soul. I'ts a favorite counselling Psalm that is  brutally honest; and takes people from a living hell to heaven.
Here is Mr Botton's great message, in full and in context.

ARKeology

Our speaker during Family Bible Hour was Mr Ken Botton, of Trinity International University.  He is pictured with his wife, Patty. His message on the 3 kinds of Arks in the Bible is now on youtube:

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Our Speaker during Family Bible Hour was Mr Ken Botton.  His message was based on Jesus' words found in John 3:14-16

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the son of man be lifted up:  That whosoever believeth  in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

Jesus was referring to a passage in the Old Testament, Numbers 21: 4-9

 And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom:  and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way.  And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness?  for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.  And the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.  Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord, and against thee; pray unto the Lord, that he take away the serpents from us.  And Moses prayed for the people.  And the Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live.  And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. 

Mr Botton reminded us that God's response to our problem does not always make sense, but we must be willing to take God at His word.  We must discontinue looking at the "snakes" and secondary problems that nip at our feet.  We must look to our solution -- the Lord Jesus Christ --- who was lifted up on the cross of calvary.  He is the only Saviour to our main problem of sin.

Mr Botton's full, excellent message is worth watching again, or watching for the first time.  It  is available on DVD.   Please see Romy.

Our speaker during Family Bible Hour was Mr Ken Botton -- Adjunct Professor at Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois. Mr Botton's other ministries are: Manager of the  Military Chaplaincy Program for the Brethren Assemblies; and Associate Chaplain at O'Hare Airport. His message today was based on Genesis 37: 18-36 

...And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out  of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; And they took him, and cast him into a pit:  and the pit was empty, there was no water in it...Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver:  and they brought Joseph into Egypt...And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.  

Parallels between Joseph & Jesus:

1. Joseph was sent from the Father, Jacob, to bring comfort to his brothers.  Jesus was also sent by God the Father to bring comfort to our souls
2. Joseph was hated without a cause when he told the truth about his dream. Jesus, the ultimate TRUTH, was also hated without a cause
3. Joseph was sold for 20 pieces of silver; Jesus was sold for 30 pieces of silver
4. The horrible events that happened to Joseph and to Jesus eventually worked out for the best.  Joseph saved his family 13 years later during a great famine. Jesus saves us for eternity through His death on the cross.

Lessons from the pit:  The pit is an analogy of life's circumstances.  Note the Joseph's faith was intact through his horrible circumstances:

1. When tossed into the pit, you've got nothing but what you take with you as you're going in.  Joseph had nothing but his faith in God.  Be certain that you have plenty of God to take with you.  No one knows when a pit may occur; thus, get ready for the pit NOW.
2. Meditate long and hard on the love and sovereignty of God while in the pit.  Know for certain that God loves you and has a purpose for your circumstances
3. When you're out of the pit, remember the lessons and be a BLESSING to others.

Bottom line --- what is Satan's worse, can mean God's BEST!

The full message by Mr Botton, in context, is available through DVD. Please see Romy.

Mr Ken Botton

A hearty welcome to our guests today: Reverend Marlon Roldan, Community Development Adviser of OMF International (Philippines).  His wife Yoyit, is a Professor at the University of the Philippines, and currently on a 1-year sabbatical.  Mrs Pat Bollman was also in town to visit her daughter Julie, Son-in-Law Bob, and brand-new granddaughter, Haley.  

Micah 6

Our speaker today was Mr Ken Botton,   Mr Botton has three main ministries: Part-time Professor at Trinity International University; Manager of the Military Chaplaincy Program for the Brethren Assemblies; and Associate Chaplain at O'Hare Airport. He's shown here with his wife, Patty. Welcome back to Park Manor Bible Chapel, Mr and Mrs Botton!   Click here for their previous visit with us.

His message was based on Micah 6:8 --

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God...

What does it mean to "...walk humbly with thy God"?  For our example in the Old Testament, let's take a look at Moses in Numbers 12:3 --

Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.

Moses' life can be divided into 3 parts: 
1. 40 years in Pharaoh's palace (look at me, how good I am)
2. 40 years in the backside of the desert (look at me, how desolate I am)
3. 40 yeas making History (don't look at me, look at God)

Moses' encounter with God began with his encounter with the burning bush (Exodus 3).  Here are two principles we can learn from that encounter:

1.  On fire with God, not for God.  Humbleness is God living in us .  As Jesus says in John 15, He is the vine, we are the branches.
2.  God wants our availability, not our ability. We need to be empty of ourselves, but filled to overflowing with God. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)  Note that when Peter was miraculously taken out of prison (Acts 12), his role was to simply get up, get dressed, and walk.  God did the rest (the impossible portion).


Mr Botton's full message is available on DVD.
Please see Romy for availability.

Our Speaker today was Mr Ken Botton.  Mr Botton has three main ministries:  Part-time Professor at Trinity International University; Manager of the  Military Chaplaincy Program for the Brethren Assemblies; and Associate Chaplain at O'Hare Airport. He's shown here with his wife, Patty.  Welcome to Park Manor Bible Chapel, Mr and Mrs Botton!

 Mr Botton's text was Micah 6: 1-8

Hear ye now what the Lord saith...for the Lord hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel...O my people, what have I done unto  thee?  and wherein have I wearied thee?  testify against me...wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God?  shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?  Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil?  shall I give my firsborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?  He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Our study was on the word "mercy", the fraternal twin to the word "justice".  Mercy is usually the fruit of trouble and crisis in one's life.  Because of  trouble/crisis, we learn empathy.  We must also learn to stay connected and pre-occupy ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray for wisdom on how to deal with the problem.   Do not despise trouble, for it's God working in our lives to draw us to Jesus and be more like Him. 
A DVD of the full message is available on the table in the foyer.

Mr Botton's ministry at Chicago's two major airports (O'Hare and Midway) is called Skyword Ministries, PO Box 68, Deerfield, IL  60015-0068.  The Christian Protestant Services schedule is as follows:

Midway Airport Chapel:  Concourse C -Mezzanine Level.  Sundays, 10:00 am & 12:00 noon

O'Hare Airport Chapel: Terminal 2 - Mezzanine Level. Sundays 10:00 am & 12:00 noon