His Dying Breath Has Brought Me Life

Today’s Bible readings are 2 Samuel 1:1-2:11, John 12:20-50, Psalm 118:19-29, & Proverbs 15:27-28

John 12:23-26

²³ Jesus replied, “Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory. ²⁴ I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels—a plentiful harvest of new lives. ²⁵ Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. ²⁶ Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.

I love the song: “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us”.  It is one of the most beautiful songs that has been written in recent years that speaks of the life & death of Jesus Christ & what it really did for us. There is a line in that song that says:

It was my sins that held Him there

until it was accomplished.

His dying breath has brought me life,

I know that it is finished.

I have tears welling up in my eyes right now as I think about the truth that is revealed in the lines of this song. To think that HE gave His last breath so we could find true life through Him is the most humbling thought that I can imagine. I often have to stop & ask the question, WHY???

When I look at my life & what I really have to offer it makes no sense. At first glance of my life a person could think, “Well Pastor Richard has a lot to offer Jesus.”

1.      He is passionate.

2.      He cares about people

3.      He has vision.

4.      He is a good communicator.

5.      He preaches well.

In all honesty, the only thing that I really have to offer Jesus is my broken, messed up life. I was none of those 5 things above until Christ came into my heart. In fact, I am nothing even close to those things. I know that it is Christ in me that causes those things to shine because it is who HE is.

It is His life living in me that makes these qualities appear. It is His love at work in me that brings all those things to the surface. I know me. I know that none of those things are part of me. BUT I also know Christ.  Know that they are part of who HE is.

When I think about that, it all begins to make sense to me. I begin to see the power behind the truth that Jesus was trying to get across to His disciples. He was sowing His life as a Seed. That Seed was going to produce after IT’S own kind. It would produce a life like His. Thank God for that Seed! How different life would be without it in us?

Jesus made it a point to teach that the seed that He was offering would lead to a harvest of new lives. The new lives that He is referring to are the lives that we now have with His Seed in us. It is what Paul mentioned when he said: “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

I still have a hard time taking it all in when I stop to meditate on this incredible truth. Jesus really died. He was really raised from the dead. He really lives in me. The life that I live now in this body I live by the faith of Jesus Christ, who is at work in me. WOW!!!

The first lines in this same song, “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us”, says it best:

How deep the Father’s love for us,

How vast beyond all measure.

That He would give His only Son

To make a wretch His treasure.

Spend some time today, not thinking about all of your failures & struggles, but rather, thinking about the great love that God REALLY has for you. We get so wrapped up in our flaws & struggles that we leave no time for the thoughts of God’s great love to fill our minds. Focus on that today. You may look down on others, & even may look down on yourself, for failures & weaknesses but you have to understand that God is so filled with love for you that He gave His Son so you could share in His life & love. Let that sink deep into your heart today.

Stop letting the pull of negative things ruin your mind. God is not as concerned about your flaws as you are. He has done His part to free you from them. Take your stand & believe in the Seed that is in you as a result of the love that is in Him! This will change your life!

Pastor Richard Schlotter

God is faithful

God is faithful

Today’s readings are 1 Samuel 29:1-31:13, John 11:55-12:19, Psalm 118:1-18, and Proverbs 15:24-26

God is faithful in every situation.  Thank you Lord for all that you do for us.  You will give us back everything that the enemy has taken away.  You never fail. 

1 Samuel 30:1-8

30 Three days later, when David and his men arrived home at their town of Ziklag, they found that the Amalekites had made a raid into the Negev and Ziklag; they had crushed Ziklag and burned it to the ground. ² They had carried off the women and children and everyone else but without killing anyone.

³ When David and his men saw the ruins and realized what had happened to their families, ⁴ they wept until they could weep no more. ⁵ David’s two wives, Ahinoam from Jezreel and Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel, were among those captured. ⁶ David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God.

⁷ Then he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring me the ephod!” So Abiathar brought it. ⁸ Then David asked the Lord, “Should I chase after this band of raiders? Will I catch them?”

And the Lord told him, “Yes, go after them. You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!”

1 Samuel 30:18-20

⁸ David got back everything the Amalekites had taken, and he rescued his two wives. ¹⁹ Nothing was missing: small or great, son or daughter, nor anything else that had been taken. David brought everything back. ²⁰ He also recovered all the flocks and herds, and his men drove them ahead of the other livestock. “This plunder belongs to David!” they said.

I’ve been hearing so many stories about my church family being attacked by the enemy.  Some of them have a good outlook and know that God never fails and always comes through for them.  Others know the right thing to do and for whatever reason fail to do that right thing.  Still others who do not know what to do. 

David lost his wives, all his belongings, his town was in ruins, he was in danger from his own men.  He was in trouble.  The Bible says they wept until they could not weep anymore.  But David found strength in the Lord.  David asked the Lord if I go after them will I catch up to them.  God said yes go and everything will be recovered.  Wow God is so good. 
 
IF you are having problems this is always what you do.  Ask God for the answer.  Read the Bible (find the answer in it).  There are examples after example of people in the same situations or worse.  That we can learn from.  The thing that we have to know is that we have to do what God tells us to.  If David would have waited or God forbid not gone.  He would have been hated and his men would have probably tried to kill him. He wouldn’t have gotten his family back or his belongings.  

There comes a time when we have to listen and do what God is asking if we want to get out of the mess me are in.  The alternative is stay stuck and keep sinking.
Kelly Schlotter

The Love of God

Today’s readings are 1 Samuel 26:1-28:25, John11:1-54,  Psalm:117: 1-2 and Proverbs 15:22-23

Let’s all just praise the Lord

Psalm 117:1-2¹ Praise the Lord, all you nations.
    Praise him, all you people of the earth.
² For he loves us with unfailing love;
    the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever.

Praise the Lord!

Sometimes I think this is the only thing that can be done.  When the day is going wrong or the kids are gone crazy.  This is what is needed.  You sit back and dwell on the Lord and his unfailing Love for us.  It really is amazing to think of all of the blessings and love of GOD.  I bet there is not enough paper in the world to tell of it all.  What is that song.  The love of God. It is an old hymn written by a Jewish songwriter redone by MERCYME.  Very beautiful description of God’s love.

"The Love Of God"

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell
It goes beyond the highest star
And reaches to the lowest hell
The guilty pair, bowed down with care
God gave His Son to win
His erring child He reconciled
And pardoned from his sin
Could we with ink the ocean fill

And were the skies of parchment made
Were every stalk on earth a quill

And every man a scribe by trade

To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry
Nor could the scroll contain the whole
Though stretched from sky to sky

Hallelujah [3x]

O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure
The saints' and angels' song

Kelly Schlotter

Remain Sensible

Today’s Bible readings are 1 Samuel 24:1-25:44, John 10:22-42, Psalm 116:1-19, & Proverbs 15:20-21

Proverbs 15:20-21

²⁰ Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother. ²¹ Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path.

How many of you have ever heard somebody make the comment: “You may as well have fun. You only live once.” That is the comment that people make as they continue down the path of destruction. That kind of thinking may bring momentary pleasure but in the end it will result in bitter sorrow.

I have noticed a huge bend toward this attitude. Many people justify their negative behavior by saying that they are doing it to have fun. This is what this proverb is speaking about. Foolishness brings joy to those with NO SENSE.

As Christians, our lives are significantly different from others. Sometimes people tell us we need to try new things so that we can share in their fun. Really, they just want us to share in their misery. Misery loves company. Also, the way our brain works, if everybody is doing it then it must be alright; even if our conscience convicts us of it.

I love that this proverb also says that a sensible person keeps on the right path. Many things will try to pull you off the right path. DON”T FALL FOR IT!!!

1.      Keep on the right path of going to church.

Church is important. Many say that you don’t have to go to church to be a Christian. My question in reply to that is: “Why wouldn’t a Christian want to go to church?”

·        Jesus died for the Church.

·        Jesus is building His Church.

·        Jesus is returning for His Church.

The sensible thing is to commit to a local church & help fulfill the vision of that local church as shared through the pastor. This is what God has ordained to be the pattern in which He will reach the world.

2.      Keep on the right path of giving.

Giving matters. It is an expression of love. Many think that giving means that you will have less. I can say that is a lie. The reason I have all that I have is because of a faithful God who has blessed me as a result of our giving. There is no doubt in my mind about this.

Giving also keeps me walking in love. As I give, I allow love to work in me. I love what one preacher said: “You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.”

3.      Keep on the right path of sexual purity.

Somebody just mentioned to my wife this past week: “Why do you stress marriage so much. People do just fine without it.” How far from the truth that really is. Studies have been conducted by Focus on the Family that proves everything is more meaning & fulfilling in marriage. Marriage is the best way to go. One man & one woman for one lifetime!!!

With all the evidence to support these points, how could one chose to do it any other way? The answer: only a fool would. Be ye wise & not a fool in Jesus name!

 

Pastor Richard Schlotter