Up On The House Top

 

Today’s Bible readings are 2 Samuel 9:1-11:27, John 15:1-27, Psalm 119:49-64, & Proverbs 16:1-3

2 Samuel 11:1-4

In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem.

² Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath. ³ He sent someone to find out who she was, and he was told, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” ⁴ Then David sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her. She had just completed the purification rites after having her menstrual period. Then she returned home.

It is so important for us to stay focused. The moment that we start to lose our focus we find ourselves in a very vulnerable position. Many times we never realize that things are going in the wrong direction until it is too late.

I’m sure that David never thought that staying home from the battle would lead to the great sin of adultery in his life, but it did. I’m sure that David never thought an afternoon stroll on his palace roof would lead to this incredible temptation, but it did. I also am very confident that after it all happened he spent time wishing that he would have been out to battle, which was the normal thing for kings to do in the spring.

How does this apply to our lives? It is simple. We all have to stay focused in our lives. We can’t come to a place where we become complacent. That is the greatest error we can make. It is what started it all in this downward spiral. David had become complacent in his life.

Jesus taught us to make sure that we keep from becoming complacent in our lives too.

Matthew 24:42-43

⁴² “So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. ⁴³ Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into.

Satan is a master thief. He lies in wait until there is a perfect moment for him to attack. He often waits until he sees us complacent in several areas of our lives. When he notices that our attentiveness is low, he starts to make his move. He sneaks around looking for the right moment. Once it arises, he starts to throw out his little suggestions:

1.      Doesn’t’ that sound fun?

2.      Nobody would ever know.

3.      You have really earned it.

4.      You deserve this.

5.      It isn’t that big of a deal.

6.      A little bit won’t hurt you.

These are all things that we would never fall for when se are focused & our heart is in tune to the right things. Yet, once we lose our focus & complacency sets in, these things start to sound a little more like the right thing to do. We don’t notice the warning signs because we have lost our alertness. This is the pathway to sin.

All of this can end by staying focused. Keeping our eyes on Jesus & staying focused on the main thing—reaching the lost & building the kingdom of God! If we stay focused in these areas we will eliminate the errors that come as a result of a complacent heart.

Take your stand against complacency. Stay alert. Remain vigilant. This is how we keep our eyes on the prize & off of other things that will take us down the wrong path. It is a key way to avoid loss in our lives.

Pastor Richard Schlotter

Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice

Today’s Bible readings are 2 Samuel 7:1-8:18, John 14:15-31, Psalm 119:33-48, & Proverbs 15:33

John 14:15

¹⁵ “If you love me, keep my commands.

What exactly does it mean “to love God”? I hear people say on a regular basis that they love Jesus. They may think that they do love Him. The problem is that they don’t show it by the way they live.

I know that this is a hard word to hear, & especially accept, but none the less it is true because Jesus said it. To love Jesus is to obey Him & His teachings. Our love is demonstrated as we make the sacrifice.

When I think about the way He demonstrated His love I am reminded that He did what was uncomfortable. He did what didn’t come easy to Him. He did what hurt. Yet He did it because of love. His love moved Him to do what was difficult. Love should do the same for us.

I know that we often talk about how hard it is to follow the ways of Jesus. I don’t know if I can agree with that way of thinking. It is not hard once we commit to it. The problem comes because there is a part of us that wants to do it a different way. We think that there must be a better, easier, softer way but there is not. The struggle inside will end once we commit to do it His way.

It is our flesh that screams at us. It doesn’t not care to do things Jesus way. Yet, our spirit man does. It longs to please Jesus. The answer is found in denying the flesh & walking in the Spirit. As we surrender to the Spirit obedience flows naturally. As obedience flows, it causes us to grow closer to Christ. That is what our heart desires.

What is it that God is asking you to do that you are having trouble surrendering to?

1.      Is it forgiving someone?

2.      Is it tithing?

3.      Is it serving in the local church?

4.      Is it going back to school?

5.      Is it starting a business?

6.      Is going on a missions trip?

Whatever it is, I want to encourage you to let love move you to the place of surrender. Your love for Jesus is real. Give in to it & let it. You will be glad that you did. Obedience is ALWAYS BETTER than sacrifice.

 

Pastor Richard Schlotter

Blessings Thorugh His Presence

Today’s Bible readings are 2 Samuel 4:1-6:23, John 13:31-14:14, Psalm 119:17-32, & Proverbs 15:31-32

2 Samuel 6:10-11

¹⁰ He was not willing to take the ark of the Lord to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. ¹¹ The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the Lord blessed him and his entire household.

The Ark of the Lord was the place that God’s presence dwelt. It was a physical thing that the people carried with them when they traveled through the desert. In it was the presence of God Almighty. The Ark ensured them victory, as God’s presence was among them.

Over the years the presence of the Lord protected them. The people of Israel guarded the Ark of the Lord. It was the sign to the rest the nations that God was with Israel. It was what gave boldness & hope to the people of God. It was proof to them that they were not alone. It signified to them that God was with them & doing battle for them.             

Here we see the Ark being taken to the house of Obed-Edom. We also see that as a result of the presence of God being in his house he became blessed. It wasn’t only him who was blessed either, BUT HIS WHOLE HOUSEHOLD.

God’s presence is no longer carried the Ark that it was carried in at this time. His presence in now carried in each of His believers.

 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

We are carriers of God’s presence. This means that everyone in our household will be blessed too. They are blessed by God presence in our lives! It is because of His presence that we can give them:

1.      Love

2.      Hope

3.      Faith

4.      Encouragement

The presence of God was a very real thing to His people. It was something that they could experience. They knew He was present. They could sense Him. His power was real to them. His presence was important to them.

We have to be people who covet the presence of God. We must guard it in our families. There are many things that will try to crowd out the presence of God. We cannot fall for this. His presence is what leads to His blessing. Remember, it is not just your blessing but the blessing of all in your household as a result of His presence.

Let’s be people who value His presence. Let’s live our lives as if God was right beside us. Let our conversations be conversations that will bring Him honor. Don’t say or do anything that you wouldn’t do right in front of Jesus. Remember, in reality He is with you. You are a carrier of His presence.

Pastor Richard Schlotter

Called To Serve

Today’s Bible readings are 2 Samuel 2:12-3:39, John 13:1-30, Psalm 119:1-16, & Proverbs 15:29-30

John 13:13-17

¹³ “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴ Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶ Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Jesus set the example for us to serve. He made it clear that no servant is better than his Master. Jesus is our Master & He served. He showed us that we are called to serve one another.

We tend to be selfish people by nature. We only think about ourselves. Jesus called us to a new way of living. He placed His nature in us. His nature is to serve.

I have found that the secret to joy & fulfillment is serving God & people. God has placed gifts & graces in each of our lives. Those gifts & graces are meant to be used to build the kingdom for Him. As we extend His love & hope to others they experience the love of God through the Body of Christ. This is truly a miracle.

There is also another truth that I have learned about serving:

If I help somebody else find the answer to their problems & struggle, then God will send somebody to solve mine or He will solve them Himself.

I have seen this happen time & time again. It has put in me a great desire to serve. I know that serving is the best way to go.

1.      What areas do you feel God calling you to serve?

2.      When was the last time that you put your plans on hold to help somebody else with theirs?

3.      What could you do today to show the love of Christ to somebody?

Take every opportunity that comes your way to serve. It is what you were created for. Enjoy your new life & serve!

Richard Schlotter