What happened to King David was tragic. He was in his prime, a bit over 50. He had ruled as king for around 20 years and had known nothing but success. His future could not have been brighter.
Then came Bathsheba. We read in 2 Samuel 11:1-2, “In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem.”
This was the time of year that kings led their troops into battle. The spring meant great weather, plenty of food for animals and soldiers, and travel on dry roads. King David should have been with his men, but he remained home alone. What was he doing? 2 Sam. 11:2a says, “It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch…” He was taking it easy, napping, laying around, and basically wasting time. It was while he was idle he fell into temptation.
One of the great ways to beat temptation is to stay busy. If David had been busy he would not have given in to temptation. Idleness is the devil’s workshop. Have you noticed that standing water gathers filth? One of the best ways to beat temptation is to simply be where you’re supposed to be, doing what your supposed to do with all your might for the glory of God.
This year our church will raise money to dig a well in Kenema, Sierra Leone beside a newly constructed church. Clean water is a huge need in Africa. Below is a video clip with Pastor Gregory Bangura, our contact. In it you’ll see what a poorly constructed well can look like. The one we will dig will be much safer. Our hope is that as people come to draw water for thirst they will discover the Living Water – Jesus.
Pastor Gregory Bangura has devoted his life to training church planters all through West Africa. He’ll be with us this weekend. Please, take some time to listen to this interview. InterviewwithPastorBangurawebcast
John Calvin, in the early 16th century was a theologian, pastor, and leader of the Protestant Reformation. How he found his pastoral call is quite interesting. When he was just in his mid twenties he wrote his famous work, The Institutes of Christian Religion. Instantly it became a best seller. He was now known around the world. It was his dream to move from France to Strasbourg to spend the rest of his life writing, studying, living the secluded, sheltered life of a scholar in solitude and silence. So, he set off, but because of a war he had to take a longer way, and ended up staying in Geneva, Switzerland.
While in Geneva, a local minister, William Farel, heard that the famous young author was in his city and he went to see him. Farel had just led the city of Geneva into a spiritual reformation but still much was to be done and he knew needed Calvin’s help. So, he went to plead with him to surrender his dream of scholarly seclusion. He wanted Calvin stay and pastor a church. Calvin refused saying he was not cut out for public life. Farel grew angry. Farel was a firey person, intense and bold.
Later Calvin would write, “When he Farel, realized I was determined to study in some obscure place he descended to cursing, and he said that God would surely curse my peace if I held back from giving help…terrified by his words I gave up my journey and attempted to apply whatever gift I had for the defense of my faith.” (Taken from a lecture by Dr. Frank A. James – http://deimos3.apple.com/WebObjects/Core.woa/Browse/rts-public.1379833356.01379833359)
So, John Calvin surrendered. He set aside his dream and he became the pastor a church in Geneva, Switzerland. In time that church transformed the city and became a light of reformation and revival all over the world. It was not in a secluded study but in the rigors of ministry that Calvin had his greatest impact.
May God help us to give up our dreams for His. His dreams are far greater for our lives than we could ever imagine. We find God’s dream when we surrender to Him.
We are on the way home going 75 down I95 after 2 weeks of vacation. If you are able, I would encourage you to take two weeks of vacation. If you are like me , it takes the first week to unwind. And then on the second week it actually feels like you are on vacation.
Honestly I was tired physically, and looking forward to some time off. But now on the way home I am refreshed and looking forward to getting back to work. I recently heard a formula that I found to be true on my time off.
It is change of pace plus change of place equals change of perspective. Times of rest help us get a new perspective.
Thanks to all of our wonderful volunteers who made it possible for us to get away. We love you.
Here's a link to a recent Washington Post article on the ">Whitlow family pastors. My father made a call to the Post and suggested they do an article. I'm thankful for the coverage it brings to our church. May the word spread and God's church grow.
No matter where I am, when I’m with my family, toting 5 little girls all under 10, some wise crack usually says, “Five girls! What were you thinking? Five weddings? Dude, I feel sorry for you!” Recently I heard this on the tram taking us into Disney. I was hot. The lady who said it had a smirk on her face. I thought for a moment about shoving her off, but I knew my kids would see.
Not really knowing what to say I asked her about her family and tried to stay positive. I shared this with my wife later and she suggested that since we hear this so much it would be wise to think of a good reply so I don’t get caught like a deer in headlights.
So, here’s what I came up with, though I’m still working on the final draft. “Five girls is a lot, but I see 5 incredible women who will have 5 amazing husbands, with strong families. My! What a legacy I’ll have! Makes me want to have one more!”
Psalm 127:3-5 – 3Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
4Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children[258] of one’s youth.
5Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
So, it’s Monday am and I can’t sleep. It’s dark thirty. I get this itch to throw a hook in the water, only I’m no fisherman. I have a tangle box not a tackle box. I can hook a night crawler and a bobber sometimes.
Down at the dock, with my line in the water, I’m thinking I’ll at least have some time with Jesus. The water was like glass and there was a slight mist hovering. I was hugging a grande.
This is what I caught about 30 minutes later, and with an old worm and bobber! Makes me think that really the best things in life are the things that are old, tried, tested and true.
God’s Word is ancient, but ever relevant and never changing. In a culture that’s chasing the latest fades, we can always stand on God’s Word. It may seem out dated to many but it always does the trick.
Isaiah 8:19-20 says, “And when they say to you, “Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,” should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living? To the teaching and to the testimony..”
