Saturday, December 09, 2006

Who will you be when you grow up?

Luke 1:76-79 (NIV)
76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for Him,

77 to give His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising son will come to us from heaven,
79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.

Good morning!

When we held our newborn babies for the very first time, we couldn’t help but wonder who they would be when they grew up. Sleepy little faces, fresh from the breath of God, lay bundled up in our arms. They fill us with unspeakable love and joy; it is such a privilege to be a parent.

I was reminded of how precious the gift of life is at the hospital yesterday. I sat with my daughter and son-in-law in the Women’s Evaluation unit at a local hospital, waiting with them while Rachel was examined. I was amazed at the flurry of activity in this department. I observed several families come into the Women’s Center. Young mothers and fathers lined the hallway, patiently waiting for their turn. I listened as they talked. Some of the women were nervous; there were tears in the eyes of the fathers-to-be. They waited and hoped for the good news that their babies would be born alive and well.

Zechariah was a proud papa, and with good reason. Months before, he had been visited by Gabriel, an angel of the Lord, who carried the message of salvation for all people. When Zechariah began to question and doubt the messenger, Gabriel commanded Zechariah to be silent until God revealed Himself through the birth of his son. When baby John was born, Zechariah was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, and he began to proclaim God’s master plan for salvation. He had been given a vision, and now, as he held his baby boy, Zechariah knew the Father would do great things through this new little life.

I watched the large computer screen as the midwife took a peek inside Rachel’s womb. I saw my grandchild for the very first time. Its little heart was beating normally and the tiny baby was joyfully jumping up and down inside the secret place. I could not comprehend what I was seeing. This baby was alive and well, despite all odds. Zechariah had a difficult time believing his wife Elizabeth, in her old age, could conceive and bear a son. It did not seem possible to him. My eyes were glued to that computer monitor, and I was totally surprised and overwhelmed with joy. This baby is alive. How amazing is that? For a brief, miraculous moment, I think I may have understood how Zechariah felt at the moment he held his child for the very first time.

The angel Gabriel brought a message of hope to a people who had been waiting a very long time to see the coming of their salvation. Zechariah welcomed baby John, knowing he would prepare the way for the Savior of the world. As we wait in anticipation for the coming of Christ this Christmas, rejoice in the miracle of new life. God has a plan for every one of us, and he can create something new and alive in your heart today. There was a time long ago, when your parents held you in their arms and wondered who you would be when you grew up. Do you know who you are, and whose you are? Will the Christ child be reborn in you this Christmas?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the gift of new life to fill you up with unspeakable joy. He has a plan for every child, and that includes you. Who will you be when you grow up?

___________________________
© Copyright 2006, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Friday, December 08, 2006

PTO Time

Psalm 103:1-5 (NIV)
1 Praise the Lord, O my soul, and all my inmost being; praise His holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits;
3 Who forgives your sins and heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 Who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Genesis 2:2-3 (NIV)
2 By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing, so on the seventh day He rested from all His work.
3 And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had done.

Good morning!

I used to work for an employer that gave paid time off, more affectionately known as “PTO” time away from the office. Basically, this meant that an employee had the privilege of taking paid time off away from work to rest, recreate, or sleep. It combined sick time, vacation time and personal time under one big umbrella. I loved taking PTO time, because I never had to explain whether I needed time off due because I was sick, or I just wanted to go do something fun with my children, or whether I needed a mental health break from the daily routine. Have you ever called in to work sick and said, “I’m sick” and didn’t finish the sentence, “I’m sick of work and I need a break now!”

Even the Good Lord took a seventh day to rest when He created the heavens, earth, and humanity. One of the first lessons we learn in scripture is that we need to take time to rest and rejuvenate, allowing those creative juices to flow freely once again, and allowing the Father to restore our life to a healthy and whole balance. I’m the worst offender at not taking a day off occasionally. I don’t know if it’s an inborn trait due to my genetic predisposition as a female, or whether I’m just not very smart. Taking time to rest and reflect is essential to good health. We all need down time. Do you find it hard to make time for yourself? Do you feel self-centered when you choose to stop and rest?

King David had a great affinity for carving out time with God. David knew God would reshape his heart and give him new life when he made time to praise and worship the King. He understood and took advantage of the Father’s amazing benefits package. When David made time to praise, pray, and reflect on the enormous work of God in his life, he found himself basking in the freedom of being truly forgiven. All of his human weaknesses and infirmities healed, every one of them, and David recognized he was being rescued from the pit of life itself. David found great joy in God’s loving, compassionate heart and was totally satisfied just to sit in His holy presence. Worship and praising God helped him feel like a kid again, happy and carefree. David felt as if he was flying higher than ever before, just like an eagle soaring through the sky.

The weekend is here, and in this very busy season of Advent, we find ourselves rushing around, trying to cram a lifetime into a few short weeks, as we shop the malls, visit friends, clean our homes, and decorate trees. Take a break! Stop and think about what God has done for you. Make time to worship and praise Him today. His love is the greatest benefit you will ever receive. Come to church this weekend, and tell Him how much you love Him. Let Him restore your life, heal your diseases, and make you whole again. See you at church!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the ability to recognize your need to rest in the loving arms of the Lord. He is waiting for you to stop, breathe, and spend some quality time with Him. Will you make time for God today?

__________________________
© Copyright 2006, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Thursday, December 07, 2006

Blessed to believe

Luke 1:43-45 (NIV)
43 But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
45 Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!

Good morning!

This is crunch week for many college students. I took a final exam on Tuesday and I am wrapping up a semester project that is due next week. While I know I am going to miss class time and homework, I am looking forward to the Christmas break. The season of Advent is such a busy time of year, especially at Faith church. Once the classes are behind me, I will get to spend some quality time with Jeff, my mother and sister, and all my children and grandbabies. It will be good to take a break from school and simply enjoy having company.

I’ve been thinking about one of the questions from my final exam this week. The instructor asked me to state why I believed the holy Word of God, the Bible, was true. There are many good reasons to believe God’s Word. Prophecies of the Old and New Testaments have already been fulfilled. The study of world history and early civilization confirms many of the stories passed down through scripture. Yet, I found myself struggling with just the right words. Why do I stake my life on God’s Word? How I can accept and believe it to be true?

After the angel visited Mary, she made a trip to visit Elizabeth and Zechariah in the hill country of Judea. She was looking forward to seeing them and wanted to share in their joy, as they awaited the birth their infant son. Mary wondered how Zechariah and Elizabeth might react to her news of the angelic visitation and pregnancy. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s voice, she was immediately filled with the Holy Spirit. She greeted Mary with great joy, asking why the mother of her Lord had come to visit. Elizabeth believed what she knew to be true in her heart. Elizabeth said that Mary was blessed to believe that what the Lord said to her would be fulfilled.

I trust that God’s holy Word is true because He enables me to believe through the power of the Holy Spirit. Every single time I read the Bible, my heart beats just a little faster, and my mind is filled with overwhelming love for the one who creates, redeems and forgives. When we come to faith in Jesus Christ, it is because God has blessed us with the ability to believe and see what He has done, through the work of the Holy Spirit in our life.

Believing by faith is a gift of God. He has blessed each of us with the power of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to grow in knowledge and faith. Will you stake your life on His Word today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com


Pray for: God to fill you with His Holy Spirit to help you grow in faith, confirming what you know in your heart to be true, as you study His holy Word every day.

__________________________
© Copyright 2006, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Fear Not!

Luke 2:10 (KJV)
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Good morning!

Have you ever been scared? Do you ever worry about your life or about someone whom you love? Have you ever felt frozen in fear?

When I was a child, I used to dream in technicolor. I used to have this repetitive, roller-coaster nightmare which involved riding in a really fast car with my father. We were traveling eighty miles per hour on a windy, hilly Ozark road, up and down, brakes squealing around every little curve. Suddenly, we would go up a hill and find ourselves flying through the air toward the river. The bridge was out, and there was nothing we could do to stop in time. The car would careen over the edge of the bridge and head nose first into the cold water. That recurring dream has a profound effect on the way I drive my automobile today, and how I feel about bridges in general. If it had not been for my parents’ insistence, I might have chosen not to apply for a driver’s license. Having a healthy fear is a good way to protect oneself from potential harm. Allowing fears to immobilize you can steal the many joys of living life to its fullest measure.

Fear is defined as a basic emotional sensation and response system initiated by an aversion to some perceived risk or threat. People experiences fear in many forms and under certain situations, such as a fear of darkness, or a fear of failure. Feelings of fear can be overwhelming. Fears can protect, immobilize, and create a panic inside that is simply impossible to ignore.

What does it mean to fear the Lord? When we regard our God with reverence and awe, we stand in fear of His holy Word. A healthy fear may keep us from the sins that separate us from God. We stand amazed in the presence of the One who created us for life. He knows all, sees all, and loves us with a love we cannot begin to understand. He guides and directs us, as we seek to know Him even more. We yearn to walk closer to the Lord, with trembling and fearful hearts. He is holy and perfect and awesome. We are not. It is only through His grace that we can stand in His presence today.

When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, she was filled with fear. God saw something very special in Mary’s heart, and knew she would willingly agree to the task He needed her to complete. And what a job it was – to carry, give birth and raise the Savior of the world! Mary was to be the earthly mother of God incarnate. Her love of God was enough to calm her fears and give her courage to do what the Lord asked of her. When God calls your name, are you able to lay aside your fear and serve Him wholeheartedly?

Every day He calls us to share the Good News with others. Do not be afraid to answer His call. Fear not!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com


Pray for: the ability to set aside your fears and serve the Lord with all your heart. He calls you today to be His light to a dark world. Will you answer the call?

________________
© Copyright 2006, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

God With Us

Isaiah 7:14 (NIV)
14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.

Matthew 1:22-23 (NIV)
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel – which means, “God with us.”

Good morning!

Good news travels fast! I love getting letters and telephone calls from family and friends telling me about the arrival of the newest little ones in their life. “We have a new baby girl and she is a beauty! He’s a strapping young lad, and such a big boy! We are so very blessed.” There is nothing like the experience of standing outside the birthing room, cell phone in hand, waiting with great anticipation to share the good news of the birth of our grandbabies with family and friends.

Seven hundred years before the birth of Jesus Christ, the prophet Isaiah wrote about the coming of Immanuel – God with us. The Lord would be with us, not just in spirit, but in the flesh; walking and talking in human form. God could be seen and touched – fully divine yet fully human. This is one of the greatest mysteries of all time.

When King Uzziah died, Isaiah was given a vision of the Lord. He saw the awesome power and absolute holiness of God, and cried out in utter despair. Isaiah knew he was not worthy to be in the Lord’s holy presence, much less to speak of His greatness. One of the seraphs, guarding the throne of the Almighty, took a live coal from the altar and touched Isaiah’s lips, removing his guilt and atoning for Isaiah’s sin and human frailties. Then God asked Isaiah whom He should send to speak His Word. Isaiah offered up his life to be the Lord’s messenger.

The prophet Isaiah was willing to speak and write God’s Word as he received it, knowing his people would not listen or understand. God assured Isaiah that someday, some of the people would pay attention. Can you imagine the kind of joy Isaiah must have felt knowing that “God with us” would become a reality for all people? The greatest gift of all, the gift of life, was coming!

As we prepare to receive the greatest gift of all time into our hearts this Christmas, remember the words of the prophet Isaiah, and be joyful! Immanuel, God with us, is coming! He is coming in the flesh, for you and for me. He is our Good News, our gift of life, now and forevermore. Are you ready to receive Him?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: joy to fill your heart, as you prepare to receive the greatest gift ever given – the gift of Immanuel – God with us. He is with you and He is with me, today, tomorrow and forever

__________________________
© Copyright 2006, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Monday, December 04, 2006

Out on a limb

Matthew 1:18-21 (NIV)
18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.
19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.

Good morning!

Are you a risk taker? To a certain degree, all of us take risks from time to time. We risk our lives every time we get behind the wheel of a car. We make choices each day that will have consequences affecting our future. For instance, what made you choose whether to go to college or go to work full time? If you went to college, where did you go and why? We make calculated risks about where to live, whether to rent or buy a home, whether to marry, and have a family. We risk our hearts in relationships, knowing when we choose to love another person, we may actually get hurt in the process. There are calculated risks to almost every life decision we make.

Joseph was a man of strong conviction. He was a descendant of family of King David, and grew up in a home where demonstrating integrity and being obedient to the Father was a vital part of daily living. The scripture tells us that Joseph was a righteous man. When he learned that his betrothed was with child, Joseph took a risk to save two lives. Hurt and disillusioned, Joseph cared more for Mary’s plight than he did for the ridicule and judgment he might face from those around him. He chose to divorce her quietly rather than expose Mary and her child to public disgrace and probable punishment by death. Joseph took a huge risk when he made this decision. He went out on a limb to save their lives. Under these circumstances, would you have done the same?

It is no coincidence that God hand-picked Joseph to be the earthly father of His only Son, Jesus Christ. God sent an angel of the Lord to Joseph in a dream, encouraging him to take Mary as his wife. Joseph took a risk, and assumed the responsibilities to become a husband to Mary and earthly father to our Lord. Joseph raised Jesus as his own, training him in carpentry, and raising him in the faith.

When God gave His only Son up to be the sacrificial lamb for all humanity, He took a huge risk that we would choose to turn around and follow Him home. Jesus literally went out on a limb to save us from eternal sin and separation. Our God is the greatest risk taker of all. Now it is our turn to decide whether we will risk it all to serve Him, love Him, and share His light and life with the world. Are you a risk taker? Are you willing to go out on a limb for the one who came to save you?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: courage and determination to go out on a limb today for Jesus. If you are willing to assume the risk, God will help you share your faith with people who desperately need to hear the Good News. Are you willing to take a risk for Jesus?

___________________________
© Copyright 2006, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved
Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Sunday, December 03, 2006

Foot Washing!

John 13:3-5; 17 (NIV)
3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God;

4 so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist.
5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.
17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Good morning!

If you are looking for a good movie to see during the holidays, be sure to check out the Nativity Story. It opened in theatres across the country on December 1st. One of my favorite scenes in the movie is when Mary washes Joseph’s feet. They are on their way to Bethlehem from Nazareth, and it is a very long trip. They stop to rest by the river’s edge, and Joseph, exhausted from the journey, falls sound asleep. Mary removes Joseph’s sandals and discovers his feet are covered in dirt, blisters and cuts. She takes a wet cloth and begins to clean his feet. She is thankful that Joseph is committed to taking such good care of her and the child she carries inside. Washing his feet was a genuine expression of Mary’s love and gratitude.

Our feet really take a beating everyday. We walk, run, and jump. They carry us every place we need to go. Our feet come in different lengths and widths. They are as unique to each individual as our personalities are. My family likes to make fun of my feet. I have a small foot and short little toes that they claim “never touch the ground.” Begging for a foot rub at home was a no win situation. Nobody wanted to touch my feet. Thank goodness for professional pedicures.

Jesus did an amazing thing for His disciples that night during the Passover feast. He loved His disciples and knew that He would be leaving them soon. Setting the supreme example of servanthood, Jesus removed His outer garments, wrapped a towel around his waist, and knelt down before each of His disciples. He gently and lovingly washed their tired, sore and dirty feet with His hands.

Can you imagine what it is like to let the Lord of Life wash your feet? In an act of selfless love, the Master gently removes the dirt crusted around your toes and ankles. He gently cleanses the scrapes, blisters and calluses that have built up through daily wear and tear. He helps restore circulation through rubbing and massaging the muscles. Your dirty, tired feet begin to have a pink, healthy glow once again. You feel like a new person! And when you let the Master wash your feet, you become a new person, inside and out.

Jesus calls us to serve one another – we are to wash the feet of our brothers and sisters. I saw a lot of foot washing going on at church yesterday. Women had baked cookies for a Christmas cookie exchange to help raise funds for a mission trip to Pharr, Texas in the spring. Men were outside on ladders hanging Christmas decorations and stringing lights. Pastors were in their offices finishing lesson plans and sermon notes for Sunday worship. People were there, serving Christ and each other. It was foot washing at its very best. Jesus said that no servant is greater than his master and if we understand that, then we will be blessed if we choose to serve one another.

We only get to keep what we give away. Are you willing to serve the Lord by washing your neighbor’s feet? How will you show Christ’s love to a world who desperately needs to know Him? Come to church today and worship with me. We can be the body of Christ together, by washing each other’s feet and extending His love to the world.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding


Pray for: willingness to act on what you know to be true. Give your life back to the one who breathes life into you. Share the love of Christ today.

________________
© Copyright 2006, Deb Spaulding
All rights reserved


Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.