The greatest miracle of all!
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Joshua 10, 11, 12
Joshua 7:1 (NIV)
Joshua 10:13b-14 (NIV)
The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day. 14 There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the Lord listened to a man. Surely the Lord was fighting for Israel!
Matthew 27:50-53 (NIV)
50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He gave up His spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. 52 The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
Good morning!
Do you recognize a miracle when you see one? I was trying to count the miracles I witnessed yesterday, but I think I lost track. There were some amazing moments. Jeff and I were headed to our daughter’s home in Arnold to celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary and enjoy the delights of our first backyard barbecue of the season. The weather in Missouri has been lovely. The grass is beginning to spring up with life; tulip bulbs are about four to six inches above the ground in my garden bed. We thought it would be a lovely day to sit outside in lawn chairs and smell the aroma of hickory charcoal, beef burgers and hot dogs sizzling on the grill. As we drove, we noticed the large, flowery snowflakes falling from the sky. Snow in March? Our first backyard barbecue of the year was beautifully decorated with God’s creative work. We had a delightful feast amid a cold snow shower, and enjoyed watching our grandchildren catch snowflakes on their tongues.
Rachel’s home was full of family. Looking around the room, I was touched by the new little ones we have welcomed into our life in the last six years. Joshua and Emily, Rachel and Dave’s children are now four and three. Their new baby is due to be born very soon. My niece Courtney had her beautiful daughter Kyndahl, was dressed in green Saint Patrick’s Day attire. Six months old, this precious baby girl sported a large green hat and a dashing shamrock headpiece. She was all smiles, while playing with our new granddaughter, Madison Marie. These girls were born just six days apart. Maddie and her big brother Jett were there with Kari, our daughter-in-law. Joshua’s cousin Ethan, who was born just a couple of months before Josh, was busy playing with the fire trucks. He was all smiles, happily playing with his cousins on the floor. All of these children were given to our family by the hand of God in just six short years. What a miracle and testimony to life!
I experienced miracles in worship. We celebrated new life in our denomination as we gathered together to hear our Bishop speak. His visioning, coupled with a willingness to put forth the work necessary to shepherd our congregations into the future was heartwarming. I felt a spirit of love, forgiveness and unity emerge from many who had gathered to praise the Lord and listen to our Bishop speak. It is a new day. There is life here!
As I sat in worship last night, holding my three year old Emily and sitting next to my dear sister in Christ, I was once again reminded of the miracle of His love. While the pastor preached God’s Word, Emily looked up at me and said, “Nanny, is he speaking to me?” I shook my head in agreement. “Yes, Emmy. You need to listen to him.” It is a miracle when God speaks to us. It is an even greater miracle when He gives us ears to hear Him. To think that the creator of the universe would care enough to want to be in relationship with his creation is hard to comprehend. He loves us so much that He would go before us in battle. He will lead us, if we are willing to follow and obey Him. Like the Israelites, the Lord won the battle and led them to victory. The Lord listened to man and He answered their prayers. He still answers prayers today.
When Christ died to save us from eternal separation, the curtain in the temple was torn in two pieces. Jesus Christ bridged the gap between a holy God and sinful man. The earth shook and the rocks split. The dead were raised to life, and the hearts of men were changed forevermore. What a miracle we have in Jesus!
Have you experienced a miracle lately? I invite you, this morning, to come to church with me, and experience the inexplicable joy of knowing the author and giver of life! Come and worship the Lord Jesus Christ. I’ll see you there!
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: the Lord to open your eyes and ears to the miracles that He places in your life. Through Jesus, we can be born-again, and that, my friends, is the greatest miracle of all.
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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
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