Saturday, January 20, 2007

The view from below

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Genesis 41, 42; Psalms 23, 24

Genesis 41:14 (NIV)
14 So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.

Psalm 24:3-6 (NIV)
3 Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. 5 He will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God his Savior. 6 Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob.

Luke 24:45 (NIV)
45 Then He opened their minds so they could understand the scriptures.

Good morning!

Joseph spent a lot of time looking up. When his angry brothers threw him into the dry well, Joseph kept his eye on the light above while pleading and begging for help. Long after his brothers abandoned him, Joseph continued to look up, crying out to the Father. Looking up became a way of life that led Joseph through the days and years ahead.

It would have been tempting to sit down in the dark and have a pity party. After all, what had he done wrong? Joseph reported the dreams that God gave him, and his brothers hated him for it. Joseph demonstrated faithfulness to his master Potiphar, only to be wrongly accused and cast into prison for a crime he did not commit. He remained in prison for two years, with an uncanny ability to understand God’s Word and interpret His message to others. No matter where Joseph found himself, he continued to look up, seeking God’s face. He looked to the Father for his every need, and purposed to serve Him faithfully, despite his present situation. Joseph brought hope to the ones held in captivity. This man was different. Joseph knew the light, and that light became his life.

When I kneel before the Lord in prayer, I seek His face and look toward His light with hope. I wait at the foot of the cross. Looking up, I can see His love flowing down, covering all my sin and cleansing my heart. It is an amazing thing to behold the Father’s love. I cannot take my eyes off of Him.

The gift of understanding is a blessing from the Father above! Our Lord opened the minds of His disciples so they could understand His holy Word. As Jesus ascended into Heaven, His faithful brothers and sisters looked up, and watched Him rise in glory. We continue to look up toward the Heavens, awaiting Christ’s return. We wait with great hope, knowing He is coming back for you and for me. We have every reason to rejoice, despite the sad situations in which we live. War rages on. People die each day from disease, dehydration, and starvation. We must look up and let His light become our life. We can feed the starving, give water to the thirsty, and extend peace and forgiveness to a world ravaged by war. Our vision goes beyond what we see in the physical, to the eternal. Our hope moves far beyond the limitations of this life. We know there will be day when the darkness will be no more and His love will reign forever.

No matter where you find yourself today, come sit at the foot of the cross. Look up and see the light at the end of the tunnel. He is your only hope. He is life everlasting, the beginning and the end, always and forever. The view from below can be absolutely breathtaking, when we take time to look up to the Lord.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: eyes to see beyond your present circumstance. Look up to the Lord today. He will fill you with His light and you will live with hope, because He lives!
____________________________
© Copyright 2007, 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, January 19, 2007

There is hope for the helpless

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Genesis 39, 40; Psalm 22

Genesis 39:20-21 (NIV)

20 Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.

Psalm 22:19 (NIV)

19 But you, O Lord, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me.

Isaiah 42:6-7 (NIV)

6 I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, 7 to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

Good morning!

It is hard to imagine the terror a child experiences when they are taken by force and held in captivity. With the help of our national news media, America has recently witnessed the miraculous rescue of two young men who disappeared without a trace and were recently found alive. As their stories unfold, we thank God for their safe return home and for the many volunteers and law enforcement personnel who never gave up looking for them. We pray for the children who have not yet been found. Our broken and fearful hearts grieve with the families of the young victims. We find ourselves hugging our babies a little longer, praying that God will keep them safe when they are not within our reach.

Young Joseph was sold into slavery by his own flesh and blood. Can you imagine trying to forgive your own brothers, who threw you into a pit and then sold you to the Ishmaelites for a few lousy coins? In Egypt, Joseph was purchased by Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s officials, and he became his personal servant. Because Joseph placed his faith in God and trusted Him with his life, the Lord watched over the boy and gave him an extra measure of success and favor. Joseph prospered in every thing he did. The Father’s blessing was obvious to Potiphar, and he trusted him with the care of his entire household. Joseph found happiness in servanthood, and honored God with his life.

A deceitful lie and hurtful accusation by the master’s wife forced Potiphar to throw Joseph into prison. He did not belong there; Joseph had done nothing wrong. Again, Joseph called upon the Lord, and God remained ever present, blessing his life, through those long, dark days in captivity. The scripture states that Joseph remained in prison for two years. During that time, the prison warden saw the goodness of God at work in young Joseph, and he allowed him to watch over the captives. Even in the midst of a bleak situation, Joseph’s faith remained strong. His trust in the Father gave him reason to hope for a better tomorrow.

There are times when we may find ourselves in a dark and cold place. We may serve some time in a prison of our own making, waiting and hoping to be rescued. Many times, it is our own poor choices that land us in the place of captivity. Addictions, compulsive behavior, and sheer stupidity can play a role in many of the dilemmas we find ourselves in. Other times, the bad situations may be no fault of our own. Whenever we call upon His name, God will be there, walking with us every step of the way. It is easy to trust the Lord when things are good. Do you have the faith to trust Him when you find yourself stuck in a dark and lonely place? Are you willing to place your faith in Him no matter what your circumstance?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: a faith like Joseph, who trusted God through years of betrayal, abandonment, lies and captivity. He loved the One who never let him go. The Lord will hold onto you too, if you cry out to Him for help.

____________________________

© Copyright 2007, 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, January 18, 2007

Playing favorites

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Genesis 37, 38; Psalm 21


Genesis 37:3-4 (NIV)
3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. 4 When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.


23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe – the richly ornamented robe he was wearing – 24a and they threw him into the cistern.


Psalm 21:11 (NIV)
11 Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed.



Good morning!


The Book of Genesis is filled with many examples of what can happen when parents show favoritism to one child over another. There is definitely a pecking order in the family of Israel (a/k/a Jacob). Israel’s women competed for their husband’s love. Child bearing was considered a gift of honor. If the dutiful wife bore a son, her place was esteemed within society. Likewise, if a wife was barren, her community shamed her to a life of disgrace. The firstborn son was a coveted position. Heir to inheritance and blessing, the oldest son was given privilege over the younger children. Playing favorites is risky business. Think about your family and what it was like growing up. Did your parents show favoritism toward you, or was their affections redirected to one of your brothers or sisters? What was it like to always be compared to someone else? Could you measure up to your parents’ great expectations?


Joseph must have been a really cute kid. I imagine he had the good looks of his beautiful mother, Rachel, and the sneaky savvy of his father, Israel. A young man of seventeen years, he possessed a flamboyant personality and a sense of self-worth that many teenage boys flaunt. In today’s age, when we encourage our children to strive for excellence and to be self-confident in all their endeavors, Joseph would have been a shoo-in to our culture. Joseph had ten older brothers, and one younger than himself. The scripture said that Joseph’s father loved him more, maybe because he was the first-born son of his precious Rachel. Maybe Israel saw Joseph’s potential and knew he had what it might take to be a great leader. Most likely, Israel loved Joseph because Joseph was much like himself when he was a child, and there was a bond that Joseph's brothers resented.


Can you hear what the boys may have been thinking and silently hoping for? If we can find a way to get rid that boy, maybe Father will turn his attention toward us. And don’t we deserve some of his affection? How hard did you have to work to get your parents’ approval? Were you more like Joseph, a child who could do no wrong, or were you more like a jealous sibling, feeling compelled to compete for love?


Joseph did little to smooth the gap between him and his brothers. In fact, it appeared that Joseph added fuel to the fire as he told his brothers of the dreams he had. There was an inner substance to Joseph’s psyche that would make all the difference in his time of betrayal. Some of those irritating characteristics became a source of survival in a time where Joseph was abandoned by the family he loved.


From a parent’s perspective, I know it is not always easy to promote a fair environment for our children to grow. Every child is a remarkable gift, with graces and abilities that are unique. We try to equip our children to reach their greatest potential; yet, siblings rarely possess the same skills sets or interests. When we value each child for the special gift they are, we raise the bar in avoiding the sibling rivalry that seems to play upon our individual family units.


Joseph’s brothers were not prepared for their father’s extreme and long-lasting grief over the loss of Joseph. Israel’s sadness over his son’s disappearance and presumed death was more than their family could bear. In life, we may not always feel cherished by our parents or our siblings. Yet, there is someone who loves us unconditionally. Birth order is of no consequence to Him. He values each child because we are His unique masterpiece, and our lives can reflect His glory on earth. Your Heavenly Father knows who you are. He loves you! He sees your heart and the potential He created within you to be the child He hopes you will become.


God plays favorites with all of his kin. If your family has left you feeling abandoned and unloved, look to your Father in heaven. His love is all you will ever need to experience. He cherishes you so much, that He gave up His only Son just to bring you home to Him.


You are valued. Your life is worth living. Our families are not perfect. We can truly love them, even when they’ve disappointed us, by looking at them through our Heavenly Father’s eyes. How will you respond? Can you love your family in spite of their actions? Will you forgive them for playing favorites?


Grace and peace,


Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com


Pray for: assurance! God loves you so very much. He created you with a plan in mind. Let Him be the source of all you need. Choose to let His love be the love of your life. We can strengthen our family ties when we choose to love each other unconditionally.


____________________________

© Copyright 2007, 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, January 17, 2007

The altar of sacrifice

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Genesis 34, 35, 36; Psalm 20

Genesis 35:2-3 (NIV)

So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. 3 Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in my day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.

Psalm 20:1-3 (NIV)

1 May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. 2 May He send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion. 3 May He remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings.

Matthew 23:19 (NIV)

19 You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?

Good morning!

Faith Church is a holy place of worship. My favorite time to visit the sanctuary is early in the morning, just before daybreak. I can watch the sun rise from the large glass windows near the pulpit. Streams of light pierce the stained glass window behind the cross of Christ, floating across the Shepherd’s staff and illuminating His golden altar. Kneeling before the Lord, I pour out my praise and thanksgiving to the One. He is holy and pure and righteous. I lay my life down upon His altar, allowing the Father to burn away my imperfections and sin. More than anything else, I want to become a pure vessel where He can live and reign and work within me. Sitting in His awesome presence today, I gaze upon the altar of sacrifice and welcome its flame into my heart. I am His precious child and His love is all I will ever need.

I am fascinated by the altar Jacob built to honor the Lord at Bethel, in the land of Canaan. The altar is a physical place of sacrifice; a holy ground for worship and prayer. God instructed Jacob to take his family, along with the Shechemite women and children, to Bethel in Canaan and live. There, Jacob built an altar to God. Thanking Him for his divine protection and guidance, Jacob was grateful to see and hear from the Lord God Almighty. There, God gave Jacob a new name - Israel, meaning “he struggles with God.” This name was a tribute to Jacob’s desire to follow the Lord, even through the difficult moments of his life. Jacob held onto the Lord’s Word amid the struggles of the unknown. He listened and obeyed the Father’s directive and became a willing part of His master plan. Jacob raised a pillar of stone, marking the place of the Lord’s appearance. He poured out a drink offering and anointed the pillar with the purest, most expensive olive oil he could buy. As promised, Bethel became a safe refuge and a holy place of worship for the descendants of Abraham.

When you kneel before the Lord at the golden altar of sacrifice, what are you willing to give Him? Will you hand Him your future? What about the pain and sorrow you carry from the difficult moments of the day? Will you lay down your life for His will? What gift will you bring to His altar today? Are you able to let the Father purify you, shaping and molding your heart into something He can use for His glory?

It is daybreak, and the Lord is waiting for you to come to His altar now.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: God’s golden altar to transform your life today. Lay it down now; give it all to Him. He will accept your sacrifice with love. God will create a place inside of you where He can live and reign forever. Will you go to the altar?

____________________________

© Copyright 2007, 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, January 16, 2007

The miracle of forgiveness

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Genesis 31, 32, 33

Genesis 33:4 (NIV)
4 But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.

Luke 6:35-36 (NIV)
35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Good morning!

The act of forgiveness is a hard thing to do, but it is not impossible. When we choose to forgive someone for the pain they have caused in our life, we make a concerted effort to let go of any harbored resentment we hold in our heart. The process of returning kindness to someone who may hate you; choosing to love someone who may not deserve it, can be one of the most difficult and rewarding challenges we face in life. Forgiveness requires that we let go of what is past, and move forward into the future with renewed trust and hope. Tears of forgiveness can be bitter and sweet. Why do we struggle so to forgive? Why do we feel such great relief when we do?

Twin brothers, born and raised in the same family, were as different as daylight and dark. The brothers demonstrated bitter resentment and hostility for each other, while growing up together under the same roof. The younger was crafty, as he successfully swindled his brother out of an inheritance and blessing that should have been his by birthright. In return, the older brother threatened to kill the younger, forcing him to run far away. How many times have we turned tail and run away to avoid an explosive confrontation? How many mistakes have we buried in the quicksand beneath our feet, only to find ourselves sinking into the mire and muck, unable to escape the pain and guilt we feel? When the Lord instructed Jacob to return to the land of His father and face his brother Esau, Jacob held little hope for reconciliation. In fact, Jacob believed Esau would kill him and his family. He tried to feel out his brother’s angst by sending messengers ahead of his arrival, with words of greeting and gifts. Jacob desired forgiveness in the worst way. He missed having a brother to talk to and share his life with. Jacob followed the Father’s urging and moved forward to face his brother, and whatever the consequences might bring.

Why did Esau forgive Jacob? We pay a hefty price when we allow the pain of pent up resentment and bitterness to fester over time. Esau chose to forgive Jacob, not because he was his brother, and not because he deserved it. Esau chose to forgive so that he could have the peace of mind he longed for. Esau wanted to heal completely, to let go of the memories that had scarred his life. What a miraculous day it was when Esau ran to his brother, threw his arms around Jacob’s neck, and welcomed him home. Only God could do something like this.

Jesus reminds us that when we choose to forgive our enemies and extend compassion and love to the ones who least deserve it, we please our Father in heaven. Our Lord forgave humanity and went willingly to the cross for our salvation. There is no greater love than what is borne out of forgiveness. It frees our hearts from the chains of hatred and guilt, and gives feet to faith. We can love each other completely, by following the example of our Savior.

If you find yourself struggling to forgive someone today, run to Jesus and ask Him to help you let go of what you cannot do on your own. He will take your pain and help you heal. It is a wonderful feeling to be completely forgiven. The only thing greater than being forgiven, is to forgive. Will you let go of your hurt, giving it to the one who forgives your sin? Will you ask Jesus help you forgive today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com


Pray for: Jesus to take your hurt and help you heal through the miracle of forgiveness. We can live together in harmony and peace, when we give our pain to the Lord.
____________________________
© Copyright 2007, 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, January 14, 2007

Power Surge

Grand Sweep: Genesis 26, 27; Psalm 19

Psalm 19:12-14 (NIV)
12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight; O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.


Good morning!

The Midwest is covered in ice, snow and freezing fog. In St. Charles, Missouri, where my family lives, we have had no electricity all weekend. Isn’t it interesting how we depend on light just to survive? Our heat and cooling system only works when the electricity is flowing properly throughout our home. It is impossible to refrigerate food, use the microwave oven or run laundry. We cannot see where we are walking in the dark, without a candle or flashlight in our hands. Fortunately, our parsonage has a gas fireplace, and we are able to keep the great room relatively comfortable with a few blankets and lots of candles. Of course, a few well-spoken prayers helped keep us warm underneath a mound of blankets in our bedroom. Sitting in the dark, I couldn’t help but wonder about the many people who live without light and warmth each day. I worry for our homeless brothers and sisters, with no place to call home; who have no place to lay their head and rest at night. Where can they go to warm their hands and feet? Who will give them a hot meal to eat? How can they see where they are going when there is no light to guide them?

In the darkness, things are not always clear. We grope and feel our way, wondering why life has to be so difficult. Our faults and flaws may not be as apparent to us, especially when we are struggling in the darkness. In the midst of our confusion, He sees and forgives our hidden faults. If we trust Him to reveal the errors of our way, He will illuminate our life with His light, keeping us blameless and innocent of the transgressions and sins that plague us along the path.

Our Lord can dispel the dark places with His Word. He sees and knows us even when we find ourselves in the dark. Our vision is limited but His vision is clear. Our words are finite; His Word is forever. Our work lasts only for a brief moment; His Work lives on throughout all eternity.

Faith Church has electricity today! Isn't it amazing that our surrounding subdivisions sit in the darkness, but His sanctuary and warm and filled with light. As I sit in His presence, I am thankful for His power and the light He brings to me. I feel a power surge of inexpressible emotion! We can tap into His power, no matter where we are or how dark it may be. What greater light can there be than the light of God’s love?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Pray for: light! The love of our Lord shines in the darkest, coldest places of our lives, and guides us, if we seek Him. Plug into the power source today. Let Jesus be your light and life.

____________________________

© Copyright 2007, 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.