Saturday, June 09, 2007

The sin of self-righteousness

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Esther 1, 2, 3; Psalm 97

Psalm 97:12 (NIV)

12 Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise His holy name.

Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Philippians 1:9-11 (NIV)

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.

Good morning!

“God doesn’t like ugly!” I first heard this phrase as I was watching the movie “The Preacher’s Wife” on the big screen several years ago. Dudley, the angel sent by God to bring hope to a depressed pastor and his discouraged family one Christmas, spoke these words in response to their self-serving, unhappy attitudes. I love this quote, because it resonates in my life. Have you ever felt justified in your own self-righteous behavior? When I begin to spout my opinions to anyone who will make time to listen, I begin to look a little like Pigpen in those Charlie Brown cartoons. The dirt simply gravitates to me, clumping up and making me totally miserable inside and out.

When I was a child, I learned early on that it was inappropriate to express an opinion contrary to that of my elders. When I became a parent, I thought it might be a good thing to allow our children freedom of expression without fear of retaliation. I wanted them to be self-motivated, free-thinkers; able to choose what they believed and to make sound decisions about life and how they would go about living it. I thought I was doing them a favor. Was I ever wrong! Good intentions only go so far. Let me share a little secret with you: I have three of the most opinionated children on the face of God’s green earth! There are times when I need to carry a fire-proof shield to protect myself from the fiery darts they fling in moments of self-righteousness and revelation. I admit I find myself just a little embarrassed because I know that deep down inside, they are only emulating their mother, and they do a really good job at it! Watching my children spar with each other is a whole lot like looking in a mirror. It is a good thing the Lord did not bless us with ten children, because I’m here to tell you there is no way I would have ever survived.

Ironically, this is what happens when God gave all of us the free will to choose right from wrong. The Lord, the giver of life, created each one of us, and set us free to live out our days in the light of His love. He leaves it up to you and to me to choose whether to follow Him or reject Him. Somewhere along the way, we begin to lose sight of our Creator. We take authority over the things of our life. We make choices that define who we are. We begin to form opinions through life experience and educational pursuits. It is easy to become self-absorbed at times, even to the point of believing that we have the ability to fix and manage whatever comes our way, all by ourselves. We begin to think that we deserve the best of everything, worthy to climb to the top of the ladder, no matter who we step on to get there. We stop caring about our neighbors. We ignore the children who are hurting. We live life large – we are in charge and as long as we get what we need, it is all that really matters. We forget that the sum of our daily living is a gift from God, and that He has a greater plan for each of us to pursue. We get sidetracked trying to do our own thing, and we forget who is truly in charge. Have you ever found yourself living in a place of self-service?

The older I get, the more I realize there is not a lot self-manufactured good in me. Whenever I try to live on my own steam, basking in self-righteousness, I find myself drowning due to the millstone wrapped securely around my neck. The sheer weight of it pins me face down on the floor. It gets lonely there. For one thing, when I’m looking at the floor, it is difficult to look up. There is no one to talk to but myself, and I don’t even want to listen to me when I pop an “ugly” attitude. Whenever I step out on my own steam, trying to right the wrongs of the world, with all that hot air blowing out of my mouth, I end up getting burned. No, I have learned the only righteousness that lives within me is the righteousness of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. When I gave my life to Him, He took my heart and began to reshape it. As I study His life and teachings, I begin to wonder how He might respond in certain situations. What kind of choices would He make with the people placed in my path? His message of repentance and forgiveness reverberates into my very being. It is His righteousness that I long for. My self-service is just that – self-service. And that, my friends, is utterly worthless. My Jesus is worth emulating. He is the only one able to lead me back home.

The next time an “ugly” attitude pops into your brain, ask yourself whether this thought is self-serving or if it is serving others. We fall into the sin of self-righteousness when we forget to look at the One who is truly sinless. Thank God for the righteousness of Jesus Christ. He covers all my sin and self-serving behavior. And it is with that assurance, that I can live my life within the umbrella of His righteousness alone. Less of me and more of Him; this is my prayer today.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: God to grab your heart, convict you of the ways in which you may be living in a self-centered environment, and give you the desire to lay it all out before Jesus at the foot of His cross. His blood will cover your sin and help you let go of the “ugly” things that keep you separated from Him. Won’t you let Jesus Christ become your only righteousness today?

________________________________

© 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, June 08, 2007

Clear Vision

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Nehemiah 11, 12, 13

Nehemiah 13:19-22 (NIV)

19 When evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I ordered the doors to be shut and not opened until the Sabbath was over. I stationed some of my own men at the gates so that no load could be brought in on the Sabbath day. 20 Once or twice the merchants and sellers of all kinds of goods spent the night outside Jerusalem. 21 But I warned them and said, “Why do you spend the night by the wall? If you do this again, I will lay hands on you!” From that time on, they no longer came on the Sabbath. 22 Then I commanded the Levites to purify themselves and go and guard the gates in order to keep the Sabbath day holy.

Remember me for this also, O my God, and show mercy to me according to your great love.

Good morning!

Do you recall when the Sunday blue laws were repealed? It was as if the gates had suddenly been pried open by the merchants and shop owners in the communities where we live. Nehemiah didn’t like what He was seeing at all. The Lord God Almighty had commanded Israel not to work on the Sabbath. They were to take a break – to stop and rest and remember from whence they came. It was through the Lord’s mighty hand of creation and the Israelites’ departure from Egypt that His people truly became His people. God chose them first, and waited for His chosen ones to come back to Him.

We often become so busy with the stuff in our lives that we forget to stop and look at where we have been. It is hard to know where you are going, if you are not sure which direction you came from. We must use our eyes, not only to see the rich traditions of our past, but to capture a glimpse of the future that lies ever before us. Last weekend at the Missouri Area Annual Conference, we celebrated our past, looked forward with faith toward the future, and rejoiced in the present moment. Our pastors and worship leaders have been gifted with a vision and hope that draws us into the future with faith. We are the culmination of a rich history, as we step forward into His light of life – it is a light that shines in the darkness and sweeps every shadow away.

Sometimes, my vision is blurry. There are moments when I cannot see clearly, no matter how hard I try. I had an experience like that this week, as I tried to read the numbers posted on the big screen at annual conference. It’s got to be a mental block with me – you put a group of number up on the board, and my brain screams “this does not compute!” Not only could I not see the numbers clearly, but even the names became blurry and out of focus. Thank goodness someone else with greater vision than I could see the clear writing projected on the wall. There are moments when our vision becomes skewed and we forget what is most important of all. It takes a strong leader to pull us back into focus, to see the value of where we’ve been and where we are headed. We need to set aside a block of time to celebrate our life within the shelter of our Savior’s hand. We need to stop what we are doing and worship Him wholeheartedly. We need to feel the love of Christ and experience His presence every moment of every day.

I sat and held my daughter’s hand as we watched our little Joshua graduate from preschool. He wore a blue cap and gown with a gold tassle dangling as he processed. Joshua proudly carried his diploma in his little hands. He, along with his classmates, stood and recited the alphabet and counted from one to twenty. They spoke the days of the week in English and in Spanish. Then they counted to fifteen in Spanish. I sat there in absolute wonder as I watched this precious boy. It seemed like yesterday that I held him in my arms; all five pounds of him. His head was so tiny that I could cup it in one palm. Now, our Joshua is preparing for kindergarten, and I am simply amazed to see where this boy is headed. As I held his tiny baby brother Andrew in my arms, I knew Joshua’s vision would carry our family forward. Joshua represents our future. I am proud to be his grandmother, the foundation of his past.

We are a family of faith. When your vision becomes compromised and you struggle to see the hand in front of your nose, take a moment to grab hold of the root. Jesus Christ is our sure foundation. He is the cornerstone of our faith. When we celebrate our past, and carry it into the future, we become a living and healthy vine. Our vision becomes clear again, and we can see through the eyes of faith, the eternity that waits for each of us in Christ.

If you are looking for a family of faith, I would invite you to come join us for worship this weekend at Faith Church. Take some time this weekend to celebrate where you have been, who you are, and where you are headed in Christ Jesus. Won’t you come and worship the Lord with me?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: vision, not only to see where you’ve been, but where you are headed. If you are struggling to read the numbers on the wall, look to a strong leader for help. Ask the Lord of life to be your true vision today.

________________________________

© 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.

Kaleidoscope

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Nehemiah 9, 10; Psalm 96

Psalm 96
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, praise His name; proclaim His salvation day after day.

Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples.
For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and glory are in His sanctuary.

Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering and come into His courts.

Worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth.

Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved;
He will judge the peoples with equity. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
Let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them.

Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord, for He comes,
He comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His truth.


Good morning!

This is my favorite time of day. I love creeping out of bed before the sun rises, just to enjoy watching a new morning dawn. The Father takes His paint brush, dips it into the soft hue of amazing love, and gently changes the backdrop of darkness into subtle lights, reflecting across the entire sky. Every new morning is His creative work of genius, given as a gift to each one of us to simply enjoy. Our God loves us more than we can ever begin to comprehend.

The reflection of God’s countenance is filled with His splendor and majesty. It is His kaleidoscope, multi-faceted and timeless. Kaleidoscopes emerged with the ancient Greeks, and were reinvented and patented by Sir David Brewster in 1817. The kaleidoscope was intended for use as a science tool to study light polarization, but quickly became a popular children’s toy. It is a tube of mirrors containing loose, colored beads. When we look inside the tube, the light from the opposite end catches the beads’ reflection, causing an intricate and colorful pattern that dances from within. The kaleidoscope is the culmination of color, complemented by a variety of beaded shapes, lighted mirrors and subtle hues.

I am reminded of His amazing love whenever I see all of God’s children dancing together around the world. Think about it. When you pick up a kaleidoscope and begin to turn it in the light, the beads begin to move, some in opposite directions. Colors take shape and change as the tube is turned from side to side. Beautiful images appear; some are symmetrical; others are obscure and shapeless. Every piece is vital to the total picture. God’s creation, His humanity, is the kaleidoscope on which He sets His heart. We are the dance and He is the choreographer. We are the painting; He is the master artist. We are His people, and He is our Lord and Savior.

There is a kaleidoscope of color emerging from every faith-filled church around the globe. No matter where we live, every congregation has an important function in the body of Christ. Together, we dance. Together, we emulate life and light to a dark and lonely world. We demonstrate what it means to live, move and have our being within the power source. We offer our Jesus to all people, everywhere. We are His kaleidoscope, emulating His love, through the dance!

Last night at small group, the Holy Spirit came to rest upon our hearts. Each one of us is a unique and vital part of His creation. We bring different gifts and graces to the table. Together with Christ, we can offer His plan of salvation to our friends and neighbors in the community where we live. We lift high His light of hope and love redeemed. We are part of the living; a piece of the eternal. We are kaleidoscope. It is the name He gave that describes us best.

Come and join in the dance! Without you, a piece of the picture is missing. Jesus invites all of us who places our total faith, hope and trust in Him, to be His living kaleidoscope to all the world. Through our unique colors and hue, we can dance together as we reach out to the world for the glory of our God.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com


Pray for: vision! God’s amazing grace offered through His Son Jesus Christ is a gift for you and me. Won’t you join in the dance today? If you are looking for a small group where you can plug into the power source, Kaleidoscope is waiting for just for you. Come join us this weekend at Faith Church.
________________________________
© 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, June 06, 2007

Can He have our undivided attention please?

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Nehemiah 7, 8; Psalms 94, 95

Nehemiah 8:2-3 (NIV)
2 So on the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

Psalm 95:19 (NIV)
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.

II Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)
God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.


Good morning!

I need to practice listening attentively. Do you ever have trouble focusing? Sometimes I wonder just how much I might be missing out on from the Lord, because I’m simply not focused on Him. God likes to speak to me early in the morning. I know for some of you, this might stretch your sensibilities a bit far. Still, He tends to wake me up somewhere in the vicinity of 4am, sometimes a little earlier. He has been doing this for years. I like to get out of bed and stagger into His holy presence, with a Bible and cup of coffee in hand. I am learning how to wait for Him. I confess, however, I’m a slow learner. It's not always easy to drag out from under the covers in the middle of the night. I'm a lot like my crock pot, I keep simmering in the palm of His hand for hours on end. I wonder if I’ll ever be done enough to serve! Do you struggle with listening attentively to God? Can you hear Him when He speaks to you?

I wrestle with the constant chatter occurring every day in every way. When I’m not writing, I’m working, playing, reading, running, baking, cleaning, chatting online, and sleeping. Business and busyness keeps me from focusing my undivided attention upon Jesus. I truly believe the Lord wants each of us to give Him our undivided attention. Just how far will you allow the Lord to stretch you? How far would you go just to make time to sit in His presence for even an hour? Is He worth getting up for in the morning? Is He worth turning off the television for in the evening? Would you give up a lunch hour just to sit and talk to Him in your car? When your cell phone rings, I often wonder whether He is on the other end of that wireless transmission. If God spoke to your heart today, would you hear Him, or would your business and busyness get in the way of a heart-to-heart connection? How many of us are willing to make time on Saturday or Sunday to enter into a worship experience with the redeemer of our souls?

For me, it is a tug of war between selfishness and selflessness. The more time I spend focusing on me and the stuff of my life, the less time I spend bathing in the light of His love. When I shift my total focus and praise to my Lord, not seeking anything for myself other than the joy of sitting at His feet, all of the other stuff of life seems to fade away. It is not so important. People who lead busy lives have to prioritize well. It is the only way they can accomplish what they need to do in a twenty-four hour time slot. Hear me when I say that the Lord God Almighty is timeless. His timing is perfect in all things. He holds the moments of our lifetime in His hand. Every minute is a gift from Him. How can I not make time for my Savior, redeemer and dearest friend?

Sometimes I find it is easier to listen intently when I need to be consoled. Do you find yourself only turning to the Good Book for answers to problems you have created all on your own steam? We are definitely our own worst enemy. I have found an amazing freedom in Christ. When I lay myself down at the foot of the cross, His amazing, cleansing blood pours over me, and I can walk with Him, fully clothed in His righteousness alone. When you experience the covering of His righteousness over your heart, the desire to seek His presence becomes more and more important, and the things we do to please ourselves here on earth seem rather insignificant.

Take time to pick up the Word today and read it. If you do not like to read or fear you cannot make the time, invest in a good Bible CD. Would you be willing to turn off the radio talk shows and listen to God speak on your way to work today? When you seek His holy presence, He finds you, no matter where you are. Do not be surprised if the Lord begins to whisper in your ear while you sleep. The next time you wake up in the middle of the night with a foot cramp, back ache, or find yourself tossing and turning, realize that God may simply be trying to get your attention. He will keep your heart and mind in perfect peace, when you focus your whole heart on Him.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com


Pray for: the desire to lay aside some time each day to focus your whole heart on Jesus. He is trying to get your attention. Will you find time to sit in His holy presence today?
________________________________
© 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, June 05, 2007

Extreme Faith

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Nehemiah 4, 5, 6

Nehemiah 6:15-16 (NIV)
15 So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.

Ecclesiates 3:11 (NIV)
11 He has made everything beautiful in His time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.


Good morning!

Yesterday morning, I listened with great interest to the words and teaching of Rev. Zefanias Chulume, a United Methodist pastor from the country of Mozambique. He came to the Missouri Area Conference of the United Methodist Church to bring greetings from his United Methodist Churches in Mozambique, and to tell us how the Gospel of Jesus Christ is spreading throughout their land. He reminded our delegation that we must completely rely upon the Holy Word of God as contained in scripture to learn and understand God's will for each of our lives.

In Mozambique, class meetings occur in the homes of its church members. As a class begins to outgrow the space within each home, they break off into new groups. This is a requirement of every class meeting. The same principle is applied to every United Methodist Church and the districts where the churches are located. Pastor Chulume suggests that the rapid growth of United Methodist Christians in Mozambique is due to their intentional aggressive hospitality, love and empathy for all people, extreme giving, and joyful worship. He said, “What if our hospitality became so great that we would be recognized as Christians solely because of our acts of human kindness?”

The people of Mozambique struggle to survive. Many die every day due to the spread of disease, unclean water, and lack of basic human needs. These people live in extreme poverty; yet, they understand what it means to be extreme givers. When visitors are welcomed into homes, they are fed first. If the food runs out, the children do not eat. Little ones often ask their parents, “Why do you bring strangers into our home and share our food with them when we barely have enough for ourselves?” Their mother’s reply is simple. “I know you have had food today, but I do not know if or when our guest has last eaten.” Can you imagine being so concerned about whether a stranger in your midst has had a meal that you might choose not to feed your own children so the stranger in your midst may eat?

Their churches continue to grow at a rapid pace, because the people of Mozambique have found that the Lord Jesus Christ is bigger than their greatest need. Pastor Chulume said, “We believe that the gift of abundant life is eternal and even in the midst of our disasters and death, we have a faith that we can rejoice in; the suffering of the present day will not even begin to compare to the glory to come.”

I could have listened to this pastor speak all day long. His congregation participates in holy worship for hours, while he teaches the Word of God to them. I have never struggled the way my brothers and sisters in Mozambique have. I do not know what it is like to not have food to eat each day or clean water to drink. When I become ill, I am able to seek immediate medical attention. When they become ill, many of them die. To have a faith that overcomes even the greatest of need is a gift that only comes from the Lord. The people of Mozambique are waiting for the Lord’s perfect timing in all things. Please join with me in prayer for our brothers and sisters around the world. Pastor Chulume assures us that his congregations are praying for you and me.

When we place our total trust in God, He helps us to accomplish what seems to be impossible. Faith grows in adverse situations. You and I can make a difference in the life of someone we may never meet face to face. Are you willing to trust in God’s perfect timing? Will you take on a piece of the impossible today, knowing Jesus Christ can make all things beautiful in His time? Let us lift our hands and hearts toward our brothers and sisters who are struggling to survive in the country of Mozambique.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com


Pray for: the people of Mozambique, who have so little yet give so much. May they find comfort in strength in the Lord Jesus Christ today. Would you be willing to give up a meal so they could eat? Would you provide the materials and resources needed to help the people build wells for clean water to drink? Extreme faith is borne from extreme need. Are you willing to give sacrificially, show extreme hospitality in the worst of situations? We can learn a lot from the life example of our brothers and sisters in Mozambique.
________________________________
© 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.

Monday, June 04, 2007

The fruit of the month club

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ezra 9, 10; Psalm 93

Psalm 93:5 (NIV)
Your statutes stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days, O Lord.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Revelation 22:1-2 (NIV)
1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb, 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.


Good morning!

I like living in Missouri! We have four distinct seasons in our state – spring, summer, fall and winter. The change of seasons and temperatures tend to play havoc on my sinuses. Even so, I enjoy experiencing the first greens of spring, the deep blue skies of summer, the radiant turning foliage of fall, and the icy cold blanket of winter white. We have it all here in the show-me state, and no matter what each season may bring, I enjoy every minute of every day. What a gift it is to live out our days in seasons of change.

One of our parishioners would give our family a subscription to the Fruit of the Month Club every Christmas. Have you ever been the recipient of such a wonderful gift? Each month, we would receive a shipment of the finest fruits from all over the United States. No matter what the weather was like in Missouri, we could count on a sweet, tropical treat arriving on our doorstep around the 5th day of every month. I looked forward to the boxes of large, lush grapefruit and oranges, and large walnuts just waiting to be cracked. Some months, we would receive passion fruit, kiwi, and melons. A delicious piece of fruit is a sweet treat, especially in the cold and snowy winter months when we are not producing much fruit in Missouri.

Last night as I left the Missouri Area United Methodist Church conference, I happened to look up at the trees that had taken root and were thriving just in front of the complex. The sky was a beautiful dark chocolate, and the green foliage glistened against its backdrop, highlighted by the light radiating from the main entrance to the auditorium. Every leaf was intricate and unique; yet firmly connected and growing together on the branches. As I admired the leaves, I couldn’t help but think about the beautiful sweet fruit gathered inside the Expo Center in Springfield, Missouri this weekend. United Methodists from all over the state were there to praise the giver of all good fruit! Every person is a rare and unique reflection of our Lord. We spring up in chorus, and celebrate our unique diversity. We are His living fruit! When the love of Christ takes root in our hearts, we cannot help but ripen into a sweet resounding chorus, worshiping and glorifying Him.

We are His body, the leaves sparkling on every branch, reaching out in love to a world who desperately needs to know Him. Like every single leaf hanging from the branches, our uniqueness is a sweet treat! We bring our gifts to the altar and lay them down before the Lord. He blesses our faithfulness and gives us a sweetness that perpetuates itself all over our world. Of the thousand or so gathered, there is not one of us who think or behave exactly alike. We offer a distinct flavor wherever He plants us. We pray our witness and love will grow disciples for Jesus Christ. We hold a membership to His living fruit of the month club.

Won’t you come join us in the sweetest adventure of life? You can receive a fully paid, twelve month membership to the fruit of the month club today! It is the gift that keeps on giving. His blood was shed for you and for me on the cross over 2,000 years ago. My Jesus can take the hardest heart, the poorest soul, and ripen it for kingdom work. Let Jesus bless you with the fruit of the spirit today. Ask Him to come inside and clean up the cobwebs in your heart.

This is truly a season of change. Isn’t it amazing how the Lord of life can transform a shriveled up prune like me and make me sweet and whole again! If He can do that for someone like me, I can only imagine what He will do for you.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com


Pray for: God to give you a fully paid subscription to the fruit of the month club. He is waiting with open arms to receive your soul today. If you want to experience the sweet peace of forgiveness and grace, simply get down on your knees and invite Jesus into your heart. His fruit is the sweetest treat you will ever know. The fruit of the spirit is ripe and ready to be picked. You can be a sweet reflection of Him every moment of every day, and especially in the seasons of change.

_______________________________________
© 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, June 03, 2007

Now where did I put those water wings?

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ezra 9, 10; Psalm 93

Psalm 93:3-5 (NIV)

3 The seas have lifted up, O Lord, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. 4 Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea – the Lord on high is mighty. 5 Your statutes stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days, O Lord.

Matthew 14:25-29 (NIV)

25 During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them, “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it is you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” He said.

Good morning!

When I took a dip in the pool last weekend with my grandbabies, I couldn’t help but giggle when I saw four-year-old Joshua in his swim trunks. He was wearing a newfangled contraption called a body suit. It looks a little bit like a gymnastics leotard with shorts. Inside the chest area of this suit are two large floatation devices. They look like large balloons from the outside, yet, when I touched them, they felt like Styrofoam. This made young Joshua look like was ripped with chest muscles, kind of like the Incredible Hulk or Mister Incredible. The beauty of a built-in floatation device is that you no longer need those pesky water wings to keep you from sinking to the bottom of the pool. Isn’t it amazing what lengths parents will go to protect their children while they learn how to swim?

Jesus knew what His disciples would someday face as they traveled the dusty roads, preaching His message wherever they went. He wanted to give them a flotation device, something to hang onto, when the water became choppy and deep. It was no accident when Peter stepped out of the boat and began walking toward His Savior on the water. He almost made it, but suddenly became distracted at the disturbance occurring around his feet. When Peter took his eyes off the Lord and looked down, he began to drown.

I forgot to pack my water wings this weekend. I thought I had them with me; yet, I could not find them when I emptied out my suitcase. I would love to step out of the boat today and walk on the water toward Jesus. If I do, I wonder whether I will suddenly sink to the bottom like a two-thousand pound anchor. After the pasta dinner I consumed last night, it is certainly a possibility. I need some faith-filled floatation devices NOW! Do you know where can I find them? Do you know how much do they cost?

I can tell you there is a lot of water walking going on at Annual Conference this weekend. I have watched in awe as people across our state step out of their boats and walk on the water toward their Savior. It takes great courage and a strong sense of direction for some to do the things they are doing to spread the Gospel message around the world where they live. There is a gentleman in our conference who collects and recycles empty soda cans, and chops firewood to fill an ark with $5,000 for Heifer International each year. This water walker keeps asking why certain people do not have their fundamental needs met while others have far too much. Another United Methodist congregation in the inner-city has opened its doors to the homeless. A concrete sidewalk is not a comfortable place to lay your head at night. The church fixes and serves approximately 300 free meals every day and provides counseling and hope to those who have no place to turn. Water walking is costly. It means risking your life, comfort and security for someone else. Are you brave enough to step out of your boat today to help someone in need?

Whew! Thank God I found my water wings this morning. I’m going to need Him more now than ever before. I’m stepping out of the boat, and I won’t look down. I won’t look back. I will keep my eyes focused on the Lord Jesus Christ and the destination He is calling me to. I will read my Bible and I will believe what it says. I will seek the Lord every morning in sincere and humble prayer, trusting Him to be my floatation device. He is all I need to succeed! When Jesus calls you to come to Him today, will you be willing to get out of your boat and walk across the water?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com


Pray for: water wings that work! If you will trust in the Lord Jesus Christ with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength and seek to serve Him with your life, you can walk on water today. What can you do to help your neighbor find hope for tomorrow? How can you make a lasting difference in the life of another? Are you willing to get out of the boat this morning? Ask Him to help you. I’ll see you at church today with my water wings firmly attached.

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