Saturday, June 16, 2007

Finding Jesus on the streets of downtown Saint Louis

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 (Holman NT)

Pray for us

1 Finally, pray for us, brothers, that the Lord's message may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not all have faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one. 4 We have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do what we command. 5 May the Lord direct your hearts to God's love and Christ's endurance.

Good morning!

If you have never been to a Women of Faith Conference, you need to find a location near you, buy a couple of tickets and take your girl friend! We are being blessed by the amazing freedom we have in Jesus Christ, and celebrating it this weekend with our sisters all over the globe. If you are male, do not let the words "Women of Faith" scare you. Yes, they let the guys in too, and while you may be in the minority, men are always treated as royalty around here. This is a weekend I look forward to every year.

Last night as Nancy and I were leaving the conference, we happened upon a homeless couple, a man and woman, who were hoping someone might stop and help them. I used to walk the streets of downtown for many, many years. I was always in a hurry - not looking up very often. As I've grown older and my heart has been softened by the Lord, I find myself slowing down and taking a longer look at the people I pass on the street. This was no ordinary couple.
They had shared a trailer home in Cahokia, and a fire destroyed everything they had. They came across the river seeking assistance and hoping they might find work. Scott had everything he owned rolled up neatly in an over-the-shoulder duffle bag. Sherry carried an oversized purse, and a sign that said, "Homeless - please help." As I listened and asked questions, I noticed how the presence and power of the Holy Spirit seemed to be hovering all around. It was late and very dark, but on the street corner where we stood, I felt as if I was standing underneath a spotlight, and that light belonged to the Lord of life.


I asked Scott and Sherry if they would let me pray for them. With willing hearts, we huddled together, arms wrapped around each other's shoulders, and I began to cry out to God for His help and guidance. There was a peace there on that sidewalk; it was as if we were experiencing intimate fellowship with the Savior of the world right there underneath the stars.

Out of my peripheral vision, I notice another man hovering close behind. I caught a look in his eye. He was twitching and watching us with great distain. I knew we were in danger. Funny thing, the Holy Spirit seems to awake our spiritual intuition at just the right moment. Scott noticed him too. We began to pray for that man. Suddenly, he ran across the street, leaving our group behind. As we finished praying, Scott asked us if they could walk us to our cars. I cannot tell you how very grateful I was to have an escort by a Godly couple that night.

Extreme faith is borne from extreme situations. Sherry and Scott not only possess a hope for tomorrow; they know who holds them up, even as they sleep in a homeless shelter, or under the Eads Bridge at night. A few nights before, Scott had been pistol whipped by another street person, who was looking for a little cash. He wondered why they didn't kill him then and there. Have you ever wondered why you survived some horrific ordeal? Scott and Sherry were teaching us by experience. They could have been bitter, but the joy of the Lord was definitely their strength and comforter.

As you say your prayers this morning, please pray for my newfound friends, Sherry and Scott. Before we left the parking lot last night, Sherry spoke a word of faith over my life. Throwing her arms about my neck, she offered a prayer I will never, ever forget. Have you ever noticed how the most amazing prayers are borne from great pain? I came downtown this evening to share a blessing, and found myself being blessed in ways I cannot even begin to describe. I saw Jesus Christ up close and personal last night, and I am glad to know there are two incredible people out there on the streets of St. Louis this morning, changing the world where we live, one heart at a time.

Before I fell asleep, I wondered whether I would ever see them again - we gave them tickets for the Saturday conference and lunch and how I hope they come inside. There is a lot of ministering going on downtown today, but the greatest gifts are outside the walls of the sanctuary.

Take time to stop along the sidewalk of your life today, and take a closer look at the people who pass you by. Will you be Jesus to them? Maybe they will be Jesus to you.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Friday, June 15, 2007

Living in the prison of guilt

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Job 10, 11, 12

Job 11:7-12 (NIV)

[Zophar said,] 7 “Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? 8 They are higher than the heavens – what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave – what can you know? 9 Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. 10 If he comes along and confines you to prison and convenes a court, who can oppose Him? 11 Surely he recognizes deceitful men; and when He sees evil, does He not take note? 12 But a witless man can no more become wise than a wild donkey’s colt can be born a man.”

Romans 3:21-25 (NIV)

21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came through Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in His blood.

Good morning!

You know your real friends when they stick with you, especially through the tough stuff in life. I have a girl friend that I have known for years. Nancy and I met while working downtown seventeen years ago. One day, I complimented her hair color. She was a redhead, and I admired that color, because I also had auburn hair. I have always believed that redheads have brilliant minds and they tend to be extraordinarily loyal and devoted to their family and friends! That moment of meeting and the commonality we shared through the color of our hair turned into a sisterhood that will never be broken. Nancy is blonde now, and I forgive her for that. I’m still a redheaded wannabe, in spite of all those pesky gray streaks. Still, I know our friendship will last forever. Someday Nancy and I will stand side by side in heaven praising the Lord of life for His grace and mercy. We are blessed to be sisters through Jesus Christ, and He has made us a part of the family of faith.

Zophar’s words were tough for Job to hear. He thought he was doing his best to help a brother out. From all appearances, Zophar came to the conclusion that Job had sinned, and his sins had caught up to him big time. Do you ever feel like you are a walking advertisement - a flashing marquee for sin? Everyone was passing judgment on poor Job. They saw his suffering and pain. They wondered whether his loyalty to the Lord had somehow been compromised and now God was making him pay for his mistakes. Job was beginning to resent the Lord. Somehow, he couldn’t understand how God could let this happen to him. More importantly, Job had become totally disgusted with his friends. Was Zophar was trying to be a true friend to Job, by encouraging him to confess and repent? Or was Zophar’s only motivation to point the finger at his brother, just to take the spotlight off of his own sin and shortcomings?

When we are suffering from the sins eating away at our life, it is always good to hear the truth from someone who loves us, even when it hurts. My friend Nancy is gifted at knowing how to love a sinner, while hating the sin. She always finds a way to speak the truth in love. I listen to her, even when I do not like what I hear. She holds me accountable, and yet, never stops loving me. We could all use a friend like Nancy in our life.

When Jesus Christ made Himself known to the world, He brought all of us a message of great hope. No matter how good we want to be or try to be, every one has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Even Job, who worked tirelessly to please God and honor Him with his life, was not completely without sin. For those of us who are still incarcerated in the prison of guilt, Jesus is the key. He can free you, once and for all, through the power of His cleansing blood. He can cover your sin and shame once and for all. There is just nothing we can do to earn God’s grace or favor. We can try to live good and honest lives, but it will not be enough apart from knowing the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is the Good News of the Gospel we just have to share with a world imprisoned in its many diversities and cultures. None of us will ever be good enough all by ourselves. Dear friends, we are all going down on the same sinking ship. Jesus Christ is the only way, the only truth, and the only life, and He will make a way for you today if you ask Him to save you.

This weekend, I will be standing next to my sister Nancy, along with 15,000 other sisters in the Scott Trade Center in downtown Saint Louis, worshipping Jesus and praising His holy and awesome name. He is the key to unspeakable joy, a never-ending love, and a peace that cannot be explained with human words. If you find yourself locked up in the prison of guilt this morning, ask Jesus to set you free. He will do it! And that’s a promise you can count on!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: salvation! Jesus Christ will set you free from the sin and suffering in your life. You can know what it means to be forgiven. There is joy in the journey, even when the road is rough. Be thankful for the people God has placed in your life, who love you enough to tell you about the Lord.

I will be at the Women of Faith Conference this weekend in St. Louis. I hope to see you there! May the Lord bless and keep you, until we meet again online.

________________________________

© 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, June 14, 2007

When God is silent

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Job 7, 8, 9

Job 7:19-21 (NIV)
19 “Will you never look away from me, or let me alone even for an instant? 20 If I have sinned, what have I done to you, O watcher of men? Why have you made me your target? Have I become a burden to you? 21 Why do you not pardon my offenses and forgive my sins? For I will soon lie down in the dust; you will search for me, but I will be no more.”

Matthew 27:46 (NIV)
46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” – which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”


Good morning!

Have you ever questioned God? Did you blame Him for a miserable moment you experienced somewhere along life’s path? It is an easy thing to do, especially when we are in extreme pain. We cannot see things objectively or understand why God would allow this awful thing to happen to us. Job had based his entire life on purposefully honoring the Lord. He wanted to please God more than anything else. He wanted His family to bring God honor by the way they chose to live each day of their lives. Job had worked very hard at this. What happens when, one day, we realize that all of our good work is simply not enough? Do we wonder, like Job, who could ever possibly please the Lord God Almighty?

I admit that there have been times when I have held my angry and wounded heart up to the Lord, waiting for Him to speak. I longed to see the bigger picture, but my tiny mind would not let me move past the pain. Suffering catches us where we are the most vulnerable and holds us in a death grip as we try unsuccessfully to wiggle free. Morning after morning, Job had come to know the Lord He loved. How could His God do this to him? What had he done to deserve such judgment and ridicule from the Lord, the giver of life? Why would His heavenly Father, who had walked side by side with him all those years, suddenly become silent and elusive just when Job needed Him the most?

Job was angry and bewildered. He was questioning his beliefs; wondering if He had misplaced his faith after all those years. Job went directly to the Lord, shaking his fist and demanding answers. Have you ever shaken your fist in anger at God? Were you hurting so much that you wondered how a God of mercy and grace could possibly exist while allowing unspeakable grief to ravage your life?

God had allowed a plague of evil to overshadow Job. Why would God do such a thing? The Lord allowed Satan to slither inside a good man’s family, forging a path of death and destruction upon them, and Job could not see or understand why. How could he accept this cup of bitterness from the God he loved? Like Job, there is a time when we come to the realization that all of our good works and deep desires to please Him simply pales in comparison to His greatness and glory. Who can understand the Lord? Are we fully able to comprehend His master plan for humanity and the people who surround us every day? Are we willing to trust Him, even in moments of utter despair? Is it possible that God can take our broken hearts and use it to help heal someone else’s pain? There are some things in life we will never fully understand. Are you willing to allow your pain to bring comfort to someone else who is crying out for help today? Will we allow our compassion to become living action as we reach out in love to a hurting world?

If you have ever lost someone you love, or suffered with a painful illness or infirmity that plagues you every single day, you may not realize it now, but God is allowing a greater plan to emerge from your life experience. He can give you a heart of compassion for those who suffer, if you let Him. True relationship evolves from the life experiences we share. It is a common thread that unites us. Has Job’s life example made a difference for you? Can you relate to the suffering of this humble servant of God?

When God is silent, do not despair. Trust Him enough to know there is a greater plan beyond the things you are experiencing today. We can choose to love our Lord all the more, knowing without a doubt He holds our hearts and bears our grief. He will not let us go, especially when we are suffering. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, understands our pain. He knows what it feels like when God is silent.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com


Pray for: wisdom to know that even in the silence, God speaks. His plan and purpose is so much larger than anything we can possibly understand. Trust Him today, knowing He has not abandoned you. God understands your suffering. He sees your face. He loves you and will not forsake you, even when evil touches your life. Let God turn your pain into compassion that births action for another hurting soul. Won’t you hand Him your hurt 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.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Choosing to be bitter or better

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Job 4, 5, 6

Job 6:8-10 (NIV)

8 [Job said,] “Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for,

9 that God would be willing to crush me, to let loose His hand and cut me off!

10 Then I would still have this consolation – my joy in unrelenting pain – that I had not denied the words of the Holy One.

Romans 8:28 (NIV)

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Good morning!

Poor Job! He was living a nightmare. In one fell swoop, he lost his material wealth, earthly possessions, the children he adored, and his health. Now Job was losing his friends. It is easy to sit back and point the finger at someone who is struggling. We humans have a tendency to try to explain away the ills of the world. Job’s three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zuphar, adopted the cause and effect theory; they believed Job must have done something very wrong to bring about his suffering. It is human nature to want to know why things happen the way they do, and it is easier to place blame and turn away, than choose to hold the hand of the hurting one and suffer alongside them. There are some circumstances in life that we may never fully understand why. For instance, why are babies born with cancer? Why are mass numbers of people starving to death around the world? Why would anyone ever choose to abuse and exploit an innocent, trusting child? These questions resonate in my heart. There are many mornings when I sit weeping at the master’s feet. He catches the tears of my grief as I mourn for a suffering humanity. I especially grieve for the children. There are some things in this life that I will never understand.

It was doubly difficult for Job to find peace. He had searched his heart over and over again, wondering why the Lord would pull life’s blessings away from him, allowing his family to experience long suffering and unending misery. Have you ever been so distraught and in so much pain that you simply wanted to die? Overwhelming grief and excruciating physical pain can cause us moments of extreme despair. Job loved the Lord. The thought that he might have sinned against the God He adored was more unbearable than the physical and emotional suffering he experienced. He never meant to break God’s heart, and Job was beginning to feel responsible for the situation he found himself in. After all, his friends kept telling him so. Has anyone ever tried to tell you that your unfortunate circumstance or situation may not have happened because of something you did or said in your past?

It is easier to give up and bail out when we find our life dangling by a thread in extreme situations. In my life, there are some things that God never intended for me to fully understand. He wants me to trust Him, not just when times are good, but especially when life is hard. We can become our own worst enemies, allowing ourselves to be cynical and bitter. This attitude can eventually lead us to blame God for the troubles in our life. Isn’t it good that God understood the condition of Job’s heart! He will not abandon us in our season of suffering and grief. We must choose to trust the Lord in the things we do not understand. He can reach us if we are willing to lay our hearts before His throne of mercy and grace. He will use our story to bring Him glory. Are we willing to tell it? Are we able to share our most painful and private hurts, if it might bring hope to a sister or brother who is suffering in silence today?

We tend to look at the outward circumstance and pass judgment all too quickly based upon our limited knowledge. Isn’t it good that the Lord God Almighty does not look on the outside? He looks upon the heart and He knows who you are and whose you are, even when you cannot see Him clearly.

It is a miserable thing to suffer and grieve. When pain tells me to quit, this is when my faith kicks in and keeps me going. Through Jesus Christ, He gives me the assurance and hope in knowing one day, the hurting will end and He will dry every tear with His holy hand. There are some things we simply cannot control in our life. We do have the power to choose whether to let our circumstances make us bitter or better. How far am I willing to let it go, in order to honor the Lord I love? Is it possible that my story might bring hope to someone who is struggling to survive? Jesus speaks through our pain. Will you let the story of your life bring God glory today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: peace that passes all understanding. We can choose to be better, rather than bitter, especially in times of suffering. When we stop focusing on ourselves and look to the Lord for our constant hope and help, He will give us perfect peace, especially when we are suffering. Quit focusing on your situation, and look up! Jesus is waiting for you to give Him all your pain, once and for all.

________________________________

© 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 12, 2007

The difference between happiness and joy

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Job 1, 2, 3

Job 1:20-22 (NIV)
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” 22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

James 1:2-3 (NIV)
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the test of your faith develops perseverance.


Good morning!

There is a distinct difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is the effect one feels depending upon their particular circumstance. I have a new grandson, and that makes me very happy! If my grandson Andrew were not with us yet, would I still feel the same happiness I feel this morning? I doubt it. I would be waiting with baited breath for the baby to be born, and I would be praying for a safe delivery and a healthy boy. True joy is a gift from God and it has no bearing on the situation we find ourselves in. We can rejoice in knowing a baby is coming and all that means to our family! A new life changes everything! There is great joy when we anticipate the future and know for sure that the blessing is on its way.

This is the story of Job, a holy man of God, who had walked in the light of God's love all his days. Job was happily married. He and his wife had seven sons and three daughters, all of whom they were very proud of. He managed a large farm with lots of livestock. Job honored the Lord with his life, and everyone who knew them had great respect for his family.

Have you ever felt like everything was going your way – you were living the life many can only wish for? Job’s desire to please God burdened him so that he would rise up early in the morning and offer sacrifices for each of his children, just in case they may have sinned or cursed God the day before. The Lord knew Job’s heart and was pleased with his consistent and sincere devotion. When the accuser said that Job would not be faithful to the Lord in a season of suffering, God allowed him to attack Job and his family. Like Job, we all experience moments in time when we come under a spiritual attack. Did God stop loving Job when Job’s life began to fall apart? No - God’s love for Job had not changed. He allowed the evil one to enter into Job’s family as a test of faith.

It is easy to love God when life is good. Are you as willing to love Him wholeheartedly when things are not going so well? Happiness may all but disappear when we lose the ones we love to illness, death, and destruction. One day we have a paycheck – the next day, we are beating the pavement, looking for work. One moment, our home is full of love and laughter – the next minute, the house is silent and lonely. We feel great today, only to receive a dreaded phone call from our family physician, indicating the test results were not what we hoped for. Happiness can fade in the blink of an eye; in the breath of a second. True joy comes from knowing and trusting the One who holds our future in the palm of His hand. The things we face in life today are only a fleeting moment in time. We have seen the child – the gift of everlasting life. We hope for His imminent return, knowing it will not be long until we can be reunited with Him forever. The pain and suffering we endure here on earth is only for a moment. The love and joy we experience in eternity makes the difficult moments manageable. They will pass. God remains. Through Christ, we live again. True joy exists in knowing and loving the Savior of the world.

Are you happy today? Your happiness may disappear, but no one can take your joy, unless you let the evil one steal it away from you. Do not let your circumstances control your heart. Give your pain to the Lord. He understands your suffering and will fill you with His joy in every circumstance. The Apostle Paul understood the gift of true joy. Even while he was imprisoned, he considered it pure joy in trials and tribulation.

There is true joy in the journey of life. His name is Jesus. Do you know Him today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com


Pray for: joy to fill you up and send you out into a world where happiness may not exist. Give the Lord Jesus Christ your heart today and experience true joy in Him!
________________________________
© 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 11, 2007

Hanging the hatred of Haman in me

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Esther 7, 8, 9, 10

Esther 5:9 (NIV)
9 Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits. But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage against Mordecai.

Esther 7:8-10 (NIV)
8 Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining. The king exclaimed, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?” As soon as the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. 9 Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A gallows seventy-five feet high stands by Haman’s house. He had it made for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.” The king said, “Hang him on it!” 10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.

Matthew 5:43-45 (NIV)
[Jesus said,] “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”


Good morning!

Shortly after Jeff and I moved to Dallas, Texas, to attend seminary, a new night-time soap opera called Dallas made its mark in television history. The story of the Ewings, a family whose fortune was made in the drilling and manufacturing of crude oil, became a Friday evening phenomenon. Before the age of video recording, people stopped what they were doing each week just to catch the next episode of the Ewing family’s ongoing saga. While there were some really cutthroat characters, the one person everybody loved to hate was J. R. Ewing. The oldest son of Jock and Ellie Ewing, J. R. had inherited his fortune and was proud of it. He was a sly and cunning businessman, who knew how to get what he wanted when he wanted it. J. R. took what he could get and would stop at nothing to get his way. He left a trail of deceit and broken hearted people everywhere he went. One of the series cliffhangers provided a lot of speculation and wonder as the world waited with baited breath to learn who shot J. R.

Haman is the man we all love to hate in the Book of Esther. He was an arrogant, evil soul, consumed with pride and a self-serving attitude that carried the aroma of a scared skunk on a two-lane country road. One can smell the stench of evil a mile away. This man, who believed he was better than all the others, wielded self-avowed power and authority over many innocent lives. Haman was a coward and a fool. We can learn a lot from this man’s story, if we’re willing to take a closer look at him. Is it possible that a little piece of Haman exists in you and me?

The Jewish community in Susa was about to be annihilated through the sneaky and cunning work of Haman. He had managed to pull the wool over the king’s eyes; yet Mordecai could see the truth smacking him in the face. Mordecai knew what he must do. Rather than take the issue into his own hands and act, Mordecai fasted and prayed before the Lord. He got word to his young cousin, Esther, and with the prayers of her people, she found the courage and strength to ask the king to spare her life and the lives of her people. God single-handedly foiled the evil plot of a self-absorbed, haughty man. Haman lost his life on the gallows he had constructed for Mordecai. Why did Haman hate Mordecai so? Because Mordecai refused to pay Haman honor. Mordecai loved the Lord God Almighty with his heart, soul, mind, and strength, and refused to raise up any man, including the king.

There is nothing harder than to show love and kindness to someone who truly seems to hates you. We make excuses to avoid these people, while squinting our eyes and murmuring about them behind their backs. Mordecai could not be controlled by Haman’s wrath. He didn’t seem to care that Haman was large and in charge. As far as Mordecai was concerned, Haman did not deserve his respect. Mordecai chose to pray and fast, allowing God to handle the evil in this man’s heart. Because Mordecai trusted God to effect change, He did not place his fear on what he could see with his own eyes; he trusted the Lord to resolve the situation and reveal the truth for what it is.

We must learn how to hate the sin and love the sinner. Jesus said that we must learn to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. I need to hang the hatred of Haman in me out to dry. It has no place inside my heart. My prayer today is that I will allow the Lord to handle the evil that seems to swim around me today. I am asking the Lord to teach me how to love the ones who resent me; those who wish to bring evil and harm to my life. He can fight all my battles, when I’m willing to give it to Him and let it go. Are you holding a little hatred in your heart that needs to be hung out to dry? Ask the Lord God Almighty to help you truly love your enemy this morning.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com


Pray for: A Holy Spirit intervention! It is impossible to learn to love our enemies on our own steam. We need to let our hatred go, as we seek the Lord’s heart to forgive and forget. Haman was hung out to dry because he simply couldn’t get over himself. If you are feeling just a little bit proud today, don’t let your heart end up like his. Give your pain to the Lord, and let Him teach you how to love the sinner, while hating the sin.
________________________________
© 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 10, 2007

For such a time as this

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Esther 4, 5, 6

Esther 4:12-16 (NIV)
12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?”

15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather all the Jews together who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

Matthew 10:39 (NIV)
[Jesus said,] “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Good morning!

It is easy to feel rather insignificant in the world we live in. I don’t know about you, but I have wondered from time to time whether I could really make any difference in the life of another. After all, I’m just one little person out of billions of people around the world.

I got married when I was eighteen years old! I had fallen in love with the boy of my dreams, and I was convinced we were perfect for each other! Sometimes we find the love of our life at the most inopportune time. God was gracious and protected our marriage through some really difficult moments, as we grew up in love together. My husband married a baby girl, and I had an awful lot to learn about loving a husband. I don’t think our parents could have stopped us from getting married – we were determined and so they relented. Funny how parents do that… we step back and let our children make life choices knowing they will grow up and become mature one way or another. Parents learn how to pray really hard as their babies grow up. Now that I’m an empty nester, I find myself on my knees all the more, as I continue to pray for each of my children and their precious families every day.

I wondered where our life together would take us. As I’ve grown older, I find every day to be an incredible adventure. You just never know who you might meet or what you will learn. Still, there are times when we all wonder whether our life's work will have a positive effect in the heart of another. The Book of Esther is one of my favorite books in the Bible. This is the story of a young girl, orphaned at a child. I can relate to that since I too, was an orphan. She was adopted by her older cousin Mordecai. He took on the huge responsibility of raising a frightened child. She adored Mordecai, and learned from his life example. Mordecai taught Esther the importance of faith through practice and example. He told her stories of the rich traditions of their people, and practiced the presence of God in prayer, fasting, and study at home and in worship. Mordecai lived in a place where publicly practicing his faith in God could potentially lead to death. He taught his young cousin to trust the Lord in all things and be assured that God’s master plan is greater and more powerful than any simple scheme of man.

In an amazing sequence of events, Esther finds herself placed in a position of power. How did this happen to a poor Jewish orphan? So many times, we believe our ability to reach out and lead is limited by gender, class, and the society in which we live. Isn’t it amazing that when we give our lives over to the Lord, we find a newfound freedom in His master plan. It is a holy moment indeed, when we realize that God has a special plan for you to fulfill. He gives each one of us a future and a hope. It is up to you to decide whether you will hand Him your whole heart, trusting God to lead you, or whether you will try to control our own future all by yourself. Either way, the things we say and do have a profound affect on the people who are placed in our path. With God’s help, we can extend the love of Christ by telling His story around the world. For such a time as this, God calls you and I to share Jesus with the world.

The opportunity to serve the Lord Jesus Christ is more important than anything else we will ever do in our lifetime. If we are willing to trust God enough to hand Him our future, we can know for certain that He will walk with us every step of the way. We may not always understand the why and how of it, but can be sure that He will reward our faithfulness. Eternity is just around the corner.

You can be an Esther today. God has called you to live for Him, for such a time as this.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com


Pray for: the faith of Esther, to look past your personal circumstance and see what God sees in your potential! He placed Esther in a position that by faith and obedience, she would make a lasting difference in the lives of her people. If God can do that for a young orphan girl, imagine what He can do in you!
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