Song of Deborah: 7/1/07

Saturday, July 07, 2007

Melting heart

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Isaiah 13, 14, 15, 16

Isaiah 13:6-7 (NIV)

6 Wail, for the day of the Lord is near; it will come like destruction from the Almighty.

7 Because of this, all hands will go limp, every man’s heart will melt.

Isaiah 16:4b-5 (NIV)

4 The oppressor will come to an end and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land. 5 In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it – one from the house of David – one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.

Good morning!

Have you ever noticed how quickly an ice cream cone melts in the hot summer’s sun? I remember listening every afternoon for the singing bells of the ice cream truck as it made its way down our street. Bomb Pops and Brown Cows, Drumsticks and Popsicles were my favorite summertime treats. The kind-hearted ice cream man would pull to the side of the road and wave the children near. We would follow him around, like the pied piper, with nickels and dimes burning in our hands, just waiting to be spent on a cool and refreshing treat. He opened his little freezer, and the breath of ice cold air would evaporate into the heat of the day. Those frozen treats, rock solid at first, would melt in our hands and all over our play clothes, if we didn’t consume them quickly. Have you ever experienced a brain freeze, from eating something really cold way too fast? It can be a very unpleasant experience.

I wonder what it will take for the Lord to melt my heart. I live in a comfortable home, surrounded by the beauty of well-manicured subdivision. My neighbors are friendly and very busy, as they live out the days of their life, doing the things they love most. I work and I go to school. I visit my children and grandchildren. I am surrounded by the love of my husband. Yet, it appears that I’m frozen solid in the shell of a self-absorbed lifestyle. So very busy doing the things that make me happy, I seem to forget to look around and see the suffering of my neighbor. One does not have to look very far to realize that humans are crying out in need all around us. But when I choose step out of the comfort of my air-conditioned home, the Son of God begins to melt my heart like the ice cream cone that dripped down my fingers on a hot and sticky summer day not so long ago.

This is the seventh day of the seventh month of the year 2007. The time is 7:07am and I find myself on my knees praying for forgiveness. How I long for the Lord to melt my heart today. How I want to become a little less self-centered and a lot more selfless. If time could stop for just a moment so that I could see beyond my busyness and begin to care more about the people who surround me, my hard and frozen heart might thaw in the light of God’s love and grace.

This is my humble prayer. Melt my heart, O God. Let me be a sticky sweet mess just for you. Take my life and send me wherever you would want me to go. Help me not be so busy that I cannot see the tears in my neighbor’s eyes. Teach me how to forgive the ones who have hurt me. Help me to love them, especially when I don’t want to. Melt my hard and frozen heart. Make me more like you.

There is a day in the not so far off future when the people of Christ will hear the sweet sound of bells coming down the street where we live. That long trumpet blast will melt our hearts as the Lord of Life returns for His flock. Isaiah reminds us through prophetic Word that He is coming back one sweet day. How I long to meet my Jesus face to face. I need His warmth and love more now than ever before. May the risen Christ find you wherever you may be, and call you out of your comfortable life to serve Him with a passion and purpose. Are you ready to let your heart melt in the light of God’s grace and love?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the Son to melt your heart this morning. Let Him have all of you. Choose this day to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. Are you willing to let Him be Lord of your entire life?

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Friday, July 06, 2007

Drinking from the wells of salvation

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Isaiah 10, 11, 12

Isaiah 12:1-3 (NIV)

1 In that day you will say: “I will praise you, O Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. 2 Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. 3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”

Proverbs 4:20-23 (NIV)

20 My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. 21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; 22 for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body. 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Good morning!

When I was a little girl, I enjoyed visiting my grandparents’ farm. No matter what the weather, we would pile into our family automobile and make a three and one-half hour journey along the rural highways to their farm, located just outside of Eldon, Missouri. My grandparents lived in two-story house, situated at the top of their property, overlooking some of the finest land in the Ozarks. It was an idyllic location, where every season of the year was simply breathtaking from where I sat, playing with my dolls, on the screened-in back porch.

My grandparents drank water from the well they dug together as newlyweds. My grandfather built the enclosed back porch around the water well so my grandmother would not have to step outside every time she needed another bucket. Drawing water from the well was a two-man job, unless, of course, you had the elbow grease of my grandmother. She was one strong woman! She could pump the well with her left hand, while pulling the heavy bucket of water up from the ground by the rope with her right hand. This water was sweeter than any bottled water I’ve ever tasted, and it was always ice cold. Refreshing and thirst-quenching, that water nourished our bodies and souls. And to my delight, this well never ran dry! Whenever we needed another drink of water, we knew we could count on the wellspring rising up from the ground below.

Isaiah understood the sheer joy of drawing eternal water from the wellspring of salvation. By our Lord Jesus Christ, we can receive new life through water and the Spirit. It is the thirst-quenching song of salvation we raise each day to the One who saves us. Surely it is God who saves me; I will trust in Him and not be afraid. The Lord of life-giving water is my sure strength. He is my song. With joy I will draw from the deep, from the wells of salvation, and my thirst will be forever quenched by His amazing grace, forgiveness and love.

There is nothing better than the wellspring of life we experience in relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Are you thirsty this morning? Are you looking for someone to quench the thirsting in your soul? Sing the song of Isaiah with me, and let the love of God through Jesus pour over your heart today. He will meet your deepest longing and give you a brand new life, when you choose to take a drink from the wellspring of salvation.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: a thirst-quenching drink from the well-spring of life. Jesus came to draw the water for you and for me. Take time to be refreshed in His Word today. Are you ready to taste and see that the Lord is good?

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Thursday, July 05, 2007

Watch out for falling rock!

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Isaiah 7, 8, 9

Isaiah 8:11-14a (NIV)

11 The Lord spoke to me [Isaiah] and with His strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people. He said: 12 “Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. 13 The Lord God Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, He is the one you are to fear, He is the one you are to dread, 14 and He will be a sanctuary; but for both houses of Israel He will be a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.”

Revelation 22:12-13 (NIV)

12 “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

Good morning!

If you’ve ever driven Missouri Ozarks highways, you may have noticed signs posted along the side of the road saying, “Watch out for falling rock.” My father used to tell us a story about a disappearing Indian named Falling Rock. Every time we passed by a rocky crag near the roadway, he would recite the story. My sister and I would strain our eyes to see if the disappearing Indian was sitting on horseback at the top of the hill, waiting to head our automobile off at the pass. My father loved folklore, and he was quite the story teller.

When the people of Judah and Israel heard the stories of Isaiah, many did not believe him. This preacher turned prophet cried out to a generation who refused to listen to the only truth worth hearing. God spoke through his servant Isaiah, warning His children to look beyond what it visible, and to catch a glimpse of what is everlasting and infinite. We tend to focus on the people and things that trip us up in life; they get in our way of what we believe as true success and happiness. We fear the troubles in life that will only last a short while; but forget to honor the One is who lives and reigns forever and ever.

When a falling rock moves into our path and we stumble and stub our toes on the jagged stepping stones, why can’t we see the Lord is trying to get our undivided attention? We worry and fret about the people who cause us pain and wonder if their evil agenda will ever end; and yet, we forget to focus on the only One we really need to fear. Have you ever been so distracted by a nasty neighbor, a mean-spirited co-worker, or a controlling family member, that you lose sight of what is truly important? That falling rock may be crashing down on top of you; but you are so busy fighting the trivial that you miss seeing the boulder hanging over your head.

The Lord God Almighty is holy. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end. He is the first and He will be the last. We are His people, and He longs for us to pay Him the attention He rightly deserves. Do not get caught up in the fear of things that will soon pass away to the exclusion of the One who reigns forever. We travel along life’s pathway for such a short time before we enter into an eternal realm; a place where we will be in a forever relationship with the Lord, or separated from Him forever. He gives each of us some time to choose. Which rock will you focus on? Whom will you serve and honor with your life?

Whenever you see a sign along the highway that says, “Watch out for falling rock,” think about the Rock of Ages. Do you only know about Him, or do you know Him? Is He your Savior? The words of Isaiah speak. That falling rock can save you, if you’ll cry out to Him today.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the stumbling stone to trip you up and the falling rock to block your way! The Lord God Almighty is trying to get your attention. He is so much more important than the tales you are spinning your life’s story on. Stop worrying about the trivial and look up! He is trying to get your attention right now. Won’t you cry out to Him and live!

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Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Celebrating Freedom

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Isaiah 4, 5, 6; Psalm 104

Isaiah 6:5-8 (NIV)

[Isaiah said] 5 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” 6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” 8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”

Psalm 104:33-34 (NIV)

33 I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. 34 May my meditation be pleasing to Him, as I rejoice in the Lord.

Good morning!

Today is the day our nation celebrates its freedom! I’ve been thanking God for the freedoms I enjoy in my life. A great price was paid for the privilege to live in a democratic society, where we can freely worship the Lord and speak of His amazing love without fear of stoning, maiming or death. Christian brothers and sisters in other parts of the world struggle each day to share the Gospel message. By sharing their faith, they understand they place themselves and their families in harm’s way. I applaud their courage and faithfulness to Christ even in extreme adversity. I’ve never personally experienced that difficult test of faith. Have you?

When the Lord called Isaiah to speak His Word to the people, he was scared to death! He wondered why God would choose him, a man of unclean lips. Scripture teaches that our lips express what the heart truly believes. Isaiah knew he needed cleansing from the inside out. When the angel of the Lord touched Isaiah’s lips with the burning coal from the heavenly altar of sacrifice, Isaiah realized that it was God who purified him in that holy moment. When we humble our hearts and confess our imperfections, God touches us with the fire of His Holy Spirit, and we know, without a doubt, we’ve been purified from the inside out.

There is a freedom in knowing that your sins have been cleansed by the Master’s hand. It is easier to say yes to the Lord when you know, without a doubt, you’ve been washed from the inside out. When the Father said, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” It was Isaiah who answered without hesitation, “Here am I. Send me!”

For many Americans, the holiday will be spent grilling meat over a hot barbecue grill, swimming and playing in the sun, followed by an evening of spectacular lights and sounds erupting in the skies above. While we celebrate our freedom, our men and women in military service are giving themselves sacrificially to the cause of freedom and democracy around the world. We must remember with grateful hearts those who have answered the call to serve, and have lost their lives in the process.

Jesus Christ, the only Son of the Living God, came to earth and sacrificed His life so that we could experience true freedom and everlasting life in Him. Take time today to thank the Lord of life for the freedom you have in Him. When Jesus sets you free, you are free indeed!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: ears to hear the Lord calling your name. He has purified your heart with His blood, and now He is calling out your name. Who will go for us? Whom shall I send? Are you ready to answer, “Here am I. Send me!”

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Tuesday, July 03, 2007

The trivial pursuit of faith

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Isaiah 1, 2, 3

Isaiah 1:13-17 (NIV)

[The Word of the Lord conveyed through Isaiah, His prophet] 13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations – I cannot bear your evil assemblies. 14 Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 When you spread your hands out in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; 16 wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, 17 learn to do right!

Good morning!

Do you like playing the game Trivial Pursuit? It’s a great way to spend a couple of hours. I’m not very good at it; yet every time I play, I learn something new. Our church occasionally hosts a trivia night. This is a fun way to spend an evening! I realize how little I actually know after listening to my friends around the table answer questions about people, places, events and history. I like Bible trivia, because it tests my knowledge of His Word. Even after all this time, I still get stumped with some of those Bible questions. No matter how hard I study, I wonder if I’ll ever get it all straight in my head. It’s a good thing Christ offers me grace. I’d surely be lost without it!

Isaiah was called on by the Lord to deliver a sharp and pointed message to His people. Even though this Word was written approximately 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ, His word resonates in our hearts today. God is not impressed our superficial faith; no, not so much. This is a hard message, especially for all of us perfectionists out there. We follow all the rules but forget to follow the rule maker. We throw our full weight against Scripture, reason, tradition and experience, only to pull back in fear when controversies erupt within our church. Sometimes, we get so fed up with trying, that we stop. We give up. And like many of our Israelite brothers and sisters, we find ourselves living in the muck of selfish sin, rebelliousness; eventually we become spiritually bankrupt. We wonder why God refuses to accept our ritual worship each week, or our one minute microwavable prayer before we fly out the door to get on with the business of our life. We don’t understand how He could be so offended by the one hour we give each week in worship. Isn’t that more than enough time for the Lord? Our culture teaches us that we discover physical and emotional health, wealth and happiness as we live within a balanced lifestyle, and strive take care of ourselves, first and foremost. So why can’t we convince God that our way of living is really the right way? Is our way the right way?

God wants more from us than just a trivial pursuit of Him. He wants us to know more about who He is and whose we are in Him. We may just be scratching the surface in our relationship with the Lord. Is He your solid foundation, or just someone to cry out to when life is tough? Is He your first love or a fleeting thought? Is God’s work an obligation to grudgingly fulfill, or the spark that gives true meaning to your life? Isaiah calls all of us into account for our superficial faith. Take some time today to redefine your relationship with the Lord. Is it just a game, a trivial pursuit in your life, or are you serious about following Jesus Christ?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the truth to hit you right between the eyes. Take some time today to pour over the Word of the Lord delivered through Isaiah the prophet. Are you brave enough to take a serious look at your relationship with Jesus? If we are willing to honestly confess our sin and admit those things that have separated us from a perfect and Holy God, Jesus Christ will be waiting with open arms to offer forgiveness and grace to every humble, repentant heart. He is waiting for you today. Are you ready to move past the superficial and into the deep?

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Monday, July 02, 2007

The Lion King

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Song of Solomon 7, 8; Psalm 103

Psalm 103:17-18 (NIV)

17 But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear Him, and His righteousness with their children’s children; 18 with those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts.

Deuteronomy 6:5-9 (NIV)

5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.

Good morning!

“Princess, your chariot awaits!” I announced as I arrived yesterday afternoon for a play date with my granddaughter. Three-year-old Emily looked like a little porcelain doll, ready to experience a magical moment. Mommy had dressed Emily up in the yellow Easter dress she wore this spring, adorned with satin ribbons and bows. She wore her gold princess crown. It kept her long, curly locks of hair from falling in her sweet face. Big brother Joshua was snapping photographs of Emily with Mom. She looked at me through those great big blue saucer eyes, and while batting her eyelashes, said, “Nanny, you are taking me to the Box.” “The Fox, Emily,” I said, giggling under my breath. “We are going to the Fox Theatre to see The Lion King!” Emily jumped up and down with excitement! It was time.

We walked hand-in-hand along the sidewalk of Grand Avenue and Washington Street We were slipping inside the theatre just before the last curtain call, and it was important we reach our seats before the processional of animals began. Even in our rush, I couldn’t help but notice the look of amazement on Emily’s face as we moved toward the big stage of the Fox Theatre. I remember the very first time I saw it myself. I was just a little girl myself, and it was Christmastime in the city. We were there to see the Nutcracker Suite. If you’ve never been to the Fox Theatre in Saint Louis, Missouri, make plans to visit. The architecture and décor of this theatre will take your breath away. yesterday.

I had never seen the Broadway version of The Lion King, and was looking forward to experiencing the “circle of life” as a play. I found myself drawn to watching the look on young Emily’s face as she experienced her Broadway moment for the very first time. The music was loud, and some of it was rather scary. She sat still for the first half of the program. After intermission, Emily got real fidgety, but we were able to hang on to the very last curtain call. The costuming, set changes, lighting, and music were absolutely phenomenal. The actors were awesome. Emily took a shine to young Simba, a little lion cub with a great big voice and a personality to match. She was too young to understand the theme of the play; yet, I would imagine Emily will never forget those magical moments, sitting on grandmother’s lap, while taking in all the sights and sounds of the production. Besides the elephants and giraffes, we especially liked the dancers who flew around the stage in mid-air during the love songs.

The Lion King story reminds me of our rich inheritance as precious children of the King of Kings. We are all born into this world with a greater plan and purpose to fulfill. We learn how to live out our days through the examples set by our family and friends. As we grow and mature, we experience fear, death, pain, and confusion. Sometimes it is easier to run away than face the truth. Like young Simba, he thought his life had ended the day his father died. As he grew into adulthood, Simba learned from adversity that he was called to be a leader. By overcoming fear with faith, a little lion cub became the Lion King.

We live in a circle of life and love; a precious gift designed by the hand of the Master Architect. Do not be afraid to share your faith with the wee ones in your life. They will learn about the Lord through your stories and life example. We can emulate God’s love by the love we share with others. Simba went home to protect his kingdom and lead by love. Are you ready to return to the Lord, pick up your mantle and run? It is time.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: courage to live out God’s plan for your life. He is counting on you to share your faith in Christ with the ones who have lost their way. Do not be afraid to turn around, especially if you have been running away! It is not too late to climb the mountain of faith. Simba would tell you that the view from the top is worth the effort.

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Sunday, July 01, 2007

I'm A Believer!

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Song of Solomon 4, 5, 6

Song of Solomon 4:7 (ESV)

7 You are altogether beautiful my love; there is no flaw in you.

I John 4:12(b)-13 (ESV)

12b If we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.

Good morning!

In 1966, I had a crush on a boy band. The group that stole my heart was a pop-rock quartet from Los Angeles, who had their roots in England. Their television sitcom only ran for three years but I can tell you I did not miss an episode. The first time I heard the song I’m a Believer on the radio, I was hooked, and so was the rest of America. In 1966, I’m A Believer hit the #1 spot on the Pop Music Charts in the United States and Great Britain. Like many other wide-eyed eight year old girls, I believed that one day I would grow up and marry Davy Jones.

My grandfather had become gravely ill in Mississippi and my mother had taken my four-year-old sister and went back home to help care for her father in the last days of his life. I was in the second grade and because this happened during the school year, I ended up staying at home alone in St. Louis with my dad. He was not the cook my mother was, and quite often after he got home from work, we would go and have supper at the Steak N Shake on Lindbergh Boulevard in Hazelwood. I liked twirling on the big bar stool next to the juke box. My dad did not care for the Monkeys. He thought their hair was way too long and he really didn’t like the loud music and all those hysterical girls fainting at their feet. Still, he could see the twinkle in my eye every time I heard the Monkees’ music on the transistor radio. We would order my favorite food – a cheeseburger (plain) with French fries, and a large strawberry milk shake. When the food would arrive, Daddy would lean over and add some change to the jukebox, pressing the button next to the Monkees’ number one hit. I remember spinning around and around on that tall bar stool, laughing and singing, I’m A Believer with my Dad.

This was not a happy time in my life. My grandfather was dying and I knew I would never see him alive again. My mother and sister were far, far away, and I didn’t know when they were coming home to us. Oh, but how I treasured those wonderful dinners with my father at Steak N Shake. Every time I visit that restaurant today, it takes me back to those cheeseburger suppers in 1966, while rocking out to the amazing music of Davy Jones and the Monkees.

Last night I found myself literally transported back in time. While sitting in worship with my dear friend and prayer partner, the praise band began to play and sing the song I’m A Believer. They had changed the words up from the ones I remembered singing as a child, yet, I really liked their version much better! I knew I was showing my age as I sat there laughing and clapping, but I just didn’t care! Proclaiming that I’m a believer is one of the most joyful things I do in life! That song helped me through some really rough spots as a young girl, and now, in my forty-eighth year, it ministers to me today. Life may not be as sweet as we would like it to be. There are seasons when we find ourselves grieving losses, like the loss of a family member, the loss of our innocence, or the loss of time itself. Standing up and shouting, Well, I saw His face and now I’m a Believer! can take the edge off the most difficult circumstances of our life. We have faith! We have seen Him! We are believers!

In a time when things were less than perfect for me, God revealed His love through the melody of one simple childhood song. His love is perfected in our hearts. When are lives are not so perfect, God always is.

I hope you stand up and sing I’m A Believer in worship today. We are perfected through the love of Christ, where all things are made beautiful in Him.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: His joy! Do you know the perfect, holy Son of the living God? Jesus Christ can take your imperfections and transform them by the power of His love. Sing it with me - I’m a believer! Yeah, yeah, yeah!

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Song of Deborah

Saturday, July 07, 2007

Friday, July 06, 2007

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Monday, July 02, 2007

Sunday, July 01, 2007

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