Saturday, August 25, 2007

Genetic defect

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ezekiel 38, 39; Psalm 118 119:1-24 (NIV)

Psalm 119:147-149 (NIV)

147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your Word.

148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night that I may meditate on your promises.

149 Hear my voice in accordance with your love; preserve my life, O Lord, according to your law.

Romans 3:22-24 (NIV)

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 by Christ Jesus.

Good morning!

I sat in numb silence, listening to the most horrifying words I think I’ve ever heard. “The doctor said that I have a rare cancer, caused from a genetic defect. It is hereditary.” Like a broken, repetitive record, I’ve played this conversation over and over again in my mind. How I wish it were not so.

Jeff and I have been parents for twenty-eight years. There is nothing that has brought greater joy into our lives than the relationship we share with our three children. We love them so. There isn’t anything we would rather have than to see our children living healthy and happy lives. What parent would not want to give their child the very best of everything? If we could simply pluck the sun, moon and stars from the sky and place them in the hands of our sparkling-eyed babies, wouldn’t we try? Our children had a bedroom ceiling full of stars and planets when they were little. We bought them at the five and dime store one Saturday morning. At night, when the lights were off, the galaxy would come alive, producing a beautiful, pale reflection of itself across the bedroom sky. Just like those stars, our children are beautiful, shining reflections of our love.

Most parents could never imagine passing something along to their children that might actually hurt them. We go out of our way to protect and shield our kids from harm. A genetic defect is simply not acceptable to me. And yet, no matter how hard we try not to, we inadvertently pass our imperfections along. How many bad habits have my children picked up by simply observing me? If I tell them not to misbehave, and then disobey my own instruction, I’ve set the bar at hypocrisy. Medical researchers have proven that many of the addictions and compulsions we face can be traced through our genealogy. Problematic health issues, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, birth defects, and yes, even cancer, can be passed from one generational line to the next. We are predisposed to an imperfect heritage, and that makes it easy for us to say things like, “we are byproducts of our parents. We simply can’t help ourselves. It’s how we’re made. We have no choice in the matter.” The ills of our kin seem to follow us, like the bad breath we taste after ingesting a spicy meal. It revisits us over and over again. Is there nothing we can do to break the cycle? Can a genetic defect be fully cured?

The sin of Adam follows humanity throughout the ages. From generation to generation, we have managed to pass those slimy imperfections and sin along to our children, their children, and their children’s children. Paul reminds us that while sin entered the world through one man, with death the resulting consequence, how much more did God’s grace and the gift of life that comes by Jesus Christ, overflow to many! (Romans 5:12-15 NIV). The healing power of Jesus Christ is the anecdote to our genetic defect. When we recognize our need for healing and restoration, the Lord of life is waiting to free us from the sins that separate us from God. Genetic defects are covered by God’s grace through the power of Christ’s cleansing blood. When we ask Jesus to save us, He keeps His promise.

If I could give my children the sun, moon and stars, I would do it in a heartbeat. The only gift I have to offer, and the only gift worth giving, is the awesome love my Jesus has given to me. I pass it along to them today, praying they will find peace and wholeness, especially when a genetic defect rears its ugly head. There is perfect peace, especially when we struggle with an imperfect life. Cry out to Jesus, and live!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the anecdote to your genetic defect. You may have been predisposed to some pretty rotten things, and if you are struggling to survive, there is hope for you! Let the grace of God through the love of Christ, cover your sin, heal your heart, and give you His peace today. All you have to do is ask 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.

Friday, August 24, 2007

The valley of dry bones

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ezekiel 35, 36, 37 (NIV)

Ezekiel 37:1-6 (NIV)

1 The hand of the Lord was upon [Ezekiel], and He brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “O Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” 4 Then He said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the Word of the Lord! 5 This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”

Good morning!

Getting my body out of bed is not always easy. I admit that I have old, dry bones. They fight me, especially in the early morning. Stiff and brittle, sometimes my fingers hurt as I move them across the keyboard. If I sit just a little too long, my legs feel like rubber underneath me. Do you experience shin splints or body aches that radiate from the joints connecting your bones together? If I squat down to retrieve something from the floor, my knees often sound like a popcorn popper over a hot flame. The bone density scan I have every three years tells the story. If my flesh were gone, those bones would resemble the ones Ezekiel saw with his own eyes in the valley of the shadow of death.

What is it like to walk through the valley of dry bones? Ezekiel must have shuddered in fear and despair. A dark and lonely place where no signs of life could possibly exist; a land where the remains of people long gone lay brittle and broken on the dry desert floor. The possibility that anyone could breathe life into these fragmented, disintegrated bone chips was beyond the prophet’s imagination. When God asked Ezekiel if these bones could live again, Ezekiel answered God with the only answer he could muster: “Lord, you alone know.”

Everyone suffers with dry, brittle bones at some point in their life. Maybe you have a physical illness or infirmity that is sapping the life from your body. A stressful time at home or work has taken the last ounce of energy you have, and your heart feels bitter and broken. You may want to give it up, believing there is no reason to go on. You have no more tears to cry. Your heart has become brittle and hard, like the bones lying on the desert floor. Are you walking through the valley of the shadow of death? Has all your hope faded away?

There are moments when we can feel trapped in the valley with no way to escape. Sometimes what we see with our physical eyes leads us to believe nothing more can be done. Thank God He has the wisdom and power to see and act beyond what we dub as a hopeless, helpless matter. With one breath, God can blow life-giving air into what we thought was dead. Healing can occur even in the valley of dry bones. There is no problem, health issue, or situation beyond the reach and restoration of our God.

The Lord gave Ezekiel hope for the future of Israel through his vision. There is hope for the hardest heart, healing for every broken life. There are some things we cannot fix, no matter how hard we try. But God can do all things. He has the power and authority to breathe everlasting life into a lost soul.

If you find yourself walking in the valley of dry bones today, look up and ask God for His healing breath over your life. He gives abundant and everlasting life to those who will repent and believe.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: healing for your dry and brittle bones. The breath of God changes everything.

___________________________________________

© 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, August 23, 2007

Weeping willow

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ezekiel 33, 34; Psalm 117

Psalm 117 (NIV)

1 Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples.

2 For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!

Ezekiel 17:5-6 (NIV)

5 [Ezekiel] took some of the seed of your land and put it in fertile soil. He planted it like a willow by abundant water, 6 and it sprouted and became a low, spreading vine. Its branches turned toward him, but its roots remained under it. So it became a vine and produced branches and put out leafy boughs.

Good evening!

An ornamental weeping willow tree proudly stood in the middle of the circle drive where I played as a child. It was a beautiful hybrid mix, resembling a Chinese Peking and a European White. Standing in its majestic form, the shelter underneath the slender, graceful branches made for a wonderful playhouse. The children in our neighborhood gathered there to play board games, do homework, and dream. The root system of a weeping willow lends itself to toughness. This tree has a tenacity for living a long, long time. It was my hiding place, a secret space where I often experienced the love and shelter of God.

Michael was my dear playmate and friend. He lived just across the street from our house. When we were five and three years old respectively, Michael asked me to marry him. Of course I said yes, and I practiced our wedding march every day in the costume wedding gown my mother had ordered from the Sears catalog. When Michael was eight years old, he began to fall down on the playground at school. His speech became slurry. A concerned teacher contacted Michael’s parents. Later that week, Michael was hospitalized and underwent surgery for a malignant brain tumor. The doctors successfully removed the growth but Michael suffered some irreparable brain damage as a result. He missed almost a year of school. When he was well enough to return, his disability necessitated that he attend special school. A bright yellow school bus would stop every morning to pick Michael up at his home. Unfortunately, the bus was too long to make a turn around the large weeping willow in the circle drive. With the neighborhood’s blessing, the City took the tree down so that Michael’s bus could easily fetch him for school each day.

That willow tree would have grown back had it not been for the layers of asphalt poured over its root system. It seemed like such a small sacrifice at the time, to help a dear friend in need. Still, the children in our neighborhood missed seeing our willow tree every day. We knew it was there, watching us from above as we played games in the circle drive. We were very thankful that our friend Michael had survived his illness. Michael’s physical infirmities never got in the way of his sweet, loving spirit. He was an earth angel to all of us.

The branches of a beautiful weeping willow blew softly in the breeze by the lake that sits in front of my office building. Staring at its timeless, intrinsic beauty, I was reminded of the love God has for you and me. A faithful and constant friend, God shelters you like the tender branches of the weeping willow. His root system is strong, nourishing and protecting His children day by day. He is the tree of life, extending faithfulness and everlasting love to all who call upon His name. Like our weeping willow tree, God even allowed Himself to be cut down just to save a dying soul. We may not always see Him, yet we know He is there, holding our hands and offering hope to the hopeless.

Come and enjoy the love of God tonight. Won’t you come and play underneath the weeping willow?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: His loving arms to hold you. He is a strong tower, and He will shelter you and carry you through every infirmity you face in life.

___________________________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Stirring the muddy water

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ezekiel 29, 30, 31, 32 (NIV)

Ezekiel 32:1-3 (NIV)

1 In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month on the first day, the Word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, take up a lament concerning Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him:” “You are like a lion among the nations; you are like a monster in the seas thrashing about in your streams, churning the water with your feet and muddying the streams.” ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:’ “With a great throng of people I will cast my net over you, and they will haul you up in my net.”

Good morning!

Last weekend, our daughter Rachel had taken Joshua and Emily shopping. It had just rained, and five-year-old Joshua was intrigued by the muddy water puddles on the shopping center parking lot. At first, Rachel was not so happy about this. She had taken the time to help the children change into nice clothes for the shopping trip; they had been bathed and were relatively clean. Somehow, jumping into the mud puddles didn’t seem to be part of her day’s plan. Three-year-old Emily quickly followed in her brother’s footsteps, and Rachel didn’t seem to have much luck dissuading them.

Sheer genius can emerge from just a little adversity. Obviously Rachel needed to gain her children’s attention. She took both of them by the hand, one on each side, and jumped as high as she could, landing in a huge mud puddle. The dirty water splattered all over Joshua and Emily. They began to whimper, “Mommy, we’re all dirty!” “Okay,” Rachel snickered as she walked toward the front door. Do you know those children want absolutely nothing to do with mud puddles now? If you even mention going outside and jumping in the puddles, they get this look of angst on their faces and say, “Oh no, we don’t want to jump in the puddles anymore.” It looked like fun for a time. My daughter has her mother's spunk.

Pharaoh liked to muddy the waters. He would stir up dirt whenever he had the opportunity to do so. A little personal power can pump an over-sized ego just a little too tight. Even the strongest balloons will pop with the sharp prick of a pin. And so it was with the great country of Egypt. God compares Pharaoh as a lion among nations, and yet, a net will be cast by a great multitude of God’s people and that net will haul him away.

Have you ever stirred up a little dirt in the mud puddles of your life? Yesterday while I was out whacking weeds, I spent a little time watering the flowers by the mini-pond at my back window. Some of the largest worms I have ever seen surfaced from underneath the dirt, just to delight themselves in the wet, slithery mud puddles. They would have made great fish bait. That’s the thing about stirring up the mud; it looks like fun at first. When we have to wear the nasty stains it leaves behind, somehow we realize it wasn’t nearly as much fun to play in as we first imagined.

Ezekiel held nothing back from the great Pharaoh. If we defy God, we will face judgment. Those stains cannot be washed away on our own. There is nothing that can remove the muck from our life except for the blood of Christ. He poured it out for you and me. He continues to offer His life to all who will receive Him. Jesus has the power to cover the stains we’ve created in the muddy puddles we’ve played in. He can make the deepest stain disappear by one touch of His healing hand.

Are you ready to come clean? Give Jesus Christ your heart today, and watch how those stains simply disappear.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: faith! Jesus sees you; He knows you; He wants to remove the stains left over from the muddy waters you’ve been playing in. Come out into the light of His love and let Him wash you clean today. When we defy God, we face judgment. Jesus Christ will cover your sin and give you a fresh new start. Believe and receive!

___________________________________________

© 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, August 21, 2007

Humble pie

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ezekiel 26, 27, 28 (NIV)

Ezekiel 28:1-5 (NIV)

1 The Word of the Lord came to [Ezekiel]: 2 “Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:’ ”In the pride of your heart you say, ‘I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas.’ But you are a man and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god. 3 Are you wiser than Daniel? Is no secret hidden from you? 4 By your wisdom and understanding you have gained wealth for yourself and amassed gold and silver in your treasuries. 5 By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth and because of your wealth, your heart has grown proud.”

Proverbs 18:12 (NIV)

12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

Good morning!

What is it like to be a rising star? Country music singer and songwriter, Mac Davis, knew a little bit about stardom and fame. I remember watching The Mac Davis Show on television. It aired from 1974 to 1976. In his career, Davis wrote and recorded many popular country music songs, was cast in several television sitcoms, and spent several years on tour. In 1980, Davis wrote and recorded the song, “It’s hard to be humble.” Aside from its catchy chorus, take a closer look at one of the verses:

I sat down and wrote me a little song.

Now this is how it feels to be alone;

at the top of the hill and trying to figure out why.

Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way.

I can’t wait to look in the mirror because I get better looking each day.

To know me is to love me.

Ezekiel spoke the Word of the Lord to the king of Tyre. This was an unpopular message. The king had become full of himself. The pride in his heart led him to foolishly believe he was a god. He felt invincible, especially while sitting on the throne, ruling a beautiful, perfect city. The king had his world by its tail and having that control felt good. He was well educated and self-sufficient, gaining wealth and riches every step of the way. He surrounded himself with the best of everything. And yet, the king of Tyre had nothing except an unrealistic illusion of himself. God said it was because of the king’s great wealth, his heart had become proud.

Humble pie is hard to swallow. When pride is half-baked in the ovens of our lofty imaginations, the enticing aroma and its sugary sweetness draws us in like an aphrodisiac. It is only when we taste the first bite that our lips pucker in its bitter taste. It is easy to become full of ourselves. We find ourselves falling into pride when we do not give credit where credit is due. When God gives you a victory, do you remember to thank Him? Maybe you have achieved great knowledge, acquired several degrees, and your skill sets have afforded you the nicer things of life. God gave you the mind to seek higher education. He gave you the will and strength to persevere and work hard. Are you successful because of what you’ve done or does your success come from the blessing of the Lord in your life?

Maybe God has given you a healthy and strong body. You may striking physical attributes. You may be photogenic – the perfect height and weight to model a professional clothing line, or find work in the theatre and film industry. Does your physical appearance overwhelm you to the point that you would spend a fortune simply trying to hang onto that youthful persona? Do you place more emphasis on the outward appearance than what God has created in your heart?

There is a fine line between taking pride in who we are and becoming a prideful, arrogant, self-centered individual. The Psalmist reminds us that humility always comes before honor. Have you ever experienced the sin of pride? It’s like the song says, “Now this is how it feels to be alone.”

If you are struggling today with the sin of pride, God has the power to remove the veil. We can deceive ourselves for only so long. The king’s kingdom was getting ready to tumble. Pride goeth before the fall. God has given you some amazing gifts; they are not of your making – every good gift comes from Him. You can begin again, by simply saying thank you to the One who has blessed your life, asking Him to remove the sin of pride from your heart today. The pedestal you have placed yourself on is going to fall. It is a lonely place at the top of the heap where reality and fantasy collide.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: a humble heart, recognizing that every good gift comes from God above. Look up and say thank you today for the gifts in your life. Ask Him to help you set aside the things that make you puff up with pride. Give credit where credit is due. Only God is worthy to receive our thanks and praise!

___________________________________________

© 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, August 20, 2007

When the safety net breaks

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ezekiel 23, 24, 25 (NIV)

Ezekiel 24:15-16 (NIV)

15 The word of the Lord came to [Ezekiel]: 16 “Son of man, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes. Yet do not lament or weep or shed any tears.”

Proverbs 18:11-12 (NIV)

11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall. 12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

Matthew 13:45-46 (NIV)

45 [Jesus said,] “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

Good morning!

What is your most valuable possession? Maybe you own a fine home, located on a secluded piece of property – a great place to get away and relax. Maybe your prize possession is a vintage automobile; something you have poured your life’s savings into. Its restoration and timeless beauty has brought you great personal joy. You may be a collector, a connoisseur of fine wine or food. Maybe your prize possession is a talent or gift – the love of art, cooking, sewing, creating things - tangible, visible works of love.

Many special gifts come in little packages – like diamonds or other precious stones. Maybe your prize possession is a little baby to love. We are all someone’s precious baby. Your family may very well indeed be your greatest treasure on earth.

Our nation has prided itself in providing a safe haven for its citizens. For several generations, we have enjoyed the privilege of security and freedom for our land. When the attack of September 11, 2001 occurred on American soil, the safety net we relied upon was raveled at its seam. Life took on a different meaning after the tragedy we experienced on that sad day.

God reminds us through the prophet Ezekiel that even our most valued possessions can be taken from us in the blink of an eye. We lose a loved one and the grief of that loss is overwhelming. The home that we’ve worked so hard to pay for is destroyed in a flood, fire, or marital collapse. The things we seem to place our pride in falls apart, and we wonder what happened. The security we felt confident in is somehow breached, and all of a sudden, we are left standing naked and exposed to the war around us. How could we lose something that meant so very much without even a warning? Were we warned and didn’t realize it? Is it possible that the prophet’s message has been given and we were simply too comfortable and satisfied to hear it?

Our greatest possession does not belong to us. We cannot buy it, earn it or barter for it. We don’t deserve it. The greatest possession we will ever know is the gift of grace, given through the love of God by Christ Jesus. He is the pearl of great price. The price tag is steep. Receiving Christ means repenting of our sins, the things that separate us from a perfect and holy God. It means we have to turn around and stop doing the things that may be bring us pleasure for a little while. The price comes in how we take the gift and use it. It may mean giving up a prized possession to help feed a starving soul in our city. Sometimes, we lose people we love because they just don’t understand why we would walk away from our comfortable settings and risk the unknown to introduce others to the Lord. The people we love most may reject us. And yet, there is only one pearl worth having. He is the only one that will never fade with time or change. His love cannot be snatched from us, no matter where we are or what we face.

God was preparing the people for a great loss. Beloved Jerusalem would be destroyed. The Lord asked Ezekiel to set the supreme example of faith. He instructed him to hold on and be strong, even when he faced a devastating personal loss. Have you lost something precious? If so, there is someone waiting to help you pick up the pieces and begin again. He will not leave you or forsake you, especially when life suddenly changes, and the delight of your eyes has all but disappeared.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: faith to hold onto the pearl of great price. Life can be tough. When we suffer loss, there is one who remains constant and faithful. He is worth pursuing at all costs. Do not let go of Jesus. He will free you from the sins of your past, love you through the hurts you face, and carry you home, even when the road is scary and unfamiliar. Jesus Christ is a safe haven. He will not ever let you go.

___________________________________________

© 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, August 19, 2007

Telling stories

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ezekiel 20, 21, 22 (NIV)

Ezekiel 20:49 (NIV)

49 Then [Ezekiel] said, “Ah, Sovereign Lord! They are saying of me, ‘Isn’t He just telling parables?’”

Luke 12:54-56 (NIV)

54 [Jesus] said to the crowd, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. 55 And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?”

Luke 8:10 (NIV)

10 [Jesus] said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom have been given to you, but to others I speak in parables so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see, though hearing, they may not understand.’”

Good morning!

Everyone likes a good story. We read books that weave tales of people and places and events, some true and some seen through the imaginary eyes of men. We hear stories unfold over the radio waves and watch them become larger than life on the big screen at our local movie theatres. The art of telling a good story is big business. Everyone has a story to tell. What’s your story? How will you choose to tell it?

God has a story to tell, and He chose to reveal Himself through the words of the prophet Ezekiel. Ezekiel was a story teller. One might assume he was a sci-fi story teller. His words of doom and gloom to a people who would not listen were treated with apathy, distain, and even mild hysteria. How could Ezekiel be believed? Wasn’t he just weaving a tale, simply telling a story that doesn’t make any sense? Do his words really matter to anyone?

God continued to tell his story through the lives of His faithful children. He sent servant boys, kings, priests, and prophets to share His Word with the world. It fell on deaf ears. The children were way too busy trying to reshape God’s story in a way that made it easier for them to accept. They didn’t like the prophecies of God’s wrath and anger falling on the righteous and unjust equally. They hated the notion that God might not accept their sinful predispositions and personal preferences, and that He would demand that the people must take steps toward perfection, by leaving their sinful ways behind.

When the people refused to listen to the prophets, God did something even more radical than anything you and I could even begin to imagine. He sent a part of Himself, His only Son, to tell His story. The people snickered and jeered. They resented a perfect human living in an imperfect world. Not only did they reject the holy and divine, they strung Him up on a cross of shame as a symbol to the world that even God’s perfection could not overcome a sinful and shameless world. Could God overcome?

The greatest story ever told is the story we tell today. Jesus Christ lives! He walked the earth in human flesh and told God’s story, not only through story telling, but through His obedience and love for the world. Jesus died at the hands of a sinful humanity. He was a sinless spotless lamb, slain for our redemption. He was buried in the tomb, and was resurrected in three days, by the power of the living God. He spilled His life’s blood to save you and me from our sin. He created a bridge that we can cross into everlasting life with Him forever. He has called us to tell His story to all the world.

While there are many stories out there, some that spin the truth into an unrecognizable state, there is only one story worth telling. There is only one truth to share. His name is Jesus Christ. He waits for you to look beyond what you see with your eyes, and trust Him enough to give Him your whole heart today. Which story will you listen to? Which story will you choose to believe? Jesus Christ is no secret. He is the way, the truth and the life.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: faith to let go of the false and embrace the truth! God sent His Son Jesus Christ to free you from sin and save you from yourself. He is the One we can hold onto today. Won’t you give your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ 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.