Saturday, September 29, 2007

Recognizing the face of God

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Matthew 13, 14; Psalm 127

Matthew 14:34-36 (NIV)

34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to Him, 36 and begged Him to let the sick just touch the edge of His cloak, and all who touched Him were healed.

John 20:29 (NIV)

29 Then Jesus told [Thomas], “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Good morning!

Jesus told lots of stories to help illustrate and prove God’s love for humanity. Have you ever struggled to understand them? A parable compares something familiar, like an event or an act, to something totally unfamiliar. These stories never end the way one might expect them to. Recognition of the Master was a key ingredient to understanding His story. How do you think the people in Gennesaret recognized Jesus Christ?

We have many ways to identify people today. With the help of the media and photography, we are now able to picture a person’s face, even if they have never met them. I am able to put a face with the President of the United States, members of Congress, and our military leaders. I recognize news correspondents by their images displayed across my television set. We recognize actors by their faces on the covers of magazines and on the big screen at our theatres. Even social networking websites encourage folks to post a photograph next to the words they write. We associate who people are by the picture we have of them in our mind.

Jesus came to give humanity a picture of the nature and love of God. We begin to put a face with the Great I Am. There were no flyers, no advertisements, and no pictures to pass from town to town about the arrival of God. There was only word of mouth; what people had heard. It is no wonder the entire community of Gennesaret gathered to see the One who could heal the sick, cast out demons, and offer salvation to the lost. But don’t you wonder how they knew Jesus had even arrived?

Before we can meet a need, one must recognize that a need exists. Before someone can receive restoration, there has to be some recognition on their part that something in their life needs repair work. Before we can open our hearts to the notion of a Savior, we must realize our need to be saved. When Jesus showed up that day in Gennesaret, there were families looking for answers for their sick kids. The people were hungry and were looking for food. They had heard stories they did not understand, but somehow knew in their hearts that the master storyteller was speaking truth to the world.

Do you think they recognized Christ by the look in His eyes? Maybe it was the way He walked that caught their immediate attention. The curious came out of their homes and followed what appeared to be a crowd. Everyone wanted to get a good look at Jesus of Nazareth. They wanted to picture His face in their hearts and minds, longing to see the One who was bringing a new hope to the region of Galilee. There were some who didn’t like what they saw. Yet, there were those who believed sight unseen. They knew who He was before He ever arrived. More than anything else, they longed to be healed and knew if they could just touch the hem of His garment, He had the power to make them whole.

Do you have enough faith to believe in the One whom you have never seen? Could you trust His stories, even the ones that don’t make logical sense? If Jesus Christ walked into your community today, how would you recognize Him? Would you follow the crowd out of curiosity? Would you believe He has the power to change even the hardest heart? How would you notice if God were standing next to you at the store, or pumping gas at the local filling station, or sitting across from you at your favorite restaurant.

Reread today’s scripture lesson, and replace the word Gennesaret with your city’s name. In order to recognize our need, we must know a need exists. How much do our cities need Jesus Christ today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: recognition. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Would you recognize Jesus Christ if He were standing next to you in a crowd?

____________________________

© 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, September 28, 2007

Careless words

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Matthew 10, 11, 12

Matthew 12:35-37 (NIV)

35 [Jesus said,] The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that man will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

Psalm 34:1 (NIV)

1 I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.

Good morning!

Have you ever said something you instantly regretted? I’ve been known to drop a few careless words here and there. Sometimes they fall like bricks from my mouth, smashing into tiny little pieces all over the floor. I try to sweep them up, but somehow, a little shred embeds itself in my bare foot. When someone speaks a harsh word to you, it can cut like a knife. Hurtful words are difficult to forget and even harder to forgive. Do you often find yourself over-exposed by a careless, spoken word?

In 1964, our family sat around the black and white Motorola television set, laughing hysterically at the antics of Abner and Gladys Kravitz on the thirty-minute comedy sitcom, Bewitched. Played by actresses Alice Pearce and Sandra Gould, Gladys was a very nosy neighbor, constantly looking for something or someone to gossip about. She kept a pair of binoculars near her bedroom window, where she would spend hours watching people come and go. Abner Kravitz was a remarkable man. Played by actor George Tobias, Abner learned to remain silent through most of Gladys’ unending tirades. Gladys experienced sheer moments of exasperation by not being able to get a rise out of her saint-like spouse who remained engrossed in his morning paper. Abner learned to keep his head down and mouth shut. Oh, to have the self-control of Abner Kravitz! While I hate to admit it, I must confess that my husband Jeff is much better at keeping his mouth shut than I am. Don’t you wonder how the Lord will receive the person who has learned the fine art of keeping silent? This is one heavenly reward I know I will not qualify for; no, I’m not even close.

When we insert “foot into mouth” to maintain our silence, the heart speaks loud and clear. Our words may be the outward expression of some inward pain that has been eating us inside. God knows our hearts, and He hears us speak before we ever utter a single word. Will the thoughts and feelings you hold inside acquit or condemn you one day?

It is said that we are what we eat. The same is true of our thoughts. We are what we think. Jesus coached His disciples in matters of the heart. He encouraged them to focus not on the trivial but on what is truly important. Honoring the Lord who gives me life is the most important thing I will ever do. When I purposefully choose to honor God, my heart begins to soften, as the attitudes and harsh words I have carried around begin to fall away. Honoring the Lord begins and ends every day in prayer and praise. I praise the Lord every morning when I get up. I choose to set aside time to thank Him for His mercy and love in my life. During the course of the day, I focus my heart on His grace and peace. Thinking about the greatness of God keeps harsh words from spewing out of my mouth. It is easier to praise and pray, than to steam and stew over the actions of my neighbors. God cares about what I think. More than that, He cares about who I choose to think about. The words that fall from my lips reveal the person I am.

Today, I would challenge you to pay close attention to the words that you say. Where are they coming from? What prompts you to speak the words you utter? Maybe we need to redirect our thoughts toward the only One who can heal our scarred and heavy hearts. When we daily praise His holy name, seeking God’s face, the words that flow from our lips begin to change in the light of His everlasting love.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: God to fill your heart with adoration and praise! Change your focus and look away from the things that distress and disturb you. Think about the wonder and glory of God and give Him your praise! He can change the words of your mouth, and the condition of your heart, if you will let 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.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

Overpaid

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Matthew 8, 9; Psalm 126

Matthew 9:9-13 (NIV)

9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him. 10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him and His disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’”

Good morning!

A Muslim man converted to Christianity after his family had been exposed to a vibrant Christian community of faith. When asked about his conversion, he told this story. His father owned a small grocery store in a very poor part of town. Many of his customers could not afford to pay for their food or medicine. A pastor, who frequented his place of business, always overpaid for his purchases. Insisting the shop owner take the extra money and use it to help someone that day who might not be able to afford their purchase. It was the preacher’s son who invited the shop owner’s son to church one weekend. The shop owner allowed his son to go, because he knew and trusted the heart of that preacher. Have you ever overpaid and was truly happy about it?

After worship, the boys would go out to eat dinner with members of the local youth group and its pastors. He felt a little uncomfortable, as he never had any money to help pay for his food. Someone always bought his dinner. They never made a big deal about it. Money just always appeared and he was able to eat dinner every Sunday night with his best friend. He really felt like he was part of the group. One December evening as they were leaving the restaurant, a young waitress ran out onto the parking lot, looking for the youth leaders. “Excuse me,” she said. “You way overpaid for your meal tonight. The bill was less than $30 and a $100 tip was left at the table.” The young boy was amazed as he listened to the response of his best friend. “Ma’am, you have small children at home?” “Yes,” the waitress said, somewhat confused by his question. “You work hard for us every week, fixing our food, taking our orders, and serving us dinner. That tip was appropriate. We all emptied our pockets and gave you what we had because we want you and your family to be blessed. You have been so good to us. We wish we had more to give you.” The woman, in stunned silence, broke into tears. Thanking the group, she told them she hoped whenever they visited the restaurant, she hoped they would sit at her table and allow her to serve them. Have you ever overpaid someone on purpose?

Matthew was a Jew who was hired by the Romans to collect taxes. He not only took money from his neighbors and friends, and also from the merchants passing through town. Tax collectors were paid on commission, yet most of them overcharged the people and kept all the profit for themselves. Matthew had a reputation for greed, cheating, stealing, and supporting the evil Roman rule. Why would Jesus befriend a tax collector like Matthew?

The new Christian convert said it was the care and compassion shown for that waitress and her family that took him from seeking to believing. He saw Christ’s love displayed in the lives of his pastors, youth leaders, and friends. Their passion and compassion for others and reaching out with everything they had to give, made the person of Jesus Christ become a real and living presence in his life. He could see it in the selflessness in his friends and understand that kind of love can only come from God. How often do you show true mercy to the stranger who passes you at your local market, or who to the one waits your table at the restaurant where you eat dinner at night?

It is no wonder when Matthew met Jesus, he jumped at the invitation to follow Him. Matthew knew this man was different. He knew his life would be forever changed by the One who chose to spend time with his friends and co-workers, risking ridicule by society’s elite, and teachers of the law. Jesus way overpaid to save humanity from their sin. His merciful heart and compassion for all continues to reach out to every generation around the world. When someone gives you an undeserved gift that you cannot begin to repay, what will you do with it? Can you look into the eyes of the One who loves you and say, “No thanks?” Or will you leave your life of sin behind, drop everything, and simply follow the Lord?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: opportunities to overpay someone today. A new Christian rejoices as every one of his family members believe in the risen Christ. When you overpay, it may be the one thing that makes an everlasting difference in the life of another human soul.

____________________________

© 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, September 26, 2007

A template for prayer

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Matthew 5, 6, 7

Matthew 6:5-8 (NIV)

5 [Jesus said,] “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth: they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

Good morning!

When I attended my first scrapbook crop, the consultant handed me a blank 12x12 scrapbook page, some pretty markers, a page of stickers and a template. She smiled at me and said, “Okay Deb, it’s time to create!” Oh boy. I hadn’t created anything spectacular since grade school art class and what I took home was something only a mother could love. And even though I may have an active imagination, taking those colors and hues from inside my mind’s eye and transferring them onto a blank page does not come easy for me. I need that template to guide me.

Have you ever felt at a loss while trying to pray? Thank goodness that Jesus provided His disciples with a template for prayer. If you are like me, personal prayer time may not come easy for you. We wonder where to begin. When conversing with others, we speak our minds and then wait for a reply. Often, it is difficult to speak our heart and then wait for God’s reply to us. He always answers, but I can tell you from my own experience, I do not always hear or understand what it is He is saying.

It can feel just a little weird going into a room and shutting the door and talking to God without a visual aid to help you focus. That is why I truly enjoy spending time in prayer rooms. Prayer rooms are awesome places to connect with our Lord, who sees, hears and answers. It does not have to be a big room, in fact, I prefer a smaller space. A comfy chair with a reading lamp, box of tissue and some soft throw pillows help make the room an inviting place to speak your heart. It is especially helpful to have either a table or an altar area with a Bible and a prayer guide to help focus our hearts on His Word. I like looking at the cross when I pray. Having a cross on the table or hanging on the wall make a purposeful focal point and draws us closer to Him. Prayer rooms can be anywhere – a physical place inside your church, a designated spot in your home, and even in your closet, if you can make a space in between all your shoes and clothing. My automobile is a virtual prayer closet. There are times when I simply pour my heart out to the Lord while driving down the highway between work and home. One must remember to always keep their eyes open while praying and driving in the car.

Jesus expressed concern for how the people approached the Father in prayer. Grandstanding and wordy, flowery gibberish, does not impress God. He goes deeper than the vocabulary that pours from our lips. God looks at our hearts. He is much more interested in our sincerity and desire to connect with Him as we spend time worshipping, confessing, and praising Him in prayer. He sees right through the rote rituals and memorized prayers we repeat. If it means nothing to us as the words fall from our lips and disappears into thin air, how can our prayers mean anything to the Father who knows us even better than we know ourselves?

Of all the things I find most comforting in life, I am thankful the Lord knows what I need before I ask Him. There are times when I’m not sure I know what I need or how to even ask. When I first started purposefully praying each day, I used to make a laundry list of all my needs and the needs of those I was praying for and then presented them in chronological order to the Lord. I learned that He was listening and answering even as I wrote the names and needs on the paper. God was hearing my prayers before I ever spoke the words out loud. I love serving a Lord who hears me before I even open my mouth.

I’ve often wondered about Jesus’ promise of a reward for those who pray in secret, and I’ve learned that the reward is Him. It is the Jesus Christ Himself, showing up and listening to my heart. It is His everlasting arms of grace that wrap me up in mercy and love, so undeserved. It is a relationship that I cannot describe adequately with human words. Even if praying alone behind closed doors makes you feel a little bit awkward at first, I want to encourage you not to stop. Like every relationship we build with family members and friends, the joy that comes from spending time in sacred conversation with the Lord is not only time well spent, but it will be the spiritual under girding that moves you through each day.

I know a pastor who is called by the Lord to teach and encourage people on prayer and inviting the presence of God into their daily lives. His life experiences and teaching has made a huge impact in my personal prayer time with God. He will be leading a prayer seminar in St. Charles, Missouri and Kansas City, Missouri, November 3-4, 2007. If you would like to go with me and hear Dr. Terry Teykl speak, please e-mail me today at songofdeborah@hotmail.com. I will be happy to provide you with more information about this worthwhile prayer seminar.

Sometimes we just need someone to hand us a blank page and a template to guide us. May the Lord of life write upon your heart the prayers He desires you to pray. The Father knows your every need before you even utter the words. His desire is for you to speak with Him in holy conversation every day of your life, and throughout all eternity.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: God to give you the desire to enter into a holy conversation with Him. Take some time to draw near to the Lord in prayer. Go into your room and shut the door, and seek the treasure of an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus Christ today. If you seek Him, He will find you.

____________________________

© 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, September 24, 2007

Are we there yet?

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Matthew 1, 2; Psalm 124

Psalm 124:8 (NIV)

8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Matthew 1:17 (NIV)

Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.

Good morning!

I take great comfort in knowing that God has a master plan in place, especially on days like today, when I seem to have many more questions than answers. Do you ever wake up with a laundry list a mile long and wonder how His peace can possibly bring comfort to a questioning heart? The Scripture says that “God’s peace passes all human understanding,” and I am holding on to this Word today.

Our children used to ask a million and one questions when we would travel. “Are we there yet?” was, by far, the most asked question on our road trips. Do you ever ask God “if you are there yet?” I wonder if He feels some of the same frustration I felt when my children continually asked me the same questions over and over again. Another question that seemed to pop up regularly was the one word wonder, “Why?” Do you ever ask God why? I know I do. In fact, I found myself asking Him that very question about an hour ago in prayer. How He longs for me to trust Him all the more, especially when I cannot seem to see the bigger picture.

My heart is drawn today to three precious people. All three have suffered with illness for almost all of their lives. A precious woman, blessed with a sharp and brilliant mind, but whose physical body has failed her through the years, lies in a semi-conscious state, lingering between this life and the life to come. Another woman fights to live as she remains at the top of a multiple transplant list. And a sweet little angel baby, born with a brain tumor, is preparing for yet another major surgery today. I cannot help but ask God, Why aren’t we there yet? With the medical advances and technology at our fingertips today, why can’t we eliminate the pain and suffering these illnesses and injuries bring into our daily lives? Why do little babies have to suffer so? Why do our bodies fail us when we have so much living left to do? What is your purpose and plan in the midst of grief and despair?

While traveling down life’s highway, after the questions have been asked over and over again, a miraculous thing occurs. His perfect peace falls over every road-weary traveler, who counts the mile markers and wonders when they will reach their destination. I wish I had all the answers to the why questions in life. I am grateful to know the only answer I will ever need to know. His name is Jesus. And when there are no words, there is His name. When I call upon the name of Jesus, all of the questions in my mind seem to slip into the comfort of His precious peace that passes all understanding.

If you are struggling today with a “why” question, or “are we there yet,” I would encourage you to cry out the name of Jesus, and allow His perfect peace to take hold of your wondering heart. It is good to know that He has a master plan and He hears our prayers and calms our questioning hearts. His peace is more than enough, even when we do not understand why, when, or how.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: His peace. When I cannot see the hand in front of my face, I’m grateful my God has a master plan in place. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

____________________________

© 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, September 23, 2007

Treasured possession

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Malachi 1, 2, 3, 4

Malachi 3:16-18 (NIV)

16 Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored His name. 17 “They will be mine,” says the Lord Almighty, “in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”

Good morning!

I have five treasures in my life. Their names are: Jett, Joshua, Emily, Madison and Andrew, our grandchildren. Every child has a unique and special place in my heart. Ranging in age from seven years to three months, these grandbabies bring great joy to my life. I realize that I must stay as young as I can, in order to keep up with them. Sometimes, they wear me out with their joyful exuberance. Most of the time, I’m up for the challenge.

Joshua and Emily have been staying with us periodically since their mommy had cancer surgery. Rachel is doing a little better each day. Thank you for praying for her. Last week, she became quite ill with what appeared to be a very serious post-surgical infection. A lot of prayer and little chicken soup made all the difference. Yesterday morning, Rachel felt well enough to ride to the soccer park to watch Joshua play soccer. We are seeing miracles unfold daily in the lives of our children, and for that, we stand in absolute awe of our great and mighty Jehovah Jireh.

This morning, Joshua and Emily were playing in the great room, and I heard Emily scream, and immediately, Joshua say, “I’m sorry, Emily.” Crying, Emily shouted, “I’m telling on you.” She came running into the study where I sat reading the Word. I knew she was coming. She crawled up on my lap and said, “Joshua hurt my arm.” I took a quick look and found no permanent damage. Holding her close, I said, “Emily, Joshua said he was sorry. I heard him say it. I don’t think he meant to hurt you.” I wiped the tears from her face and gently whispered. “And now, do you know what you need to do?” She shook her head at me. I said, “You need to forgive Joshua for hurting you. I want you to go back into the great room and tell Joshua that you forgive him and that you love him.” Furrowing her eyebrows, Emily looked at me and with great conviction said, “I don’t want to!” How many times are we hurt by another person, and when God calls us to forgive, we say the exact same thing! “Why should I forgive them? They don’t deserve it. Their words and actions really hurt me. I’d rather hang on to my pain and carry it around for awhile. I’ll just chew on it, spew it, and let that hard, crusty scar cover my soft and vulnerable heart.” We disobey God every time we choose not to forgive. There are times when it seems so much easier to bear a grudge than to let it go completely.

God didn’t have to forgive us either. He could have sent all of humanity away without even a second chance. He gave us the free will to choose whether to love and obey Him, or do our own thing. How many people do you know who perfectly obey the will of the Lord every day, without fail? Have you ever disobeyed God and failed to apologize for it?

The Lord Almighty listens to our prayers for forgiveness. On the Day of Atonement, when we are brought into “at-oneness” with our creator, redeemer and friend, God promises to keep His treasured possession. For those who seek His will, seeking His forgiveness and grace, we learn how to forgive those who hurt us along the way. It is then we become His treasured possession.

When Emily returned to the great room, I heard Joshua ask, “What did Nanny say to you?” Emily said, “Nanny says I love you, and I do.” When God says to love one another as Christ loves us, our answer should always be, “God says I love you, and I do.”

This is the perfect day to let go of the hurt that keep you from forgiving your brother completely. Confess your hurt to the Lord today, allowing Him to remove the thick shell of unforgiveness from your life, once and for all.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: forgiveness! If we want to receive God’s forgiveness and grace, we must forgive and love each other. You are a treasured possession to the Lord. He knows you by name. Won’t you let Him heal your heart 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.