Friday, December 28, 2007

The end result


Daily Reading: Revelation 11, 12, 13

Revelation 11:16-18 (NIV)

16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshipped God, saying: “We give thanks to You, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign. 17 The nations were angry; and Your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding Your servants the prophets and Your saints and those who reverence Your name, both small and great – and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”

Good morning!

There is something wonderful about seeing the end result. We work hard to accomplish a goal. We follow a dream, hoping to see its fruition one day. I could help but notice the wonder of end results during this Advent season. God is good, all the time.

Some believe that the twenty-four elders mentioned in Scripture represent the completion of faith. There were twelve tribes of Israel and twelve Apostles. They represent two halves of a whole, faith from beginning to the end. Jews and Gentiles together, worshipping the Lord. It is the completion of all time; one cycle, one day, one lifetime. 12 + 12 = 24. The end result will soon be here.

There were four generations gathered in our home this Christmas. I sat on the sofa, looking around at the people I love in this room, and couldn’t help but remember when I was the little one, playing on the floor, ripping pretty Christmas papers and enjoying the bliss of receiving a very special gift. I remembered the very first Christmas I spent with my husband’s family. We were dating then, and his parents gave me a large, overstuffed teddy bear. It continues to be one of my very favorite Christmas gifts. We were young. My boyfriend actually had hair then! I’m not so young anymore. I see the children we dreamed of having one day, all grown up with children of their own. Their lives are more precious than anything I could have ever imagined. There are simply no words to describe the inexpressible the joy in watching a brand new generation grow up in God’s grace and love. The end result is always worth waiting for.

Last night, we welcomed our grandson Jett home. He had only been away for a week and a half, but this boy looked like he had grown several inches. We watched him play with his Christmas treasure, and laughed at his little sister, Madison, as she took her first steps toward construction and demolition. Jett would put it together, and Maddie would tear it down. Oh, the wonder of sibling rivalry! One day, they will be good friends, sitting together on the sofa, watching their grandchildren open presents. I wonder if they will feel the very same things I’m feeling at this priceless stage of my life.

There will soon come a day when we will all experience the fruition of God’s great master plan. His completion is coming upon the world. Every generation will one day rise up and praise the Lord together. As we enter into the end of the age, we long for and embrace a brand new heaven and earth, promised to the faithful ones. It is our long-awaited eternity spent in the never ending light of our Lord. As the days of this year begin to dwindle away and we look with anticipation to the New Year ahead, may God give us His vision to see glimpses of the end result. He will bring us full circle into His master plan of life eternal.

Dream big, my friends! The very best is yet to be.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: completion! God has created a marvelous work in you. He has given you life, and the possibilities for a new life lived by faith. If you do not yet know Jesus Christ, this is a perfect day to ask Him to be your Savior and Lord. God is completing His work in you and me. It’s time to take a peek at the end result.

___________________________

© 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, December 27, 2007

Rumblings

Daily Reading: Revelation 8, 9, 10

Revelation 8:3-5 (NIV)

3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

Good morning!

There are rumblings all over the earth today. Do you realize that the prayers of all the saints can cause such a stir? Last night, I watched one of my favorite Christmas special reruns, filmed by the Billy Graham Association. In this program, we visit a Children’s hospital, a prison ministry, and a poor community in South Africa. There, we see the Gospel message being gift-wrapped and delivered in a variety of ways. To see a child’s face light up with pure joy as they unwrap a gift of unconditional love, is truly an indescribable moment. That same look appeared upon the faces of many of the prison inmates, as they experienced their first real Christmas, when they gave their hearts to Jesus. My favorite segment is when Joni Eareckson Tada visits a hospital wing and sings a song of hope to the children who suffer day after day with physical limitations and infirmities. She gently reminds all who hear, that the greatest gift of all is the gift of adversity, which forces us to depend completely upon the Lord.

The prayers of all the saints continue to rise up to the golden altar before the throne of God. They become as sweet incense to the Lord. The Scripture says that when the prayers and smoke are mixed with the holy fire from God’s hand and hurled upon the earth, great rumblings occur everywhere. Are you experiencing His holy rumbling today?

Many people gave their hearts to God this Christmas. In the twinkling of the starlight, shadowed underneath the light of beautiful luminary candles lining the parking lot of Faith Church, several hundred souls came to worship and glorify the Lord of life. There is no greater gift than the welcome Jesus brings to all who whisper prayers of adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication. He hears and answers every one. Think about it. Your prayers rise up to the golden altar, where they are mixed with the smoke of holy fire, and become incense to the Father. He can taste your pain. He hears your every word. God understands. He sends His Son to earth to answer the prayers of the saints, who cry out for mercy and peace. Come, Lord Jesus, come and bring your harvest home this day!

There is a holy rumbling occurring throughout every nation in the world. People are praying with expectation and great longing. There is no doubt that our prayers are not only heard but answered. We see it in the manifestation of thunder, lightning, earthquakes, and rumblings. A new era is about to be birthed. Can you feel it?

No matter who you are, or where you live, God is not so far away that He cannot hear your quiet whispers. He knows your heart’s desire. Do you desire more of God in your life? Are you looking forward to the brand new year with expectation and hope? Is it your heart’s desire to share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others? How many prayers have you prayed for the ones who do not yet know the Savior of the world? God hears and knows the desires of every heart. He answers every prayer. What prayer will you lay upon His golden altar this morning?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: God’s plan and purpose to come full circle, as we wait for the fulfillment of all He has promised to do in the days ahead.

___________________________

© 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, December 26, 2007

Christmas puzzle

Daily Reading: Revelation 6, 7; Proverbs 30

Revelation 7:13-17 (NIV)

13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes – who are they, and where did they come from? 14 I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tent over them. 16 Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. 17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd. He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eye.

Good morning!

Every year, I look forward to working the “Christmas puzzle.” This has become a time-honored tradition in our home. Many years ago, a dear friend told me that I needed to “practice” putting puzzles together. I simply wasn’t very good at it. I had trouble seeing how the different shapes fit together. The colors were all so similar, and I couldn’t distinguish between its subtle hues. I like detail and intricacy, and the finished product never ceases to amaze. It’s kind of like writing a story or knitting a sweater – you just never know how it may turn out until you add the very last stitch. Putting that last piece into the puzzle brings a sense of accomplishment to all who labor to bring it to life.

Working puzzles can become a love/hate relationship for my children. It challenges our creativity, and sometimes holds us to our chairs longer than we would have liked to sit. We literally spend hours together, pouring over each piece and trying to see the bigger picture together. My grown children are quick at putting large puzzles together. When we work together, it can actually cut the puzzle construction time in half.

Some of my favorite pieces of art are the puzzles we’ve put together. I invest a little money in a good frame, non-glare glass, and a perfect matting to enhance its lifespan. Every time I hang a Christmas puzzle, I am reminded of the hours we spent together creating a beautiful work of art that now decorates our homes. I couldn’t help but notice yesterday, how our family continues to grow and expand with each new piece being added every year. We were not all together this time. Some of our most important pieces were missing. My brother-in-law is in the hospital, suffering with a pulmonary embolism. Two of my boys, my sister, niece, son and son-in-law, were working, helping others on Christmas Day. My father has not been with us for eleven Christmases now, and yet, the memory of his life fuels our fellowship each year. He would have loved having seen all the grand babies and great nieces. If he had been here, I imagine he would have been on the floor, rolling around with them, and playing like a little kid himself.

The Apostle John was trying to wrap his mind around the future vision. As he walked alongside the angel, John simply could not comprehend who those people were, standing there in their white robes, praising God. The angel replied, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” [Rev. 7:14] They are the ones whose lives were given in martyrdom to faith in Christ. They survived the most horrific of all circumstances, and suffered cruel and inhumane deaths to carry the Gospel message in the world. They were refined by fire, and now are clothed in Christ’s righteousness alone. Their finished art form is the most magnificent of all and completes God's masterful handiwork.

Our lives are intricate pieces of humanity's puzzle. In His creation, we embrace the love of God through His only Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our puzzle pieces may have rough edges now and our unique shapes may not seem to fit well together, at first. As we continue to grow in grace and learn to love each other, we watch in wonder as He places our life’s piece in the proper place at just the right moment in history. He is recreating a beautiful work - His Work of art for our lives. We are all important to Him, every piece critical to the completed design.

If you struggle today to see the bigger picture, may I encourage you today to begin a brand new tradition. Put a Christmas puzzle together with your family. See how the pieces of history fit perfectly into God’s master plan. Pursue the finished product with everything you’ve got. At just the right moment, God can take a transformed heart and give you a brand new robe, purified in Christ. We will one day stand in His righteousness alone. His puzzle will be complete and beautiful to behold. What we may not see clearly now is being formed in the palm of the Master’s hand.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: vision, to see His bigger picture! Every person has a special and unique place in the Father’s creative work. Let us celebrate God’s family today. Together, we can fulfill His call on our lives, if we are willing to persevere through a little tribulation.

___________________________

© 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, December 24, 2007

Revelation!

Daily Reading: Revelation 1, 2, 3

Revelation 1:1-3 (NIV)

1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, 2 who testifies to everything he saw – that is, the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed in the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.

Luke 2:4-7 (NIV)

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Good morning!

What is a revelation? The dictionary defines the word as an act of revealing or disclosing; something revealed, especially a dramatic disclosure of something not previously known or realized. In theology, it is said that a revelation is a manifestation of divine will or truth. Revelations can occur in the most unexpected moments. All of us struggle to answer the greater questions of life. Why am I here? What is my greater purpose? Is there a master plan, and if so, how do I fit into it? Who is the master creator? Does He love me?

Revelations come through simple life experience. Something extraordinary happens and suddenly, you realize there is more to learn, see and experience. Truth is often experienced in our hopes and dreams. We begin to ponder matters of faith, and in our pondering, we seek His truth. The answer may be right in front of us, but for many, it takes a lifetime of seeking to find it. Revelation happens just when we least expect it.

The greatest revelation we will ever know is the gift of Jesus Christ, our Savior, God’s only Son. Thousands of years ago, people of faith were anticipating the arrival of their King. It had been foretold there would be One who would one day come to save the world; yet who could have imagined God sending a tiny little baby? We remember the birth of our infant King, especially today, in a strange and foreign land, with no place sleep, except inside a cold, dark stable. God’s greatest gift was revealed to the shepherds out in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks that night. Wise men followed a star for years, looking for the king that had come. While many slept peacefully in their beds, the miracle of all miracles occurred, and only a handful of people knew! Revelations are like that – they are never mere coincidence. Just when we least suspect it, God reveals Himself to the world. It is a holy mystery.

Have you experienced the revelation of God the Father in Jesus Christ?

John, the beloved disciple of Jesus, was given a vision of a time when His Lord would return to earth once more to claim His redeemed. John received a message of great hope, and even though his words are confusing, we begin to see God’s greater plan unfolding in the world to come.

This Christmas, I pray that you will receive a special revelation of God through His Son, Jesus Christ. Today, we celebrate the infant’s love, and the joy of knowing He is with us forever, our Emmanuel. May you be surprised at the wonder of sweet Salvation. Jesus came for you and for me. Open your heart to the Lord today, and let Him reveal His love in a brand new way.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: Revelation! God’s Son, Jesus Christ, is born to save the world from sin. Come and worship the newborn King! I’ll see you tonight as we light the candles of hope around the world.

___________________________

© 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, December 23, 2007

Following the light of life


Daily Reading: Jude; Proverbs 27, 28

Jude 1:17-25 (NLT)

17 But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said. 18 They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. 19 These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them. 20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. 22 And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. 23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives. 24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen.

Good morning!

I’ve been known to arm-wrestle a couple of Christmas trees in my life. One Christmas seems to stand out, when I did pulled out every trick I knew to get an OLD artificial tree to stand for just one more Advent season. It kept falling over even after I tried several different tree stands. I was determined to find a way to make it last. I ended up tying the top of the tree to the ceiling and hiding my tether with a great big star. It was not a happy moment. I remember doing a lot of muttering that year. This tree must have fallen at least once a week throughout the holidays. It got tossed on December 26th.

This year, we’ve encountered a little “light situation” with our tree. After giving up on that invalid Tannenbaum, we purchased an “Everlast” pre-lit tree at the after-Christmas sale. I looked forward to setting the tree up the following year. It came with a lifetime warranty, guaranteeing its stability and reliability. If you ever see those two words together in a warranty, buyer beware! The only stable and reliable One I know is the One who died for me.

We began to lose our guaranteed pre-lit lights during the last holiday season. Obviously, twinkle lights have a lot shorter life span than I do. I thought maybe I had simply wired the tree incorrectly. Electrical plugs only seem to work well when connected in a certain order, and I confess, I have been known to struggle with order occasionally. This year, I realized these pre-lit tree lights only worked at the very top and bottom of its branches. I didn’t let this little issue ruin my tree trimming fun. I simply added some lights to the middle of the tree, and it looked absolutely beautiful, that is, until the pre-lit lights went out this weekend at the very top and bottom of the tree. My tree looks a little sad, and now, I find myself wondering just two days before Christmas whether I should take it apart and begin again. Aren’t the holidays fun? Lord, have mercy.

Have you ever noticed how some things can look really good at first, and then, after a little observation, begin to fade with time? If we listen carefully to the words of our brother Jude, he makes an important point for all of us to hear. There are some who, at first sight, appear to be following Jesus Christ, the light of life. Somehow, in their journey, they lose sight of the Lord, and begin focusing on their own little light, instead of His. Just like our pre-lit Christmas tree that comes with a “lifetime guarantee,” those who bear false light begin to burn out prematurely. People become dismayed and wonder whether they can ever know the Way, the Truth and the Life. When a brother or sister’s faith begins to waiver, Jude reminds us that we are to be merciful. We are exercise caution, remembering to love the sinner, while hating the sin. Whenever we take our eyes off the true Light of Life and focus our hearts on what is temporary, we risk losing our souls in the dark.

Maybe someone you know is struggling to find the one true light. We can count on His everlasting light, not only for this world, but in the world to come. He is the only light worth finding and following. Mercy is the word of the day.

Lord, teach us how to be merciful with the ones who have lost sight of Your light. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the light of life to be your light – the only One who will not fade with time. Help us to share Christ’s light with the world, this Christmas. He is the only guarantee that will stand the test of time. Show a little mercy to those who have lost their way.

___________________________

© 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.