Reversing the lens

Today’s Reading: John 9:39 (NIV)

39 Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

Good morning!

Yesterday at work, I was trying to focus my eyes on some printed material right in front of me, and was having the most difficult time reading the text. I’ve worn corrective contact lenses for years, but it seemed like my vision had changed overnight. Because I’m diabetic, I have to watch acute visual changes. I grabbed my glucometer and checked my blood sugar; it was fine. Yet, I couldn’t read the words on the page. Have you ever had this experience? Out of sheer desperation, I went to the ladies’ room and switched my contact lenses, and what do you know - I could see clearly again! Have you ever put your contact lenses in the wrong eyes? I wish I could tell you this was the first time I’ve done it, but that would not be true. Sometimes, I need to experience a lens reversal so I can see clearly once more.

The Pharisees were not happy with the man from Nazareth. He was stepping on toes, healing sinful people on the Sabbath, and making quite a stir in town. I think it is safe to say they did not like Him at all. They couldn’t understand His purpose for coming and they refused to try. A role reversal was occurring right before their very eyes, but the Pharisees simply couldn’t see it. They were blinded to the truth of Jesus Christ.

When we have difficulty reading and understanding God’s Word and how it speaks to our hearts, we need to stop and check our spiritual lens. Maybe we’ve unintentionally reversed it, which is why we cannot see the truth clearly. We get so bent on seeing things the way we want to see it, rather than trying to understand what God may actually be saying. Do you know what I mean?

It is easy to see things through our own personal lens. We need the help of the Holy Spirit to recognize the Truth. Jesus can heal our spiritual blindness, when we ask Him to help us see and understand His truth clearly. If you are struggling to see clearly today, try reversing the lens you are looking through. It may clear up your vision instantly!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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.

Miraculous mud pack!

Today’s Reading: John 9:13-15 (NIV)

13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man’s eyes was a Sabbath. 15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.”

Good morning!

I sat on the edge of my bed last night, watching Kirk Cameron interview one of my favorite Christian groups, Avalon, while rubbing my tired, dry feet with moisturizing lotion. This is the time of year when dry skin gives me grief. I’ve kept warm winter boots on for a couple of months now, and just like the tulips peeking through the crusty hard soil in my garden bed, these tiny toes are screaming to break out into some colorful spring sandals. Do you fight with patches of dry skin in the winter time?

The man whom Jesus healed, had been blind from birth. His neighbors assumed that this boy was the byproduct of some lifelong sin that had occurred, causing him to be blinded from birth. He was tolerated in his hometown by the locals. Like a patch of dry, crusty, skin, they lived with him, much to their dismay. People would go out of their way to avoid this lonely beggar, as he sat and asked for help each day. A few kind souls had compassion on him. They would drop off a sack lunch – a few fish and some unleavened bread so he wouldn’t sit there and starve. Occasionally, he would receive a coin or two from a generous heart. No one wanted to be near the man with eyes that could not see. He was an eyesore to the righteous ones.

Jesus made miraculous mud packs from the dirt of the soil and with his saliva, placed it on the man’s eyes. The scales fell off in the water as he washed. Everything that had been dry and cracked, broken and bleeding, became soft and pliable with His holy touch. The blind man was desperate for healing. Desperate situations require complete and total faith. He was tired of being the community’s callous; the flake that sat at the edge of the world hoping his life might one day be transformed. Jesus gave this man a new life, perfect vision, and a softened heart.

One would have thought the Pharisees would have been relieved to have seen such a miracle with their very own eyes. But they were far more concerned that this man, who obviously didn’t deserve to be healed, was forever changed on their Sabbath, the most holy and high day of their week. Who do you think had the driest skin of all: the man whose eyes were opened, or the ones who couldn’t accept the miracle that had occurred?

Oh Lord, how I need to be washed in your miraculous mud pack today. You alone can remove the dry and crusty scales that have built up over time, transforming my hardened heart into something brand new. Heal my brokenness today, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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.

Wash up!

Today’s Reading: John 9:6-7 (NIV)

6 Having said this, [Jesus] spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

Good morning!

“Wash up for supper!” We could hear Mom shouting from the open window by the kitchen sink. My sister and I would come running in from the back yard, famished and ready to sit down for our family meal. We had a small step stool by the sink in the bathroom so we could reach the faucets and wash our hands. Daddy often worked outside until dark, so our evening meals were late, especially in the summer time. Daddy’s hands were filthy from mowing grass, working on our family car, and from the dirt he acquired while pulling weeds in the garden. He kept a jar of Goop® next to the sink, just to remove those hard, set-in stains.

“Scrub hard!” Mom would say as she heard the water running. Pammy and I would play around a little, slinging soapy water at each other. Occasionally, the water would splash in our faces. I was the family tattle tale. With pouting lips and a whine that could heard all over the house, I cried, “Mommy, Pammy got soap in my eyes!” “Stop fooling around and come to the table right now,” she would say. We would run to the kitchen table, sliding into our designated seats. Before we said the blessing, Mommy would look at our hands and faces to ensure we were actually clean. Often, we were sent back to the bathroom sink to wash again.

Jesus knew a little dirt mixed in the Master’s hand is a powerful, healing balm. Touching the blind man’s eyes with His miraculous mudpack, Jesus sent him to the pool of Siloam to wash up for the rest of his life. Willingly, the blind man went to the Pool of Siloam and washed his face and hands. He returned home, seeing clearly for the very first time.

Amazing miracles happen when we allow the Lord of life to wash us in His precious, healing blood. He has the power to remove our set-in, sinful stains once and for all. He will clean up your life, if you will let Him. Will you choose to obey when He sends you to the Pool of Grace to wash up?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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.

Daylight Savings Time

Today’s Reading: John 9:4-5 (NIV)

4 “As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

Good morning!

Daylight savings time has occurred in the US, and we lost an hour of sleep last Saturday night in an attempt to “spring forward.” I do not understand why it is so hard to lose that extra hour of rest, yet so easy to “fall back” in the fall. My body tells me I have misplaced an entire night’s rest. I think this must be symptomatic of some deeper revelation. Maybe it’s because I’m in the last week of quarter classes and I’m trying to finish up projects that are due this weekend. Maybe that is why I’m feeling a little extra fatigued. Does the switch to daylight savings time affect you this way?

I enjoy the longer daylight hours. There is something delicious about not having to drive home from work at 6pm in total darkness. It means I can go outside and play for an hour – I can actually see my messy garden beds that are begging for a little extra attention and tender loving care. I can take a walk and still see where I’m walking. When the weather warms up, the days will grow longer and soon we will be mowing the grass and pulling weeds. I have come to enjoy the extra time outside while the daylight lasts.

Jesus understood the value of His light. His Father sent Him to be the light of life to a dark and disillusioned world. He only had so much time to do the work of the One who had sent Him. Jesus knew that the night would eventually come, when no one would be able to work.

We have an amazing window of opportunity to share the Gospel message with others right now! There is still a little daylight left outside. How will you choose to use the extra time God has given you to plant seeds for His kingdom?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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.

Walking by faith and not by sight

Today’s Reading: John 9:1-3 (NIV)

1 As He went along, He saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in His life.”

Good day!

Yesterday afternoon, while attending a healing service at Faith Church, the Holy Spirit within me was immediately drawn to the words of our guest speaker. Nathan described his health battle with Guillaume Barre Syndrome, an often fatal disease that he, by the grace of God, survived. Nathan explained that this disease attacked his body quite suddenly and without warning, and how the Lord used his illness to bring healing and wholeness to his entire family, drawing them into a deeper relationship and walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. Nathan’s witness had a profound impact on all who were there to hear him speak. Even with the lingering side effects of neuropathy and involuntary twitches, Nathan is able to walk unassisted. He plays guitar and sings with a praise band at his church. He continues on in his career path, thanking God for the ability to work and earn an income for his family’s benefit. Nathan willingly shares his testimony and life experience with others, allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to speak through him. He compares his time of total paralysis to that of Jonah’s captivity in the belly of a big fish, during a season when Jonah wanted nothing more than to run from the call of the Lord upon his life. Nathan said that when he became ill, he was running from God’s call too.

When afflictions come, we try to explain it away by looking for someone or something to blame. Human nature teaches that the calamities of daily living are a direct link to our sinful ways. Yet, Christ took the example of the man born blind from birth as a means to bring the Father glory. Nathan learned that many who suffer from Guillaume Barre Syndrome will die from this disease. Some who are afflicted will remain on ventilators and in wheelchairs, unable to move or care for themselves without round-the-clock care. Nathan may never know why the Lord chose to heal him completely, but he does know from whence his healing came. He chooses to acknowledge God’s grace and mercy each new day of his life.

If you are like me, you may find yourself asking God why some people suffer so; why bad things have to happen. No matter what the adversity or affliction you bear, remember that God will use your circumstance to bring glory and honor to Him. Are you willing to let Him speak through you? We can be an encouragement to the people God has placed in our lives, simply by choosing to walk by faith, and not by sight.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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.

Catching doubt in the palm of His hand

Today’s Reading: Matthew 14:31 (NIV)

31 Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Good day!

I’ve been asking myself that very question for the last couple of days. Why do I doubt Christ’s Word? If He calls me to get out of the boat and walk across the water, shouldn’t I be able to without fear of sinking? Simon Peter and I have a whole lot more in common than I would like to admit. It’s a little hard to imagine, but I wonder if that man really did have red hair?

Last August, my twenty-eight year old daughter Rachel underwent cancer surgery in Saint Louis. When she followed up with her physician in October, her blood work and examination confirmed what we knew in our hearts to be true – she was healed of the cancer! Last December, Rachel’s medical tests results produced questionable results. In January, she began to experience cancer-like symptoms, and I began to wonder if this cancer had returned. I weighed the medical test results against her state of health and made a judgment call based upon what I could see. By the time Rachel had her biopsies in February, I was convinced she was no longer well.

Sometimes we listen to God but we don’t hear what He is saying. We trust Him enough to let go of the security blanket, only to shrink back in fear, believing that what we see is what we get. When Simon Peter took a look at the water swirling beneath his feet, he couldn’t imagine having the human ability to walk on top of the water and not sink. When he looked down, Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, and began to drown in fear. It was at that moment our Lord pulled Peter up from the raging water and asked, “Why did you doubt?”

When Rachel called Thursday evening, I clearly heard the words she said over the telephone. I’m cancer free! Immediately, I heard the Word of the Lord speak to my heart. He asked, “Why did you doubt?” For a time, I diverted my gaze from the One who heals and was more focused on the deep swirling water beneath my feet. Even in the midst of our great joy, I realized that once again, I failed at Faith-Walking 101. It was high time to confess it and seek His forgiveness for not trusting Him all the more. I needed Jesus Christ to take my doubts into the palm of His nail-scarred palm and heal me once again.

Remind me today, dear Lord, to focus completely on Your Word, especially when I begin to doubt. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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.