Flow of mercy and grace

Today’s Reading: John 19:33-34 (NIV)

33 But when they came to Jesus and found that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.

Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)

5 But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.

Good morning!

The Roman soldier took one long look at Jesus, hanging lifeless on the cross. Why did he feel compelled to thrust his sword into the dead man’s side? As the soldier stood beneath the cross, a sudden flow of blood and water poured out of Jesus’ body, covering him in mercy and grace. Can you imagine the surprised reaction of the Roman executioner? Christ continues to forgive and heal, especially in death. The disciple John gives an eyewitness account. He was the only one of the twelve who dared to sit at the foot of the cross along side Jesus’ mother Mary, Mary’s sister, Mary Magdalene, and Mary, wife of Cleopas. John witnessed Christ’s suffering and death. He knew without a doubt that the Scripture had been fulfilled in his sight. It was the prophet Isaiah who proclaimed approximately 680 years before Christ’s birth, that He would be pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities, and His punishment that would bring us peace. It is by Christ's wounds that we are forever healed.

Grace and mercy continues to flow down from the foot of the cross today. Christ pours out His healing blood and living water to all who will come and stand within its spray. When I think of what the Lord did just to save me, I am surprised and ashamed of myself. I am not brave enough to go to Calvary with John and watch the Lord die for me. I would have chosen to hide myself, along with the other disciples, seeking a place where I did not have to hear my Lord suffering in agony. I could not bear to see Him die, to watch the misery He endured for my sin. As I approach His cross today, I realize His blood continues to flow down for even a coward like me.

Were you there with John, when they crucified the Lord? Were you hiding in the upper room with Peter? Were you hanging in the field of remorse with Judas? Were you the Roman soldier, who nailed Jesus to the tree? Come and experience the power of mercy and grace. Jesus died to save you! It is not too late to receive His gift of new life. Won’t you come to the foot of the cross and let Jesus cover you in His precious, healing blood?

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.

Day of Preparation

Today’s Reading: John 19:41-42 (NIV)

41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb. 42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Good morning!

There is nothing that prepares us adequately for the realities of death. For loved ones left behind, regrets can become overwhelming. It washes over our hearts like breaking waters moving rapidly inward, causing our footsteps to disappear right behind us as we walk along the edge of the beach. Life is short. Death will come touch every one of us someday, whether we are prepared for it or not.

The day of preparation had begun; Passover was eminent. The Roman soldiers had left their work behind, completing the grizzly executions. On a hill overlooking the city of Jerusalem, where the crowd could not escape the sights and sounds of suffering and shame, onlookers watched from the hillside below as three convicted criminals were hung high; their naked bodies impaled upon wooden crosses for the whole world to see. Sunset was fast approaching. It was time for the Jews to return home for Sabbath worship and rest. Just like their ancestors experienced long ago in Egypt, the angel of death had swept over their world once again.

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus could not bear to let Christ’s body hang on the cross over the Sabbath. Both were respected members of the Jewish council; yet, they felt compelled to properly prepare Jesus’ body for burial according to Jewish custom. As the crowds disappeared, they hurried to bring Jesus down from the cross, laying his body in a garden tomb nearby. Quickly wrapping what was left of His flesh, they bathed his body with myrrh and aloes, covering him in strips of linen cloth. They were determined to finish the preparation before the Son completely disappeared in the western sky. Even with their combined knowledge and sage wisdom, they were unable to comprehend the morbid events of the last twelve hours. With tears streaming down their cheeks, they expressed their own personal guilt for not having stopped this man’s murder.

Later that evening, Jewish families went through mindless acts of worship, all the while, wondering where hope had gone. Could the cruel events of this week somehow have been changed? Why did death come to teacher? He did nothing but daily share His Father's love with our world. How could we have turned on Him after all He did to heal our people and restore the land? If we only had one more day in the presence of Jesus…

The day of preparation is here. The reality of death is passing over, whether we are ready or not. Are you prepared for the night that is coming? Do you know where hope has gone?

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.

Troubleshooter

Today’s Reading: John 16:33 (NIV)

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me, you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Good morning!

When I attended new employee orientation at work, the most important piece of information I received was the telephone number for the company’s Help Desk. Do you have a Help Desk where you work? What a gift to know there is a caring heart at the other end of line, ready to help whenever I hit a speed bump on the motherboard of life. Every now and then, we need someone out there who can troubleshoot for us. I’m blessed to know an extremely talented computer guru whom I can call on whenever I need extreme help.

Trouble seems to lurk around every virtual corner of our lives. Like the dust bunnies that silently gather underneath my sofa, they become a mass legion of dirt if I don’t occasionally sweep them out the door. Trouble is no respecter of age, race, or gender. All of us struggle with something. Isn’t it good to know there is someone you can call, twenty-four hours a day, who loves you enough to go the distance for your very soul? He is our personal troubleshooter, whose soul purpose is to fix the problem we could not change on our own. He understands the issue far better than we do; and He will stop at nothing to remedy the problem, if we are willing to let Him help us.

Jesus walked and talked with His disciples for three years. He had given them His very best, and now it was time to fulfill the ultimate prophecy. Christ came for one purpose – to take the sins of the world upon His shoulders, purchasing salvation for all who would believe and receive.

Sometimes I get really confused. I call the Help Desk when I don’t understand why my computer is locked up and I can’t seem to get the system to reboot. The fix is simply miraculous, especially when I’m up against a deadline and bouncing off a proverbial brick wall. I know my troubleshooter. We are on a first-name basis. I count on Him to be right there with me, every minute of every day, and He is.

Jesus Christ gave His life’s blood so that He could troubleshoot your sin, fixing your disconnect once and for all. Won’t you call on the Lord for heavenly help? He is right here, ready and willing to save you now.

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.

The Gatekeeper

Today’s Reading: John 10:7 (NIV)

7 Therefore, Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.”

Good morning!

As a young child, I was truly fascinated by the turn styles at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis. Our family went to watch Cardinals’ baseball games every summer. Amid throngs of avid fans, we would walk hand-in-hand to the main gate of the stadium. There, Daddy would pull out the passes from his shirt pocket and give them to the waiting usher. He would tear the perforated portion from the ticket, motioning for me to slide through the gate. Only one person could slide through at a time. It made a funny clicking noise, kind of like the sound you hear when depositing a coin into a piggy bank. I was small enough then to fit through with ease. It is much harder now to squeeze through the tiny opening than it was when I was a child. I’ve often wondered whether those turn-styles somehow shrunk with age.

A friend recently posted an online picture of a sheep gate he visited while in Scotland. I was intrigued by the short, narrow opening – there was only one way in. I think I’m beginning to understand the prophetic words of John the Baptist, as he spoke about the promised Messiah. He said, “He must become greater, and I must become less.” (John 3:30 NIV)

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.” One day, I will approach the gate that leads from this life to life everlasting. I will meet the Gatekeeper face to face. Will I fit through the tiny turn style? There is only One Way in. I can fully rely upon His Word. I know He must increase within me, and I must decrease for His glory. Jesus will shrink-wrap me in His precious blood, as I slide right through heaven’s door. There, I will worship and glorify the Father, Son and Holy Spirit forevermore.

Jesus is the Gatekeeper. Do you know Him?

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.

Who left the gate open?

Today’s Reading: John 10:3-6 (NIV)

3 "The watchman opens the gate for Him, and the sheep listen to His voice. He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When He has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what He was telling them.

Good morning!

“Who left the gate open?” I could hear the frustration in the voice of my grandmother as she ran down the path from the farm house to the animal pen. Someone fed the chickens and the pigs and didn’t get the gate shut, and now it was time to look for the ones who had wandered away. What a job! I visited my grandmother almost every weekend when I was a little girl, and it didn’t take long for me to realize I was not cut out to be a farmer. Those king snakes that curled up in the chicken coop next to the eggs were more than enough to keep me far away from that animal pen. I hate to blame everything on my little sister and my crazy cousins, but they were a whole lot braver than me, and there is no way I would have left that gate open.

It was entertaining, watching my grandmother run around in her long apron and big black shoes, shaking her dish towel while making loud whooping noises, trying to coerce those carefree animals back into the pen. The pigs would come running when they saw the big bucket of slop being dumped into the feeding trough. Those guys were always hungry! They would gladly return for their next meal, then roll around in the mud together. No wonder we call them pigs! The chickens and goats were a little more persnickety. My grandmother would shout loud threats, while swinging that dish rag high in the air, as if they could understand her every word. “If you don’t get back in that pen right now, we’re having fried chicken for dinner!” Eventually, the animals would saunter back inside the gate, and she would secure it with chicken wire. Grandma was the gatekeeper. She raised five strong-willed children, and every now and then, someone would manage to escape when the gate was left open. Grandma always found a way to bring them back home.

Just like those crazy animals on the farm, Jesus' disciples couldn’t understand a word He was saying to them. He is the Father’s gatekeeper! His sheep recognize and listen closely to His voice alone. Jesus knows each precious one by name; the relationship He has with them is worth the sacrifice He made to rescue them from certain destruction. He opens the gate and leads them outside their comfort zone, knowing they will not wander away, because they trust the sound of His still, small voice. The sheep are totally in love with their Shepherd.

Have you heard the voice of Jesus calling out your name? Do you trust Him enough to step outside your box, and follow Him? When you recognize His still, small voice, do not be afraid to follow. He will never leave or forsake you. And this is Good News for a day like today!

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.