Saturday, April 26, 2008

Do you believe this?


Today’s Reading: John 11:24-25 (The Net Bible)

24 Martha said, “I know that he [Lazarus] will come back to life again in the resurrection at the last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even if he dies, 26 and the one who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”


Good morning!

Yesterday, our air flight carried us to a cruising altitude of 32,000 feet. We ascended high above the storms that were pealing across the St. Louis metropolitan area. I watched, awestruck, as streaks of lightening shot past our window pane. I could feel the turbulent winds shake the aircraft as it moved beyond the clouds and into a patch of bright sunlight. And oh, what a beautiful sight it was - high above those storm clouds. The lining of the cumulonimbus cloud formations coupled with the bright sea of sunshine reminded me of a hymn I learned as a child: “There’s a land that is fairer than day and by faith we will see it afar, for the Father waits over the way to prepare us a dwelling place there. In the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore.” The view from my seat in that airplane was spectacular! For the very first time, it was as if I could see heaven’s shore just over the way, shining in a place where there was total Son light. I sat back and closed my eyes, and asked God if this is how it will feel to be carried away one day to heaven. I am traveling with Him through the storm clouds of this life, one sweet day to suddenly feel the arms of my Lord lift me into the land that is fairer than day. God gave me a glimpse of the eternal on that airplane, and I will never forget it as long as I live.

Martha knew that her brother would one day rise at the resurrection of the last day. Then Jesus said the words that we hold so dear: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live even if he dies, and the one who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Today, we celebrate the resurrection and the life! This is the reason we have come to Fort Worth to join in the mighty chorus together! Yes, we believe that You Jesus, are the resurrection and the life, and we believe that even if we die, we live; and when we live and believe in You, we will never die! It is a gift of inexpressible mercy and grace, and it is a gift to be shared.

If you do not yet know Jesus Christ, I invite you to come and worship with me this weekend. There is a United Methodist Church waiting to greet you with open hearts, open minds and open doors. Won’t you come and join us as we celebrate the resurrection and the life 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.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Rise again

Today’s Reading: John 11:21-22 (NIV)

21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “If you had been here my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give You whatever You ask.” 23 Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

Good morning!

Martha was convinced that Jesus could save her brother. Martha’s faith in Christ was stronger than the stench of death coming from outside her brother’s tomb. Do we trust the Lord enough to let Him resurrect our lives today?

This is the time when we need to experience the resurrection power of Jesus Christ! We need to understand there is more to our lives than living in the self-service lane. The creature comforts we surround ourselves with do not have the power to make us happy or bring us eternal peace of mind. We cannot buy our way into a personal relationship with the Lord, no matter how hard we try. Faith is a gift from God. Do you personally know the gift giver?

For many months now, I have been mentally preparing to attend our denomination’s General Conference. The day has finally arrived! My husband and I will stand this weekend in worship, singing praises to our Lord, alongside thousands of United Methodist Christians from around the world. Together, we will experience the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. We need the church of Jesus Christ to rise again! It is His resurrection hope that I cling to today.

Martha trusted Jesus enough to know that whatever He asked for, the Father would give Him. Jesus assured Martha that her brother would rise again! Do we trust Jesus enough to know that when He intercedes to the Father on our behalf, He will receive whatever He asks? If it is truly our desire to experience a resurrection in Jesus Christ, will it not happen here and now?

Pray for the church to rise again through the power of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

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.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

The road between life and death

Today’s Reading: John 11:13-16 (NIV)

13 Jesus had been speaking of [Lazarus] death but His disciples thought He meant natural sleep. 14 So then He told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, 15 and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” 16 Then Thomas (called Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.”

Good morning!

I remember the day we laid my grandfather to rest. Grandpa had lived a long life, and his last ten years were riddled with physical and emotional infirmities. Hardening of the arteries coupled with dementia made the last days of his earthly existence extraordinarily difficult for all who loved and cared for him. As my father and his siblings stood around the casket, holding hands and wiping their tear-streaked faces with handkerchiefs, I began to wonder about the mystery of life and death. I was twelve years old and my grandfather was gone. For me, death had taken on a whole new meaning. This time, it was personal.

Jesus knew his friend Lazarus had succumbed to the illness he had battled. He knew that his sisters were grieving, that the neighborhood was mourning the loss of a well-respected member of their community. Jesus realized if he went to Bethany to be with Lazarus, he would place himself in the firing line of the Pharisees who wanted to have Him arrested for blasphemy. Still, the Master went, knowing a great miracle was about to be fulfilled in the presence of the people.

At some point, all of us struggle with losing the ones we love. We wonder about the greater purpose of our days. We wonder if and how our lives might be remembered after we’re gone. Where did Lazarus go when he moved from illness into eternal rest? Will we see him again? How would his sisters survive without him physically present to help care for their needs?

Thomas recognized the Lord's great risk in returning to Bethany. He exclaimed, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” As we begin to ask the harder questions about life and death, we become like Thomas, knowing that one day, we too will die. Do you have His assurance of salvation? Thanks to Jesus Christ, for we do not have to walk the road between life and death all by ourselves. He understands our grief when we lose the ones we love to death. We can have His assurance of salvation today: all you have to do is ask Him for it.

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.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Sleepy seeker

Today’s Reading: John 11:11-12 (NIV)

11 After [Jesus] had said this, He went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” 12 His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.”

Good morning!

Are there times when sleep does not actually make you better? I had a very busy day last Sunday, and when I arrived at home at 5:30pm, I was tired. I needed a nap, especially if I was going to continue reading the course text required before the class scheduled on Monday. So I curled up on the sofa, flipped on the television, and kicked back while half listening to a teaching sermon. No offense to the pastor who was speaking, but his powerful presentation wasn’t able to keep me awake for long. If you’ve ever spoken in worship on Sunday morning and watched some of the people half snoozing through the message you are giving, then you may understand why I feel led to publicly apologize to that teaching preacher on television. It’s not your fault, really.

I woke up an hour later and a new pastor was preaching. I had trouble following his message too. I felt a little better at first, but then, as I sat there reading and writing, I began to feel really sleepy again. I finally turned off the television, changed into my pajamas and went to bed. Jeff was watching the movie “Moses” back in the bedroom. Well, he was kind of watching it, between snores. I curled up underneath the covers and my thoughts were redirected to the days of the first Passover, as I saw the mystery of faith unfold on the big screen. I think the movie went off the air around 12:30am and I had managed to stay awake and see the whole thing. I closed my eyes and took a power nap, awaking around 4am with a nasty migraine. I don’t think my taking a nap in the early evening hours actually made me any better, even though I’m sure my body needed it. What little rest I did receive had not re-energized me the way I had hoped.

The disciples somehow thought if sick Lazarus could just take a little nap and get some sleep, he would get better. Our bodies grow weary as we carry the burdens of each day. If we could just get an extra hour of sleep, all will be well. Yet, Jesus knew the only thing that would truly heal Lazarus was for Him to go and wake him up. We need Jesus to wake us up from our slumber today! He is the only source of strength we need to move forward by faith. Will you allow Christ to wake you up? He will give you the strength that you need to do what He has called you to do.

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.

Monday, April 21, 2008

Twelve hours of daylight

Today’s Reading: John 11:9-10 (NIV)

9 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees by this world’s light. 10 It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light.”

Good morning!

This is the time of year when I like to take early morning walks. The sun rises just a little earlier in the morning, and I can clearly see where I’m walking. In the subdivision where I live, the sidewalks are not very smooth. Years of wear and tear have eroded its once-level pathway, and now the sidewalk sports cracked and raised portions of concrete. If I take a walk in the dark, often times, I will catch the rubber sole of my tennis shoes on the uneven places of the sidewalk and end up tripping. It is an easy thing to do, especially for someone whose middle name is definitely not grace! I look forward to spring mornings, when the sun is up just enough so that I can see where I’m walking at 6am.

Twelve hours of daylight; eight hundred twenty minutes to see clearly where I’m going; forty-nine thousand two hundred seconds to soak up the sunlight! It sounds like a lot of time; yet, if your days are anything like mine, the hours passes quickly. I often find myself wondering where the day disappeared to. Do you ever lose track of time?

Jesus knew that His time was passing quickly. One day soon, He would no longer be a physical presence, walking along the sidewalks next to His disciples. How He wanted them to value the time they had left together in the daylight. The night was coming, when no one would be able to see Him clearly. Jesus knew they would stumble in the absence of His light. Knowledge of God’s will, His plan and purpose is essential to the continued growth of the fellowship of believers. Would there be enough daylight left to help them walk the walk without tripping?

If you find yourself stumbling around in the darkness, there is a little daylight left just for you! Open God’s holy Word today and allow Him to light your path. His Word is the only light we need to walk victoriously along the rough and cracked sidewalks of our lives. Jesus Christ is the One true light.

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.