Friday, May 09, 2008

Blind eyewitness

Today’s Reading: John 11:49-50 (NIV)

49 Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! 50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than the whole nation perish.”

Good morning!

For Joseph Caiaphas, being the Chief Priest and bottle washer at the temple had its advantages. I would imagine he grew up surrounded by affluence and wealth. Placed in charge of the temple treasury, many of the Jewish Sadducees looked to Caiaphas for the protection of their personal interests. They must have liked the job he was doing, for he served in office almost nineteen years. Caiaphas knew about Jesus of Nazareth. One could not help but listen to His amazing teaching. Caiaphas observed the growing number of faithful groupies who had left their livelihoods and families to follow this man all around Galilee. The brotherhood was becoming quite a bitter bunch; gossip and harsh words were echoing in the hallways of the temple courts. They looked to Caiaphas for a solution to this problem. Have you ever resented someone so much that you wished He were dead?

Ironically, there were many who truly believe they are keeping the letter of the law as handed down through their forefather Moses. God-fearing Jews didn’t like it one bit when Jesus suggested that if a person had lustful thoughts for another, they had already committed adultery in their hearts. Ouch! Does this mean that if you were plotting to find a way to rid yourself of a man you didn’t like, under Jesus’ teaching, would you be guilty of murder, for simply having thought about it?

Caiaphas was an eyewitness to God made man but he was blinded to the truth. When Caiaphas spoke a word of prophecy over Jesus’ life, he didn’t even realize who had given him the word. Caiaphas said, “You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than the whole nation perish.” He had absolutely no idea what the implications of this statement would mean for the world, and how one man’s death and resurrection would forever change the course of human history.

Hanging out in the city of spiritual blindness is a dangerous place to live. Like Joseph Caiaphas, we are all eyewitnesses to the Truth. How is your vision 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.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Are you grave digging or stone rolling?

Today’s Reading: John 11:45-47 (NIV)

45 Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their faith in Him. 46 But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many miraculous signs. 48 If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.

Good morning!

What are we accomplishing? This is a great question! I’ve posed this very question in prayer daily, but especially in the last few weeks. I believe that, at some level, every human heart longs to make a lasting difference in their world. Oh, there may be a few who only seem to live for the moment, caring about their needs first and foremost, and seeking “what’s in it” for them. Yet, there are others who seem truly interested in making the world a better place for someone else. Somehow, our jealousies and insecurities push us to posture for position and power. This mindset can reroute affect many humble hearts from time to time. Do you know any ladder climbers out there? Folks who posture for position and control? This passage of Scripture speaks loudly to all of us today.

Can you imagine what the world might be like if everyone had an opportunity to see and know the power and love of Jesus Christ demonstrated right before their very eyes? Would every heart then believe? The miracle of Lazarus’ raising from death to new life was the talk of the town. If Christian believers claimed the power of Christ and began raising the dead in Jesus’ name, do you think there might be more Christian believers in the world? Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” [John 14:12]

When we share the Gospel message with others, we believe by faith that it is not just our own mere words, but the transforming power of the Holy Spirit giving life-changing hope to the lost. When a person gives their heart away to Jesus, they leave their life of sin behind and choose to move forward in faith. A lost and dead soul has now received new life in Jesus Christ! Grave stones are being opened every day as people come to know the Lord. Are you grave digging or a stone rolling?

The Gospel message did not end on the day Jesus hung on a tree. I challenge you today to ask the question, “What am I accomplishing for the kingdom of God?” Lives are being lost each day, yet Christ has spoken His power into our hearts. Life doesn’t have to end at the grave. It all begins anew in Christ. Do you know what it truly feels like to leave your grave of sin behind?

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, May 06, 2008

Coming out!

Today’s Reading: John 11:41-44 (NIV)

41 So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank You that you have heard me. 42 I knew that You always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that You sent me.” 43 When He had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

Good morning!

One morning not long ago, I walked into my kitchen and immediately smelled a deathly odor. I knew before I ever reached the goldfish bowl what I would find. Jonah John had crossed over from his earthly fishbowl into the great river of life. His spirit had obviously left the building but the earthly remains were stinking up my house! He had passed in the night and it did not take long for that rotten smell to permeate the house. While holding my breath, I buried my buddy at sea, and tried to eliminate the residual odor as best I could. It took several days for the stench to completely disappear. Once you begin to recognize what death truly smells like, it is something you will not forget.

Lazarus wasn’t just sick - he was dead. He had been in the grave for four whole days. Rot and decay had set in. Eventually, all that remained of Lazarus’ earthly life were the bones that supported his earthly frame. Jesus didn’t lay hands on Lazarus. He didn’t go into the cave where Lazarus’ body lay and perform some sort of mystical deed. Lazarus’ body was wrapped in strips of linen, lying in the cold stone tomb. His ears no longer functioned. His eyes could not see. His lips could not speak. But everything changed when Jesus called out his name. "Lazarus, come out!" The spirit spoke to flesh and Lazarus heard the Master’s voice and obeyed.

Friends, we have managed to dig our own graves filling them with our sins and failures. We’ve worked hard to hide our broken hearts, hoping no one will notice the foul stench inside. The greatest miracle in life occurs when we hear and answer the voice of Jesus as He calls us out of the grave! His spirit speaks to our flesh, and we cannot help but leave our past behind, choosing to obey and follow Him.

This miracle recorded in the book of John holds a special significance for me. Just like Jesus called Lazarus from the grave, He has called me to come out from the sin that buried my heart in guilt and shame, and begin to live anew in the light of mercy and grace. In this cave, my flesh was wasting away. Rotten to the core, no perfume, make-up, not stylish clothing could hide the decay in my heart. It took a personal call from a real Savior, my Lord Jesus Christ, to bring me out from the grave I had dug. He alone has the power to remove the strips of linen from my face.

On this, his brand new day, Lazarus took a fresh breath of new life. His spirit heard the call of Christ and he obeyed. This same miracle of new life can be yours today. Jesus Christ is calling you to come out, leave your sin behind, and follow Him. Will you hear and obey the call of Jesus Christ today? This day can be your resurrection day.


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, May 05, 2008

Breathless wonder

Today’s Reading: John 11:38-40 (NIV)

38 Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39 “Take away the stone,” He said. “But Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” 40 Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”

Good morning!

Last night, I was working at the computer, taking an online test for work, when my cell phone rang. I heard the words a grandmother does not ever want to hear. “Maddie has stopped breathing; she’s been taken by ambulance – Ben is on his way to the hospital – go NOW.” I promptly failed the online exam I was taking, grabbed my shoes, husband and car keys, and off we sped to the hospital ER, wondering what in the world had happened. It was an awful ten minute moment in the car. I don’t think I took a deep breath from the time the phone call came until we arrived at the ER.

Kari’s mother was panic-stricken, and with good reason. I thought she might pass out in my arms as we grandmothers cried together in the hospital corridor. Apparently, Madison was wailing for Mommy to pick her up when she suddenly stopped breathing and fell like a limp rag into my daughter-in-law’s arms. It appeared as if Maddie might have suffered a small seizure and then there was nothing; no movement, no response. She was breathless. Nancy said they called 911 but it took an eternity for the paramedics to arrive. When fear grips us, seconds seem like an eternity. What do you do when someone you love becomes breathless?

By the time the paramedics got Maddie to the hospital, she was awake and breathing normally again. An oxygen mask helped boost her air intake. Maddie was fussy and sleepy looking, but breathing on her own. Two hours later, the ER doc gave us the good news – Maddie had experienced what pediatricians have coined as a breath holding spell. A common occurrence for many strong-willed two year olds who startle suddenly or want something that is out of their reach, they begin to cry uncontrollably, and without warning, suddenly pass out, becoming limp and lifeless. That momentary shut down gives their brain a chance to do a little remix. Maddie had not had the life-threatening seizure as we had feared and she had not choked or aspirated on the Popsicle® she had just consumed. It wasn’t a diabetic response to the sugar intake, and fortunately, Maddie had not choked. This was the best case scenario to a very frightening life event. We returned home with grateful hearts, thanking God for life and breath and the priceless gift of our granddaughter Madison.

Jesus stood at the tomb of his friend Lazarus. There was no breath – no life; only the sounds of the weeping women who had lost their brother to death’s strong grip. When Jesus commanded the men to roll away the stone, Martha feared the worst. Her brother had been breathless for four days and she was certain the foul stench would overcome them all. Jesus spoke new breath into Martha’s fainting heart when He said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”

We experience life, death, and a lot of breathless moments every day. God's glory is revealed through faith, and it is that faith which we cling to for new life. Can you see the glory of God shining this morning? He reveals His amazing power to you and me in these moments of breathless wonder.

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.

Sunday, May 04, 2008

When God cries

Today’s Reading: John 11:34-37 (NIV)

34 “Where have you laid him?” Jesus asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” 37 But some of them said, “Could not He who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?”

Good morning!

I wonder how Mary and Martha must have felt as they watched God cry. Their best friend and the Savior of the world stood at their side, in community, weeping holy tears of sadness. Do you think God cries today?

I believe God cries when He sees the suffering of the little children in the Condo, orphaned and left all alone, watching their parents die in the ravages of civil war and rampant-spreading disease. He hears the cries of every hungry child, wasting away in utter starvation, suffering intense physical pain. We gaze into the hollow eyes of a sick and hurting child, and know that God must be crying tears of grief. I’ve heard that when rain falls from heaven, it nourishes the land, providing our rivers and streams a rich new life. These are the tears of a broken-hearted Father, as He observes the suffering of His precious created ones. What will it take for us to learn how to willingly share our resources with each another? How many millions will have to die before we find a way to feed the hungry children in our world?

One tear falling from the Master’s face can heal a blind man’s sight, restore hearing to the deaf, and help a lame man walk again. One tear shed in grief will raise the dead to new and vibrant life. When God cries, hardened hearts melt, minds are transformed, and people learn how to love each other as Christ loves each and every of us. Nothing stays the same when God cries.

Jesus wept at the tomb of His friend, and the Jews exclaimed, “See how He loved him!” Jesus is crying out for your heart today. His tears will totally transform your life, if you are willing to stand in His holy rain. Come experience the love of Jesus Christ today. I’ve saved a seat for you at Faith Church.

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.