Keeper of the money bag

Today’s Reading: John 12:4-6(NIV)

4 But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray [Jesus], objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself in what was put into it.

Good morning!

I spent many years working downtown, walking the streets to and from my place of employment. Employees who work downtown, learn not to linger or meander along the sidewalks, especially when walking alone. I carried a fanny pack, so that when I walked to and from my car, I did not have to carry a purse. I could wear it around my waist, tucked underneath my suit jacket, and most people didn’t even know it was there. To what lengths do you go to protect the money in your pocket?

As wage earners, all of us make choices about how to spend our resources. I believe that everything I receive is a gift from the Father above. Therefore, the wages I earn do not belong to me. It belongs to Him, the giver of all good gifts. It is His present to my family, and He expects me to use the resources I’ve been given in such a way that is pleasing to Him. God wants me to be a blessing, just as He blesses my life. All of us have been given an important responsibility to keep. Our family’s survival depends upon the wise use of our income. Who is our family? Does it only include our parents, spouses, children and grandchildren? As members of the family of God, we are responsible for the care of our brothers and sisters around the world. There are moments when we may not take our responsibility as seriously as we should. We spend frivolously, seeking personal pleasure and comfort over the needs of others. At some point, you and I may be placed in positions of authority at work, at church, or in our civic organizations, whereby we become keepers of the community treasury. Many will depend upon you to display a model of good stewardship with the resources that have been entrusted to your care. Do you demonstrate the utmost integrity as keeper of the money bag?

Apparently, Judas was not as trustworthy as many believed. He may have known a lot about managing money, having a reputation for being a great businessman, but Jesus knew what Judas was up to. He gave the impression of keeping the disciples’ money close at hand, as sole protector of the disciple’s trust fund. Still, Judas was double-dipping into the pot for his own personal gain. Why didn’t the Lord replace Judas with another, more trustworthy disciple? God allows each of us to experience the temptations and consequences of the sinful choices we make each day. Just because we think we can get away with it doesn’t mean that God won’t ask us for a full accounting later. We will all answer for our actions. None of us are exempt from the judgment. A day of reckoning will come, when God's checks and balances will be put into place. How will you respond to the Lord when He asks you give a full accounting for the gifts He has given you?

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 sweet scent of salvation

Today’s Reading: John 12:1-3(NIV)

1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with Him. 3 Then Mary took a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Good morning!

I remember my very first date. I was waiting for Jeff to arrive, and he showed up in high style, driving his father’s bright yellow Pinto. “The lemon,” as he affectionately called it, became our mode of transport for all our dates. I didn’t realize that this would be the first of many trips that we would make with each other, side by side. Jeff stepped onto our family’s front porch and rang the doorbell. He was dressed in a bright yellow short-sleeved shirt, matching the color of his car, with contrasting plaid pants and a very wide tie tucked underneath his shirt collar. The sweet smell of fresh Polo® cologne swirled about him, and that fragrance quickly became one of my favorite scents. Jeff’s cologne would remain long after he dropped me off after our dates. There are sweet scents in life that we will never forget.

Early on Sunday mornings, Jeff gets up long before I awake. He showers and dresses and leaves for church in the middle of the night to watch and pray and wait upon the Lord. Quite often, I awake to the scent of his after shave, long after he has left the parsonage. It is a sweet reminder of His presence here. Even after Jeff has gone, his cologne is a constant reminder that the one I love may be out of sight, yet he is not far from my heart.

There was a lot of love being celebrated in Bethany that evening. Lazarus was there, enjoying a brand new life he received when Jesus called him to come out from the grave. The Lord was there, reclining at the table near Lazarus, as they enjoyed the evening meal together. Martha had prepared an amazing feast. The smell of freshly baked bread and the delights of a home-cooked meal were wafting around the room. When Mary opened the bottle of pure nard and began pouring it over her Master’s feet, it became a lingering expression of everlasting love. Can you imagine the sweet scent that filled the room?

The sweet scent of salvation is ever-present. There are days like today when I wake up smelling the fresh rain falling gently outside. I hear the sounds of thunder and see the lightning peal across the early morning sky, and I sense the presence of my Savior. I listen for the chirping of the robins outside my window. They praise the Lord each day with glorious melodies, speaking in a language I have yet to understand. I sense my Savior’s presence. He is always near; I am constantly surrounded by His sweet fragrance. When I close my eyes, I get a whiff of pure nard. It was used to prepare His earthly body for death and resurrection. Can you smell the sweet scent of Jesus Christ surrounding you 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.

Where is He?

Today’s Reading: John 11:55-57(NIV)

55 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. 56 They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple area they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t He coming to the Feast at all?” 57 But the chief priests and Pharisees had given orders that if anyone found out where Jesus was, He should report it so that they might arrest Him.

Good morning!

Have you ever tried to catch up with someone in a crowd and couldn’t seem to find them? I’ve had this experience several times; most recently at the United Methodist General Conference in Fort Worth. Over the last two years, I’ve spoken online with many new friends from around the world. It is a true blessing to meet and greet people who live in different cultural settings, whose life experiences have intersected with mine. They have made a lasting impression on me. There were some people with whom I was hoping to meet face-to-face while visiting Fort Worth. Maybe I missed seeing them because I was only there for a few days, and maybe I walked right by them and didn’t even know it. Why didn’t I recognize their faces? For all I know, they could have been standing right next to me on the sidewalk just outside the convention center. I wonder - did they see me? Did they recognize who I am?

The people were looking for Jesus. They had traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover feast together. The people had gathered for a very special event; the party was just getting started and everyone was delighting in the company of their own family and friends. Still, many were searching for the man from Galilee. “Where is He?” they asked. “Isn’t He coming to the biggest celebration of the season?” Some folk truly wanted to meet the Lord, to shake His hand and connect face-to-face with the Master. Others simply wanted to identify who He was, take a sneak peak at the gentleman who was wanted for questioning by the Jewish authorities. Regardless of their motivation, people were looking for the Lord and no one could find Him there.

If you’ve ever wandered around looking for Jesus and you can’t seem to find Him, stop and wait. Why, Jesus Christ may be standing right next to you and me today, and somehow in our tunnel vision, we’ve missed meeting Him! You see, when the Lord Jesus Christ shows up, everything changes. This party is no longer about us, our personal preferences, our friends, our agendas – it is all about Him. When we focus our hearts and minds on only finding each other, we may miss seeing the Lord Jesus Christ in our midst.

Jesus said, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20b) He is here now. He was here yesterday, today and He will be here forevermore. Are we so busy trying to catch up with each other that we may miss out on seeing Jesus?

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.

Retreat

Today’s Reading: John 11:53-54(NIV)

53 So from that day on they plotted to take to take [Jesus] life. 54 Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the Jews. Instead He withdrew to a region near the desert, to a village called Ephraim, where He stayed with His disciples.

Good morning!

Where do you like to retreat? Last week during our small group meeting, someone asked me where I like to go on vacation. I especially enjoy visiting the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Our family has made many trips to Bailey, Colorado through the years. This picturesque village is nestled in a beautiful valley running along the Guanella Pass. Bailey is bathed in fields of wildflowers surrounded by steep mountain peaks. Glen Isle Resort has been a Spaulding family favorite for many years. The Rainbow’s End cottage has an old covered front porch that I especially delight in. As the early morning sun creeps up over the snow capped mountain tops, one can sit and listen to the chirping of the birds and the rushing river nearby. It is a picturesque and quiet place, where the sweet smell of a freshly brewed pot of coffee wafts out across the porch and drifts into the crisp mountain air. Wrapped up in a piece quilt with comfy woolen slippers, I sit, surrounded by God’s majestic presence, enjoying the peace and quiet of a cozy mountain retreat. When life is especially crazy, I take a stroll along memory lane and remember the mornings I sat on that front porch just listening to the Lord and whispering praises to His name.

Jesus became a wanted man almost overnight. From the moment He began His earthly ministry, Christ was followed by the believers, the curious and the skeptics. People were drawn to the Messiah; they knew He was offering something bigger than anything they had ever experienced before. A need was being met; people were getting healed; some even brought back to life again. It must have been difficult to find a place of solitude, a retreat where Jesus could rest and wait surrounded by family and friends. The town of Ephraim is approximately eight miles north of Jerusalem, bordering the wilderness of Bethaven. A quiet and secluded village, not far from the town of Bethel, Jesus chose this place for his personal retreat.

There is a special place where we can experience holy retreat each day. We do not have to travel far to find Him. We may experience holy retreat at work, at home, in our car, at school, or even walking at a nearby park. You may find sweet peace strolling along the beach, gazing into the vast ocean waters. Maybe your holy space is standing knee deep along the edge of a river, casting a rod upon the waters and waiting for the “big one” to bite. Some find solace swinging a golf club at the ninth hole, or simply taking a little rest on the hammock swaying between two trees in your back yard. Jesus knew where to retreat and to whom He would go. Find a space today to spend time alone with Him. Christ can bring you His peace that passes all understanding. He will guard your heart and mind, as you retreat into His holy presence. Do not miss the mountaintop experience because of busyness. Where will you go to find Jesus 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.

Gale force wind

Today’s Reading: John 11:49b-52 (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.” 51 He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, 52 and no only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one.

Acts 2:1-4 (The Message)

When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force – no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.

Good morning!

I listened intently last night as the wind whipped around our church parsonage in St. Charles, Missouri. I wondered if we might blow away in the eye of the storm. I can sleep through almost anything, but last night’s storms kept me up all night long. I’ve learned to pay close attention to the Lord as He speaks in the wind and rain. I’ve been praying today for the families who lost loved ones last night in the tornadoes that demolished homes and businesses Oklahoma and Southwest Missouri. Will we find new life in these gale force winds?

How the Father uses every heart for kingdom work is simply amazing to me. His plan and purpose is sure. He is greater than anything I can understand or even begin to comprehend in this life. Trusting Him completely is a lifelong process; it is a journey I willingly choose to walk. I don’t understand the wind and rain, death and destruction, grief and loss. I do not understand why we experience the dark night of the soul; yet, I believe the Father brings forth new life even in the midst of fear and grief. Caiaphas prophesied of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and how He would save a fallen world. Did Caiaphas realize the words he had spoken had a much greater meaning? I seriously doubt it. Do we speak prophetically today and realize what we say may have an even deeper meaning? Our intent may be completely different from that of the Lord God Almighty, and yet He chooses to use you and me for His greater plan and purpose. Don’t you find this absolutely incredible?

Long ago, Christ followers were gathered together all in one place, with thousands who did not believe or know the Lord Jesus Christ. Without warning, a wind kicked up out of nowhere and they could tell from where it came. Like wildfire, the power of the Holy Spirit spread among the people and they began speaking in different languages as it prompted them to tell the story. The wind and flames dance around us today, and we are reminded of how God reveals Himself just when we least expect it. Even in the midst of fear and death, we can see His glory, touch His face, and feel His holy breath upon our lives. Caiaphas plotted for Jesus to die. God knew His Son would rise again. People were prophesying in different languages and all who were there, understood God’s love in their own native tongue. The Word emerged from the wind and flame. Can you hear Him speaking to your heart today? Won’t you come and worship with me at Faith Church? Come and listen to the wind as it speaks to our hearts 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.