Saturday, August 23, 2008

All holds barred!

Today’s Reading: John 14:30 (NIV)

30 [Jesus said,] “I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me.

Good morning!

Does the grace of God ever catch you by surprise? I delight in the promises of God. We can count on His Word, not just for today, but for each and every tomorrow. Christ is present in me twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and just when I need Him the most, He is! How indescribable is the love of Jesus!

Earlier this week, I was standing at the copy machine at work, frantically trying to scan a document that needed to be filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office. We were pushing to meet a filing deadline, and I needed to get document on file. I had an important dinner meeting scheduled – it was starting in thirty minutes and I was getting a little nervous about making it on time. The copier refused to cooperate. Even mechanical equipment can short-circuit from time to time. This was not a good time for a computer malfunction. When I pressed the scan button, the document would automatically be queued to fax instead. I turned the machine off and on. I tried repeatedly to get the document to scan, to no avail. By this time, my attorney was standing over my shoulder with tiny beads of sweat beginning to form on her brow. We both knew the importance of meeting the filing deadline and this machine simply was not going to work.

In sheer desperation, I closed my eyes, and placed my hands on the copier and I began to pray out loud, calling on the name of Jesus for a copy machine miracle. I imagine the Lord was laughing out loud at the sight of my praying over a copier. I knew that if He could save a soul like mine, heal my heart and make me forever free, He has the power to fix this broken machine! You should have seen the look on my attorney’s face when the document scanned perfectly after a little prayer and the laying on of hands. We met the filing deadline and I arrived for my dinner meeting two minutes early. God is good ALL THE TIME!

Jesus said the prince of the world is coming. We experience Satan’s subtle, sneaky deceit everyday. He tries to steal our joy, cause confusion, and make us doubt in the Word of our Lord. Just a little prayer can change a frantic situation into a magnificent miracle! Jesus has the power to change the direction of our day, if we will simply stop and call upon Him for heavenly help. Jesus said that the prince of the world has no hold on Him. And when Christ moves in, you have His power within you to fight back! All holds are barred, in Jesus’ name.

Call on Jesus! He is just a prayer away.

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, August 22, 2008

Be glad!

Today’s Reading: John 14:28-29 (NIV)

28 [Jesus said,] “You have heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.”

Good morning!

When our children were younger, they would sit on the edge of the bed and watch as Daddy packed his suitcase. “Do you have to go away?” they would whine, with pursed lips and sleepy little eyes. “I am going away for a little while, but I promise I will be back in three days!” He would pat their little heads, smiling. We can sense their sadness and the insecurity this unwanted change brings. Their daddy is leaving and their world will be different while he is gone. The voice they have grown accustomed to, who reads their bedtime stories and listens to their prayers at night will not be here. They will miss the man who holds their tiny hands as they walk along the sidewalk to school tomorrow morning. Going away leaves a deep void in a child’s life; and yet, there is Daddy’s promise of his return. It’s only three days away, but it seems like a lifetime! This is not what they want; yet, they accept their Father’s teary goodbye, counting on their Daddy to keep his word and come back soon.

It’s hard to be glad when the people we love go away.

Jesus tried, in as loving a manner as possible, to encourage his disciples to see beyond this day. He was going home to the Father who is greater than He. Jesus promised he would come back to them. Couldn’t they be glad, knowing their Master would return?

Hope is the assurance of a promise to be kept. What the disciples could not possibly understand in this moment, was revealed to them just three days later! Jesus died, was buried, and rose again! He made the journey of a lifetime in just three days, tearing down the walls of sin and death forever. Christ opened up the flood gates of forgiveness, salvation’s grace, and an everlasting, never ending relationship between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to all who would choose to believe. It was the trip no one wanted their Lord to make, and yet, He kept His Word and returned, just as He promised.

We can live each day with glad hearts filled with hope! Jesus promised that He would one day return for His bride. We can be glad, knowing Christ has sent the comforter to journey with us while we wait. He is coming back soon. Are you ready to see His face, hear His amazing voice, and take His hand for all eternity? Be glad!

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, August 20, 2008

A piece of peace

Today’s Reading: John 14:27 (NIV)

25 [Jesus said,] “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Good morning!

How much would you give for a little peace today? Peace is something we humans long for. We sing about it during the Holy Days; hoping for a new world peace in the year to come; we long for sweet peace to invade our family life, hoping we can learn how to love and get along with each other, especially at the upcoming family reunion. We pray for the bitterness and strife to stop and brotherly love become the benchmark of our churches, schools, and places of employment. We hope for miraculous peace to overcome the many differences that emerge between our countries and cultures all around the world. Everyone wants a piece of peace. Tell me, what is peace to you, and how far would you go to get it?

Some folks find peace at the bank of life. They pour their money into checking and savings accounts, stocks, bonds and certificates of deposit. The bigger the balance, the better they feel. For some, financial peace is a security blanket, knowing there will be funds available to help care for their needs on a rainy day. And everyone knows the rain is just a cloud away. Is this kind of peace an everlasting gift or simply a temporary fix to a terminal issue?

Others find great peace in going with the flow, following the crowd, and blending in. Their motto may be to make no waves and do no harm. Let’s just all agree to get along, no matter what the issue. If we’re feeling convicted, be sure not to mention it because it may disrupt the peace train. The most important thing is to maintain peace at all costs. Would you sell your soul for a slice of peace pie?

Peace, for a young parent, may be an uninterrupted afternoon nap. Folks search for peaceful vacations, where they can get away from the buzz of cell phones and pagers, voice mail, email, and blackberries. Some look for a secluded space outdoors, away from the daily grind inside. I enjoy a peaceful evening curled up with a good book in my Lazy Boy® chair, all by myself, in a quiet house. Uninterrupted peace, for even a few fleeting minutes, can become a breath of fresh air.

Christ’s peace is so much more than all of this combined. We see peace in worldly ways. His peace is not of this world. We look at the wars going on around us, distracting us from addressing the wars within. When Christ’s peace comes, the fears, uncertainties, doubts and the sins that are eating us alive begin to disappear in the light of His love. His peace is so much bigger than any peace the world offers. Seek Jesus today. Peace is His free gift to you, and you need not travel any further than your knees to find 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, August 19, 2008

The gift of a lifetime

Today’s Reading: John 14:25-26 (NIV)

25 [Jesus said,] “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

Good morning!

Have you been praying for divine intervention for our brothers and sisters in the state of Florida? I was encouraged to see the news wire updates on tropical storm Fay this morning. Apparently, she never reached her predicted hurricane strength even after coming ashore. I am grateful for the Father’s provision, especially in the eye of the storm. We bear living testimony to the fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes that have ravaged our homeland in the last fifty years. Americans truly have a heart for people who suffer. We understand the grief in losing our own loved ones to the storms of life; being confronted with having to begin again. We rebuild our homes, businesses and entire communities together. This morning, I find myself extraordinarily grateful to the Lord that Fay never reached its predicted potential. We are seeing His miracle revealed and we have a lot to celebrate today!

Divine intervention is Christ’s promise to believers and we can count on it! Jesus told His disciples that His words would be remembered by the help of a counselor, the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father to teach us all things and remind us of His words. Have you ever experienced the sudden recollection of a story or experience that happened when you were a child? Every now and then, I remember something that happened, as if it were just yesterday, and it brings me great delight! The older I get, the more I struggle with memory retention, so when I am able to recall a piece of the past with clarity, I rejoice! This is a gift from above. It is the present of the Holy Spirit of God working within me, reminding me of Christ’s love and His Word spoken over my life. The Holy Spirit is our counselor, comforter, and an everlasting presence. He walks through life with us, teaching, convicting, and assuring the human heart of Christ’s love for the world. Wherever we are, He is. We are not alone.

I would have loved to have walked with the Lord when He walked the earth in flesh. The Holy Spirit gives me His assurance that even while I walk this road today, Jesus is right beside me. His presence is there to guide, heal, cleanse, forgive and redeem. I have His Word in front of me on printed page and protected deep within the recesses of my heart. At the right moment, Jesus reveals Himself in a story, a verse of Scripture, or a memory from long ago. Divine intervention is the gift of a lifetime!

The Holy Spirit is available to all who love Jesus Christ and profess Him as their Savior. If you have not yet experienced the Holy Spirit working in your life, ask Jesus to give you the power of the Spirit today. He will do it! It is His gift of a lifetime, given for you and for me. Be blessed!

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, August 17, 2008

The rear view mirror

Today’s Reading: John 14:24 (NIV)

24 “He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they are from the Father who sent me.”

Good morning!

I’ve been told I have a stubborn streak. Doesn’t everyone? After all, it is that strong sense of direction within that prompts us to inch forward; to push just a little harder and not give up. Of course, I’ve been known to push the ticket to the extreme and run headlong in the opposite direction. My childlike stubbornness has often taken me to places I really did not want to go. Has this ever happened to you?

I remember one summer Saturday morning: my father was on his way to the hardware store and I wanted to ride along. My dad was not the most patient person when it came to shopping at the hardware store. He seemed to have all the bad luck. Dad never purchased a “do-it-yourself” project home kit that didn’t have a key piece missing from the package, and this seemed to infuriate him to no end. He was planning to have an engaging and spirited conversation with the store manager, and there was no way he wanted his little girl to be there and witness the fallout. Sometimes, a loving parent will tell us no because they can see the bigger picture. Fathers expect their children to listen and obey.

Well, Daddy’s answer was not the answer I wanted to hear, and he made me really mad! So I added my own little self-expression to the fray. As Daddy pulled the car out of the driveway, I ran outside and stuck my tongue out at him. Let me tell you something: with my Father, this is a huge mistake! He wasn’t about to tolerate a little lip from his child. Did you know that our Father has this rearview mirror, and He can see what we are up to without even turning around? My dad threw his 1966 Chevrolet into reverse and pulled back into the driveway. What happened next wasn’t very pleasant and I don’t think I ever stuck my tongue out at him again. This is just one example when stubbornness did not work to my advantage. As I look back on that morning long ago, I am thankful I wasn’t behind the counter at the hardware store when my dad arrived that day.

Did my Father love me when he said no? When I disrespect my Father's Word and disobey Him, was I demonstrating love?

Jesus teaches that love and obedience are inseparable. Doing what our Father instructs is the only way to demonstrate our love for Him. It is so much more than mere lip service; obedience is an act of pure faith.


Father, forgive us when our selfish sense of direction gets in the way of Your will. Help us to be completely satisfied with Your Word, especially when you say no. Teach us not to add or subtract from your Word or try to change it to suit our own personal preferences. Help us realize Father, that when we choose to obey you, we express true love. May thy will be done, Lord; not my will, but thy will. Oh, how we love you, Father! Help us demonstrate that love by choosing to obey, even when we really don’t understand why you said no. In Jesus’ name we 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.