Saturday, October 18, 2008

Figurative speech

Today’s Reading: John 16:25 (NIV)

25 [Jesus said,] “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father.”

Good morning!

Speaking figuratively has become quite the art form in American culture. We learn to answer questions by asking yet another question; telling stories in such a way that are designed to convey tidbits of truth. We often speak from life experience; yet, we often speak without having first-hand experience to rely upon. We attempt to tell others about the people we have come to know best in life. How would you try to describe your Father to someone who had never met him? Would they come to know something about your Father’s life, his thoughts and his heart through the words you speak? What impressions would you leave about your Father’s character by the way you choose to live?

Jesus is trying to convey an important truth to His disciples. He is speaking about the precious bond of relationship between His Father, and the love He holds for His children. This is a unique relationship; unlike anything humanity has ever known or experienced. Before Christ came in the flesh, people relied upon the words of the prophets and the priests who offered sacrifices on their behalf. Now, Jesus says that His Father longs to have a personal, intimate relationship with every human heart. Through Jesus Christ, we can approach the Father directly! He is the bridge between God and man. The chasm that sin brought into the world is being miraculously closed through this one perfect sacrifice. Do you think the Disciples understood what Jesus was trying to say? Do we understand it clearly today?

Jesus said He no longer needs to speak in figurative terms about the Father. We would come to know and understand the kind of love the Father has for us through a personal relationship with Jesus. If you have not yet experienced the love of the Father through His Son, this is a great day to come and meet the Lord face to face! He is waiting with open arms to forgive, redeem and love you right where you are. There is nothing you can do to earn God’s favor or grace. Your sins have been carried to the cross by Christ, and it is only through Him that you can be saved. Claim your salvation gift today.

True relationship begins with a simple prayer, prayed in faith. Father, I believe that Jesus died for me. I’m crossing this bridge by faith. How I yearn to know you more. Forgive me for the mistakes I’ve made along life’s way. I come to you now, in the name of Jesus. Thank you for saving me. 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.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Complete joy!


Today’s Reading: John 16:24 (NIV)

24 [Jesus said,] “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”

Good morning!

I’ve been reading in my Old Testament Class about the miraculous rescue of the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt. It is a story that never grows old. I couldn’t help but notice how every miracle begins with a sincere cry for help. It was the Israelite’s repeated prayers that prompted the Lord to enlist the services of His servant Moses by arranging a forty-year tour to the Promised Land. It was their deep longing for salvation that led the Lord to part the Red Sea waters, as His people crossed over from Egypt, fully protected, into the desert. When they became hungry and thirsty, the Lord provided manna and quail and water out of a rock as an answer to their need. This is a living witness to every day miracles in the making. God answers His people when we ask Him for help. What have you asked God for this week? Have you seen the answer to your prayers?

Tuesday nights are quickly becoming my favorite night of the week. I am watching a miracle unfold before my very eyes; so incredible, it is hard to describe on paper. At the Loft last night, I watched in wonder as students from all over the Lindenwood campus led Christian worship through music, poetry and testimony. It was a great night – we ran out of food and water and had to make an extra grocery store run. This is a very good thing! There is an incredible hunger for the Lord here, and we are witnessing the evidence of Christ’s love for all who came to share.

It was just a few short months ago that we joined hands and hearts with several churches in our neighborhood to pray together and offer ourselves as a living witness to share Jesus Christ with the student body on the Lindenwood college campus. As I sat on the sofa last night listening to the music inspired by the Lord God Almighty Himself, I realized that these students were here, sharing their faith with me. I was the recipient of an answered prayer; a witness to a real miracle in the making. The joy I experienced last night in my heart will stay with me for the rest of my life.

What happens when we choose to put our complete and total trust in the Lord? Jesus said that we should always ask for what we need in His name. When we ask in the name of Jesus, we will receive the Father’s answer and our joy will be made complete. He isn’t kidding!

Are you ready for His miracle? Ask, in Jesus’ name, and see what the Father will do through 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.

Monday, October 13, 2008

Final exam preparation


Today’s Reading: John 16:23 (NIV)

23 [Jesus said,] “In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.”

Good morning!

At the end of the professor’s lecture, he paused and said, “Do you have any questions?” The room was filled with a strange and uncomfortable silence. I surveyed the classroom quickly; no one flinched, not one hand went up in the air. I could see there were some who were trying to think of something to say, but the words had simply evaporated into the time gap. “No questions?” he asked, as the Professor’s eyebrows furrowed in surprise. “Well then, good luck on next week’s test,” and with that, he dismissed class.

Students grabbed their backpacks and left the classroom quickly. I thought to myself how incredibly surreal this moment was with such an abrupt ending. The professor was standing right there, reviewing material for the upcoming final exam. When he asked if we had questions, the opportunity to obtain critical information in preparation for the exam was simply missed, because no one bothered to ask.

Why do we choose to pass up a golden opportunity to ask, especially when we need the answer to help us pass the final exam?

Jesus knew that one day, we would stop asking questions. We continue to write on pages of our present, which will become tomorrow’s world history. Are we asking the right questions? Will our concerns about world economy, the suffering of starving nations, and the wars that rage around us, be answered in such a way that we can learn not to repeat this cycle once again? Have we stopped asking questions all together because we simply do not know what to say?

There is only one answer to all of life’s questions. We need to ask in the name of Jesus. For it is only in Jesus’ name that the Father will hear and answer our prayers. Are you struggling to find the right words as you spend time in holy conversation with the Father? Cry out to Jesus! His name is the only answer you need to pass your final exam.

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, October 12, 2008

When faith somehow slips away

Today’s Reading: John 16:22 (NIV)

22 [Jesus said,] “So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”

Good morning!

I love watching babies play with balloons. It’s such a sweet thing, to see a wee one so entertained and delighted with a brightly colored balloon attached to their stroller or wrist. Our children loved birthday balloons. It was risky business, trying to get a sugar coated child with their birthday balloon home from the party intact. Quite often, the balloon would burst if it touched hot metal or a jagged edge inside the car. While trying to buckle our children safely in their car seats, the balloon in their hands would suddenly slip away and we would watch it fly for miles in the sky above our heads. Have you ever tried to comfort a little one who has just let go of their prized possession? It’s the thing that we want to hold onto; yet, somehow it seems to slip through our fingertips and fly away. Has anyone ever tried to burst your balloon?

When I first accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior as a young teenager, I felt like a little child playing with a colorful balloon! I was so delighted with God’s amazing gift of grace, covering my imperfections; my sin. For the very first time, I knew I was loved beyond any human love imaginable. Yet, there were some who were definitely not impressed with my new found faith in Jesus. In fact, someone very close to me asked me this question one day, as I verbally expressed unhappiness and discontent over a situation I was facing at home. This was their question posed to me: “How can you say that, if you are truly saved?” Her words were as sharp as the metal frame in our old, un-air-conditioned 1966 four-door Chevrolet and this faith balloon that I had just received as an unconditional gift of love suddenly burst into thin air. Isn’t it amazing how we allow the judgments of others to affect what we know to be true inside our heart of hearts?

There is a lot of grief in the world today. Two trillion dollars of hard-earned retirement funds evaporated last week on Wall Street. World markets are crumbling; businesses are going belly up, and the banking industry is as unstable as I have witnessed it. Folks are asking questions and wondering where God is in the midst of this financial crisis. Faith balloons are flying out the window, seemingly unreachable to the human heart. Don’t you let anyone steal your joy! Jesus Christ died to set you free, and when you are free, you are free indeed! Do not worry, even if you happen to let faith slip between your fingers! I know His love will find you, because even when we let go, God hangs on.

Now is the time of grief, but we will see our Savior again, and He will make our joy complete!

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.