Saturday, February 07, 2009

Final Resignation


Today’s Reading: John 19:29-30 (NIV)

29 A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. 30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, He bowed His head and gave up His Spirit.

Good morning!

Humans tend to be born fighters. If you’ve ever been to a NICU on a maternity ward of a hospital, you can see that fighting spirit live in the tiniest of frames. If a tiny baby just hours old, with no real understanding of its environment, can fight with every fiber of its being to breathe on its own and reach out toward life, it is no wonder that the Father has placed a fight for life in every human heart.

Jesus was fighting for human life on the cross – not so that He could live but that we would live in His presence with Him forever. What a fight He fought!

Have you ever experienced a deep sense of resignation? People come together in community, whether it is at work, school, or charitable and civic organizations. We unite around a common purpose and goal. Giving up is not something we choose not to do. That fighting spirit lives and works within us. We share our strengths, looking for new ways to learn and grow together, moving toward a common goal. When resignation occurs, we look back on the path we’ve walked, knowing we’ve given our very best. There are times when we must resign in order to move forward. Resignation is one of the hardest things we do in life.

Jesus resigned himself to one final task. Knowing all had been accomplished, He was ready to finish the mission. When He said the words, “It is finished,” He knew He had accomplished the Father’s will. With one final confirmation, Christ gave up His spirit and relinquished His will into the Father’s hand. It was the bravest resignation ever offered in human history.

Help us Lord, to fight the good fight with every breath we take. Teach us to share the Gospel of your saving grace and mercy around the world in whatever opportunities you give us. Let us not grow weary in this work for there is much to do and only a little time in which to do it. Give us the courage to willingly relinquish our lives into the palm of your hand when it is finished. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, 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, February 06, 2009

Thirsting for more

Today’s Reading: John 19:28 (NIV)

28 Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.”

Psalm 69:20-21 (NIV)

20 Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none. 21 They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

Good morning!

The Lord has given His all for all of us. There, on the cross, in excruciating pain, Jesus knew He had completed His mission. Looking at the people, Jesus found no one to comfort His broken heart. There was no sympathy that could ease His pain. I can only imagine that the physical suffering Christ endured was mild compared to that of His Spirit, writhing in agony as He took upon Himself the sins of the world.

It is easy to be tempted to turn away from the Father, especially when we feel completely beaten up by the things of this world. Many have lost their jobs, health insurance, benefits and financial resources that provide the necessities of life for their family in this difficult economy. Retirement incomes are disappearing; our elderly are wondering who will help them pay their utility bills or buy groceries for their table. Families are losing their homes to foreclosure, and finding themselves living in their cars or out on the streets. Half way around the world, little children are starving to death, through no fault of their own. Food is scarce; supplies are nearly non-existent. In times of great suffering and pain, trusting in God may seem rather pointless.

Even in His worst agony, Christ’s thirst for more compelled Him to speak the Word. He said, “I am thirsty.” Was He thirsting for water, or was Jesus thirsting for more of His Father? Even when He could have given in to the pain and called upon His angels to bring Him down from the cross, Christ remained steadfast and resolute. He continued to pray even when He felt no one was listening.

Jesus knows your deepest need. Rejection, humiliation and outright fear can blind us to the Truth. Cast your cares upon the Lord today; He is here, right now, and He will not abandon you in your time of need. Jesus can quench your deepest thirst if you will simply ask Him for a drink. Are you thirsty today? Look beyond your circumstances; look to the Lord Jesus Christ and be thirsty no more.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, 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.

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Going home

Today’s Reading: John 19:25-27 (NIV)

25 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary, the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

Good morning!

I cannot imagine the grief Mary must have felt watching her Son die such a cruel death. She and Joseph had been given a holy glimpse into this child’s purpose when the angel appeared to each of them in Nazareth nearly thirty-four years ago. Unlike the others who feared for their lives, Mary chose not to abandon her Son at the cross alone. She stood at the foot of the cross with her sister and dear friend. Only one of the disciples, the disciple whom Jesus loved, waited nearby, praying and grieving for His master.

Any mother would rather suffer themselves than see their child hurt. The unthinkable had happened and Mary would have gladly traded her life for the cross if she could have spared Jesus this agony. She remembered with vivid clarity taking the back roads to Egypt with Joseph when Jesus was just a baby. They fled to escape the death sentence of Herod as first-born sons were being slaughtered all across Bethlehem. Every time the angel spoke, they found a way to obey, and they stayed together in Egypt until the angel told them it was safe to go home. I imagine Mary wondered how she would ever find her way home after losing her son and the Lord of life. Without Him, there would be no safe place to live.

Jesus looked down from the cross and saw His mother weeping. Their eyes met and silent words were spoken between the two of them. Jesus raised His voice and said, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” Jesus made a provision for his mother. He knew she would need someone to be there for her, to care for and comfort her as she continued to live out the days of her life. Jesus knew that his friend would need the loving support of His mother. They would find comfort together in their memories, and hope for His imminent return.

It has been my personal experience that God seems to provide the right people in times of need. He gives us the precious gift of family and friends to help each other endure seasons of grief and pain. Jesus provides a home for all who draw near to Him in faith. We are not alone; we have each other, and we can watch and wait together for our Lord’s imminent return.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, 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, February 04, 2009

The game of life

Today’s Reading: John 19:24 (NIV)

24 “Let’s not tear it,” they said to one another. “Let’s decide by lot who will get it.” This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, “They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.” So this is what the soldiers did.

Good morning!

Humans have a strange way of thinking. It seems totally ironic and out of character that those brutal, greedy Roman soldiers cared about Jesus’ garment not to want to tear its fabric. It was okay to shred the Master’s flesh but not to rip his robe into pieces! One lucky guy would get the whole cloak to himself, simply by casting lots. Obviously, winning the lottery was a popular game to play even then.

Why do we care so little for people and so much for things? I wonder why we would choose to invest the bulk of our money in nice cars, furniture, big homes, and fine wardrobes, and give our leftover nickels and dimes to help others. Shouldn’t we care more about the people who are struggling to survive than collecting a lot of earthly toys that does no one any good at all?

We seem so casual and careless with our cutting words. One harsh word can rip another heart to shreds and the pain we cause somehow seems trivial in our minds. We devour each other, caring more about own selfish ways than we do for each other. When will we realize that the game of life is not a game at all? We need to stop gambling with human souls and see the urgency rising around us.

The soldiers were having a great time underneath the cross. They were paying no attention to the agony of the One hanging above their heads. As they played their little game, Christ’s blood was dripping down on them. They were covered in His blood but were oblivious to the significance of what this meant.

Jesus, forgive me for not fully understanding the sacrifice you made to save me. Help me think before I speak. Open my eyes; let me see and compare the truth of your heart to my selfish lifestyle. Teach me how to care more for those around me than I care for myself. Forgive me for crucifying you every single time I speak a hateful word, when I show complacency toward my brother and choose greed and gain over giving, caring and sharing. Thank you, Jesus, for dying for me while I was yet a sinner. Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, 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, February 03, 2009

Hand-me-down

Today’s Reading: John 19:23 (NIV)

23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took His clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.

Good morning!

How does it make you feel when you put on something new to wear? I remember taking my children to the store to shop for school clothes and tennis shoes. They enjoyed getting new things. Yet, many of their favorite clothing items were hand-me-downs, from family and friends. Sometimes that gift meant more than anything we could purchase at the store.

Hand-me-downs are precious treasures in our family. My sister and I shared a small closet and many of our clothes came from cousins and neighbors on the block. We didn’t have a lot of extra money to shop. It was always such a treat to receive a gift of a gently used piece of clothing. I admired many of the older girls on the street where we grew up. I looked up to them, and when they gave me their hand-me-downs, I felt really special and blessed. It remains a precious treasure to me.

A few weeks ago, my mother gave me a sweater vest. Whenever I put it on, I think of her and the love that she for me. I think of the kind of person she is, and how I would like to be more like her each day. Her simple gift reminds me that she is praying for me, and thinks about me and my family often. I wouldn’t trade that sweater vest for anything.

The Romans had crucified the Savior. As He suffered there on the cross, they divided his clothing between them. Did they realize the amazing gift He was giving to them? I wonder what it felt like when they put His garment on for the very first time. The Romans thought they were taking something from Him; they did not realize that the gift had been freely given. Could they somehow sense Christ’s mercy and grace in the fabric of His garment?

The Lord clothes each of us in His righteousness alone, and it is this love that we wear into the world each day. What a gift of grace! May you wear the Father’s hand-me down with great joy! We serve an awesome God.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, 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.