Saturday, April 04, 2009

Third time's the charm

Today’s Reading: John 21:13 (NIV)

13 Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14 This was now the third time Jesus appeared to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.

Good morning!

It seems to me that salvation comes in “threes.” Take the life of John Wesley, for instance. As a young boy, he was saved from a rectory (house) fire that nearly took his life. Again, John experienced salvation as he made his profession of faith in the Anglican Church, took the vows of priesthood, and gave his heart to preaching and teaching the Gospel. His relentlessness in the pursuit of Christ-like holiness and determination to bear lasting fruit for the kingdom was the driving force of his life's work. This was John's second salvation. Yet, it took a special set of circumstances, borne from the tragedies of human weakness and failure, before John Wesley experienced what he had longed to receive for years – a very real and personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. His Aldersgate conversion occurred after John had been ordained for more than a decade! The assurance of salvation that he had sought was finally his, through NO ACT of his own. Jesus reached out and scooped John Wesley up, for a third time, and it would seem that the third time's the charm.

If we take a closer look at the life of Christ, we cannot help but see the holy mystery revealed in the intimate relationship between Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Trinity: three persons - One being, is a hard thing to wrap your mind around until you take a long, hard, look at Jesus’ life. You begin to experience the Three in One. Jesus is God: fully divine. Jesus is fully human, with real flesh and blood. Jesus is Spirit, actively moving and teaching as He leads us in the way, the truth and the life. Salvation is revealed through the Holy Trinity -Three in One.

For Christ's disciples, it is the third day that makes all the difference. After three days in the tomb, Jesus rose again, just as He said. His rising caused the gates of hell to be broken wide open, and the chains of death and separation were forever barred. On the third day, Jesus did what no one had ever done before; bringing everlasting healing and wholeness from sin and death to humanity's broken heart. In three days, the Father’s plan, the Son’s obedience, and the Spirit’s leading had birthed a brand new life for every generation, past, present and future. The third day is the charm.

It took three appearances after Christ’s death and resurrection before the disciples knew for certain Who He was, is, and is to come. Salvation definitely comes in threes. Take some time today to think about how knowing the Lord Jesus Christ impacts the direction your life. Can you identify the mystery of Three in One alive and at work in you?

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, March 31, 2009

Recognizing the call

Today’s Reading: John 21:12 (NIV)

12 Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord.

Good morning!

I’ve been wrestling with the differences between capability and call. I’ve met a lot of truly capable people in life. These are the folks who are well educated, deeply devoted and extremely motivated by the work they have been given to do. Most are relentless in their determination to effect change, to do the right thing, and to see some sort of measurable success through their tireless effort. They are certainly capable of making a difference in the world.

Being called is such a different thing. When someone is called to come, they may not have a slick resume in their back pocket or several degrees to use as collateral of proof in their willingness to serve. If we take a closer look at the disciples who were called to come to breakfast with Jesus, we can see their obvious diversity in education, stature, and gift mixes. We wonder why Jesus specifically decided to call them. They were ordinary people, just like you and me, with an extraordinary love for the Lord.

Is answering the “call” enough to equip us for vocational service to the Lord? How do we know and recognize the call when it comes?

It was an interesting turn of events in the lives of the disciples. When Jesus called them to come and follow Him some three years before, they left their livelihood and families behind, to follow Christ on the journey of a lifetime. They went, out of curiosity, a deep desire and strong conviction that this was what they were meant to do. Along the way, the disciples, listened, questioned, and were totally confused by most of what the Master taught. When Jesus was crucified, they ran and hid in fear and grief. Even when Jesus had told them He must die and rise again, they did not understand. And when the Lord began to appear to them after the resurrection, they did not recognize His voice at first.

But this time was different. The call was clear. They knew and recognized the Lord immediately; and readily accepted His invitation to breakfast.

Is the Lord calling you to come to breakfast today? Have you heard and recognized His distinct voice calling you? Do not hesitate to respond. He sees the potential of who you are; what He will do in your life is greater than anything you could possibly imagine. You can learn how to become capable in ministry. Recognizing and answering Christ’s call is the most important step you will take.

It is time for breakfast with the Lord and He is calling you today to join Him. Won’t you come?

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.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Choosing the best net

Today’s Reading: John 21:11 (NIV)

11 Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.

Good morning!

One of my favorite and most memorable Vacation Bible Schools was the summer we focused young hearts on becoming fishers of men. The children in my class learned to tie perfect square knots, and together, we created a beautiful, large net to use as a part of our Bible storytelling time. The net hung as a backdrop in the closing play; it is our focal point for the work we are called to do.

What made Simon Peter’s net so strong? The author makes a point by telling the reader just how many big fish were in the net: 153. That’s a lot of large fish! When you fish at a state park, there are contests for the fisherman who can reel in the biggest catch of the day. Pictures of fisherman with their prize 12-pounders are proudly displayed at the store, where one goes to purchase bait, a fishing license and daily tags. My father proudly pinned his fishing tag on top of the hat he wore in the water. He was a true fly fisherman, and loved to wade out into the deep to cast his line. Sometimes, Daddy would stand waist deep in the water. The only dry place for his fishing tag was on top of his head.

153 big fish at 12 pounds (or more) per piece is lot of weight for one man to lift all by himself. Think about it – Simon Peter must have been extremely strong to be able to drag the net ashore. As he heaved the catch toward the campsite, the net didn’t break. Could this be another miracle in the making?

God’s love is stronger and bigger than the sins that will try to pull us away from Him. His net keeps us ever in His care, even as we flail around, longing to somehow escape His watchful eye and disappear into deep water. His Holy Ghost net hangs on and doesn’t let us go, even if we try to turn back. If we are honest, we know that it is human tendency for many to come to Christ kicking and screaming until they meet Him face to face at the foot of the cross. Do you know what I’m saying?

The net we weaved at Vacation Bible School was strong, but not nearly strong enough for a big catch. As we seek to answer Christ’s Great Commission, to go into the world and make disciples of all the nations, we often wonder if we’re going to be strong enough to hoist the catch onto heaven’s shore. The answer completely depends upon whose net you choose to use.

There are just some things we cannot do on our own. When you find your strength is not enough in the eternal fishing expedition of life, be sure to choose the very best net – pray for Holy Spirit help to bring all the big fish to Jesus, for every heart is precious and important to 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.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

High tide

Today’s Reading: John 21:10 (NIV)

10 Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.”

Good morning!

I was sitting in church one Sunday morning, listening to my Pastor as she delivered the sermon God had laid upon her heart. She asked a couple of questions that really made me think. I was sitting by myself toward the back of the sanctuary, in a comfortable pew – all by myself. Here were her two very pointed questions:

How many homes did you drive by on your way to church? How many people did you stop to invite to come and join you today in worship? I only live three full blocks from Faith Church, and on nice spring days, I enjoy walking to church. I pass by my neighbors’ homes every day. Some are out doing lawn work early in the morning, and I can hear the voices of little children playing the back yard or just inside the open front screen doors. Dogs are barking as joggers take their Sunday morning run. I wave as they pass me by. I’ve smiled at the folks sitting on their front porches with a cup of coffee and newspaper in hand. I’ve never stopped just to talk to them, to introduce myself or invite them to church. Suddenly, I began to feel a little heart burn. I live in a neighborhood full of folks whose names I’ve never asked for. I don’t know them, and that is totally my fault.

How do we keep our best kept secret – secret? Is our love for Jesus Christ so personal and private that we wouldn’t want to share His salvation with the world around us? When we fall in love with the Lord, we want to run outside and shout that we’ve found the One who totally completes our reason for living. Some of us grew up in an environment where we heard about Jesus from an early age. Others of us may have never been exposed to Christianity, and do not yet understand what a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can be. When we do meet Him face to face and He becomes the love of our life, how do we suppress this wonderful Good News with the ones who we come in contact with every day?

Imagine this morning, that you are Simon Peter and Jesus Christ is calling to you to come and join Him for breakfast. Jesus says, “Bring some of the folks you have just invited to join you.” Who would be joining you for breakfast today with the Lord?

It is high tide. Time to go fishing! I’ll see you this morning at Faith Church.

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.