Saturday, April 18, 2009

Dear Theophilus:

Today’s Reading: Acts 1:1-2 (NIV)

1 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2 until the day He was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen.

Good morning!

It is hard to imagine a world without accessible internet access, email and instant messaging. It wasn’t all that long ago when none of this technology even existed; the realities of today were simple dreams and theories developing in the heart of humanity. For thousands of years, people found ways to communicate life stories and truth to each other. Pictures carved on stone walls told stories of kings and Pharaohs and rulers of kingdoms. Folks began recording written narratives about the lives of important people and sharing them with extended family and friends through letters. Letter writing became a most popular way to share news and, I would imagine receiving a letter then was almost as exciting as receiving an instant message with an attached picture today.

There is great value in an eyewitness account. Luke, the writer of Acts, was a physician by trade and a close, personal friend of the Apostle Paul. He was the only Gentile author in the New Testament, whose writing sheds a fresh perspective on the birth of the Christian Church. He met and heard many of the stories told by the disciples about Jesus. Hearing the truth and seeing the many healing miracles prompted Luke to share this great, good news in a letter written to a friend named Theophilus, whose very name means lover of God. Luke was writing his account to all of us who love the Lord.

This letter picks up where the Luke’s Gospel leaves off, some thirty years after Christ’s resurrection. The church was growing exponentially through the powerful move of the Holy Spirit, who is very much alive and well in the hearts of believers. Jesus told His disciples that He had to go so that the Spirit would come, and oh, how the Spirit poured itself out on the early church! People of different cultures, beliefs and languages heard and accepted the good news of our risen Savior. Even through intense and horrifying persecution, Christian home churches were springing up faster than the Romans could literally burn them out. The flames of faith continue to spark and ignite around the world today.

Luke’s ability to convey truth through in written medium helped many who did not know the Lord Jesus Christ or see His crucifixion, burial and resurrection, to believe and trust in His saving grace. We can be thankful for all who dare to share the truth today, with whatever communication tools they have at their disposal.

It is obvious that Christ continues to speak through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit evidenced in our lives. No longer is the Lord understood only by his disciples who walked and talked with Him in Galilee and Jerusalem. People were meeting the risen Savior face-to-face, in the most unusual ways. Christ continues to choose His Apostles today to spread the message. They are simple men and women, just like you and me. When Jesus Christ sets our hearts on fire and we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we carry His message of hope to the world.

This is a love letter that will literally change your life. Come and read it with me, my dear Theophilus.

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, April 17, 2009

Life without end

Today’s Reading: John 21:25 (NIV)

25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

Good morning!

I have friends who will only read a book in its entirety if they like what they read in the last chapter first. Are you someone who wants to know how the story will end before you experience the beginning?

Each of the Gospel writers chose to end their narratives of Jesus’ life in unique ways. Was this Gospel writer exhausted when he closed his book with the last sentence? There was so much more to be told, so many things that Jesus said and did. How many volumes would it have taken if every word and act of Jesus had been recorded, shared, and revealed? Wouldn’t you like to know the rest of the story?

I believe there is a reason why this Gospel message has no conclusive ending. Jesus’ work didn’t stop at the cross; and there is no logical way to wrap up His life's story after rising from the dead and ascending into heaven. Jesus is alive and at work in the world today! When we give our hearts to Him and He draws us into a personal relationship, we find ourselves compelled to share His story with the world around us. This is a book of new beginnings. Even the ending is a brand new beginning, for God’s holy Word has no end.

It is human nature to want to know how every story will end, and there are many who have speculated about Christ’s promised return and what the end times will be like. Prophecies written thousands of years before Christ’s birth are being fulfilled today! Some scholars have devoted their entire lives to the understanding the meaning of the Truths contained in Holy Scripture. This Gospel writer doesn’t stop with this final chapter. The Father uses John to record a vision that the generations continue to interpret some 2000 years later. The mysteries presented in the book of Revelation, leave us to speculation and conjecture, compelling us to better understand the Father’s plan for the world.

Jesus chooses to reveal Himself to me verse by verse! Unlike many other books that I have read, there is something new to learn in every single sentence. We have spent the last sixteen months working through the Gospel of John, verse by verse. I know without a doubt that His Word speaks!

Even though Christ's story does not end here, it is time for you and me to draw some conclusions about what we’ve learned. We must make a choice based upon the eyewitness account that has been presented. Will we believe that Jesus is the only Son of God, who lived, died and rose again to save us from eternal separation and sin? If you have given your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ while studying His Word, then your salvation ticket has been purchased. You have a guaranteed place with Christ forever more. Your life's story will be His story for every generation; and you will live on forever in the everlasting light of Christ's love.

It is not too late to give your heart to the Lord. You have the opportunity right now to receive a brand new life in Christ. Pray these words with me: Father, I believe that Jesus lived, died and rose again just to save me. I am convinced that He is your only Son and the Savior of the world. Forgive me for the sins I have committed in my thoughts, words and actions. I give you my life right now; I make you the Lord of my life today. Thank you for salvation; I receive it today in Jesus’ name. I believe I have been washed in Christ's blood and now I can stand firm in His righteousness alone. I know your promises are true - I will live forever with you. Give me the courage to share your salvation story with the world! I pray this prayer, in the power and in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

If you have received the Lord Jesus Christ into your life today, please write to me today. I invite you join me tomorrow as we begin a brand new story, studying the Acts of the Apostles, verse by verse.

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, April 16, 2009

Handwritten testimony

Today’s Reading: John 21:24 (NIV)

24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

Good morning!

How important is your written testimony? In a court of law, handwritten notes, letters, computer hard drive contents and email are all considered admissible evidence in seeking out the truth of a matter. We are known by our living testimony, and that testimony is reflected by the things we say, do, and write. If the sum of your writing was compiled into a book, what would it reveal about who you are?

When I was dating Jeff (before we got married), I looked forward to receiving his love letters in the mail. I’ve preserved many of these notes in a scrapbook, where it sits on the bookshelf in the living room of our home. Last night, while talking on the telephone with my daughter-in-law Kymberly, she commented on some of the notes that she had read one day while perusing the pictures and stories. I kept these notes for a reason. Every time I read them, I am reminded of his love for me. A few weeks ago, Jeff and I attended a series of one act plays on the campus of Lindenwood University. One of the skits was entitled Post-It Notes, and the entire theme revolved around the notes a husband and wife wrote to each other throughout their marriage. It was such a poignant reminder of the importance of note writing, that Jeff and I began using post-it notes on our bathroom mirror each day. I guess I need to scrapbook them too!

You see, no one else can tell your story like you can. The experiences you have in life are important to the people around you. They are important to the ones who will follow your footsteps in future generations. Through your words, you can convey a truth that someone else will understand, if you are willing to open up and share a piece of who you are with others. What would it have been like if John, the presumed author of this Gospel passage, had not followed the leading of the Holy Spirit to write his eyewitness account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ? Would we, 2000 years later, have known, understood, and received Jesus into our hearts had it not been for the handwritten testimonies of the ones who walked with Him during His earthly life?

One day, my grandchildren will tell their grandchildren about their great great grandmother, and the stories she told about her experiences with the risen Savior. They will know without a doubt that the Lord Jesus Christ reached down and saved their Granny Deb in His mercy and By grace alone. They will know without a doubt that when they get to heaven, I will be waiting to hug the stuffing out of them there. While I may never see their beautiful faces on earth, I know that my life will impact and intersect with their lives, that they may come to know and love Jesus just as much as I do today.

My prayer for you is that you will follow in the footsteps of the disciples, and share your faith by all that you say, do and write. If you stood trial tomorrow for the Christian faith you profess today, would there be enough evidence to convict 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.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

The danger in passing judgment

Today’s Reading: John 21:23 (NIV)

23 Because of this, the rumor spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?”

Good morning!

Rumors have a way of spreading quickly, like a wildfire out of control! Have you ever said something that was taken out of context or misconstrued? Do you sometimes misunderstand the words of another?

I’ve been thinking specifically about one of John and Charles Wesley’s Holy Club questions and how I might answer: Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I doing about it? Every time I make a predetermination about someone without fully trying to understand their behavior, words or intent, I am guilty of passing judgment. Christ teaches us that if we judge one another, we will be judged by the same measure.

If you are anything at all like me, then you probably hold some pretty strong opinions – maybe you believe in a certain social issue or principle that resonates throughout your life. You may hold others to a higher standard (like a spouse or child) because of your strong beliefs. When someone doesn’t live up to your personal expectations, or if they choose to walk down a different path, it is easy to become judgmental and even fearful. Rumors spark where judgment begins. If you ask yourself the hard question today, look behind the reasons why you are uncomfortable with someone else, and see if you can uncover and define the judgment you have placed on them. Would you want to be judged by the same standard?

In the movie, Home Alone, young Kevin McAllister is frightened by his next-door neighbor, Marley, an older gentleman who is somewhat reclusive appears callous and cold. Older brother Buzz perpetuates an untrue rumor about Marley, and as a result, Kevin begins to fear his neighbor. It is only after Kevin makes time to get to know Marley that he makes a true friend and proves the rumors false.

Early church history reports that John, the disciple who would not die according to the rumor mill, spent several years exiled for his belief in Christ on the island of Patmos. It is thought that at some point, John returned to the city of Ephesus, where he died an old man. Can you imagine the pain this preconceived notion brought upon John, as a result of others misconstruing Christ’s words?

I invite you today to let go of the judgments and presumptions you hold against others. Take your predispositions and lay them down at the foot of the cross. Ask Jesus to reveal His Truth to you. He can help you love someone who, for whatever reason, has become unlovable in your eyes. Jesus will help you separate the heart from the human, so that you can begin to love others as He loves 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, April 14, 2009

The faith scale

Today’s Reading: John 21:22 (NIV)

22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

Good morning!

How do you live faith? Have you ever wondered how you might measure up on the faith scale?

It is human nature to compare ourselves with each other. Personally, I believe we spend way too much time trying to imitate and adapt to social and cultural standards set and measured by imperfect humans. When we pass judgment on our next-door neighbors, we may try to fool ourselves into thinking that we are somehow better off than they are. Are we really? This is such a dangerous and costly attitude to embrace. Gawking and fence sitting can be hazardous to our spiritual health. We’ll find gaping holes left in our sagging britches, caused from the rusty nails extruding through life’s fence posts, ripping our preconceived notions and grandiose thinking to mere shreds.

Jesus repeatedly points out the sins of the self-righteous. We tend to flaunt our faith in public, praying and fasting so that others might see and be awed by our superficial holiness. We begin to fool ourselves into thinking that if we try to imitate our brothers, we have somehow earned the right to be redeemed. Does Christ’s offer of salvation hinge upon anything we could possibly say or do?

When we fall in love with Jesus Christ, our standard of comparison is no longer based on human terms. We begin to look at Christ’s life example as a spiritual measurement for our daily living. It is far more important to focus on the nature and character of Jesus, recognizing that He is the only One who has the power to completely change our hearts from the inside out. We are less concerned about our neighbor’s business, and we begin to focus our attention upon our own personal relationship with Jesus. That is not to say that we stop caring about the needs of others. Christians find great joy in helping and loving each other, just as Christ loves each and every one of us. Yet, the only accurate measurement on the faith scale is weighted in the life example of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Two hundred years ago, John Wesley asked a pointed question to his Holy Club members, and I ask the same question of myself today: Am I more like a self-righteous Pharisee or a penitent sinner?

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, April 13, 2009

Sibling rivalry

Today’s Reading: John 21:20-21 (NIV)

20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one, who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

Good morning!

I distinctly remember trying to focus the center of attention on my little sister whenever we would get caught in a squabble at home. Our Pammy, the feisty one, instigated many of our spats. She liked to pick on me and I passed the blame to her just as fast as I could. I could be pretty sneaky, and occasionally would play a practical joke or two and not be suspected; at least not at first. Sibling rivalry tends to reveal itself when children are caught in something they shouldn’t have said or done.

My mother used to tell this true story on her younger brothers. They grew up in the country, on a small cotton farm nestled between some very tall pine trees, lots of dense kudzu, and a fishing pond that you could see just a few yards from the back porch. In the hot and sticky summertime, the boys would catch colorful lizards hopping around in the cool shade of that porch. If you squeeze a lizard just right, their mouths will open up and they will latch on to your flesh. The boys would sneak up behind their little sisters and attach a traumatized lizard to an unsuspecting ear lobe, laughing and teasing the girls’ about their pretty new earrings, while watching them squeal and jump around in utter fright.

We can see the evolution of culture throughout the generations, and yet, this one thing has never changed. Jesus predicts how Simon Peter will die because of his rock solid faith in the Lord. Peter is surprised at this new revelation, and reacts like every brother I know. He becomes indignant at Christ’s announcement. Looking around, he focuses his attention on the disciple whom Jesus loved (scholars believe this is most likely John). Simon Peter asks a pointed question, “What about him, Lord?” Jesus’ replies, “What business is it of yours?”

We must be careful not to pin personal faith to the shirt tails of our parents, friends, and the Christian men and women whom we most admire. Jesus was clear when He said, “You must follow me.” There is no underlying competition going on here, no sibling rivalry at play. This is the one time that we must focus on who we are in Christ, regardless of the soul condition of our brothers and sisters. No amount of teasing, joking or blaming each other will make any difference when we are called to answer Christ. Faith is a gift. Jesus offers it freely to all who seek Him. It is up to each of us whether we will ask and receive the gift and then choose to live it out in our daily lives. No amount of prodding, chiding, or blaming each other will help us when we lay our life account at the foot of the cross.

Only you can make this choice. Not your brother, not your sister: only you will decide whom you will serve, even if it means laying your life down. Jesus Christ is alive! He carried your just punishment to the cross, so that you could live with Him forever. Ask Him for His gift of faith today.

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.