Waiting for the fog to lift

Today’s Reading: Acts 13:11-12 NIV

[Paul said to Elymas] 11 “Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over [Elymas], and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

Good morning!

There is a freezing fog warning this morning in the community where I live. It is so dark outside that I am a little nervous about driving. I have a jam packed calendar today; appointments and commitments which I want to keep. I’m wondering when this fog will lift. Have you ever experienced a time in your life when everything was a blur, and nothing seemed to be clear cut? Do you ever lose your direction in a heavy, freezing fog?

Faith often comes in moments of darkness. We find ourselves wallowing around in a deep pit, shoveled by our own filthy hands. I confess that the Lord sometimes has no alternative than to leave me groping around in the dark, so that He can deal with my stubborn streak. We comprehend the gravity of our sin when we find ourselves stranded in a cold, dark fog. How often have you prayed for the fog to lift?

When God temporarily blinded Elymas, we know he found himself suddenly groping around in the dark, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. He was anxiously waiting for the fog to lift. The Scripture is unclear whether Elymas chose to repent of his sin right then and reach out for the hand of Jesus. What we do know is that Sergius Paulus, the proconsul of Paphos, saw what had happened, and raised his hands high, inviting Jesus Christ to come into his heart. He was amazed by the teaching and wonder working power of our Lord.

When we seek the Truth, we often find it in the middle of the dark. Reach out for the hand of Jesus Christ today. He is the only One who can lift the fog hanging over your life. If you witness your neighbor struggling in a dark place, take stock of the lesson and learn from it. Do not hesitate to give your whole heart today to Jesus Christ. Confess your sins, the things that have kept you in a dark, freezing fog, and seek His forgiveness today. Jesus will bring you out of the darkness and into His light. His light is the light of life.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, 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.

Grave consequences

Today’s Reading: Acts 13:9-10 NIV

9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?”

Good morning!

At first glance, the Apostle Paul’s words may seem harsh. The truth is - all of us need a little tough love every now and then, especially when our thoughts, words and actions are leading others astray. Elymas, also known as Bar-Jesus, had been hired on the Proconsul’s payroll, specifically to help him discern Truth. Elymas chose to believe in and worship false gods. He practiced sorcery, and encouraged his employer to do the same. Lost amid his own strange delusions, Elymas became an enemy of the Lord Jesus Christ. Have you ever been misled by someone you trust? Are you responsible for leading others away from the Truth?

Each of us will make life choices that carry grave consequences. Our words and actions bear witness to the faith we profess. We must be very certain in whom we choose to place our faith, because our lives utterly depend upon it. With so many religious traditions and philosophies of thought practiced around the world, how do we know for certain who to believe?

Paul understood the heart of Elymas. Paul had once persecuted believers and put many of these new Christian converts to death. It was only when Jesus Christ appeared before him, knocking Paul off his high horse and causing him to go instantly blind, that Paul realized he had been misinformed, and thereby was misleading others in faith. Paul found Christ’s mercy and forgiveness poured out for him at the foot of the cross. Is it no wonder that Paul chose to speak the harsh words which Elymas desperately needed to hear?

It can be excruciatingly painful to be confronted with the Truth. The arms of Jesus Christ are long enough to reach you, no matter where you are or what you have previously believed. Take a step of faith today and ask the Father to reveal His Truth to you. A personal testimony is often borne from the adversities we experience in life. When you read the eyewitness accounts of men and women, just like you, who first doubted and now believe; when you ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart and be Lord of your life, doubts will seemingly disappear in the Truth you’ve received at the foot of the cross.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, 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.

The faith factor

Today’s Reading: Acts 13:8 NIV

8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed [Barnabas and Paul] and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.

Good morning!

The pictures on television are devastating. I could only watch so much before I dropped to my knees in a pool of tears. It is unimaginable that one of our sister nations has been ripped to shreds after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake occurred just two days ago in Haiti.

In a country where the unemployment rate is well over 50%, this earthquake has caused a catastrophic situation for thousands of people who live in this country. People are missing; families cannot locate their loved ones. As we see the injured emerge from the rubble, we watch in utter horror, as they lay in the streets bleeding to death, with broken bones and broken hearts, waiting for someone, anyone to help them. Aircraft from around the world are arriving with much needed food, water, and medical supplies, but there is no one there to help unload the emergency provisions and distribute to the needy. It would seem we cannot get there fast enough to help those in immediate need. What would this feel like if it were our country – our families and friends? To whom would we turn in our time of need?

Can you imagine holding a dying child in your arms, trying to comfort them, knowing there is no where to seek medical attention? What word would you offer that could make an everlasting difference, and bring hope and comfort to a wee one suffering in pain? Who would comfort you in your grief?

The faith factor is a necessity in times of devastation. We often think we can live on comfortably in the lifestyle we’ve grown accustomed to. As long as our own family is fine, we do not have the need to look beyond our own walls and spend time worrying about our brothers and sisters dying in the streets. I don’t know how we can become so self-absorbed; and yet, it often takes a massive foundational quake for mankind to feel their heart strings resonate with love and concern for their fellow man. Would you want to be like Elymas, trying to turn your brother away from the only One who brings hope to the hopeless, who heals broken hearts, who saves us by His grace?

In tumultuous days, hold on to the faith that you know is true! Jesus Christ came to save the whole world; the rich, the poor – He came for all of us. We must respond to the people of Haiti, and there is no time to waste. How can you make a lasting difference at such a time as this? Pray and ask the Lord for His healing power over a country that was demolished in a matter of seconds. Give what you can – every dollar will make a difference when there is such a great need. Ask the Lord how He would have you serve Him in this situation. Volunteer your time at your local church and find out how you can become personally involved in making a difference in the lives of those affected by the earthquake. The United Methodist Church will be there offering prayers, presence, gifts, service and its living witness to a country desperate to receive the hope of the world. If you want to help the people of Haiti, please consider making a donation today to UMCOR – the United Methodist Committee on Relief at:

http://secure.gbgm-umc.org/donations/umcor/donate.cfm?id=3018760&code=418325

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, 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.

Second opinion

Today’s Reading: Acts 13:6-7 NIV

6 They traveled through the whole island, until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the Word of God.

Good morning!

Whenever we face a major decision involving our present and future, it is always good to obtain a second opinion before selecting the appropriate path. People face life changing decisions every single day. Do we buy our dream home while the market is down, risking the possibility of losing our jobs after signing a thirty-year mortgage and potentially losing our home in the fray? I have fallen in love, but will this love last a lifetime? When is the best time to start a family? Can we afford to raise a child, educate, clothe and feed him in this economy? How much money do we actually need to retire and live comfortably for potentially forty or fifty years after we quit working? Should I follow the advice of my personal physician, and have the surgical procedure he recommends?

Intelligent men and women seek out the truth of a matter, especially when it directly impacts the course of one’s life. Sergius Paulus was the proconsul, a high official in the town of Paphos. He was well-educated and wholly devoted to the position he held. Sergius Paulus solicited the assistance of a certain spiritual advisor, to help guide him in his spiritual beliefs. The proconsul was seeking the truth, and received questionable information from his contracted sorcerer, Bar-Jesus, also known by the name Elymas. Sergius Paulus chose to seek a second opinion from Christian converts Paul and Barnabas, who were traveling across the island of Cyprus, spreading the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.

When it comes to making a decision on the eternal direction of your life, it is a good thing to seek a second opinion. Open your mind and heart to Christ’s life-giving message today. If you are seeking the truth, pick up a Bible today and begin reading about Jesus. Ask the Lord to help you better understand His message. Visit your local church and speak with the pastor, to help you in your understanding of the Word. The decision you make as to whom you will trust with your life, will impact your present, your future, and your eternal home. Get the best advisor you can find: ask God to reveal His living Truth to you today.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, 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.

Early Riser

Today’s Reading: Psalm 5:3 NIV

In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

Good morning!

Our pretty kitty, Faith, is an early riser! She cannot wait for Jeff and I to get up and spend time playing with her before work. Every morning, Faith begins to lick my face, letting me know she wants some love and affection. I’ve learned my place in Faith’s life. Faith lives here, and I am a just a border. She allows me live here, as long as I answer to her beck and call. There is no question in my mind who is boss around here.

When I was a child, my parents never allowed my sister and I to “sleep in.” We were up every morning at 6am when KMOX® radio would begin its programming with playing The Lord’s Prayer® and a John Phillips Sousa March. Mom and Dad were in a strict routine, firmly believing that the day begins before sun-up, and ends shortly after night-fall. I married a night owl. Jeff does his best work late at night. After 9pm, if I try to pick up a book and read, I fall asleep before I get through the first paragraph. Jeff loves to spend time with the Lord in the wee early morning hours, beginning at midnight and lasting often until 2am. About the time Jeff finally goes to sleep, I am beginning to wake up. It is a strange phenomenon; how our sleep schedules affect the way we approach living life.

Ever since I took a spill in my garage last fall, I’ve had trouble sleeping. Normally, I’m down for six hours, and awake fully refreshed and ready to begin a new day. It doesn’t seem to work that way for me anymore. I find myself needing cat naps at frequent intervals. Because I cannot lay flat for long periods of time, I’ve had to break up my sleep cycle. Sometimes, I find myself awake late at night, and often want to sleep in just a little bit later in the mornings. As a Christian adult, I’ve set aside the early morning hours to spend time with the Lord in prayer, praise, and study. There are times, especially since the fall, when I feel guilt over robbing God out of the first fruits of my day. I am convinced He does not appreciate my lack of focus on Him, not one little bit.

This morning, Faith woke me up. I got up for a moment, and when I went to crawl into bed, I lost my balance, hitting my head against the wall. Ironically, my head did not hurt nearly as much as my neck and shoulder. Sometimes it takes a lightning bolt to get my undivided attention. This was definitely a holy moment – a physical and mental message from God to get up and get moving. God used my pretty kitty to remind me of the importance of an early morning talk with Him. After all, He is the Only One who gives me fresh breath and a brand new life to live each day.

Why waste another minute this morning? I invite you to come and enjoy the early morning hours with the Lord. He hears our voices and answers our prayers, as we wait with great anticipation and hope.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, 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.

Unfamiliar territory

Today’s Reading: Acts 13:4-5 NIV

4 The two of them [Paul and Barnabas], sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John [Mark] was with them as their helper.

Good morning!

This was it! The beginning of a brand new adventure – the first of many missionary journeys abroad! How did Paul and Barnabas decide where to begin? Every year, our missions and outreach ministry teams begin the process of discerning where to plant new seed of faith in their communities, cities, and surrounding countries. We cannot quench the spiritual excitement that comes from launching a new ministry in a new location. Is it difficult discerning where to begin?

Paul, Barnabas and John Mark went with one purpose in mind – to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ everywhere they went. Their mission was possible, due in full to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is easy to jump ahead of the Lord, taking matters into our own hands and not fully waiting and relying upon Him to lead us. This human tendency is a clear recipe for disaster. I am excited to be part of a prayer team at Faith Church, where we fully submit to discerning and listening for the Lord’s lead in every aspect of our outreach ministries to the community where we live. The Apostle Paul knew a lot about the power of prayer; he practiced it every minute of every day. His spiritual ear became so acute that he did not miss out on the direction Christ would have him take. We can learn a great deal from the very first missionary journey of Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark.

I imagine Barnabas was excited to have the opportunity to take Christ’s message of salvation to his home town. He grew up on the island of Cyprus, and it was a privilege to share the Good News with his faith community; the Jewish people whom he dearly loved. It can be disappointing when we experience rejection while trying to tell our family and friends about what Jesus has done for us. We want so much for all to know Christ. When our words seem to fall on deaf ears, it can be discouraging. Yet, we do not lose hope, for we know that the Word of God will penetrate and reach far beyond what we can begin to see with physical eyes. Seeds of faith are never wasted. You will never know who may choose to share the light you leave behind.

Are you thinking about taking a mission trip? Are you having difficulty deciding where to begin? Pour your heart’s desire out to the Lord Jesus Christ in prayer today, and wait for His discerning spirit to guide you in the next steps. How will the Lord choose to use you to spread His Gospel around the world this year?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, 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.

In-The-Body Experience

Today’s Reading: Acts 13:2-3 NIV

2 While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Good morning!

I watched a television program last week on “near-death” or “out-of-body” experiences, listening to several personal accounts by folks who had been classified as clinically dead following an injury or illness. They shared their memories from the moment their hearts stopped beating until they were revived. Their recollections, extraordinarily vivid and unforgettable, were vastly different; yet bore one single testimony – there is definitely an afterlife. Have you ever lived to tell about a near-death experience?

Jesus taught His disciples and all who follow Him about the wages of sin. When we give our whole hearts to the Lord, it is because, somewhere, deep inside, we realize that our sin-sick human nature leads to death. It takes a spiritual near-death experience to recognize our need for a deep, personal relationship with the Savior. Only Jesus Christ has the power to redeem us, and that is why He willingly died and rose again, to set us forever free from the death’s grip. The moment you become a Christian, the shackles of death disappear and your soul is forever held in the palm of Christ’s nail-scarred hands.

Jesus instructed His disciples to gather together often to worship, fast and pray. Are you attending worship with other Christian disciples? If not, you are missing out on the most important facet of faith-filled living – an in-the-body experience. Throughout the Book of Acts, we see examples of Christians gathering together to seek the Lord’s guidance over their daily lives. Ordinary people with extraordinary gifts become servant leaders by the Holy Spirit’s hand. Worship is not a choice – it is a pure spiritual necessity, just like our physical need for water and food. We fast to proclaim God’s glory and control over our lives. You may struggle with fasting food, especially if you have a medical condition like diabetes. Think about other things that you can fast to glorify God, like free time spent in study and prayer, or fast-food, taking the money you would have used for a drive-thru meal and give it away to a local food bank so that hungry families can be fed. Fasting and praying should be a daily discipline; yet, brings greater fruit when shared together in the body. Isn’t it time that you find a place of worship that you can call home?

This morning, I will be with my Faith family, as we join hands in worship together. Today is the perfect day to come into the house of the Lord! Won’t you join me at Faith Church? We can fast and pray together in Jesus' name! May the Lord Jesus Christ be glorified today as we worship Him in spirit and in truth. There is nothing like an in-the-body experience to lift your spirit for living life to its fullest!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, 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.