Saturday, March 13, 2010

Proof of purchase

Today’s Readings: Acts 13:35 NIV

35 [Paul said,] “So it is stated elsewhere: ‘You will not let your Holy One see decay.’”

Good morning!

Nothing remains brand new for long. When we purchase a new automobile, the moment we drive it off the lot (even if the sticker is still attached to the passenger seat window) its face value depreciates exponentially. My father’s brother worked for one of the best car dealers in town. Daddy bought every car he owned from my Uncle, because Daddy knew he could trust Tom to offer the best value for the buck. Daddy never financed any of his automobiles – he paid cash for every car he ever owned. Have you learned how to live debt-free?

A new pair of shoes cannot be returned to the store if they have been worn once outside. Shoes are no longer considered new once you walk in them. You may be able to return clothing, as long as the tags have not yet been removed from the garment, and you must have a receipt. Even the finest of clothiers will not honor a return without proof of purchase.

The Father watched His Only Son become the scapegoat for humanity’s sin. His body was torn to shreds by a Roman whip and punctured clean through with stakes of iron. Jagged splinters from the tree pierced His raw flesh, reminding Christ of all the times we’ve willfully disobeyed our Father’s commands. Jesus became our proof of purchase for sin; He knew full well what the exact cost would be. How much proof do you actually need to know that your debt was fully paid on the cross of Calvary? Do we really have any conceptual understanding of how much it cost the Savior to purchase our way home?

Unlike the depreciation we see in the things of this world, there is intrinsic value added to a life saved by grace. When one repentant sinner kneels at the foot of the cross, what was once an indebted, decaying form, now receives His newness of life. Our sticker price exponentially increases in value! In fact, God calls His creation “priceless” because He is willing to redeem us with His very own blood. The Father keeps His Word. He did not allow His Holy One to decay; nor will He allow our lives to fall prey to death and destruction, IF we are willing to confess our sins, repent and turn, placing complete faith in the Only One who can truly save us. Ask the Lord Jesus Christ to change your sticker price right now. He will do it with open arms when you choose to receive Him as your personal Lord and Savior. Unmerited favor, so undeserved, is offered to all who will ask and receive.

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.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Hearing His Voice

Today’s Readings: Acts 13:34 NIV

34 [Paul said,] “The fact that God raised Him from the dead, never to decay, is stated in these words: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’”

Psalm 16:9-10 NIV

[David said,] “9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.”

Good morning!

This was not the diagnosis I wanted to hear. The audiologist emerged from the soundproof booth with a look on her face that I have grown accustomed to. “The stroke has severely limited your mother’s ability to understand words,” she said. “I am going to try to tweak her hearing aids to help her as much as I can.” I knew what she meant. The best medical technology available cannot restore dead brain cells, no matter how much we want it for our loved ones. Nerve stimulators, pacemakers and hearing aids are all amazing medical technology. They give hope and help to the patient, but cannot in and of itself fix the problem. Our earthly bodies will not last forever. Spare parts wear out with time. Our ability to live life without limitation becomes harder as time passes.

Mom’s cognitive thinking was compromised the day she fell and broke her pelvic bone. It is uncanny to see how one adverse life event can instantly change our course of direction. When our physical bodies fail, it does not quench the life-giving spirit soaring within. Just like King David, we find real joy in knowing we are not alone: The Lord is our keeper, deliverer, comforter, and friend. He will never let us go, even as our bodies give way to earthly decay.

I’ve watched Mom struggle through the years to hear. It was frustrating at first, because I found myself repeating words over and over again. We would be driving together in the car, but I could not adequately communicate with Mom. She needed to see my lips move to fully understand what I was saying, and I couldn’t turn toward her enough to help. Raising my voice made no difference at all; it was just loud and irritating noise to her. Eventually, Mom grew to accept the silence that surrounded her. I thought it was a tragedy, until she told me how God speaks to her in the quiet. What a precious gift we have in Christ, knowing He is right there with us; we can hear Him speak, even as our physical bodies fail. Isn’t it amazing that even as the sounds of earth fade away, we hear the voice of the Lord clearly speaking to our hearts! Oh, to hear Jesus over the incessant chatter of life! What a gift!

When Jesus conquered sin and death through His miraculous resurrection, new hope was borne! We now see beyond our earthly decay, we hear His Word and know it to be true: Jesus will perfect our imperfections; we will receive new life washed in His blood; our souls restored to full health and wholeness. Our joy will be made complete as our understanding is set on His firm foundation alone. Christ’s peace will be our peace; the only thing we need rely on throughout this earthly journey and into all His eternal promise.

Mom’s faith in Christ alone gives me great joy, for I know she hears Him perfectly. Believe and receive the Lord Jesus Christ. He lives so that we may live in His fullness, even in our earthly imperfections. Won’t you trust Him completely for your new life 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.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

The Gift of Adoption


Today’s Reading: Acts 13:32-33 NIV

32 [Paul said,] “We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers 33 He has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm: ‘You are my Son: today I have become your Father.’”

Good morning!

The greatest gift of all is the gift of adoption. When I was a little girl, my mother used to sit me on her lap and tell me just how special I was. She said, “Most mommies and daddies go to the hospital and have their babies. They do not get to pick and choose. But we got to go to the hospital and pick you out of the crowd!” And this was very true – my folks got a call from a social worker indicating that I had been born prematurely and would remain in the hospital for a period of time. Would they consider adopting me when I was well enough to leave the hospital? Not only did they agree, they got to go to the hospital and see me before I was released to the children’s home. Isn’t it amazing how the love of family can supersede our genetics?

I did not have my parent’s bloodline, but I certainly picked up many of their mannerisms through the years. Our son Benjamin reminds me a great deal of my father, whose name was Benjamin; yet, there is no genetic link whatsoever. Ben actually looks like my dad, walks like him, and sometimes he even acts like him. Our daughter Rachel married a man that resembles my dad in many ways. His hardworking nature and devotion to home is an uncanny reflection of my father’s life. My father kept a meticulous lawn, and my son-in-law is very particular about how his yard is kept throughout all seasons. Our son-in-law looks a lot like my husband, Jeff. In photographs, many of our friends think Dave is our son. We do have a son named David and he resembles Jeff’s dad, Clayton. Our son-in-law Dave looks like Jeff. Now isn’t that amazing!

My sister actually bears a great deal of physical resemblance to both of our parents, yet she was adopted too. Neither she nor I share the same bloodline, but we do share great love. We are about as different as daylight and dark. This was something that I thought might separate us, but I have learned through the years that we compliment each other far more than I would have ever imagined possible. You see, adoption makes us family, in spite of our unique differences.

When I was adopted into the family of God, I did not deserve such a great gift. I was a sinner in need of saving. God was my Father, just waiting to win my heart and take me in. Jesus, His Son, was the only One who could make us blood kin. I know, without a doubt, that I bore some resemblance to my heavenly Father, who made me, loves me, and welcomes me home through His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the Great I Am, and because He is, I live! The life I’ve been given continues to be such a blessing – and the people who are in my adopted family continues to grow exponentially every day. I have brothers and sisters all over the world who have been adopted into the family of God through the saving blood of Jesus Christ. If you have received Jesus as Lord and Savior, that makes us family. Isn’t that good news on a day like today?

Family is a gift from God. Regardless of whether you grew up in a happy home or a place filled with anxiety and turmoil, the life we share together can be healed with His love. We are amazed at just how precious the healing love of God can be when we see it cover our family, both biological and adopted. So undeserved and unworthy, riddled with mistakes and regrets, the love of Christ and His shed blood covers and unifies us all, even in the midst of diversity.

The best gift you will ever receive is adoption into the family of God. Won’t you ask Jesus Christ to become Lord of your life today? He can heal your family, mend your fences, and give you a whole new community of faith-filled believers to complete the person He has created you to be!

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.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

High Heeled Days


Today’s Reading: I Corinthians 16:13 NIV

13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

Good morning!

I fell in love with high heeled shoes the moment I was given my very first Barbie® doll. Her feet were perfectly suited to all those colorful slip-ons. My doll had a built in high arch that made her sandals look so appealing. I wanted to wear shoes that would make my feet look just like hers. I had no earthly idea just how hard it would be to walk in slip on shoes with high heels. This was one life lesson God knew I would have to learn the hard way.

When I took my first job, I noticed my co-workers choice of footwear. A conservative pump with a two inch heel seemed to be the shoe of choice for the women working in the office. At that time, one could accessorize a tasteful navy pump with a clip on white bow and a shiny blue and white leather handbag. I set aside a portion of my paycheck each month just to go shoe shopping. Today, I am reminded of those shopping excursions every time I set foot into my favorite shoe store. Styles have certainly changed through the years; but the classic pump with a two inch heel has found its rightful place on the footwear hall of fame shelf in the back of my bedroom closet.

“You are ruining your feet.” I chose not to listen to the repeated warnings of my physician. He wanted me to wear a more protective, conservative shoe, with better arch and heel supports. I was far too busy trying to look good than wanting to heed his word. I proudly wore my pumps everywhere – to work during the day and to church at night; to my son’s soccer games – I waded across the mud-caked fields and left a trail of heel marks on the path. My husband knew if I had arrived before him – all he had to do was follow the heel marks. I learned to make my way along the city sidewalks with heels and toes clicking as I took each glorious step. I loved the look, the sound, and the feel of my high heeled days, for a season. I slowly began to experience foot pain just the way my physician said I would. How did he know? I tried to ignore the unbearable pain at first. But as my arches flattened, I began to develop painful heel spurs caused from a common foot problem known as Plantar Fasciitis. My high heeled shoes were not nearly as appealing as they were before. I could no longer stand in them. What will it take for you and me to truly listen and obey the Word of our Great Physician?

Sometimes the ways of the world seem attractive to little girls playing with dolls. We dream of the day when we will accessorize our own wardrobes with doll clothes and shoes. We begin to think that if we could just dress up in a certain size, and sport a particular shoe, that we would perfectly fit into what our culture deems appropriate. Who are we trying to please in our high heeled days? You know, life’s illusions will not last forever. We will reap the consequences for every poor choice, and that includes the type of shoe we choose to wear. What kinds of spiritual damage have your feet suffered when you chose to walk the culturally acceptable path of life – the road that leads to utter destruction?

It is imperative that we guard our hearts and stand firm in the faith. We cannot do this standing on stilts; for if we try, we are headed for the fall. What may seem normal to our world is certainly not the way of the Master. We lose sight of the narrow path as we run headlong down the sidewalk of life, leaving a tiny trail of heel marks behind in the dirt. Eventually, we come to a place where we can no longer stand on our own two feet. We’ve ruined ourselves, totally distracted by the world’s way. We need to receive new pair of shoes; the kind that protects and saves us. We need to take a walk on a brand new path.

If you have worn out all those high heeled shoes, you are so not alone! The Lord Jesus Christ knew the life path you would choose to take. That’s why he died to save you. And Jesus stayed right there with you, every step of the way. Even when you didn’t see the imprint of His nail-scarred feet, He never left your side. When those pretty shoes have caused blisters on our feet and we find ourselves in the place where we can no longer stand, Jesus is there to pick you up. He washes our feet in His blood and resets our path to the way the leads to life eternal. Jesus Christ is the healer of broken bones, broken hearts, and broken lives.

Take a step of faith today – let go of your high heeled days! Jesus will heal your heart, once and for all, and He will give you a new path to walk on right now. All you have to do is turn around and say, “Help me, Lord!”

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.

Monday, March 08, 2010

Being seen

Today’s Reading: Acts 13:30-31 NIV

30 [Paul said,] “But God raised Him from the dead, 31 and for many days He was seen by those who had traveled with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now His witnesses to our people.”

Good morning!

Did you happen to catch a part of last night’s Academy Awards on television? Hollywood’s elite were all there dressed to the nines, caught up in a frenzy photo shoot while taking their time-honored walk upon the red carpet. The Academy nominated some very interesting movies for this year’s Oscars. Which film most impressed you?

Being seen is an important facet of our culture. We want our co-workers, friends and family to see us at our very best, especially when it comes to holiday parties, reunions and awards ceremonies. We clean up, dress up, and make ourselves up so that we will leave a lasting impression with the ones who see us. There is absolutely nothing wrong with making the effort to look our best. We often allow our own vane self image to corrode the broken and bleeding heart we tuck away, sight unseen, from the inquisitive eyes of the world. Are we really real with each other? Is it possible to be seen for who we truly are and still be loved?

Jesus kept His Word. He said He is the Messiah, and fulfilled every prophetic Scripture written. His death and resurrection were living proof that He is the Son of God, our everlasting Savior, Redeemer and friend. His precious blood is the only covering for sin. He loves us not for how we look, but for whose we are. It is critical that He be seen, especially by the ones who had followed His ministry from Judea into Galilee, and throughout the streets of Jerusalem. Ironically, the disciples who loved Jesus the most did not immediately recognize Him. It was only when Jesus broke the bread, or spoke a Word, that His true identity was revealed. Why did His disciples first struggle to recognize the Lord? Would you recognize Jesus Christ if He approached on the street corner, or sat at the table next to you in the coffee shop?

The Father who created you, who loves you, sees your heart. He knows you from the inside out. The Father sent His Son and the Son sent His Spirit to love you. He does not see your imperfections; He believes in your possibilities! God recognizes you with or without makeup. You do not need a fancy wardrobe or a red carpet accolade to win His personal favor. Grace was poured out at Calvary and the victory over sin and death conquered forever the moment Jesus arose from the grave. And no broken arrow from Satan can change what The Father has already done. He calls you and me to come and see Him for who He truly is. Won’t you give your heart to the Lord? He is the only One who can take the one thing that has been bruised, broken and shattered, and create something beautiful and brand new in you. Open your heart to the perfect love of Jesus Christ. Ask Him to be your Lord and Savior 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.

Sunday, March 07, 2010

Junk food junkie

Today’s Reading: Acts 13:29 NIV

29 [Paul said,] “When they had carried out all that was written about Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb.”

Good morning!

What do you like to do just for fun? When Jeff was in seminary, the city theater offered dollar night tickets to pastors and their families in town. We were able to go to the dollar show every Friday night and enjoy watching all the new releases. Some of the new films were not worth the dollar we paid for admission, and yet, we called it our date night out and ignored what our minds were consuming. It was only after our children began to go with us to the theater that we became painfully aware of our own poor movie choices.

It just doesn’t seem right to go into a theater and not indulge in a little junk food. My favorite snack is hot buttered popcorn with a cold diet soda. I know this is really bad for my body, but that doesn’t always stop me from eating it. Do you ever choose to consume the things that you know will hurt you? Whenever I choose to indulge, I become a junk food junkie by default.

It would seem that a public crucifixion brought some sick sort of entertainment value for many families living in and near the city gates. Many came just for the spiritual entertainment being served. I’m sure that the brutality and suffering of one convicted felon was publicly displayed to instill a bold lesson about the consequences of disobedience. Yet, it would seem that many came to the hill just to participate in the sadistic sport of it. I cannot imagine having to watch someone die such a cruel death, or sitting in the stands, cheering and jeering while watching another human being getting pinned to that shameful tree. Some of the religious rulers may have felt it was spiritually uplifting to see convicted sinners punished for their crimes. Would their insatiable appetite of this tasteless spiritual junk food somehow cover the sins that were hidden in their own hearts?

Spiritual junk food junkies can get trapped in the ritual, while missing the message. We can see ourselves falling into a spiritual spiral when we attend church just to be seen, and not really to worship. People come to church for many reasons. We go to be entertained, enjoying a time of singing and dancing with a great praise band; we consume all of the spiritual pats on the back spoken by our preacher, and leave feeling a whole lot better about ourselves. We begin to consume spiritual junk food, thinking our token offerings are enough to please the Lord God Almighty. You see, worship is so not about you – it is all about glorifying the Father who sees your heart and knows you better than you know yourself! It is a time for repentance and heartfelt prayer, confession of sin, and asking for God’s mercy and grace. This is the time to be brutally honest with God, to see and care more about the needs of those who surround us, and choosing to do something about it; this is the time to begin life anew with the Lord. If we are too busy getting caught up in the church’s entertainment value, we are choosing to swallow a whole new menu of spiritual junk food. It will permanently scar our bodies, minds and souls. Don’t let it consume you!

Here are some of the spiritual junk foods I have swallowed whole and without hesitation in my own life: half-hearted worship; reciting memorized prayers with no personal investment in the recitation of the words; refusing to put Christ first in my life in the giving of time, talent and treasure; reading the Scriptures without truly consuming His Word; making excuses for my bad behaviors by pointing my own forked finger at someone else’s sin. What kinds of spiritual junk food have you allowed yourself to eat?

Worship, study and prayer is not an option – it is God’s commandment for all His creation. We need to stop playing church and be the Church that Jesus Christ has called us to be. Sugar coating His Word and helping people feel good about who they are is not the purpose of the Church. Let go of the spiritual junk food you’ve been eating and let us worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth! Help us, Jesus!

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.