Saturday, March 27, 2010

Word games

Today’s Reading: Acts 13:46 NIV

46 Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.”




Good morning!



One of my favorite things to do is spend some time playing word games with my grandchildren. Jett and Joshua are reading well now, and they like to read out loud to Nanny whenever we get together for a visit. Emily is just beginning to read; she enjoys reading a new word and copying it on paper. Madison and Andrew like to be read to. Two year old Andrew will sit on my lap for as long as twenty minutes, engrossed in the pages of a good book. He will pronounce the last word of every sentence after I say it! This is quite an accomplishment with a wee one who struggled with verbal expression only six months ago. It is a challenge to read to Madison; she would much rather tell the story to me. She is flamboyant in her conversation – Maddie has to be up and moving while she tells the story. I’m convinced she took a speed speaking class for three year olds. Maddie gets on a verbal roll and often it is very difficult for Nanny to understand her.



It does not matter who is reading the book – one thing is for certain: the words leap off the page in bold print! Joshua and Jett read with conviction. I hear inflection and emphasis on the very important words of each sentence. Emily likes to use punctuation to emphasize the selected word she is learning to write. Madison cannot stand still while sharing her story. She will stand for nothing less than your complete, undivided attention. If you happen to look away while she is telling her story, Maddie will put both hands on your face and pull you back toward her, so that she has eye contact with you. This little girl has a shot at becoming a fine political lobbyist one day. Andrew pronounces every third word with great conviction and determination. He could become the next great conductor/composer. His words are filled with passion, in a steady rhythmic flow. We better understand the words we read and speak when they are conveyed with heart.



Why did Paul and Barnabas feel compelled to speak the bold Word of salvation to the Jews first? The Father’s plan provided a means for His chosen people to lead all people into a personal relationship with Him through Jesus Christ, His Son. Paul was brought up in a Jewish home. He had a great understanding of the law and prophets; his upbringing and heritage enabled him to convey the fulfillment of Scripture to his brothers who were worshipping in the synagogue. Unfortunately, there were many who refused to recognize Jesus as God’s Messiah; they would not accept the idea that Jahweh would offer His saving grace for all people. It took a holy boldness for Paul to stand before his brothers and proclaim God's Word with such compelling force. Sometimes, we need His Word to hit us between the eyes, to pierce our hardened hearts, so that we might know and understand the Truth.



This is no Word game. Paul and Barnabas are speaking God’s Word as the Holy Spirit gives them utterance. Are we able to fully comprehend what they are conveying to us today? Jesus Christ became the sin scapegoat for all people. Christ’s death and resurrection is proof positive that we can receive new life right now. If you have not yet asked Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior, please pray these words: “Father, I believe that Jesus Christ is your only Son, and that He came to save me from my sin. I invite Christ into my heart today. Wash my sin away in Your precious blood. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen.”



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 25, 2010

Spiritual tick

Today’s Reading: Acts 13:45 NIV

45 When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying.

Good morning!

Ticks are annoying little creatures, wouldn’t you agree? They are tiny, blood sucking parasites, commonly found in wooded areas and tall grass. Whenever our family went camping, Mom and Dad would make me and my sister line up for a “tick” check before bed. If a tick buries itself in human flesh and goes undetected, one can become seriously ill with Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever. It can kill you if left untreated. Whenever Daddy found a tick hanging out on one of our extremities, he would take his cigarette lighter and hold it near our skin. The warmth of the flame would most often force the tick to let go of us and run! Sometimes we had to dig them out with a needle. To be brutally honest, I really don’t care for ticks at all.

There are other types of ticks that seem to distract and annoy. The constant ticking of a clock can be a deterrent when we’re trying to maintain focus in an otherwise quiet room. Our dishwasher cycle has a rhythmic ticking sound when running which often causes me leave the room during its cycle. The sound is short lived; yet that particular noise can really distract me, especially if I’m fighting a headache or trying to read or write.

I was listening to one of my favorite worship services broadcast over the radio, while driving in my car. The Pastor had what I would classify as a spiritual tick running throughout his sermon. If my own pastor, during the course of preaching a sermon says, “Now listen,” my mind immediately focuses and my ears listen carefully to the next word he speaks. I do not want to miss the main point of his message. This is an effective way to instantly attract the attention of your listener. However, when the pastor says, “Now listen” twenty-eight times during the course of a sermon, it becomes a mere distraction. I found myself counting the number of times the radio preacher said, “Now listen” than really paying attention to what he was actually trying to convey. It was truly unfortunate, because God’s Word of grace was somehow getting lost in the spiritual tick of a passionate preacher’s heart.

Many people who heard Paul speak, could not get past their own spiritual tick to hear the message. They were much more concerned about refuting Paul's personal testimony than listening and receiving Christ’s message of salvation. I wish we could say that we have learned to let go of spiritual ticks as we’ve gained knowledge throughout the generations but I would be lying through my teeth if I told you so. The danger of leaving a spiritual tick unchecked is that it can cost you eternal life. What seems to be a simple difference of opinion can fester into an eternal life choice. How often do we get so wrapped up in our own pat theological rhetoric and philosophies that we cannot see the Savior standing right in front of us? He trips us up like tiny wrinkles buckling over the carpet of lives. We over analyze faith, becoming way too entrenched in the way things were, to open our hearts to the reality that Messiah has truly come. Jesus Christ’s life, death and resurrection is a clear and convincing revelation of the fulfillment of the Father’s everlasting promise; yet, many miss this message because they cannot get past the distractions of their own spiritual ticks.

Father, we need your help to lay down our spiritual ticks at the foot of the cross. We really want to hear, understand, and obey Your Word. Help us not be so distracted by the incessant noise of this world that we miss the glorious Good News of Your Son and Our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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 24, 2010

Sweet dreams

Today’s Reading: Acts 13:44 NIV

44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the Word of the Lord.

Good morning!

My mother is quite a dreamer! She talks in her sleep all the time. When she was a little girl, Mom recalled how her brothers slept in one bedroom and she and her sisters in the bedroom next door. Mom shared a large poster bed with her two younger sisters. Mom’s place in bed was next to the wall of her brother’s room. She insists her parents often teased her because she and her younger brother Hayward would have conversations together while sleeping in separate rooms. They would ask questions and answer each other from separate bedrooms. Mom still dreams out loud today. Yesterday afternoon, while napping on my sofa, she was having a friendly conversation with Jesus. Her eyes were closed, yet, she conversed with Him as if He were right there sitting next to her. She was laughing and using hand gestures, in between snores. I didn’t get whole gist of her conversation, but she seemed so happy, smiling and enjoying sacred time with her forever friend.

Yesterday morning, we visited an assisted living facility not far from where Jeff and I live. The administrator told me about her mother’s home going. She said that her mother had lived a very active and long life. When the ravages of a stroke left her virtually immobile, she lay comatose for three days, struggling for every breath she took. Cathy and her sister were sitting on the bed with their mama, whispering that it was okay to go home and be with Jesus. The paralyzed woman, who couldn’t even move her toes, drew her very last breath, and as she did, lifted her right arm high above her head, as if she were taking the hand of her best friend. This was such a holy moment, precious and unscripted. Cathy learned a lot about faith through as she watched her own Mother pass from the life into eternity.

God’s Word speaks to us, in Sabbath moments and heartfelt dreams. Through His sweet, loving Spirit, we communicate with the Lord fully awake and in rim cycles, when our hearts are quiet and open to His still, small voice. The sweet dreams we dream become ingrained in our lives as we open our hearts and minds to His perfect Will.

Do you talk to Jesus when you sleep? Can you remember what He whispers in your ear? Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit speaking to you today in moments of worship, prayer and rest. May you find yourself caught up in a sweet dream with the 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.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Continuing in the grace of God

Today’s Reading: Acts 13:43 NIV

43 When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.

Good morning!

What drives your passion for living? Has something or someone compelled you to move forward in faith?

My sister-in-law recently received a prestigious lifetime achievement award for her years of service teaching high school English. Her skill sets go far beyond the blackboard and classroom. It is her life’s passion, lived out in the vocation to which she has been called, leaving an everlasting mark on the lives of her students. Can you name the one teacher who profoundly impacted the direction of your life’s work?

My mother recently entered the hospital urgently. Her personal physician was out of town at the time she was admitted for treatment. Her case was promptly assigned to a physician whom we had never met. I was humbled by his devoted attention to Mom’s treatment plan and care. Our doctors give their lives to assessing the health needs of all who come to receive restored health and hope. They often work long hours, with precious little time to spend with their own families. What a remarkable gift he gave to my Mother! It is certainly possible that he may not remember her name next week; yet, I will remember with a thankful heart her physician’s name and face, as I pray for him in the days and weeks to come.

It is clear from Scripture that Paul and Barnabas were compelled to preach Christ boldly wherever they went. Because of their religious upbringing, they longed to share the Good News of grace with their Jewish brothers first. It must have been extraordinarily encouraging for these young evangelists to watch their kinsmen receive new life as they accepted Christ. They knew from whence the power came; if there were any new converts, it is only because of the power and support of the Holy Spirit moving and working in seeking hearts.

I am daily blessed by the encouraging words of my pastors, teachers, mentors and Christian friends, who share new life and live it out in tireless devotion for others. I can see Jesus living and working within you. May you be encouraged today in the faith, as you share your passion for Jesus Christ with the world.

A little encouragement makes all the difference as we step up in faith. Christians receive encouragement from the Holy Spirit, who comes to us in a rushing wind, igniting us with holy fire. May you find the strength you need in the Lord who calls you to live your life with passion and purpose, continuing in the grace of God.

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 21, 2010

Soul-winning recipe

Today’s Readings: Acts 13:42 NIV

42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath.

Good evening!

“Pass the potatoes, please!” I have no personal preference as to how it is served; they are absolutely delicious mashed, smashed, baked, broiled, skewered, or boiled. While I do enjoy German potato salad, potato soup, mashed potatoes with gravy, baked potatoes with margarine, potato casserole, hash brown potatoes, thick-cut French fries and/or cheesy scalloped potatoes, my favorite potato is a plain baker, with a dash of salt, pepper and a little margarine on the side. The potato is an amazing food source, loaded in carbohydrates and vitamins. Much of what we add to the potato is not healthy for our bodies; yet, I attest that the perfect potato is simply a divine culinary taste treat!

Just as our physical bodies need food for fuel, our souls need spiritual food that recharges and propels us forward by faith. Paul and Barnabas were cooking up a little soul food smorgasbord at the synagogue that day; and many who heard Paul speak craved more. The people instinctively recognized Jesus Christ working in and through these men, as they spoke about the Lord. They witnessed miraculous healings and knew the testimony was true. The people asked Paul and Barnabas to stay through the week and speak again on the following Sabbath. One simple serving of the Gospel message was not nearly enough to feed the need.

Spiritual nourishment can come in a garden variety of ways. We consume it at church, in Sunday school, at in-home Bible Studies and small group meetings. We worship in a variety of different community settings; sometimes we are fed through a Christian radio or television broadcast. We do not have to look far to find the Word of Christ online. Wherever Christian believers are, Jesus Christ enters into the mix and feeds us all.

I feel compelled by the Holy Spirit to especially encourage my friends - especially my pastors, teachers, and mentors who daily serve the Lord. Sometimes, we think we have to dress up the Gospel to make it palatable within our rapidly changing culture. We are constantly reinventing how we do worship; we speak, using culturally relevant terminology; we worry about our praise worship and whether the music will appeal to every generation. We hope to supernaturally meet every personal preference on the planet. Did Jesus appeal to all whom He encountered as He walked the earth in human flesh? Our Lord has not changed. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. His Daddy is the Great I AM. We get so lost in looking for a new edge, that we forget Christ’s Word is the only edge we will ever need. Just like the potato is a perfectly healthy food source, Jesus Christ is the perfect soul food for every hungry human heart. We don’t need to dress Him up to make Him more appealing. His Word alone is relevant today! If we are willing to serve up the Gospel with the same fervor of Paul and Barnabas, we can count on the Holy Spirit to do all the wooing. The people will come, because they are starving to hear the Truth. This is a natural craving birthed into every human heart, and only Jesus Christ can fill it.

Please make His Message simple. When folks realize who the Lord truly is and who we are in relationship to Him; as we are compelled to repent of our sins and seek Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, spiritual taste buds burst open with the flavorful goodness of His grace! There is only One Way to the Father, and it is through the Son. Praise the Lord for His soul-winning recipe.

Sharing Christ’s message of salvation is not nearly as difficult as we human types make it. Father, please forgive us. Fill your Church with a holy hunger to obediently serve your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, by sharing your perfect soul food with the world. The Gospel will speak for itself. Our job is simply to GO. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, for He is the source of our strength, Amen.

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.