Stirring the muddy water

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ezekiel 29, 30, 31, 32 (NIV)

Ezekiel 32:1-3 (NIV)

1 In the twelfth year, in the twelfth month on the first day, the Word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, take up a lament concerning Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him:” “You are like a lion among the nations; you are like a monster in the seas thrashing about in your streams, churning the water with your feet and muddying the streams.” ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:’ “With a great throng of people I will cast my net over you, and they will haul you up in my net.”

Good morning!

Last weekend, our daughter Rachel had taken Joshua and Emily shopping. It had just rained, and five-year-old Joshua was intrigued by the muddy water puddles on the shopping center parking lot. At first, Rachel was not so happy about this. She had taken the time to help the children change into nice clothes for the shopping trip; they had been bathed and were relatively clean. Somehow, jumping into the mud puddles didn’t seem to be part of her day’s plan. Three-year-old Emily quickly followed in her brother’s footsteps, and Rachel didn’t seem to have much luck dissuading them.

Sheer genius can emerge from just a little adversity. Obviously Rachel needed to gain her children’s attention. She took both of them by the hand, one on each side, and jumped as high as she could, landing in a huge mud puddle. The dirty water splattered all over Joshua and Emily. They began to whimper, “Mommy, we’re all dirty!” “Okay,” Rachel snickered as she walked toward the front door. Do you know those children want absolutely nothing to do with mud puddles now? If you even mention going outside and jumping in the puddles, they get this look of angst on their faces and say, “Oh no, we don’t want to jump in the puddles anymore.” It looked like fun for a time. My daughter has her mother's spunk.

Pharaoh liked to muddy the waters. He would stir up dirt whenever he had the opportunity to do so. A little personal power can pump an over-sized ego just a little too tight. Even the strongest balloons will pop with the sharp prick of a pin. And so it was with the great country of Egypt. God compares Pharaoh as a lion among nations, and yet, a net will be cast by a great multitude of God’s people and that net will haul him away.

Have you ever stirred up a little dirt in the mud puddles of your life? Yesterday while I was out whacking weeds, I spent a little time watering the flowers by the mini-pond at my back window. Some of the largest worms I have ever seen surfaced from underneath the dirt, just to delight themselves in the wet, slithery mud puddles. They would have made great fish bait. That’s the thing about stirring up the mud; it looks like fun at first. When we have to wear the nasty stains it leaves behind, somehow we realize it wasn’t nearly as much fun to play in as we first imagined.

Ezekiel held nothing back from the great Pharaoh. If we defy God, we will face judgment. Those stains cannot be washed away on our own. There is nothing that can remove the muck from our life except for the blood of Christ. He poured it out for you and me. He continues to offer His life to all who will receive Him. Jesus has the power to cover the stains we’ve created in the muddy puddles we’ve played in. He can make the deepest stain disappear by one touch of His healing hand.

Are you ready to come clean? Give Jesus Christ your heart today, and watch how those stains simply disappear.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: faith! Jesus sees you; He knows you; He wants to remove the stains left over from the muddy waters you’ve been playing in. Come out into the light of His love and let Him wash you clean today. When we defy God, we face judgment. Jesus Christ will cover your sin and give you a fresh new start. Believe and receive!

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© Copyright 2007, 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.

Humble pie

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ezekiel 26, 27, 28 (NIV)

Ezekiel 28:1-5 (NIV)

1 The Word of the Lord came to [Ezekiel]: 2 “Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says:’ ”In the pride of your heart you say, ‘I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas.’ But you are a man and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god. 3 Are you wiser than Daniel? Is no secret hidden from you? 4 By your wisdom and understanding you have gained wealth for yourself and amassed gold and silver in your treasuries. 5 By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth and because of your wealth, your heart has grown proud.”

Proverbs 18:12 (NIV)

12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

Good morning!

What is it like to be a rising star? Country music singer and songwriter, Mac Davis, knew a little bit about stardom and fame. I remember watching The Mac Davis Show on television. It aired from 1974 to 1976. In his career, Davis wrote and recorded many popular country music songs, was cast in several television sitcoms, and spent several years on tour. In 1980, Davis wrote and recorded the song, “It’s hard to be humble.” Aside from its catchy chorus, take a closer look at one of the verses:

I sat down and wrote me a little song.

Now this is how it feels to be alone;

at the top of the hill and trying to figure out why.

Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble when you’re perfect in every way.

I can’t wait to look in the mirror because I get better looking each day.

To know me is to love me.

Ezekiel spoke the Word of the Lord to the king of Tyre. This was an unpopular message. The king had become full of himself. The pride in his heart led him to foolishly believe he was a god. He felt invincible, especially while sitting on the throne, ruling a beautiful, perfect city. The king had his world by its tail and having that control felt good. He was well educated and self-sufficient, gaining wealth and riches every step of the way. He surrounded himself with the best of everything. And yet, the king of Tyre had nothing except an unrealistic illusion of himself. God said it was because of the king’s great wealth, his heart had become proud.

Humble pie is hard to swallow. When pride is half-baked in the ovens of our lofty imaginations, the enticing aroma and its sugary sweetness draws us in like an aphrodisiac. It is only when we taste the first bite that our lips pucker in its bitter taste. It is easy to become full of ourselves. We find ourselves falling into pride when we do not give credit where credit is due. When God gives you a victory, do you remember to thank Him? Maybe you have achieved great knowledge, acquired several degrees, and your skill sets have afforded you the nicer things of life. God gave you the mind to seek higher education. He gave you the will and strength to persevere and work hard. Are you successful because of what you’ve done or does your success come from the blessing of the Lord in your life?

Maybe God has given you a healthy and strong body. You may striking physical attributes. You may be photogenic – the perfect height and weight to model a professional clothing line, or find work in the theatre and film industry. Does your physical appearance overwhelm you to the point that you would spend a fortune simply trying to hang onto that youthful persona? Do you place more emphasis on the outward appearance than what God has created in your heart?

There is a fine line between taking pride in who we are and becoming a prideful, arrogant, self-centered individual. The Psalmist reminds us that humility always comes before honor. Have you ever experienced the sin of pride? It’s like the song says, “Now this is how it feels to be alone.”

If you are struggling today with the sin of pride, God has the power to remove the veil. We can deceive ourselves for only so long. The king’s kingdom was getting ready to tumble. Pride goeth before the fall. God has given you some amazing gifts; they are not of your making – every good gift comes from Him. You can begin again, by simply saying thank you to the One who has blessed your life, asking Him to remove the sin of pride from your heart today. The pedestal you have placed yourself on is going to fall. It is a lonely place at the top of the heap where reality and fantasy collide.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: a humble heart, recognizing that every good gift comes from God above. Look up and say thank you today for the gifts in your life. Ask Him to help you set aside the things that make you puff up with pride. Give credit where credit is due. Only God is worthy to receive our thanks and praise!

___________________________________________

© Copyright 2007, 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.

When the safety net breaks

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ezekiel 23, 24, 25 (NIV)

Ezekiel 24:15-16 (NIV)

15 The word of the Lord came to [Ezekiel]: 16 “Son of man, with one blow I am about to take away from you the delight of your eyes. Yet do not lament or weep or shed any tears.”

Proverbs 18:11-12 (NIV)

11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it an unscalable wall. 12 Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

Matthew 13:45-46 (NIV)

45 [Jesus said,] “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

Good morning!

What is your most valuable possession? Maybe you own a fine home, located on a secluded piece of property – a great place to get away and relax. Maybe your prize possession is a vintage automobile; something you have poured your life’s savings into. Its restoration and timeless beauty has brought you great personal joy. You may be a collector, a connoisseur of fine wine or food. Maybe your prize possession is a talent or gift – the love of art, cooking, sewing, creating things - tangible, visible works of love.

Many special gifts come in little packages – like diamonds or other precious stones. Maybe your prize possession is a little baby to love. We are all someone’s precious baby. Your family may very well indeed be your greatest treasure on earth.

Our nation has prided itself in providing a safe haven for its citizens. For several generations, we have enjoyed the privilege of security and freedom for our land. When the attack of September 11, 2001 occurred on American soil, the safety net we relied upon was raveled at its seam. Life took on a different meaning after the tragedy we experienced on that sad day.

God reminds us through the prophet Ezekiel that even our most valued possessions can be taken from us in the blink of an eye. We lose a loved one and the grief of that loss is overwhelming. The home that we’ve worked so hard to pay for is destroyed in a flood, fire, or marital collapse. The things we seem to place our pride in falls apart, and we wonder what happened. The security we felt confident in is somehow breached, and all of a sudden, we are left standing naked and exposed to the war around us. How could we lose something that meant so very much without even a warning? Were we warned and didn’t realize it? Is it possible that the prophet’s message has been given and we were simply too comfortable and satisfied to hear it?

Our greatest possession does not belong to us. We cannot buy it, earn it or barter for it. We don’t deserve it. The greatest possession we will ever know is the gift of grace, given through the love of God by Christ Jesus. He is the pearl of great price. The price tag is steep. Receiving Christ means repenting of our sins, the things that separate us from a perfect and holy God. It means we have to turn around and stop doing the things that may be bring us pleasure for a little while. The price comes in how we take the gift and use it. It may mean giving up a prized possession to help feed a starving soul in our city. Sometimes, we lose people we love because they just don’t understand why we would walk away from our comfortable settings and risk the unknown to introduce others to the Lord. The people we love most may reject us. And yet, there is only one pearl worth having. He is the only one that will never fade with time or change. His love cannot be snatched from us, no matter where we are or what we face.

God was preparing the people for a great loss. Beloved Jerusalem would be destroyed. The Lord asked Ezekiel to set the supreme example of faith. He instructed him to hold on and be strong, even when he faced a devastating personal loss. Have you lost something precious? If so, there is someone waiting to help you pick up the pieces and begin again. He will not leave you or forsake you, especially when life suddenly changes, and the delight of your eyes has all but disappeared.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: faith to hold onto the pearl of great price. Life can be tough. When we suffer loss, there is one who remains constant and faithful. He is worth pursuing at all costs. Do not let go of Jesus. He will free you from the sins of your past, love you through the hurts you face, and carry you home, even when the road is scary and unfamiliar. Jesus Christ is a safe haven. He will not ever let you go.

___________________________________________

© Copyright 2007, 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.

Telling stories

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ezekiel 20, 21, 22 (NIV)

Ezekiel 20:49 (NIV)

49 Then [Ezekiel] said, “Ah, Sovereign Lord! They are saying of me, ‘Isn’t He just telling parables?’”

Luke 12:54-56 (NIV)

54 [Jesus] said to the crowd, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. 55 And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?”

Luke 8:10 (NIV)

10 [Jesus] said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom have been given to you, but to others I speak in parables so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see, though hearing, they may not understand.’”

Good morning!

Everyone likes a good story. We read books that weave tales of people and places and events, some true and some seen through the imaginary eyes of men. We hear stories unfold over the radio waves and watch them become larger than life on the big screen at our local movie theatres. The art of telling a good story is big business. Everyone has a story to tell. What’s your story? How will you choose to tell it?

God has a story to tell, and He chose to reveal Himself through the words of the prophet Ezekiel. Ezekiel was a story teller. One might assume he was a sci-fi story teller. His words of doom and gloom to a people who would not listen were treated with apathy, distain, and even mild hysteria. How could Ezekiel be believed? Wasn’t he just weaving a tale, simply telling a story that doesn’t make any sense? Do his words really matter to anyone?

God continued to tell his story through the lives of His faithful children. He sent servant boys, kings, priests, and prophets to share His Word with the world. It fell on deaf ears. The children were way too busy trying to reshape God’s story in a way that made it easier for them to accept. They didn’t like the prophecies of God’s wrath and anger falling on the righteous and unjust equally. They hated the notion that God might not accept their sinful predispositions and personal preferences, and that He would demand that the people must take steps toward perfection, by leaving their sinful ways behind.

When the people refused to listen to the prophets, God did something even more radical than anything you and I could even begin to imagine. He sent a part of Himself, His only Son, to tell His story. The people snickered and jeered. They resented a perfect human living in an imperfect world. Not only did they reject the holy and divine, they strung Him up on a cross of shame as a symbol to the world that even God’s perfection could not overcome a sinful and shameless world. Could God overcome?

The greatest story ever told is the story we tell today. Jesus Christ lives! He walked the earth in human flesh and told God’s story, not only through story telling, but through His obedience and love for the world. Jesus died at the hands of a sinful humanity. He was a sinless spotless lamb, slain for our redemption. He was buried in the tomb, and was resurrected in three days, by the power of the living God. He spilled His life’s blood to save you and me from our sin. He created a bridge that we can cross into everlasting life with Him forever. He has called us to tell His story to all the world.

While there are many stories out there, some that spin the truth into an unrecognizable state, there is only one story worth telling. There is only one truth to share. His name is Jesus Christ. He waits for you to look beyond what you see with your eyes, and trust Him enough to give Him your whole heart today. Which story will you listen to? Which story will you choose to believe? Jesus Christ is no secret. He is the way, the truth and the life.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: faith to let go of the false and embrace the truth! God sent His Son Jesus Christ to free you from sin and save you from yourself. He is the One we can hold onto today. Won’t you give your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ today?

___________________________________________

© Copyright 2007, 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.

A little help from above

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ezekiel 17, 18, 19; Psalm 116

Psalm 116:1-2 (NIV)

1 I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy. 2 Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.

Ezekiel 18:20 (NIV)

20 The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against him.

Good morning!

One of my all-time favorite movies is the 1996 Oscar-nominated film entitled The Preacher’s Wife. This 1996 Penny Marshall remake of The Bishop’s Wife, is a love story, told at many levels. Reverend Henry Biggs loves the Lord with all his heart, as he lovingly cares for the people God has placed in his urban congregation. In a dying neighborhood where crime rages and monetary wealth is scarce, Pastor Biggs begins to wonder whether he is making any positive difference in the lives of those around him. The burden he carries begins to weigh heavily upon his family. Sitting in a cold automobile on a snowy December day, Pastor Biggs prays for a miracle, asking the Lord for just a little help from above. God hears the Pastor’s prayer, and sends Dudley, an angel, to bring hope and healing to a hurting community and a clergy family who desperately needs the touch of His healing hand. We see the Gospel message unfolding through the eyes of a little child, Jeremiah, the preacher’s kid. I love preacher’s kids. I have three of them. Every Christmas, I sit on the sofa with a box of Kleenex and a bowl of popcorn, enjoying the movie and singing along with the Preacher’s wife, Julia Biggs.

Whitney Houston plays the role of Julia Biggs. Her mother, Cissy Houston, is in Julia’s choir. I love their interaction in this film. Their personalities come alive on the big screen. Houston wrote many of the lyrics on The Preacher’s Wife soundtrack. My favorite song on the soundtrack was paraphrased from the 116^thI Love The Lord. Psalm, entitled,

I love the Lord. He heard my cry and pitied every groan;

Long as I live and troubles rise, I’ll hasten to His throne.

We can empathize with Pastor Biggs. If we take a closer look at our personal circumstances, the legacy of our parents and grandparents, we assume we are simply caught up in something much larger than we can overcome on our own. Pastor Bigg’s father-in-law was the senior minister of the church he is serving. Years ago, the church was a thriving, vibrant beacon in the community where they live. At that time, the congregation had plenty of money to fix broken boilers, repair cracked ceilings, and have money to spare for a city-wide youth center. Now, the church seems to be drying up with no resources to help the neediest of families. Pastor Biggs felt that he had failed his father-in-law, his own family, and even worse, he had irreparably failed God.

Ironically, it was this pastor’s love for his congregation that made all the difference, and it was God’s love for the pastor, that changed his heart song from despair to hope. Many pastors leave their own dinner table to sit by the bedside of someone in their congregation who is sick and suffering. When my mother had cancer surgery, I pulled a pastor away from his dinner table to be with my family in a moment of despair. They just get up and go, with no thought other than to provide some hope in the midst of hurt and pain. Pastors are special people. They emulate the love of God. Would you drop everything you were doing to help someone else in need? Do you have any idea what that phone call or visit might mean in the life of another?

This is what the prophet Ezekiel was trying to convey to a people who thought they could never receive God’s grace ever again. Ezekiel said that God would look at the heart of each individual, not comparing them to a parent or grandparent, or even a spouse or child. Every person would be judged individually. No longer could the Israelites hide behind the coat tails of their ancestors. It was time to step up and assume personal responsibility for their actions and faith, or lack thereof. It was only when Pastor Biggs stopped comparing himself to his larger-than-life father-in-law, that God was able to work a miracle in the humble heart of this loving, faithful servant of the Lord.

When we need mercy, there is a God who hears us, forgives us, and loves us, even when we have become very unlovable. He can take our weaknesses and turn it to strength, by the touch of His healing hand. If you are feeling a little discouraged today, come and worship the Lord with me. Ask Him to send you a little help from above. He will give you the hope you need to turn your discouragement into a blessing.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: forgiveness and grace to move past the things that have separated you from God. Let go of the pedestals and pitfalls of your family. You can break free from the things that bind you today. Ask Jesus Christ to heal your heart, and give you another chance. He is faithful and true. You can begin again right now. Will you pray with me?

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© Copyright 2007, 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.

Cheating God

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ezekiel 14, 15, 16

Ezekiel 16:15-16 [God spoke these words through the prophet Ezekiel.]

15 “But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his. 16 You took some of your garments to make gaudy high places, where you carried on your prostitution. Such things should not happen, nor should they ever occur.”

John 8:7 (NIV)

7 When they [the teachers and Pharisees] kept questioning Him, [Jesus] straightened up and said: “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Good morning!

How did you first encounter God in your life? I remember learning about God, first at home, then at Sunday school and church. Parents sometimes mislead children about the character of God simply through the things they say and do. As a little one, I often thought my parents were “larger than life.” I clung to their every word, at first. Parents are not perfect people, and yet, young children are crushed when they realize it for the very first time. For example, have you ever been guilty of not giving your little ones undivided attention when they speak to you? A thousand questions asked in one afternoon can be more than overwhelming, even for the most persevering parent. I was often distracted with other things when I came home from work and had three little ones vying for my undivided attention. It was Jeff who would have to remind me to pay closer attention to what our children were saying, especially if they were asking for permission to do something. When we are distracted, we may give our children the impression that God is also easily distracted and really doesn’t care. He may not hear the words they pray. As a child, I can remember hearing the pastor yelling from the pulpit every Sunday morning. I wondered if God was as frightening as the preacher in our church. I did everything I could to avoid shaking his hand after worship. Hiding behind my mother’s long skirt became a security blanket as we moved down the main aisle and out the front doors of the sanctuary each week.

As we continue toward maturity, we begin to fill storage boxes in our mind with the things we learn in life. We take the skills sets achieved in reading, writing and arithmetic, and file them into the appropriate places in box number one. We learn about human relationships through life experiences and subdivide them with mile markers in box number two. If we are exposed to Holy Scripture and the Word of God during our formative years, we begin to categorize what we learn and form opinions based upon what we’ve been taught. Sometimes we think we finally have God all figured out. We fold Him neatly into box number three, securing the lid with padlocks and walking away, never wishing to revisit that space ever again.

There is a fine line in becoming educated or being a know-it-all. When we think we have Him all figured out, claiming total control over the direction of our life and refusing to lean upon the help and love of God, we fall into a dark and lonely pit, unable to climb out by ourselves. This is what Ezekiel was trying to convey to a hard-hearted people. They had taken the gifts of God and were using them for their own selfish plans. No longer were they grateful to the One for anything they had been given. Through their life experiences and educational pursuits, somehow, the people believed they had a better way than God’s way, and they made a choice to follow their own plan rather than His. Have you ever walked away from God when you knew He was calling, but were too busy living life the way you wanted to live it?

When we cheat God out of a relationship with us, whether it is from fear of the unknown or selfishness in wanting to control our own destiny, we commit spiritual adultery. When a woman was caught in the very act of adultery and was brought before the Lord for judgment, Jesus’ response was surprising. “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” Just when we think we have God all figured out, He finds a way to surprise us with perfect love.

Maybe your role models were not the best at demonstrating God’s perfect love. Remember, while there may be lots of good-hearted people on the planet, there is only one perfect person and He is Jesus Christ. When the people in your path let you down, do not hold God personally responsible or make false assumptions about His perfect character. He loves you more than you will ever begin to understand. He longs to be in an intimate relationship with you. He sees your pain and is reaching out to you today. Some of what you’ve learned along the way may need to be relearned.

It’s time to take the padlock off of box number three and allow Jesus Christ to come into your heart today.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the courage to let go of what you’ve learned and trust Jesus enough to come inside your life mend your broken heart. He reminds us that none of us are perfect. We have all made mistakes, and those mistakes can be forgiven and washed away, by the power of His cleansing blood. Won’t you give the Lord another chance to heal your heart?

___________________________________________

© Copyright 2007, 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.

Coming home

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ezekiel 11, 12, 13

Ezekiel 11:17-20 (NIV)

17 “Therefore say, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.’ 18 “They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols. 19 I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. 20 Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people and I will be their God.”

Good morning!

Last night after dinner, Grandpa Jeff asked our five-year-old grandson Joshua if he would like to go to the restroom to wash his hands. Joshua looked up and said, “Grandpa, that’s English for ‘potty,’ right?” His question serves as a reminder that while humans typically speak the same language of love, we may use different phrases to describe our own unique journey.

God gave the prophet Ezekiel His Word. Ezekiel spoke the words of the Lord with passion and conviction. Some listened and obeyed, while others continued to turn away. God’s message remains the same. Why is it that we can hear God’s Word over and over again, and yet, it does not seem to compute? Like Joshua, we may find ourselves double checking the translation.

God’s children are scattered far from home, and yet, God promises to bring them back one day. Have you ever been homesick? While Jeff attended seminary, we lived approximately 750 miles from the place where we grew up. I remember traveling from Dallas to St. Louis over Christmas break. I was always amazed by the changes that occurred in the once-familiar landscape. An old high school hangout had been torn down and a new building now sat in its place. We discovered the delightful two-lane roads behind Jeff’s childhood subdivision had been widened to four lanes. We used to ride bicycles on those roads. The tree-lined streets had been demolished and expanded for heavier traffic. The only constant in our lives were the faces of our dear family and friends. Going home is never the same once you’ve left. But the ones we leave behind will always remain eternally etched in our hearts.

Coming home would require some major cleanup. God wanted the idols and vile images tossed forever. More than anything else, the Father wants to be the centerpiece of our life. Returning home means so much more than a mere relocation to a comfortable, familiar surrounding. Coming home means letting go of the things that eternally separate us from God, and wholeheartedly embracing His Word. We must be willing to let go of our way and cling to His way. Being homesick isn’t nearly enough to make coming home a happy journey. Have you ever been homesick for the Lord? He invites you to return to Him today.

Coming home has a way of changing the condition of our hearts. There was a time when my heart was frozen rock solid. Penetrating through its hardened shell was simply impossible, until the Lord melted it. A heart of flesh is a tender, vital organ. It is the creative work of a loving God, birthed through the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He has the power to take the hardest heart and transform it into a heart He can use for kingdom work. Coming home to God changes us completely from the inside out.

If you have been away, God is calling you to return to Him today. He makes it all possible through the blood of Christ. The message remains the same. Are you willing to lay aside your will for His? Let go of the things that separate you from God, and enjoy your homecoming in Christ Jesus. His promise is just a prayer away.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the desire to return home to the Lord. Jesus Christ bridged the gap to make your homecoming possible. Ask Jesus Christ to be the Lord of your life. He will forgive your sin, free you for joyful obedience, and bring you back home to Him, right where you belong.

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© Copyright 2007, 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.

The double blessing

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Lamentations 7, 8, 9, 10

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.

Psalm 23:4 (KJV)

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

Good morning!

Have you ever told someone that you would pray for them? There is comfort in knowing someone out there is praying. Why is that? What difference does prayer make in the life of someone else?

I grew up in the home of a praying mother. More than anything else, my mother wanted to be a mother. When she continued to miscarry, Mother prayed for the Lord to bless her with children. Looking outside the conventional box, my parents adopted two little girls who would have otherwise grown up in a state orphanage. God took Mom’s inability to have biological children and turned it into a double blessing. She was able to become the mother she had always longed to be, while offering the gift of love to babies who would have never fully known what a mother’s love could truly be. Mom often said to me, “You are a very special little girl. Most parents bring their children home from the hospital, sight unseen. But we got to pick you out.”

This is how intercessory prayer works. Long before we know the need or see the face, we pray. We pray specifically for another human being. Maybe it is someone you have never met. My mother prayed for the children God would have her raise, and He provided them to her. I spent years praying over the beds of my babies, asking God to never let go of their lives. I asked Him to send the right people along their path at just the right moment in time. I begged God to give them a heart of flesh, and not a heart of stone. My children are extraordinarily precious to me. If you are a parent, then you understand the kind of love I’m talking about.

Yesterday, I stood over the hospital bed where my daughter Rachel lay, after having another surgical procedure. I grabbed a tissue next to the bed and dried the tears running down her checks. Once again, we found ourselves grateful that the God who promises to never leave or forsake us was present behind the curtains in the recovery room. It is truly amazing to see the hand of God at work. We are the recipients of the double blessing. So often we pour out our hearts for others. It is a gift from God to feel so absolutely uplifted in prayer. There was not a doubt in my mind who held the hand of the doctor as he removed Rachel’s tumor, or who sat with His arms wrapped around our son-in-law as we waited. We find ourselves waiting again. It will be another week before we know whether there are more steps to take. There is peace in His presence. We find hope even in a dark corridor where sometimes it is difficult to see light. Faithful prayer warriors direct our lives toward His light through their sacrifice of selfless love.

Prayer is a life-changing gift. It was the power of prayer that pointed me toward the foot of the cross, and that same power of prayer sustains me today. Jesus extends a holy invitation to all those who believe in His resurrection power, to come into The Father’s presence every day with praise and petition. He invites believers to sit at His feet and listen. We experience His presence through the comfort and conviction of the Holy Spirit. This is an intimate relationship worth seeking because He gives life-sustaining breath and vision that sees beyond our present circumstances and looks forward to life everlasting with the Lord.

If you make time to pray for someone else, you have just moved into the realm of intercessory prayer. What you are doing is a powerful and precious gift, allowing God to move your heart with compassion on behalf of someone else. Do not ever believe that the gift of intercessory goes unnoticed. You may not be able to tell the difference from where you are sitting in your prayer closet. Let me assure you that your prayers are powerful and effective and they are received with grateful hearts from the ones who receive this gift.

Jesus sets the bar at intercessory prayer. He taught us how to pray without ceasing. His life was a living symphony of prayer and praise. He continues to intercede for you and I in heaven. He can teach us how to pray. Ask Him to help you. I hope someday that you will experience the peace that comes with the double blessing.

I am grateful to each and every one of you for your prayers for our children today. We have His indescribable peace, and that is a gift borne from your petitions on our behalf. Thank you.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: God to give you the desire to come into His presence today on behalf of someone you may or may not know. The gift you give will become a double blessing in your life. Not only will your trust level and relationship with God deepen in indescribable ways, you will make a lasting difference for another soul. Move beyond the conventional and look outside the box. God can take your burden and transform it into a blessing, if you will just ask Him to.

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© Copyright 2007, 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.

Acts of obedience

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ezekiel 4, 5, 6

Ezekiel 4:4-5 (NIV)

4 [God said to Ezekiel], “Then lie on your left side and put the sin of the house of Israel upon yourself. You are to bear their sin for the number of days you lie on your side. 5 I have assigned you the same number of days as the years of their sin. So for 390 days you will bear the sin of the house of Israel.”

Good morning!

Sleeping in seems to be a rare art form in my family. On the weekends, our teenage children could sleep soundly until Saturday afternoon. I’ve never been able to do that! If I lay in bed too long, I would have a backache or headache that would last the rest of the day. My children could crawl under the covers on Friday evening and not move until Saturday afternoon. I had to be really sick to stay in bed like that. Do you like to sleep in?

Ezekiel’s determination to obey God should have been recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. When God said, “Lay down and don’t move for thirteen months,” Ezekiel willingly obeyed. How in the world die he lay on his side for that long? God wanted Ezekiel to illustrate a point to His children. Sometimes, one picture is worth a thousand words. Three hundred ninety days on your side, each day representing one year of time spent in open rebellion to the Lord; would make even the strongest bones brittle and weak.

If you’ve ever been sick and confined to bed for even a few days, you know what its like to try and get up again. Physical weakness begins to take over quickly. Sometimes it is difficult to walk without assistance, and you become winded just moving from one room to another. When we disobey God’s instruction, we become spiritually weak. There is no doubt that resting on my side for 390 days in obedience to God’s Word would be absolutely impossible for me to do, without His supernatural help. I must learn to ask for God’s help daily, if I intend to follow His instruction. Faith muscles become flabby and weak, if we refuse to use them.

I’ve been fascinated with the extreme faith of the Moravians who crossed the ocean with John Wesley in October of 1735. I have a difficult time wrapping my mind around being confined on a ship for weeks as it crossed from the new world back to Europe. The storms on that ship must have been terrifying, and yet, the Moravians sat peacefully, singing the Psalms and reflecting upon God’s goodness. People around them were ill from being tossed about. The wind ripped through the main sail and water was pouring over the decks. English passengers were terrified – many of them were screaming and clinging to whatever they could, hoping to their lives would be spared. A picture is worth a thousand words. Would you, under those circumstances, have been able to sit in perfect peace, totally focused upon the goodness of God?

The storms of life rage around us every single day. God calls to us and says, “Focus your heart on me and the things that seem to be swirling all around you will dissipate in the light of my love. You can be a lighthouse to the ones who are flailing around on the deck of life.” The Moravians became Jesus to a disheartened missionary preacher, who wondered whether his life would make any difference for anyone else. It was their witness in the midst of the storm that brought John Wesley into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.

If you are wondering what it will take for the storms to calm around you today, let me suggest that true peace begins with an act of obedience. God tells us to focus our attention completely upon Him. When we let the things that distress us go, and begin to worship God no matter what our situation, He can make the roughest water smooth. He can give us the stamina to do what seems to be impossible, in the light of His presence and love.

I have a long way to go to get to the level of obedience of my mentor Ezekiel. The Moravians knew His peace in the midst of imminent danger. May we find perfect peace, as we focus our very hearts upon the Lord. It is one simple act of obedience that brings joy unspeakable to a servant’s heart.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the desire to be obedient to God. Ask Him to help you focus your mind upon Him today. He will keep us in perfect peace when our hearts and minds are stayed upon Him.

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© Copyright 2007, 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.

Returning to the good old days

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Lamentations 3, 4, 5

Lamentations 5:21 (NIV)

21 Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old.

Lamentations 3:22-26 (NIV)

22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.

25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him;

26 It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Good morning!

Yesterday, I sat with my husband in the living room area of some dear friends, enjoying a wonderful barbecue and good company. I had looked forward to this day for some time, because I would finally meet a dear person with whom I had been corresponding online for some time. Terry has been good enough to read my daily devotional messages and help me identify and correct my grammatical and typographical errors. He makes time everyday to perfect my imperfect meanderings. I rely on his years of teaching and mastery of the English language to help me convey God’s Word to those who are looking for a perfect love. My writing may never be perfect; yet, one day, Jesus Christ will perfect me in His love.

As we sat and visited together, I listened to the laughter of old friends enjoying each other’s company. These men and women had grown up together. Many of them had played baseball on the same team during their youth; one of the men became a baseball coach and traveled with baseball leagues throughout his working career. They shared a love of the game and their stories and memories were magnificent. They had grown up in the South, and if you are blessed to have relatives from the states of Texas, Mississippi or Arkansas, you may have some understanding of what the term “Southern hospitality” means. I laughed out loud, while trying to follow everyone’s story, all told at the same time. It is not rude or unkind in the South for everyone to talk all at once. It is a time-honored tradition and a precious communicative art form. I was reminded of the many times I sat around my aunt’s kitchen table in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and listened to the loud chatter of my extended family. Oh, how I miss those never-ending conversations. Yesterday’s picnic brought back precious memories for me. It felt like I had finally returned home.

The Israelites were longing for home. They missed the days of old, when they sat in obedience before the Great I Am. They missed the moments of unending prayer and praise. In their captivity and despair, God’s people reminisced about a time when life was simpler. Following His Word without fail, made life’s journey much easier. How they longed to go home, where they could sit once again at the feet of their God and listen to Him speak. Have you ever been home sick? Are there days when it is all you can do to dream about the returning to the good old days with God?

The Lord has given us the ability to communicate with Him every moment of every day. That vehicle lies within the power of prayer. We have seen it work time and again in our lives. He speaks when we focus our hearts upon Him. He listens to our cries for help and answers. He delights in our delight of simply being in His presence. The experience of perpetual prayer is the deepest love relationship we will ever experience this side of heaven. It gives us a glimpse of what it will be like to return home one day to our Heavenly Father. Can you imagine sitting in His living room, listening to the voices of the faithful, all telling their stories and laughing out loud all the same time? Can you see the delight on your Father’s face? Can you feel the joy of an amazing relationship that will never end?

Pastor Linda Bryan and the congregation of Tomkinsville UMC in Jermyn, Pennsylvania, extends an invitation to all of us today, to come home to the Lord in prayer on September 11^th. Their congregation has discovered the joy of intimate fellowship with the Lord through time spent in community prayer. They are inviting 1 million people around the world to pray with them on September 11, 2007. If you would like to become part of this holy conversation, I would urge you to contact Pastor Linda Bryan at praysept11@yahoo.com. Tell her that you would like to participate with their church in a time of community prayer. Can you hear the voices of 1 million people praying out loud the prayers that God has laid upon their hearts to pray? To read more about this event, check out the Interpreter Magazine online article, found at www.interpretermagazine.org.

I miss the good old days, sitting at the Lord’s feet, praying together in one voice. Every one has a story to share and we can do this together, praying in one accord. Won’t you come home with me and enjoy the benefit of being part of the family of God today? Let us pray together.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the good old days to become a reality in your daily walk. Like the Israelites, we can go home again. Wouldn’t you like to hear the laughter of your family and friends as they share the delights of a never-ending feast in the presence of our God? My friends, it is only a prayer away.

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© Copyright 2007, 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.