All holds barred!

Today’s Reading: John 14:30 (NIV)

30 [Jesus said,] “I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold on me.”

Good morning!

Does the grace of God ever catch you by surprise? I delight in the promises of God. We can count on His Word, not just for today, but for each and every tomorrow. Christ is present in me twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and just when I need Him the most, He is! How indescribable is the love of Jesus!

Earlier this week, I was standing at the copy machine at work, frantically trying to scan a document that needed to be filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office. We were pushing to meet a filing deadline, and I needed to get document on file. I had an important dinner meeting scheduled – it was starting in thirty minutes and I was getting a little nervous about making it on time. The copier refused to cooperate. Even mechanical equipment can short-circuit from time to time. This was not a good time for a computer malfunction. When I pressed the scan button, the document would automatically be queued to fax instead. I turned the machine off and on. I tried repeatedly to get the document to scan, to no avail. By this time, my attorney was standing over my shoulder with tiny beads of sweat beginning to form on her brow. We both knew the importance of meeting the filing deadline and this machine simply was not going to work.

In sheer desperation, I closed my eyes, and placed my hands on the copier and I began to pray out loud, calling on the name of Jesus for a copy machine miracle. I imagine the Lord was laughing out loud at the sight of my praying over a copier. I knew that if He could save a soul like mine, heal my heart and make me forever free, He has the power to fix this broken machine! You should have seen the look on my attorney’s face when the document scanned perfectly after a little prayer and the laying on of hands. We met the filing deadline and I arrived for my dinner meeting two minutes early. God is good ALL THE TIME!

Jesus said the prince of the world is coming. We experience Satan’s subtle, sneaky deceit everyday. He tries to steal our joy, cause confusion, and make us doubt in the Word of our Lord. Just a little prayer can change a frantic situation into a magnificent miracle! Jesus has the power to change the direction of our day, if we will simply stop and call upon Him for heavenly help. Jesus said that the prince of the world has no hold on Him. And when Christ moves in, you have His power within you to fight back! All holds are barred, in Jesus’ name.

Call on Jesus! He is just a prayer away.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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.

Be glad!

Today’s Reading: John 14:28-29 (NIV)

28 [Jesus said,] “You have heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe.”

Good morning!

When our children were younger, they would sit on the edge of the bed and watch as Daddy packed his suitcase. “Do you have to go away?” they would whine, with pursed lips and sleepy little eyes. “I am going away for a little while, but I promise I will be back in three days!” He would pat their little heads, smiling. We can sense their sadness and the insecurity this unwanted change brings. Their daddy is leaving and their world will be different while he is gone. The voice they have grown accustomed to, who reads their bedtime stories and listens to their prayers at night will not be here. They will miss the man who holds their tiny hands as they walk along the sidewalk to school tomorrow morning. Going away leaves a deep void in a child’s life; and yet, there is Daddy’s promise of his return. It’s only three days away, but it seems like a lifetime! This is not what they want; yet, they accept their Father’s teary goodbye, counting on their Daddy to keep his word and come back soon.

It’s hard to be glad when the people we love go away.

Jesus tried, in as loving a manner as possible, to encourage his disciples to see beyond this day. He was going home to the Father who is greater than He. Jesus promised he would come back to them. Couldn’t they be glad, knowing their Master would return?

Hope is the assurance of a promise to be kept. What the disciples could not possibly understand in this moment, was revealed to them just three days later! Jesus died, was buried, and rose again! He made the journey of a lifetime in just three days, tearing down the walls of sin and death forever. Christ opened up the flood gates of forgiveness, salvation’s grace, and an everlasting, never ending relationship between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to all who would choose to believe. It was the trip no one wanted their Lord to make, and yet, He kept His Word and returned, just as He promised.

We can live each day with glad hearts filled with hope! Jesus promised that He would one day return for His bride. We can be glad, knowing Christ has sent the comforter to journey with us while we wait. He is coming back soon. Are you ready to see His face, hear His amazing voice, and take His hand for all eternity? Be glad!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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 piece of peace

Today’s Reading: John 14:27 (NIV)

25 [Jesus said,] “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Good morning!

How much would you give for a little peace today? Peace is something we humans long for. We sing about it during the Holy Days; hoping for a new world peace in the year to come; we long for sweet peace to invade our family life, hoping we can learn how to love and get along with each other, especially at the upcoming family reunion. We pray for the bitterness and strife to stop and brotherly love become the benchmark of our churches, schools, and places of employment. We hope for miraculous peace to overcome the many differences that emerge between our countries and cultures all around the world. Everyone wants a piece of peace. Tell me, what is peace to you, and how far would you go to get it?

Some folks find peace at the bank of life. They pour their money into checking and savings accounts, stocks, bonds and certificates of deposit. The bigger the balance, the better they feel. For some, financial peace is a security blanket, knowing there will be funds available to help care for their needs on a rainy day. And everyone knows the rain is just a cloud away. Is this kind of peace an everlasting gift or simply a temporary fix to a terminal issue?

Others find great peace in going with the flow, following the crowd, and blending in. Their motto may be to make no waves and do no harm. Let’s just all agree to get along, no matter what the issue. If we’re feeling convicted, be sure not to mention it because it may disrupt the peace train. The most important thing is to maintain peace at all costs. Would you sell your soul for a slice of peace pie?

Peace, for a young parent, may be an uninterrupted afternoon nap. Folks search for peaceful vacations, where they can get away from the buzz of cell phones and pagers, voice mail, email, and blackberries. Some look for a secluded space outdoors, away from the daily grind inside. I enjoy a peaceful evening curled up with a good book in my Lazy Boy® chair, all by myself, in a quiet house. Uninterrupted peace, for even a few fleeting minutes, can become a breath of fresh air.

Christ’s peace is so much more than all of this combined. We see peace in worldly ways. His peace is not of this world. We look at the wars going on around us, distracting us from addressing the wars within. When Christ’s peace comes, the fears, uncertainties, doubts and the sins that are eating us alive begin to disappear in the light of His love. His peace is so much bigger than any peace the world offers. Seek Jesus today. Peace is His free gift to you, and you need not travel any further than your knees to find it.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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 gift of a lifetime

Today’s Reading: John 14:25-26 (NIV)

25 [Jesus said,] “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”

Good morning!

Have you been praying for divine intervention for our brothers and sisters in the state of Florida? I was encouraged to see the news wire updates on tropical storm Fay this morning. Apparently, she never reached her predicted hurricane strength even after coming ashore. I am grateful for the Father’s provision, especially in the eye of the storm. We bear living testimony to the fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes that have ravaged our homeland in the last fifty years. Americans truly have a heart for people who suffer. We understand the grief in losing our own loved ones to the storms of life; being confronted with having to begin again. We rebuild our homes, businesses and entire communities together. This morning, I find myself extraordinarily grateful to the Lord that Fay never reached its predicted potential. We are seeing His miracle revealed and we have a lot to celebrate today!

Divine intervention is Christ’s promise to believers and we can count on it! Jesus told His disciples that His words would be remembered by the help of a counselor, the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father to teach us all things and remind us of His words. Have you ever experienced the sudden recollection of a story or experience that happened when you were a child? Every now and then, I remember something that happened, as if it were just yesterday, and it brings me great delight! The older I get, the more I struggle with memory retention, so when I am able to recall a piece of the past with clarity, I rejoice! This is a gift from above. It is the present of the Holy Spirit of God working within me, reminding me of Christ’s love and His Word spoken over my life. The Holy Spirit is our counselor, comforter, and an everlasting presence. He walks through life with us, teaching, convicting, and assuring the human heart of Christ’s love for the world. Wherever we are, He is. We are not alone.

I would have loved to have walked with the Lord when He walked the earth in flesh. The Holy Spirit gives me His assurance that even while I walk this road today, Jesus is right beside me. His presence is there to guide, heal, cleanse, forgive and redeem. I have His Word in front of me on printed page and protected deep within the recesses of my heart. At the right moment, Jesus reveals Himself in a story, a verse of Scripture, or a memory from long ago. Divine intervention is the gift of a lifetime!

The Holy Spirit is available to all who love Jesus Christ and profess Him as their Savior. If you have not yet experienced the Holy Spirit working in your life, ask Jesus to give you the power of the Spirit today. He will do it! It is His gift of a lifetime, given for you and for me. Be blessed!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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 rear view mirror

Today’s Reading: John 14:24 (NIV)

24 “He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they are from the Father who sent me.”

Good morning!

I’ve been told I have a stubborn streak. Doesn’t everyone? After all, it is that strong sense of direction within that prompts us to inch forward; to push just a little harder and not give up. Of course, I’ve been known to push the ticket to the extreme and run headlong in the opposite direction. My childlike stubbornness has often taken me to places I really did not want to go. Has this ever happened to you?

I remember one summer Saturday morning: my father was on his way to the hardware store and I wanted to ride along. My dad was not the most patient person when it came to shopping at the hardware store. He seemed to have all the bad luck. Dad never purchased a “do-it-yourself” project home kit that didn’t have a key piece missing from the package, and this seemed to infuriate him to no end. He was planning to have an engaging and spirited conversation with the store manager, and there was no way he wanted his little girl to be there and witness the fallout. Sometimes, a loving parent will tell us no because they can see the bigger picture. Fathers expect their children to listen and obey.

Well, Daddy’s answer was not the answer I wanted to hear, and he made me really mad! So I added my own little self-expression to the fray. As Daddy pulled the car out of the driveway, I ran outside and stuck my tongue out at him. Let me tell you something: with my Father, this is a huge mistake! He wasn’t about to tolerate a little lip from his child. Did you know that our Father has this rearview mirror, and He can see what we are up to without even turning around? My dad threw his 1966 Chevrolet into reverse and pulled back into the driveway. What happened next wasn’t very pleasant and I don’t think I ever stuck my tongue out at him again. This is just one example when stubbornness did not work to my advantage. As I look back on that morning long ago, I am thankful I wasn’t behind the counter at the hardware store when my dad arrived that day.

Did my Father love me when he said no? When I disrespect my Father's Word and disobey Him, was I demonstrating love?

Jesus teaches that love and obedience are inseparable. Doing what our Father instructs is the only way to demonstrate our love for Him. It is so much more than mere lip service; obedience is an act of pure faith.

Father, forgive us when our selfish sense of direction gets in the way of Your will. Help us to be completely satisfied with Your Word, especially when you say no. Teach us not to add or subtract from your Word or try to change it to suit our own personal preferences. Help us realize Father, that when we choose to obey you, we express true love. May thy will be done, Lord; not my will, but thy will. Oh, how we love you, Father! Help us demonstrate that love by choosing to obey, even when we really don’t understand why you said no. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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.

Clean up on aisle sin

Today’s Reading: John 14:23 (NIV)

23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”

Good morning!

Do you ever cry over spilled milk? This morning, I found a great suit in the back of my closet that I’ve not worn in awhile. With the cooler temperatures, I thought this would be the perfect choice on a day like today. I dressed and then went to the kitchen to fix breakfast. Every morning, I carry a bowl of cereal to the study, where I sit with Bible in hand and give my full attention over to the Lord. It took a lot of effort to prepare today. I’m not normally a late-night gal, but the Beijing Olympics have captured my heart. I watched in awe as two of our US gymnastics won the gold and silver medals in last night’s competition. It was a very late night.

In the study, I lost my focus and turned away from the computer desktop for just a second. It was only a second, but suddenly, I found myself dripping in bran flakes and milk. The bowl had overturned and my breakfast was everywhere! It soaked my suit, shoes, the computer workspace, the floor, and the chair I was sitting in. This was no small clean up. Spilled milk will leave a stain if not mopped up quickly, and the milk will begin to sour and smell. It forced me absolutely stop what I was doing, clean up the mess, and begin again.

When we disobey God, we have to stop what we are doing and shout out, “Clean up on aisle sin!” Disobedience gets in the way of who we are in Christ, and who He has created us to be. It is easy to say the words, “I love you, Lord.” It is much more difficult to prove we mean it. Jesus said that if we truly love him, we will obey His teaching. And when we obey Him, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit takes up permanent residence in our lives. Spilled milk, like the sin we carry around in our hearts, is messy. Yet, it is not impossible to clean up. If sin is getting in the way of your witness, stop what you’re doing and ask the Lord of life to clean you up. Only Jesus Christ has the power to wash your sins away, creating in a sacred space inside your heart where He can live and reign and work within your life.

Father, you reminded me today of the importance you place on obedience in love. I praise you for cleaning up the mess I’ve made this morning, and for all the messes I’ve made along life’s way. You mopped up my spilled milk and removed those nasty set-in stains once and for all. I love you. Help me obey your Word today. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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 great reveal

Today’s Reading: John 14:22 (NIV)

Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?”

Good morning!

Have you been watching the Olympics on television? I’ve been fascinated by the variety of competitive events and the superb talent of each of its participants. Every athlete has trained for years to prepare their bodies and minds for a test of this magnitude. Many of these folks began their Olympic dream as a young child, training in a swimming pool or gymnasium. Some of these athletes are very young. I watched in awe as a fourteen year old dove off a three-story high dive in a synchronized diving competition. His form was near perfect and when this young man hit the water, he barely made a splash. It’s amazing to see the quest for perfection played out in the lives of so many from around the world. In the opening ceremonies, thousands of athletes gathered together to share their lifelong commitment and purpose. They came to play, to compete and to win.

I cannot imagine the time US Olympic athlete Michael Phelps has spent at the swimming pool training for the swim of his life. We are seeing the culmination of years of hard work. Long before Michael was recognized in the Olympic community, he and his family sacrificed training time and financial resources so that he could work toward winning the race. The tears we see streaming down Michael’s mother’s face tell a story that most of us have no true point of reference. We are watching a piece of history unfold; a lifelong dream fulfilled - and we are only beginning to see the end result. Day by day, with every new competition, Michael is breaking world records in Olympic swimming. How long would it take you to prepare for the swim of your life? Would you be ready to jump into Olympic waters and break world class records without first spending years to prepare?

Judas (not Iscariot), one of Jesus’ disciples posed an interesting question to the Lord. He wondered why Jesus intended to reveal Himself to only a few and not to the whole world. What Judas couldn’t see with physical eyes, Christ understood in the Spirit. A firm foundation had been poured from the beginning of time. A time of preparation for His coming and a plan that superseded anything a human heart could possibly imagine is culminating for the whole of humanity. The coming of Messiah had been foretold by prophets, told to children by parents and grandparents, and was eagerly anticipated by many people. Judas was hoping Jesus would not only lead the twelve, but become a world class leader. He longed for heathen Roman rule to submit to the authority of Almighty God.

God’s timing is not our timing. His ways are greater and higher than anything we can fully understand now. Jesus knew that His time had not yet come, but was coming soon. He was preparing to lay down his flesh as the perfect and final sacrifice for all. Jesus understood that the Father’s perfect timing would one day capture the hearts of humanity. He was willing to do the leg work needed to prepare a lost world for the greatest gift of all.

We long for the day when Jesus will return to redeem His bride. Jesus said he was going to prepare a place for us and that He would come back to take us there. Are you ready for Christ to reveal Himself to the world? Will you recognize the Lord when He returns? What preparations do you need to make to be ready for God’s great reveal?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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.

In love

Today’s Reading: John 14:21 (NIV)

[Jesus said], “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

Good morning!

I’ve been thinking about what it means to be in love. Do you remember the first time you knew you were in love? Relationships draw people into abiding friendship, and their friendship becomes a solid, unbreakable bond. We begin to trust and rely completely upon the people whom we love. We care about their moods, their general health and wellbeing. We want to know what they are thinking and feeling, and we care enough to ask. We keep on asking, especially when there is a perceived unresolved hurt or pain. When our loved one is in pain, we suffer alongside them. Loving another is not simply some physical attraction, sparked by roller coaster hormones. Loving is a lifelong journey, a deep commitment worth investing one’s life in. Loving another soul requires a devotion of time and attention and a willingness to place the needs of the one you love ahead of your own. What does “being in love” mean to you?

When my childhood neighbor passed away many years ago, I remember standing at the side of his funeral casket, talking to his wife. With tears streaming down her face, she looked at me, pointing to the remains of her dearly departed husband, and said, “He is my life. I’ve spent sixty years with this man – we live in the house we first purchased after the war. I do not remember what it was like not to have him by my side.” I have watched my neighbor move forward, even in deep sadness. She continues to share glimpses of her beloved husband with others, by sharing her memories of their life together. I know she is looking forward to the day when she will be reunited with her husband in eternity. I believe my neighbor truly understands what it means to be in love.

Jesus told His disciples when we hold fast to His Word and choose to obey His commands, that we are the ones who truly love Him. Being in love with the Lord requires a conscious decision and a lifelong commitment. When you say you will follow Christ, you choose to enter into an everlasting relationship bonded by His perfect blood. Being in love with the Lord is a daily commitment, not just something we do one hour each week in worship. Obedience takes discipline, and discipline takes courage, and courage stands in fully trusting the One who loved us first.

Are you ready to fall in love with the Savior? Come and worship Him today. Together, we can honor and glorify the One who came to seek and save the lost. I thank God that my Jesus was willing to serve a dying church. I don't know where we would all be if Christ had not come to serve the sick, the dying, and the lost. He willing obeyed His Father's command, choosing to suffer and lay down His own earthly flesh so that all of us might live forever in the Father's care. He loves you and me this much! What would you give for a love like that? Each new morning is a brand new opportunity to grow deeper in love with our Lord. I’ll see you today at Faith.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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 blessing from above

Today’s Reading: John 14:20 (NIV)

[Jesus said], “On that day, you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”

Good morning!

When I left home at the age of eighteen years, took a husband and moved to Texas, there were several significant people in my life whom I missed more than I can say. One of them was my piano teacher. I know that may sound a little strange to all of you, yet, I had spent years studying with Mrs. McClain each week. I trusted her direction and instruction, and she became a very important person in my life. Even when her voice was no longer physically present, I remembered her words of advice, encouragement and love. I knew no matter where I went, that I was carrying a very special part of her with me. Mrs. McClain was an awesome piano teacher, and I know that when I play the piano at church, I indirectly share a piece of who she is with every listener there. This became a double blessing, being young and seven hundred miles away from my family and friends. I knew I would not study with her again. Yet, to this day, I think of Mrs. McClain with a grateful heart every time I sit down and play the piano.

A dear friend made an uncanny observation this week, as we spoke on the telephone. He said, “When I read your writing, I notice that you often talk about the Holy Spirit being present everywhere you go. Do you think that maybe the reason the Holy Spirit is present everywhere you go is because He lives in your heart?” I laughed out loud! Of course, the Holy Spirit lives in me! The love of Christ surrounds me each day, in grace and mercy. The Spirit prompts me to share Jesus with others. Still, I had not realized the depth of how the Spirit reveals Himself. No matter where I find myself, there He is, right in middle of life. This is a true blessing from above to all who believe. Isn’t that awesome!

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine what it must have been like to have walked with the Lord Jesus Christ along the dirt roads in Galilee. You are His beloved disciple and He is coaching you in matters of faith. Think about His Word to you today, “One day [insert your name here], you will finally understand that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”

I look toward that glorious day when I fully understand the power of Christ’s Word in this Scripture verse. One day, I will realize that Jesus in the Father and the Father is in Him, and He lives in me. What a great way to begin a whole new day, an awesome weekend, and a wonderful new life. Be especially blessed by these words flowing out from the heart of God just to you.

Today, I’m expecting a very special delivery: a piano to play at the parsonage! Thanks be to God!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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 total picture

Today’s Reading: John 14:19 (NIV)

[Jesus said], “Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.”

Good morning!

What a great morning this is! August 8, 2008 (8.8.08) – this is the dawn of a brand new beginning! The month of August is filled with grand expectation. In the United States, children, youth and many adults leave summer vacation behind and prepare to return to school. I remember lying in bed the night before the first day of school with butterflies in my stomach, unable to sleep, so nervous about where I would go and if I could find my home room before the tardy bell rang. I wondered who I might meet, and whether I would like my teacher. Earlier this week, I took a walk across the campus of Lindenwood University with some my friends, four of whom I’ve known for quite awhile, and with others whom I had just met. Nestled right in the heart of St. Charles, Missouri, Lindenwood University is such a beautiful campus. There are lots of changes going on here. Between the new road way, expanded parking, new dorms and a new fine arts building which will all be open this semester, I realized with some sadness that this would be my last full year at the University as a student. I’ve grown to love this school, and I couldn’t help but wonder what this brand new year will hold. All of us are turning an important corner, not only in world history but in our own lives. Will your footsteps mark the places where you’ve walked? Where will this new beginning take you?

Jesus Christ is the most forward-thinking brother I know! The prophets of old were given glimpses of the future; the judges begged folks to obey the law, trusting it would carry them into the future with hope, and generations waited with anticipation for the coming of that hope – the promised One of God. My Jesus understands the past, present and future completely. He understands it because He is there from beginning to end. Christ didn’t just see mere glimpses - He is our total picture! Jesus came in human flesh at the request of His Father, so that all people would come to know and fall deeply in love with our eternal life-giver. Jesus came to put a face with a name, Jehovah-Jireh, Yahweh, Elohim, Emmanuel. He is the One we look forward to seeing with great anticipation.

How exciting and bewildering it must have been that night, as the disciples listened to their Master say, “Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.” This is a brand new day. The sun is coming up just over the tree line in my subdivision and I can hear the birds singing songs of praise in my back yard. Who are you looking forward to meeting this morning? Are you excited about the days just ahead? Come and join me this morning, as we celebrate this new beginning together. We do not have to understand every aspect of the future - we only need to know the One who is our future. Have faith! His Word is true, you can count on it! We will see Him again. Are you ready?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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.

There are no orphans in God's house

Today’s Reading: John 14:18 (NIV)

[Jesus said], “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

Good morning!

I have a difficult time choosing my favorite Scripture passage because there are so many verses that continually speak to my heart. Yet, I would have to say that this one verse, John 14:18, is one of my all-time favorites. I didn’t live in the state orphanage all that long. I don’t really have a memory of what it was like there. I have a few black and white pictures, but they don’t reveal much about what it would have been like to have grown up in an orphanage. I have met some folks along the way who were reared in state facilities, whose parents couldn’t keep them for numerous reasons. Some folks were taken into state custody when their mothers and fathers broke the law and went to jail. Others simply couldn’t afford to feed them. Having raised three children, I have some understanding of the costs involved. In 2008, it is an astronomical expense to raise even one child from infancy to adulthood. If you feed, clothe and educate one child, sending him/her through college, parents should expect to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars according to recent cost of living statistics. I want you to know that my three children have made me a millionaire! They are priceless to me and were worth every penny I spent. What a gift it is to have a family to love.

My mother used to tell me that I was special, because she hand-picked me from all the other babies in the orphanage. Yes, I was adopted, and so was my little sister. We were both blessed to be adopted as infants. If I could, I would say thank you to my birth mother, wherever you are, for choosing not to abort me, and giving me the chance to live. Forty-nine years ago, you made an extraordinary sacrifice of love, by giving me up so that I might have a better life. I will always love you for thinking more about me than of yourself. I pray that you are well and happy and I know we will meet one day in heaven. We will know each other instinctively. What an unselfish gift to willingly give up a child to prospective parents who cannot have children of their own. I cannot imagine what that would be like.

The word family takes on a whole new meaning in 2008. We have biological children, adopted children, blended families and financial sponsorship of children worldwide. Jeff and I are very proud of a young man whom we have not yet met face to face. Melvin lives in El Salvador with his mother and sisters. We hear from him often. He likes to draw pictures of his family and school friends. His artistic abilities continue to grow as he grows. We sponsor Melvin for just pennies a day, and it is a joy to know that he can go to school and learn, receive healthy, nutritious food and adequate clothing and have his medical needs met. One day, we hope to meet him, and say thank you for allowing us the privilege to share life with him. His love continues to nurture us here in the US. Melvin’s picture is on our refrigerator, right next to our grandson Jett. They are the same age, and we love him instinctively. Our families are yoked through Christ’s love.

In God’s house, there are no orphans. We are all brothers and sisters, adopted through Christ into the kingdom of God. In this close-knit community of faith, we learn to nurture and care for each other, just as Christ loves each and every one of us. We help those who cannot help themselves. We choose to love because we are all King’s kids.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for not leaving us as orphans. We look forward to your return.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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.

Today’s Reading: John 14:16-17 (NIV)

[Jesus said], “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.”

Good morning!

Nestled in a tiny clearing off an old gravel road, stood the most beautiful country church I have ever seen. It did not compare to the great cathedrals in Europe, or the large arena-turned worship centers in many of our large cities. We came upon the small, white framed building, as we drove underneath a canopy of large oak trees, whose branches had grown together through the years. The trees provided a cool reprieve on a hot summer’s day. The church yard was meticulously landscaped. A stunning oak gazebo with stone steps sat near the back of the sanctuary. Two large red doors opened into the sanctuary’s pristine foyer and bell tower. I was immediately drawn to my life verse stenciled across its freshly painted walls – I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me (Phil 4:13). Inside the sanctuary, I noticed the sweet smell of cedar in the air. I looked up and saw the beautiful, open beamed, vaulted ceiling. Sunlight was streaming through the windows, and the wonder of God’s creation was visible all around the sanctuary. I could see the fellowship hall just a few short feet away, in an adjacent detached building. Behind both structures was the community’s cemetery, sitting on a shaded hillside. Every tombstone stood in silent attention, awaiting the trumpet sound peeling from heaven’s gate. It was as if I had stepped out of my car and into a beautiful Thomas Kinkade oil painting. The Bethel United Methodist Church, with its beautiful cross raised high in the sky, was for me the Church of the Wildwood, that incredible country sanctuary I had sung about my entire life.

I met the master builder in worship. He had created with his hands what his heart has always longed for. This place was the outward expression of his soul’s deepest desire. As a renovator and restorer of fine things, he understood the significance of the sanctuary. Beam by beam, the builder erected a sacred and holy space where folks from his tiny community would gather each week to praise the Lord. The master artist poured rivers of life into the vision of this humble human heart, who then poured a labor of love into the space where I sat in worship. The Holy Spirit of God is an indescribable, amazing gift.

It’s presence in this place was simply overwhelming. Jesus promised His disciples that He would send the Spirit of truth to live inside our hearts, creating a sacred space for the Lord to live and reign in us forever. While in worship, I began to take a silent stroll through the sanctuary of my heart. Jesus Christ lives there and He is working to renovate that sacred space inside of me. I am His lifelong work in progress. The beauty of who I am has nothing to do with the exterior shell, the earthly form that will one day return to the dust from which I was created. No, true beauty has everything to do with who Christ is and what He has done in the remodeling of my life.

Thank you Lord Jesus, for your gift of sanctuary.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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.

Me first

Today’s Reading: John 14:13-14 (NIV)

[Jesus said], “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

Good morning!

What’s in it for me?

Let’s face it: we live in a “me-first” mentality. I see this happy attitude poignantly demonstrated every day as I drive to and from work and school. Folks are hard pressed and committed to getting where they need to be as quickly as possible, oblivious to the people traveling next to them on the highway of life. Our thoughts are centered upon the things we must accomplish: the meetings, presentations, and general busyness of our daily lives. We are so preoccupied with our own personal agenda, to-do lists and project deadlines. We cannot spare an extra second to make that telephone call to a friend, or take time to walk across the yard and speak to our next-door neighbor. We pull into our garages and lower the door before exiting our vehicles. We could care less about the stranger stuck in traffic in the car behind us, whom we’ve just managed to cut off. Is our time more precious than theirs? We just want to get ahead. What’s in it for me? Our morning rush is so much more important than anyone else’s. What is it inside of the human heart that drives us to total distraction? How can we be glued to that time clock ticking, yet somehow miss hearing the warning alarm ringing frantically in our ears?

My relationship with Jesus would never have happened had He not wanted to be in relationship with me. This is a complete reversal from the “me-first” mentality. Pastor Terry Teykl writes about the purpose of the Christian walk in his book, The Presence Based Church. Unlike any other bond we form in life, the sacred and holy expression of faith is borne, not from anything we do, but from what God does for each one of us. We should not seek out a relationship with the Lord because of what we may need; rather, we should honor and serve the Father faithfully because of what He does for us. Teykl said that when we pray, we are to pray the prayers that God would have us pray. Getting ourselves out of the way so that the Father can work in and through us is the real miracle, and it only occurs as Christ-like living becomes our soul’s greatest motivation and desire. That “me-first” attitude must melt away, so that Christ-first can become front and center every day.

Jesus said, “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” In the human realm, many feel this is the ticket to personal prosperity. Can we really ask God for anything, guaranteed that He will do it in Jesus’ name? I encourage you to take a closer look at His Word and examine your “me-first” motivation behind the request. Are you praying for your will to be done or for the Father’s will on earth, as it is in heaven?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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 Super in our Natural

Today’s Reading: John 14:12 (NIV)

[Jesus said], “I tell you the truth - anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”

Good morning!

It’s amazing what a little faith in Jesus Christ can do. I’ve seen it happen over and over again – supernatural power in a simple, human heart. A little faith in Jesus can change everything! And when we possess a little faith in Christ, we have His power to change the world. My pastor says, “Jesus puts the super in our natural.” Extraordinary, ordinary people who possess His gift of faith, hope and love, can literally move mountains in the name of Jesus. Barriers are broken, and impenetrable walls crumble to the ground. People learn how to love each other completely, just like the Father loves each and every one of us. Because Jesus was making His return flight to the Father, believers now have the potential and ability to do what He accomplished on earth; to share the Father’s love with people around the world.

My friend Kim is a living example of what can happen when someone experiences a little faith in Christ. Just a few short years ago, she was sitting in a Disciple Bible Study class, reading through the Word with her small group, and asking lots of questions. Kim told me that many nights, she could not sleep, thinking about the Scripture and what God was speaking into her life. Kim would sit up half the night reading and praying and listening for His still, small voice. It wasn’t long before she knew that the Father had a special assignment for her. Now, Kim serves Faith Church in pastoral ministry, and continues her studies at the seminary level. Kim leads Sunday morning worship, teaches Sunday school class and small group Bible studies. She spends time listening and loving on the people God has placed in her path. Because Jesus returned to the Father, He makes a way for Kim to carry on the ministry, following in His steps. When I look at my pastor, I see Jesus Christ living in her. Isn’t it amazing what a little faith can do?

I wonder what the Father has planned for your life… Just a little faith in Jesus Christ will make all the difference. Pick up His Word today and let Him speak. Yes, Jesus is the super in our natural, and He can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine according to His power that is at work within you. A little faith can go a long way! Are you ready to step into God’s extraordinary plan for your life?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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.