The mercy seat
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 21, 22, 23; Psalm 51
Psalm 51:1-4 (NIV)
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.
Good morning!
Regrets run deep when it finally hits home. Have you ever said or done anything that you sincerely regret?
I have a true confession to make. When I was a child, I had a mean streak! Sometimes I would go way out of my way to set my little sister up for a fall. We picked at each other constantly. Sibling rivalry is not exactly the term I would use to describe our relationship and behavior – there were times when it was all-out war. The competitive spirit between us was, at times, hurtful and cruel. We took stabs at each other which left raw and open wounds. What prompts us to do the selfish things we do? Whatever possesses us to skin each other alive with sharp, harsh words and wrong behaviors? We tear one another apart just to build up our own selfish ego. Do you find satisfaction in beating your brother to the finish line?
Sometimes we apologize without meaning it. We get caught and apologize, not really meaning it. We cross our fingers and toes and eyeballs, and anything else we can cross. Crossing ourselves is worthless when we stand in the grip of grace that can only come through the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. What happens when, for the maybe the first time ever, we begin to see our sin for what it really is? How do you feel when you begin to realize that your poor words, actions, and self-centered motivation has not only hurt your family and friends, but that we have grieved the very heart of God?
I will never forget the weekend I began to experience sincere regret over my selfish ambition and hateful actions. I was attending a youth revival. Sitting in a room with fifty of my peers, the director began to talk about the condition of his heart. He said that he needed to take a closer look on the inside of his life to see what God sees when He looks at him for real. Pulling a chair from the corner of the room, he had all of us sit in a large circle. He placed the chair in the center of the room. With a humble and contrite heart, this humble man shared that God reached down from heaven when Jesus Christ died on a cross to save him from the messes he made in his life. He said the Lord touched Him by revealing his mean spirited behavior toward his brothers and sisters. He didn’t know whether any of us had regret over the things we may have said or done in our past, but He knew that without God’s mercy and grace, he simply could not go on. Then, he did something amazing. He sat down on the mercy seat. With tear-stained cheeks, he asked all of us to come and pray for him. I was stunned. I saw an adult that I respected sit in a chair in the middle of a large youth meeting, and confess that he had made some serious mistakes in his life. Not only did he confess, but he asked all of us to pray for him! My mind was racing a million miles per minute. The group inched toward our director, one by one, touching his shoulder, the chair, his head, each other, and we prayed out loud. Some of my friends began to cry. People were sniffling and shaking all around me. One by one, we cried out to God for His grace and mercy. We asked the Lord to forgive our youth leader and help him feel forgiveness for the sins he had committed throughout his life. He sat motionless, with his head buried in his hands. I could see the tears falling from his face and dripping on his pants leg.
After a few moments, he stood up from the chair, thanked all of us for praying, and said that he knew, without a doubt, that God had forgiven him right then. The chair sat empty – I couldn’t help but stare at it. He asked us a question – was there anyone else in the room who needed to know God’s healing love and mercy? Was there anyone else willing to take their place on the mercy seat? When I sat down on the chair that night and one hundred hands reached out to me in prayer, it was as if gravity had ceased to exist and that chair was literally lifted by the prayers and petitions of my friends, all of them focused on my healing and forgiveness. I didn’t realize just how miserable I felt until I experienced what it was like to have that guilt and shame taken up. This was the very first time I experienced what it meant to lay my sin out in the open before the foot of the cross and beg Jesus Christ to come into my heart, and forgive me.
The mercy seat sits empty this morning. There are people on their knees in prayer right now, waiting for you to come. Will you choose to sit on the mercy seat? Will you allow your brothers and sisters to pray for you, crying out to the Father on your behalf? Will you humble your heart, take a good look at the sin that eats away at your soul, and confess it once and for all before the One who can forgive and redeem you?
Come sit on the mercy seat today. There is a special place waiting just for you, in the sanctuary of the Lord. Won’t you come and worship the risen Christ with me today?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: new life! Jesus Christ died to set you free from the sins that separate you from Him. The mercy seat is for you and for me. Come sit with me! I’ll see you at church.
____________________________
© 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.
Friday, March 09, 2007
Standing firm on my knees
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 18, 19, 20
Deuteronomy 20:2-4 (NIV)
2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. 3 He shall say, “Hear O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. 4 For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”
Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Good morning!
Once upon a time, not so long ago, a precious little girl muffled her sad and fearful sobs in the pillow she clung to underneath her bed. Night time was a frightening time for little Emma. She much preferred playing in the bright sunlight, where she could see her enemy clearly and run away, if need be. Night time was different, when the darkness dripped like melting wax from the burned-out candle on the fireplace hearth. Little Emma shivered in fear. The only safe hiding place she could find was underneath her bed. If she cuddled up in the far corner next to the wall, maybe no one would be able to reach her there. On that cold, hard floor, Emma wrapped her favorite blankie around her shoulders, burying her little face in the soft, wet pillow. She listened intently for the sounds she did not want to hear. Little Emma kept watch every night in the dark. “Are you there, God?” Emma whispered into the night air. “Here I am, God, under my bed again. Can you hear me? I’m so scared, dear God. Please come and stay with me tonight.”
Our world is full of hurting and frightened children, crying out to the Lord in the dark every night. There are many children who went to bed last night on an empty stomach. They hunger and thirst for a little food to eat and clean water to drink. Other children are hiding under the beds because they hear the gunfire and explosions of war surrounding their community. They try to sleep amid the noise of gunfire, as the smell of death and destruction seeps through the walls and into their bedroom. Some children are sleeping underneath the stars, on a dirt floor with a makeshift tin and cardboard roof. They have no bed to hide under, because they have no bed at all.
There are children who live in the lap of luxury. They have plenty of food and water, toy boxes full of toys and games to play with, and their very own bed to sleep in. Yet, many of these children cry out to God, begging Him to come and protect them from the terrors of the night. Have you ever looked into the eyes of a child whose innocence has been taken from them? Have you ever seen their bruises, touched their broken bones, or dried their tear-stained cheeks?
All of God’s children face incredible battles every day. Some of them are battling just to survive. They do not have the necessities that sustain life. There are other children fighting the forces of evil around them. The people who they love and trust may not be trustworthy, and they find themselves in imminent danger day after day. When children grow up in communities where violence prevails, whether it be in a war-torn country or a war-torn family, they carry the scars of their pain with them. It weighs them down like bricks wrapped around their neck. Many children will not survive the terror of the night.
We can make a difference for the children who suffer. It begins when we stand firm on our knees, putting on the full armor of God. He equips to us to fight not only the physical wars we face in our world today, but the even greater spiritual wars brought forth by the evil one in our midst. Behind every abused child is a lost and hurting caregiver. We can seek God’s heavenly protection as we pray for those who desperately need safety and shelter today. We can reach out together with our hands and hearts as we find new ways to help support our brothers and sisters who do not have what they need to survive. We can encourage hurting adults to seek the help they need to overcome the demons they face every night. We can pray like we’ve never prayed before.
That child underneath the bed may be someone you know. Will you put on the full armor of God this morning and pray with me? Will you intercede for the safety of all the little Emmas who are hiding under their beds in fear?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: courage to take on the powers of evil and darkness in your life. We are standing firm on our knees today, praying prayers of intercession for all of God’s children who are suffering. Who will stand in the gap for the innocent ones today? Will you be Jesus to them?
____________________________
© 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.
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 18, 19, 20
Deuteronomy 20:2-4 (NIV)
2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. 3 He shall say, “Hear O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. 4 For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”
Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Good morning!
Once upon a time, not so long ago, a precious little girl muffled her sad and fearful sobs in the pillow she clung to underneath her bed. Night time was a frightening time for little Emma. She much preferred playing in the bright sunlight, where she could see her enemy clearly and run away, if need be. Night time was different, when the darkness dripped like melting wax from the burned-out candle on the fireplace hearth. Little Emma shivered in fear. The only safe hiding place she could find was underneath her bed. If she cuddled up in the far corner next to the wall, maybe no one would be able to reach her there. On that cold, hard floor, Emma wrapped her favorite blankie around her shoulders, burying her little face in the soft, wet pillow. She listened intently for the sounds she did not want to hear. Little Emma kept watch every night in the dark. “Are you there, God?” Emma whispered into the night air. “Here I am, God, under my bed again. Can you hear me? I’m so scared, dear God. Please come and stay with me tonight.”
Our world is full of hurting and frightened children, crying out to the Lord in the dark every night. There are many children who went to bed last night on an empty stomach. They hunger and thirst for a little food to eat and clean water to drink. Other children are hiding under the beds because they hear the gunfire and explosions of war surrounding their community. They try to sleep amid the noise of gunfire, as the smell of death and destruction seeps through the walls and into their bedroom. Some children are sleeping underneath the stars, on a dirt floor with a makeshift tin and cardboard roof. They have no bed to hide under, because they have no bed at all.
There are children who live in the lap of luxury. They have plenty of food and water, toy boxes full of toys and games to play with, and their very own bed to sleep in. Yet, many of these children cry out to God, begging Him to come and protect them from the terrors of the night. Have you ever looked into the eyes of a child whose innocence has been taken from them? Have you ever seen their bruises, touched their broken bones, or dried their tear-stained cheeks?
All of God’s children face incredible battles every day. Some of them are battling just to survive. They do not have the necessities that sustain life. There are other children fighting the forces of evil around them. The people who they love and trust may not be trustworthy, and they find themselves in imminent danger day after day. When children grow up in communities where violence prevails, whether it be in a war-torn country or a war-torn family, they carry the scars of their pain with them. It weighs them down like bricks wrapped around their neck. Many children will not survive the terror of the night.
We can make a difference for the children who suffer. It begins when we stand firm on our knees, putting on the full armor of God. He equips to us to fight not only the physical wars we face in our world today, but the even greater spiritual wars brought forth by the evil one in our midst. Behind every abused child is a lost and hurting caregiver. We can seek God’s heavenly protection as we pray for those who desperately need safety and shelter today. We can reach out together with our hands and hearts as we find new ways to help support our brothers and sisters who do not have what they need to survive. We can encourage hurting adults to seek the help they need to overcome the demons they face every night. We can pray like we’ve never prayed before.
That child underneath the bed may be someone you know. Will you put on the full armor of God this morning and pray with me? Will you intercede for the safety of all the little Emmas who are hiding under their beds in fear?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: courage to take on the powers of evil and darkness in your life. We are standing firm on our knees today, praying prayers of intercession for all of God’s children who are suffering. Who will stand in the gap for the innocent ones today? Will you be Jesus to them?
____________________________
© 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.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Grace Full
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 15, 16, 17
Deuteronomy 15:7-11 (NIV)
7 If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. 8 Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. 9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, in near,” so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the Lord against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. 10 Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. 11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
Romans 5:1-2 (NIV)
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Good morning!
When I was a little girl, I dreamed of becoming a prima ballerina. I longed for the day when I would be able to stand tall in a pair of toe shoes and float like a feather across the stage. I imagined when I grew up that I would be tall and thin, with great dexterity and strong ankle support. My mother enrolled me in ballet and tap dancing lessons, and I danced for years. Every spring our dance troupe would perform on the stage of the American Theatre in downtown St. Louis. We would dance on the stage of the Admiral showboat, when the Admiral actually cruised along the banks of the Mississippi River. I was a vision in my leotard and tutu. My mother would spend hours weaving my long hair into a tight bun, adorned with satin ribbons and bows. I was the teapot, definitely typecast - short and stout with a matching handle and spout. My mother said I was cute! Most mothers think their children are cute. Actually, I think God must pay them to feel this way. A sad revelation began to emerge within my heart. When I stopped growing “up” at age thirteen, and remained just a smidge over five feet tall, I recognized that long, thin legs were not part of the package I would receive from the Father above. To add insult to injury, I was not flexible at all, and my ankles were weak. Toe dancing was an art from that I would have to enjoy from the front row seats of the theatre. Alas, my dancing days were numbered. After several years, I buried the dream in the back of the closet along with the ballet slippers I once wore.
I’ve not always been a graceful person. Fumbling, mumbling and stumbling is a much better description of my daily walk. I tend to trip and fall a lot. It might help if I watched where I stepped, but that might be too easy. Grace is a funny thing. I have found that true grace is an undeserved gift from the Father above. Try as I might, it is something I will never be able to earn.
The Lord instructed His children to be graceful with each other. Every seven years, the Israelites were to cancel each others’ indebtedness, with a stamp that reads – PAID IN FULL. To forgive someone completely after providing seven years of support, food, land, clothing, and all the necessities of daily living, might seem like an impossible thing to do. Grace is extended to a poor and needy brother or sister, who has nothing with which to begin to repay their indebtedness to you. The Lord called His children to not only forgive them, but to do it without bearing a grudge. Are you good at forgiving the indebtedness of your neighbor? Do you place value added on the people you know, based solely upon their worldly possessions or the size of their investment portfolio? Are they more valuable to you than a poor, homeless heart? Who would you rather be in relationship with? Which person would you choose to befriend? Which person are you willing to serve?
No matter how much I wanted to dance, I could not physically make myself grow the long legs I needed to do the job well. I wanted to be tall, but I’m not. When Jesus Christ came to the earth, He looked for short people just like me to love on. He looked way beyond my physical attributes, skill sets, worldly possessions, and even my sharp and rough edge. Jesus looked upon my heart and proclaimed that I was worth His return. He was willing to lay down His very life just for me! He took my sin upon Himself and died on the cross of Calvary so I could live forever free! He gave me new legs upon which I stand in faith. It is only by his grace that I live today. He made me Grace Full when he took my indebtedness and stamped it PAID IN FULL with his blood.
I will never be a prima ballerina, but I can choose to dance before His holy throne today, singing praises to the One who lives and reigns! Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He can be your way, your truth and your life, if you call upon Him this morning in faith. Let the Lord forgive your sin, free you to live, and give you a grace-filled life. He exemplifies the great Jubilee. Our Lord forgives us when we call upon His name in faith, humble ourselves, confess our sin, and turn around. He bears no grudge. Praise Jesus Christ, our Lord!
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: Jesus to fill you with His love, forgive your every sin, and free you for Grace Full living today. Come and join in the dance of the redeemed!
____________________________
© 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.
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 15, 16, 17
Deuteronomy 15:7-11 (NIV)
7 If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. 8 Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. 9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, in near,” so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the Lord against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. 10 Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. 11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
Romans 5:1-2 (NIV)
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
Good morning!
When I was a little girl, I dreamed of becoming a prima ballerina. I longed for the day when I would be able to stand tall in a pair of toe shoes and float like a feather across the stage. I imagined when I grew up that I would be tall and thin, with great dexterity and strong ankle support. My mother enrolled me in ballet and tap dancing lessons, and I danced for years. Every spring our dance troupe would perform on the stage of the American Theatre in downtown St. Louis. We would dance on the stage of the Admiral showboat, when the Admiral actually cruised along the banks of the Mississippi River. I was a vision in my leotard and tutu. My mother would spend hours weaving my long hair into a tight bun, adorned with satin ribbons and bows. I was the teapot, definitely typecast - short and stout with a matching handle and spout. My mother said I was cute! Most mothers think their children are cute. Actually, I think God must pay them to feel this way. A sad revelation began to emerge within my heart. When I stopped growing “up” at age thirteen, and remained just a smidge over five feet tall, I recognized that long, thin legs were not part of the package I would receive from the Father above. To add insult to injury, I was not flexible at all, and my ankles were weak. Toe dancing was an art from that I would have to enjoy from the front row seats of the theatre. Alas, my dancing days were numbered. After several years, I buried the dream in the back of the closet along with the ballet slippers I once wore.
I’ve not always been a graceful person. Fumbling, mumbling and stumbling is a much better description of my daily walk. I tend to trip and fall a lot. It might help if I watched where I stepped, but that might be too easy. Grace is a funny thing. I have found that true grace is an undeserved gift from the Father above. Try as I might, it is something I will never be able to earn.
The Lord instructed His children to be graceful with each other. Every seven years, the Israelites were to cancel each others’ indebtedness, with a stamp that reads – PAID IN FULL. To forgive someone completely after providing seven years of support, food, land, clothing, and all the necessities of daily living, might seem like an impossible thing to do. Grace is extended to a poor and needy brother or sister, who has nothing with which to begin to repay their indebtedness to you. The Lord called His children to not only forgive them, but to do it without bearing a grudge. Are you good at forgiving the indebtedness of your neighbor? Do you place value added on the people you know, based solely upon their worldly possessions or the size of their investment portfolio? Are they more valuable to you than a poor, homeless heart? Who would you rather be in relationship with? Which person would you choose to befriend? Which person are you willing to serve?
No matter how much I wanted to dance, I could not physically make myself grow the long legs I needed to do the job well. I wanted to be tall, but I’m not. When Jesus Christ came to the earth, He looked for short people just like me to love on. He looked way beyond my physical attributes, skill sets, worldly possessions, and even my sharp and rough edge. Jesus looked upon my heart and proclaimed that I was worth His return. He was willing to lay down His very life just for me! He took my sin upon Himself and died on the cross of Calvary so I could live forever free! He gave me new legs upon which I stand in faith. It is only by his grace that I live today. He made me Grace Full when he took my indebtedness and stamped it PAID IN FULL with his blood.
I will never be a prima ballerina, but I can choose to dance before His holy throne today, singing praises to the One who lives and reigns! Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He can be your way, your truth and your life, if you call upon Him this morning in faith. Let the Lord forgive your sin, free you to live, and give you a grace-filled life. He exemplifies the great Jubilee. Our Lord forgives us when we call upon His name in faith, humble ourselves, confess our sin, and turn around. He bears no grudge. Praise Jesus Christ, our Lord!
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: Jesus to fill you with His love, forgive your every sin, and free you for Grace Full living today. Come and join in the dance of the redeemed!
____________________________
© 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.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Thankful Heart
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 12, 13, 14; Psalm 50
Psalm 50:14-15 (NIV)
14 “Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, 15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you will honor me.”
Colossians 3:15-17 (NIV)
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Good morning!
A thankful heart is a beautiful thing. Do you know someone who lives in constant thanksgiving and praise? Their joy, even in the most difficult of situations, can be infectious. Through the years, I’ve been blessed to meet some really thankful and happy people of God. They are the ones who find happiness in the little joys of everyday living. They share a peace that cannot be quenched. There is no way to humanly manufacture the joyful spirit they walk in each day. Their peace is a precious gift from the Lord, and it dwells with them as they seek His holy presence in daily prayer and praise.
I enjoy taking my grandchildren to the park to play. It is fun to watch the joy creep across their faces as we near the swing set and slide. Pure happiness seems to simply invade their space as they run and jump and play in the bright sunlight. Just when I think that their energy level has reached a combustable peak, they move to the next level. The happier they are, the harder they play. Running, laughing and shouting, there is no greater joy than watching a child express their happiness on the playground of life. When it is time to leave the park, my grandchildren do not want to go. They are happy and content there. Sometimes, I’ll carry a large blanket and a picnic basket filled with peanut butter sandwiches, deviled eggs and lots of bottled water. We’ll find a shady spot underneath a large oak tree where we can have a snack and enjoy the view. With tiny sweat beads running down their faces, my happy and contented grandchildren stop to rest awhile in the shade. It reminds me of what it is like to experience the joy He gives when I spend time worshipping and praising His name.
It is really hard to be unhappy when I take a serious look at where I’ve been and where I’m going. Because of God’s saving grace, my life will never be the same again. All of the things that used to trap me in places of despair and loneliness no longer exist. I feel His holy presence surround me every minute of the day, even in the most difficult and trying moments. I can run to Him with a thankful and joyous heart. He allows me the privilege of coming into His holy presence, as I lift up my praise and worship to Him. He fills my heart with pure joy, and sometimes I tingle from the tips of my toes to the top of my head as His Spirit consumes me. The love Christ is a shelter that remains with me twenty-four hours a day. I have learned that if my joy disappears because of someone’s harsh words or an unfortunate situation, it is only because I took my eyes off of the Lord. Humans cannot steal the joy of the Lord away from those who know and love Him unless we let them. He will never let you go. We need to make a conscious decision every morning to focus our heart and mind upon His plan and purpose for our life. When we honor the Lord with songs of praise and thanksgiving; when we pray for His will and not ours, trusting Him to lead us out into the world to tell others what the saving blood of Jesus can do for them, He gives us a thankfulness and peace that is indescribable.
Do you know the Lord and giver of new life? Let me tell you about my Jesus. The peace that comes from knowing Him will change your life forever. Won’t you come with me today and experience true joy in the wonder of His love?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: the peace and joy that can only come from knowing the Lord Jesus Christ. Do you know Him 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.
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 12, 13, 14; Psalm 50
Psalm 50:14-15 (NIV)
14 “Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, 15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you and you will honor me.”
Colossians 3:15-17 (NIV)
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Good morning!
A thankful heart is a beautiful thing. Do you know someone who lives in constant thanksgiving and praise? Their joy, even in the most difficult of situations, can be infectious. Through the years, I’ve been blessed to meet some really thankful and happy people of God. They are the ones who find happiness in the little joys of everyday living. They share a peace that cannot be quenched. There is no way to humanly manufacture the joyful spirit they walk in each day. Their peace is a precious gift from the Lord, and it dwells with them as they seek His holy presence in daily prayer and praise.
I enjoy taking my grandchildren to the park to play. It is fun to watch the joy creep across their faces as we near the swing set and slide. Pure happiness seems to simply invade their space as they run and jump and play in the bright sunlight. Just when I think that their energy level has reached a combustable peak, they move to the next level. The happier they are, the harder they play. Running, laughing and shouting, there is no greater joy than watching a child express their happiness on the playground of life. When it is time to leave the park, my grandchildren do not want to go. They are happy and content there. Sometimes, I’ll carry a large blanket and a picnic basket filled with peanut butter sandwiches, deviled eggs and lots of bottled water. We’ll find a shady spot underneath a large oak tree where we can have a snack and enjoy the view. With tiny sweat beads running down their faces, my happy and contented grandchildren stop to rest awhile in the shade. It reminds me of what it is like to experience the joy He gives when I spend time worshipping and praising His name.
It is really hard to be unhappy when I take a serious look at where I’ve been and where I’m going. Because of God’s saving grace, my life will never be the same again. All of the things that used to trap me in places of despair and loneliness no longer exist. I feel His holy presence surround me every minute of the day, even in the most difficult and trying moments. I can run to Him with a thankful and joyous heart. He allows me the privilege of coming into His holy presence, as I lift up my praise and worship to Him. He fills my heart with pure joy, and sometimes I tingle from the tips of my toes to the top of my head as His Spirit consumes me. The love Christ is a shelter that remains with me twenty-four hours a day. I have learned that if my joy disappears because of someone’s harsh words or an unfortunate situation, it is only because I took my eyes off of the Lord. Humans cannot steal the joy of the Lord away from those who know and love Him unless we let them. He will never let you go. We need to make a conscious decision every morning to focus our heart and mind upon His plan and purpose for our life. When we honor the Lord with songs of praise and thanksgiving; when we pray for His will and not ours, trusting Him to lead us out into the world to tell others what the saving blood of Jesus can do for them, He gives us a thankfulness and peace that is indescribable.
Do you know the Lord and giver of new life? Let me tell you about my Jesus. The peace that comes from knowing Him will change your life forever. Won’t you come with me today and experience true joy in the wonder of His love?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: the peace and joy that can only come from knowing the Lord Jesus Christ. Do you know Him 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.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
There is a cure for that pain in your neck!
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 9, 10, 11
Deuteronomy 10:16-21 (NIV)
16 Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer. 17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. 18 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. 19 And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt. 20 Fear the Lord your God and serve Him. Hold fast to Him and take your oaths in His name. 21 He is your praise; He is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.
Good morning!
Having a stiff neck can be an excruciating malady. Have you ever fallen asleep while riding in a car, an airplane, train or bus? Upon awaking from your nap, it becomes immediately apparent that you must have turned your head in an awkward position while resting. That sharp, shooting neck pain we feel can actually be debilitating. It radiates pain to other parts of your body, causing muscle spasms in your back, stomach upset and migraine headaches. The pain compromises your ability to turn from side to side, or to look up and down. Have you ever experienced a miserable pain in the neck?
When our youngest son David spent time in the hospital, there were nights when the best I could do was sit with him in bed and hold him while he tried to sleep. I had a stiff neck the entire time we were there, holding my three-year old while trying to cat nap. David’s favorite movie was E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. We watched that movie over and over again. It seemed to be the only thing that would take his mind off the pain he was feeling. For two solid weeks in the pediatric ward, David and I memorized almost every line in that film. The wonderful volunteers from the gift shop downstairs took a real shine to our son. In their display window, the shop owners hung a movie poster about E.T. in their window. Occasionally, I would take David for a ride in one of their hospital bed wagons. He wasn’t able to get up and walk with all the paraphernalia he was hooked up to, so I would pad the wagon with blankets and pillows and pull him around the hospital when he felt well enough to ride. He loved that picture in the gift shop window. Whenever we would stop in, he would point his little finger up to the sky and say, E.T. Phone Home! One day, the shop owner stopped by David’s room. They had taken the poster down from their display and hung it in his room. That was the best gift ever, and our little boy was thrilled! We took that poster home with us, and it stayed next to his bed for years.
David didn’t smile much during his hospital stay. I remember one time when the nurses had to change his dressing, and I was holding him on the bed to keep him from flailing around. David looked at me through teary eyes, and screamed, “I hate you. I hate you. I hate you.” I knew he meant it. I was his mother, and I was allowing these people to come in and inflict pain on my son. Even though I knew the dressing had to be changed, I couldn’t help but feel absolutely horrible. I looked at my child with tears rolling down my face, crying, “I’m sorry son. I love you. I love you. I love you.”
Sometimes we find ourselves hating God for the pain in our neck. Maybe your pain springs from a physical or emotional illness. It is possible that the pain you feel today is generated by the thoughtless words and acts of another person – maybe it is someone you truly love. Or, maybe the pain in your neck radiates from your own negativity and sinful behavior. When you choose to sin, do you get a pain in your neck? Do you ever feel like an alien, standing outside the circle of God’s love, not understanding how He could possibly love you enough to take you in, after all the poor choices you’ve made in the past?
There is a cure for that pain in your neck. God told Moses that if His people would simply hold on to Him, choosing to serve and honor Him with their life, showing respect and reverence in obedience to His law, the Lord would be their sustenance and deliverance every day. The people were to pray and praise Him, lifting God’s holy name high. He wanted His people to set aside their petty differences and stiff-necked views, and seek Him out in every aspect of their life. He wanted their trust and love and total devotion, more than anything else.
Give God your stiff neck this morning. Let Him heal your pain, once and for all. He has the capacity to soften and melt even the hardest heart when we relinquish our defenses, tear down the walls, stop making excuses and blaming others for our lot in life. Get down on your knees and ask the Lord to help you. He has the power to circumcise your heart if you are willing to follow Him every day. We may be aliens in this world; yet, we are never too far from God’s reach. He sees you. He hears you. Cry out to the Lord today. Even if you find yourself screaming, “I hate you, I hate you, I hate you,” stop and listen for His still-small voice. You will hear Him say, “I’m sorry, dear child. I love you, I love you, I love you.”
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: grace and mercy! The Lord came to heal the sick and save the lost. He loves you so much more than you know. Let Him remove the pain caused by your stiff neck, so you can turn around and see Him face to face. Will you let the Lord heal your heart this morning?
____________________________
© 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.
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 9, 10, 11
Deuteronomy 10:16-21 (NIV)
16 Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer. 17 For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. 18 He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. 19 And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt. 20 Fear the Lord your God and serve Him. Hold fast to Him and take your oaths in His name. 21 He is your praise; He is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.
Good morning!
Having a stiff neck can be an excruciating malady. Have you ever fallen asleep while riding in a car, an airplane, train or bus? Upon awaking from your nap, it becomes immediately apparent that you must have turned your head in an awkward position while resting. That sharp, shooting neck pain we feel can actually be debilitating. It radiates pain to other parts of your body, causing muscle spasms in your back, stomach upset and migraine headaches. The pain compromises your ability to turn from side to side, or to look up and down. Have you ever experienced a miserable pain in the neck?
When our youngest son David spent time in the hospital, there were nights when the best I could do was sit with him in bed and hold him while he tried to sleep. I had a stiff neck the entire time we were there, holding my three-year old while trying to cat nap. David’s favorite movie was E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. We watched that movie over and over again. It seemed to be the only thing that would take his mind off the pain he was feeling. For two solid weeks in the pediatric ward, David and I memorized almost every line in that film. The wonderful volunteers from the gift shop downstairs took a real shine to our son. In their display window, the shop owners hung a movie poster about E.T. in their window. Occasionally, I would take David for a ride in one of their hospital bed wagons. He wasn’t able to get up and walk with all the paraphernalia he was hooked up to, so I would pad the wagon with blankets and pillows and pull him around the hospital when he felt well enough to ride. He loved that picture in the gift shop window. Whenever we would stop in, he would point his little finger up to the sky and say, E.T. Phone Home! One day, the shop owner stopped by David’s room. They had taken the poster down from their display and hung it in his room. That was the best gift ever, and our little boy was thrilled! We took that poster home with us, and it stayed next to his bed for years.
David didn’t smile much during his hospital stay. I remember one time when the nurses had to change his dressing, and I was holding him on the bed to keep him from flailing around. David looked at me through teary eyes, and screamed, “I hate you. I hate you. I hate you.” I knew he meant it. I was his mother, and I was allowing these people to come in and inflict pain on my son. Even though I knew the dressing had to be changed, I couldn’t help but feel absolutely horrible. I looked at my child with tears rolling down my face, crying, “I’m sorry son. I love you. I love you. I love you.”
Sometimes we find ourselves hating God for the pain in our neck. Maybe your pain springs from a physical or emotional illness. It is possible that the pain you feel today is generated by the thoughtless words and acts of another person – maybe it is someone you truly love. Or, maybe the pain in your neck radiates from your own negativity and sinful behavior. When you choose to sin, do you get a pain in your neck? Do you ever feel like an alien, standing outside the circle of God’s love, not understanding how He could possibly love you enough to take you in, after all the poor choices you’ve made in the past?
There is a cure for that pain in your neck. God told Moses that if His people would simply hold on to Him, choosing to serve and honor Him with their life, showing respect and reverence in obedience to His law, the Lord would be their sustenance and deliverance every day. The people were to pray and praise Him, lifting God’s holy name high. He wanted His people to set aside their petty differences and stiff-necked views, and seek Him out in every aspect of their life. He wanted their trust and love and total devotion, more than anything else.
Give God your stiff neck this morning. Let Him heal your pain, once and for all. He has the capacity to soften and melt even the hardest heart when we relinquish our defenses, tear down the walls, stop making excuses and blaming others for our lot in life. Get down on your knees and ask the Lord to help you. He has the power to circumcise your heart if you are willing to follow Him every day. We may be aliens in this world; yet, we are never too far from God’s reach. He sees you. He hears you. Cry out to the Lord today. Even if you find yourself screaming, “I hate you, I hate you, I hate you,” stop and listen for His still-small voice. You will hear Him say, “I’m sorry, dear child. I love you, I love you, I love you.”
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: grace and mercy! The Lord came to heal the sick and save the lost. He loves you so much more than you know. Let Him remove the pain caused by your stiff neck, so you can turn around and see Him face to face. Will you let the Lord heal your heart this morning?
____________________________
© 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.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Large and in charge
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 6, 7, 8
Deuteronomy 8:6-9 (NIV)
6 Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in His ways and revering Him. 7 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land – a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.
Good morning!
I am beginning to realize that I am definitely a direct descendant of the Israelites. I seem to have a lot in common with them, especially when I try control not only the direction of my own life, but the direction of all those around me. Sometimes I think if I could just make others do what I think they should do, this world would definitely be a much happier place [for me]. I’d be happier, because everything would work out my way, and we all know that my way is not only the right way, it is the only way! Where is that nail? Okay Lord, I’m squeezing it hard this morning.
God must have known what was about to become a commonplace attitude with the children He led through the wilderness. Have you ever noticed how easy it is to cry out to God when life is difficult? The Israelites wandered in that hot and dry desert for forty years. God provided them food, water, direction, encouragement, a set of laws to keep them healthy and happy and working together as a community of faith. During that time, the people grumbled and complained, and thought if they could just move on or go back, their life would get better. They didn’t like their leadership, they didn’t like the weather; they didn’t like their next door tent dwellers. Never satisfied, they sacrificed practically all their livestock just to keep themselves in an atoning spirit with the Lord. It just was never perfect enough, and many of them, just like me, thought they had a better plan. Ironically, even in those difficult moments of desert wandering, the Lord heard and answered their angry and self-centered prayers. At least they were praying. Do you pray angry prayers to God? Is that about the only time you give Him any attention at all?
God warned the people to not forget Him when life improved. He was leading them into a land, flowing with milk and honey. He was providing them a very special place to live. God was blessing His children not only with the necessities of life, but with abundant life. He knew they would turn away from the Him as life became easier, forgetting the Lord God Almighty all together. The Israelites might even try to take credit for the wealth and prosperity the Lord had graciously given them. Are you are large and in charge? Do you want to be? Do you find it easier to take control, or relinquish it?
More times than I can count, I have done exactly that. I’ve imposed my own will, not only on my family and friends, but I’ve demanded that God Almighty bow down to me. I expected God to give me everything I ever needed or wanted. Can I tell you a secret? I sometimes forget that God owes me absolutely nothing; yet, He chooses to equip me with everything I need to walk toward Him. When I look to the Lord, every minute of every day, and depend upon His Word and will for my life; when I stop trying to analyze and fix my family and every circumstance surrounding me; when I choose to focus my heart completely upon praising and obeying and glorifying the Lord, He fills me up with total peace and contentment. His love surrounds me like a warm, woolen blanket. I am happiest when I’m sitting in my Father’s lap, completely absorbed in His awesome beauty and majesty. The things around me just don’t seem so bad, as I continue to look into His magnificent face. His comfort and loving kindness sustain me, not only in the tough times, but when the journey is easier, and life is sweet.
Do you ever find yourself ignoring the Lord when things are running smoothly in your life? Do you take credit for something you really didn’t do? Would you prefer to be large and in charge, or are you willing to hand over the reigns to God? How many years will we have to wander around in the desert before we learn how to listen, obey and honor the Lord?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: the Lord to shake you up, if that is what it takes, to get you to turn around and follow Him. Listen to the Word of the Lord this morning, and know that He is all you will ever need. He is leading all of us to a perfect place, where tears are wiped away, and His holy presence is all we long for. Why not give up your controlling nature and let the Lord lead for a change?
____________________________
© 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.
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 6, 7, 8
Deuteronomy 8:6-9 (NIV)
6 Observe the commands of the Lord your God, walking in His ways and revering Him. 7 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land – a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.
Good morning!
I am beginning to realize that I am definitely a direct descendant of the Israelites. I seem to have a lot in common with them, especially when I try control not only the direction of my own life, but the direction of all those around me. Sometimes I think if I could just make others do what I think they should do, this world would definitely be a much happier place [for me]. I’d be happier, because everything would work out my way, and we all know that my way is not only the right way, it is the only way! Where is that nail? Okay Lord, I’m squeezing it hard this morning.
God must have known what was about to become a commonplace attitude with the children He led through the wilderness. Have you ever noticed how easy it is to cry out to God when life is difficult? The Israelites wandered in that hot and dry desert for forty years. God provided them food, water, direction, encouragement, a set of laws to keep them healthy and happy and working together as a community of faith. During that time, the people grumbled and complained, and thought if they could just move on or go back, their life would get better. They didn’t like their leadership, they didn’t like the weather; they didn’t like their next door tent dwellers. Never satisfied, they sacrificed practically all their livestock just to keep themselves in an atoning spirit with the Lord. It just was never perfect enough, and many of them, just like me, thought they had a better plan. Ironically, even in those difficult moments of desert wandering, the Lord heard and answered their angry and self-centered prayers. At least they were praying. Do you pray angry prayers to God? Is that about the only time you give Him any attention at all?
God warned the people to not forget Him when life improved. He was leading them into a land, flowing with milk and honey. He was providing them a very special place to live. God was blessing His children not only with the necessities of life, but with abundant life. He knew they would turn away from the Him as life became easier, forgetting the Lord God Almighty all together. The Israelites might even try to take credit for the wealth and prosperity the Lord had graciously given them. Are you are large and in charge? Do you want to be? Do you find it easier to take control, or relinquish it?
More times than I can count, I have done exactly that. I’ve imposed my own will, not only on my family and friends, but I’ve demanded that God Almighty bow down to me. I expected God to give me everything I ever needed or wanted. Can I tell you a secret? I sometimes forget that God owes me absolutely nothing; yet, He chooses to equip me with everything I need to walk toward Him. When I look to the Lord, every minute of every day, and depend upon His Word and will for my life; when I stop trying to analyze and fix my family and every circumstance surrounding me; when I choose to focus my heart completely upon praising and obeying and glorifying the Lord, He fills me up with total peace and contentment. His love surrounds me like a warm, woolen blanket. I am happiest when I’m sitting in my Father’s lap, completely absorbed in His awesome beauty and majesty. The things around me just don’t seem so bad, as I continue to look into His magnificent face. His comfort and loving kindness sustain me, not only in the tough times, but when the journey is easier, and life is sweet.
Do you ever find yourself ignoring the Lord when things are running smoothly in your life? Do you take credit for something you really didn’t do? Would you prefer to be large and in charge, or are you willing to hand over the reigns to God? How many years will we have to wander around in the desert before we learn how to listen, obey and honor the Lord?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: the Lord to shake you up, if that is what it takes, to get you to turn around and follow Him. Listen to the Word of the Lord this morning, and know that He is all you will ever need. He is leading all of us to a perfect place, where tears are wiped away, and His holy presence is all we long for. Why not give up your controlling nature and let the Lord lead for a change?
____________________________
© 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.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Mirrored Reflection
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 4, 5; Psalm 49
I Corinthians 13:12 (NIV)
12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
James 1:22-25 (NIV)
22 Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
23 Anyone who listens to the Word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror
24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does.
Good morning!
Standing at the bedroom mirror in my childhood home, I rechecked my appearance one more time. I wondered if he will like me - what will this boy see when he looks at my face today? Who is he really? I wonder what he believes? Does he have faith? Will I see it in his eyes? Is there more to him than mere good looks, a kind disposition and sweet-smelling cologne? On March 4, 1974, I went on my very first date. The sun was shining and it was a perfect Saturday to have lunch and shop with a new friend. I remember this moment as if it were just yesterday. That young man who dared to ask me out for a lunch date is the gentleman who now sits on the sofa with me every night. Thirty-three years ago today, I took his hand in mine. I still cling to his guiding hand today. I married Jeff because I saw something much greater while looking at his mirrored reflection. I found the love of Jesus Christ radiating from his heart, and it was that love that made all the difference for me.
Jeff gave me a very special card this morning. It said, “When you look into the mirror today, I want you to see the same beautiful face I see whenever I look at you.” We have looked at each other for a long, long time. That very first date has carried us through thirty years of marriage. Jeff has seen me at my worst and best. He has stood with me in all accomplishments, and held me close as I mourned my many failures. He loves me when I’m not very lovable. He listens to me when I speak. He hears and understands the words I say; although I must admit it is easier to communicate with him now if he uses a hearing aid! His passion and compassion for me never seems to end. Jeff walks with me; we grow together every day in love, sharing the blessings of family and friendship. I am no longer a fifteen-year old girl. The only resemblance I bear to the exuberant child I once was is held captive in the recesses of my heart song. How is it possible that my husband can still see it when he looks through the mirrored glass at my face? Could it be that even in this stage of my life, the beauty of our first love is an everlasting and timeless art form? Will the look on my face always remind him of the child within? As he looks at me through the mirrored glass of time, will He always see the love of Christ radiate from my heart?
What do you think God sees when he looks at you? Whose reflection do you carry into the world each morning? In our Lord’s eyes, we are His perfect creation, even as we are perfectly flawed. We bear the lifelines of experience and the marks of age upon our faces. The scars that are left from the hurts we have experienced can cloud even the brightest light. Our life’s choices continue to shape our daily walk. Is it possible that God looks beyond the present circumstance and sees the exuberant child He fashioned in His hand long ago? When you look in the mirror this morning, will you see the perfection of the Lord radiating from your face?
Lord Jesus, help me never to forget your perfect law, your teaching and command to go and share the Good News! I invite you this day, and every day, to come and live within my heart. May the light of your perfection and the joy that comes from knowing you wash over me, filling me afresh with your sweet Holy Spirit. I ask that you to take my mirrored reflection and mold it into whatever you would have me be. I will always be your exuberant child, even as I grow in grace and maturity. Thank you for loving me in every facet of my life. Help me to see what you see in me as you look at my mirrored reflection. Amen.
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: the Lord to reveal His perfect love for you as you look in the mirror this morning. What will the world see when they look at your face today? Will they see Jesus in you? I’ll be looking for your face at church!
____________________________
© 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.
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 4, 5; Psalm 49
I Corinthians 13:12 (NIV)
12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
James 1:22-25 (NIV)
22 Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
23 Anyone who listens to the Word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror
24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does.
Good morning!
Standing at the bedroom mirror in my childhood home, I rechecked my appearance one more time. I wondered if he will like me - what will this boy see when he looks at my face today? Who is he really? I wonder what he believes? Does he have faith? Will I see it in his eyes? Is there more to him than mere good looks, a kind disposition and sweet-smelling cologne? On March 4, 1974, I went on my very first date. The sun was shining and it was a perfect Saturday to have lunch and shop with a new friend. I remember this moment as if it were just yesterday. That young man who dared to ask me out for a lunch date is the gentleman who now sits on the sofa with me every night. Thirty-three years ago today, I took his hand in mine. I still cling to his guiding hand today. I married Jeff because I saw something much greater while looking at his mirrored reflection. I found the love of Jesus Christ radiating from his heart, and it was that love that made all the difference for me.
Jeff gave me a very special card this morning. It said, “When you look into the mirror today, I want you to see the same beautiful face I see whenever I look at you.” We have looked at each other for a long, long time. That very first date has carried us through thirty years of marriage. Jeff has seen me at my worst and best. He has stood with me in all accomplishments, and held me close as I mourned my many failures. He loves me when I’m not very lovable. He listens to me when I speak. He hears and understands the words I say; although I must admit it is easier to communicate with him now if he uses a hearing aid! His passion and compassion for me never seems to end. Jeff walks with me; we grow together every day in love, sharing the blessings of family and friendship. I am no longer a fifteen-year old girl. The only resemblance I bear to the exuberant child I once was is held captive in the recesses of my heart song. How is it possible that my husband can still see it when he looks through the mirrored glass at my face? Could it be that even in this stage of my life, the beauty of our first love is an everlasting and timeless art form? Will the look on my face always remind him of the child within? As he looks at me through the mirrored glass of time, will He always see the love of Christ radiate from my heart?
What do you think God sees when he looks at you? Whose reflection do you carry into the world each morning? In our Lord’s eyes, we are His perfect creation, even as we are perfectly flawed. We bear the lifelines of experience and the marks of age upon our faces. The scars that are left from the hurts we have experienced can cloud even the brightest light. Our life’s choices continue to shape our daily walk. Is it possible that God looks beyond the present circumstance and sees the exuberant child He fashioned in His hand long ago? When you look in the mirror this morning, will you see the perfection of the Lord radiating from your face?
Lord Jesus, help me never to forget your perfect law, your teaching and command to go and share the Good News! I invite you this day, and every day, to come and live within my heart. May the light of your perfection and the joy that comes from knowing you wash over me, filling me afresh with your sweet Holy Spirit. I ask that you to take my mirrored reflection and mold it into whatever you would have me be. I will always be your exuberant child, even as I grow in grace and maturity. Thank you for loving me in every facet of my life. Help me to see what you see in me as you look at my mirrored reflection. Amen.
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: the Lord to reveal His perfect love for you as you look in the mirror this morning. What will the world see when they look at your face today? Will they see Jesus in you? I’ll be looking for your face at church!
____________________________
© 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.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
The forty-year move
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 1, 2, 3; Psalm 48
Deuteronomy 2:7 (NIV)
7 The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.
Psalm 48:1 (NIV)
1 Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, His holy mountain.
Acts 17:28 (NIV)
28 For in Him, we live and move and having our being.
Good morning!
Do you enjoy the challenges of moving? Jeff and I have had lots of “moving” experiences in our thirty years of marriage. We moved out of our parents’ homes and into an apartment together after we were married. One year later, we moved from St. Louis, Missouri, to Dallas, Texas, to the campus of Perkins School of Theology at SMU. About six months after we settled into the dorm, Jeff was appointed as a part-time pastor to a growing United Methodist Church forty miles east of Dallas, and we moved into their church parsonage. When Jeff graduated three years later, we moved back to Missouri. In full-time ministry after seminary, Jeff has pastured five Missouri United Methodist congregations. Moving has become an art form for us. I’ve learned how to pack and unpack our home in record time. Let’s face it - moving your family is hard work. It takes great physical and emotional stamina, flexibility, and good organizational skills with a game plan that includes not only a plan a, but plans b through z. We’ve moved in winter ice and snow. We moved in 100 degree temperatures in mid-June. Every move has had its own unique and memorable challenges. I can say, in all honesty, that every move has brought forth blessing after blessing in our life. If you have trouble seeing the silver lining on moving day, sometimes, you just need to know where to look.
Our daughter Rachel and son-in-law Dave moved their home this week. This was an interesting move for them. Rachel and Dave have 2.7 children; we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of a brand new baby who should make its debut in the next few weeks. Their family has fallen in love with the community where they live. They have been blessed with some great neighbors. Their children are close friends with the children who reside in their subdivision. Rachel and Dave had an opportunity to purchase a larger home just up the street from where they were living. This home would give them the much-needed space for their rapidly expanding family. On Wednesday, Dave’s firefighting community and Rachel’s co-workers from her radiology clinic converged upon the Dacus home and helped to physically move their stuff from one house to the other. They made the move in one full day, carrying their furnishings, clothing, and collectibles up the hill and across the street.
Can you imagine picking up your home and moving it around whenever the Lord said to go? This was the forty-year journey of our Israelite brothers and sisters. They wandered around the desert, guided by the cloud of the Lord and His command to move on. When God said to go, the Israelites simply packed up their tents and went. They may have only traveled a couple of miles across the desert before the Lord would command them to stop and set up housekeeping. Has God ever asked you to move out in faith for Him? Have you heard the Lord calling out to you to pack up your tent, and move into unknown territory? Were you willing to go?
No matter where I am, I rely upon the Lord’s leading for my life. I know that when I listen and obey Him, I find peace, contentment and joy in the journey. I may not always know where He is taking me; yet, I choose to live and move and have my very being planted in the center of His love. Following the Lord Jesus Christ is worth any inconvenience, difficulty or challenge. Living outside of His love is not where I want to be. I trust Him in all things, even when He calls me to move out of my comfort zone and step up in faith for Him.
Are you ready to move? Can you hear the Lord calling out to you? Will you go with a happy heart, seeking His direction for your life? What would it take for you to pack up your tent and follow Him?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: courage to answer God’s call to go! When His love burns like unquenchable fire in your heart, will you stand up and say, “Here I am, Lord. Send me!” Have a happy moving day in the light of His love.
____________________________
© 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.
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 1, 2, 3; Psalm 48
Deuteronomy 2:7 (NIV)
7 The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.
Psalm 48:1 (NIV)
1 Great is the Lord, and most worthy of praise, in the city of our God, His holy mountain.
Acts 17:28 (NIV)
28 For in Him, we live and move and having our being.
Good morning!
Do you enjoy the challenges of moving? Jeff and I have had lots of “moving” experiences in our thirty years of marriage. We moved out of our parents’ homes and into an apartment together after we were married. One year later, we moved from St. Louis, Missouri, to Dallas, Texas, to the campus of Perkins School of Theology at SMU. About six months after we settled into the dorm, Jeff was appointed as a part-time pastor to a growing United Methodist Church forty miles east of Dallas, and we moved into their church parsonage. When Jeff graduated three years later, we moved back to Missouri. In full-time ministry after seminary, Jeff has pastured five Missouri United Methodist congregations. Moving has become an art form for us. I’ve learned how to pack and unpack our home in record time. Let’s face it - moving your family is hard work. It takes great physical and emotional stamina, flexibility, and good organizational skills with a game plan that includes not only a plan a, but plans b through z. We’ve moved in winter ice and snow. We moved in 100 degree temperatures in mid-June. Every move has had its own unique and memorable challenges. I can say, in all honesty, that every move has brought forth blessing after blessing in our life. If you have trouble seeing the silver lining on moving day, sometimes, you just need to know where to look.
Our daughter Rachel and son-in-law Dave moved their home this week. This was an interesting move for them. Rachel and Dave have 2.7 children; we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of a brand new baby who should make its debut in the next few weeks. Their family has fallen in love with the community where they live. They have been blessed with some great neighbors. Their children are close friends with the children who reside in their subdivision. Rachel and Dave had an opportunity to purchase a larger home just up the street from where they were living. This home would give them the much-needed space for their rapidly expanding family. On Wednesday, Dave’s firefighting community and Rachel’s co-workers from her radiology clinic converged upon the Dacus home and helped to physically move their stuff from one house to the other. They made the move in one full day, carrying their furnishings, clothing, and collectibles up the hill and across the street.
Can you imagine picking up your home and moving it around whenever the Lord said to go? This was the forty-year journey of our Israelite brothers and sisters. They wandered around the desert, guided by the cloud of the Lord and His command to move on. When God said to go, the Israelites simply packed up their tents and went. They may have only traveled a couple of miles across the desert before the Lord would command them to stop and set up housekeeping. Has God ever asked you to move out in faith for Him? Have you heard the Lord calling out to you to pack up your tent, and move into unknown territory? Were you willing to go?
No matter where I am, I rely upon the Lord’s leading for my life. I know that when I listen and obey Him, I find peace, contentment and joy in the journey. I may not always know where He is taking me; yet, I choose to live and move and have my very being planted in the center of His love. Following the Lord Jesus Christ is worth any inconvenience, difficulty or challenge. Living outside of His love is not where I want to be. I trust Him in all things, even when He calls me to move out of my comfort zone and step up in faith for Him.
Are you ready to move? Can you hear the Lord calling out to you? Will you go with a happy heart, seeking His direction for your life? What would it take for you to pack up your tent and follow Him?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: courage to answer God’s call to go! When His love burns like unquenchable fire in your heart, will you stand up and say, “Here I am, Lord. Send me!” Have a happy moving day in the light of His love.
____________________________
© 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.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Cities of Refuge
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Numbers 35, 36; Psalm 47
Numbers 35:1-3 (NIV)
1 On the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Command the Israelites to give the Levites towns to live in from the inheritance the Israelites will possess. And give them pasturelands around the towns. 3 Then they will have towns to live in and pasturelands for their cattle, flocks and all their other livestock.”
Psalm 47:1-4 (NIV)
1 Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. 2 How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth! 3 He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet, 4 He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom He loved.
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Good morning!
Have you ever been the beneficiary of an inheritance? It is commonplace to pass personal possessions and property from one generation to the next when a person dies. Today, legal documents are prepared in advance of a property owner’s death. Distributions of money, property, and personal effects are pre-arranged based upon the last wishes of the deceased. The inheritance represents a tangible blessing for the ones who receive it. Our churches can become the blessed beneficiary of financial gifts and property when a decedent leaves a portion of their estate for the continuing work of evangelism and mission in the world. We have witnessed large sums of money become seeds sown to help train and equip pastors and teachers. Monies are used to expand building programs, purchase sound systems, music equipment, and educational supplies to better equip a church to meet the needs of its growing faith community. Much-needed funds to continue essential mission work, providing necessities of life for the poor, become available through estate planning gifts. There are many people whose gifts will become a living example of faith, even after their death.
God instructed Moses to command the Israelites to care for their pastors (Levites) by providing them with a place to live and raise livestock; plant a garden, and live comfortably. Levites did not share in the inheritance of land from their relatives. They relied completely upon the tithes of the people and the Lord’s inheritance to sustain them throughout their earthly life and ministry. Jeff and I have been blessed throughout his pastoral ministry to live in parsonages provided by our church family. In Texas, the church parsonage was fully furnished. That was a huge blessing for us, while we were tuition poor. We did not have money to buy furniture; we invested our monthly income into Jeff’s continuing education. There were farmers in our church who consistently stocked our freezer with meat and fresh vegetables for our table. When I was pregnant with Rachel and Benjamin, several women from the church gave of their time and talent to make my maternity clothes. There are no words to describe how much this meant to us. The congregation took care of our family’s physical needs in ways we could not even begin to repay. If you have ever received a gift of grace, then you may understand just how meaningful your gift of blessing can bring to the life of another human being.
There is an even greater gift of grace that we can give to each other, every morning when we awake. In January, I attended a prayer conference and listened with great intent to the teaching of a pastor, author and intercessory prayer warrior, who has totally given his life to the Lord and spends his days training up people in intercessory prayer ministry. Pastor Terry Teykl desires nothing more than to teach Christians around the world the importance of linking hearts to the Lord in prayer, and supporting one another through the act of daily, concerted intercession. In his book, The Presence Based Church, Teykl reveals the power source that explodes when we daily invite the living presence of God into our hearts, homes, and churches. As we seek the Lord out in prayer, waiting for Him to come and fill our lives with unspeakable joy, we can extend His presence with our pastors, teachers, leaders, by building cities of refuge around them. As we pray for one another, we erect a spiritual hedge of protection as we depend completely upon the power and healing touch of our Lord and Savior. If you have not yet read Teykl’s book, I would invite you to pick up a copy and read it. Please consider praying for your pastor daily. Pray for his or her family. Pray for your Sunday school teachers, ministry team leaders, and missionaries. Pray for your brother and sister who sits across from you on Sunday morning. Pray for the sick, pray for the not-yet Christians who are seeking meaning and relationship and who may actually walk in off the street this weekend, looking for the Lord Jesus Christ in your church.
People will be drawn into the presence of the Lord as we pray for them daily. We can become a living conduit, (the live wire), for His healing power, grace, and forgiveness, as we seek Christ’s holy face in worship and prayer. Are you willing to create a city of refuge, a hedge of spiritual protection, for your church? It is a gift of grace, and we, as the body of Christ, can extend it to each other today.
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: time to intercede in prayer for the people you love, those who help you grow in faith, and for the ones in your community who do not yet know the power and love of Jesus Christ. Will you give a gift of grace today? Will you pray with me?
____________________________
© 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.
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Numbers 35, 36; Psalm 47
Numbers 35:1-3 (NIV)
1 On the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Command the Israelites to give the Levites towns to live in from the inheritance the Israelites will possess. And give them pasturelands around the towns. 3 Then they will have towns to live in and pasturelands for their cattle, flocks and all their other livestock.”
Psalm 47:1-4 (NIV)
1 Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. 2 How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth! 3 He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet, 4 He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom He loved.
Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Good morning!
Have you ever been the beneficiary of an inheritance? It is commonplace to pass personal possessions and property from one generation to the next when a person dies. Today, legal documents are prepared in advance of a property owner’s death. Distributions of money, property, and personal effects are pre-arranged based upon the last wishes of the deceased. The inheritance represents a tangible blessing for the ones who receive it. Our churches can become the blessed beneficiary of financial gifts and property when a decedent leaves a portion of their estate for the continuing work of evangelism and mission in the world. We have witnessed large sums of money become seeds sown to help train and equip pastors and teachers. Monies are used to expand building programs, purchase sound systems, music equipment, and educational supplies to better equip a church to meet the needs of its growing faith community. Much-needed funds to continue essential mission work, providing necessities of life for the poor, become available through estate planning gifts. There are many people whose gifts will become a living example of faith, even after their death.
God instructed Moses to command the Israelites to care for their pastors (Levites) by providing them with a place to live and raise livestock; plant a garden, and live comfortably. Levites did not share in the inheritance of land from their relatives. They relied completely upon the tithes of the people and the Lord’s inheritance to sustain them throughout their earthly life and ministry. Jeff and I have been blessed throughout his pastoral ministry to live in parsonages provided by our church family. In Texas, the church parsonage was fully furnished. That was a huge blessing for us, while we were tuition poor. We did not have money to buy furniture; we invested our monthly income into Jeff’s continuing education. There were farmers in our church who consistently stocked our freezer with meat and fresh vegetables for our table. When I was pregnant with Rachel and Benjamin, several women from the church gave of their time and talent to make my maternity clothes. There are no words to describe how much this meant to us. The congregation took care of our family’s physical needs in ways we could not even begin to repay. If you have ever received a gift of grace, then you may understand just how meaningful your gift of blessing can bring to the life of another human being.
There is an even greater gift of grace that we can give to each other, every morning when we awake. In January, I attended a prayer conference and listened with great intent to the teaching of a pastor, author and intercessory prayer warrior, who has totally given his life to the Lord and spends his days training up people in intercessory prayer ministry. Pastor Terry Teykl desires nothing more than to teach Christians around the world the importance of linking hearts to the Lord in prayer, and supporting one another through the act of daily, concerted intercession. In his book, The Presence Based Church, Teykl reveals the power source that explodes when we daily invite the living presence of God into our hearts, homes, and churches. As we seek the Lord out in prayer, waiting for Him to come and fill our lives with unspeakable joy, we can extend His presence with our pastors, teachers, leaders, by building cities of refuge around them. As we pray for one another, we erect a spiritual hedge of protection as we depend completely upon the power and healing touch of our Lord and Savior. If you have not yet read Teykl’s book, I would invite you to pick up a copy and read it. Please consider praying for your pastor daily. Pray for his or her family. Pray for your Sunday school teachers, ministry team leaders, and missionaries. Pray for your brother and sister who sits across from you on Sunday morning. Pray for the sick, pray for the not-yet Christians who are seeking meaning and relationship and who may actually walk in off the street this weekend, looking for the Lord Jesus Christ in your church.
People will be drawn into the presence of the Lord as we pray for them daily. We can become a living conduit, (the live wire), for His healing power, grace, and forgiveness, as we seek Christ’s holy face in worship and prayer. Are you willing to create a city of refuge, a hedge of spiritual protection, for your church? It is a gift of grace, and we, as the body of Christ, can extend it to each other today.
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: time to intercede in prayer for the people you love, those who help you grow in faith, and for the ones in your community who do not yet know the power and love of Jesus Christ. Will you give a gift of grace today? Will you pray with me?
____________________________
© 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.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
American Idols
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Numbers 32, 33, 34
Numbers 33:50-53 (NIV)
50 On the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho the Lord said to Moses, 51 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, 52 drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images and their cast idols, and demolish all their high places. 53 Take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess.’”
Revelation 9:20-21 (NIV)
20 The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshipping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood – idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.
Good morning!
We are now one week into the season of Lent. Have you been squeezing your nail? I’m surprised that I don’t have a permanent imprint of that nail in my hand from holding it so tight, especially when I’m driving down the highway. What a sacrifice by the One who loves us so much more than we can even begin to comprehend! Our Creator gives His children the gift of life, the ability to inhabit and care for His land and each other; freedom to acknowledge and receive our spiritual inheritance. The Lord blesses us with a daily desire to seek relationship with Him. He meets our needs one by one by supplying food and water, shelter and shade, sunlight for seeing and darkness for resting – blessing upon blessing. He extends forgiveness to the child who chooses to repent and turn around; He gives everlasting life through the blood sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus Christ. Then the Lord God Almighty does an even greater thing. He whispers in the wind and flame, “Will you choose me in all things?” He who has ultimate power, the ruler of all; the one who has final authority and to whom every knee shall bow, gives humanity the most perplexing gift of all – free will.
God told Moses to instruct the Israelites to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan when they cross the Jordan River into the land He has promised. They were to destroy the carved, graven images of man-made, manufactured gods, bringing false hope to a lost and hurting world. Any idol that diverted their attention from the Lord God Almighty was to be destroyed. What idols have I placed in front of the Lord today? If God loves His children with such fervor, shouldn’t I love them too? Do I worry more about the money in my personal bank account, or will I write that check to help a stranger pay for rent and utilities they cannot afford? Do I care more about my hungry neighbors pushing all their worldly possessions around in grocery carts and sleeping under cardboard boxes in city alleys, than which fast food restaurant I will stop at for dinner tonight? Am I more interested in getting a manicure, having a face lift, or accessorizing my wardrobe than feeding a starving child? If God loves every person the way He loves me, shouldn’t I be able to see His holy face in the lives of my co-workers, supervisors, extended family and next-door neighbors? Am I shortchanging God? When I allow someone to die from lack of medical care or starvation, am I committing murder?
We face greater and more devastating plagues than the spoils of war, fires, floods, famines, and earthquakes. The plagues that seethe within the depths of our hearts – self-centeredness, intolerance, bigotry, neglect and sheer apathy – these idols will eat us alive and separate us from the Lord if we do not lay them down at the foot of the cross now.
Today, I find myself on my face, repenting. How much will you choose to give up during this season of Lent? How hard are you willing to squeeze the nail? Will you choose to worship and serve the Lord by reaching out to your lost and hurting neighbor? Would you lay down your comfortable lifestyle, your collectibles, priceless treasures, your wish list and all of those precious American idols, to honor and obey the Lord?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: compassion. How far will you choose to reach in order to help your neighbor live, in the name of Jesus?
____________________________
© 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.
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Numbers 32, 33, 34
Numbers 33:50-53 (NIV)
50 On the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho the Lord said to Moses, 51 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, 52 drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images and their cast idols, and demolish all their high places. 53 Take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess.’”
Revelation 9:20-21 (NIV)
20 The rest of mankind that were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshipping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood – idols that cannot see or hear or walk. 21 Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.
Good morning!
We are now one week into the season of Lent. Have you been squeezing your nail? I’m surprised that I don’t have a permanent imprint of that nail in my hand from holding it so tight, especially when I’m driving down the highway. What a sacrifice by the One who loves us so much more than we can even begin to comprehend! Our Creator gives His children the gift of life, the ability to inhabit and care for His land and each other; freedom to acknowledge and receive our spiritual inheritance. The Lord blesses us with a daily desire to seek relationship with Him. He meets our needs one by one by supplying food and water, shelter and shade, sunlight for seeing and darkness for resting – blessing upon blessing. He extends forgiveness to the child who chooses to repent and turn around; He gives everlasting life through the blood sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus Christ. Then the Lord God Almighty does an even greater thing. He whispers in the wind and flame, “Will you choose me in all things?” He who has ultimate power, the ruler of all; the one who has final authority and to whom every knee shall bow, gives humanity the most perplexing gift of all – free will.
God told Moses to instruct the Israelites to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan when they cross the Jordan River into the land He has promised. They were to destroy the carved, graven images of man-made, manufactured gods, bringing false hope to a lost and hurting world. Any idol that diverted their attention from the Lord God Almighty was to be destroyed. What idols have I placed in front of the Lord today? If God loves His children with such fervor, shouldn’t I love them too? Do I worry more about the money in my personal bank account, or will I write that check to help a stranger pay for rent and utilities they cannot afford? Do I care more about my hungry neighbors pushing all their worldly possessions around in grocery carts and sleeping under cardboard boxes in city alleys, than which fast food restaurant I will stop at for dinner tonight? Am I more interested in getting a manicure, having a face lift, or accessorizing my wardrobe than feeding a starving child? If God loves every person the way He loves me, shouldn’t I be able to see His holy face in the lives of my co-workers, supervisors, extended family and next-door neighbors? Am I shortchanging God? When I allow someone to die from lack of medical care or starvation, am I committing murder?
We face greater and more devastating plagues than the spoils of war, fires, floods, famines, and earthquakes. The plagues that seethe within the depths of our hearts – self-centeredness, intolerance, bigotry, neglect and sheer apathy – these idols will eat us alive and separate us from the Lord if we do not lay them down at the foot of the cross now.
Today, I find myself on my face, repenting. How much will you choose to give up during this season of Lent? How hard are you willing to squeeze the nail? Will you choose to worship and serve the Lord by reaching out to your lost and hurting neighbor? Would you lay down your comfortable lifestyle, your collectibles, priceless treasures, your wish list and all of those precious American idols, to honor and obey the Lord?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: compassion. How far will you choose to reach in order to help your neighbor live, in the name of Jesus?
____________________________
© 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.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
The slippery slope
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Numbers 28, 29, 30, 31
Numbers 31:21-24 (NIV)
21 Then Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone into battle, “This is the requirement of the law that the Lord gave Moses: 22 Gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, lead 23 and anything else that can withstand fire must be put through the fire, and then it will be clean. But it must also be purified with the water of cleansing. And whatever cannot withstand fire must be put through that water. 24 On the seventh day wash your clothes and you will be clean. Then you may come into the camp.”
Mark 1:40-44 (NIV)
40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41 Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. 43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”
Good morning!
Have you ever felt so dirty that you wondered whether you would ever be clean again? When I was in junior high, our class took a trip one rainy, spring day, to a nearby park. We were there to explore a nature trail. It was really wet outside. Fortunately, the temperature was comfortable, even in the pouring rain. There was a downhill slope that our teacher probably should have asked us to avoid. Maybe she knew it would do no good. We took turns sliding down that muddy trail, and I can tell you that I became one big mud ball with nature that day. My poor mother had to bring me clean clothes to change into after we returned to the school. I had mud caked in my long hair, ground into my clothing, and stuck under my fingernails. I’ve never been fond of mud wrestling, but I could have been the winner that day! I think I even surprised my teacher. What had started as innocent fun in the rain became a huge mess and very hard to clean up. It took several good scrubbings that week to remove the last of the mud stains. My clothes had to be thrown away; they were simply ruined. I even had to buy a new pair of tennis shoes. I had no idea how hard it was going to be to get clean.
I think about that experience and it reminds me of just how hard it is to wash away the stains of sin that we bring upon ourselves in the poor choices we make with our lives. It may look like fun at first, as we begin to slide down that slippery, muddy slope. We get dirty; so filthy that we become almost unrecognizable to the people who know and love us. All of a sudden, we are in so deep, we get stuck in the muck and mire of that stinky sin hole, and we wonder how in the world we are ever going to get out. We begin to drown. Thank you, Jesus, for your amazing, saving grace. Without it, we would be lost forever in the pit of sin.
When the Israelite soldiers returned from war, they had unclean hands. Moses had instructed the Lord’s priests in the purification ritual required of one’s heart when the stains of death and destruction separate us from the Lord. Our gold and silver, our treasures on earth, must be purified by holy fire. The bronze metals, our achievements, successes and recognition, were to be laid at His holy altar. Our iron-hard heads, stubbornness, self-centeredness, and prideful ambition had to be purged by the holy fire. Our tin hearts and lead feet must be melted and reshaped into hearts and feet that He can use. And the water of life, the pure water of salvation must be poured over our bodies, minds and souls, to completely cleanse and free us from the build-up of sin and separation of death. On the seventh day, the Lord’s Day, we are to wash our clothes and put on His robe of righteousness. Then, we will finally be clean; free from stains of sin. When God cleans up our act, we receive admission into His camp. Can you imagine what it is like to be so very dirty, inside and out, only to be cleansed and purified once and for all by the Savior of the world?
The leper begged Jesus to heal him. He fell to his knees and prayed, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” He submitted his life to the cleansing power of Jesus Christ, and allowed the Lord to purify him, inside and out. When the Lord cleanses you, from head to toe, heart and soul, and the sin that covered your life is suddenly gone, what do you do? There is just nothing left except to thank Him, praise Him, and tell everyone you know what He has done to redeem your life.
If you have been freed from the slippery slope, run to your pastors and tell them! Let them see what the Lord has done for you. If you need a good scrubbing today, you can begin the process by falling on your knees right here, and right now. Ask the Lord Jesus Christ to cleanse and heal your life. He is willing and He is waiting for you to cry out to Him today. Don’t you want to be clean – really clean – forever clean? Come to Jesus and live!
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: help! Ask the Lord Jesus Christ to pull you out of the mud and free you from the stain of sin, once and for all. You can be free and clean 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.
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Numbers 28, 29, 30, 31
Numbers 31:21-24 (NIV)
21 Then Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone into battle, “This is the requirement of the law that the Lord gave Moses: 22 Gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, lead 23 and anything else that can withstand fire must be put through the fire, and then it will be clean. But it must also be purified with the water of cleansing. And whatever cannot withstand fire must be put through that water. 24 On the seventh day wash your clothes and you will be clean. Then you may come into the camp.”
Mark 1:40-44 (NIV)
40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” 41 Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. 43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”
Good morning!
Have you ever felt so dirty that you wondered whether you would ever be clean again? When I was in junior high, our class took a trip one rainy, spring day, to a nearby park. We were there to explore a nature trail. It was really wet outside. Fortunately, the temperature was comfortable, even in the pouring rain. There was a downhill slope that our teacher probably should have asked us to avoid. Maybe she knew it would do no good. We took turns sliding down that muddy trail, and I can tell you that I became one big mud ball with nature that day. My poor mother had to bring me clean clothes to change into after we returned to the school. I had mud caked in my long hair, ground into my clothing, and stuck under my fingernails. I’ve never been fond of mud wrestling, but I could have been the winner that day! I think I even surprised my teacher. What had started as innocent fun in the rain became a huge mess and very hard to clean up. It took several good scrubbings that week to remove the last of the mud stains. My clothes had to be thrown away; they were simply ruined. I even had to buy a new pair of tennis shoes. I had no idea how hard it was going to be to get clean.
I think about that experience and it reminds me of just how hard it is to wash away the stains of sin that we bring upon ourselves in the poor choices we make with our lives. It may look like fun at first, as we begin to slide down that slippery, muddy slope. We get dirty; so filthy that we become almost unrecognizable to the people who know and love us. All of a sudden, we are in so deep, we get stuck in the muck and mire of that stinky sin hole, and we wonder how in the world we are ever going to get out. We begin to drown. Thank you, Jesus, for your amazing, saving grace. Without it, we would be lost forever in the pit of sin.
When the Israelite soldiers returned from war, they had unclean hands. Moses had instructed the Lord’s priests in the purification ritual required of one’s heart when the stains of death and destruction separate us from the Lord. Our gold and silver, our treasures on earth, must be purified by holy fire. The bronze metals, our achievements, successes and recognition, were to be laid at His holy altar. Our iron-hard heads, stubbornness, self-centeredness, and prideful ambition had to be purged by the holy fire. Our tin hearts and lead feet must be melted and reshaped into hearts and feet that He can use. And the water of life, the pure water of salvation must be poured over our bodies, minds and souls, to completely cleanse and free us from the build-up of sin and separation of death. On the seventh day, the Lord’s Day, we are to wash our clothes and put on His robe of righteousness. Then, we will finally be clean; free from stains of sin. When God cleans up our act, we receive admission into His camp. Can you imagine what it is like to be so very dirty, inside and out, only to be cleansed and purified once and for all by the Savior of the world?
The leper begged Jesus to heal him. He fell to his knees and prayed, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” He submitted his life to the cleansing power of Jesus Christ, and allowed the Lord to purify him, inside and out. When the Lord cleanses you, from head to toe, heart and soul, and the sin that covered your life is suddenly gone, what do you do? There is just nothing left except to thank Him, praise Him, and tell everyone you know what He has done to redeem your life.
If you have been freed from the slippery slope, run to your pastors and tell them! Let them see what the Lord has done for you. If you need a good scrubbing today, you can begin the process by falling on your knees right here, and right now. Ask the Lord Jesus Christ to cleanse and heal your life. He is willing and He is waiting for you to cry out to Him today. Don’t you want to be clean – really clean – forever clean? Come to Jesus and live!
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: help! Ask the Lord Jesus Christ to pull you out of the mud and free you from the stain of sin, once and for all. You can be free and clean 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.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Power Source
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Numbers 25, 26, 27
Numbers 27:18-21 (NIV)
18 So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. 19 Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence. 20 Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him. 21 He is to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him by inquiring of the Urim before the Lord. At his command he and the entire community of the Israelites will go out, and at his command they will come in.”
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Good morning!
Every time I read a passage in the Old Testament about a man or woman who is identified by the Spirit living in their hearts, I am so totally overjoyed! We know that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit were there, the three in one, even before the beginning of the Cosmos. We know that the Holy Trinity will be there throughout all time and eternity, even to the end of the age. Jahweh identifies and raises up His children, not necessarily based upon their unique skill sets or physical or intellectual attributes. God looks upon their hearts and gifts them with the power and presence of His Holy Spirit to lead them through life. It is an extension of His grace, given freely to the ones who know and respect Him. They seek to obey and follow the Lord by faith, even when they do not understand why or how. They trust the Lord to provide whatever they may need to face each new day in His presence. Being in His holy presence is more important to the spirit-filled child than living life according to the set expectations of culture or society. No matter what the struggle, their love for Him sets the tone in how they will choose to live out their lives. These people are not flawless. They live within His grace and mercy. When they mess up, they repent. When they succeed, they give the glory to God. When they serve, they look to Him for direction. When they love, they share the Lord with those whose lives they touch. When they worship, they raise His holy name high in prayer and praise. The presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of His people is contagious. Wherever the Lord is, people will be drawn to Him. Can you see the power of the Holy Spirit actively at work in the people God has placed in your life?
Next to the gift of forgiveness of sin, redemption and eternal life, the gifting of the Holy Spirit is a miraculous extension of God’s grace to those who fear and obey Him. Have you ever walked into church and were immediately drawn to someone there? Maybe this person is sitting quietly, praying, or maybe it is their contagious smile that catches your eye. A warm personality, eager to welcome you to worship, invites you to sit with them during the service. It could be the handshake of an usher or greeter at the front door that sparks something in your heart. Maybe you felt the Holy Spirit touch you when the person sitting next to you in worship takes your hand while praying the Lord’s Prayer. Someone lays a hand on your shoulder, and you immediately know that you have been touched by the Holy Spirit of God through them. The presence of the Holy Spirit may manifest itself through the people you do not meet, the ones who are kneeling down in a prayer room across the hall, begging God to move and touch lives, heal hearts and draw people to Him during the worship experience.
We can hear the voice of the Holy Spirit speak to us through the words of our pastors and teachers. Our hearts beat just a little faster as we listen to a spirit-filled choir singing praises to God, lifting the name of Jesus Christ higher and higher. We see the presence of the Holy Spirit in the eyes of our wee ones, our children and grandchildren, as they praise God. Their prayers, exceptionally simple and sincere, draw us to a greater understanding of what it means to totally trust in His love.
When Moses asked the Lord to provide a successor, someone who could lead the next generation into the Promised Land, God selected Joshua, son of Nun, by the spirit that lives within his heart. When Moses commissioned Joshua before the people, they saw what God already knew. This man had a heart for Him, and a desire to serve and please the Lord. He was willing to step up in faith.
If God called your name today, would you be willing to step up faith for Him? Where would you find the courage and grace needed to do what He calls you to do? Ask the Lord to fill you with His Holy Spirit this morning. When we humble our hearts, seek forgiveness for our sin, and turn around, desiring to obey and honor Him with our lives, He will give us the presence and power of the Holy Spirit so that we are equipped to do the work He calls us to. Do you know what it feels like to be filled with the Holy Spirit of God?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: the Holy Spirit to become the power source of your life, as you seek to love, honor and obey the Lord. Will you step up today, by the power of the Holy Spirit, for Jesus Christ our Lord?
____________________________
© 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.
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Numbers 25, 26, 27
Numbers 27:18-21 (NIV)
18 So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. 19 Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence. 20 Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him. 21 He is to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him by inquiring of the Urim before the Lord. At his command he and the entire community of the Israelites will go out, and at his command they will come in.”
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Good morning!
Every time I read a passage in the Old Testament about a man or woman who is identified by the Spirit living in their hearts, I am so totally overjoyed! We know that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit were there, the three in one, even before the beginning of the Cosmos. We know that the Holy Trinity will be there throughout all time and eternity, even to the end of the age. Jahweh identifies and raises up His children, not necessarily based upon their unique skill sets or physical or intellectual attributes. God looks upon their hearts and gifts them with the power and presence of His Holy Spirit to lead them through life. It is an extension of His grace, given freely to the ones who know and respect Him. They seek to obey and follow the Lord by faith, even when they do not understand why or how. They trust the Lord to provide whatever they may need to face each new day in His presence. Being in His holy presence is more important to the spirit-filled child than living life according to the set expectations of culture or society. No matter what the struggle, their love for Him sets the tone in how they will choose to live out their lives. These people are not flawless. They live within His grace and mercy. When they mess up, they repent. When they succeed, they give the glory to God. When they serve, they look to Him for direction. When they love, they share the Lord with those whose lives they touch. When they worship, they raise His holy name high in prayer and praise. The presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of His people is contagious. Wherever the Lord is, people will be drawn to Him. Can you see the power of the Holy Spirit actively at work in the people God has placed in your life?
Next to the gift of forgiveness of sin, redemption and eternal life, the gifting of the Holy Spirit is a miraculous extension of God’s grace to those who fear and obey Him. Have you ever walked into church and were immediately drawn to someone there? Maybe this person is sitting quietly, praying, or maybe it is their contagious smile that catches your eye. A warm personality, eager to welcome you to worship, invites you to sit with them during the service. It could be the handshake of an usher or greeter at the front door that sparks something in your heart. Maybe you felt the Holy Spirit touch you when the person sitting next to you in worship takes your hand while praying the Lord’s Prayer. Someone lays a hand on your shoulder, and you immediately know that you have been touched by the Holy Spirit of God through them. The presence of the Holy Spirit may manifest itself through the people you do not meet, the ones who are kneeling down in a prayer room across the hall, begging God to move and touch lives, heal hearts and draw people to Him during the worship experience.
We can hear the voice of the Holy Spirit speak to us through the words of our pastors and teachers. Our hearts beat just a little faster as we listen to a spirit-filled choir singing praises to God, lifting the name of Jesus Christ higher and higher. We see the presence of the Holy Spirit in the eyes of our wee ones, our children and grandchildren, as they praise God. Their prayers, exceptionally simple and sincere, draw us to a greater understanding of what it means to totally trust in His love.
When Moses asked the Lord to provide a successor, someone who could lead the next generation into the Promised Land, God selected Joshua, son of Nun, by the spirit that lives within his heart. When Moses commissioned Joshua before the people, they saw what God already knew. This man had a heart for Him, and a desire to serve and please the Lord. He was willing to step up in faith.
If God called your name today, would you be willing to step up faith for Him? Where would you find the courage and grace needed to do what He calls you to do? Ask the Lord to fill you with His Holy Spirit this morning. When we humble our hearts, seek forgiveness for our sin, and turn around, desiring to obey and honor Him with our lives, He will give us the presence and power of the Holy Spirit so that we are equipped to do the work He calls us to. Do you know what it feels like to be filled with the Holy Spirit of God?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: the Holy Spirit to become the power source of your life, as you seek to love, honor and obey the Lord. Will you step up today, by the power of the Holy Spirit, for Jesus Christ our Lord?
____________________________
© 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.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Palm Pilot
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Numbers 22, 23, 24
Numbers 22:34-35 (NIV)
34 Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back.” 35 The angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Good morning!
Isn’t it amazing how the Lord God Almighty reveals Himself to people? Balaam had been summonsed by King Balak of Moab, to curse the new arrivals from Egypt. The king feared for his people’s safety and placed his trust in the sorcery of Balaam, begging him speak a curse on the entire Israelite encampment. Balaam positioned his faith in any god who would help him make a quick buck and a name for himself. When confronted with the Lord God Almighty, Balaam recognized that the Israelites were blessed. They could not be defeated because the Lord was with them. Even with this great understanding, Balaam could not comprehend that Jahweh was greater and more powerful than all the manufactured gods of the world. Balaam listened, responded and followed the instruction of the Lord’s angel, but it wasn’t enough to convert his heart.
Is it possible that the Lord is standing right in front of us today, and we may not see Him for who He truly is?
In an age where instant gratification and self-proclamation is the norm, where selfishness and ladder-climbing are commonplace characteristics of our communities, we rely and place our trust on anything and everything except God. It is a sad situation when we fail to see the Truth, especially even when it is standing directly in front of us. Balaam used divination and sorcery as his life’s palm pilot and spiritual guide. It was not enough for the angel of the Lord to reveal the awesome, mighty power of God. Balaam recognized the Lord’s presence only after his faithful donkey refused to move forward. Balaam heard the Word of the Lord and was able to repeat it to the King without wavering. Yet, Balaam’s revelation did not produce any real faith in the Great I Am. As a result, he lost his very own life in the Israelite invasion.
Knowing of the Lord and knowing the Lord are two totally different things. We can learn a lesson from Balaam today. If you are seeking faith, ask the Lord to reveal His truth to you today. Ask Him to open your spirit to His Word. If you seek Him, He will find you.
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: the Lord to open up your heart, remove the blinders from your eyes, and the wax from your ears. He is standing right in front of you today. Won’t you place your faith in Jesus?
____________________________
© 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.
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Numbers 22, 23, 24
Numbers 22:34-35 (NIV)
34 Balaam said to the angel of the Lord, “I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back.” 35 The angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV)
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Good morning!
Isn’t it amazing how the Lord God Almighty reveals Himself to people? Balaam had been summonsed by King Balak of Moab, to curse the new arrivals from Egypt. The king feared for his people’s safety and placed his trust in the sorcery of Balaam, begging him speak a curse on the entire Israelite encampment. Balaam positioned his faith in any god who would help him make a quick buck and a name for himself. When confronted with the Lord God Almighty, Balaam recognized that the Israelites were blessed. They could not be defeated because the Lord was with them. Even with this great understanding, Balaam could not comprehend that Jahweh was greater and more powerful than all the manufactured gods of the world. Balaam listened, responded and followed the instruction of the Lord’s angel, but it wasn’t enough to convert his heart.
Is it possible that the Lord is standing right in front of us today, and we may not see Him for who He truly is?
In an age where instant gratification and self-proclamation is the norm, where selfishness and ladder-climbing are commonplace characteristics of our communities, we rely and place our trust on anything and everything except God. It is a sad situation when we fail to see the Truth, especially even when it is standing directly in front of us. Balaam used divination and sorcery as his life’s palm pilot and spiritual guide. It was not enough for the angel of the Lord to reveal the awesome, mighty power of God. Balaam recognized the Lord’s presence only after his faithful donkey refused to move forward. Balaam heard the Word of the Lord and was able to repeat it to the King without wavering. Yet, Balaam’s revelation did not produce any real faith in the Great I Am. As a result, he lost his very own life in the Israelite invasion.
Knowing of the Lord and knowing the Lord are two totally different things. We can learn a lesson from Balaam today. If you are seeking faith, ask the Lord to reveal His truth to you today. Ask Him to open your spirit to His Word. If you seek Him, He will find you.
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: the Lord to open up your heart, remove the blinders from your eyes, and the wax from your ears. He is standing right in front of you today. Won’t you place your faith in Jesus?
____________________________
© 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.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
I'm free! I'm free!
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Numbers 21; Psalms 45, 46
Psalm 46:4-7 (NIV)
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; He lifts His voice; the earth melts.
7 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Good morning!
My doorbell rang yesterday morning around 10:00am. When I opened the door, I saw the sweet face of my three-year-old granddaughter Emily, all decked out in party attire, grinning from ear to ear. “Nanny, I’m three! I’m three!” she shouted, jumping up and down while giggling. Indeed, it was Emily’s third birthday, and she was ready to start the party! Do you remember what it was like to be three years old? The world is your playground at three. Everything seems bigger and brighter. Emily’s excitement rubbed off on all of us. She was delirious with joy. Emily was three, she had arrived, and it was time to celebrate!
Of course, Emily wanted a pink cake with a candle to make a wish, her favorite princesses to play with - Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel and Belle, party balloons to pop, and a few presents to open. It was a very rainy and chilly day outside, but Emily’s smile warmed the entire room. She was the picture of springtime in her pale blue sundress and matching scarf wrapped around her long, banana-curls. She wore a dress that swished and was happy to twirl around the room for all of us. I listened to Emily as she chatted with her aunts, uncles and grandparents. All day long, in almost every conversation, I watched the light shine brightly from her big, baby-blue eyes, as she continued to exclaim, “This is my special day!”
Every morning when I awake, my heart leaps with joy. This is the Lord’s special day, and it is my desire to serve and praise Him with everything I am. My heart sings, “I’m free! I’m free!” I put on His robe of righteousness and dance around the throne. His light will never be extinguished and His love is everlasting to everlasting. I remember my spiritual birthday, the day I asked Jesus to come into my heart, to save and free me from the chains of sin and separation, and to fill me up with the power of His Holy Spirit! Every morning is a birthday surprise when I open His Word and read the love letter he gave for you and for me. Listen to these words from the mouth of the Lord: There is a river where streams of life flow down from the city of God, that holy and beautiful place inhabited by the glory of God. He lives within her, and she will not fall. When He lifts up His voice, the earth melts into the palm of His holy hand.
That river of life flows into my heart every morning. This is our special day! We are free to serve Him! We are free to sing and dance and praise the One who came. We are free from the sins of our past, present and future. We are free to live with the Three in One – Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Happy Birthday! Happy new life! It is time to rock the house, my dear sisters and brothers in Christ! Will you join me for the greatest celebration we’ll ever know? Won’t you come to the house of the Lord and celebrate the love of Jesus Christ? I’ll see you at church! I’ll be the one with the party hat and noise makers!
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: His joy to overwhelm you, overtake you, and live within you, each and every day! The party is on my friends, and you have been invited to praise and worship the One who sets you free indeed! Today is a very special day. Come celebrate Jesus Christ!
____________________________
© 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.
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Numbers 21; Psalms 45, 46
Psalm 46:4-7 (NIV)
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; He lifts His voice; the earth melts.
7 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Good morning!
My doorbell rang yesterday morning around 10:00am. When I opened the door, I saw the sweet face of my three-year-old granddaughter Emily, all decked out in party attire, grinning from ear to ear. “Nanny, I’m three! I’m three!” she shouted, jumping up and down while giggling. Indeed, it was Emily’s third birthday, and she was ready to start the party! Do you remember what it was like to be three years old? The world is your playground at three. Everything seems bigger and brighter. Emily’s excitement rubbed off on all of us. She was delirious with joy. Emily was three, she had arrived, and it was time to celebrate!
Of course, Emily wanted a pink cake with a candle to make a wish, her favorite princesses to play with - Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel and Belle, party balloons to pop, and a few presents to open. It was a very rainy and chilly day outside, but Emily’s smile warmed the entire room. She was the picture of springtime in her pale blue sundress and matching scarf wrapped around her long, banana-curls. She wore a dress that swished and was happy to twirl around the room for all of us. I listened to Emily as she chatted with her aunts, uncles and grandparents. All day long, in almost every conversation, I watched the light shine brightly from her big, baby-blue eyes, as she continued to exclaim, “This is my special day!”
Every morning when I awake, my heart leaps with joy. This is the Lord’s special day, and it is my desire to serve and praise Him with everything I am. My heart sings, “I’m free! I’m free!” I put on His robe of righteousness and dance around the throne. His light will never be extinguished and His love is everlasting to everlasting. I remember my spiritual birthday, the day I asked Jesus to come into my heart, to save and free me from the chains of sin and separation, and to fill me up with the power of His Holy Spirit! Every morning is a birthday surprise when I open His Word and read the love letter he gave for you and for me. Listen to these words from the mouth of the Lord: There is a river where streams of life flow down from the city of God, that holy and beautiful place inhabited by the glory of God. He lives within her, and she will not fall. When He lifts up His voice, the earth melts into the palm of His holy hand.
That river of life flows into my heart every morning. This is our special day! We are free to serve Him! We are free to sing and dance and praise the One who came. We are free from the sins of our past, present and future. We are free to live with the Three in One – Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Happy Birthday! Happy new life! It is time to rock the house, my dear sisters and brothers in Christ! Will you join me for the greatest celebration we’ll ever know? Won’t you come to the house of the Lord and celebrate the love of Jesus Christ? I’ll see you at church! I’ll be the one with the party hat and noise makers!
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: His joy to overwhelm you, overtake you, and live within you, each and every day! The party is on my friends, and you have been invited to praise and worship the One who sets you free indeed! Today is a very special day. Come celebrate Jesus Christ!
____________________________
© 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.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Altar Call
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Numbers 19, 20; Psalms 43, 44
Numbers 20:27-29 (NIV)
Moses did as the Lord commanded: They went up Mount Hor in the sight of the whole community. 28 Moses removed Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar. And Aaron died there on top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain 29 and when the whole community learned that Aaron had died, the entire house of Israel mourned for him thirty days.
Psalm 43:3-4 (NIV)
3 Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. 4 Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.
Good morning!
Moses and Aaron gave their entire lives in obedience to the Lord God Almighty. From their Egyptian journey to Pharaoh and the unfolding of the plagues, to the Passover of the Lord, and through the forty-year wilderness walk, these men learned to rely on the presence and power of the Lord. God expected complete and total obedience and nothing less than their utmost was accepted. It must have been an extremely disappointing moment for Moses and Aaron when the Lord punished them at the waters of Meribah. God told Moses to speak to the rock and it would give water to all who thirst. When Moses took his staff and struck the rock twice, suggesting he and Aaron would provide the water of life, God punished their disobedience in requiring their death in the desert. God refused to allow Moses, Aaron or their generation to cross over to the Promised Land. Have you ever disobeyed the Lord by trying to take credit for His perfect work in your life?
I enjoy visiting the theatre with my husband, especially during the holidays. It is a treat to observe the artistry of talented actors and actresses perform on the main stage. It takes an enormous effort to prepare and produce a quality show. The screenwriters, stage crew, lighting and sound team, costume designers, choreographers and musicians all play important parts to bringing the story alive. The conductor’s lead and his timing are essential to the success or failure of the show. At the curtain call, the cast appears one more time to take a final bow. Their hard work and efforts are applauded as people stand in obvious appreciation for the gift. When the story ends, the baton is passed. The master conductor pours a firm foundation, as the team learns to fully rely upon his direction and leadership skills. Without implementation of the big plan, their efforts will fail – the show will bomb. When the cast and crew give their full attention and obedience to the direction of the master conductor, the show comes together successfully.
The Lord chose Eleazar, Aaron’s son, to take his father’s place as spokesman and leader for the next generation of Israelites. God saw the potential and purity in Eleazar’s heart. He paid attention to his father and uncle through the years, learning from their example. Moses and Aaron submitted to the Lord’s lead, passing the baton to their son and nephew. They knew the Lord would see their people through, just as He promised. They trusted in the master conductor’s instruction, even unto death.
Do you trust God enough to obey Him when he cries out to you? Have you taken credit for the many gifts God gives you each day? Your intellect, skill sets, personal possessions and even your physical body comes from the one who made you. He has a plan and a destiny for your life. Will you allow the master conductor to lead? When He calls you to His altar, will you willingly lay your life down as a sacrifice for His glory? Come to the altar today. God is calling out your name. Can you hear Him? Will you choose to answer?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: a willing heart and obedient spirit to answer the altar call of the Lord. He planned your life with a plan and purpose that only you can fulfill. Come to His altar this weekend at church. He is waiting to meet you there.
____________________________
© 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.
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Numbers 19, 20; Psalms 43, 44
Numbers 20:27-29 (NIV)
Moses did as the Lord commanded: They went up Mount Hor in the sight of the whole community. 28 Moses removed Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar. And Aaron died there on top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain 29 and when the whole community learned that Aaron had died, the entire house of Israel mourned for him thirty days.
Psalm 43:3-4 (NIV)
3 Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. 4 Then will I go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.
Good morning!
Moses and Aaron gave their entire lives in obedience to the Lord God Almighty. From their Egyptian journey to Pharaoh and the unfolding of the plagues, to the Passover of the Lord, and through the forty-year wilderness walk, these men learned to rely on the presence and power of the Lord. God expected complete and total obedience and nothing less than their utmost was accepted. It must have been an extremely disappointing moment for Moses and Aaron when the Lord punished them at the waters of Meribah. God told Moses to speak to the rock and it would give water to all who thirst. When Moses took his staff and struck the rock twice, suggesting he and Aaron would provide the water of life, God punished their disobedience in requiring their death in the desert. God refused to allow Moses, Aaron or their generation to cross over to the Promised Land. Have you ever disobeyed the Lord by trying to take credit for His perfect work in your life?
I enjoy visiting the theatre with my husband, especially during the holidays. It is a treat to observe the artistry of talented actors and actresses perform on the main stage. It takes an enormous effort to prepare and produce a quality show. The screenwriters, stage crew, lighting and sound team, costume designers, choreographers and musicians all play important parts to bringing the story alive. The conductor’s lead and his timing are essential to the success or failure of the show. At the curtain call, the cast appears one more time to take a final bow. Their hard work and efforts are applauded as people stand in obvious appreciation for the gift. When the story ends, the baton is passed. The master conductor pours a firm foundation, as the team learns to fully rely upon his direction and leadership skills. Without implementation of the big plan, their efforts will fail – the show will bomb. When the cast and crew give their full attention and obedience to the direction of the master conductor, the show comes together successfully.
The Lord chose Eleazar, Aaron’s son, to take his father’s place as spokesman and leader for the next generation of Israelites. God saw the potential and purity in Eleazar’s heart. He paid attention to his father and uncle through the years, learning from their example. Moses and Aaron submitted to the Lord’s lead, passing the baton to their son and nephew. They knew the Lord would see their people through, just as He promised. They trusted in the master conductor’s instruction, even unto death.
Do you trust God enough to obey Him when he cries out to you? Have you taken credit for the many gifts God gives you each day? Your intellect, skill sets, personal possessions and even your physical body comes from the one who made you. He has a plan and a destiny for your life. Will you allow the master conductor to lead? When He calls you to His altar, will you willingly lay your life down as a sacrifice for His glory? Come to the altar today. God is calling out your name. Can you hear Him? Will you choose to answer?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: a willing heart and obedient spirit to answer the altar call of the Lord. He planned your life with a plan and purpose that only you can fulfill. Come to His altar this weekend at church. He is waiting to meet you there.
____________________________
© 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.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Standing Between the Living and the Dead
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Numbers 16, 17, 18
Numbers 16:46-48 (NIV)
46 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer and put incense in it, along with fire from the altar, and hurry to the assembly to make atonement for them. Wrath has come out from the Lord; the plague has started. 47 So Aaron did as Moses said, and ran into the midst of the assembly. The plague had already started among the people, but Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for them. 48 He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped.
Hebrews 7:25 (NIV)
25 Therefore, He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.
Good morning!
Grumbling will get us into trouble every time! I’ve been carrying a nail with me since our Ash Wednesday worship service. Pastor Jeff suggested that we take a nail from the basket at the altar, keeping it in a place where we could see it, feel it, and think about the price that was paid for our salvation. He asked the congregation to pick that nail up and squeeze it in their hand every time they grumbled, complained, or murmured. The nail reminds us that it is our thoughts and words, motives and greed that pinned our Savior to the tree. Jesus willingly traded our sin for His righteousness. He bore it all on the cross, totally separating himself from a perfect and Holy Father, just to give us new life and relationship with God. Jesus died and rose again, conquering death once and for all. He did this for you and for me. If we truly understand the cost, how can we continue to grumble, gripe, and complain?
The Israelites were not happy campers. It wasn’t enough that the very presence of God hovered over their lives in the visual form of a cloud by day and fire by night. Ungrateful for the daily manna they received each day from the hand of heaven, the Israelites continued to distrust the faithful leadership of Moses and Aaron. Their negative and nasty attitude thrust them into open rebellion with God Almighty. Moses and Aaron spent a lot of time falling face down, begging God to forgive their ignorance and haughty, disrespectful spirit.
Oh, to have a great, high priest stand between the living and the dead, crying out for our souls in intercessory prayer! Moses instructed Aaron to take his censer, fill it with incense and fire from the altar of the Lord, and run to the assembly to make atonement for them. The Lord’s anger filled the desert as a plague began to consume humanity. Almost 15,000 people died before the Lord accepted Aaron’s prayers for atonement. Grumbling and complaining can wipe out an entire nation, separating the body through division and strife. When we take our eyes off the great high priest and begin to banter with God, disaster is sure to strike. Do you really think you have a better game plan than the Lord? Have you ever experienced the cause and effect when the redeemed ones choose to take their eyes off the main thing and insist on doing things their own way?
When you find that sin and separation is far too heavy to bear, turn around and take a long, hard look at the Great High Priest who intercedes for you. Jesus Christ died to set you free! He offers you everlasting life, relationship with the Father, and a peace that surpasses all human understanding. His life can light your way. Squeeze the nail in your hand today, and ask the Lord to forgive your sin and help you trust Him all the more. Let Jesus Christ tame your tongue, control your thoughts, and lead you home.
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: the Great High Priest, who is holy, blameless, pure, and set apart from sin, to redeem your body, mind and soul today. Won’t you invite Jesus Christ to come and live inside your heart and be the Lord of your life?
____________________________
© 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.
Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Numbers 16, 17, 18
Numbers 16:46-48 (NIV)
46 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer and put incense in it, along with fire from the altar, and hurry to the assembly to make atonement for them. Wrath has come out from the Lord; the plague has started. 47 So Aaron did as Moses said, and ran into the midst of the assembly. The plague had already started among the people, but Aaron offered the incense and made atonement for them. 48 He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped.
Hebrews 7:25 (NIV)
25 Therefore, He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.
Good morning!
Grumbling will get us into trouble every time! I’ve been carrying a nail with me since our Ash Wednesday worship service. Pastor Jeff suggested that we take a nail from the basket at the altar, keeping it in a place where we could see it, feel it, and think about the price that was paid for our salvation. He asked the congregation to pick that nail up and squeeze it in their hand every time they grumbled, complained, or murmured. The nail reminds us that it is our thoughts and words, motives and greed that pinned our Savior to the tree. Jesus willingly traded our sin for His righteousness. He bore it all on the cross, totally separating himself from a perfect and Holy Father, just to give us new life and relationship with God. Jesus died and rose again, conquering death once and for all. He did this for you and for me. If we truly understand the cost, how can we continue to grumble, gripe, and complain?
The Israelites were not happy campers. It wasn’t enough that the very presence of God hovered over their lives in the visual form of a cloud by day and fire by night. Ungrateful for the daily manna they received each day from the hand of heaven, the Israelites continued to distrust the faithful leadership of Moses and Aaron. Their negative and nasty attitude thrust them into open rebellion with God Almighty. Moses and Aaron spent a lot of time falling face down, begging God to forgive their ignorance and haughty, disrespectful spirit.
Oh, to have a great, high priest stand between the living and the dead, crying out for our souls in intercessory prayer! Moses instructed Aaron to take his censer, fill it with incense and fire from the altar of the Lord, and run to the assembly to make atonement for them. The Lord’s anger filled the desert as a plague began to consume humanity. Almost 15,000 people died before the Lord accepted Aaron’s prayers for atonement. Grumbling and complaining can wipe out an entire nation, separating the body through division and strife. When we take our eyes off the great high priest and begin to banter with God, disaster is sure to strike. Do you really think you have a better game plan than the Lord? Have you ever experienced the cause and effect when the redeemed ones choose to take their eyes off the main thing and insist on doing things their own way?
When you find that sin and separation is far too heavy to bear, turn around and take a long, hard look at the Great High Priest who intercedes for you. Jesus Christ died to set you free! He offers you everlasting life, relationship with the Father, and a peace that surpasses all human understanding. His life can light your way. Squeeze the nail in your hand today, and ask the Lord to forgive your sin and help you trust Him all the more. Let Jesus Christ tame your tongue, control your thoughts, and lead you home.
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com
Pray for: the Great High Priest, who is holy, blameless, pure, and set apart from sin, to redeem your body, mind and soul today. Won’t you invite Jesus Christ to come and live inside your heart and be the Lord of your life?
____________________________
© 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.
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