A little help from above

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

Psalm 116:1-2 (NIV)

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

Ezekiel 18:20 (NIV)

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

Good morning!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

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

___________________________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Cheating God

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ezekiel 14, 15, 16

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

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

John 8:7 (NIV)

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

Good morning!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

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

___________________________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Coming home

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ezekiel 11, 12, 13

Ezekiel 11:17-20 (NIV)

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

Good morning!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

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

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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

The double blessing

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

Psalm 5:3 (NIV)

In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning, I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

Psalm 23:4 (KJV)

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

Good morning!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

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

___________________________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Acts of obedience

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Ezekiel 4, 5, 6

Ezekiel 4:4-5 (NIV)

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

Good morning!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

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

___________________________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Returning to the good old days

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Lamentations 3, 4, 5

Lamentations 5:21 (NIV)

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

Lamentations 3:22-26 (NIV)

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

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

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

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

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

Good morning!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

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

___________________________________________

© 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.

Backhanded blessings

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Lamentations 1, 2; Psalm 115

James 1:2-4 (NIV)

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Lamentations 2:19 (NIV)

19 Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to Him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street.

Good morning!

The Lord has given me many good gifts, but athleticism is not one of them. I am a klutz. There is no way to spin this other than to tell it like it is. I passed physical education classes by the skin of my teeth in high school. I received Cs for effort. I probably deserved worse. Those lower grades kept me from getting Straight A baseball passes every year. But I’m not bitter. I did the best I could and I praise God for the body He has given me. I hope that when I reach perfection, I’m not so short and dumpy. Where I lack in physical strength, God has more than made up for in my childlike faith and ability to dream BIG for Him.

I took Physical Education one summer as a summer school class, just so I didn’t have to endure the humiliation of dressing out for an entire year of school. I knew if I put forth the effort, it would be worth it. One of my dear girlfriends felt sorry for me and signed up, so we did it together, and that made it all the more fun. We had two weeks of swimming, two weeks of bowling, two weeks of volleyball and two weeks of tennis. I learned a lot during that time, and we had a coach that was very encouraging and supportive. I never felt incapable around this man. I’m grateful that I have some really fond memories of that summer school experience.

In tennis, he wanted to teach me how to hit the ball with a backhanded swing. It was hard for me to hit the ball at all, much less with my arm stretched out in front of my torso, trying to use my wrist action to flip the ball back over the net. But I did it! I remember feeling the stretch and pull of the muscles running up through the top of my arm and into the shoulder. Sometimes it hurt, but mostly, it felt good. There were blessings in learning how to return the serve with a backhanded swing.

Jeremiah tried to get Israel’s attention. God spoke through him, and yet, the people ignored God’s Word. They did as they pleased and forgot to think about the consequences of their actions. And now, in a time of captivity and fear, they mourn what was once theirs and finally begin to look to God for help. How many times have I done the exact same thing in my life? There are seasons when things are going really well. I’m happy, my family is happy, I have no complaints. Am I as devoted to the Lord in times like this as I am when things get tough? How do you return adversity across the net of life? Have you learned about the blessing of a backhanded swing?

God stretches us in adversity. He is our life coach, teaching us through the lessons we receive every day. We grow closer to Him when the things we hold dear seem to slip away. What happens when you suddenly find that you’ve lost your health? I have two adult children right now who were recently diagnosed with cancer. Their families are struggling to deal with the reality this brings. Have you ever received an emergency phone call from your physician, and that call changed every aspect of your life?

Dealing with adversity can either make or break our spirit. Even in the utter pit of Israel’s despair, the Lord gave His children the ability to use their God-given backhanded swing. There are times when we forget to look up. When adversity brings us to our knees, I pray that you will find strength in knowing God will not leave you or forsake you. He will not abandon you in the midst of your suffering or grief. He has not abandoned me or my family. In fact, we are stronger because we know who is really in charge, and that makes this challenge worth pursuing.

Close your eyes and imagine that the tennis ball of adversity is coming toward you right now. You can reach it if you take the racket of faith in your hand and lunge it around your body. Use your wrist strength to send that ball back into the opponent’s court. Feel the stretch of your faith and the adrenaline rush, knowing you still have some steam left to fight the good fight. Israel was in mourning, but they continued to look up and cry out to the Lord for healing and help.

If you find yourself fighting the adversary today, grab onto the faith God has planted inside your heart and look up! The trials you face will build up perseverance in your body for the long haul. He will complete in you the good work He begun in you, especially when we find ourselves swinging at the backhanded blessings of life.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: strength to use your God-given backhanded swing to break through the adversities of life. Jesus is here, right now, and He will not leave or forsake you, even when you find yourself on the receiving end of a difficult opponent.

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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

The precious gift of peace

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Jeremiah 50, 51, 52

John 10:27-28 (NIV)

[Jesus said,] “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.”

John 14:27 (NIV)

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

Good morning!

Of all the presents you have ever received, which one is your favorite? Last night at Kaleidoscope (our Thursday evening small group Bible study), we talked about the gifts of God. This is something I’ve come to appreciate more and more each day. The material gifts I offered to my children while they were growing up in our home simply pale in comparison to God’s offering of Himself to the children He loves. The gift of eternal salvation through the shed blood of Jesus is, without a doubt, the greatest gift you and I will ever receive. Once we accept His gift and invite the Lord of life to live within our heart, He begins to reveal His perfect nature as we seek His presence each day. You may not see them clearly at first; with time, Christ helps you to recognize the special gift mix planted and cultivated within your heart. He gives you the desire to share your special present with those around you each day.

It is hard to pick a favorite gift – there are so many from which to choose! His love is timeless. It is perfect. Faith to follow Him, especially when things are tough, is a gift like no other. It is that faith that catapults us into action. We experience the gift of His joy, knowing we are loved with a love that will never fail us. We begin to recognize the beauty of building relationships that last. Jesus sets the bar at relationship building. Beyond the gift of salvation and everlasting life, my favorite gift from God is His gift of peace.

Maybe I had to experience a life of turmoil before I could truly appreciate receiving the gift of His peace. The world tries to convince us that peace is an acquisition – something to be purchased or owned. Lots of people work their entire lives seeking a little slice of peace, only to find their savings wiped out in a health crisis or natural disaster. They may lose the home they spent thirty years paying for to a flood, tornado, or earthquake. The pension plan they’ve invested in suddenly disappears just as they are preparing to retire. What will they live on for the next forty years of their life? The peace of Christ does not eliminate the struggles we face from day to day. His peace is a daily reminder that especially when life is not easy, He remains. Jesus Christ is the Prince of peace. I am never, ever alone, and no matter where I go, the Lord of life walks by my side, holding my heart in His nail-scarred hand. Once you give your life to Him, Jesus will never let you go. His peace is a precious treasure; and in His presence, that gift is worth more to me than anything this world has to offer.

The peace of Christ finds me as I seek His presence each day. His peace is an amazing gift, just waiting to be unwrapped. Like a warm, woolen blanket, I crawl underneath the covering of His love. There is staying power in His peace. I know this day will not be easy. There will be challenges and difficult moments to endure. No matter what happens, His blanket keeps me covered. It is His anointing that remains, when everything around me seems to fail. If you are yearning for a support system that will not fall apart in the storms of life, ask Jesus to give you His peace. It passes all understanding, as we keep our hearts and minds focused on Him.

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

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: His peace to carry you through every moment of your life. I am praying that you will experience the peace of Christ today as you seek His holy presence.

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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

Embracing discipline

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Jeremiah 46, 47, 48, 49

Jeremiah 46:28 (NIV)

28 “Do not fear, O Jacob my servant, for I am with you,” declares the Lord. “Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only with justice; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.”

Psalm 51:10 (KJV)

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and restore a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Proverbs 3:11-12 (NIV)

11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent His rebuke, 12 because the Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Good morning!

God is keeping His Word with the children He loves. We look at the Israelites and wonder why they are being so self-righteous and unruly. Why aren’t they listening to the prophet Jeremiah? They were warned repeatedly to turn around and repent, and if they didn’t, Babylon, the evil one, would attack. Have you ever been under attack? Have you ever asked God, “Why me?”

It begins at birth. Helpless infants scream for attention. “Feed me, change me, hold me,” they cry in shrill tones, especially in the middle of the night. Constantly yearning to be nurtured, an infant lets his parents know when their world is not right. As they begin to grow and fend for themselves, toddlers are often rebuked for taking things that do not belong to them. They are curious creatures, our wee ones. As they begin to explore the world around them, parameters are set for their own safety. They do not understand why they cannot touch the hot stove or suck on the doggie’s nose, or play with Mommy’s glass decorations on the coffee table. They hear the constant, “No,” in firm but loving tones. They may not understand why, and yet, they do understand the message. Do toddlers ever ignore their parents’ instruction? Of course they do. And, unfortunately, this behavior often does not change with time.

Have you ever seen a teenager obey parental instruction? Did you do everything exactly the way your parents told you to? I wish I had! I confess I was far from perfect. They had their hands full with me, and were probably very relieved when I got married at the ripe old of age of eighteen. While I do not advocate for young marriages today, I have to say my parents missed out on a lot of young adult rearing. I got married and moved away and it let them off the parental hook. I think they got off lucky, don’t you? Actually, I’m certain there was not a day they didn’t worry about me, or offer prayers on my behalf and for my family. As a parent of adult children, I think it much harder today not to worry about them now. There is not a day that goes by when I’m not praying for Rachel, Benjamin and David and their families.

Scripture teaches us that God rebukes the children He loves. We learn best from our mistakes, as painful as they may be. It is a repetitive process. God gives us direction, not to make us miserable, but to free us for joyful and happy living. If we could just learn to follow His instruction without question, our daily walk might be a whole lot sweeter. I don’t know about all of you, but I would be less than honest if I didn’t confess that every adversity I have faced was placed there for a distinct purpose. I may not always understand why, and yet, I can see how those experiences help mold my heart into something pure and holy.

Years ago, I was a spiritually rebellious baby. Angry and bent totally out of shape, God had to take a sledge hammer to my heart. I believe even through times of open rebellion, He never gives up on His precious ones. God never gave up on Israel. He promises that even while they are scattered and taken into captivity, He will not completely destroy them. This gives me great hope today. I know that even in a tough situation, God will never let me go. He will not let you go either, not without a fight for your soul. He loves you with a passion and sometimes, He works a little harder to get our undivided attention.

Does he have your undivided attention today? We can embrace His discipline with joy, knowing that He is recreating our hearts for kingdom work. If you are feeling attacked today, take a moment to thank God for loving you enough not to let you go. He gets our attention through discipline. No matter what we may face, we have His assurance that He is creating a clean heart and restoring a right spirit within you and me today. It is great to be a King’s kid!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: a glad heart in every circumstance. If God is disciplining you today, be thankful He cares enough to never let you go. Like a parent who loves his child, God wants nothing more than to bring you back into relationship with Him.

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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

Articles may not be printed in any “for profit” publication without further permission by the author. Articles may be freely distributed via e-mail, reprinted in church bulletins or in other non-profit publications without further permission. Please keep this copyright and Web Site information intact with copied articles. Articles are sent originally to subscribers only. You may have received a forwarded or reprinted copy.

I'd rather have Jesus than anything

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Jeremiah 44, 45; Psalm 114

Jeremiah 45:5 (NIV)

5 “Should you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not. For I will bring disaster on all people,” declares the Lord, “but wherever you go I will let you escape with your life.”

Matthew 16:24-25 (NIV)

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”

Good morning!

In 1909, Rhea F. Miller penned the words of his heart song onto a slip of paper and gave it to the mother of George Beverly Shea. She had been praying for her son’s career choice, knowing that it would shape the course of his life. At age 23, Shea had received an offer to sing with a secular band in New York City. The salary and notoriety was enticing. He could choose a career in Gospel music and serve the Lord by singing on Christian radio programs. Shea’s mother left Rhea F. Miller’s poem on the family piano. When Shea sat down to practice, he read the poet’s words and immediately began to put them to music. On Sunday morning, he offered the song, “I’d Rather Have Jesus” to the congregation. Shea made the decision that day to continue singing for the Lord. Shortly thereafter, Shea received an invitation to travel and sing with evangelist Billy Graham. The words of Rhea F. Miller helped lead a gifted Christian musician to sing the Gospel message to people around the world. Hearts and lives were changed by the words of this song, “I’d Rather Have Jesus.”

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold; I’d rather be His than have riches untold;

I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands; I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand.

Than to be the king of a vast domain, or be held in sin’s dread sway;

I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.

Baruch, Jeremiah’s faithful scribe, had more than enough. The unpopular prophet and his message of gloom and doom had begun to weigh heavily on Baruch’s heart. Have you ever offered your life’s work in service to the Lord? Maybe He has called you to teach children, cook and serve food to the hungry, or preach the Gospel message to those who are starving to know God. No matter what your vocation, we all have moments of despair and regret. You may find yourself asking the hard questions: Did I make the right choice? This is much harder than I thought it would be. I’m tired of getting spit on, kicked around, and treated with no respect. I work hard, receive very little in return, and I have nothing to show for my effort. Baruch was having a pity party and the Lord God Almighty wouldn’t stand for it. Baruch had forgotten whom he was serving. It is easy to forget the reason we sing when we feel as if our very lives are slipping away, like grains of sand through our fingers.

God spoke to Baruch through the prophet Jeremiah. He speaks to you and me today. “Should you seek great things for yourself? Seek them not. For I will bring disaster on all people, but wherever you go, I will let you escape with your life.” Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.”

Are you losing your life today for the Lord? Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Just like Baruch and Jeremiah, we find life in Jesus Christ. Life in Him is worth more than anything money can buy. A relationship with Jesus is worth more than anything the world affords. Rhea Miller understood the priceless, precious gift of the Lamb, and because he was willing to write his testimony down, George Beverly Shea’s life was forever changed.

If you have found abundant life in Jesus Christ, do not be afraid to tell others what He has done for you. It may be your words that will make an everlasting difference in the heart of another human soul. There is nothing more precious than the love of God through Christ Jesus our Lord. Won’t you tell someone just how much He means to you?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the courage to let go of your life as you know it so that you may find abundant and everlasting life in Jesus Christ. He is the only life worth holding on to.

___________________________________________

© 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.