Ivory towers

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Amos 1, 2, 3; Psalm 119:121-144

Amos 3:14-15 (NIV)

14 “On the day I punish Israel for her sins, I will destroy the altars of Bethel; the horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground. 15 I will tear down the winter house along with the summer house; the houses adorned with ivory will be destroyed and the mansions will be demolished.”

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasure on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Good morning!

There is a lakefront community not far from the neighborhood where we live. It is a picturesque place, and I love taking strolls on its lamp-lit streets in the early morning or at dusk, just before darkness sets in. Every home surrounding the lake is elegantly appointed. The grounds are meticulously kept. Many of the homes sport in-ground pools and tennis courts. One home in particular catches my eye every time I pass by. It is a full three stories, with a section of windows on the north side of the home that displays a magnificent library expanding all three levels. From the street you can see the tall cherry ladders on rollers where an avid reader would climb up to find just the perfect book for a late night reading. Jeff and I have lots of books, but I don’t think our library even comes close to the rich rooms of knowledge contained in this palatial estate.

When Joshua and Emily were staying with us last weekend, they asked Granny Deb to take them to the lake houses for a peek. We went just before dark, so they could see the lamps lit and glimmering along the lake shore. My favorite house, nestled in a secluded cove, had a “for sale” sign on it. How I would love to live in this house. This estate sits upon a terraced hill, nestled among towering Pine trees; the pathway to the front door lavishly decorated with a magnificent variety of Hostas and English Ivy. I can only imagine what the view from the bedroom window would be like. We’ve decided that our grandchildren, who by the way are really smart kids, will someday be able to buy a home just like this where their grandparents can live with them and they can spend their old age reading books of knowledge and enjoying walks along a lamp lit garden path.

For many, the acquisition of a large showcase home is imperative to their sense of well-being and happiness. We think we cannot live without a certain degree of comfort and sometimes, we sell our souls trying to attain it. The prophet Amos warned the kingdom of Israel of what might happen when we place all our eggs in one material basket. He said that God would tear down the winter house along with the summer house, the houses adorned with ivory would one day be destroyed and the mansions would be demolished. Jesus implored His disciples not to store up earthly treasures that would one day be stolen or destroyed, but to savor and seek after heavenly treasure, because God would find your heart wherever you place your treasure.

I was impressed when I saw the before and after photos of a new church parsonage recently erected in Mozambique. Sitting in the middle of an unmowed field, a meager house with thatched walls, dirt floor and tin roof was the safe haven for the pastor’s family. Through the gifts of many generous hearts and hands, a new parsonage had been erected next to the former home, sporting brick walls, a solid roof, concrete flooring, and a real front door with glass windows. This home was not much larger than its thatched cottage counterpart, but for the clergy family who was blessed to live within its walls, it must have been like moving into a mansion. I have a heart for parsonage families. I’ve lived in church parsonages since I was 19 years old, and our family is grateful for the church’s provision in the gift of a place we call home for a time.

Earthly treasure can be wiped away in the blink of an eye. This is not our final destination. Our homes on earth are temporary structures, not meant to last for eternity. God promises to those who seek His face a special place one day in His indestructible mansion of glory. It is a home that cannot be destroyed by the elements or insect infestation. No thief will ever be able to steal it away in the darkness of night. It is a place of guaranteed security, knowledge, and comfort. God’s glory will light the pathway in a mansion where darkness no longer exists. Every ivory tower will bow to the magnificence of Almighty God.

I long for the day when I will be home with the Lord forever. I imagine it will be like crossing over a bridge into the beautiful lamp-lit streets of gold, walking hand-in-hand with the Savior whom I love. Won’t you take a stroll with me today toward heavenly treasure? Lay aside the material and come seek the eternal. I’ll see you this weekend at Faith Church!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: a desire to seek more than the temporary comforts of an earthly existence. Desire Christ’s heavenly treasure today. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

___________________________________________

© 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.

Wasting time

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Joel 1, 2, 3

Joel 2:25 (NIV)

25 “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten – the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm – my great army that I sent among you.”

Joel 2:32 (NIV)

32 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount ZionJerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the survivors whom the Lord calls. and in

John 3:16 (NIV)

16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Good morning!

Have you ever been known to waste time? I seem to hold the world’s record in procrastination. When I take a long look the beginning of my life to today, I can identify periods when I squandered away the moments in a self-absorbed lifestyle. The sin of selfishness is something I’ve battled my entire life. Selflessness is hard hill to climb. When will I place the needs of others in front of my own personal comfort? How hard am I willing to work to make an eternal difference for another soul? Am I just plain lazy?

My mother used to put moth balls in our bedroom closets to help protect our clothes from bug infestation. We didn’t have a lot of clothing to spare, and she was determined to keep what clothes we owned clean, pressed, and bug free. My children grew up with an overabundance of clothing; a pair of blue jeans for every day of the week; a t-shirt of the month club, and scads of scads of socks, under garments and pajamas. My mother was much smarter than I. She didn’t have near the piles of laundry to go through each week. We didn’t change our clothes three times a day to suit our fancy. I wonder why I didn’t adopt the “less is more” plan with my children. It is a strange thing - as we grow older, we begin to realize just how smart our parents were.

Joel reminded God’s children that even during times of famine and plague, they were loved. Last night in class, my professor made a profound statement. He said that it is only experiencing the adversities of life that we grow in faith. I’ve had my share of adversity, and I’m pretty sure you have too. When we tread the deep for long periods of time, keeping our heads just above the water’s edge, fatigue can sometimes set in. There were periods of time in my life when I just didn’t seem to care. Have you ever experienced a time of inexplicable apathy?

If you find yourself in survival mode, grab hold of God’s Word today. It is written just for you. Listen to the Words of the Prophet Joel, “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said, among the survivors whom the Lord calls.”

In times of trial, the road of faith can become a steep hill to climb. We stop to take a breather. We rest our weary bones in absolute exhaustion, where it feels like we might get eaten alive. We cannot overcome this alone. We need a Savior to help carry us to the top of the hill. God says if we call upon the name of the Lord, He will save us, every survivor whom the Lord has called. The Lord is crying out to you and me today to ask Him for help. We must stop wasting precious time and reach out to the Only One who can carry us the rest of the way home.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: greater faith! God is waiting to redeem you today. If He can turn a seasoned procrastinator like me into a child He can use for Kingdom work, He can change your heart too. Won’t you reach out to the Lord and ask Him to come into your heart right now?

___________________________________________

© 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.

Life light

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Hosea 13, 14; Psalm 119:73-120

Psalm 119:178 (NIV)

178 I have strayed like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.

Hosea 14:9 (NIV)

9 Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous will walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.

Good morning!

I seem to lose my balance easily, especially at night when I first get up. My eyes simply refuse to focus in total darkness. I am extremely near sighted and have an acute astigmatism. Jeff has difficulty hearing. When my contacts are in and his hearings are in place and on, we do okay. But late at night, when the appliances are tucked neatly into their storage containers and we are left alone to fend in the dark, we make quite a pair, the two of us! He cannot hear me when I say, “I’m sorry honey – I have to turn the light on for just a second.” I know Jeff forgives me for flashing a bright light in his face when he’s catching a rim cycle at 4am. Pastors simply have to forgive their spouses – it’s written somewhere in the Good Book!

Do you ever stumble in the dark? I’ve banged my feet on the corner of the bed post or another piece of furniture that seemed to move itself from its proper location, just waiting for me to walk into it in the middle of the night. Sometimes I stumble and fall, especially when life seems dark and the shadows surround me like thick, dense clouds that form after a hot summer shower.

It takes a greater vision than I have to walk in His righteousness alone. If I rely solely upon my weak vision and half-hearted attempts to carry me through a dark and lonely space, I’m going to fall. Like a little lost lamb, there are times when I wander away from the faith that holds me close. I don’t know if it is just a stumbling block in the darkness, or if I simply get turned around trying to figure out how to maneuver a particular obstacle placed in my path. Sometimes, I stray. Have you ever strayed away from the Lord who loves you?

When we seek to walk in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, we cannot depend upon our own good works and deeds. Maybe you’ve been blessed with many successes in life. God has given you the gifts of leadership and you push forward to offer help and hope to others along the way. When we forget to let the Lord lead, we’re bound to walk into a brick wall. It’s hard not to jump out ahead of God from time to time. Our skill sets and good looks can only take us so far. We must be willing to let the Lord lead us. Even if you have the gift of vision, your nearsightedness will keep you from walking in His righteousness alone. We must trust Jesus in all things, everywhere, at all times.

Someday the darkness will be no more. In the everlasting light of God’s glory, we will see things clearer than ever before. Until then, we must hang on to the One who can help us maneuver in the dark spaces of daily living. Seek His light, and He will find you, right where you are at, no matter what obstacles you face. Ask the Lord of life to find you today. Even in the darkest pit, when we strain to hear His still, small voice, He will hear our cries for help and answer. He is the only life light we need.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: a closer walk with God. He will be your life light, shining in the dark places and making a way for you to walk through. Do not trust in your own abilities. Seek ye first the kingdom and His righteousness alone. And all these things shall be added unto you… Hallelujah!

___________________________________________

© 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.

Baby steps of faith

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Hosea 10, 11, 12

Hosea 11:1-4 (NIV)

1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. 2 But the more I called Israel, the further they went from me. They sacrificed to the Baals and they burned incense to images. 3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk, taking them by the arms; but they did not realize it was I who healed them. 4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them.

Good morning!

Do you remember what it was like to see your child take her first steps? When Rachel let go of my fingers for the very first time and began walking toward her Father, I was elated! Little fat rolls on little fat feet flopping across the hard wood floor; she was fearless, determined and joyful! Her belly shook with contagious laughter, causing Rachel to lose her balance and fall with a splat onto the floor! Every time Rachel pulled herself up again, those baby steps were easier to make, and soon, Rachel was running everywhere. When a child learns to walk for the very first time, parents jump for joy and worry themselves sick all at the same time. We wonder, “Will she be okay on her own? Who will be there to pick her up when she falls? Will she ever turn around and come back home again?”

Hosea conveyed God’s love by speaking His Word to the people. Oh, how the Lord loves Israel. When Israel was a little child, He loved them with a passion and out of Egypt He called them to come home. But the more God called, the further Israel ran in the opposite direction. They worshipped other gods and created idols to carry in their hearts and hands. They placed their trust in men instead of the Almighty, crying out to imperfect humans for help and hope. But it was God who taught His people how to walk. He held them up by their arms, even when they did not acknowledge Him. They refused to recognize it was the Lord who healed their lives and saved their souls forever.

When the Church of Jesus Christ stops depending upon the gifts of imperfect men and begins to fully rely upon the power of God, miracles will happen! Just like the Israelites, we tend to place our hope in the leadership of human hands, forgetting to trust God alone for all things. When good stuff happens, we forget to say thank you to the One who is the great gift-giver. Just like a little child who learns how to let go and walk alone, we become overly confident in our own capabilities. We can do it by ourselves, thank you very much! Who will be there to pick you up when you fall down?

Last night, a miracle happened right before my very eyes. Our family and friends have been praying for it fervently for the last month. Our daughter Rachel walked unassisted for the first time in eight days. Too sick to even hold her twelve-week-old baby or turn over in bed without help, I watched Rachel rise up from the sofa, walk across the room and move to a sitting position in a chair. Her face had color again as strength returned to her body. She said her doctor’s office had called and reported the first of three separate lab results were in. “I’m cancer free, Mom.” The Holy Spirit had confirmed this truth to my heart, but to hear the words “cancer free” come out of Rachel’s mouth was probably the best thing I have ever heard her say, ever. To see our little girl rise up and walk unassisted brought great joy to my spirit. She no longer needed human arms to lift her. Rachel is holding onto the everlasting arms of grace and mercy, praising God for the healing power that has set her free from cancer.

Baby steps of faith are borne from the adversities of life. Like Israel, may we turn back toward the God who sees us, knows us, and loves us, even when we choose to run in the opposite direction. Help us, dear Father, to learn from our mistakes and not place total trust in other human beings. May we always look to You for healing, help and hope. You alone are worthy to be praised! Thanks be to God! Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: baby steps of faith! God teaches you to take your very first steps then lets you go by His grace, mercy and love. He is waiting to see whether you will turn around and walk back to 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.

Removing decay from our lives

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Hosea 7, 8, 9

Hosea 8:12 (NIV)

12 I wrote for them the many things of my law, but they regarded them as something alien.

Matthew 9:10-13 (NIV)

10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him and His disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Good morning!

I have a hard time visiting the dentist. It is on my top ten list of my least favorite things I do every six months. I’ve been blessed with healthy teeth for the most part. I’ve only had four fillings in my life, and each filling came about as a result of a pregnancy. I’ve had more than my fair share of orthodontia. I sported braces, head gear and rubber bands for five long years – all during junior high and high school. After five extractions and the surgical removal of four impacted wisdom teeth, the braces came off just six months before my wedding. The doctor begged me to wear a retainer, but I was far too vain for that. Over the years, my teeth have slowly shifted to a modified, imperfect alignment.

The dentist’s job is to identify and manage tooth decay. He does this by probing each tooth with a sharp instrument designed to locate weak spots in the enamel. He scrapes plaque build up and identifies areas of gingivitis along the gum beds. The exam can be torture, especially for someone like me. I tend to produce an awful lot of plaque. It’s a hard thing to expose my weaknesses to the dentist. After he completes the initial examination, a dental hygienist begins the process of cleaning my teeth. This sometimes takes up to an hour. The removal of built-up plaque is painful. The cold spray of the water makes each tooth ache. I brush and floss twice a day, so I often find myself wondering how this can build up so quickly. Once the torture ends, I leave the dentist office with a clean and shiny smile, happy to have survived yet another office visit.

The removal of sin and decay in our lives is a painful process. God’s Word is the probe that locates and identifies the sin that causes eternal decay in our lives. When His Word exposes our sin for what it truly is, the experience can be quite embarrassing. Hosea spoke God’s Word to His people, but they thought it had to be meant for someone other than them. After all, they were keeping their daily checkups with God. While going through their daily rituals and sacrifices, it wasn’t enough to keep the build up of sin and decay away. It would take more than just a daily habit to change their hearts and heal the sin that had eroded their lives.

The Pharisees could not accept a Savior who spent His days eating with tax collectors and sinners. Why would Jesus associate with them? The Lord heard the Pharisees’ words and replied, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Like a double-edged sword, the Word of God is intended to identify the decay in our hearts. We deceive ourselves when we believe that our daily ritual worship is something precious to God. He expects to see a healthy change emerge as a result of our daily worship and praise. Only He can break the hardened shell covering our hearts by the power of His redeeming love. God wants us to have mercy, compassion, feeling, and a genuine sense of caring for the world around us. We are all His children, and He expects us to love each other in the same way He loves every one of us.

Once the dentist eliminates the decay from our teeth, we celebrate a clean mouth and a fresh, healthy start once again. When God’s Word identifies and removes the sinful decay in our hearts, we become the grateful beneficiaries of a new life, a fresh start, and a softened, merciful heart.

God’s Word is not just for your neighbor. His Word is meant for you and me today. Won’t you open the Book and allow Christ to remove the decay and stains that have built up in your heart for far too long?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: a good scrubbing! God can scrape out the decay and buildup of sin in your life. He can remove it if you will let Him. The Word of God speaks! Won’t you let the Savior of the world spend some time probing 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.

Casual sin

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Hosea 4, 5, 6

Hosea 6:1-3 (NIV)

1 “Come; let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but He will heal us; He has injured us but He will bind up our wounds. 2 After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will restore us that we may live in His presence. 3 Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear; He will come to us like the winter rains; like the spring rains that water the earth.”

Good morning!

I was trying to count up the number of times I sinned yesterday and I think I lost track somewhere in between yelling at my husband, indulging in a three-minute pity party, and becoming not so patient with two very busy grandchildren. Casual sin creeps up like the river levels after a snowy winter meltdown. Am I really sorry for allowing those pesky feelings to override a common sense of right and wrong? I know there is a sweeter girl deep down inside, but sometimes, I lose sight of her. You might say I failed miserably at the “Fruit of the Spirit” challenge. Have you taken it lately? How would you rate yourself in the areas: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? Do you springboard into the pool of casual sin often?

Hosea begged His people to stop misbehaving and take a serious look at how much harm they were bringing upon themselves and each other. It wasn’t so much what they were doing; their apathetic attitude and thoughtless disregard for repetitive sins seemed to be the greater issue. Hosea expressed grave concern over casual repentance. We mess up and say we’re sorry. We assume God will simply wipe the slate clean, over and over again. Do we really mean it? Was I sorry yesterday when I became emotional and testy? Do I deserve complete forgiveness when I approach sinful behavior by justifying my actions? Of course, I’m tired. It’s been a crazy week in our family. God surely understands and forgives my irrational outbursts. Should He? Maybe I should think twice before opening my mouth.

Oh, my dear friends, it is so easy to sin. We do it so often, we don’t even think about it. We take our Ten Commandment Checklist and check them off, one by one. We think we’ve got ourselves under control until we realize we have to give up control completely in order for God to take over and keep us safe from casual sin. I know God forgives me for those occasional outbursts when I’m truly sorry and seeking His mercy and grace. I hope my family will forgive me. We must not become so desensitized that we no longer recognize our sin for what it truly is and how it grieves the heart of our heavenly Father. Forgiveness is a perfect gift, and yet it came at such a great price.

The cycle of casual sin needs to end. With Christ’s help, we can break free from those little things that seem to add up during a twenty-four hour time slot. Come and let us return to the Lord today.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: Help to break the pattern of casual sin in your life. Like Hosea’s kin, we are drowning in the muck of repetitive, casual sin. Ask Jesus to help you become acutely aware of the little things that separate you from a holy and perfect Father. He will help you to overcome, and offer complete forgiveness IF you are truly sorry.

___________________________________________

© 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.

Loving the unlovable

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Hosea 1, 2, 3

Hosea 1:2 (NIV)

2 When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, “Go, take to yourself an adulterous wife and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the Lord.”

Good morning!

Weddings are such fun! Filled with anticipation for a bright and happy future, the bride and groom promise to love, cherish and be faithful to each other every day for the rest of their lives. The vows roll off their tongues with every good intention. They make promises; only to struggle in keeping them. We want to believe that when we promise to love our spouse “for better or worse, for richer or poorer, and in sickness or in health,” we will actually receive better, richer and healthy. The ideal is what we want, but we don’t always get the ideal.

Hosea honored the Lord’s instruction by taking a wife who refused to be faithful. Gomer had many lovers, but no real sense of commitment to any of them. Her ability to trust Hosea completely had been shattered somewhere along life’s path. Deep down inside, Gomer was afraid if she trusted Hosea enough to give him her whole heart he would hurt her, just like every other person had done in her life. It was easier not to commit completely to anyone, especially her spouse.

Have you ever been hurt by someone you trusted and loved? We struggle to give our whole heart, holding back for fear of being abandoned. We wonder how someone could promise to love us forever, only to turn away when better turned to worse, riches turned to poverty, and health faded into sickness. God told Hosea his family life would not be easy. The wife he would take would be unfaithful. The children he would raise might not be his. And yet, God expected Hosea to forgive and love Gomer, in spite of her unfaithfulness.

In the human realm, it seems almost impossible to forgive repeatedly; to trust someone who has hurt you over and over again. Our judicial docket is full of domestic cases. Our judges listen to the many irreconcilable differences between couples who, at one time, promised to be there for each other forever. Inflicting pain and seeking revenge seem to be the only way to respond to the sins of a repeat offender. Have you ever tried to forgive the unforgivable?

The life of Hosea illustrates God’s love for His children. Over and over again, we have fallen into seasons of unfaithfulness. We make promises to the Lord and don’t keep them. We say we love Him and promise to follow Him every step of the way, but when it gets hard, we turn away. We blame Him for the trouble in our lives. We shake a holy fist at the Lord God Almighty, cursing Him with our lips, and hardening our hearts. We put up defenses and make excuses. And yet, He never stops loving us. His hope is that we will trust Him enough to take His hand, seek forgiveness, and allow Him to shelter us in His love. Just like Hosea, God gives us the choice whether to return or continue in unfaithful living.

Jesus Christ understands the heart of Gomer. He knows what it is like to be hurt and rejected. He came to rescue you and me from the things that keep us from trusting the Father completely. By the gift of grace and mercy, we can be restored to faithfulness. God’s love remains for better or worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. He will never leave or forsake you. Trusting God completely means letting go of what you’ve experienced in the past, and allowing His Holy Spirit to do the saving work in your life. Will you open your heart to the only One who can heal your heart today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: God to give you a greater measure of faithfulness today. Your life may not be playing out the way you had hoped, but He has the power to help you forgive the unforgivable and love the unlovable. Ask Him to help you today. I’ll be there waiting to pray with you at the altar of Faith Church this morning. Come join me!

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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Desolate sanctuary

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Daniel 10, 11, 12; Psalm 119:49-72

Daniel 9:17-19 (NIV)

[Daniel prayed]: “Now, our God, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. 18 Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. 19 O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay because your city and your people bear your Name.”

Good morning!

Daniel’s prayers are powerful. He had such a strong relationship with the Lord, it is no wonder Daniel could understand and interpret dreams and see the visions of God. How I long to apply the lessons learned from the life example of this special man of God.

There is no doubt that Daniel knew God hears and answers his every prayer. Where does that kind of confidence come from? Do you ever wonder whether the Lord is hearing you? Many people become discouraged in prayer because they do not see the answer immediately. Some prayers take a lifetime to answer, and there are many prayers that may not be resolved in our lifetime. For instance, look at how long the faithful have prayed for Christ’s second coming. He is coming again, as Scripture promises - there is no doubt of it. The time seems near, and yet, God’s timing is not our timing. His perfect plan will be revealed when He chooses. And for those of us who are anxiously waiting to see Him again, sometimes we wonder, “Why not now?” Generations have pondered the same thing. Some people have even tried to pinpoint the day and hour of Christ’s return. Jesus himself said that no one would know the day or hour of His coming. He instructed the believers to be ready, to keep their lamps lit, and to pray, watch and wait. This is just one example of a prayer that has not yet been fulfilled.

I have asked God the question, “Why me, Lord?” Have you ever asked God why something has happened in your life? Maybe you’ve suffered some sort of abuse as a child. Someone you loved and trusted left you after promising they would stay with you forever. Maybe you’ve lost a parent or child or grandchild to death and the grief has been so overwhelming, you couldn’t help but ask God why He would allow this. Illnesses, injuries, and unplanned, sudden tragedies leave us asking God, “Why me?” Sometimes God reveals His answer to us immediately, and sometimes His answer takes years to discover. We can become stubborn and hard of hearing when God reveals His answer to us and it is not what we really want to hear. Have you ever ignored the voice of the Lord when His answer was not the one you expected to hear? I asked a big “why me” question that continued for almost forty-one years. Bad things happen to good people, and sometimes bad things happen to innocent little children. I wondered and waited, stewed and steamed about something that hurt me deeply when I was a kid. It wasn’t until our grandson Jett came to live with us for a short time in 2004 that I finally began to understand “why me.” We have a very special bond. Jett and I understand each other and that makes our relationship unique. Had I not had personal life experience to draw from, I would have not had the sensitivity and camaraderie with this precious one of God. I imagine Jett and I will always be close knit, simply because of one shared experience forty-one years apart in time. God answered my why question when He gave me this precious little boy to love.

Daniel never beat around the bush when it came to confessing sin. He made it the centerpiece of every conversation. Daniel put himself in the place of his people. He asked God to look with favor upon His desolate sanctuary. There are times when I feel like a desolate sanctuary, empty and dark, filled with shame and wondering if this pain will ever end. When we daily confess our sin, it’s like sloughing off the dry skin that blocks our pores from breathing every time we bathe. It is a spiritual cleansing, opening ourselves up to the healing power and grace of God. Think about confessing your sin every time you shower. It is a visual for what you are ridding yourself of spiritually – the dirt and grime that keeps you from feeling clean and redeemed. Like a child begging for a handout from the bank of Mom and Dad, sometimes we get in such a hurry to ask God for the things we want that we forget to ask Him for the most important thing of all – His forgiveness. We must come before the Lord in perfect humility, knowing He is the only One who has the power to redeem us for everlasting life.

Take a closer look at the prayers of Daniel today. If you are feeling like a desolate sanctuary, step into the shower of God’s grace and love. Confess your sin, and ask Him for the forgiveness you so desperately need. He hears and answers every prayer you pray. Sometimes the answer is immediate. Many prayers take years before we see the end result. We may never know some of the answers to our prayers in this life. Trust God in all things, no matter what your circumstance, knowing He knows your heart, hears your cries for help, and answers your every prayer.

It is time to come clean and offer the Lord your whole heart. Won’t you join me in prayer today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: a cleansing shower of grace and mercy from above. Like Daniel, we can confess our sin and ask for redemption, knowing God hears and answers our every prayer. God takes the desolate sanctuary in each of us and revives it for Kingdom work. Are you willing to allow Him to clean up your life, once and for all?

___________________________________________

© 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.

Soul security

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Daniel 7, 8, 9

Daniel 2:19b-23 (NIV)

Then Daniel praised the God of heaven 20 and said, “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. 21 He changes times and seasons; He sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. 22 He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells in Him. 23 I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”

Good morning!

There are times when being a visionary is like living in a nightmare. Have you ever tried to see the good in a pitiful set of circumstances? Have you ever clung to the hope that there will be a better day, even when there is no concrete evidence to support your thesis? Are you an eternal optimist, much to the dismay of those around you?

Daniel was a true visionary. He, along with thousands others, found themselves held in captivity in Babylon. He was surrounded by the pagan belief system of the Babylonian empire, serving their kings for sixty years. This would have been more than enough to discourage even the most positive person. Still, Daniel refused to live in fear and despair. He knew, without a doubt, despite any circumstance or situation, God was holy and faithful. His plan for salvation would work itself out in God’s timing and in God’s way. Daniel trusted in the “soul security” of Almighty God.

Soul security is a gift of God and this comforts me every day. Like a revolving bank card with unlimited resources, I can draw from the Lord’s savings account and immediately receive His peace that passes all understanding, even when life seems hopeless. God’s reservoir of love never dries up or runs out when you claim His sovereignty over your life. Admitting that God is sovereign means that you are willing to let go of your desire to control the outcome. Trusting God’s sovereignty is surrendering your free will to the will of the Father, not just in some things, but in all things. We can learn a lot from the faithfulness of Daniel. He refused to dwell in the present. He was forward thinking, always hopeful, and willing to allow the Lord to reveal His bigger picture to him.

Daniel was a dreamer. Many of the dreams I have had throughout my life I cannot recall in full. So many of them made so little sense, and what I remember most are the scariest parts. Daniel’s dreams were like living nightmares. God revealed glimpses of great mysteries and the “distant future” to Daniel and he was willing to listen, see and write what he saw. Daniel praised God for the gift of vision. He said, “[God] reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him. I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers; you have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.”

Would you be willing to dream the dreams of Daniel? How much faith does it take to see beyond the pain and suffering of a world that continues to struggle? We experience the ravages of disease, and suffering every day. We only need to walk as far as a hospital emergency room to see someone suffering extreme pain. We encounter the ravages of natural disasters – earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, floods, drought, extreme temperatures, and global warming. The fish in the sea, birds of the air, our livestock and even human beings die from exposure to these elements. Daniel’s world was not any different from ours. He saw how the human condition manifested itself in the hearts of a pagan world. In the visions, he saw God’s plan revealed. Absolutely nothing shook Daniel’s faith. He knew Almighty God would win the day. The battle for souls would be won. Daniel saw the plan of salvation revealed and he clung to faith in God alone.

There is soul security waiting for you at the foot of the cross today. Open your heart to God’s sovereignty in the redemptive love of Jesus Christ. If you will just let go long enough to grab onto to the hand of the Lord, He will fill you with insurmountable hope, no matter who you are or what your life’s circumstance may be.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: a little soul security to carry you through life’s circumstances. You can be a visionary too, just like Daniel. Are you willing to place your total trust in the sovereignty of God?

___________________________________________

© 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.

Climbing faith mountain

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Daniel 4, 5, 6

Mark 5:30-34 (NIV)

30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from Him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” 31 “You see the people crowding around you,” His disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at His feet and, trembling with fear, told Him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

Good morning!

I’ve learned a lot about faith walking simply by observing my children and grandchildren through the years. What may come naturally to an innocent heart seems to fade as time and experience falls upon those who are well-seasoned in the journey of daily living. Where does faith fade and pessimism rise? How can a child trust so completely while parents shake their heads in utter disbelief? What does it take for true faith to take flight in the hearts of those who trust Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord?

I’ve listened with interest to the prayers of my grandchildren Joshua and Emily this week. On Saturday night, their mommy and daddy tucked them into bed with kisses and hugs, promising they would be there when they awoke to the morning sunlight. When morning came, mommy and daddy were not in their bedroom. They were at the hospital, where mommy found herself struggling to climb up a faith mountain. The grand children were glad to see me, and “Nanny” is always happy to hug her sweet babies. But oh, how I longed to give them back their parents! Sometimes life just isn’t fair at all, but God is good all the time, and on this fresh, new Sunday morning, there was no fear across the faces of my dear ones. We held hands while Joshua and Emily asked Jesus to make mommy better, and then they asked me to fix their breakfast! It was done – one simple little prayer spoken from the mouths of tiny babes. I saw faith take flight as their prayer was released into the earth’s atmosphere. The answers came before their simple requests were made. It was just that fast. And it is an amazing thing to watch how tiny steps of faith unfold along the spiritual hiking trail.

All our Rachel ever wanted was to have a large family, with lots and lots of babies. I don’t remember how many dollies Rachel raised in her childhood, yet there were many she holds dear to her even today. Little Emily sleeps with Rachel’s first doll, a blond baby with sweet little dimples named “Honey.” Emily shows as much affection for that doll as Rachel did when she was a child. I wonder if nurturing passes from mother to child as their dollies are passed from generation to generation. Rachel fought hard to have her children. If you have never suffered with endometriosis, you may not fully understand the lengths Rachel went through to conceive and bring forth new life. She had four surgeries to remove endometrial scar tissue while she was a teenager, long before she ever married. Rachel developed a strong stomach and a high pain threshold, refusing to live in fear. There is no way I could have done what she went through have children. I learned more about building a gutsy faith muscle by watching how my daughter works out spiritually each day. She is one strong woman, that child of mine. And when I grow up, I want to be just like her.

In the first set of biopsies, Rachel’s physician talked to us about what endometrial scar tissue looks like when it is left inside a woman’s womb. He said he could see Rachel’s endometriosis resembling thick cords running through and around her cervical lining. Because of Rachel’s previous surgeries, I was convinced the doctor would be cutting through a great deal of scar tissue to excise the cancerous womb from her body. I hugged the stuffing out of Rachel’s oncologist, who had not known our daughter until now. She had not seen or lived with what we had experienced for years and years. I did a happy dance when her oncologist told us that other than the cancer which was contained in the cervix, her womb looked perfectly healthy, with no scarring anywhere! Only the Lord Jesus Christ can cut through the thick scars imprinted upon our lives and remove them with just one touch from His miraculous, healing hand.

Last night, when Rachel returned from recovery, she rolled her head toward me and said, “All gone?” It was my privilege to lean over my baby’s hospital bed and whisper the good news, “There is no more cancer, honey. It’s all gone.” I could sense the presence of Christ holding my baby girl in His arms and saying, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

Three incredible little people have graced our lives because of the faith-filled determination of a family who chooses to live life trusting in Jesus Christ. Rachel and Dave have been truly blessed! There is no greater joy than the gift of new life. Yesterday, we experienced His precious gift again.

I read the words to a Hallmark® card yesterday as I opened our daily mail. I have no idea who wrote this tender verse but I would suspect it was a person of great faith. The card simply says, “I’m strong enough to rise above most any troubled time… Today may be a mountain, but I was born to climb.” Jesus calls us to climb a faith mountain for Him each day. When we pray, we place our total trust in the One who changes everything. We ask God for the things we can only hope for and evidence of things not yet seen. We know He has the power and authority to do it and we claim it all in His precious name. Power flows out and peace flows in like the rush of the ocean at evening tide. Our prayers were heard and answered before the words were ever spoken. Thank you Jesus! Help us climb a faith mountain as we place our total trust in you.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: greater faith! Ask Him to teach you how to climb the faith mountain in your life. A simple prayer prayed in faith always works! When we stop trusting in our own abilities and begin trusting in the only One who can make the difference, everything shifts and His power is released. We are born climbers. Won’t you join me for a hike up faith mountain 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.

When the bleeding won't stop

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Daniel 1, 2, 3; Psalm 119:25-48 (NIV)

Jeremiah 31:16-17 (NIV)

16 This is what the Lord says: “Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,” declares the Lord. “They will return from the land of the enemy,

17 so there is hope for your future,” declares the Lord. “Your children will return to their own land.”

Mark 5:24-29 (NIV)

24 So Jesus went with them. A large crowd followed and pressed around Him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch His clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.”

Good morning!

If you are a parent, you’ve probably made a couple of emergency room runs with children who have injured some part of their body after a sports injury or fall. “Stitches” has become a household word at the Spaulding home. Our three-year-old granddaughter Emily calls them “itches.” We sport our scars, like trophies sitting in a lighted display case. “Yeah, I got this scar was when I ran into my friend Billy at football practice. You should see the mark I left on him. It was cool!” Or, you may hear your baby say with clinched teeth and a brave face, “I’m okay, Mom. It doesn’t hurt all that much.”

Accidents happen. Our babies fall down and get hurt. We spent a couple of memorable hours in the emergency room with our young son David when he went cruising into the corner of a table at a Christian daycare center. He hit his head, just above the right eye. Arriving to pick David up, we saw his teacher was sitting on the floor in a blood stained shirt, rocking our David in her arms. Kneeling all around her were David’s classmates and friends. With hands folded and eyes closed, they were praying for David’s owwee to stop bleeding and get better. We took a closer look at his blood-stained face. David’s eyebrow was laid open and hanging down below his eyelid. There was no doubt about it – this kid was going to need “itches” and he had ten of them that day.

Sometimes the bleeding just won’t stop without the touch of a physician’s healing hand. That woman who stood in the crowd waiting for the Lord to pass by, was risking her very life to see Him. She was ceremonially unclean, having a hemorrhage that lasted for twelve years. Shunned and abandoned by her family and friends, she sought the help of every medical professional she could find. No matter what home remedy she tried, the bleeding would not stop. In quiet desperation, she knew her only hope of survival was to reach out and touch the Master Healer. Only He could stop her bleeding once and for all. It was a risk worth taking; a now or never decision. When Jesus passed by, all she could do was reach out and touch the hem of His garment. And in that holy moment of extreme faith, her health was fully restored and she was made completely whole.

Every human being experiences suffering and pain at some point in life. It is a part of the journey. When we bleed out, the life we once knew begins to slip through our fingers. We feel exhausted, isolated and alone. We lose our focus, and we may lose hope. No matter how hard we try, we cannot seem to fix it, mend it, or make the bleeding stop.

If you find yourself suffering with an open wound today, there is hope at the foot of the cross. You may have been hemorrhaging for years, grieving a loss or some pain that has never completely healed; or you may be experiencing an illness or injury that refuses to mend on its own. When we cannot control the flow, it is time to turn to the great physician for help. The master healer can take every hurt and heal it, with just one touch of His holy hand.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the bleeding to stop, once and for all. Ask Jesus to heal you today. Reach out and touch the hem of His garment, and experience His peace, as you place your total faith in Him. God promises to dry our tears and restore our lives to wholeness. Are you ready to be made whole?

___________________________________________

© 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.