Everything in common

Today’s Reading: Acts 2:44 (NIV)

44 All of the believers were together and had everything in common.

Good morning!

God gave me three incredibly talented, strong opinionated, uniquely different children to love. They share some of our unique characteristics, like their father’s heart, my crazy sense of adventure, and their grandparents’ inherent spunk! It is with great joy that I give God thanks for all three of my children, especially when we disagree with each other. Our unique personalities and critical thinking skills make for an interesting mix whenever we get together as a family.

What is it like in your home? Do you share all things in common with your kin?

It is tempting to get ramped up about our unique differences. We put them on display for the world to see, losing sight of the many things we do share in common. We may not look or think alike – yet, we share a common bond of flesh and blood. We are the heartbeat of humanity. We know what it feels like to go hungry, and what happens to our bodies, minds and souls, when basic human needs are not met. We understand what it feels like to be hurt, and the profound pain that comes from broken relationships. We relish the wonder of inexplicable joy. We experience great love as we hold a newborn baby, say a marriage vow, or celebrate happy moments with good friends. We find camaraderie in laughter. We understand the daily temptations that lead us to make mistakes, to choose the wrong path, and find ourselves falling into sinful, deceitful behaviors. We walk the path of destruction every day, moving far too close to the edge of the pit. Have you ever seen someone slip and fall? Do you know what it feels like to slide down a slippery slope with no branch to grab and hold on to for dear life?

The day the Holy Spirit came, thousands of uniquely distinct and different individuals were instantly filled with Christ’s love. They found the one thing they had longed for – they had found Christ’s amazing love. He is the branch that reaches out and grabs you in the middle of human diversity, freeing you from the sins that are literally sucking all hope out of your life. What once was a gathering of diverse peoples with little to share suddenly became a bunch of believers with everything in common! Jesus had become their absolute everything. And nothing else was more important than Him.

I think we spend way too much time dissecting our differences and far too little time focusing on our everything! My prayer for today is that Jesus Christ becomes absolutely everything to you. He is all that truly matters in this world and in the world to come. He is new life, fresh breath, and offers freedom forever from all that keeps us from the Father’s heart. He is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He is the only cure to humanity’s hurt; He brings new life to all who will call upon His name by faith. We have everything in common when we share Christ together.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, 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.

Awesome love

Today’s Reading: Acts 2:43 (NIV)

43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.

Good morning!

It is an awesome thing to see a miracle in motion, happening right before your eyes. Something incredible occurs when a heart is touched by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Lives are transformed into Christ-likeness. Hurting hearts are healed, broken families are mended, and people learn how to love each other for real. What does this amazing, unconditional love look like? What did it look like on the day the Holy Spirit saved 3,000 men in Jerusalem?

Take a closer look at the Scripture. Can you imagine what it must have been like for the people who came to know the Lord in that moment when the Spirit fell? Folks from different nations, beliefs, races, cultures and creeds, were all hearing the Gospel message and receiving Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. These people were not all Jews. Many did not live in the area, nor had they had any real knowledge or contact with Christ as he walked in flesh on the earth. Still, in one amazing fell swoop, the Spirit set their hearts on fire, and lives were instantly changed. A new way of living emerged. The people who did not agree on much of anything culturally or religiously, suddenly found themselves worshipping and trusting Christ for salvation all together. Can you imagine what a miraculous wonder this must have been?

It takes the power and presence of the Holy Spirit working in and through our lives today, to experience what unconditional love really is. So much more than simply agreeing to disagree with each other, we must learn to really love each other the way that Jesus loves us. With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can look beyond all the hidden agendas, our differences of opinion, and even our own precious preconceived notions, and find His love resting on all people, everywhere. We can only be fully united in Christ’s love alone, and it is His love that is birthed in and through us when the power of Holy Spirit comes.

I am daily filled with awe, every time I experience Christ’s love through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Won’t you open your hearts to the Lord Jesus Christ today? He can teach us how to better love each other, if we are willing to let Him be the Lord of our lives. Are you willing to love others the way Jesus Christ loves you?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, 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.

The bigger picture

Today’s Reading: Acts 2:41(b)-42 (NIV)

41(b) About three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Good morning!

At the coffee shop this week, I sat at a table with one of my pastors, sipping on a hot cup of Earl Grey tea while listening as she spoke. My pen didn’t work. I had a notebook with me, ready to take notes on the conversation for future review. This seemed to be a strange blessing, because it forced me to sit still and pay close attention, not trying to pen every thought on paper. While it often helps me see things clearly in writing, I will tell you that the visual images God birthed from that holy conversation far surpasses anything I could have read in a book or studied from personal notes. I have found this particular conversation especially meaningful as I’ve prayed and asked the Lord for clarity of call.

Sometimes God has to hit me over the head a few times to get my undivided attention. In the last forty-eight hours, I’ve confessed to the Lord that my prayers have been way too small. I’d like to think that my view is not skewed by the four walls that surround me today; yet, I know in my heart I have not allowed Jesus to expand my view beyond what I can physically see. I’ve been stuck in this mold for well over two years, and I thought I might eventually suffocate if I didn’t find a tiny air pocket in which to breathe. All I really needed was one holy breath. Isn’t that what all of us need – His breath, filling up our souls with a holy fire?

Take a closer look at today’s Scripture and tell me what you see. Three thousand men got saved that day in the city: three thousand men who did not share a common language or culture. They traveled from all over the world to attend the festival, not knowing that the Lord Jesus Christ had specifically called them together to receive the gift of His Holy Spirit. The Apostles had been praying together constantly, looking to the Lord for guidance and help in sharing His message of salvation to all men. And when the Lord opened the flood gates, thousands of hearts were forever changed, birthed through constant prayer.

It occurred to me that my God doesn’t need a primed and ready heart to reach out and grab them. He has ultimate power and authority to draw all people, everywhere, especially the ones who have never been exposed to Jesus in their culture. Not all who came to the city that day were primed and ready for a spiritual transformation, but through the work of Christ on the cross, they got Him, lock, stock and barrel!

Father, help me today to see your bigger picture. Teach me to dream limitless dreams, praying and seeking what seems impossible at the surface, for through your Son, Jesus Christ I know all things are possible! Help me stand on Your Word today. And, thank you for sending me pastors with discerning hearts. I claim it today, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, Deb Spaulding

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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.

She said yes!

Today’s Reading: Acts 2:41 (NKJV)
41 Then those who gladly received His Word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

Good morning!

When she said yes, everything changed. I remember the day when she gave her life to the Lord. A long time ago, God had planted a tiny seed of faith in a young child’s heart. That little seed survived in some rough weather conditions. Baking in the broiler of adversity, surviving a season of extreme drought, continuing to push up through the hard, cold ground, a tiny sprout of faith survived! I've often wondered how it was possible, that a little miracle could grow in such an unforgiving climate. Every now and then, someone would come along and shower her with some water and a lot of unconditional love, prompting a deep desire within to grow and stretch a bit more. It is that childlike seed of faith that continually propelled her heart forward, reaching up, seeking the Son's light.

Sometimes, the barometric pressure seemed much too heavy to bear. Totally unprepared, she found herself completely uprooted in the spring cyclones of life; her faith being tossed to and fro amid high winds and heavy rain. Buried alive in a thick layer of hail, it seemed her heart had been left over-exposed to die outside, alone in the cold. The Father was merciful and showed great compassion on a limp, lifeless vine. He saw something precious worth saving inside her hollow heart. He obviously knew and recognized the seedling inside. It was, after all, His perfect gift of love.

When she said yes, a brand new life began to grow, from the inside out. Her transformation was nothing short of a miracle! Sweet water from heaven restored the broken pieces of her life. There is something wholly mysterious in the newfound freedom borne in forgiveness. She may never fully understand why things happen exactly the way they sometimes do. There is new life when the Father transplants His child into the rich soil of everlasting life, daily nourished by the saving blood of the Lamb.

This is exactly what happens when someone says yes to the Lord. It happened that day in Jerusalem, when three thousand broken souls came forward, gladly giving their hearts away to the Lord. They were baptized by the power of the Holy Spirit, and their lives were forever changed. Would you like to experience a brand new life in Jesus Christ?

Everything changed when she finally said yes. Please say yes to Jesus today. Ask Him to come into your heart and be the Lord of your life. He will forgive you for all the things that have uprooted and separated you from Him. Ask Him to receive baptism of the Holy Spirit. When you finally say yes to the Lord, He will move into your heart and home and He will change your life forever.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO
www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________
© Copyright 2009, 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.

The sin cycle

Today’s Reading: Acts 2:40 (NKJV)

40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”

Good morning!

Everyone likes to reminisce on “the good old days,” when life was not quite so fast-paced. My mother often says of her childhood, “We were poor and didn’t even know it!” She grew up in the backwoods of Mississippi. Her dad was a cotton picker, and they lived off the land. Very few supplies were purchased from the town grocer, as money was scarce during the Great Depression. They threw absolutely nothing away – everything got recycled for the greater good. Even potato sacks were reused as undergarments! Doesn’t that sound comfy? My mom used to tell about one of her cousins getting slain in the Holy Ghost at church one hot summer’s night and rolling around on the floor in her potato sack underwear. Now, that’s a story for another day, but I can tell you my mother grew up actually seeing Holy Rollers in church!

It’s amazing in the differences between my mother’s childhood and my childhood. Mom’s favorite mode of transportation was on the back of a mule, the same animal that helped till the soil for spring planting. My favorite mode of transportation as a child was a Schwinn High Flyer Bicycle, painted bright red with white and blue streamers on each handle bar. My children loved their prized roller blades and skate boards. They were pretty good at maneuvering the subdivisions where we lived on wheels. My grandchildren prefer to ride the trails on Wii bicycles hooked to video games inside the comfort of their own home. My eight year old grandson Jett is a master at racing video games. He can maneuver the many obstacles, winning each round and advancing from level to level with ease. Some of the games he plays make me dizzy just watching him. It seems, as far as generational tendencies go, our need for speed has ramped way up over the last eighty or so years.

Unfortunately, our continual need for speed has escalated the sinful perversions of this generation. It is easy to sit back and read our Scriptures, pointing to the cultural and historical issues of their day while saying to ourselves, “We are not like them at all.” Do you really think that? Somehow, we have fooled ourselves into believing because we are more technologically and socially advanced, that we do not face the same sins that plagued the people in Jerusalem on the day the Holy Spirit came. It is just not true. We may have grown up in a sheltered environment, unaware or unmoved by the atrocities happening around us, but believe me, the ravages of sin is as prevalent today as it was when my mother was a child, and for every generation before and after her. There are no good old days to reminisce about, when it comes to humanity’s sinful nature, and the path of destruction it leaves along the highways of life. Which road are you racing on?

Peter cried out to the people that day with conviction of truth. You have a choice. You don’t have to live in the sins that are eating you alive. You can take a different path and be saved from this perverse generation! Jesus has done the work needed to save you from your sin. You don’t have to live life in the fast lane with no where to turn to at the edge of the cliff. You have a choice to make right now. Cry out to Jesus today, and be saved. In Christ alone, you will find the way to step off the sin cycle. And when you ask Jesus to come and live in your heart, it may very well change the course of direction in the lives of your family and friends for many generations to follow. Please come to Jesus Christ today, and begin to experience real life like you have never known before.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, 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.

Will call

Today’s Reading: Acts 2:38-39 (NKJV)

38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to all and to all your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.

Good morning!

When I was a little girl, my mother would take us shopping for school clothes in the spring time, when the winter clearance sales would begin. She insisted we buy a size or two larger than what we actually wore. We would fill our shopping cart up with tennis shoes, socks, undergarments, gym shorts, jumpers and pretty print blouses. Mother would then walk to the back of the store and place every item we selected on top of the will call counter. A very happy store clerk would be there to greet us. She seemed to know my mother on a first-name basis. After ringing up our purchases, she placed the merchandise in large bags with a “sold” sticker and our last name against the back wall of the store. Handing my mother a receipt, the clerk would whisper the total amount she had promised to pay and the time frame she had to pay the debt in full. During the course of the summer, my mother would stop in to the will call counter, paying regularly on her account. When it was time to go back to school, my mother would make the final payment on the amount owed and we would have a whole new wardrobe of clothes to last us throughout the next school year. What a blessing it was to have new clothes that fit to wear back to school!

It was the Father’s perfect layaway plan that made provision for all who would choose to follow Christ in the days to come. His Son, Jesus Christ, paid the ultimate price for humanity’s sin, from the very first man to the last. He spilled His blood to cover the sins that plague generations of people from here to eternity. It is His good will to pay for all, our parents and grandparents, our children and grandchildren, and their children too, and to all who may be far off today – as many as the Lord will call into relationship with Him.

Like any good layaway plan, God knew there would be a day when we would grow beyond anything the world could possibly offer. We would one day long to find the One who creates our innermost being, who loves us with a love that will not let us go. God knew we would need a larger garment to cover our ever-seeking hearts. Jesus Christ became the purchase price on the will call counter of life, shedding His precious blood just so that one day, we could be redeemed from the back of the store. Our Father knew that the world would need a great layaway plan, so He provided His very best – He gave us His only Son.

Back to school time is just around the corner. Your layaway has already been purchased and it is waiting for pickup today. There is an eternal gift just for you at the Lord’s will call counter. Your name is in His book and your ticket has already been purchased. All you need to do to redeem it is ask.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, 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.

Heart problem

Today’s Reading: Acts 2:37 (NKJV)

37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

Good morning!

How do you fix a heart problem? For many who suffer daily with coronary artery disease, this is the question of the hour. Diet, exercise, medications, and even surgery may be considered as viable options for the patient longing to survive. With the gifts of advanced medicine and all the treatment regimens available, sometimes even the best laid plans cannot thwart a heart attack, just waiting in the wings.

So what do we do with a broken heart?

Peter had addressed the issues succinctly that day, in front of thousands of men and brethren who had journeyed into the city for the upcoming festival. Each one of them had an underlying heart condition, and many did not even realize it existed until that moment. Like a silent heart attack just waiting to happen, we often think we are perfectly healthy until we find ourselves crumpled on the ground, unable to pick ourselves back up. Peter’s words about Jesus Christ had cut them to the very heart. For the first time, they realized they had sentenced and executed the Savior of the World. He was truly the Son of God. What could they possibly do to fix the irreversible damage?

Fortunately, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit had a different plan of attack. They knew there was nothing man could do to earn or deserve the grace that comes through His saving blood. Jesus willingly gave His life and poured out His blood so that every person with a heart condition could receive forgiveness for the sins they have committed in thought, word and deed against the Father. Christ's blood was enough to fix the worst heart conditions imaginable. Successful bypass surgery occurred that day when Jesus rose from the grave, healing every broken human heart who cried out to Him in faith. His gift is freely given to all, and now the time had come for all of us to receive by faith Jesus Christ’s amazing gift of a new and whole life.

Jesus is the only fix for your heart problem. All of us suffer with an underlying heart condition. It is the condition of sin. Christ paid the sin price for you and me at Calvary. When we seek His forgiveness by faith, the Son of God will completely heal your broken and bleeding heart, once and for all. Won’t you trust the Lord Jesus Christ to heal you today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, 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.

One Word

Today’s Reading: Acts 2:34-36 (NIV)

34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, “’The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand 35 until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’ 36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Good morning!

Have you ever made a mistake you’ve regretted your entire life?

There is not a day that goes by when I’m not reminded what one simple word can do to totally ruin another’s life. One selfish motive leads to another. Misunderstandings and seasons of anger and unforgiveness can simmer inside like an unquenchable fire, until it simply boils over, burning all who stands in the path of destruction. It is no surprise that the sins we commit today not only affect our own lives, but the lives of those around us: our parents, spouses and children; even our grandchildren suffer from one poor choice acted out in anger.

When Jesus walked the earth in human flesh, people were watching and gossiping and trying to figure out just who He was. Some folks trusted Him wholeheartedly, believing His every Word and following Him without even the slightest hesitation. There were others who refused to listen or be convinced of anything Jesus Christ had to say. They stood in opposition to all He represented, unwilling to let go of their time-honored, theological traditions long enough to recognize that Jahweh had truly sent the Messiah, His Son, in the person of Jesus Christ. Others didn’t know for sure what to think. They heard the rumors and all the talk, and followed the crowd out of sheer curiosity, seeking some prime time entertainment. When Jesus arrived at the Passover feast on the back of a small donkey, the streets were lined with well-wishers and the curious, praising God and singing, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord!” Not even a week later, the same people who had praised the Lord’s arrival were shouting in the city courtyard, “Crucify Him!” One common vote; a shift in public opinion, and one condemning word now holds each and every one of us personally responsible for the suffering and death of our Lord.

There are some mistakes we cannot forget no matter how hard we try. The Father promises His forgiveness to every broken, hurting heart who sincerely cries out to Jesus, seeking forgiveness for the wrong choices they have made in life. Even in this precious gift of forgiveness, we remember the pain that we caused with one wrong word. Without Christ’s blood, there could be no forgiveness for sin. Without Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection, the grave would be left unconquered. Without God’s amazing love for His creation and Christ’s obedient heart, we would be forever lost in sin.

Thanks be to God for the gift of His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Because He lives, we can live forever in Him. One Word can heal a lifetime sin, and that Word is Jesus. Cry out to Him in faith today. His name is the one Word you will never regret saying.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, 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.

The amazing gifts of God

Today’s Reading: Acts 2:33 (NIV)

33 Exalted to the right hand of God, [Jesus] has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

Good morning!

In her prime, my mother was one of the finest cooks in the world. Mom always had to taste everything she cooked before she put it on the table! Even today, when she comes into my kitchen, the first thing she does is reach for a spoon from the silverware drawer and personally tastes the simmering foods cooking on top of my stove. And she doesn’t hesitate to pull a spice or two from the turntable and season it to taste.

Ever noticed how a young baby will put everything they see and touch into their mouth? For them, understanding comes through taste and texture; the way something feels. More than just squelching a hunger or teething pain, a taste of life helps our wee ones better comprehend what it is they are holding in the palm of their hands.

The Father has given us the sensory gifts of sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell. Some gifts are stronger than others, yet all gifts work together for good, so that we may experience life at its fullest measure. The Holy Spirit had been promised to the Son, and when the Son sat at the right hand of the Father, He poured out the gift of the Spirit upon all who believe. It is through this amazing sensory gift that we can now spiritually see, hear, taste, touch and experience a real and personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ today.

The end result of my mother’s fussing over a simmering dinner was a perfectly seasoned spaghetti sauce - a tempting taste treat for every pasta lover sitting at the table. The end result of a baby’s ability to suck and taste is the comfort he receives in the experience. The end result of a believer who receives the gift of the Holy Spirit is a greater sensitivity to the things of God. They will see things just a little differently, hear what many miss, and taste the love of Christ in ways that some simply cannot understand. They are ultra-sensitive to sin, more apt to confess and repent frequently, and are constantly drawn to a deeper and closer walk with the Lord. It is the sensory gifts of the Holy Spirit that changes hearts from the inside out, comforts us daily, and leads us into each new experience with His gift of holy boldness. The Spirit made all the difference in a scared bunch of disciples who did not know what to say. Everything changes when the Holy Spirit comes.

Christ continues to pour out the gift of His Holy Spirit upon all who truly and earnestly seek Him. O, taste and see that the Lord is good! Ask Jesus today to pour out His Holy Spirit on your life right now. Come and taste for yourself the amazing gifts of God.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, 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.

We are all witnesses to the fact

Today’s Reading: Acts 2:31-32 (NIV)

31 Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses to the fact.

Good morning!

There was no doubt in my mind after yesterday's worship service, that we are all witnesses to the fact that God raised Jesus to new life. I heard it over and over again in the personal testimonies shared by our seven confirmands leading worship. I’ve known these young people for the last nine years of their lives. When Jeff and I came to Faith Church, most of these children were in preschool, some had just begun Kindergarten. They sang about Jesus in several Christmas musicals. I remembered one Christmas program in particular, when they were all dressed up as angels. I couldn’t help but think of that day, and the spiritual growth that had occurred in their hearts and minds in such a short span of time.

One young woman spoke on how answered prayer had impacted her family’s life. As a little girl, she longed to see her Father experience a personal, saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Children instinctively know and recognize real love and she wanted her Dad to know real love. When he gave his life to the Lord, it was all the confirmation she needed to completely give her life to the Lord. It was through the weekly encouragement of her elementary Sunday school teacher that kept this child on her knees, praying daily for her Dad.

Another young man told of God’s call upon his life to share the Gospel message with children everywhere through video ministry, using puppets to convey Christ’s love. Two others personally said thank you to their Sunday school teachers for their help and guidance that they received in understanding Scripture and experiencing the love of Christ. Teaching the Word is a high and holy calling, and it leaves a life mark that follows folks for the rest of our days. Who are some of the teachers you should thank today for the seeds of faith that was planted and cultivated in you?

King David was given the gift of prophetic insight, and a promise He knew the Father would keep. He believed with all his heart that there would be one from his lineage whose body would not decay in the grave. The Apostle Peter confirmed what David knew to be true; He was an eyewitness that God had indeed raised Jesus to life and that He lives today, conquering sin and death forever.

One of the most powerful witnesses in yesterday’s services was that of a young lady, who explained her faith in Jesus Christ in such a simple way. She said to imagine that you are standing on the edge of a cliff, looking down into the deep. Across the way, you can see God. He is standing right there, but you have no way to reach him from where you are. If you step off the cliff, you will surely fall and no one wants to do that. When Jesus died on the cross for my sin, that cross became the bridge covering the deep divide between a holy and perfect God and me. It was only when she realized that she could cross over the gap through Christ alone, that she could run full steam into her Father’s loving arms. And that is exactly what she did.

There is no greater gift than knowing Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. Won’t you come to Him today in faith? He will bridge your way straight into the Father’s loving arms. Don't wait another minute - ask Him to be your Savior today.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, 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.

His promise fulfilled

Today’s Reading: Acts 2:29-30 (NIV)

29 Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried and His tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne.

Good morning!

First impressions can be lasting impressions, especially in young children. Yesterday afternoon at Andrew’s second birthday party, my eight-year old grandson Jett walked in the front door, grinning from ear to ear. I was sitting on the sofa near some dear friends, who had driven a long way to celebrate Andrew’s birthday with our family. Bob and Gerry had adopted our children and loved them as their very own when we lived in Salem, Missouri. They were there when our first grandson, Jett James, was born, and it had been almost five years since they had seen Jett. He walked over to the sofa where I sat. I pointed to Bob and Gerry and asked Jett if he remembered who they were. Bob looked at me, shaking his head, and said, “It has been way too long. He hasn’t seen us in years.” I watched a little light bulb light up Jett’s happy face. “I remember,” he said enthusiastically. “We played with the frogs in your back yard.” Bob and Gerry were amazed that even after five years, Jett remembered his very first visit to their home when he was three years old. You see, real love has a way of sticking with you and leaving its impressive mark through the years.

Children do not often forget the promises their parents make. And they will hold them to it, even when hearts are hurt by broken promises. There is an everlasting hope between a father and son - real love will stand the storms of time; it will last when nothing else does. When David turned from His Father’s love, he knew he could count on His Father’s Word; God's oath is rock solid.

Here's the thing with the real love that exists between our Heavenly Father and all His children. God never breaks His Word. His oath is our sure foundation and reason for living. Human hearts have a way of breaking their promises, leaving scars that can last a lifetime. Our perfect and heavenly Father does not make an oath that He will not keep. His Word is sure. David knew it, long after he broke the Father’s heart when he chose to sin with Bathsheba. The Father forgave David, yet, David’s choice carried a lifetime of consequences as seen in the many generations that followed. David knew in his heart that God had promised him on oath that one of his descendants would be seated on the throne. And never forgot it, as long as he lived.

What promises has the Lord God Almighty made to you? Have you forgotten the Father’s oath over you and your descendants? I remembered a promise God whispered into my heart long ago as I gave birth to each of my three children. I am holding on to His hope that He will do what He has promised in my life and in the lives of my children and grandchildren and their descendants. Isn’t it good to know today that even when we fail, God’s love never fails. Even if our words are worthless, His Word is worthy and true. When we break the promises we make, God’s keeps His promises – they do not change and we can count on His Truth today, tomorrow and forever.

The Father kept His oath to David and to each and every one of us, when He sent His only Son Jesus, to redeem us from our own failed promises and human brokenness. He is the Lord, and is worthy of all our praise! May the Holy Spirit fall in tongues of flame today touching our lives with His Word, as we celebrate a brand new Pentecost! I’ll see you today at Faith Church.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, 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.

Prophetic proclamation

Today’s Reading: Acts 2:25-28 (NIV)

25 David said about Him, “’I saw the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’”

Good morning!

The Apostle Peter chose to quote a Psalm of David to illustrate the truth of his personal testimony that Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of God. The proof is in the resurrection and Simon Peter knew it. Some of the men listening that day had been in the city of Jerusalem just two months earlier when Jesus rode through the city on a donkey. They heard Him teach on the steps of Solomon’s porch, and were well aware of His healing gifts. Jesus raised dead Lazarus from the grave. He healed the blind, cast out demons, and did not hesitate to speak truth to the Chief Priests and Pharisees. They watched and wondered while Jesus was flogged and hung on a cross to die at Golgotha. They had heard rumors of the miraculous empty tomb on the third day. How did King David know what would literally happen before their very eyes hundreds of years before?

Fulfilled prophetic proclamation has a way of grabbing our undivided attention when we least expect it. The Jews had long awaited their Messiah. Some had hoped and believed that Jesus Christ was the One. They were devastated when he died, thinking that somehow they had misinterpreted the signs. For generations, stories of the coming Messiah had been passed from father to son. Folks were looking up with one eye to the sky, waiting for the miraculous appearing. No one expected the Son of God would arrive one night in a cold and dirty barn, just outside the city walls of Bethlehem. Even as Jesus explained his death and resurrection to His disciples, they could not comprehend or understand what He was trying to convey. It was only after His bodily resurrection and reappearance occurred that people began to fully understand and realize that this prophecy was fulfilled.

There is unspeakable joy in the presence of the Lord! He is the living example of our Father’s love for the whole world. Because Jesus Christ lives, we no longer live in total separation from our God. When we ask Jesus to be our Lord, His blood covers all our sins, allowing us the privilege of being fully restored to a holy and perfect Father. What kind of love is this?

David’s prophetic proclamation as spoken by the Apostle Peter that day in Jerusalem, still holds true today. This is the best news we will ever receive. We are witnesses to Christ’s prophetic proclamation fulfilled every day. The Lord Jesus Christ is alive and well, and He is coming back for you and me. Keep one eye to the sky for a brand new day is about to dawn.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, 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 Gospel in a nutshell

Today’s Reading: Acts 2:22-24 (NIV)

22 Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through Him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross. 24 But God raised Him from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him.

Good morning!

Ever tried to pick up a piece of ice melting on the floor? We have an automatic ice maker in our refrigerator. Our almost “two year old” grandson Andrew is fascinated with refrigerator gadgets. He often soaks himself and the kitchen floor playing with the water dispenser and ice maker buttons. It is hard keeping a busy boy back, and, unfortunately, Andrew inherited his grandmother’s deep sense of curiosity as well as her stubborn streak!

A cold ice cube on a warm hard surface does not take long to melt. I was chasing down Andrew and the ice cubes that he managed to drop all over my newly mopped floor. Those slippery little suckers were melting faster than I could pick them up! Tiny puddles of water were causing a serious walking hazard. I saved Andrew from falling face down as he ran and slid his way through my kitchen in wet, sock feet. You would have thought we were at the water park! As hard as I tried, I couldn’t hang on to the mischievous one or the ice cubes he kept dropping, and we both ended up sitting on the floor, laughing at each other, while soaking up ice puddles in our blue jeans.

Satan thought he had won the victory on the day Jesus died on the cross. He was sure he had finished the Lord God Almighty. No more miracles from this One – he was convinced God would die that day and that he had finally won the battle for the world. How surprised Satan must have been when Jesus showed up and rattled the very gates of hell to free the dead in Him. It must have felt a little like melting ice cubes in the hot pit of seclusion. Jesus Christ slipped straight through Satan’s fingers – he couldn’t keep the Lord locked up in his pit of iniquity. There was absolutely nothing he could do to stop the Father’s salvation plan for the world.

This is the Gospel in a nutshell! The blood of Christ melted like an ice cube, as it made contact with the sins of man. He literally poured Himself out to cover the people. It is Christ’s blood alone that frees us from the hell Satan has tried to create in our lives. We have an opportunity to receive His gift of blood if we are willing to trust Him enough to be our Lord and Savior. Jesus can melt even the toughest addiction, every secret sin you’ve held on to, even your anger and frustration and unforgiveness for others. He creates clean hearts out of filth. You can finally be free from Satan’s grasp if you’ll just call upon the Lord Jesus Christ today.

Thanks be to God for the blood covering of our Lord Jesus Christ! The next time you try to pick up a melting ice cube on the kitchen floor, remember how the love of Jesus melts away every sinful thing that you have ever said or done. And all you have to do to receive Jesus into your heart today is ask.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, 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 blood red moon

Today’s Reading: Acts 2:20-21 (NIV)

20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Good morning!

Whenever I read about the blood red moon and no sunlight to light our way, I am reminded of a horrific event that occurred just twenty-three years ago. In April of 1986, a nuclear reactor exploded at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Ukraine. It was considered the worst nuclear power plant disaster in history. Two people initially died at the explosion site, forty-six others died shortly thereafter, and thousands of others suffered and died due to the after effects of radiation. There was a fire a plume of radioactive fallout over a large portion of Soviet airspace; four hundred times the amount released than when a nuclear bomb was dropped on Hiroshima during World War II.

The radioactive plume drifted over parts of the Soviet Union, Eastern and Western Europe and North America. Parts of the Ukraine, Belarus and Russia were highly contaminated, forcing an immediate relocation of quarter of a million people to other cities. The overall clean-up cost of this disaster was estimated somewhere around $200 Billion dollars. This does not take into consideration the loss of human life and the pain and suffering of all who saw the blood red moon that day.

When we experience natural disasters, the unspeakable consequences of war, and even an unintended nuclear accident, it is a natural thing to turn and look up for the Savior. When there are no other explanations for human suffering and pain, we look to the One who suffered and died to save us all. Jesus Christ, God made man, willingly took upon Himself our guilt, shame and sin and He died and rose again, to conquer sin and death forever; thereby sparing us from an eternity spent separated from the Father’s great love. I imagine hell to be a place of eternal torment, where there is only darkness and the moon is blood red. Jesus came so that we do not have to face life’s disasters alone. He is here, right now, waiting for us to look up and cry out to Him through faith. The Apostle Peter repeated the prophetic words of Joel: “And everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Disasters, mistakes, pain and suffering are all part of this life’s journey. Whose name will you cry out to save you? I pray that you will trust Jesus Christ completely to carry you through the days of your life and into the eternal light of the Father.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, 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 wonders of heaven as seen on earth

Today’s Reading: Acts 2:18-20 (NIV)

18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in the heaven above and signed on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.

Good morning!

Long before Peter quoted the words spoken by the Prophet Joel, God knew there would be a day when His Holy Spirit would be poured out on men and women everywhere. He knew that young and old alike would rise up in joint praise and proclamation of the salvation message in Jesus Christ. This is the day that the Lord has made – let us rejoice and be glad in it!

This morning, I had an online conversation with a psychologist, who spends his days helping prisoners with behavioral change modifications at a maximum security facility half way around the world. He tells me they are in desperate need of Bibles. Every morning when I wake up, I have God’s Word waiting for me on the desktop by my computer. It is there for me to study and read, as I spend time waiting upon the Lord in prayer. It grieves my heart that there are still many people in our world today who do not yet have copies of Scripture written in a language they can understand, readily accessible to them.

How can we find new ways to reach out and share God’s Word with all people everywhere? I fully rely upon the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, working within me, to propel His Word outside the walls. There are so many people out there starving for the love of Jesus. They need His Word because His Word is everlasting – God’s Word brings new life!

There is no greater wonder in heaven as seen on earth, than when a heart is forever changed by the love of Jesus Christ through God’s holy Word. Please join me today in taking His Word outside the walls and into our world. Pray for the ones who do not yet have His Word in hand, that the Holy Spirit will supernaturally make a way so that all people everywhere can know and experience the love of Jesus Christ today.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, 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.

Dreaming dreams

Today’s Reading: Acts 2:16-18 (NIV)

[Peter said,] 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. 18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.”

Good morning!

Every time I visit my mother, I listen to her recount the dreams she has had in the past few days. She is quite the dreamer! Most of her dreams seem silly to her, and some make no sense at all. And yet, she dreams every night without fail. I told her she should pop popcorn before she goes to bed, so she can enjoy a snack during tonight’s featured presentation!

Do you dream at night? I’ve had “falling” dreams since I was a little kid. They wake you up with a start. Your body jerks and all of a sudden you are wide awake, feeling like you have been running in circles all night long. Falling dreams at night often make me tired the next day and wishing for a cat nap in the middle of the afternoon.

Most of the dreams I dream are a lot like my mother’s dreams – really strange and seemingly meaningless. A few years ago, I began hearing passages of Scripture in my dreams. It was as if I was sitting there in church, listening to a Sunday morning sermon in my pajamas. Unlike the mini-dreams that we vaguely remember the next day, I could recall the Scripture passage and the message when I woke up. My husband Jeff encouraged me to write down what I remembered from the Scripture dreams. He reminded me that God speaks to people in their dreams, just as Peter repeated the prophetic words of Joel to the men on the day of Pentecost when the Spirit fell down.

We live extremely busy lives. Many are up and at it from before the crack of dawn and work way past the midnight hour. God speaks to us in our rim cycle, when we have finally let go of all physical exertion and allow our bodies and minds to fully rest. I think this is why the Lord allows me to hear Scripture as I sleep. I love how His Word speaks, especially in the stillness of the night, when I have stopped talking and can truly listen to His still, small voice.

God gives the gift of dreaming dreams to all who draw near to Him in faith. If you are hearing Scripture in your sleep, take the advice of my husband and write it down. God’s Word is life-changing. God’s Word is new life!

Enjoy the Father’s feature presentation tonight. And remember to pop some popcorn before you go to sleep.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2009, 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.