Dying to be heard

Today’s Reading: Acts 14:19-20 NIV

¹⁹ Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. ²⁰ But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

I Timothy 4:16 NIV

¹⁶ Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Good morning!

You probably haven’t figured this out yet, but I tend to be a rather opinionated person. This character trait gets me into trouble a lot! Do you hold strong beliefs in your heart? Is there something you refuse to waiver on, even if it means you may get nailed for it? Often, when I feel the need to speak up, I get tongue tied or succumb to a sudden brain freeze. What is it about our own fears of rejection that may stifle us from sharing deep convictions of faith with people who may not agree?

We are all born into this world as innocent babies; we do not get to choose our parents, the culture in which we are raised, or the country where we live. We have been given minds to think and hearts that beat; we are united by the blood pulsing through our veins. We breathe and move and we learn by the living examples of others. Our traditions and culture leads us to base conclusions of faith upon our own personal experience. Opinions are formed early on, in large part, by what we are exposed to in life as little children. Is it possible to see beyond what we’ve come to know, and potentially grasp hold of a greater Truth? What would it take for you to be willing to change your mind?

Paul got stoned for saying what he believed. Because of Paul’s humanness, he must have felt some fear. He knew he would be openly rejected to the point of being tortured and even killed for his strong, unwavering doctrine of faith. It is an amazing thing to see the life of someone who has had been truly converted. Paul was relentless in preaching about the person he, at one time, persecuted with all his being. If Jesus Christ had not personally appeared to Paul on the Damascus road, Paul’s beliefs could not have changed so dramatically. It often takes a close, personal encounter to see life from a totally different perspective. Human hearts can change instantly, when we meet the Master face to face.

As we journey along the path, we must be very careful to filter and sort fact from fiction, able to see and understand Truth for what it is. The Jews who came to stone Paul held strong convictions. They saw this man as someone trying to destroy the truth of Scripture as they knew it. He was, in their eyes, a blasphemer, a liar, and, according to their traditions, Paul deserved to die. Ironically, Paul understood their sentiments better than they did. For he once believed what they believed, until Jesus Christ came and changed his hardened heart. They left Paul for dead; his body must have been crushed and lifeless for the men to walk away believing he was no longer alive. What a miracle it was, when Paul got up and walked back into the city, well enough to journey on. How could they not believe in Jesus after witnessing such an incredible miracle?

It is important to know in whom you believe and why you believe. Be prepared at all times to share the faith Christ has birthed in your heart, ready to defend and protect that which brings new life, so that you can avoid getting sucked into a web of false teachings and beliefs. Some may try to tell you that the way you live is far more important than the convictions of heart you hold. I believe we must lay our fears aside and be willing to tell others about Jesus, by the words we speak and the lives we live. For if we refuse to share our doctrine for fear of rejection, we have failed the One who willingly laid down His life to redeem us forever from sin and death.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, 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 color of new life

Today’s Reading: Acts 14:16-18 NIV

¹⁶ In the past, He let all nations go their own way. ¹⁷ Yet He has not left Himself without testimony. ¹⁸ Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.

Good morning!

After what I would consider to be one of the most difficult winter seasons of my life, I have been absolutely awed by the beauty of new life this spring. The colors of spring are more brilliant to me than ever before. No one does green like God. It is the Lord who has saved His very best for last, as I watch in wonder at the beginning of a whole new season.

Every year, I am amazed by the climbing clematis vines on the anniversary trellis Jeff installed for me on our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. I always cut the vine back to the ground after the first frost. By then, all of the blooms have faded and quite often, its leaves have crumbled off the vine. We mow it over, and place a fresh layer of mulch to protect its tender root system throughout the cold winter months. One would never guess that this vine could return year after year with such splendor and lasting beauty. Out of no where, deep in the cold, hard earth, new life begins to well up and sprout. Within a few short weeks, the vine has literally taken over our trellis, with brand new growth and big, beautiful purple flowers. This morning, I went outside to count its blooms. There are over fifty flowers opened and just about as many are waiting in the wings. The sparrows love to sit in its shade; occasionally, we get a nest or two lodged within the shelter of its foliage.

I have nothing to do with the rebirth of this beautiful plant year after year. I tend to it, but new life can only come from the One who gives it; the Master Gardener. He does not leave Himself without testimony. How can we not see Him in the beauty of His creative work? When you hold a newborn baby in your arms for the very first time, are you not seeing the face our Lord smiling back at you? When you witness the colors of spring after a long, cold winter, can you not sense the love of the Father for His children?

The greatest gift of new life was given when the Father gave His Son, Jesus Christ, for the world’s redemption. Whenever someone gives their heart to the Lord, a brand new life is birthed deep down inside. We may not see the beauty of the vine at first, but with time and tender care, roots begin to take hold and blossom in the midst of a well-watered faith. How can we miss seeing the Master’s hand alive and at work in His beautiful garden of new life?

Do not look to human hands for the colors of life that surround you today. Stop, and give thanks to the only One who can take what was dead and make it rise up for all eternity. You have been given a great gift this spring. Thank the Father today for the colors of new life that have been birthed in you through our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, 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.

Worthless things

Today’s Reading: Acts 14:14-15 NIV

¹⁴ But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: ¹⁵ “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you Good News, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the Living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them.”

Good morning!

Sometimes I get sidetracked. I really don’t mean to lose my focus. And I could blame it on my aging brain cells, but that wouldn’t be true. I’ve gotten sidetracked before; it simply has more to do with my own human weaknesses than the number of years I’ve lived.

I got sidetracked last week in my daughter’s closet. I was putting some of Rachel’s shoes away when I spotted a great pair of sandals on the shoe rack. They were really cute, and I suddenly found myself wanting a pair of sandals just like hers. I think this is called “coveting” on the Lord’s Big Ten! So I followed my sinful heart to the nearest shoe stores in St. Charles County and began searching for a pair of sandals that looked just like Rachel’s. My mother brought me back to a stark reality when she raised the question, “Don’t you have enough shoes in your closet already?” Of course, she was right. Mothers are always right. I do have plenty of shoes to wear. I just don’t have Rachel’s shoes. So why did I need yet another pair of sandals to put in my closet? The reality is this: I need to stop focusing on something relatively worthless and reconnect with what is truly important.

We human types tend to waste precious time and money on worthless things that may bring a bit of joy at first, but give no lasting value to our lives. How many toys have you bought that ended up in a storage bin in your basement or on top of a closet shelf gathering dust? Who will remember or even care about your all-time high score on the online computer game you seem to be glued to at night, when you are no longer playing it? How important is that $500 designer suit hanging in your closet when your neighbor is living just down the street with no roof over their head and no bed to sleep in? We tend to get side-tracked easily, wasting our resources petty, worthless things.

The town witnessed an amazing miracle but missed meeting the miracle maker! They thought it was Paul and Barnabas, coming to them as gods. Paul and Barnabas didn’t cause the miracle healing to happen. Paul and Barnabas introduced the lame man to Jesus Christ; He is the only one with the power and authority to heal! I would say the folks got a little sidetracked, but it didn’t take them long to get back on track. And that is where I find myself today – refocusing my heart and mind on the things that are much more important than a new pair of sandals sitting on my closet shelf.

Let go of the worthless and cling to the only One who makes living worth while. Give your heart to Jesus Christ today! There is plenty of room at the foot of the cross for you. Please join me today as we confess our sins and worship the Lord at Faith Church. He can take the worthless stuff of our lives and make life worth living, if you will simply invite Him into your heart today.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, 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.

Shaky pedestals

Today’s Reading: Acts 14:11-13 NIV

¹¹ When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” ¹² Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. ¹³ The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.

Good morning!

I remember my first grade teacher, Miss Lane. She helped me learn to read, opening up a whole new world for me. I loved reading out loud to Miss Lane. She listened and helped me sound out every syllable, every vowel. In my young, seven year old mind, I was convinced that Miss Lane had super powers – she could do anything! I imagined she could float through the air on a cloud of fluffy white snow. She was, by far, the prettiest and smartest teacher ever. I wanted Miss Lane to teach me everything she knew. If only I could have stayed in her classroom all through grade school!

I wrote Miss Lane gushy thank you notes and frequently turned them in to her each week. My mother expressed concern to Miss Lane about my behavior at a mid-term parent-teacher conference. Miss Lane smiled and told my mother not to worry. She said that young children, when they are learning and growing, are sometimes filled with great gratitude for the one who is helping them. Miss Lane said that I was raised to have a grateful heart, and it showed. She suggested that my “thank you notes” were remarkably well written for a first grader and that Mother should encourage me to continue writing at home. Imagine that!

The people of Lystra were blown away by the healing of the lame man in their village. They became overly zealous for the two men who had come to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, and they mistakenly presumed these men were gods. What they did not yet understand is that Paul and Barnabas had no ability in and of themselves to heal anyone. Our ultimate healing comes through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone, and it is His healing power that was evidenced in town that day.

Christians help us grow in faith; our pastors and teachers, and covenant friends whom we meet along the way. When we receive a special gift from above, an anointing or healing, sometimes we mistakenly elevate the human heart helping us rather than our Lord. There is no one like Jesus, and once we know the original Gift Giver, we are less likely to raise each other up on shaky pedestals that will crumble and fall.

Be grateful to all who have helped you grow in grace; give thanks to the Only One who heals you perfectly from the inside out – our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, 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.

Faith healing

Today’s Reading: Acts 14:8-10 NIV

⁸ In Lystra there sat a man crippled in his feet, who was lame from birth and had never walked. ⁹ He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed ¹⁰ and called out, “Stand up on your feet!” At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.

Good morning!

In 1975, Jeff and I attended a Kathryn Kuhlman healing service in downtown St. Louis. Kathryn Kuhlman was a well known evangelist and faith healer; she grew up in the Methodist Church at Concordia, Missouri, where she accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior at age fourteen. Kuhlman broadcast a weekly television program during the 1960-70s called, I Believe In Miracles. She spent her life traveling around the world, preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ and praying for healing over the sick and infirm. I was just a teenager when Kuhlman died of complications from open heart surgery in 1976. What we experienced at the revival that night is a memory that will be etched in my mind’s eye forever.

Jeff and I sat together in the nosebleed section of the arena, far removed from the main floor, where hundreds of wheelchairs lined the front rows. There were people lying on stretchers on the floor of the facility; others hobbled in the side doors with the assistance of crutches and canes. Sick children were carried inside the auditorium in the arms of their parents, who were praying and believing that this night would be the night their child would be made whole. The arena was literally packed out; I have no idea how many thousands came that night to see and listen to the tiny red-headed woman speak.

Kuhlman never claimed that she had the power to supernaturally heal anyone. She proclaimed the healing power of Jesus Christ. As she prayed, you could hear a pin drop all over the stadium. I had my head bowed and eyes shut, when I began to hear weeping and shouting coming from the floor. Immediately, my attention was drawn to a man who, for the first time in his life, was able to stand up unassisted from his wheelchair. He had suffered with muscular dystrophy for years. I turned to look at Jeff and saw his first reaction to what had just occurred. We thanked God together for Christ’s healing power as evidenced in this miracle moment. When we left the service later that evening, I wondered why some people were instantaneously healed that night from their infirmities, while many others continued to struggle with physical limitations. It is a question I still ponder today.

Paul saw something extraordinary in the character of the man who had never walked before. The Scripture says that he saw that this man “had faith to be healed.” What kind of faith does it take to believe that God can heal you? Jesus Christ has been given all power and authority to heal our broken and imperfect lives. Our healing was purchased two thousand years ago on Calvary’s tree, when Jesus shed His precious blood to cover our sin. Faith in Christ’s healing power comes through believing His Word. We no longer need to hold out for the evidence of a supernatural physical healing; we hold on to the Lord who does the impossible - for with God, all things are possible.

Paul wrote about his own thorn in his flesh. We do not know whether Paul’s thorn was some physical or emotional adversity, we just know he was suffering with it. Paul prayed three times to the Lord and asked God to remove it. The Lord said no to Paul. God’s answer to Paul may not have been the answer he had hoped for, but it was the one thing he needed to hear. God’s strength becomes our strength in suffering; when we have no other choice but to fully rely on God for our very survival, His supernatural healing is evident and working in and through our lives. Is it then possible to be living out supernatural healing even amid physical pain and suffering? I believe there are no limits to God’s grace, mercy and healing power. My heart resonates today with the words of the author of the Book of Hebrews, who said: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1 NIV) May all of us learn to recognize Christ’s supernatural healing power evident and at work, not just in amazing physical healings, but also in our own imperfections and adversities, as we dig deep in faith.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, 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 plot thickens

Today’s Reading: Acts 14:5-7 NIV

⁵ There was a plot afoot among the Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat [Paul and Barnabas] and stone them. ⁶ But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country, ⁷ where they continued to preach the Good News.

Good morning!

What is it about a divisive plot line that captures our undivided attention? There seems to be a greater public demand for captivating plot lines in the films we watch and the books we read. We human types tend to thrive on aspects of conflict and resolution found in the personal problems we face, such as self-help, interpersonal relationships, professional workplace issues, or the ongoing disputes between the politics of various world leaders and the countries they serve. One cannot help but notice the increased demand for reality television programming, considered by many as popular entertainment. Why are we so intrigued by the thickening plot line?

My mother was an avid soap fan. When I was a little girl, housework promptly stopped from 1-3pm each afternoon so she could watch her “stories.” It is relatively easy to get sucked into the problems of others on television. The popularity of daytime soaps led to the production or prime time soaps, which became extremely popular in the early eighties. People were truly captivated by these notorious cliffhangers, leaving John Q. Public wondering which soap star would survive into the new fall season. Were you one of the millions who tuned in to find out who shot J.R.?

It is easy to miss the message while trying to stone the messenger. The plot line can certainly distract us from the main point, if we let it. This was certainly the situation for Paul and Barnabas. They were out there, taking the Good News of Jesus Christ into the world; yet, faced a stronger opponent – the brunt of public opinion. This well-rooted, generational dissent causes a thickening plot line that mesmerizes many today. God-fearing Jews and Gentiles who believed it was wrong to kill, embraced laws to take out God-fearing Jews and Gentiles who now believe that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the Lord’s promised Messiah. In the names of blasphemy and heresy, these men and women took it upon themselves to plot out a murderous end for the Apostles and their new converts. As the plot thickened, folks were caught up in a public frenzy, many missing out on the true message of the Good News. Folks, it is still happening today.

In order to fully experience God’s grace and truth, we need to set aside the storyline of the Gospel and take a closer look at the Lord Jesus Christ himself: His life, ministry and mission for the world. If we could just let go of the thickening plot line and kneel at the foot of the cross, we would be able to finally embrace the One whom Paul and Barnabas spoke so lovingly of.

Are you more interested in seeing the lynching of these men, or meeting the One whom they speak of? The plot thickens…

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, 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 great divide

Today’s Reading: Acts 14:4 NIV

⁴ The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the Apostles.

Psalm 78:13 NIV

¹³ He divided the sea and led them through; He made the water stand firm like a wall.

Good morning!

How far would you go to keep peace in your family? When I was a young girl, my mother would insist we honor the adage, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.” This was a required rule of thumb in our home. Basically, children were not allowed to express differences of opinion with their parents and grandparents, for it was viewed as an act of utter disrespect. Voicing our beliefs and differences of opinion in public today has become a sad form of public entertainment. Good people with passionate views are often categorized and labeled by society; this trendy undercurrent has caused a massive split - not only in individual family units, but in the communities where we live.

We do not have to look far to recognize the stark divisions and differences of opinion existing in our world today. Questions of right and wrong, good and evil - are served up daily on the dockets of our Chiefs of State. We fight wars to keep peace; pass legislation that may, in and of itself, lead to the annihilation of two distinct generations - our young and old. The crumbling world economy has slowed humanitarian efforts to provide adequate help for innocent victims caught up in catastrophic natural disasters; these emergent situations are occurring almost daily. Tomorrow’s news and how we respond as a generation will become the historical legacy we leave for our children and grandchildren. I fervently pray they are smarter than we are.

There is no doubt in my mind that we live in difficult times. I would like to suggest that our generation is not so far removed from generations before us. When Moses was called by THE GREAT I AM to go into Egypt and demand the immediate release of His people, there was a deep divide brewing amongst the Hebrews. Many were fearful of this proposed lifestyle change; they could not see that the Lord was answering their fervent prayers to end their days of slavery. Many followed Moses reluctantly to the sea, fearing they would surely die. A great impasse is no match for God. His ways are not our ways; what we have yet to dream He has already done. It takes a great leap of faith to cross the divide; to look beyond our finite human circumstances, and fully trust in the one thing we cannot control. When our imperfections are humbly relinquished into the hands of the only powerful One, answers to life’s questions become crystal clear. The ultimate solution has come.

Paul and Barnabas were sharing their life testimony; it changed them from the inside out. They knew Jesus Christ would divide the city and potentially put them in harm’s way. Christ’s Great Commission was far too important not to share. The long awaited Messiah had come to free His people from the slavery of sin forever. Jesus died and rose again – He lives so that we might live with Him now and forever! Their prayers for the coming Messiah and all prophecy had been fulfilled before their very eyes; yet many could not let go of human time-honored traditions and rules to see His Truth revealed.

The only answer to our human situation is standing right in front of us; and we are missing His Message. It is time to relinquish our imperfect human ways and fully rely upon the Lord. If we humble ourselves and repent, He will heal our land. THE GREAT I AM is ready to divide the sea once again and lead His people through. Are you ready to take a leap of faith across the great divide?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, 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 double portion

Today’s Reading: Acts 14:3 NLT

³But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders.

Good morning!

After my mother’s fall, a dear friend loaned her a walker to use while her broken pelvic bone mended. It took a lot of encouragement for Mom to use this health aide, at first. She had grown accustomed to walking independently for eighty-seven years, and the walker initially seemed like a burden rather than a blessing. She conveniently forgot to use it quite often. You need to understand that my mother is a very stubborn person. I’ve inherited some of that tenacity from her and this is a character trait I am proud to pass along. Two months to the day of her fall, Mom’s physician agreed to let her set the awkward walker aside.

A short time later, Mom took yet another spill, which resulted in a badly broken wrist, and the walker has been brought out of storage and dusted off. Once her wrist heals to the place where she can bear weight, Mom has now decided that this walker is a much needed life accessory. My sister and I are making plans now to color coordinate it with her wardrobe! Until then, Mom chooses to lean on her colorful daughters’ arms. They have become her walker, a daily source of daily balance in a confusing situation. It is a great privilege to walk Mom everywhere she wants to go. Quite often, I find that she encourages me in ways she cannot even imagine as we walk this road together.

We were supposed to be at the tax office on Friday morning, taking care of Mom’s 2009 income tax filing, when she began complaining of numbness and pain in her left hand. The doctor’s exchange said we should come immediately to his office for an examination. My husband went to the tax meeting in Mom’s place while I drove her to the doctor. The purple cast had to come off. The noise of the electric saw was so loud that I promptly removed Mom’s hearing aids. Mom began to scream at the top of her lungs as the determined assistant cut through the hard plaster exterior. I asked Mom if she was in pain. She looked up at me, a little surprised, and emphatically said, “No.” I asked her why she was screaming. Mom flashed a feisty smile my way and replied, “The tax man cometh while my left hand goeth. Blessed be the name of the Lord!” I laughed out loud! She may be eighty-seven years young, but my mother hasn’t skipped a beat! So the purple cast came off; Mom got to keep her hand and, as an added bonus, didn’t owe any additional money to the US government. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Barnabas was a born encourager. When he accepted Jesus Christ as His personal Lord and Savior, Barnabas was immediately filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. He allowed the Spirit to use him wherever he went. When Paul came to Jerusalem following his conversion on the Damascus road, Barnabas risked his life to convince the Apostles of Paul’s change of heart. Barnabas went with Paul on his first missionary journey, walking with him every step of the way. He became the mediator extraordinaire between Paul and John Mark; it was because of Barnabas’ constant encouragement they were later reunited in missionary travels.

If Barnabas were speaking to us today, I imagine he would probably shrug his shoulders and wonder what all the fuss is about. I believe he would probably tell us that he received the greater blessing – so much more than he ever gave away. When we choose to love each other the way Jesus Christ loves each of us, it is easy to be a strong arm for another. Christ calls us to encourage each other in the faith; it is a true privilege to serve each other out of kindness and in Christian love. There will come a day when you and I will need a little extra help to walk the road. Be sure to look for new ways to encourage the people God has placed on your path. This gift of encouragement is a daily presence that keeps on giving and giving. It is the double portion.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, 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.

Tracking changes of the heart

Today’s Reading: Acts 14:2 NIV

²But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

Acts 14:2 CEV

²But the Jews who did not have faith in him made the other Gentiles angry and turned them against the Lord's followers.

Good morning!

I was on my way to pick up Mom from the beauty shop yesterday when my cell phone rang. A friend was on the other line, seeking assistance with the “track changes” feature in a Word® document. She began to describe how the computer had seemingly taken on a life of its own when she innocently tried to find and replace one word with another in a document she had been editing. Without warning, her text lit up the monitor with color-coordinated strike-through marks and underlines across the page. She had absolutely no idea what it was or how to remove it. I did not have my laptop with me, but was familiar with the feature she was describing. I made a suggestion and told her I would pray as she made the needed change. A few minutes later, she called me back and confirmed that the document had been saved and all is well.

How do we track changes of the heart? Our insatiable “need to know” has sparked a cultural worldview and media frenzy unlike any other in history. Think about it – when the early church began to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth, they did not have the help of computers, text messaging, blackberries, or satellite television. There were no magazine subscriptions or newspapers on the street corners for people to purchase. No random opinion polls or surveys were being taken; and yet, the Word spread quickly, like a brush fire spreading through a parched and dry forest. Even without the help of modern technology as we know it, people formed opinions of late breaking news and opinions about the men and women who were spreading it. Many, at first, disagreed with their personal testimonies. Have you ever been swayed by the popular vote? Did you choose to go with the crowd just to keep peace and not stand out as a lone dissenter? How many do you think had a serious change of heart after they had the opportunity to stop and weigh the evidence?

Paul and Barnabas knew what the Holy Spirit power could do. They had personally experienced a change of heart in their own lives. Paul, who was formerly known as Saul of Tarsus, felt so vehemently offended by the early church and its beliefs, that he personally sought out and killed many of the new converts to the Way. It was only after Christ appeared to him on the Damascus Road that he was able to truly track the change of heart in his own life. This was his life’s testimony; and it was stirring up the belief system of his brothers. Planting seeds of faith will often fall on rough and rocky soil. We know that our own simple words, when prompted in and through the power of the Holy Spirit, can bring about a drastic change in the place where any change of the status quo seems virtually impossible.

It may take years and we may not fully realize the eternal impact our words have now. Parents, do not give up teaching your children in the way they should go. The Word promises that when our children are old, they will not depart from it. Do not give up speaking the Truth to your friends and neighbors, even if it is difficult to track a change of heart right now. You never know how or when the Holy Spirit will move in and set His Word aflame. Keep looking up and do not look back. I am a witness who has experienced a deep and personal change of heart in my own life. This is what I testify to today. Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life and no one comes to the Father but by Him.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, 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.

Well spoken!

Today’s Reading: Acts 14:1 NIV

¹ At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed.

Acts 14:1 New Century Version

¹ In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went as usual to the synagogue. They spoke so well that a great many Jews and Greeks believed.

Good morning!

I was taught how to give an effective oral presentation in school. Once the subject matter was assigned, I would spend a considerable amount of time gathering research, weighing opinions, and learning as much as I could about the topic before preparing my outline. My professors preferred I use some mode of visual aide, to help draw the listeners in. The preferred presentation package would almost always include a PowerPoint® presentation, along with some tangible visual aide to help illustrate a particular point of the chosen topic. No matter how much I prepared and practiced in advance, I always got nervous just before I stood up to speak. Knowing the butterflies were coming helped me better focus on each important point of the presentation. Even with a well-prepared outline in front of me, and a computer to keep my hands busy, I do not recall a single presentation when I didn’t feel a little bit shaky before speaking.

My husband Jeff has an extraordinary gift for teaching and preaching. If you asked him, Jeff would tell you that he also experiences Sunday butterflies, often evidenced by a slight stutter. Jeff will tap his foot on the floor to keep a steady pace as he articulates the words God has given Him to speak. His deep voice carries well in a crowded room; without a microphone, my squeaky little voice tends to fade away into the crowd. My mother can even understand Jeff and she is profoundly deaf! There is something very special about the sound of a pastor’s strong voice - it is truly a gift from God.

Jeff sometimes wonders after worship, whether his delivery of Christ’s saving message is clear and convincing for all who came to listen. Some weekends are obviously easier than others. I remember one particular Sunday when Jeff preached the morning services sporting a broken elbow from a fall he took early that morning before worship. Obviously, he didn’t know his elbow was broken until after church. He refused to take his suit jacket off and let me assess the damage until after he had finished delivering his Sunday sermons. The only reason we even went to the ER that day was because he needed a few stitches and he kept wondering why he didn’t have enough strength in his hand to hold the Bible up. The triage nurse was alarmed that it had been over seven hours before Jeff sought medical treatment. His quiet response, “I had to preach,” seemed to surprise her. After living with this preacher man for thirty-two years, nothing surprises me anymore!

Paul and Barnabas walked from Antioch to Iconium, a small town located in modern day Turkey. There was some sense of familiarity as they entered the synagogue together. Paul and Barnabas were literally surrounded by a group of strangers, whose culture, traditions and beliefs were somewhat similar. The Jews and Greeks came that day with one common goal; to listen, learn and worship. These presenters did not have a smart board or PowerPoint® at their fingertips; there were no Kodak® photographs of the Lord Jesus Christ to pass around the crowd. Every word that was spoken had to be clear and concise, painting a visual image in the hearts and minds of all who entered the synagogue that day. Do you think Paul and Barnabas had a case of the butterflies before they spoke?

The power of the Holy Spirit was evident, filling the room with a fresh breath of new life. It is this same power that works in and through our pastors and teachers, you and me, to help us convey God’s Word with a lost and hurting world. Let go of your butterflies and allow the Lord Jesus Christ to use you for a well spoken Word. Ask the Lord to fill you with His sweet Holy Spirit today. It is the Father’s gift, given freely to all who receive Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, 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.

Pot stirrers

Today’s Reading: Acts 13:50-52 The Message

^50-52Some of the Jews convinced the most respected women and leading men of the town that their precious way of life was about to be destroyed. Alarmed, they turned on Paul and Barnabas and forced them to leave. Paul and Barnabas shrugged their shoulders and went on to the next town, Iconium, brimming with joy and the Holy Spirit, two happy disciples.

Acts 13:51 NIV

So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium.

Good morning!

A little bit of pot stirring has the power to incarcerate Christ’s message, if we choose to let it. Paul and Barnabas knew it would be hard for their Jewish brothers to let go of their time-honored traditions and religious rules long enough to see the salvation that has come through Jesus Christ. While many people experienced the breath of a Holy Spirit flame, there were others who could not and would not open their hearts to the possibility of new life. And, as a result, they began to stir up a riot against two innocent men who cared enough to share the Good News of Jesus Christ in their community.

Have you, in anger, ever stirred the proverbial pot against another, sharing confidential and personal information adding a little bit of your own unsavory slant? Did your words and actions cause someone else to reject that person out of disgust? Our words and our actions have weight. We can cut others to the quick in the mere blink of an eye. Have you ever been the primary target of a pot stirring?

It is not always easy in today’s culture to share our faith with others. We have created copious laws to protect people’s rights to believe what they want to believe without a balanced response from others who may see things differently. Unfortunately, we humans have placed a personal gag order on our own ability to share personal faith experiences with the people God has placed in our lives. The fear of rejection is never an easy pill to swallow; I think it hurts the most when we are rejected by the people with whom we are closest to. Paul and Barnabas knew the high cost of personal rejection. They knew they were putting their lives on the line for Christ. Yet, they cared more about getting His Word out than remaining safe and popular inside the walls of their own religious sect. They also had been given permission to simply walk away, if necessary.

It is a good thing that we are not responsible for the act of salvation. The Father’s plan is already in place. Jesus Christ, His Only Son, took care of salvation once and for all on Calvary’s tree. The power of the Holy Spirit is not subject to the laws of man. We can put up our brick walls, but the Spirit moves where it will, and if the walls are going to fall, they will – not by man’s efforts but by God’s glory! Human hearts can be changed in a moment’s notice. Our timing is certainly not God’s timing and His ways are not our ways. Paul and Barnabas continued to plant seeds of faith, knowing the seed would fall and take root in the fertile hearts of men and women who were earnestly seeking the Savior. No amount of pot stirring or back stabbing could stop the winds of the Spirit moving in and through their cities. Faith in Christ did not hinge on human words alone, nor did it need to instantly convert everyone in its hearing to validate Christ’s message.

When it comes to sharing our faith in Jesus Christ, we can follow the lead of Paul and Barnabas even today! Do not hesitate to share your personal witness, for your faith story is the most important truth you will ever tell. Do not worry whether folks choose to believe you, or if they decide to stir the proverbial pot against you. We do what the Lord asks us to, and when we’re finished, we simply shake the dust from our feet, and move on in faith. Our joy is not bound to statistical tables and cultural trends; all of these are man’s markers for perceived successes or failures. Our only joy; our only hope is in the full obedience of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with the world, and trusting our Lord completely for His harvest. Paul and Barnabas were two very happy disciples, as they left Antioch and moved on to Iconium. Have you found true happiness in the Lord Christ Jesus today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, 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.

Free blood transfusions today!

Today’s Reading: Ephesians 1:7 The Message

⁷ Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we're a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free!

Good morning!

Have you had to have a major surgery? Last fall, while waiting in the pre-op holding area, I had to sign a form release for permission to receive blood in the event I would lose too much blood during the surgical procedure. Blood is a precious commodity to the health of our bodies and without enough of it, we die.

This morning, I arrived to the church just as the pianist was finishing her beautiful praise medley to honor our risen Lord. I looked up at the cross, draped in a white sash. I could smell the fragrance of the Easter lilies wafting around the sanctuary. I knew the blood He shed on the cross over two thousand years ago was still giving new life to people all over the world. I came today to receive His free blood transfusion in my life.

Before I became severely anemic, I regularly donated blood to The American Red Cross®. I was told at the blood bank that for every pint I gave, my gift could potentially save three people from an untimely death. Blood donations are not always the easiest to give. Some folks get sick and dizzy; others pass out at the sight of blood. I found it was a privilege to give something that someone else might need in a medical emergency. I often thought about what it would be like if my child was in a terrible car accident and, upon arriving to the emergency room, there was no extra supply of blood to treat him. Would he die there because there was no blood available for him?

The Father gave Moses life-giving law, who then instructed the people to sacrifice the blood of an unblemished lamb as a means for atonement of their sins. Yet, it took something far greater than an animal to completely cover the sins of the whole world. This is why Jesus came; His blood for you and for me is unending; there is enough to cover your sins and mine. His death and resurrection is the only blood transfusion you need to receive new life and freedom from sin and death forever. The never-ending supply continues to give to all who will receive Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord.

The gift of human blood is a priceless gift to someone who is physically dying. The gift of Christ’s blood is a priceless gift to someone who is dying in their sins, forever separated from the Father’s love. Would you like to receive a free blood transfusion today? You do not need a medical insurance card to receive His precious gift of new life. The cost was completely paid for on Calvary by the only One who could give it – God Himself. Come and experience a brand new life today at the foot of the cross. May you find healing and wholeness in Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns forever! Tell everyone you know, free blood transfusions are available for the taking today!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, 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.

A lot at stake

Today’s Reading: Luke 23:11-12 NIV

¹¹ Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked [Jesus]. Dressing Him in an elegant robe, they sent Him back to Pilate. ¹² That day Herod and Pilate became friends – before this they had been enemies.

Luke 23:11-12 The Message

^11-12Mightily offended, Herod turned on Jesus. His soldiers joined in, taunting and jeering. Then they dressed him up in an elaborate king costume and sent him back to Pilate. That day Herod and Pilate became thick as thieves. Always before they had kept their distance.

Good morning!

It was hard to breathe last night, sitting in a darkened sanctuary, listening to the pounding of stakes into the three wooden crosses at the altar. The pastor invited us to come forward, pick up a stake and hammer, and nail our sin to the tree. As I looked up toward the ceiling, I saw the gruesome scene in shadows on the ceiling. There, the crosses loomed and I watched as people pounded their sins into the tree. The noise was deafening; you couldn’t escape it. It was as if I could smell the stench of blood and vomit floating in the air; I could hear the screams of the people and the unending suffering of one sinless man. There was a lot at stake the day Christ carried the sins of the world on the cross at Calvary.

I saw the tears and heard the weeping all around me. It echoed like a sad song throughout the sanctuary. A young mother sat quietly to my left. The tears rolled down her cheeks faster than she could wipe them. I am certain she was thinking about her little boys, and what it must have been like for Jesus’ mother Mary, to live through that awful, wondrous day. I couldn’t help but think about my children and grandchildren, praying that they would nail their sins to the cross and find complete wholeness and forgiveness, covered in the precious blood of the Lamb. For all mothers everywhere, there is a lot at stake this Holy week.

Isn’t it ironic how two rival rulers become the best of friends by allowing the cruel death of God just to keep civil peace? Surely this would never happen again, would it… could it? The lengths we humans go to remain in the good graces of our neighbors are inexcusable, especially when it comes to sacrificing faith in trade for the popular vote. There was a lot at stake here. Two sinful men became the best of friends in their grave decision.

Jesus Christ forgave us all as the Roman guard pounded the stakes into His flesh, and left Him on a cross to die. As the Father turned away, Jesus continued to cry out, revealing His undying faith in His own dying moment. Can you imagine the cost Christ paid for your salvation? This is the moment of decision. Will you pick up a spike and hammer, and nail your sins to the tree? Your soul’s salvation is hanging in the balance.

If you have invited the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart, then I would urge you to spend this day praying for those who do not yet believe. Christ calls each and every one of us as witnesses to His death and resurrection. My friends, there is a lot at stake right now.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2010, 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.