Walking the road

Today’s Reading: John 11:7-8 (NIV)

7 Then [Jesus] said to His disciples: “Let us go back to Judea.” 8 “But Rabbi,” the said, “a short while ago the Jews tried to stone you, and yet You are going back there?”

Good morning!

Throughout history, men and women have placed themselves in harm’s way when they believed it was for the ultimate protection of another human heart. Our military personnel demonstrate extraordinary bravery each day, as they work to bring help and hope and freedom to innocent people around the world. Missionaries have been sent into hostile environments. Some have lost their lives for the sake of taking the Gospel message to people who have not yet heard the Good News. Would you risk your own life for another if it meant that someone else might be saved?

Jesus’ disciples were justifiably worried about the safety of their Lord. They had seen the looks and demeanor of the Pharisees, who were determined to catch Jesus committing a crime. They had been chased out of several villages, running from those who were determined to stone them all. Some even bore the marks of those stones upon their bodies, as they became a human shield for the Master. They knew that the closer Jesus went to Jerusalem, the less likely they would be able to protect Him.

But Christ knew Lazarus was waiting for his miracle. The Father had given Him yet another opportunity to express His saving love for all. There was no question in Christ’s mind that He would willingly lay down His body and blood as a perfect and holy sacrifice for the sins of the world. The disciples didn’t seem to understand Christ’s mission at the time; yet, they loved Him enough to follow Him down the road.

We all face defining moments in our lives when we must choose whether to walk the road with Jesus. Are you willing to follow Him today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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.

Wake up call

Today’s Reading: Mark 13:3-8 (NIV)

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked Him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?” 5 Jesus said “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.”

Good morning!

This morning, I revisited the memory of a chilly fall day in my childhood, when the New Madrid fault decided to make a little noise in the Midwest where I lived. I was sitting on the kitchen floor, watching my mother as she stirred dinner on the stove. Our house suddenly began to quiver. The dishes in the cupboard began to rattle as the light fixtures swayed overhead. I looked at the doll baby in my arms and noticed how her porcelain eyelids kept opening and closing. At first, we didn’t realize what was happening. The movement only lasted for a minute; yet, it was a feeling I would never, ever forget. This morning, I felt the tremors once again.

An earthquake occurred early this morning, its center originating in Southern Illinois. The US geological survey reported that it measured 5.4 on the Richter scale, just one-tenth of a point under the November 9, 1968 Midwest earthquake. It reminded me of how the freight trains used to rattle past our bedroom window on the railroad tracks just behind our church parsonage in St. Clair. While I was pregnant with our son David, I would wait until the 6:00am train came through town, and the vibrations would literally roll my body off our water bed, planting my feet firmly on the shaky floorboards. This morning’s earthquake grabbed my undivided attention, as I stood there, listening for the trumpet sound. Did you sleep through the earthquake this morning?

Jesus described what the Father’s wake-up call would one day look like. Wars and famines, earthquakes and false teaching would captivate our interest, making worldwide news. Yet, these life events would somehow manage to distract our hearts and minds away from God. Sometimes, a little quake can shake us back to reality. Was this a wake up call for you?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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.

Perfect timing!

Today’s Reading: John 11:3-6 (NIV)

3 So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” 4 When He heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” 5 Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 Yet when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was two more days.

Good morning!

Do you ever run late? My days are filled with meetings at work and church, to-do-lists to complete, school papers and built-in study time. There are moments when I meet myself coming and going. Jeff and I have learned to laugh at each other because our schedules are so varied. I gave up trying to track him on a refrigerator calendar. It’s impossible! Jeff keeps his dates electronically, carrying them in his cell phone. I prefer to use a notebook calendar and print tasks from my computer calendar. Even with automated technology at our fingertips, it does not always keep us from running late.

When Jesus heard that His friend Lazarus was sick, He knew what the Father would do. Yet, Jesus hesitated to go. Why do you think He waited? There are times when I wonder why Jesus waits when I’m right in the middle of a crisis. There are moments when life is hard. We cry out to the Lord for help, and then we wonder where He is. I’m certain that Mary and Martha were wondering why Jesus didn’t come right away to help their brother who was dying.

Can I tell you something? Jesus Christ is NEVER LATE. In fact, Christ knew what was happening with Lazarus before He received word of his illness. Jesus already knew what his friend would endure and how the Father would reach out with miraculous healing. It may have appeared to everyone else that Jesus was running late, but let me tell you, my Lord is always on time. I serve the Lord of the last second! He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end. He goes on before me. Jesus holds my life in His hand. He created the time, and knows every moment full-well. I believe my Lord is always here, especially in the moments when I cannot see Him clearly with physical eyes.

If you longing for the Savior’s touch today, don’t you worry about when He will arrive. Jesus is already there with you, right where you are struggling, right now. He has perfect timing.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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 great caregiver

Today’s Reading: John 11:1 (NIV)

1 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.

Good morning!

Have you ever gotten sick really quick? Jeff and I took his folks out for Sunday dinner after worship. I ordered a Cobb salad. It looked good. Unfortunately, I had an almost immediate adverse reaction to the salad dressing. Not even thirty minutes after I finished my meal, I went from feeling pretty good to thinking, “I’m going to see Jesus now.” After spending a good twenty-four hours in the master bathroom hugging a trash can to my chest and promising I will never eat a Cobb salad ever again, I am crawling back into the land of the living. No one I know enjoys being sick. It is a part of our humanity. At some point, all of us will face a time when our health is not at its optimum, and we will find ourselves in dire need of divine help.

It takes a whole lot of love to care for someone who is really sick. Isn’t it amazing how little children can become ill in a moment’s notice, and then simply move on to something else? Our grandson Andrew was sitting on his mother’s lap yesterday, playing happily, when suddenly and without warning, managed to lose his lunch all Mommy. After making this unexpected deposit, Andrew took off crawling, laughing and playing like nothing had even happened. Rachel, on the other hand, had to go change her clothes, wash up, and try to move past this little life event. Moms have a way of modeling unconditional love, especially in those unexpected, stinky moments of each day.

Lazarus was Jesus’ friend. He was really sick and near death, but his sisters truly believed if the Lord would come, Lazarus would recover. There is just something about being in the holy presence of the Savior that heals us. We cannot help but feel better when we know He is right here. Like a loving parent who stays up all night rocking a feverish child, Christ holds the sick in His nail-scarred hands, comforting the suffering especially in these wretched moments of pain and anguish.

I have good news to tell you! If you are feeling sick today, you do not have to go it alone. If you ask Him, the Lord who loves you more than life itself will be right there with you, holding you close. Jesus lives, and because He lives, He will stay with you even in the midst of your suffering and pain. If you ask Him to, the great caregiver will see you through this sickness. Just look into His face and cry out His name. He loves you so very much! You do not have to bear your burden alone.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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.

Your personal testimony could make all the difference

Today’s Reading: John 10:40-42 (NIV)

40 Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. Here He stayed 41 and many people came to Him. They said, ‘Though John never performed a miraculous sign, all that John said about this man was true.’ 42 And in that place many believed in Jesus.

Good morning!

One chilly fall weekend, my junior high youth group attended a lay witness mission event just across the river at a neighboring United Methodist Church. I remember the cold night air, and the genuine warmth of this congregation. There were a lot of people there, ranging in age from tiny tots to seniors. We attended small group meetings all day long, gathering together in the sanctuary to worship as one and witness to the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The pastor asked anyone who was willing to come forward and speak. I watched the tears roll across the faces of my friends and sponsors, as young and old alike went forward to share their personal faith story with the entire congregation. Their sincerity and conviction of heart lifted them off the pew and carried them to the front of the sanctuary, where they stood trembling and shaking before the crowd. The time of testimony continued until every person who felt compelled to speak had an opportunity to do so. There was no coercion, no one forced another to get up and talk. It was simply a move of the Holy Spirit and there was no doubt that the Spirit was working on every heart in that room.

It was close to midnight when the worship service came to a close. I remembered not wanting to leave. Something tangible and real had happened that night. I can still see their faces as clearly as if it happened yesterday. While many of these congregants remain nameless to me today, God knows who they are. As they shared their testimony of faith, their names were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. I know I will worship together with them one day soon in the eternal presence of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

John stood by the river and commanded the people to repent of their sins, be baptized with water, and watch for the One who would come and baptize them with the power of the Holy Spirit. When John instructed the people to follow Jesus Christ, many listened and obeyed. John was just one man, and yet, his testimony of the coming Messiah opened the door for many to place their faith in Jesus. His testimony made all the difference. Do you realize that your personal testimony could make an eternal difference in the life of another human heart? Take every opportunity to share your faith whenever you can, however you can, and with whatever means you have available to you. Do not hesitate to tell others about what Jesus Christ has done for you. Your personal testimony could make all the difference.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

___________________________

© Copyright 2008, 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.