The Great Healer

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Matthew 15, 16, 17

Matthew 15:29-31 (NIV)

29 Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then He went up on a mountain and sat down. 30 Great crowds came to Him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at His feet; and He healed them. 31 The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking; the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.

Psalm 103:2-4 (NIV)

2 Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits – 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.

Good morning!

Eyewitness accounts of extraordinary life events leave lasting images engraved upon our hearts and in our minds. The Gospel of Matthew unfolds with an eyewitness account of one who experienced the greatest miracles of all – forgiveness, healing and love through a relationship with Jesus Christ, Lord of all. Imagine with me, for just a moment, what Matthew saw as he watched Christ heal the crowd.

A young man, blinded from birth, was escorted by his parents to the place where Jesus sat on the hill overlooking the town of Gennesaret. They had sought help for their son for years, visiting every physician available to them; pursuing home remedies and trying every possible solution to restore even a little eyesight to their child. They hated that their son could not experience for himself the colors and hues of the world around him. He was unable to see the bright rays of the early morning as it rose across the valley. He could feel the rain falling on his face, but could not observe how the droplets formed mud puddles along the path in front of their home. He had no idea how beautiful the colors of a rainbow were, painted across the sky just after a summer storm. How they longed for their son to be made whole. What parent wouldn’t want their child to see for themselves the beauty of God’s magnificent creation?

They had heard about a man who had the power to restore sight to the blind. He was the talk of the town, and now Jesus had finally arrived. Knowing how their family had been shunned for years, the boy’s parents wondered what their neighbors would think if Jesus had mercy on their son. They had been the community’s conversation piece for years, as good, God-fearing folk speculated about which sin they had committed that left their son with a life sentence in total darkness. They were grateful the boy could not see the glaring looks of their neighbors, especially as they climbed up the hill to meet the Lord.

They were surrounded by thousands who were suffering from horrible, awful diseases. There were those who could not walk, who had to be carried up the hill on stretchers. There were little children with missing limbs, broken and bleeding sores covering their bodies. People were crying out for help as far as they could see. How could one man change the lives of so many? Only God could give such an amazing gift.

With eyes of faith, the parents looked into the eyes of the Lord and saw what their child knew to be true in his heart: they were looking into the very eyes of God. In hushed awe, they watched as their prayers were answered in full. With one touch, one look, and one holy Word, their son could see. He could see! He could see clearly! Everything they had longed for became a reality as they gazed upon the Lord Jesus Christ, face to face.

The lame were dancing; and the deaf could hear the praises of all. New arms and legs were replacing bruised and bloody stubs. Sores were fading away; tumors were disappearing. One by one, each and every person who came by faith was healed that day on the mountain side. The praises and worship of those who were touched, continued on into the late night hours. No one wanted to leave Jesus. They held on to His every Word. As they looked at their Lord, they saw their salvation, and worshipped God out of overflowing, grateful hearts.

Matthew wrote this eyewitness account, understanding full well what the face of God can do in the life of lost soul. Just as Jesus saved and healed his life, Matthew observed how Jesus reached out to all people, everywhere. He loves them with a purpose and passion; just like He loves you and me.

How far would you reach to bring your child healing and wholeness? God Almighty reached even further to save His children from eternal separation and pain, by sending His only Son, Jesus Christ, to heal all of us, once and for all. Won’t you join me in the presence of the Savior who can heal your life today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: healing! By prayer, we bring those we love to His holy mountain, where Jesus Christ waits to forgive our sins, heal our hearts, and love us forever. We have a good reason to celebrate His love today. Won’t you come right now and receive your healing at the foot of the cross?

____________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Recognizing the face of God

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Matthew 13, 14; Psalm 127

Matthew 14:34-36 (NIV)

34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to Him, 36 and begged Him to let the sick just touch the edge of His cloak, and all who touched Him were healed.

John 20:29 (NIV)

29 Then Jesus told [Thomas], “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Good morning!

Jesus told lots of stories to help illustrate and prove God’s love for humanity. Have you ever struggled to understand them? A parable compares something familiar, like an event or an act, to something totally unfamiliar. These stories never end the way one might expect them to. Recognition of the Master was a key ingredient to understanding His story. How do you think the people in Gennesaret recognized Jesus Christ?

We have many ways to identify people today. With the help of the media and photography, we are now able to picture a person’s face, even if they have never met them. I am able to put a face with the President of the United States, members of Congress, and our military leaders. I recognize news correspondents by their images displayed across my television set. We recognize actors by their faces on the covers of magazines and on the big screen at our theatres. Even social networking websites encourage folks to post a photograph next to the words they write. We associate who people are by the picture we have of them in our mind.

Jesus came to give humanity a picture of the nature and love of God. We begin to put a face with the Great I Am. There were no flyers, no advertisements, and no pictures to pass from town to town about the arrival of God. There was only word of mouth; what people had heard. It is no wonder the entire community of Gennesaret gathered to see the One who could heal the sick, cast out demons, and offer salvation to the lost. But don’t you wonder how they knew Jesus had even arrived?

Before we can meet a need, one must recognize that a need exists. Before someone can receive restoration, there has to be some recognition on their part that something in their life needs repair work. Before we can open our hearts to the notion of a Savior, we must realize our need to be saved. When Jesus showed up that day in Gennesaret, there were families looking for answers for their sick kids. The people were hungry and were looking for food. They had heard stories they did not understand, but somehow knew in their hearts that the master storyteller was speaking truth to the world.

Do you think they recognized Christ by the look in His eyes? Maybe it was the way He walked that caught their immediate attention. The curious came out of their homes and followed what appeared to be a crowd. Everyone wanted to get a good look at Jesus of Nazareth. They wanted to picture His face in their hearts and minds, longing to see the One who was bringing a new hope to the region of Galilee. There were some who didn’t like what they saw. Yet, there were those who believed sight unseen. They knew who He was before He ever arrived. More than anything else, they longed to be healed and knew if they could just touch the hem of His garment, He had the power to make them whole.

Do you have enough faith to believe in the One whom you have never seen? Could you trust His stories, even the ones that don’t make logical sense? If Jesus Christ walked into your community today, how would you recognize Him? Would you follow the crowd out of curiosity? Would you believe He has the power to change even the hardest heart? How would you notice if God were standing next to you at the store, or pumping gas at the local filling station, or sitting across from you at your favorite restaurant.

Reread today’s scripture lesson, and replace the word Gennesaret with your city’s name. In order to recognize our need, we must know a need exists. How much do our cities need Jesus Christ today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: recognition. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Would you recognize Jesus Christ if He were standing next to you in a crowd?

____________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Careless words

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Matthew 10, 11, 12

Matthew 12:35-37 (NIV)

35 [Jesus said,] The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that man will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

Psalm 34:1 (NIV)

1 I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.

Good morning!

Have you ever said something you instantly regretted? I’ve been known to drop a few careless words here and there. Sometimes they fall like bricks from my mouth, smashing into tiny little pieces all over the floor. I try to sweep them up, but somehow, a little shred embeds itself in my bare foot. When someone speaks a harsh word to you, it can cut like a knife. Hurtful words are difficult to forget and even harder to forgive. Do you often find yourself over-exposed by a careless, spoken word?

In 1964, our family sat around the black and white Motorola television set, laughing hysterically at the antics of Abner and Gladys Kravitz on the thirty-minute comedy sitcom, Bewitched. Played by actresses Alice Pearce and Sandra Gould, Gladys was a very nosy neighbor, constantly looking for something or someone to gossip about. She kept a pair of binoculars near her bedroom window, where she would spend hours watching people come and go. Abner Kravitz was a remarkable man. Played by actor George Tobias, Abner learned to remain silent through most of Gladys’ unending tirades. Gladys experienced sheer moments of exasperation by not being able to get a rise out of her saint-like spouse who remained engrossed in his morning paper. Abner learned to keep his head down and mouth shut. Oh, to have the self-control of Abner Kravitz! While I hate to admit it, I must confess that my husband Jeff is much better at keeping his mouth shut than I am. Don’t you wonder how the Lord will receive the person who has learned the fine art of keeping silent? This is one heavenly reward I know I will not qualify for; no, I’m not even close.

When we insert “foot into mouth” to maintain our silence, the heart speaks loud and clear. Our words may be the outward expression of some inward pain that has been eating us inside. God knows our hearts, and He hears us speak before we ever utter a single word. Will the thoughts and feelings you hold inside acquit or condemn you one day?

It is said that we are what we eat. The same is true of our thoughts. We are what we think. Jesus coached His disciples in matters of the heart. He encouraged them to focus not on the trivial but on what is truly important. Honoring the Lord who gives me life is the most important thing I will ever do. When I purposefully choose to honor God, my heart begins to soften, as the attitudes and harsh words I have carried around begin to fall away. Honoring the Lord begins and ends every day in prayer and praise. I praise the Lord every morning when I get up. I choose to set aside time to thank Him for His mercy and love in my life. During the course of the day, I focus my heart on His grace and peace. Thinking about the greatness of God keeps harsh words from spewing out of my mouth. It is easier to praise and pray, than to steam and stew over the actions of my neighbors. God cares about what I think. More than that, He cares about who I choose to think about. The words that fall from my lips reveal the person I am.

Today, I would challenge you to pay close attention to the words that you say. Where are they coming from? What prompts you to speak the words you utter? Maybe we need to redirect our thoughts toward the only One who can heal our scarred and heavy hearts. When we daily praise His holy name, seeking God’s face, the words that flow from our lips begin to change in the light of His everlasting love.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: God to fill your heart with adoration and praise! Change your focus and look away from the things that distress and disturb you. Think about the wonder and glory of God and give Him your praise! He can change the words of your mouth, and the condition of your heart, if you will let Him.

____________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Overpaid

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Matthew 8, 9; Psalm 126

Matthew 9:9-13 (NIV)

9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” He told him, and Matthew got up and followed Him. 10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him and His disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’”

Good morning!

A Muslim man converted to Christianity after his family had been exposed to a vibrant Christian community of faith. When asked about his conversion, he told this story. His father owned a small grocery store in a very poor part of town. Many of his customers could not afford to pay for their food or medicine. A pastor, who frequented his place of business, always overpaid for his purchases. Insisting the shop owner take the extra money and use it to help someone that day who might not be able to afford their purchase. It was the preacher’s son who invited the shop owner’s son to church one weekend. The shop owner allowed his son to go, because he knew and trusted the heart of that preacher. Have you ever overpaid and was truly happy about it?

After worship, the boys would go out to eat dinner with members of the local youth group and its pastors. He felt a little uncomfortable, as he never had any money to help pay for his food. Someone always bought his dinner. They never made a big deal about it. Money just always appeared and he was able to eat dinner every Sunday night with his best friend. He really felt like he was part of the group. One December evening as they were leaving the restaurant, a young waitress ran out onto the parking lot, looking for the youth leaders. “Excuse me,” she said. “You way overpaid for your meal tonight. The bill was less than $30 and a $100 tip was left at the table.” The young boy was amazed as he listened to the response of his best friend. “Ma’am, you have small children at home?” “Yes,” the waitress said, somewhat confused by his question. “You work hard for us every week, fixing our food, taking our orders, and serving us dinner. That tip was appropriate. We all emptied our pockets and gave you what we had because we want you and your family to be blessed. You have been so good to us. We wish we had more to give you.” The woman, in stunned silence, broke into tears. Thanking the group, she told them she hoped whenever they visited the restaurant, she hoped they would sit at her table and allow her to serve them. Have you ever overpaid someone on purpose?

Matthew was a Jew who was hired by the Romans to collect taxes. He not only took money from his neighbors and friends, and also from the merchants passing through town. Tax collectors were paid on commission, yet most of them overcharged the people and kept all the profit for themselves. Matthew had a reputation for greed, cheating, stealing, and supporting the evil Roman rule. Why would Jesus befriend a tax collector like Matthew?

The new Christian convert said it was the care and compassion shown for that waitress and her family that took him from seeking to believing. He saw Christ’s love displayed in the lives of his pastors, youth leaders, and friends. Their passion and compassion for others and reaching out with everything they had to give, made the person of Jesus Christ become a real and living presence in his life. He could see it in the selflessness in his friends and understand that kind of love can only come from God. How often do you show true mercy to the stranger who passes you at your local market, or who to the one waits your table at the restaurant where you eat dinner at night?

It is no wonder when Matthew met Jesus, he jumped at the invitation to follow Him. Matthew knew this man was different. He knew his life would be forever changed by the One who chose to spend time with his friends and co-workers, risking ridicule by society’s elite, and teachers of the law. Jesus way overpaid to save humanity from their sin. His merciful heart and compassion for all continues to reach out to every generation around the world. When someone gives you an undeserved gift that you cannot begin to repay, what will you do with it? Can you look into the eyes of the One who loves you and say, “No thanks?” Or will you leave your life of sin behind, drop everything, and simply follow the Lord?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: opportunities to overpay someone today. A new Christian rejoices as every one of his family members believe in the risen Christ. When you overpay, it may be the one thing that makes an everlasting difference in the life of another human soul.

____________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

A template for prayer

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Matthew 5, 6, 7

Matthew 6:5-8 (NIV)

5 [Jesus said,] “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth: they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

Good morning!

When I attended my first scrapbook crop, the consultant handed me a blank 12x12 scrapbook page, some pretty markers, a page of stickers and a template. She smiled at me and said, “Okay Deb, it’s time to create!” Oh boy. I hadn’t created anything spectacular since grade school art class and what I took home was something only a mother could love. And even though I may have an active imagination, taking those colors and hues from inside my mind’s eye and transferring them onto a blank page does not come easy for me. I need that template to guide me.

Have you ever felt at a loss while trying to pray? Thank goodness that Jesus provided His disciples with a template for prayer. If you are like me, personal prayer time may not come easy for you. We wonder where to begin. When conversing with others, we speak our minds and then wait for a reply. Often, it is difficult to speak our heart and then wait for God’s reply to us. He always answers, but I can tell you from my own experience, I do not always hear or understand what it is He is saying.

It can feel just a little weird going into a room and shutting the door and talking to God without a visual aid to help you focus. That is why I truly enjoy spending time in prayer rooms. Prayer rooms are awesome places to connect with our Lord, who sees, hears and answers. It does not have to be a big room, in fact, I prefer a smaller space. A comfy chair with a reading lamp, box of tissue and some soft throw pillows help make the room an inviting place to speak your heart. It is especially helpful to have either a table or an altar area with a Bible and a prayer guide to help focus our hearts on His Word. I like looking at the cross when I pray. Having a cross on the table or hanging on the wall make a purposeful focal point and draws us closer to Him. Prayer rooms can be anywhere – a physical place inside your church, a designated spot in your home, and even in your closet, if you can make a space in between all your shoes and clothing. My automobile is a virtual prayer closet. There are times when I simply pour my heart out to the Lord while driving down the highway between work and home. One must remember to always keep their eyes open while praying and driving in the car.

Jesus expressed concern for how the people approached the Father in prayer. Grandstanding and wordy, flowery gibberish, does not impress God. He goes deeper than the vocabulary that pours from our lips. God looks at our hearts. He is much more interested in our sincerity and desire to connect with Him as we spend time worshipping, confessing, and praising Him in prayer. He sees right through the rote rituals and memorized prayers we repeat. If it means nothing to us as the words fall from our lips and disappears into thin air, how can our prayers mean anything to the Father who knows us even better than we know ourselves?

Of all the things I find most comforting in life, I am thankful the Lord knows what I need before I ask Him. There are times when I’m not sure I know what I need or how to even ask. When I first started purposefully praying each day, I used to make a laundry list of all my needs and the needs of those I was praying for and then presented them in chronological order to the Lord. I learned that He was listening and answering even as I wrote the names and needs on the paper. God was hearing my prayers before I ever spoke the words out loud. I love serving a Lord who hears me before I even open my mouth.

I’ve often wondered about Jesus’ promise of a reward for those who pray in secret, and I’ve learned that the reward is Him. It is the Jesus Christ Himself, showing up and listening to my heart. It is His everlasting arms of grace that wrap me up in mercy and love, so undeserved. It is a relationship that I cannot describe adequately with human words. Even if praying alone behind closed doors makes you feel a little bit awkward at first, I want to encourage you not to stop. Like every relationship we build with family members and friends, the joy that comes from spending time in sacred conversation with the Lord is not only time well spent, but it will be the spiritual under girding that moves you through each day.

I know a pastor who is called by the Lord to teach and encourage people on prayer and inviting the presence of God into their daily lives. His life experiences and teaching has made a huge impact in my personal prayer time with God. He will be leading a prayer seminar in St. Charles, Missouri and Kansas City, Missouri, November 3-4, 2007. If you would like to go with me and hear Dr. Terry Teykl speak, please e-mail me today at songofdeborah@hotmail.com. I will be happy to provide you with more information about this worthwhile prayer seminar.

Sometimes we just need someone to hand us a blank page and a template to guide us. May the Lord of life write upon your heart the prayers He desires you to pray. The Father knows your every need before you even utter the words. His desire is for you to speak with Him in holy conversation every day of your life, and throughout all eternity.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: God to give you the desire to enter into a holy conversation with Him. Take some time to draw near to the Lord in prayer. Go into your room and shut the door, and seek the treasure of an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus Christ today. If you seek Him, He will find you.

____________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Are we there yet?

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Matthew 1, 2; Psalm 124

Psalm 124:8 (NIV)

8 Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Matthew 1:17 (NIV)

Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.

Good morning!

I take great comfort in knowing that God has a master plan in place, especially on days like today, when I seem to have many more questions than answers. Do you ever wake up with a laundry list a mile long and wonder how His peace can possibly bring comfort to a questioning heart? The Scripture says that “God’s peace passes all human understanding,” and I am holding on to this Word today.

Our children used to ask a million and one questions when we would travel. “Are we there yet?” was, by far, the most asked question on our road trips. Do you ever ask God “if you are there yet?” I wonder if He feels some of the same frustration I felt when my children continually asked me the same questions over and over again. Another question that seemed to pop up regularly was the one word wonder, “Why?” Do you ever ask God why? I know I do. In fact, I found myself asking Him that very question about an hour ago in prayer. How He longs for me to trust Him all the more, especially when I cannot seem to see the bigger picture.

My heart is drawn today to three precious people. All three have suffered with illness for almost all of their lives. A precious woman, blessed with a sharp and brilliant mind, but whose physical body has failed her through the years, lies in a semi-conscious state, lingering between this life and the life to come. Another woman fights to live as she remains at the top of a multiple transplant list. And a sweet little angel baby, born with a brain tumor, is preparing for yet another major surgery today. I cannot help but ask God, Why aren’t we there yet? With the medical advances and technology at our fingertips today, why can’t we eliminate the pain and suffering these illnesses and injuries bring into our daily lives? Why do little babies have to suffer so? Why do our bodies fail us when we have so much living left to do? What is your purpose and plan in the midst of grief and despair?

While traveling down life’s highway, after the questions have been asked over and over again, a miraculous thing occurs. His perfect peace falls over every road-weary traveler, who counts the mile markers and wonders when they will reach their destination. I wish I had all the answers to the why questions in life. I am grateful to know the only answer I will ever need to know. His name is Jesus. And when there are no words, there is His name. When I call upon the name of Jesus, all of the questions in my mind seem to slip into the comfort of His precious peace that passes all understanding.

If you are struggling today with a “why” question, or “are we there yet,” I would encourage you to cry out the name of Jesus, and allow His perfect peace to take hold of your wondering heart. It is good to know that He has a master plan and He hears our prayers and calms our questioning hearts. His peace is more than enough, even when we do not understand why, when, or how.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: His peace. When I cannot see the hand in front of my face, I’m grateful my God has a master plan in place. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

____________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Treasured possession

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Malachi 1, 2, 3, 4

Malachi 3:16-18 (NIV)

16 Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored His name. 17 “They will be mine,” says the Lord Almighty, “in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. 18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”

Good morning!

I have five treasures in my life. Their names are: Jett, Joshua, Emily, Madison and Andrew, our grandchildren. Every child has a unique and special place in my heart. Ranging in age from seven years to three months, these grandbabies bring great joy to my life. I realize that I must stay as young as I can, in order to keep up with them. Sometimes, they wear me out with their joyful exuberance. Most of the time, I’m up for the challenge.

Joshua and Emily have been staying with us periodically since their mommy had cancer surgery. Rachel is doing a little better each day. Thank you for praying for her. Last week, she became quite ill with what appeared to be a very serious post-surgical infection. A lot of prayer and little chicken soup made all the difference. Yesterday morning, Rachel felt well enough to ride to the soccer park to watch Joshua play soccer. We are seeing miracles unfold daily in the lives of our children, and for that, we stand in absolute awe of our great and mighty Jehovah Jireh.

This morning, Joshua and Emily were playing in the great room, and I heard Emily scream, and immediately, Joshua say, “I’m sorry, Emily.” Crying, Emily shouted, “I’m telling on you.” She came running into the study where I sat reading the Word. I knew she was coming. She crawled up on my lap and said, “Joshua hurt my arm.” I took a quick look and found no permanent damage. Holding her close, I said, “Emily, Joshua said he was sorry. I heard him say it. I don’t think he meant to hurt you.” I wiped the tears from her face and gently whispered. “And now, do you know what you need to do?” She shook her head at me. I said, “You need to forgive Joshua for hurting you. I want you to go back into the great room and tell Joshua that you forgive him and that you love him.” Furrowing her eyebrows, Emily looked at me and with great conviction said, “I don’t want to!” How many times are we hurt by another person, and when God calls us to forgive, we say the exact same thing! “Why should I forgive them? They don’t deserve it. Their words and actions really hurt me. I’d rather hang on to my pain and carry it around for awhile. I’ll just chew on it, spew it, and let that hard, crusty scar cover my soft and vulnerable heart.” We disobey God every time we choose not to forgive. There are times when it seems so much easier to bear a grudge than to let it go completely.

God didn’t have to forgive us either. He could have sent all of humanity away without even a second chance. He gave us the free will to choose whether to love and obey Him, or do our own thing. How many people do you know who perfectly obey the will of the Lord every day, without fail? Have you ever disobeyed God and failed to apologize for it?

The Lord Almighty listens to our prayers for forgiveness. On the Day of Atonement, when we are brought into “at-oneness” with our creator, redeemer and friend, God promises to keep His treasured possession. For those who seek His will, seeking His forgiveness and grace, we learn how to forgive those who hurt us along the way. It is then we become His treasured possession.

When Emily returned to the great room, I heard Joshua ask, “What did Nanny say to you?” Emily said, “Nanny says I love you, and I do.” When God says to love one another as Christ loves us, our answer should always be, “God says I love you, and I do.”

This is the perfect day to let go of the hurt that keep you from forgiving your brother completely. Confess your hurt to the Lord today, allowing Him to remove the thick shell of unforgiveness from your life, once and for all.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: forgiveness! If we want to receive God’s forgiveness and grace, we must forgive and love each other. You are a treasured possession to the Lord. He knows you by name. Won’t you let Him heal your heart today?

____________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

This is the Day of Atonement

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: 11, 12, 13, 14

Exodus 30:10 (NIV)

10 Once a year Aaron shall make atonement on its horns. This annual atonement must be made with the blood of the atoning sin offering for the generations to come. It is most holy to the Lord.

Leviticus 27:28 (NIV)

28 But nothing that a man owns and devotes to the Lord – whether man or animal or family land – may be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the Lord.

I Peter 1:18-21 (NIV)

18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers; 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and glorified Him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Good morning!

This weekend, the twenty-four hour period beginning Friday evening at dusk and ending Saturday night is the most precious and holy moment celebrated in Jewish faith and tradition. Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement or Day of Indwelling, is a feast that is celebrated around the world. During this twenty-four hour period, the faithful gather in their synagogues and places of worship to confess and repent of their sin, to publicly forgive those who have sinned against them, and to love and honor the Great I Am. It is a time of remembrance when the blood of the Lamb placed over the door posts of their homes protected them from the Passover of the death angel in Egypt, and how God brought them out of slavery and into the Promised Land.

As Christians, we rejoice and celebrate in the Day of Atonement, remembering the sacrifice of the holy Lamb of God, perfect and sinless offering, who takes away the sins of the world. Jesus Christ, the sacrificial lamb, became the bridge gap between an imperfect humanity and perfect God. He is our kinsman redeemer; the way, the truth and the life. This day is a day for all believers everywhere. It is most holy to the Lord.

How will you spend your day of atonement? Will you set aside a time for personal devotion and prayer? What gift will you bring to the altar of the Lord? Moses commanded the people that no man should appear before the Lord empty-handed: each person must bring a gift in proportion to the way the Lord your God has blessed you. {Deuteronomy 16:17). Take some time to make a list today of all the ways God has blessed you, saves you, walks with you, provides for you, and loves you even when you least deserve it. What kind of gift would you give to the Lord who gives you new life?

This is a day to pray, to deny ourselves something of value that can be offered to the Lord with grateful appreciation for the things He has done. Can you find it in your heart to make amends with someone you dislike? Would you sacrifice a meal out, donating that money to feed someone around the world who is starving today? Are you willing to spend not just five minutes, but maybe five hours in prayer and praise to the Lamb of God, who purchased your soul on Calvary?

I would challenge every Christian to observe the Day of Atonement this weekend. If you have not been to worship for some time, this is the perfect weekend to come home. I promise the roof will not fall in on you. At Faith Church, there will be people waiting to shake your hand and welcome you to worship. If you are worried about coming alone, invite your family, bring a friend or neighbor to join you this weekend at church. The moment is now. This is the time to thank Jesus Christ for His redeeming love.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: believers to join hearts and hands all over the world today, as we thank God for the Lamb who takes away our sin, and brings us into a right relationship with God. What gift will you offer to the Lord your God today?

____________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Stubborn streak

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

Zechariah 7:9-12 (NIV)

9 “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. 10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.’ 11 But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and stopped up their ears. 12 They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the Lord Almighty had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the Lord Almighty was very angry.

Good morning!

Do you have a stubborn streak? I used to get really angry with my children when, during a family discussion, I could see the self-righteous indignation taking hold of their physical bodies. They would literally stiffen up, pursing their lips with eyes glazed over and the tiny hairs on the back of their necks standing straight up. When I saw this look float across their faces, I knew this was the outward manifestation of a hardened and selfish heart inside. They were not hearing me, no matter how hard I tried to break through. Where do kids learn how to do this stuff? Sometimes I wonder if stubborn streaks are simply an inheritance, passed down from their Mama, affectionately known as the Queen of Flint!

Every now and then, I’ve seen my grandchildren “assume the position” while their parents are giving them verbal instructions. When parents speak, they expect their children to listen and obey them. How often do our kids simply turn us off, like the television set making meaningless noise from another room without an audience to watch and listen? It’s no wonder that God became very angry with His kids when they refuse to listen and obey His Word.

Zechariah spoke heartfelt instruction from God to His people. To administer true justice through love, one must show mercy and compassion. We must end the ongoing oppression of the widows and the fatherless, to stop judging them for the things they simply have no control over in life. He urged His children to love the poorest of the poor and not alienate them even further from society. He begged us not to think evil thoughts about each other. Did they listen and obey His Word? Do we listen and obey His instruction today?

God may be asking you to step out of your comfort zone and befriend someone who is struggling to survive. Maybe He is asking you to spend some serious time with a neighbor who has lost their spouse and spends long days cloistered and alone. It may not be pleasant for you to make time to sit and hold the hand of one who is suffering from separation, anger, and grief. If God called you to go and simply be present with them; to listen and care, would you do it willingly and without hesitation? It is much easier to be too busy and make excuses that cover up our feelings of inadequacy in sharing in another human being’s pain. Are we simply allowing our jam-packed days to harden our hearts to someone who truly needs a friend? I don’t know about you, but this is an area in my life that needs a serious attitude adjustment.

This morning I’m thinking about the times I have refused to listen and obey the Lord’s instruction. Like my children, I’ve stood motionless and unbending at the foot of the cross, refusing to remove the flint from my face. It is my sin that sent the Lord Jesus Christ to Calvary. He came back to break my hard and callous heart. Day by day, Jesus teaches me a little more about His perfect love, and my imperfect attempts to imitate Him. If God is tugging at your heart to reach out in love to someone today and it makes you just a little too uncomfortable, ask yourself why. Then, let the Lord break your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. He will do it if you are willing to let go of your stubborn streak today.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the desire to turn around, unstop your ears, and allow the Lord of life to melt your heart of stone and soften that flint face. God is calling us to love each other through the perfect love of Christ. Someone out there needs you right now. Are you ready to listen and obey?

____________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

His Spirit is all we need

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Zechariah 4, 5, 6

Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)

6 So [the angel] said to me, “This is the Word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord God Almighty.”

Acts 2:17; 47b (NIV)

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.’

47b And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Good morning!

Can you imagine what the early church might have looked like had it hired an outside consulting firm to do its evangelistic outreach campaign? The advertisement might have sounded something like this:

Come and visit The Church! We are conveniently located near the intersection of Grace Parkway and Highway 2 Heaven Road. Come and experience abundant life in our spacious state-of-the-art worship center. We offer a variety of program selections designed specifically to meet your family’s needs. We maintain a staff of highly educated, well-trained pastors, teachers, and evangelists, who are on call and ready to help you seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. Won’t you come and join in one of our ten celebration services this weekend?

Sometimes we lose sight of whose church it is that we worship in. God had instructed Zerubbabel to see to the rebuilding of His temple in Jerusalem. The prophet Zechariah encouraged the people to press on while Zerubbabel made sure the work was completed according to the Lord’s specification. We get so caught up in the craftsmanship and detail of human hands that we forget to acknowledge the work of the Holy Spirit in drawing people into the community of faith. The angel spoke God’s Word to Zechariah when he said, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord God Almighty.

After Christ’s death and resurrection, a small band of believers gathered together in the Upper Room and waited for the promise of the Holy Spirit. It was the Spirit of the living God that drew literally thousands into fellowship with Jesus Christ. It was His Spirit that spoke to the hearts of people everywhere. It was His Spirit that converted even the most hardened hearts, like Saul. The early church gathered together in one tiny space, sharing everything they had with each other. They built their foundation upon prayer and praise, knowing they were powerless to change a world by their own hands. They waited for the Lord to act, and gave Him all glory, praise and honor, for the hearts of those who were being saved daily. Can you imagine what The Church could be if we took the “we” out of our advertising and focused completely upon Him?

Jesus Christ sends us forth with a message of salvation and hope to a world who desperately longs to know Him. We need to get out of His way, allowing His sweet Holy Spirit to do the greater work. We must stop relying solely upon the amenities we build with our hands, or the programs we plan and offer. Bringing people to Christ begins on our knees in prayer. It is not by anything we do or build, but only by the power of His Holy Spirit.

When the presence of God hovers, the people will come. As Christians, we can join hearts and hands through the Spirit, praying for our brothers and sisters to give their lives to the Lord. His sweet Holy Spirit is the only evangelist we need to bring the message of salvation to all people.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: a move of the Holy Spirit to break out in your faith community today. If God’s people will simply humble themselves and pray, the Church of Jesus Christ will rise up over all the earth and the Great Commission will be fulfilled just as He instructed us to do.

____________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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