Mountain view

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

Micah 4:1-3 (NIV)

1 In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills and peoples will stream into it.

2 Many nations will come and say, “Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Good morning!

Yesterday, I found myself dreaming about taking a quick trip to the mountains. Our David loves the Colorado Mountains. We spent some incredible time as a family in Bailey, Colorado. Our last trip was in the fall of 2003. We left home our home on September 10^th, enjoying the beginning of an early fall. As we drove northwest of Denver, we hit a huge snowstorm, and the flakes were as large as dollar sized pancakes. It was the most beautiful thing I think I’ve ever seen. I wondered if we would spend our week cloistered inside the cabin around a log fire while the storm passed through, but the snow fall was short lived, and while it was plenty cold in the evenings, our days were sunny and filled with the wonder of flaming aspens and the sound of the cold Black river crashing against the rocks and river bed near our vacation home.

When I visit the mountains, I feel like I’ve come home. It is a sense of joy that I find hard to describe. David knows exactly how I feel, because he shares the same joy that I do when we vacation at Colorado. It is a place where we find ourselves surrounded by the majestic beauty of God’s creative work. I’ve never seen bluer skies or prettier landscapes than in the valleys between each mountain pass. The log cabin where we stay is rustic. It sports hardwood floors with woven area rugs, a large fireplace with a stone hearth that seats five people easily. Thank goodness for indoor plumbing and electricity. When the power fails, there is always an oil lamp just waiting to provide light in the dark night. And in the mountains when the power goes out, it is pitch black. Late at night when I’m laying in the four poster bed upstairs underneath a mound of warm block quilts, I cannot see the hand in front of my face. There are no phones or television sets. This is something I’ve come to truly appreciate. Sometimes we just need to get away from all the things that distract us, and simply dwell in the presence of God. Surrounded in His love, there is no other place I’d rather be.

The prophet Micah describes God’s holy mountain, Mount Zion, as a mountain above all others. It is a place where peoples from all over the earth will go to meet the Lord of life. There, He will teach us to walk in His ways, along paths of righteousness. His law will rule; His Word will reign. Jesus, the living Word of God, will reign on Zion.

I do not get to travel to the Colorado mountains as often I would like. Yet, I can climb the mountain of the Lord and sit in His holy presence every moment of every day, simply by calling out His name. Whenever we seek His face, He draws us closer along the mountain path. The beauty of the Lord surrounds us there, and we are forever changed by His grace and love. There is nothing more precious than going up the hill to the foot of cross. It is where we find covering for sin, communion with our Savior, and the fresh breath of everlasting life. Will you come and stand on the mountain top with me today? Jesus Christ is waiting to meet us there.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: an extraordinary view! Christ’s love is waiting for you on Mount Zion. Come and partake in the rapture of a soul ransomed by God’s amazing grace. Won’t you take a trip to God’s holy mountain with me 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.

Running away?

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

Jonah 1:1-3 (NIV)

1 The Word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Go to the great city of Ninevah and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” 3 But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed from Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.”

Good morning!

Pack your running shoes! Let’s just see how fast you can fly. After all, you’ve just been called by God to make a difference in the world around you, and what He has asked you to do sounds crazy, sadistic, and seemingly impossible! “God, you can’t be calling me.” “You want me to do what?” Several years ago, Comedian Bill Cosby recorded and performed a short skit in which God and Noah had a conversation relating to call. I laughed hysterically the first time I watched Cosby perform this piece on television. Hysterical laughter is a great stress reliever and a cover for the uncomfortable rumblings we feel rising up from the pit of our stomachs. We know when God calls us to act. Yet, we look for ways to do just about anything else except that one thing. Hearing God’s call is kind of like having a baby. A woman waits nine months to give birth and wonders every time she feels a pain, whether she should head to the hospital. But when the actual labor begins, there is absolutely no doubt that something big is getting ready to be birthed. Have you ever tried run away from God? Some say that the book of Jonah is a whale of a story, but I’m here to tell you, this is as real as it gets.

I’ve spent many days running in the opposite direction of the Lord. I’ve never found a pair of running shoes that could carry me faster than my Lord could fly. Sometimes in an open and utter rebellion, I would have rather eaten a can of worms than answer His call. And there are times when I did just that. So why do we feel compelled to run away from God’s call upon our life?

When my children were young, I used to ask them, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” My babies had high aspirations. Rachel wanted to be a mommy. Benjamin wanted to be a trash collector. David wanted to be E.T. “The Extra Terrestrial.” A mother, an alien and a waste removal engineer, my children were pursuing an interesting career path. Isn’t it strange that none of them raised their hands and said, “I want to be a Prophet when I grow up!” Why not a prophet? After all, it is a noble calling. Prophets hear and speak the Word of God, while people seek them out to publicly humiliate them for being faithful and true to the call. Many prophets live a life of public rejection, having very few friends whom they can count on. They spend their days eating wild locusts and honey while trying to catch a cat nap in a dark secluded cave. They recognize that God’s Word must be proclaimed at all costs, even if it means losing their own life in the process. It’s no wonder Jonah ran away. Do you run in the opposite direction when God calls you?

God may be calling you to tell others about what He has done in your life. You may find faith sharing to be extremely difficult. Wondering if you might offend another person by stepping on their toes, we choose to keep silent rather than say something that might place us in relational jeopardy. If God is calling you to share Christ with your neighbor, ask Him to give you His spirit of boldness, to say the words that He would have you say. When God calls, He makes a way for you. An opportunity will arise – something will happen that will give you a chance to say what is on your heart. There are lots of really wonderful, moral and upright folks out there, loving others while respecting their space, offering assistance, and showing kindness to the world around them. There are lots of good people who do not believe in Jesus Christ. At some point, Christians must say why they do what it is they do. It is only in telling Christ’s story that we can spread the salvation message to the world, while obeying His Word in our daily walk.

When we run away from God, whether it is from fear of the unknown to inexplicable, open rebellion, we are going to get swallowed up in the belly of a whale, just like our friend Jonah. Separation from God is a painful thing. He may be calling you to something you do not feel equipped to do. Ask Him to help you today. God will give you the strength, grace and perseverance to go the distance, walking with you, every step of the way. Jesus promised to be with us always, even to the end of the age. And that’s a promise we can count on.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: greater faith! If the Lord calls you to it, He will see you through it, every step of the way. It’s time to put your running shoes away.

___________________________________________

© 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.

Possessing your inheritance

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Amos 7, 8, 9; Obadiah

Amos 9:11-12 (NIV)

11 In that day I will restore David’s fallen tent, I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be, 12 so that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear my name,” declares the Lord, “who will do these things.”

Obadiah 1:17 (NIV)

17 But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and the house of Jacob will possess its inheritance.

Good morning!

I was never very good at pitching a tent. No matter how tight I secured each corner, the center always seemed to sag. In the middle of the night during a summer storm, a sagging center is not a good thing, especially if you had intended to stay dry. The next morning, I could hear the snickers of my peers as they awoke and noticed the fallen and soggy tent toppled over on top of me. It was obvious I was in desperate need of an extreme makeover. Thank God for my talented tent-building friends, who never gave up trying to help, especially when my tent kept caving in. It was the same scenario on every camping trip I’ve ever been on. As I grew older, I learned to appreciate the intrinsic beauty of camping out in a Coleman® Pop-Up camper. Now that is one easy tent to pitch!

Sometimes our faith needs an extreme makeover. God offers us His umbrella of salvation. It is an inheritance we don’t deserve; yet, He offers it freely through the grace of His only Son, Jesus Christ. Have you ever received a gift you were not sure you wanted to keep? The gift of salvation is offered to everyone but some return the gift unopened and unused. Others may choose unwrap their tent of eternal protection and abundant life, only to pitch it during times of extreme pain or discouragement. My mother always used to say that practice makes perfect. A rookie tent-pitcher may find their faith sagging in the middle of a seasonal thunderstorm. When faith does not stand secure, the storms sweep in and their rich inheritance is washed away as the tent falls down around them. Has your faith tent ever sagged in the storms of your life?

There is a distinct difference between receiving an inheritance and possessing it. Anyone can receive a gift but not everyone will choose to embrace it. To possess something of value means that you will take ownership of it, employ it, use it, care for it, maintain it, and cherish it. I could have been a much better tent-builder if I had really wanted to camp. Camping was not my thing and I had very little interest in sleeping outside under the stars. If I had really wanted to, I could have learned how to pitch a tent without a sagging center. It was easier to accept defeat when the tent folded up around me, than to try it again (and in my case, again and again). If you want the inheritance you’ve received in Christ Jesus to hold up during the storms of life, it takes more than mere receivership to make that happen. You must possess your inheritance with a passion! It is not an option to merely accept Christ and ignore Him for the rest of your life. We must embrace Him in all of our life’s work. We must employ Him in everything we do and say. He must become our breath, our vision, our taste, and our only hope. He must become the only One we trust to cover us every single day for the rest of our earthly life. Do you trust Christ enough to let Him cover you completely?

The prophets Amos and Obadiah remind us that God will restore our fallen tents, repairing the broken places in our lives, so that we may truly possess our inheritance and live under His umbrella, safe and secure. God offers an extreme makeover to your faith walk today. Are you ready to unwrap the gift God has given you and take possession of it today?

Faith builders stand ready and waiting to help take up the slack of a sagging center. If you are not going to church right now, I would encourage you to find a community of faith and plug yourself into a small group Bible study. Everyone needs a place where they can learn more about their inheritance, the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. We need to be able to ask questions, express opinions, and listen to each other. We are stronger together, covered underneath His umbrella of grace and mercy, where forgiveness is available, and love reigns over all.

A saggy tent on a rainy weekend can make for a long and miserable camping experience. We can all be happy campers, when we let go and let God do an extreme makeover Are you ready to possess your inheritance today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: an extreme makeover! If God can take mustard seed faith and move mountains with it, then there is hope for your sagging center. Come and see us at Faith Church today. We’ll hook you up with a small group who will help you in Tent Pitching 101. May God especially bless you today, as you take possession of the rich inheritance offered through Jesus Christ!

___________________________________________

© 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.

The dualisms of life

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Amos 4, 5, 6

Amos 5:14-15 (NIV)

14 Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say He is. 15 Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph.

Matthew 7:9-12 (NIV)

9 “Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! 12 So, in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”

Good morning!

I am a collector of many different types of memorabilia. I place scraps of paper and notes I’ve taken into Creative Memories® scrapbooks. I have a bookshelf full of scrapbook photos capturing places I’ve been throughout my life’s journey and the stories I share with family and friends. Do you collect sentimental relics that help convey who you are - something that you may one day leave as an heirloom for your children or grandchildren? I have a Bible that is literally falling apart at the seams. I have marked in it for over ten years now. It was a gift from my husband when I took my first Disciple Bible Study class in Salem, Missouri. I carry it with me each week to church and school, but it is becoming unmanageable, as the pages are literally beginning to fall out of its binding. A lot of time has been spent pouring over its pages, marking the text, and taking notes during worship. Someday I will need to retire this book, especially if I intend to pass it along to my family. Until then, I need to put it in a zippered case, simply to keep it all together. Do you have a Bible that is precious to you? Scripture is a precious treasure containing love letters from God. It is a wonderful gift worth passing from generation to generation.

My New Testament professor has a unique and unusual collection to share. He looks for dualisms in life, and keeps a notebook filled with words illustrating this philosophy. Every week in class, we embark upon a study and reflection of various dualisms jam-packed throughout Scripture. Prophets conveyed the Word of God through the variety of dualisms spoken to the people of Israel. Amos urges God’s people to seek good rather than evil, for goodness would bring life, but evil would render death. Good versus evil – life and death issues; the dualisms we continue to struggle with everyday. Brilliant philosophers like Plato, Aristotle and Renè Descartes helped unpack some of the questions dualistic living raises. Cartesian dualism suggests that the mind and body, two distinct substances, can and does interact with one another.

Jesus Christ knew a lot about genuine goodness and the evil intentions buried in the hearts and minds of people. We are a mix of good and evil, mind and matter, spirit and body. Jesus said, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” How I long to give good gifts to my kids, but sometimes I fail. Even the best intentions can be laced with ulterior motives, such as bribery. Have you never offered your child a little incentive if they would bring home a good grade on a test or as a special reward for picking up their room? To become a person full of goodness is the legacy I want to leave, knowing that I must have Christ’s perfecting touch to reach it one day. You see, only perfect goodness exists in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are created in the image of God, and God sees His creation as good. Our goodness is not yet perfected, but through Christ’s amazing grace, we can move closer toward His holy perfection and goodness each day.

Do you struggle with dualisms in your life? My desire to live in the Lord’s daily presence can only come through seeking His way, which is the only way to the Father. The words of the Prophet Amos remind me today that I must embrace God’s goodness over evil, checking out my ulterior motives, and relying completely upon the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ alone.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: the desire to strive toward perfection in Christ Jesus. He can take the dualisms and contradictions in our lives and wash us clean by the power of His precious blood. Come into His presence today and worship the Lord. I’ll see you this morning at Faith Church, a community of faith where you will always be welcome.

___________________________________________

© 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.

Ivory towers

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

Amos 3:14-15 (NIV)

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

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV)

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

Good morning!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

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

___________________________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Wasting time

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Joel 1, 2, 3

Joel 2:25 (NIV)

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

Joel 2:32 (NIV)

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

John 3:16 (NIV)

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

Good morning!

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

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

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

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

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

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

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

___________________________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Life light

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

Psalm 119:178 (NIV)

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

Hosea 14:9 (NIV)

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

Good morning!

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

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

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

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

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

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

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

___________________________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Baby steps of faith

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Hosea 10, 11, 12

Hosea 11:1-4 (NIV)

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

Good morning!

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

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

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

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

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

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

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

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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Removing decay from our lives

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Hosea 7, 8, 9

Hosea 8:12 (NIV)

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

Matthew 9:10-13 (NIV)

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

Good morning!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

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

___________________________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Casual sin

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Hosea 4, 5, 6

Hosea 6:1-3 (NIV)

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

Good morning!

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

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

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

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

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

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

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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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

Loving the unlovable

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: Hosea 1, 2, 3

Hosea 1:2 (NIV)

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

Good morning!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

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

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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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