Gerry Charlotte Phelps

Do not be afraid!

5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.  6 He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.  Come and see the place where He lay.  7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’  Now I have told you. Matthew 28:5-7 (NIV)

Good morning!

Are you afraid to talk about Jesus outside of church?  Do you worry that your faith might become an issue at work, within your circle of friends, or even amongst your own family? 

The women who went to the garden tomb had to be very frightened.  They knew the Romans were watching them. There were still plenty of angry Jews in Jerusalem, some of them were their own family members and friends.  They witnessed His miracles and learned from His teaching for three years.  They knew without a doubt He was God’s promised Messiah, and so they continued to walk, especially on a morning just like this.

The angel said, “Do not be afraid; He is not here; Come and see; Go quickly and tell.”   The women were looking for Christ’s physical body.  They did not yet see that they had been transformed to Christ’s living body of believers.  They were the body of Christ!  He was no longer in the tomb; Christ is alive and living within every believer’s heart.  Come and see for yourself; don’t take my word for it!  Open the Bible and read the evidence; weigh it against everything you know to be true.  I challenge you to ask God to reveal the truth of Christ to you.  Now go, and quickly tell.  As members of His body, we are responsible for spreading the Gospel message to all who will listen.  Some will reject Him, others will turn away.  Do not let that stop you from sharing what you know to be true.  Find new ways to share the truth of Christ by your words, deeds, behaviors, and simply loving people the way Christ continually loves you. 

This is your day not to be afraid!  Jesus Christ is alive!  Come and see it for yourself, and then go spread the Good News!   

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Day of Preparation

41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb.  42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. John 19:41-42 (NIV)

There is nothing that prepares us adequately for the realities of death.  For loved ones left behind, regrets can become overwhelming.  Life is short.  Death will come touch every one of us someday, whether we are prepared for it or not.

The day of preparation had begun; Passover was eminent.  On a hill overlooking the city of Jerusalem, onlookers watched from the hillside below as three convicted criminals were hung high; their naked bodies impaled upon wooden crosses for the whole world to see.  Now it was time for the Jews to return home for Sabbath worship and rest. Just like their ancestors experienced long ago in Egypt, the angel of death had swept over their world once again.

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus could not bear to let Christ’s body hang on the cross over the Sabbath.  They felt compelled to properly prepare Jesus’ body for burial according to Jewish custom.  They laid His body in a garden tomb nearby.  They bathed Him with myrrh and aloes, wrapping His body in strips of cloth.  They were determined to finish the preparation before the Son completely disappeared in the western sky.  Even with their combined knowledge and sage wisdom, they were unable to comprehend the morbid events of the last twelve hours. With tears streaming down their cheeks, they expressed their own personal guilt for not having stopped this man’s murder.

Later that evening, Jewish families went through mindless acts of worship, all the while, wondering where hope had gone.  Could the cruel events of this week somehow have been changed?  Why did death come to our teacher?  He did nothing but share His Father's love with our world.  How could we have turned on Him after all He did to heal our people and restore the land?  If we only had one more day in the presence of Jesus…

The day of preparation is here.  The reality of death is passing over, whether we are ready or not.  Are you prepared for the night that is coming?  Do you know where hope has gone? 

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Troubleshooter

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me, you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)

Good morning!

When I attended new employee orientation at work, the most important piece of information I received was the telephone number for the company’s Help Desk.  What a gift to know there is a caring heart at the other end of line, ready to help whenever I hit a speed bump on the motherboard of life.  We need someone out there who can troubleshoot for us, and I know an extremely talented computer guru whom I can call on whenever I need extreme help.

Trouble seems to lurk around every virtual corner of our lives.  Like the dust bunnies that silently gather underneath my sofa, they become a mass legion of dirt if I don’t occasionally sweep them out the door.   We all struggle with something.  Isn’t it good to know there is someone you can call, twenty-four hours a day, who loves you enough to go the distance for your very soul?  He is our personal troubleshooter, whose purpose is to fix the problem we could not change on our own.  He understands the issue far better than we do; and He will stop at nothing to remedy the problem, if we are willing to let Him help.

Jesus walked and talked with His disciples for three years.  He had given them His very best, and now it was time to fulfill the ultimate prophecy.  Christ came for one purpose – to take the sins of the world upon His shoulders, purchasing salvation for all who would believe and receive. 

Sometimes I get really confused.  I call the Help Desk when I don’t understand why my computer is locked up. It’s tough being disconnected. The fix is miraculous, especially when I’m up against a deadline and bouncing off a proverbial brick wall.  I know my troubleshooter.  We are on a first-name basis.  I count on Him to be right there with me, every minute of every day, and He is.

Jesus Christ gave His life’s blood so that He could troubleshoot your sin, fixing your disconnect once and for all.  Won’t you call on the Lord for heavenly help?  He is right here, ready and willing to save you now.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Who left the gate open?

3 “The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to His voice.  4 He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” John 10:3-4 (NIV)

“Who left the gate open?” I could hear the frustration in the voice of my grandmother as she ran down the path from the farm house to the animal pen. Someone fed the chickens and the pigs and didn’t get the gate shut, and now it was time to look for the ones who had wandered away. What a job! I visited my grandmother almost every weekend when I was a little girl, and it didn’t take long for me to realize I was not cut out to be a farmer. Those king snakes that curled up in the chicken coop next to the eggs were more than enough to keep me far away from the pen. I hate to blame everything on my little sister and my crazy cousins, but they were a whole lot braver than me. There is no way I would have left that gate open.

It was entertaining, watching my grandmother run around in her long apron and big black shoes, shaking her dish towel while making loud whooping noises, trying to coerce those carefree animals back inside the gate. The pigs came running when they saw the bucket of slop being dumped into the feeding trough. Those guys were always hungry! The chickens and goats were a little more persnickety. Granny would shout loud threats, while swinging that dish rag, as if they could understand her every word. “If you don’t get back in that pen right now, we’re having fried chicken for dinner!” Eventually, the animals would return to the fold. Grandma was the gatekeeper.

Just like those animals at the farm, His disciples couldn’t understand a word Jesus was saying to them. He is the Father’s gatekeeper! His sheep will recognize and listen closely to His voice. Jesus knows each one by name, loving them with a sacrificial love. He opens the gate and leads them into the world. They follow Him wherever He leads. The sheep are totally in love with the Shepherd.

Do you trust Jesus enough to step outside your box today and follow Him?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Reversing the lens

39 Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.” John 9:39(NIV)

Good morning!

Yesterday at work, I was trying to focus my eyes on some printed material right in front of me, and I found myself struggling to read the text. I’ve worn corrective contact lenses for years, but it seemed like my vision had changed overnight. Have you ever had this experience? Out of sheer desperation, I went to the ladies’ room and switched my contact lenses, and what do you know - I could see clearly again! Have you ever put your contact lenses in the wrong eyes? I wish I could tell you this was the first time I’ve done it, but that would not be true. Sometimes, I need to experience a role reversal so I can see clearly.

The Pharisees were not happy with the man from Nazareth. He was stepping on toes, healing sinful people on the Sabbath, and making quite a stir in town. I think it is safe to say they did not like Him at all. They couldn’t understand His purpose for coming and they refused to try. A role reversal was occurring right before their very eyes, but the Pharisees simply couldn’t see it. They were blinded to the truth of Jesus Christ.

When we have difficulty reading and understanding God’s Word and how it speaks to our hearts, we need to stop and check our spiritual lens. Maybe we’ve unintentionally reversed it, which is why we cannot see the truth clearly. We get so bent on seeing things the way we want to see it, rather than trying to understand what God may actually be saying. Do you know what I mean?

It is easy to see things through our own personal lens. We need the help of the Holy Spirit to recognize the Truth. Jesus can heal our spiritual blindness, when we ask Him to help us see and understand His truth clearly. If you are struggling to see clearly today, try reversing the lens you are looking through. It may clear up your vision instantly!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

 

 

Miraculous mud pack!

15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. “He put mud on my eyes,” the man replied, “and I washed, and now I see.” John 9:15(NIV)

Good evening!

I sat on the edge of my bed last night, watching Kirk Cameron interview one of my favorite Christian groups, Avalon, while rubbing my tired, dry feet with moisturizing lotion. This is the time of year when dry skin gives me grief. Just like the tulips peeking through the crusty hard soil in my garden bed, these tiny toes are screaming to break out into some colorful spring sandals. Do you fight with patches of dry skin in the winter time?

The blind man’s neighbors assumed this boy was the byproduct of some lifelong sin that had occurred. He was tolerated in his hometown by the locals. Like a patch of dry, crusty, skin, they lived with him, much to their dismay. People would go out of their way to avoid him. A few kind souls had compassion on him. They would drop off a sack lunch – a few fish and some unleavened bread so he wouldn’t sit there and starve. Occasionally, he would receive a coin or two from a generous heart. No one wanted to be near the man with eyes that could not see. He was an eyesore to the righteous.

Jesus made miraculous mud packs from the dirt of the soil and with his saliva and placed it on the man’s eyes. The scales fell off in the water as he washed. The blind man was desperate for healing and desperate situations require total faith. He was tired of being the community’s callous; the flake that sat at the edge of the world hoping his life might one day be transformed. Jesus offered this man a fresh new life.

One would have thought the Pharisees would have been relieved to have seen such a miracle with their very own eyes. But they were more concerned that this man, who obviously didn’t deserve to be healed, was forever changed on their Sabbath, the most holy and high day of the week.

Who do you think had the driest skin of all: the man whose eyes were opened, or the ones who couldn’t accept the miracle that occurred? Precious Lord Jesus, please heal my hardened heart today. Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Wash up!

6 Having said this, [Jesus] spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. John 9:6-7(NIV)

Good morning!

“Wash up for supper!” We could hear Mom shouting from the open window by the kitchen sink. My sister and I would come running in from the back yard, famished and ready to sit down for our family meal. We had a small step stool by the sink in the bathroom so we could reach the faucets and wash our hands. Daddy often worked outside until dark, so our evening meals were late, especially in the summer time. Daddy’s hands were filthy from mowing grass, pulling weeds, and working on our family car. He kept a jar of Goop® next to the sink, just to remove those hard, set-in stains. 

“Scrub hard!” Mom would say as she heard the water running. Pammy and I would play around a little, slinging soapy water at each other. Occasionally, the water would splash in our faces. I was the family tattle tale. I cried, “Mommy, Pammy got soap in my eyes!” “Stop fooling around and come to the table right now,” she would say. We would run to the kitchen table, sliding into our designated seats. Before we said our table prayer, Mommy would look at our hands and faces to ensure we were actually clean. Often, we were sent back to the bathroom sink to wash again. 

Jesus knew a little dirt mixed in the Master’s hand is a powerful, healing balm. Touching the blind man’s eyes with His miraculous mudpack, Jesus sent him to the pool of Siloam to wash up for the rest of his life. Willingly, the blind man went to the Pool of Siloam and washed his face and hands. He returned home, seeing clearly for the very first time.

Amazing miracles happen when we allow the Lord of life to wash us in His precious, healing blood. He has the power to remove our set-in, sinful stains once and for all. He will clean up your life, if you will let Him. Will you choose to obey when He sends you to the Pool of Grace to wash up? 

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

 

 

Daylight Saving Time

4 “As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:4-5(NIV)

Good morning!

Daylight savings time has occurred in the US, and we lost an hour of sleep last Saturday night in an attempt to “spring forward.” I do not understand why it is so hard to lose that extra hour of rest, yet so easy to “fall back” in the fall. My body tells me I have misplaced an entire night’s rest. I think this must be symptomatic of some deeper revelation. Maybe it’s because I’m in the last week of quarter classes and I’m trying to finish up projects that are due this weekend. Maybe that is why I’m feeling a little extra fatigued. Does the switch to daylight savings time affect you this way?

I enjoy the longer daylight hours. There is something delicious about not having to drive home from work at 6pm in total darkness. It means I can go outside and play for an hour – I can actually see my messy garden beds that are begging for a little extra attention and tender loving care. I can take a walk and still see where I’m walking. When the weather warms up, the days will grow longer and soon we will be mowing the grass and pulling weeds. I have come to enjoy the extra time outside while the daylight lasts.

Jesus understood the value of His light. His Father sent Him to be the light of life to a dark and disillusioned world. He only had so much time to do the work of the One who had sent Him. Jesus knew that the night would eventually come, when no one would be able to work.

This is our daylight saving time.  We have a window of opportunity to share the Gospel message with others right now! There is still a little daylight left outside. How will you choose to use the time God has given you to plant seeds for His kingdom?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO 

www.songofdeborah.com

 

Catching doubt in the palm of His hand

31 Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31(NIV)

I’ve been asking myself that very question for the last couple of days. If Christ calls me to get out of the boat and walk across the water toward Him, shouldn’t I be able to do it without fear of sinking?

Last August, our twenty-eight year old daughter Rachel underwent surgery for cancer. In October, her physicians confirmed that she was cancer free! In December, Rachel’s medical tests produced questionable results. I weighed the medical test results against her present state of health and made a judgment call based upon what I could see. By the time Rachel had biopsies in February, I was convinced she was no longer well.

Sometimes we listen to God but we don’t hear what He is saying. We trust Him enough to let go of the security blanket, only to shrink back in fear, believing that what we see is what we get. When Simon Peter took a look at the water swirling beneath his feet, he couldn’t imagine having the human ability to walk on top of the water and not sink. When he looked down, Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, and began to drown in fear. It was at that moment our Lord pulled Peter up from the raging water and asked, “Why did you doubt?”

When Rachel called Thursday evening, I clearly heard the words she said over the telephone. I’m cancer free! Immediately, I heard the Word of the Lord speak to my heart. He asked, “Why did you doubt?” For a time, I diverted my gaze from the One who heals and was more focused on the deep swirling water beneath my feet. Even in the midst of our great joy, I realized that once again, I failed at Faith-Walking 101. It was high time to confess it and seek His forgiveness for not trusting Him all the more. I needed Jesus Christ to take my doubts into the palm of His nail-scarred palm and heal me once again.

Remind me today, dear Lord, to focus completely on Your Word, especially when I begin to doubt. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC -St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Who is your daddy?

19 Then they asked Him, “Where is your Father?” Jesus replied, “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” John 8:19(NIV)

I’ve often wondered about who my biological parents are. You see, I was adopted as an infant, and I’ve never met them. I would love to thank them for giving me life. I cannot imagine the emotions that come with making a conscious decision to give up a newborn baby. I’ve been told that my biological mother was young and unmarried, and that my daddy played with a band. I’ve often thought about trying to trace my biological background. If I had the opportunity to thank my mother personally, I would tell her how grateful I am that she chose not to abort me. She chose to give me life! What a sacrifice of love she made in carrying me to term, then offering me to a family who was not able to have biological children. One sweet day, I believe I will be thanking her in heaven, face to face.

Do I look like my biological parents? Do I emulate their character and disposition? Is my love for music a direct link to my dad? Even though I’ve never met my biological parents, I believe they are part of who I am, and I carry pieces of each of them inside my heart. I’ve passed their traits along to my children and grandchildren. I may not physically be able to point them out in a crowd, but they are precious to me. My biological parents are a significant part of who I am.

When the Pharisees asked, “Where is your daddy?” Jesus replied, “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” When we fall in love with Jesus Christ, we begin to love and honor the Father who sent Him. You cannot help but love the Father when you really know the Son. We experience amazing relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Three in One!

If you’re looking for the Father, you will see Him in the Son. Take a closer look at Jesus Christ today. Do you know His Daddy?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

 

Selective hearing

17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ. 18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did. Romans 10: 17-18(NIV)

Good day!

Do you ever have trouble hearing? My mother, mother-in-law and husband all wear hearing aids to help them hear more clearly. I have three children who have selective hearing, a genetic trait they’ve inherited from their mother’s side. We’ve become pros at tuning out what we don’t want to hear, and focusing in on the things we enjoy. Do you suffer with selective hearing too?

There are times when I struggle to hear God clearly. How do you listen for His still, small voice? The Apostle Paul reminds us that we can hear when we listen to the Word of Christ. Seeking His still, small voice is something I do from the minute I get up until I turn out the light at the end of the day. I look for Him everywhere, and in everything I do. Sometimes, even when I’m trying, God has to take out His 2x4 and bop me on the head a few times to get my attention. I’ve been fighting with selective spiritual hearing for most of my life. It may be easy to hear what we want, but not so easy to hear what we may need to understand.

Every one of us has a special call on our lives. We were created by the hand of God for a specific plan and purpose. Do you know what you’re supposed to be doing with your life? I’m still trying to figure it all out. I’m 49 years old, and at the rate I’m going, I’ll be asking the same question at age 99. Where will He take me in the next 50 years of my life? I wonder how I will hear Him if my ears are plugged? If my heart is not open to His realm of possibility, will I miss out on the one thing He has called me to do?

Come and join me, as we study God’s Word together. Don’t miss out on all God has planned for you. Get into the Word today, and He will speak. I can guarantee it.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Power Nap

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12(NIV)

We had a sleepover last night. Granny Deb prayed away all the scary things that keep little eyes wide awake. It took an hour to get Emily to fall asleep. Joshua dozed off after three drinks of water and two bathroom breaks, but our Emily was hanging on. She wanted nine-month old Andrew to come back to the bedroom, but Granny Deb was determined to keep him in the other room until this little one was sound asleep. Finally, around 11:00pm, all three children had entered their rim cycle of peaceful sweet dreams. I had tucked Andrew under the blanket and had tiptoed to my bedroom, hoping I would catch a power nap myself. Five minutes just wasn’t long enough. I realized this boy was not going to sleep alone. All the prayers of protection were not working to comfort this wee one. Andrew wanted to know someone was right there with him. As long as he could feel my hand on his chest, and my breath blowing across his face, Andrew could sleep. When I tried to put him back in the crib, he was inconsolable. So Granny Deb curled up with her sweet little bed fellow and we took a power nap together.

Sometimes, we just need to know that the Lord is with us. We long to feel His hand holding us up. We need the reassurance of His breath gently breathing new life into our bodies, giving us His eternal hope. Just like baby Andrew, I am inconsolable until I feel Christ’s holy presence surrounding me, allowing me the freedom to really rest in His eternal love.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” When things get dark and the path seems unclear, we can call upon The light of The World. He gives us His light, which is the light of life, and all who come to Him can rest assured in His holy presence. We can relax now. Jesus is right here with us now.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

 

The heart of a child

1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Galatians 5:1-2(NIV)

Good day!

When I arrived at the party, I saw my four-year-old granddaughter, sitting on a chair at the Strawberry Shortcake table, dressed in a pink polka-dot dress with white frilly socks and shiny white shoes.  I began singing the song “Happy Birthday.”  When she saw my face, her eyes lit up like little firecrackers exploding in the night.  Immediately, Emily jumped to her feet and shouted, “Nanny, I got four!  I got four!”  I took her in my arms and we danced around the table singing and celebrating together!  There is nothing like seeing the face of an exuberant child on her fourth birthday. 

We celebrate our birthdays, remembering the gift of new life and the hope of all that is to come.  Emily is four years old today. As I look away and blink again, she will be fourteen, going to proms and playing sports, and then twenty-four, walking across the graduation stage in her cap and gown, and maybe down the church aisle in a beautiful white wedding gown.  I wonder if we will dance together on the day she gets married. I wonder what Emily might say to me when she hands me my great-grandchild for the very first time.  I see in her precious face the love of my Lord Jesus Christ.  She is so full of His Spirit.  I am constantly reminded of how blessed our family is, five times over, as we share in the joy of watching our grandchildren grow in the light of His love, mercy and grace.

No one teaches us how to love each other better than a little child does.  We can learn a lot from them, as they experience for themselves a personal relationship Jesus Christ.  May you find yourself celebrating new life in the Spirit today, as you cherish rebirth in Him.  Take hold of that hope that He has planted uniquely inside of you and reach out to someone who needs to experience what real love is today.   

May we daily seek to imitate our Lord, as we learn to love with child-like hearts.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

 

Thirst quencher

37 On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.” John 7:37(NIV)

Good day!

Have you ever been really thirsty? My husband makes a “thirst-quenching” stop every morning at the Convenience filling station near our home. He is on a first-name basis with every manager there. On Sunday mornings when our United Methodist Men have breakfast, Jeff delivers an extra meal or two to the people working at the station. They keep him well-stocked in his favorite diet soft drink. I believe they have taken the challenge to quench the insatiable thirst of this circuit riding Methodist minister quite seriously.

Every time I go inside Convenient, I have to laugh out loud. You can’t help but notice the silly grin of the sales clerks as they watch my husband fill a 64-ounce cup to the brim. Quite often, he grabs two additional 24-ounce bottles to go. It makes their day. Quenching an insatiable thirst is big business around here. Fast food stops and filling stations line every corner of the community where we live. I have found that suburbanites do get thirsty often and are constantly looking for a place to purchase some much-needed refreshment.

On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and announced that if anyone is thirsty, they should come to Him and drink. Jesus is offering living water to all who seek Him. It is the kind of drink that cannot be purchased. It is God’s free gift to all who will seek Him out. That thirst-quenching drink that Christ offers to all provides soul nourishment, and is the sustaining force that catapults us through this life and into the everlasting. Jesus is closer to you than the Convenient shop just down the road. You do not have to drive to Him – He will meet you right where you are. Christ can quench the thirst of your soul, if you will stop and ask Him to give you a taste of His living water. It is His free gift, given for you and me.

Are you thirsty?  Come to Jesus and be refreshed.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC -

St. Charles

,

MO

www.songofdeborah.com

 

 

Marching Orders

This is from Deb, who is on the road for her denomination:

33 Jesus said, “I am with you for only a short time, and then I go to the One who sent me.  34 You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.”  :  John 7:33-34(NIV)

Good day!

When I was a little girl, I wanted to go to work with my daddy.  He got up at 6am each morning.  I can remember listening to the sounds of KMOX® Radio crooning on the air waves every day.  The first song I would hear was the Lord’s Prayer, followed by a John Philip Susa patriotic march.  In the first five minutes of the 6am hour, we received our marching orders for the day.  We learned that the first order of business was to pray, and the second, to march right out of bed and get ready to go to school and work.

One dark and chilly morning, I got up before KMOX came on the air, grabbing my coat and boots and putting them on over my pajamas.  I remember how my parents laughed at me when they emerged from their bedroom and saw me on the floor, ready to go.  I really wanted to go with my father, but it was obviously not the right time.

The disciples yearned to go where Jesus was going.  Jesus reminded them that He would only be with them a short while in the flesh before returning to the One who had sent Him.  Jesus said that one day, they would look for Him but would not find Him, because where He is, they could not yet come. 

We search for Him, crying out to the One who gives us new life.  We often forget that He finds us first, and it is His love that draws us closer to Him each day.  If you are seeking Christ this morning, I have good news for you!  You wouldn’t be looking for Him if He had not already sought you out.  That means that He is right here, right now!  Jesus Christ finds us first.  He gives us the deep desire to seek His face, following wherever He leads.  It’s time to take up our morning marching orders. 

Rise and shine, baby!  This is the perfect day to follow Jesus Christ.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC -

St. Charles

,

MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Vital Statistic

28 Then Jesus, still teaching in the temple courts, cried out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own, but He who sent me is true. You do not know Him, 29 but I know Him because I am from Him and He sent me.” John 7:28-29 (NIV)

Good day!

Which high school did you graduate from? This seems to be a vital statistic for people living in the “Show-Me” state. It is a common thread, linking Midwesterners, particularly Missourians. I am often asked about where I went to high school. My answer will reveal the area in which I grew up, and the social status of my family. I want you to know that I am a proud graduate of McCluer Senior High, class of 1977. What does this say to you about who I am?

The people thought they knew who Jesus was. Many watched this man grow up in Nazareth. He was the son of Joseph and Mary. They questioned his religious training. He had not studied with the religious teachers of the law. Jesus suggested while they knew where He grew up and who raised Him, they did not know the One who had sent Him. This was a confusing testimony to understand. They asked amongst themselves, “By whose authority had Jesus been sent?”

Remember how Jesus was rejected by His own community? We tend to hold preconceived notions about what people will become, based upon their upbringing and culture. While moral and spiritual values (for better or worse) are instilled during our childhood years, the God we serve has all power to transform every heart to a heart that radiates His love. When we know the ultimate transformer, we are not so surprised when the transformation occurs. Jesus said, “I am not here on my own, but He who sent me is true. You do not know Him yet, but I do, because I am from Him and He sent me to you.”

Maybe we should learn to not place so much emphasis where we were raised and educated. Maybe the better question should be, “In whom do you place your faith and hope?” Do you know who Jesus Christ really is? Have you met the One who sent Him here?

Grace and peace,

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

Overwhelming joy

“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise Him up at the last day.” John 6:40(NIV)

What is God’s will for my life? I find myself asking God that very question in prayer. Longing to be found in the Father’s will is the believer’s utmost desire. When Jesus spoke about the Father’s true bread of heaven, the disciples longed to taste it for themselves.

I played with eight-month old Andrew this morning. He is crawling everywhere, making baby tracks from the family room into the kitchen. He has no trouble keeping up with his older siblings, Joshua and Emily. They get on the floor and crawl right along with him. When we seek a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, He crawls along beside us, even when we slip and slide a bit. Our pursuit may seem a bit awkward at first, but the Lord stays right with us, every inch of the way.

When I arrived today, I walked over to the play pen where Andrew was laying and peeked over the top of his crib. As soon as that child saw me, his face absolutely lit up. The biggest grin appeared on his sweet face. He began to giggle and coo, raising his arms for Granny Deb to pick him up. Andrew gave me wet, slobbery kisses, and that alone, made my entire trip worthwhile. When we believe that Jesus Christ is God’s Only Son, and Lord of all the earth, we cannot hide our childlike love and affection. His overwhelming joy lights up our lives and gives us great hope for tomorrow. We simply cannot mask our love of the Lord.

What is God’s will for my life? The Father urges me to seek out a personal relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ, and believe. As I humble my heart and accept the Lord without reservations or conditions, He promises I will receive everlasting life with Him; that I will be raised up on the day of His return. This is the Father’s will for you and for me. I invite you to come and experience overwhelming joy in worship this weekend. Jesus is waiting for you to respond. Will you choose to seek Him out and believe?   

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

The sweetness in silence

25 I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. John 5:25(NIV)

Good day!

My family will tell you I’ve been blessed with the gift of gab. I’ve been known to chatter from the moment I get up in the morning until I lay my head down on the pillow at night. My husband, Jeff is a very patient man, but even he has his limits. He gets this furrowed brow look, and I know instinctively when he wants me to just be quiet. God love him! I wonder if he knew just how much time he would spend listening to me chatter when he said, “I do” at the wedding altar. It is my fault he has to wear hearing aids now. I’ve literally talked his ears off.

A wise pastor once said, “If you want to hear God, you must first be willing to listen.” We get so busy, caught up in the chatter of our days that we don’t realize we are withering away. We cannot hear God’s voice if we do not choose to listen. In the early morning hours, just before the sun comes up, I enter into His holy presence with praise and prayers of confession, repentance and intercession. Then I wait in silence. It is in the waiting I feel closest to my Lord. I can sit for an hour and experience the breath of His love.  It is in this silence that I experience His peace that passes all understanding and guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. His Word are the only words I hear. I look for the morning light to come, knowing He has already planned for my steps for this day.

When we’ve died to our sin and have been raised with Christ through the power of His blood, we will hear His voice and live! His peace waits for you in sweet silence. This is your moment to be still and listen to God.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

I can hear You speak when I stop and listen. Thank you Jesus, for Your holy presence in the silence of this day. Amen.

Please Pray for Deb's Son

  Deb Saunders

                                  This is Gerry writing, not Deb. 

Deb has delighted so many of you with her daily devotionals in this space.  Regretfully, she must pause for awhile. Deb and her pastor-husband are in an emergency because of their son David's health.  He is very ill, and has just been diagnosed with epilepsy.  They are worried about their son and trying to manage finances and his illness.

Please take a minute to pray for Deb's son and family.  Please pray for healing for David, and for him and his family to receive all the help they need.  Please pray especially for Deb and her husband as they deal with great stress.

Deb would be very grateful for your prayers.  Please use the "comments" link below to leave any messages of concern and support you might like to express for Deb at this time. 

Thanks so much.  Gerry.

Remixing His message

24 I tell you the truth; whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. John 5:24(NIV)

Good day!

I take the gift of hearing for granted; yet, I’m more cognizant of its benefits now that I’ve begun to actually lose some of my hearing. I just don’t hear as well as I used to. It is especially noticeable when I’m in room with lots of noise, or if someone is whispering, and I can’t make out their words.

Jesus said that if we are to receive eternal life and not be condemned, we must do two things: hear and believe. It’s not just enough to hear something – we must believe it in our hearts. Preachers can preach, yet if we choose not to believe what they’re saying, it does no good. We can read the pages of our Bible but if we pick and choose what we accept or reject, the Word cannot penetrate our lives. He is not only a God of love but He is a God who angers against a sinful and hard-hearted humanity. Christ calls us to hear Him and believe what He says is The truth.

Do you struggle to live what you believe? I say I believe, but don’t follow through. I say I believe the things I want to believe, paying little attention to the words that I don’t want to hear. I read His Word, but don’t practice its teachings. I tell of His love, mercy and grace, while harboring resentment, and unforgiveness inside. Like Paul, I am the worst of sinners – a complete hypocrite. Still, God continues to speak to my heart, even when I fail Him. He covers me with His blood. Christ takes my hearing impediment and lack of faith and transforms it by His grace. God’s love is greater than any love we will ever know.

Today, I’m praying for an extra measure of Christ’s mercy and grace, asking forgiveness for hearing what I want to hear and choosing what I will and won’t believe. I need forgiveness for trying to remix His Message that appeals to my own personal preferences and desires.

Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me. Amen.

Sabbath rest

16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jews persecuted Him. 17 Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I, too, am working.”  John 5:16-17(NIV)

I encountered an amazing Sabbath rest while attending a seminar yesterday at the Missouri Area Conference Office in Columbia. Our Bishop, Robert Schnase, spoke about the purpose and vision for his new book, Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations. I listened intently to the Bishop’s compelling words, while relaxing in a warm and inviting environment. Our Bishop didn’t get a day off to rest. He spoke for two hours, expressing his deep conviction of reaching the people in Missouri with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His urgency compels all of us to do the same. We need to follow in this man’s footsteps. He travels many miles every week to share, motivate and inspire Christians, and keeps a horrific schedule. It was obvious to me that the Holy Spirit has given him supernatural strength to move forward in faith each day.

Aren’t you grateful knowing that while God took time to rest on the Sabbath, He never stopped doing good? We need time away to rest and regroup from the drama of our daily routine. Christ makes time to pray and share intimate relationship with the Father. His hospitality does not end during a Sabbath rest. Christ continues to love freely offering new life to all who seek Him. Should we not offer our very best to the one who come to worship in our sanctuaries every week?

Bishop Schnase said, “The most important hour of each week in the life of our visitors is the worship hour.” How will we welcome the Lord’s guests to worship today? Will we lead by the example of Jesus? He was not afraid to speak to those who were seeking Him out, answer their prayers, heal the sick and forgive sin, especially on the Sabbath.  Thank God for mercy and grace that is available to all of us twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Teach me, Father, to be radically hospitable, expressing Your unconditional love for all people every day of the week, but especially on the Sabbath, when we come to honor and glorify You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Perfect timing!

14 Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again.  Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”  15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. John 5:14-15(NIV)

Good day!

Last night, I listened to the story of a woman who experienced miraculous healing from Stage 3 colon cancer.  During a biopsy, she told of how Jesus sat at her side on the operating table.  She remembered holding onto His robe and crying out His name, just before the anesthesia took effect. 

Isn’t it interesting Jesus chose to heal the man’s physical infirmities first, and then instructed him to stop sinning.  I think we get that part backwards in our minds and in our churches.  We think we have to stop sinning first before we can come to the Lord in faith.  It’s not true!  Christ died for us while we were yet sinning, and that proves His love toward us.  That’s why there are NO perfect people in church. It’s really okay to show up there; we’re all in good company.  We meet Jesus in moments of  desperate need. I meet Jesus when I least expect Him to be there.  He is the only One I know who has picture perfect timing.  He is right here with me now, and He is also with you.

As the body of Christ, we need to embrace the concept of radical hospitality.  Learning to love others unconditionally and without reservation is a Christ-like quality.  We may not always understand the person sitting next to us in church.  We may not know them well, but God knows them intimately.  He knows our neighbors, our cranky relatives, and He knows the condition of our hearts!  Christ wants all to receive forgiveness and restoration for our bodies and souls.  When we recognize our need is greater than our temporary circumstance, we begin to understand who Jesus is and why He came back for us.

If you are looking for healing, Jesus is the only name you need to know.  Turn away from the sin that separates you from the One who longs to give you new life.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

Lord Jesus, thank you for healing my body, mind and spirit, today.  I love you, Lord, Amen.

Taking a step of faith

8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10 and so the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” 11 But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’”
John 5:8-11 (NIV)

Good day!

There is nothing more thrilling than watching a baby-turned-toddler walk unassisted for the very first time. Wobbly little sailor legs begin to gain stability, as tiny toes grip the carpeted floor. When a child walks, parent and grandparents stop to cheer! There are no words for such a historic moment in time.

For the ones who are daily confined to bed or in a wheelchair, there is nothing more glorious than the hope of one day rising up and walking unassisted. It was that hope alone that brought the invalid to Bethesda every day. Can you imagine the joy he must have felt when he picked up his mat and walked for the very first time in thirty-eight years? How could such a miracle be seen as sin? The Jews who saw him walk were more concerned about the breaking of a Sabbath rule than the healing that had just occurred in the man’s life. How would you respond to such a convoluted question? If you were suddenly free to stand up and walk, would you be more concerned about whether to carry a mat, or be about telling the world what Christ has done for you?

Be careful! It is easy to get wrapped up in our rituals and traditions, missing the miracle altogether. We must be willing to lay down our sacred cows, if we want to experience true freedom in His Spirit. What things hold you back from receiving God’s best for you today?

When Christ calls you to pick up your mat and walk, do not let that mat get in your way from receiving God’s best. A leap of faith begins with simple obedience.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding
www.songofdeborah.com

I long to lay aside manmade rules and fully receive the miracle you have fashioned for me. Help me to rise up and walk, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Do you want to get well?

5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”  John 5:5-6 (NIV)

“Do you want to get well?” That seems like a strange question for Christ to ask the lame man near the pool of Bethesda. The Scripture tells us that this man had suffered for a long time with an infirmity that kept him from walking. Wouldn’t he long to be whole again? Isn’t that why he drug himself to the pool every day, hoping to receive a healing miracle in the water?

It must have taken an extraordinary effort for him to get there; yet, he never made it into the pool. People go to great lengths to “fix” the pain in their lives. I don’t know anyone who enjoys suffering. We look for ways to ease our hurt; some work to become physically fit. Improving their quality of life, they make healthy food choices, diet and exercise. Some take pain pills for mask a nagging headache or muscle ache. We spend our money each year on health care assistance and medical insurance, seeking the advice of doctors, counselors, athletic trainers, and holistic healers, trying to overcome our chronic pain. We do long to be well, don’t we?

For some, we drag ourselves to the water each day, but stop just short of getting in. We long for wholeness, yet fail to take that final step of faith. Sometimes it is just easier to stay the way we are. Like an old friend, we become comfortable in our present circumstance. Do you know of anyone who would rather continue the way they are going rather than risk the possibility of receiving a whole new lease on life? Is that someone you?

To understand the gift of healing, we must first know what it is like to hurt. We cannot fully appreciate the gift of healing unless we have endured pain. Maybe healing doesn’t come the way we expect or want it to. Maybe we don’t recognize the gift when it is given. How would you answer Christ’s question, “Do you want to get well?”

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Help us to experience complete healing and wholeness through the love of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Your personal testimony is important

39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony. “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to Him, they urged Him to stay with them, and He stayed two days. 41 And because of His words many more became believers.

John 4:39-41 (NIV)

Good day!

It must have been difficult for this woman to go and tell her hateful neighbors about the man she met at the well, and how He changed her life. She knew she would be rejected; yet, He was worth the risk. If they could meet Him in person, she knew they would believe. Because she was willing to share her story, many people were saved that day. Jesus stayed with the Samaritans for two days, offering living water to the thirsty.

Your personal testimony is important. We assume our family and friends know what we believe. If we not willing to share Christ, they may not know! We fear we might fail in our attempt, so we choose to remain silent. Do we really fail when we share the Gospel with someone and they turn away? Just before Jesus ascended into heaven, He gave His disciples one final instruction, known as The Great Commission. You can find His words at Matthew 28:18-20. Once we get our job description straight, the fear of failure subsides. It is not our job to do the saving. The power of the Holy Spirit enables a seeking heart to accept Christ and follow Him. Jesus simply instructed us to go and tell what Christ has done in our lives.

My family and friends would be the first to tell you that I have not lived a perfect life. I’ve made many mistakes along the way. If there is anything good in me at all, it is Jesus, living in me. He takes broken hearts and heals them. Jesus Christ saved me! And I know if He can save me, He can save you too!

It may be your personal testimony that prompts someone you know to seek Jesus Christ. If you could offer one gift that would give peace and joy today and assurance of hope for tomorrow, would you risk it?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Help me share Your love Lord, through my personal testimony today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Feeding the need with His love

27 Just then His disciples returned and were surprised to find Him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”

31 Meanwhile, His disciples urged Him, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32 But He said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” John 4:27; 31-32 (NIV)

Good day!

The disciples were concerned when they saw Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman. Thinking He was overheated, they offered a little food, hoping he might regain his senses. Jesus knew what they were thinking, and challenged them to see the greater need. Jesus showed genuine compassion for the least, last and lost. As Christ’s disciples today, can we see the greater need?

Robert Schnase, Bishop of the Missouri Area of the United Methodist Church, wrote a book in 2007 entitled, “Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations.” He coins the first practice as “Radical Hospitality.” Schnase makes this important observation: “At every turn, the disciples seem ready to draw boundaries and distinctions that keep people at a distance from Jesus. They have a thousand reasons to ignore, avoid, and sometimes thwart the approach of people, reminding Jesus that some of these people are too young, too sick, too sinful, too old, too Roman, too blind, or too Gentile to deserve His attention.” [p.13] We have lots of comfortable, newly padded pews in the Faith Church sanctuary, and ample space for folk to worship the Lord. I wonder why there are so many empty spaces. Is it because we don’t know how to radically welcome the least, last and lost?

Christians have a nasty habit of forming preconceived assumptions about whom they believe Christ calls into His kingdom. If we could only see others the way Jesus sees them, our world would be a radically hospitable place to live, and our churches would overflow with grateful hearts, worshipping and thanking the Lord for His love. It’s the kind of world I’d like to be a part of. Wouldn’t you?

Take a moment to look beyond what you see with your physical eyes, and begin to truly recognize the heart that God loves. A little unconditional love goes a long way. Will you choose to love like Jesus loves you?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Help me, Lord Jesus, to love people unconditionally, just like the way You love me. Amen.

How did He know?

16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” 17 “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband.  What you have just said is quite true.

25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am He.” John 4:16-18; 25-26 (NIV)

Good day!

How did He know? How did he know who she was? It was as if Jesus could see everything she had ever done. He saw past the failed marriages and recognized her broken heart. How could someone she had just met, know so much about her life? Was He a prophet?  Could He be the Messiah?

Do you remember the first time you fell in love? A wonderful feeling wells up inside when you realize that someone really knows and understands you, and loves you anyway! What kind of love is this? This realization occurs when you meet Christ for the first time at the well of your life. She carried a lot of pain and regret in her heart. If she could simply dump it into the well, her pain would have completely filled it up. We sometimes wonder where God is in the middle of suffering and grief. Jesus shows up just when we need Him the most. He knows and understands you, and loves you anyway!

Our relationship with Christ begins in love. It is the one love that will never ever die. We love Him, because He first loved us. There is no flaw you can hide from His eyes. He sees you and knows you, just as you are. Jesus loves you! Our relationship grows deeper day by day. We speak to Him out of our heart’s desire, trying to express how we feel; yet, He knows how we feel.  Jesus knows our deepest need.

How do you describe a love like this? Could He be the Messiah? Is He standing at the well of your life today, offering you at drink of living water?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Help me trust you enough, Jesus, to drink living water and give You my heart today. Amen.

Living water

13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-15 (NIV)

Our family likes to drink bottled water. Tap water is great; yet it often leaves an aftertaste. We like bottled water because it is so refreshing and pure. There are some bottled waters that are actually sweeter to the taste than others. The back label of my water bottle endorses its unique purification system. It must be something special, because the water I drink every day is the sweetest, most refreshing water I’ve ever tasted. This morning, while trying to calculate approximately how much money we spend per month on bottled water, I was astounded at the dollar amount! It seems I have developed a connoisseur’s taste for water! Lord, have mercy!

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have an unlimited supply of pure water to drink? The woman at the well wanted to receive the living water Christ offered. She was tired of making trips to and from Jacob’s well. What a gift to never thirst again! This woman knew Christ’s offer of living water was simply too good to pass by.

As our spirit grows in daily study and prayer and we are rooted in the river of life. His is the wellspring that never runs dry. This drink is free, because Christ paid the price for you and me at

Calvary

; but living water has a steep price. It will cost you everything you have. If you are willing to lose the life you once knew for everlasting life in Jesus, then this living water is what you crave. When you taste it for the very first time, you will not want to drink anything else. The difference between drinking tap and bottled water is its purification process. When Christ purifies your life with His living water, no other water will do.

Are you thirsting for something more? Come to the wellspring – the river of life. It is God’s gift of new life for you and me. Jesus Christ invites you to come and drink deeply today.

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

www.songofdeborah.com

Thank you, Father, for living water. May my life be purified in Jesus Christ. Amen.

If we only knew Who asked

John 4:10 (NIV) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water.”

Good day!

Can you imagine the surprise the Samaritan woman experienced at the well? She tried to sneak out unnoticed around noon, thinking others would not come out in the heat of the day to draw water.  She wanted to fill her water jar and go home, where she could spend the rest of the day in peace.  She was disheartened by the sneers on the faces of her neighbors.  She couldn't help it; she was a half-breed, and eventually began to live up to the expectations of her community.  All she really wanted was to be loved.  It did not matter who she gave her heart to, brokenness plagued her every day.  She didn't expect to meet Jesus at the well.  Who was He and why would He ask her for a drink?

If we only knew Who asked, we would gladly respond.  Has Jesus ever asked you for a drink? Our bodies need water to survive. Our kidneys cannot function properly without water, flushing our organs and removing impurities that collect over time. It is the most nourishing drink we can consume. It was no coincidence that Jesus was at the well that day, waiting for her to arrive. He knew the woman’s need before she asked. He offered her living water, and the love she longed to receive.

Christ extends living water to all who ask Him for a drink. His love is for everyone; regardless of race, culture, or past. Christ broke the barrier of human prejudice when He offered living water to the thirsty. This Gospel is for you and me. If we only knew Who was asking, we would gladly follow Him.

Do you know where to find the spring of living water today? His well will never run dry.  Living water has supernatural healing properties, and it will quench your thirst and set you free!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Your living water is all I’ll ever need. Quench my insatiable thirst and wash away my sin today, dear Savior. Amen.

Shedding a little light on the matter

Today is a great day to count the miracles in your life! Many of us can quickly revisit the struggles and problems we encountered yesterday. Do you find yourself focusing on the problems that distress you more than the things that bring great joy to your heart?

When Jesus spoke to Nicodemus, he knew this man was yearning to understand and accept God’s Word. He wanted to know the truth, and Jesus spoke the truth in no uncertain terms. How would Nicodemus recognize the truth? Jesus simply said, “Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what He has done has been done through God.”  (John  3:21 NIV)

The truth presents itself, plain as day, and we miss it! We are so caught up in the bad that we forget to see the good. We really want to see it, but often, we don’t know where to look. Humanity struggles with war, sickness, poverty, and catastrophic natural disasters. It is hard to see the good through a thick blanket of darkness. It can block the light of His Truth, if we let it. When we look beyond our struggle and see the Truth for who He really is, the darkness begins to fade away until the light overshadows it completely.

This is why Christ came. He came to offer hope to the hopeless, healing to the sick, love to the unloved, and peace to those who find themselves at war. He calls humanity to emerge from the darkness and follow Him into everlasting light. When we choose to live by the Truth, we come into His light, and that light will dispel the darkness once and for all.

There is no greater welcome than the welcome we receive when we choose to place our faith on the rock solid foundation of Jesus Christ. You are invited today to set aside the darkness in your life, and come into His light. Jesus gave Himself willingly so that you might receive abundant life today and eternal life for all your tomorrows. That is the greatest miracle of all! Take a look at what God has given you through the Son. How will He use you to shed a little light in the dark today?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Help me to carry Your light into the world today, dear Lord. Amen.

Introducing Deb Spaulding, New Guest Blogger

Deb Spaulding

Deb Spaulding posts a devotional every day.  An example of her work is the post below from December 18, "Stranded in a Car in the Snow, here."

I am very happy that she has accepted my invitation to post regularly here.  Deb is a pastor's wife and Bible teacher, whose regular blog is at www.songofdeborah.com. When you see her photo at the top of a post, you'll know it is a devotional from Deb.

Welcome, Deb!  I'm looking forward very much to all you can bring to our readers.

Gerry