Actions and Results

Read: Romans 5:12-19

If by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. —Romans 5:15

On November 24, 1971, a man known today as D. B. Cooper hijacked a commercial flight between Portland and Seattle by threatening to blow up the plane unless he received $200,000. After landing to receive a ransom, he ordered the plane back into the air. Then the rear stairs of the 727 aircraft were lowered, and he parachuted into the night. He was never captured, and the case is still unsolved. This act hastened the age of airport security in which trust and confidence have been replaced by suspicion and fear. What he did affected us all.

The Bible describes two actions that changed the world in a far more significant way. Through Adam’s choice, sin and death entered the world, “and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Rom. 5:12). But through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, God provided a remedy for the results of sin. “Through one man’s [Adam’s] offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s [Christ’s] righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life” (v.18).

Christ did what no one else could do when He broke the power of sin and death by His resurrection. He offers forgiveness and eternal life to all who will accept His gift. And for that, we thank Him with all our hearts.

When Adam sinned, death spread to all—
One act condemned the human race—
But Jesus’ death upon the cross
Provides mankind God’s saving grace. —Sper

The cross of Christ can cure the condemnation of Adam’s choice.

by David C. McCasland

Honoring Your Parents

Read: Exodus 20:1-17

Honor your father and mother. —Ephesians 6:2

My dad recently turned 90 years old and his physical capabilities are fading. He can still move around with his walker, but he needs someone to cook his meals and help him with other tasks.

My older brother Steve and his wife Judy lived close to him, so they decided to move in with Dad to care for him. Wanting to help in some way, my wife and I flew across the country to help out a bit by watching Dad while my brother and his wife had some time away together. We enjoyed our time with my father and were glad to ease Steve and Judy’s load—even if it was only for a few days.

The Bible says to “honor your father and mother” (Eph. 6:2). One New Testament commentary says that to honor someone is to “treat him with the deference, respect, reverence, kindness, courtesy, and obedience which his station in life . . . demands.”

For young children, this means obeying parents. For teenagers, it indicates showing respect for Mom and Dad even if you think you know more than they do. For young adults, this means including your parents in your life. And for those in middle-age and beyond, it means making sure that parents are cared for as they move into old age or their health declines.

How can you honor your parents this week?

Don’t miss the opportunity
To honor and obey
The parents God has given you—
For they’ll be gone someday. —Sper

Honoring our parents has no age limit.

by Dennis Fisher

Just Do What's Right

Read: Philippians 2:12-18
That you may become . . . children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. —Philippians 2:15

On a trip out of the country, I happened to meet an attorney who was from my hometown in New Jersey. We were surprised at how much we had in common. In the course of the conversation, he asked, “Did you say your name was Stillwell?” I said, “No, it’s Stowell.” He then mentioned that he had a client named Stillwell. “Is it Art Stillwell?” I asked, and, to my surprise, he said yes. Art Stillwell attended my church and was an influential businessman in the community.

The attorney admitted that he had no client quite like Art. He explained that most of his clients want him to do whatever it takes to get them out of their problems, but Art was different. Whenever he asked Art what to do in any given situation, Art always replied, “Just do what’s right!” Obviously it had made an impression on the attorney.

Yielding to Christ in all of our desires and decisions regardless of the outcome is what sets us apart in a world full of people consumed by their own interests. When we live blameless lives “without fault”—courageously reflecting the integrity, love, and grace of Jesus—we clearly “shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15).

So, if you want to light up your world in a compelling way, just do what’s right!

Dim not, little candle,
Show Jesus through me!
Glow brightly till others
The Light clearly see! —Adams

Light up your world by reflecting the light of Jesus.

First Sunday Of Advent

Jesus, our new Church year has started, help us to make this year the best year of our lives.

Let us live it as if this was our first year, our only year, our last year.

Let us focus more and more on You, and less and less on the problems around us.

Let us realize that all things work to good for those who love You.

Let us receive Your gift of peace, and help us keep it firmly in our hearts.

Let us do good to those we live with and let us truly love everyone.

Amen and Amen.

Thank you Lord, for loving us totally.

Feeling Poor?

Read: Psalm 86
I am poor and needy. —Psalm 86:1

In one way or another, we can all relate to Psalm 86:1 where David says, “I am poor and needy.” Even the richest among us should understand that poverty and need relate more to the spirit than to the wallet. When billionaire Rich DeVos speaks to groups he often says, “I’m just a sinner saved by grace.”

Psalm 86 tells us that the help God provides is not measured by a monetary ledger sheet. When we acknowledge that we are poor and needy, it’s not so God will lavish material riches on us. No, we do so to open the door to other, more valuable treasures.

Here’s what God does for the poor and needy. He will “preserve” our lives and “save” all those who trust in Him (v.2). He will be “merciful” and “ready to forgive” (vv.3,5). He will listen to and answer prayer (vv.6-7).

But we’re not to take God’s blessings without giving back. We have a responsibility to learn God’s ways, walk in His truth, “fear [God’s] name,” praise the Lord, and “glorify [His] name” (vv.11-12).

Do you consider yourself among the “poor and needy”? If so, welcome to the club. Let’s not forget all the spiritual blessings God has for us and the godly response we should have toward His generosity.

We’re thankful for the blessings, Lord,
You give us day by day;
Now help us show our gratitude
By walking in Your way. —Sper

The poorest man is he whose only wealth is money.

Happy Old Year!

Daniel 7:15-27, Daniel 3:82-87, Luke 21:34-36 Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112611.cfm

"I, Daniel, found my spirit anguished within its sheath of flesh, and I was terrified by the visions of my mind." -Daniel 7:15

Today is the last day of the Church year. As we look back over the year or years, we may be confused and even disappointed. The writer of the book of Daniel assures us that the Lord knows beforehand all that has happened or will happen (Dn 7:16). The Lord is in control. Out of respect for our freedom and in His infinite wisdom, He allows things to happen which are not His perfect will. Nevertheless, the Lord is the Lord of all. He will make "all things work together for the good of those who love" Him (Rm 8:28). We need not figure out the past, but we do need to learn from the past, including this past year. We need to thank the Lord for last year and then leave it behind. As we end this year, we should "give no thought to what lies behind but push on to what is ahead" (Phil 3:13). Our "entire attention" should be "on the finish line" - "life on high in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:14). When we leave the past behind, however, we should not be running away from unfinished business. We should have repented of every sin committed, forgiven every offense, been healed of every hurt, obeyed every one of the Lord's commands, and answered every one of His calls. On this last day of the Church year, let's close the year. Go to Confession. Do today what you've been putting off all year. Make that visit or phone call. End finished. Start beginning. Happy new year!

Prayer: Father, thank You for life, years, love, and You.

Promise: "Be on guard lest your spirits become bloated with indulgence and drunkenness and worldly cares. The great day will suddenly close in on you like a trap." -Lk 21:34

Praise: Attending a friend's funeral brought Peter back to Church and back to Life.