One for all and all for One!

Grand Sweep Daily Reading: II Corinthians 4, 5, 6; Proverbs 7

II Corinthians 5:14-15; 17 (NIV)

14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, and therefore all died. 15 And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone; the new has come!

Good morning!

It is an exciting time at Faith Church. We are preparing food for our annual Thanksgiving dinner. Tomorrow morning, we will gather in the fellowship hall early in the morning, to cook, package and deliver meals to our community in St. Charles County. Connie and Reg Anderson have demonstrated what it means to be servant leaders, and for their faithful example and love of our Lord, I am forever grateful. This is one family who truly understands what it means to feed the masses! If you are looking for something to do tomorrow morning, come on over to Faith Church, and don’t forget to bring your potato peeler. I’ve saved a seat at the table for you!

Alexandre Dumas, in his novel The Three Musketeers, coined the well-known phrase, One for all and all for one! This was the motto held by a trio of French Musketeers named Athos, Porthos and Aramis. They remained loyal and wholly devoted to each other throughout their lives. Last Sunday, my pastor preached on how the supernatural strength of God emerges as we join hearts and hands together, through Christ Jesus. He said, “When He intertwines us together into one cord, we are not at all easily broken. We are better together than we are alone.” Isn’t it amazing to see the love of Christ in action? We can feed the people, when we work together in one accord.

The Apostle Paul shares a rich treasure for all who place their faith and hope in Jesus today. It is Christ alone that compels us to reach out in love. We are convinced that Christ died for all of us – every human heart; He poured out His life’s blood to save. And because Jesus suffered and died, all of us suffer and die with Him. When a child becomes ill, the parents suffer just as much, if not more so, than their child. A mother, without hesitation, will stay up all night long holding a sick one, while praying for their fever to break. When one member of the family suffers, we all feel it. Their burden becomes our focus. It is because Christ died for all of us, that we choose to no longer live for just ourselves, but for our brothers and sisters around the world. Jesus Christ, the One for all, becomes our All for One. We, who are many, are One in the Lord Jesus Christ. A chord of three strands is not easily broken. This is the place where miracles occur.

Last night, I sat in the sanctuary of Faith Church, listening to the Pastor’s words during our community Thanksgiving worship service. Many people came from churches in St. Charles County, to link hearts and hands together to thank God, one sweet voice, for His mercy and love. Pastor Renita spoke the words that burn in my heart today. We must turn our Thanksgiving into Thanks Living. Out of the overflow of His grace, we can offer our lives up as an offering of love. We can do this together, in the name of Jesus.

May this Thanksgiving holiday become your springboard for Thanks Living. One for all and all for One! Let us praise the Lord Jesus Christ with one voice, in one accord!

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

Pray for: a miracle! As we link hearts and hands together, let us praise God for His overflowing bounty, goodness and grace. We have so much to be thankful for. May we take His love and share it with the world. We are better together, in Him.

___________________________

© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding

All rights reserved

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