Cheryl confusedly carried the pepperoni pizza inside, where she was met by the pastor. (Google image, Pizza girl).
"Is it fair to say life hasn't been easy for you?" the pastor asked her. Cheryl agreed it hadn't. With that, he brought out two offering plates that church members had filled with money.
The pastor then poured over $750 into Cheryl's delivery bag as a tip! Unbeknownst to Cheryl, the pastor had asked the pizza shop to send their most financially strapped driver over. Cheryl was stunned. She could now pay some bills.
When the first Christians in Jerusalem face poverty, it was a church that rushed to their aid. Though in need themselves, the Macedonian Christians gave sacrificially, considering it a privilege to do so (2 Cor. 8:1-4).
Paul cited their generosity as an example for the Corinthians, and us, to follow. When we use our plenty to supply another's need, we reflect Jesus, who gave away His riches to meet our own spiritual poverty (v.9).
Cheryl told all her customers about the church's kindness that day, and, following its example, donated the rest of the day's tips to others in need. An act of generosity multiplied. And Christ was glorified.
Taken from Our Daily Bread®, © 12/13/2017 by Our Daily Bread Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. www.odb.org
Father, in this story of generosity, we
see that to give to others' needs
is a real blessing for them.
It may very well encourage them to be willing
to find a way to bless others too.
Show us how we can be of help to some
one, and what it is we can do to
lesson some life's pressures.
Bless us, Father, so we can bless others.
I ask this in Jesus' name.
Amen.
Today's Bible verse-
Prov. 11:29 (NLT) "The generous will prosper; those who
refresh others will themselves be refreshed."
~ Henry Van Dyke “Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.” (Thoughtful Mind- quotes@thoughtful-mind.com).
Today's question-
As a Christian, who has the most influence on you?
We must remember that all of us have hearts that are deceitfully wicked in and of themselves without Christ Jesus. As we were all dead in sin and transgressions, we must be careful to be selective as to who we admire and allow to influence us.
God has saved us through Jesus' redemptive work on the cross, and as His children, we are not our own. We have not been saved by our own good deeds, but because of our repentance of sins and God's undeserving grace. We are to determine who should then influences us; our actions and speech will show who it is we admire the most. (See Titus 3)
God has saved us through Jesus' redemptive work on the cross, and as His children, we are not our own. We have not been saved by our own good deeds, but because of our repentance of sins and God's undeserving grace. We are to determine who should then influences us; our actions and speech will show who it is we admire the most. (See Titus 3)
List of recent sermons of CFC ministers. CFC Potsdam church has a live service at 10 am Sunday's for shut-ins. If for some reason you can't make it to the church you usually attend, click on the above link, and still get fed!
Upcoming posts-
#23 How Spiritual Power is Depleted or Lost, 5-8
1/2nd- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
#24 Love - The Secret of Your Leadership
4th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
The Price of the Promise
6th- Saturday's post by Lee Forbes
#25 Ablaze with a Passion for Christ
9th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
Jean's published book
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