Do Good, Just Do Good

--MULTIPLIED GENEROSITY~~

"See that you also
excel in this grace
of giving." -(2 Corinthians 8:7)-

--CHERYL was in for a surprise as she pulled up to deliver her next pizza. Expecting to arrive at a home, she instead found herself outside a church. Cheryl confusedly carried the pepperoni pizza inside, where she was met by the Pastor.

"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 $750.00 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 faced 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 churches 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 Jesus was glorified.~~

--OUR GENEROSITY MEETS NEEDS AND GLORIFIES JESUS. LET'S BE AN EXAMPLE OF HIM TO A LOST WORLD.~~

--ODB/SV

---UNLIKELY FRIENDS~~

--MY FACEBOOK FRIENDS often post endearing videos of unlikely animal friendships, such as a recent video I watched of an inseparable pup and pig, anther of a deer and cat, and yet another of an orangutan mothering several tiger cubs.

When I view such heartwarmingly unusual friendships, it reminds me of the description of the garden of Eden. In this setting, Adam and Eve lived in harmony with God and each other. And because God gave them plants for food, I imagine even the animals lived peacefully together (GENESIS 1:30). But this idyllic scene was disrupted when Adam and Eve sinned (3:21-23). Now in both human relationships and the creation, we see constant struggle and conflict.

Yet the prophet Isaiah reassures us that one day, "The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together" (11:6). Many interpret that future day as when Jesus comes again to reign. When He returns, there will be no more divisions and "no more death...or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (REVELATION 21:4). On that renewed earth, creation will be restored to its former harmony and people of every tribe, nation, and language will join together to worship God (7:9-10;22:1-5).

Until then, God can help us to restore broken relationships and to develop new, unlikely friendships.~~

-'Father, enable us to be bearers of the gospel of peace. And remind us to do good to all your people.'

--ONE DAY GOD WILL RESTORE THE WORLD TO PERFECT PEACE.~~
-ODB/AK