The Butterfly Effect

Scripture
Luke 10:25-37

Additional Scriptures
1 Corinthians 3:7-9

I was having a conversation with a person close to me the other day and they asked what I was doing. I said I was watching the news. They said “ Why are you watching that?” “The news is depressing.” I told her there is some good news on there every once in a while. So I actually found a story yesterday that was quite excited.
In Philadelphia at the Aramingo diner a anonymous couple was eating their meal upon completion of their meal. They paid their bill as well as the bill of the table next to theirs. They didn't give any reason they just paid the bill and left without incident. The next couple reach the counter with the intent to pay for their meal. Upon hearing that the couple prior had already paid. They returned the favor to the next table and so on and so forth. This act of generosity continued on for 5 hours. One of the waitresses said she had tears in her eyes to see what people were doing
This also reminded me of the story of a guy name Larry Stewart. At one point in Larry's life he was homeless. One day he was hungry and went into a diner to eat knowing he had no option to pay. So after he ate his meal he began to shuffle through his pockets pretending that he couldn't find his wallet. A stranger came up behind him and pretended to find $20 under his seat. Larry was so impressed with this stranger's kindness he said that he would one day return the favor. So things for Larry improved he ended up becoming quite wealthy. He didn't forget the kindness of that stranger and during Christmas time he would walk around town just looking for people that could use a little help and give them $100. He would just give the money and disappear as quick as he came. When the news media found out about Larry's kindness that wanted to publish stories about him and his picture, but he refused and asked to remain anonymous until after his death. It is said that during his lifetime he donated more than 1.3 million during his lifetime. Larry died in 2007, but the spirit of his giving hasn't stopped there is a man calling himself Elf 32A has continued what Larry started.
I share these stories with you because it shows that one person could start something that can grow to be bigger than themselves with God as your help. I am sure the guy who helped Larry and the anonymous couple didn't realize that they would set off a hurricane of generosity. Much like it's said a butterfly can flap it's wings in china and cause a hurricane in the United States. The same can be done with Kindness. From the scripture , we see, the lawyer was trying to trap Jesus. So he told him the story of the Good Samaritan. he saw that the one who shows mercy on his brother is the right one. Someone showed mercy to Larry. The man who showed mercy to someone that thought he was better than him. When the people who were suppose to look out for him passed him by like they didn't see him. So it is with that spirit,that guy who helped Larry and the anonymous couple helped set off a hurricane of love and generosity in other people's lives. They had no idea that this would happen. Like the verse in Corinthian they just planted the seed and let God handle the rest. So as you go out and about this Christmas season. I hope that you look for ways to flap your wings and set off a hurricane of love and generosity in someone's life.

A Willing Vessel

Scriptures:
Isaiah 7:13-17; Luke 1:30-38

Background Scriptures:
Luke 1:11-20


This being Christmas time we often look at the story of Jesus' birth. Which is very important in the Christian faith. If you read in Isiah you will see that Isiah had a prophetic the coming of Jesus. As well as told the current king that before his own son arrives in the world that the king would be defeated. This is also viewed prophecies of the coming messiah.
If we now look at Luke's account of Jesus' birth. We see that Mary is visited by the angel Gabrielle. He tells her that God has found favor with her and that she will give birth to a child and his name shall be Jesus. She did meet this announcement with some doubt, noting she was yet still a virgin. Once the angel explained to her that nothing was impossible for God. After hearing this she submits to the will of God.
Around the same time the angel Gabrielle visited the priest Zechariah in temple praying. The angel told him that him and his wife would have a child and gave him his name. He also had doubted saying that how could he be sure of this, he and his wife were too old to have children. The angel told him that for his unfaithfulness he would be made mute until the time it would take for these things to come to past.
Now let's compare these last two accounts. I am sure the first thing I noticed is that both of these accounts is that both Zechariah and Mary is that they both showed some doubt, but it seems that Zechariah received punishment for his disbelief. . Back in those days only the priest could enter into the temple to talk to God. So when he entered into the temple to pray he should have been expecting to hear from God. Mary was a poor girl, who wondered why God would pick her out f all the people he could have chosen. She was told by the angel that God can do anything. She said that she was God's servant a was willing to do what God wanted. I am sure that Mary had doubt and in her day she could have had a hard life having a baby out of wedlock, but she did what we all should do when we are called by God to do his work That is simply a yes. If you go through The Bible you see many examples of missions God has called people who didn't seem to want to do. You have to remember God's missions are God size. Just keep in mind that God can do all things, but the one if only thing he wants from us is our Yes. A willingness to do whatever God has called us to do. If you look at your life I am sure you've heard God tell you to do something. All he wants is a willing vessel to do his work. Will you be a willing vessel to the will of God. Can God count on your Yes?

Who Do You Work For

Main scripture
Ecclesiastes 2
Supporting Scriptures
1 King 3-11
Ecclesiastes 5:10-17

Most Christians have heard of King Solomon. Th biggest things we remember is how he was so wise and such a mighty king. If you read about Solomon's beginning he was quite young when he took the throne. God came o him and asked Solomon and asked him anything that he wanted he would give to him, but all he asked for was a discerning spirit to be able to rule justly. God was so impressed with his answer that he said he would make him, not only, the wisest king, but one of the richest and most powerful. If you ready through 1Kings 3-11 you'll all the power, wealth and blessing God bestowed upon him.
Now here in Ecclesiastes we find Solomon seemingly later in his life doing an assessment of everything he has does and all they ways he has tried to make himself happy. From his own account he has tried everything possible. He built many things for himself and to God. He had the finest wines, he had the largest herd of animals. The most slaves and a harem that would satisfy any man, but he found no pleasure in any of it. He continually says how all these things are meaningless. Even the wisdom he asked for was yet still meaningless because wise or fully foolish we all have to die and no one remembers the fool more than the wise. He even seemed troubled with whom he had to leave his possessions to. Because since he or she didn't work for it they won't appreciate the effort it took to acquire it. So Solomon seems very troubled by his current circumstance
Now many of us often ask God for all these worldly possessions: fancy cars, diamond rings, new houses and even promotions, but that is meaningless. Because like Solomon noticed said in Ecclesiastes 5:16 This too is a grievous evil: As a mam comes, so he departs, and what does he gain, since he toils for the wind? In other words you can't take it with you. So why spend so much time stressing about worldly possessions. It's OK to want things and to have goals and ambition, but most importantly remember who you work for.
By that I mean remember that God is who you work for and he is the only one that can save you. You can spend all your time chasing after all these things that don't matter. You really should take time to chase after the one thing that can sustain you. That is God. So as you go on today and think about all the things that you have on your “to do” or “honey do” list remember do these things uplift God and bring him glory. In your day have you did something to show one of God's children that you care about them and let the light of God shine through you. Please keep that in mind as we embark upon this Christmas season which usually is measured by how much you can spend on gifts. Think about how much of God's love you can spend on others.