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A guy was asked to paint a boat, so he grabbed his paint and brushes and got to work making it a bright red, just like the owner wanted. While he was painting, he spotted a small hole in the hull and quietly took care of it. Once he finished up, he got paid and headed out. The next day, the boat owner came back with a nice check that was way more than what he paid for the painting. The painter was a bit confused and said, “But you’ve already paid me for the painting, sir!” The owner replied, “This isn’t for the paint job; it’s for fixing the hole in the boat.” The painter responded, “Oh! But that was such a tiny job… it doesn’t seem worth such a big payment for something so small.” The owner smiled and explained, “You see, I forgot to mention the hole when I asked you to paint the boat. “When the paint dried, my kids took the boat out for a fishing trip.” “They had no idea about the hole, and I wasn’t home.” “When I got back and realized they took the boat, I panicked because I remembered the hole.” “Imagine my relief and joy when I saw them coming back from fishing.” “When I checked the boat, I found out you had fixed the hole!” “Do you see? You saved my children’s lives!” “I can’t thank you enough for that 'small' act of kindness.” So, no matter who you are or what you do, keep helping, supporting, listening, and fixing those little 'leaks' you spot. You never know when someone might really need it, or when life will surprise you with an opportunity to make a real difference. Along the way, you might have helped countless people without even realizing how many lives you’ve touched. Make a difference… be the best version of yourself!

When a Google employee passes on, the company provides generous benefits to support their family. The spouse or partner receives half of the employee’s salary for ten years, ensuring substantial financial security. Additionally, they gain access to any stock options included in the employee’s compensation package, enhancing long-term stability. Each child receives $1,000 monthly until they turn 19, and if they are full-time students, this support can continue. Remarkably, these benefits apply to all U.S. employees, emphasizing Google’s commitment to employee welfare and family support during challenging times.

“True repentance is demonstrated by a continuous decision to break from past sins and idols.” Have you ever experienced the profound sense of community that comes from working and ministering alongside others in faith? The story of Paul in Ephesus highlights the power of forming a close-knit community dedicated to living out the teachings of Jesus. Paul’s journey to Ephesus resulted in a transformative ministry that changed the lives of many. Upon arriving in Ephesus, Paul found a group of disciples and taught them about the Holy Spirit and the mission of Jesus. These twelve men, along with Paul, worked tirelessly for two years, during which God performed extraordinary miracles through Paul. This collective effort demonstrates the importance of teaching, healing, and protecting one another in our faith communities. How can you contribute to building a supportive and transformative faith community? One incident in Ephesus involved Jewish exorcists trying to imitate Paul’s miraculous works. However, they were overpowered by the demon-possessed man, highlighting that authentic faith cannot be imitated but must be genuinely lived out. This event led to a profound fear and reverence for God among the Ephesians, resulting in many turning away from their old ways, burning their idols and books of sorcery. Have you ever had an experience that deepened your reverence for God and led to significant changes in your life? The transformation in Ephesus shows that true repentance involves turning away from old ways and embracing new life in Christ. This often means letting go of things that once held value to us but are contrary to God’s will. What idols or old ways might God be calling you to let go of today? And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. Acts 19:17 KJV Reflect on the sense of community and support in your own faith journey. Consider how you can contribute to building a close-knit community dedicated to teaching, healing, and protecting one another. This week, focus on living out your faith authentically, knowing that genuine faith cannot be imitated. Spend time in prayer, asking God to reveal any idols or old ways you need to let go of, and seek His strength to embrace new life in Christ.

Each year, Dr. Billy Earl Dade Middle School in Dallas, Texas, holds a “Breakfast with Dads” event to encourage fathers and father figures to connect with their students. Many of these students come from challenging backgrounds. This year, some kids didn’t sign up for the breakfast because they didn’t have a father or father figure to invite. Principal Tracie Washington was worried about this. Kristina Dove, who helped organize the event, suggested asking for volunteers on Facebook to serve as “dads” for the day. She aimed to find 50 men, but her post quickly went viral and attracted 600 volunteers. One of the volunteers, Archie Nettles, a motivational speaker and Army veteran, felt it was important to support boys who might lack a dad or mentor. When the students entered the auditorium and saw all the men, they were surprised and excited to talk to them. The breakfast included an activity where the men taught the boys how to tie a necktie, which set a positive tone for the event. Afterward, one student expressed his joy about gaining a mentor. Dove and her coworker are now working to keep these men involved in community initiatives and hope to inspire similar efforts in other cities. They aim to show the children in South Dallas that they are cared for and that their circumstances do not limit their potential.

For seven years, Luby’s waitress Melina Salazar greeted her most loyal and grumpy customer, Walter “Buck” Swords, with a smile while tending to his every need. The 89-year-old World War II veteran was infamous for complaining about his food and service, often displaying a rather sour demeanor. Despite this, Melina remained unfazed, consistently serving him with kindness and a cheerful attitude. Her unwavering positivity eventually brought out a smile from Walter in return. However, one day, he stopped coming to the restaurant. After checking the obituaries, Melina learned of his passing. A week later, she received a wonderful surprise: Walter had left her $50,000 and a car.

"The unknown can become known through the revelation of God’s truth."
 Have you ever encountered people who worship without truly knowing the God they seek? Paul's journey to Thessalonica and Athens reveals how he used every opportunity, even amid opposition, to spread the gospel and make the unknown God known. In Thessalonica, Paul’s teaching about Jesus led many to faith, but it also stirred anger among some Jews, leading to a violent mob seeking Paul’s life. This forced Paul, Silas, and Timothy to flee to Berea. Despite the danger, Paul continued his mission, demonstrating that true faith often requires courage and resilience. How do you respond when faced with opposition or danger for your beliefs? Paul’s unwavering commitment to his mission inspires us to persevere in our faith and continue sharing the gospel, regardless of the challenges we face. In Athens, Paul found a city full of idols. He addressed the Areopagus, seizing the opportunity to reveal the truth about the one true God using the Athenians' own altar to an "unknown god." This encounter teaches us that God’s presence can be found even among those who unknowingly seek Him. Have you ever used a common cultural reference or situation to share the truth about God with others? Paul’s message to the Athenians emphasizes the importance of pursuing a life that honors God, knowing that He is not far from each one of us. By living faithfully and sharing the gospel boldly, we can help others come to know the God they seek. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. Acts 17:23 KJV This week, focus on being bold in your faith and seizing opportunities to share the message of Jesus. Spend time in prayer, asking God to give you courage and wisdom in your interactions with others. Look for ways to honor God in your daily life and encourage others to seek Him. Embrace the example of Paul, who turned every encounter into an opportunity to reveal the unknown God to those who were seeking.