From: "Dwayne Savaya" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Gods Work Ministry Inspirational and Encouragement E-Mail
Dear Friend, There are many people in this world that are focused more on gaining and think very little about the blessings of giving. What they are missing is one of the greatest Joys of the soul. The feeling that givers receive when a good deed is done is immeasurable by this world's standards. Giving to others is not merely a suggestion in God's Word, but it is a command as we read in Matthew 10:8 "...freely ye have received, freely give." As you go through your days, make a decision to be more giving of yourself, your time and your finances and you'll receive the reward of being a blessing. I hope today's message encourages your heart to both see the blessings that givers receive and make a decision to impart the gifts that you've been given into the lives of those around you. THE SMALL WHITE ENVELOPE It's just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past ten years or so. It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas -- oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it - overspending...the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma---the gifts given in desperation because you couldn't think of anything else. Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties and so forth. I reached for something special just for Mike. The inspiration came in an unusual way. Our son Kevin, who was 12 that year, was wrestling at the junior level at the school he attended; and shortly before Christmas, there was a non-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church. These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and sparkling new wrestling shoes. As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light helmet designed to protect a wrestler's ears. It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not afford. Well, we ended up walloping them. We took every weight class. And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn't acknowledge defeat. Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, "I wish just one of them could have won," he said. "They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them." Mike loved kids - all kids - and he knew them, having coached little league football, baseball and lacrosse. That's when the idea for his present came. That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church. On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree, the note inside telling Mike what I had done and that this was his gift from me. His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years. For each Christmas, I followed the tradition--one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground the week before Christmas, and on and on. The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas. It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents. As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure. The story doesn't end there. You see, we lost Mike last year due to dreaded cancer. When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up. But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning, it was joined by three more. Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad. The tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with our grandchildren standing to take down the envelope. Mike's spirit, like the Christmas spirit will always be with us. May we all remember Christ, who is the reason for the season, and the true Christmas spirit this year and always. By Nancy Gavin Read and meditate on these scriptures: Philippians 2:2-3 "Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15 "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men." Galatians 6:1-4 "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another." Revelation 22:12-14 Jesus declares "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today's Selected Poem: THINGS I HAVE LEARNED Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem122.htm Today's Selected Testimony: MY SALVATION STORY Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony120.htm =================================================== Dear Friend, We must always be diligent in protecting our minds against the lies and deceit of the enemy. The devil is a liar and the father of all lies and he is able to make the most harmful things seem to be safe and even fun. What we must do is recognize the enemy's traps so that we do not fall victim to his devious plans where heartbreak and ruin are at the center of his wishes for our life. The Lord knows of the enemy's deceit and has warned us to be wary and on guard. The Bible declares in 1 Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." The Lord has given us His Word and His Spirit to defeat the enemy so we must recognize our authority and stand strong against every wile of the enemy. (John 8:44) (Ephesians 6:10-18) I hope this message ministers to your heart to be conscious of the enemy's subtle approach to sin and know that sin when it is finished brings forth death. WHAT LIES AHEAD Jessica knew she wasn't supposed to be at this party. But it wasn't her fault --- not really. She was on her way to the movies, just like she told her parents, when she and Kathryn ran into a group of friends who invited them into the party. "Let's go!" Jessica said to Kathryn. "I've always wanted to go to one of these parties." Jessica was surprised at how easily the lie left her lips. At Jessica's insistence, the two followed their friends to the abandoned warehouse. The party was already in full swing. Later, when it already became apparent that Jessica was going to be late getting home, she found a pay phone and called her parents. "Mom? Kathryn and I decided to stop for Pizza after the movie and ran into some friends. I'll be late, OK? Oh, yes, the movie was great. You need to see it. Yes, I'll see you soon, Bye." It was just a little white lie. What could it hurt? And what could it hurt to take her first drink of alcohol? She hated the taste, but the lie in her smile said she loved it. And what could it hurt to dance with this great looking guy? And what could it hurt to take another drink that he offered her? When Jessica woke up the next morning, still groggy from the drug the cute guy had slipped into her drink, she realized that her lies had hurt more than she could have ever imagined. Jessica found out the hard way that lies are a stairway that goes only one way: down. She lied to her friends. She lied to her parents. She lost the trust of her parents and her best friend, and she lost her innocence to a guy she never saw again. ...Jesus explained that Satan is the father of lies. His tactics are so sly. If he can just get you to tell one little white lie today, then tomorrow he can take you one step further down the stairway with a bigger lie. Before you know it, you find yourself some place where you never intended to be, and Satan is laughing all the while. ...Don't hold Satan's hand and start down that stairway. Run to Jesus, hold His hand, and always speak the truth. Author Unknown Read and meditate on these scriptures: James 1:13-15 "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." Psalm 34:1-4 "I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Philippians 4:4-7 "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Psalm 103:1-5 "Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's." All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today's Selected Poem: YOU STILL HAVE HOPE Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem62.htm Today's Selected Testimony: FROM CRACK TO CHRIST Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony141.htm In Christ's Service, Dwayne Savaya Gods Work Ministry Please feel free to visit the Website to read more Encouraging and Inspirational stories, poems and testimonies. Our E-mail Archives are available as well to read the messages that have been sent in the past. You can now hear our stories and poems by ordering Voice Messages. Each volume contains 15 messages that can be heard and enjoyed anywhere a CD player is available. To order your copy, please click on this link: http://www.Godswork.org/voicemessages.htm You can also send Free E-cards to friends and loved ones with the many choices available. You are also welcome to post your prayer requests in our Prayer Forum. All this and more available at --- http://www.Godswork.org You can also send prayer requests to --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] Add your E-mail address if you'd like correspondence with the prayer partners.
