From: "Dwayne Savaya" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Gods Work Ministry Inspirational and Encouragement E-Mail
Dear Friend, The Joy that fills our hearts is abundant and should reflect directly upon others so that they may see Whom we belong to. We should always be proud of our relationship with the Lord and make it a point to encourage those who don't know Him and lead them to the only One who is able to save their eternal soul. The impact that each of our lives can have on society is immeasurable and should be used to bless, encourage, strengthen and uplift all who are down or discouraged. Never underestimate your ability to be an encourager because the Lord who saved you from darkness to His light has also equipped you to be a blessing to your fellow man. (John 13:34-35) I hope you are encouraged and uplifted by today's message to be a blessing to those who are discouraged and allow your light to shine brightly into their lives. THE ORNAMENT ON THE CHRISTMAS TREE There were more beautiful ornaments than Nell, but none could do the things he did after the lights went off on the tree. Nell helped the ornaments stay in good condition, and he listened to their comments about trying to cope with always being beautiful. There was one ornament, particularly this season, that had a problem. It was the jack-in-a-box, which was a gift given to the family that year. Well, it seemed that Jack was lonely because he had spent so many holidays with another family that he felt abandoned. You see the other family moved out of town and decided to give away some of their cherished possessions to their friends. Nell talked to Jack that night about how, he, a cardboard angel had come into the house. He was lonely, too, in the beginning, but he started to talk to the other ornaments each night after the lights were turned down. They told him how they missed their families. It seemed eventually that each were noticed by a special guest and touched with great care. When this happened, they became loved again. Nell thought for a moment and told jack-in-the-box to just wait a few more days until the Christmas party. He was sure to be noticed and appreciated then. That day arrived and Nell was right because on that Saturday evening the children had their annual party before the adults dinner later that night. It was then that a small boy reached his hand up to the branch on the tree and touched the treasured jack-in-the-box. It was a thrilling time for Jack to feel needed once again. The boy kept saying he had never seen such an unusual toy and so well made. The owner of the house looked at the smile on the boy's face and brought over a small box so Jack would not get tossed around on his journey to his new home. "Please, the toy is yours," said the kind man. The boy was so thrilled that he lifted the toy from the tree with such care it felt brand new again. "Merry Christmas Nell," shouted Jack. He was then safely put away in the cozy container until he could be opened again with great care and admiration. "I will never forget our friendship and what you taught me," were Jack's parting words to Nell. Then Jack was taken out of the home by the boy who was smiling happily while taking one last look at the ornaments still waiting for a tender touch. "Blessings to you Jack," cried out Nell. A tear came down his little angel eye, as he was so happy for another ornament had been loved. After the lights went out that evening, Nell, felt a feeling of contentment and no longer just a plain cardboard angel. He felt he had a special purpose and tonight proved it. He had made another ornament think happy thoughts so it would look brand new sitting on that tree. Today let us think happy thoughts so our faces will look cheerful as we greet the day. We can be just as brand new at 92 as we were at two years old if we just smile at the world and allow our light to shine brightly. Author Unknown Read and meditate on these scriptures: Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus declares, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." 1 Timothy 2:1-4 "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." John 13:34-35 Jesus says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." 2 Corinthians 4:15-17 "For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today's Selected Poem: MY REDEEMER LIVES Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem154.htm Today's Selected Testimony: BROUGHT THROUGH THE TRIAL Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony167.htm ========================================== All who have given their heart to the Lord Jesus Christ have been commanded to go into all the world and preach the gospel to the lost. The Lord who saved us from our sins and made us righteous before God the Father commands us to study and know His Word so that we may be equipped to lead lost souls into the loving hands of the Father. We need to hear His Word, read His Word, and be doers of His Word so that all may see the light that we shine and want that same light in their lives. Be encouraged to not only be a hearer, but make a conscious effort to be a doer so that your life will have a positive impact on the lives of others that can never be erased. I hope you are challenged by this message to be a great witness for Christ where multitudes will be impacted by the positive influence of your life. DOING THE WORD To make the value of obedience just as practical as possible, let's play 'Let's Pretend.' Let's pretend that you work for me. In fact, you are my executive assistant in a company that is growing rapidly. I'm the owner and I'm interested in expanding overseas. To pull this off, I make plans to travel abroad and stay there until a new branch office gets established. I make all the arrangements to take my family and move to Europe for six to eight months. And I leave you in charge of the busy stateside organization. I tell you that I will write you regularly and give you directions and instructions. I leave and you stay. Months pass. A flow of letters are mailed from Europe and received by you at the national headquarters. I spell out all my expectations. Finally, I return. Soon after my arrival, I drive down to the office and I am stunned. Grass and weeds have grown up high. A few windows along the street are broken. I walk into the Receptionist's room. She is doing her nails, chewing gum and listening to her favorite disco station. I look around and notice the wastebaskets are overflowing. The carpet hasn't been vacuumed for weeks, and nobody seems concerned that the owner has returned. I asked about your whereabouts and someone in the crowded lounge area points down the hall and yells, "I think he's down there." Disturbed, I move in that direction and bump into you as you are finishing a chess game with our sales manager. I ask you to step into my office, which has been temporarily turned into a television room for watching afternoon soap operas. "What in the world is going on, man?" "What do you mean, Chuck?" "Well, look at this place! Didn't you get any of my letters?" "Letters? Oh yes! Sure! I got every one of them. As a matter of fact, Chuck, we have had a letter study every Friday night since you left. We have even divided the personnel into small groups to discuss many of the things you wrote. Some of the things were really interesting. You will be pleased to know that a few of us have actually committed to memory some of your sentences and paragraphs. One or two memorized an entire letter or two - Great stuff in those letters." "OK. You got my letters. You studied them and meditated on them; discussed and even memorized them. But what did you do about them?" "Do? We didn't do anything about them." By Chuck Swindoll Read and meditate on these scriptures: James 1:22-25 "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." Matthew 19:29-30 Jesus declares, "And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first." Galatians 6:7-10 "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today's Selected Poem: THE UNKNOWN CHRISTIAN Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem185.htm Today's Selected Testimony: THE LIGHTNING STORM Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony60.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.
