From: "Dwayne Savaya" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> God's Work Ministry E-mail
Dear Friend, No matter the trials or hardships that come our way, we should always keep in mind that lessons can be learned and experiences made that otherwise we would never have realized. When difficult situations come your way, do not see them as obstacles hindering your happiness, but rather see them as opportunities for you to grow, learn, and become better than you were before. If everything went perfectly in life, then we would never appreciate the grace and mercy of God that extends to all those who are downtrodden or brokenhearted. Be encouraged to appreciate everything in your life. Take the good as well as the bad and have an open spirit allowing the Lord to teach and mold you through every experience that life brings before you. (Proverbs 3:11-14) (2 Corinthians 12:8-10) (Philippians 4:12) I hope this message ministers to your heart to be thankful for all that you have in your life. Do not allow yourself to murmur and complain when tough times come your way, but rather see each trial as your chance to learn from and become better than you were before. ONE GLAD DAD I am one glad dad these days. I feel so very blessed. Every day I thank God for these three wonderful souls He sent to be my children. They all have such beautiful spirits. They all bring joy to me and to the world around them every single day. It is always such a pleasure to take walks around town with my oldest son. He has more people say “Hi” to him in a day than I do in a week. This is because his goodness and friendliness touches the hearts of everyone he meets. My youngest son rarely speaks at all, yet his spirit shines in other ways. His spontaneous joy and delight in the simplest things makes me smile and his wonderful laughter sounds as beautiful as an angel’s song. Both of my sons do have Autism, but Autism doesn’t have them. My boys also remind me that sometimes the brightest souls come to Earth in disguise. They come hidden in broken bodies and handicapped minds. They come needing our help and care, yet at the same time they show the rest of us how to live. They go around spreading love, sharing joy, and shining God’s light. And they help us to realize that we can do the same. Those who know them often become better because of them too. I know that my daughter’s kind, giving, and loving heart has grown stronger and more beautiful because of them. She has had to face a lot growing up with two “special” brothers, but she has used it all to become the wonderful, young woman she is today. Her own spirit glows so brightly. She has already become one of those shining souls who makes the world a better place just by being in it. I think that I will remain one glad dad for all of my days here. Life has given me a lot of challenges and struggles to face, but God has given me the love, joy, and strength to face them. Life has given me two handicapped sons to raise and care for, but Heaven has blessed me with three shining souls to show me what it means to live and what it means to love. By Joseph J. Mazzella Read and meditate on these scriptures: 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11-14 “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” Psalm 91:1-4 “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” Hebrews 13:5-6 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today's Selected Poem: IT TOOK A MIRACLE Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem47.htm Today's Selected Testimony: JESUS STILL HEALS TODAY Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony35.htm ============================================================ God's Work Ministry E-mail Dear Friend, We should always remember that God has made each of us as individuals and unique in our own design. God has never made two people to be exactly alike and I believe it is because God has made each of us with a special purpose and plan that we are meant to fulfill. The Lord declares in Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” We must keep in mind that we are unique and original and are meant to go forth in life bringing glory and honor to the name of the Lord. We are to live rightly before the Lord and make Him proud with the choices we make for our life's path. Never believe the lie that you have no special abilities and have no purpose in life. You being alive today is all the proof you should require to know that you are important to the Lord and are called to fulfill His purposes through your life. Be encouraged and know that God loves you and wishes for you to end Victoriously. (Jeremiah 29:11) (Jeremiah 1:6-9) (2 Timothy 4:5-8) I hope this message ministers to your heart to never be a follower in life, but rather trust in God's promise that you have a special purpose and plan that only you can fulfill. WORDS TO GROW ON As a youngster, there was nothing I liked better than Sunday afternoons at my grandfather's farm in western Pennsylvania. Surrounded by miles of winding stone walls, the house and barn provided endless hours of fun for a city kid like me. I was used to neat-as-a-pin parlors that seemed to whisper, “Not to be touched!” I can still remember one afternoon when I was eight years old. Since my first visit to the farm, I'd wanted more than anything to be allowed to climb the stone walls surrounding the property. My parents would never approve. The walls were old; some stones were missing, others loose and crumbling. Still, my yearning to scramble across those walls grew so strong that finally, one spring afternoon, I summoned all my courage and entered the living room, where the adults had gathered after Sunday dinner. “I, uh - I wanna climb the stone walls,” I said hesitantly. Everyone looked up. “Can I climb the stone walls?” Instantly a chorus went up from the women in the room. “Heavens, no!” they cried in dismay. “You'll hurt yourself!” I wasn't too disappointed; the response was just as I'd expected. But before I could leave the room, I was stopped by my grandfather's booming voice. “Now hold on just a minute,” I heard him say. “Let the boy climb the stone walls. He has to learn to do things for himself.” “Scoot,” he said to me with a wink. “And come see me when you get back.” For the next two and a half hours I climbed those old walls - and had the time of my life. Later I met with my grandfather to tell him about my adventures. I'll never forget what he said. “Fred,” he said, grinning, “You made this day a special day just by being yourself. Always remember, there's only one person in this whole world like you, and I like you exactly as you are.” Many years have passed since then, and today I host the television program Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, seen by millions of children throughout America. There have been changes over the years, but one thing remains the same: my message to children at the end of almost every visit. "There's only one person in this whole world like you," the kids can count on hearing me say, “and people can like you exactly as you are.” By Fred Rogers Read and meditate on these scriptures: Psalm 16:8-11 “I have set the LORD always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt Thou suffer Thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fulness of Joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Nehemiah 8:10 “Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the Joy of the LORD is your strength.” Psalm 28:6-8 “Blessed be the LORD, because He hath heard the voice of my supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him. The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving strength of His anointed.” 1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.” All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today’s Selected Poem: THIS MOMENT Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem45.htm Today’s Selected Testimony: HEALED FROM DEPRESSION Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony130.htm In Christ’s Service, Dwayne Savaya God’s 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 right on our website. Volume One contains 15 messages that can be heard and enjoyed at Godswork.org. To hear our messages, please click on this link: http://www.Godswork.org/Audio.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
