From: "Dwayne Savaya" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> God's Work Ministry E-mail
Dear Friend, We should always keep in mind that God has a purpose and plan for our life. Even in the times that we do not know what our life's purpose is, we must stay in faith and know that God has created us with special intentions that we are meant to bring to pass and fulfill. We must be steadfast in fulfilling our destiny and never allow the voice of discouragement to take root in our hearts keeping us from becoming all that God wishes for us to become. The Bible says that God knew us before the foundation of the world. He planned our lives even before the Earth was created. Be encouraged and know that you have a special purpose that only you have the ability to bring to pass. (Jeremiah 29:11-13) (Jeremiah 1:5-8) (Ephesians 1:4) The Lord has instilled within you special ability that no one else possesses. As an original creation, God has given only to you what is necessary to bring to pass all that He has placed within your heart. Never believe the lie that is too late for you. Seek the Lord and ask for His will to be made clear in your life. The Lord will be faithful to hear and answer your heartfelt prayers. (Isaiah 30:21) (Isaiah 55:6) I hope this message encourages your heart to see that all things have a purpose in life. Just as the trees in the story are all meant to accomplish different things, so to our lives are meant to fulfill different areas of God's plans. GOD'S PURPOSE IN THINGS One day a woodcutter took his grandson into the forest for his first experience in selecting and cutting oak trees. These they would later sell to the boat builders. As they walked along, the woodcutter explained that the purpose of each tree is contained in its natural shape: some are straight for planks, some have the proper curves for the ribs of a boat, and some are tall for masts. The woodcutter told his grandson that by paying attention to the details of each tree, and with experience in recognizing these characteristics; someday he too might become the woodcutter of the forest. A little way into the forest, the grandson saw an old oak tree that had never been cut. The boy asked his grandfather if he could cut it down because it was useless for boat building - there were no straight limbs, the trunk was, short and gnarled, and the curves were going the wrong way. “We could cut it down for firewood,” the grandson said. “At least then it will be of some use to us.” The woodcutter replied that for now they should be about their work cutting the proper trees for the boat builders; maybe later they could return to the old oak tree. After a few hours of cutting the huge trees, the grandson grew tired and asked if they could stop for a rest in some cool shade. The woodcutter took his grandson over to the old oak tree, where they rested against its trunk in the cool shade beneath its twisted limbs. After they had rested a while, the woodcutter explained to his grandson the necessity of attentive awareness and recognition of everything in the forest and in the world. Some things are readily apparent, like the tall, straight trees; other things are less apparent, requiring closer attention, like recognition of the proper curves in the limbs. And some things might initially appear to have no purpose at all, like the gnarled old oak tree. The woodcutter stated, “You must learn to pay careful attention every day so you can recognize and discover the purpose God has for everything in creation. For it is this old oak tree, which you so quickly deemed useless except for firewood, that now allows us to rest against its trunk amidst the coolness of its shade.” “Remember, grandson, not everything is as it first appears. Be patient, pay attention, recognize, and discover.” Author Unknown Read and meditate on these scriptures: James 1:2-5 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” Psalm 20:6-9 “Now know I that the LORD saveth His anointed; He will hear him from His Holy Heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.” Psalm 37:23-26 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.” Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today's Selected Poem: THE PROMISE Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem182.htm Today's Selected Testimony: ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony27.htm ===================================================== God's Work Ministry E-mail Dear Friend, No matter how independent we may sometimes feel, we must come to the realization that our life no matter how secure it may seem can come to an end at any moment. The Bible says our life is like a vapor that appears for a short time and then vanishes away. It is for this reason that we must get serious about our Eternity. We have to let God know now that our hearts are open to Him. We must repent of our sins and ask Jesus Christ to be our Lord and Savior. The Lord has made salvation to be very simple. Those who believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and accept Him as their Lord and Savior shall be saved forever. The Bible says with the heart man believes and with the mouth confession is made that Jesus Christ is Lord. I encourage you to make Jesus the Lord of your life if you have never done so before. He promised that He would cleanse you of your sins and make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. (Deuteronomy 8:17) (James 4:14) (Psalm 25:1-5) (Acts 4:12) (Romans 10:9-10) (Isaiah 1:18) I hope this message challenges your heart to see that a great sacrifice was made on your behalf. The Lord who created you took upon Himself your sins and died in your place so that right now in this present time you can have the opportunity to accept Him as Savior and Lord. SOME HUGE GIFTS It was the kind of summer day that every gear-head looks forward too. The August skies were clear and blue and northern pavement invited me to ride. My mission was to ride my Gold-Wing motorcycle out to a northern Michigan resort and conduct a wedding rehearsal. My plans were to return later that day and officiate the wedding. My plans for the next year were about to change. After the rehearsal my bike roared to life and I sped off to enjoy the day. A young girl ran a stop-sign and I T-boned her little Ford at full speed. I hit the door post of the car and flew through the wind-shield of my motorcycle. As I lay on the road-side, I examined my broken state. I did not know it but I had 18 broken bones, including a compound brake of the right hand, broken pelvis and crushed left leg. Both my lungs and bladder were ruptured. All I knew was that I was panting for air and was certain that this was my last moments on earth. I prayed a prayer that I thought would be my last spoken words in this life, Dear God take care of my family. Then I waited for death to overtake me. God had different plans. A volunteer fireman had watched the accident and drove up to my bruised and bleeding body. His skills went into motion. My bleeding was stopped by his gentle hands. He bagged me and I was able to get gulps of life-saving air. He called an emergency helicopter and I was rescued from certain death. There was intensive care; six surgeries; three and half months in a hospital bed; wheelchairs; physical and occupational therapy; pain, tears and joy. After a year, I took my first steps after the accident. About the time that I started walking, I was in a tire store getting a new set of rubber for my Jeep. At that season in my recovery I still walked with the help of a walker. It was very obvious to any observer that something very painful had happened to me. There was one other customer in the store and she asked the question that I had heard many times, What happened to you? I told her that I had parked my ride in a painful way in August. The she asked, Where? I told her my near-death story. Then she began to gush with excitement. She explained that her best friend s husband was the volunteer fireman that was both the witness and first responder to the accident. Then she said a chilling comment, He thinks you are dead, you ought to call him. The lady opened her purse and wrote down a phone number to my rescuer. This unusual conversation led to a very unusual conversation. I was the not so dead man who was thanking his rescuer for the gift of life and for each new day. How do thank someone for such a gift? The joys and experiences of life that I have experienced these years have all been a gift from someone who was ready to rescue a stranger who was completely helpless and doomed. This was not the first time that I have been rescued! Colossians 1:13 states “for He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves.” At another time in my life I was riding alone and far from God. I needed to be rescued from my own sinful self-centered ways. I was doomed to eternal death. Jesus was the one who met me at the road-side and rescued me from certain eternal death in hell. I prayed a simple prayer of faith that went like this; Dear God, Forgive me, I m a sinner. I place my faith in you to be my Lord and Savior. Amen. I invite you to join this eternally rescued biker and put your faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus sacrifice on the cross was the means for my access to eternal life and hope, peace and purpose in this life. How do I thank Someone for such a great gift? By Tim Manzer Read and meditate on these scriptures: Romans 8:31-34 “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Psalm 139:1-6 “O LORD, Thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, Thou knowest it altogether. Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid Thine hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.” Romans 5:8-10 “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” 1 Peter 2:9-10 “...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: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today's Selected Poem: HE IS WITH ME Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem120.htm Today's Selected Testimony: FROM PRISON TO PRAISE Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony8.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.
