From: "Dwayne Savaya" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> God's Work Ministry E-mail
Dear Friend, With the many stresses that life brings our way, we should make every effort to not lose our peace and have a lighthearted attitude seeing the good and not the bad. We must look past the present situation and see the big picture with the end result being our victory. The Lord has promised that He would keep us in perfect peace because our mind is stayed on Him. When we have confidence in God's ability to deliver us, there will never be anything powerful enough that will cause us to stress or worry over that situation. Has your car broken down? It's no problem, you can get it fixed. Have you lost your job? It's no problem, there are many other jobs out there better than the one that you had. (Isaiah 26:3) (Mark 10:27) No matter the situation, we must stay in peace and let God know that our eyes are focused on Him and not on the problem. He is able to make a way even when there seems to be no way. He can make a new road. He can pave a new path. The Lord God Jehovah can do the impossible. Let us stay in peace and trust Him. Do not stress. Do not worry. Have confidence in the God who created you. He loves you and wishes for you to be victorious in life. Make Him proud by proving God right. (Romans 3:3-4) (Psalm 20:6-9) I hope this message encourages your heart to not stress or worry no matter what happens in your life. See the good that surrounds you. Focus on your blessings and you'll soon find that the stresses that were so dominant in your mind will soon be made to no affect. HIGH NOON I had worked long and hard on this project. Knowing it was finally complete gave me great satisfaction. But it was high noon on one of the hottest days of this summer and I was drenched with sweat, a little burned on my now balding head, and my knees were painfully sore. I had this planned over the past several summers always finding a good reason to put it off. Well, maybe not a good reason. Any excuse would do. I hate painting. Staining the deck is very low on that list of things I should and need to do. Right above coating the driveway with tar oil. That's at the very bottom. That is also next on my list of things I must do this year. Like all things I put off, once they are complete, I stand proudly over them, beat my chest, and gloat over the accomplishment. “Perfect!” I said. “Now, all I have to do is keep the dogs off of it.” I went about setting up barriers using old fence, deck chairs, planters, and anything I could find. I directed them out the back door and off to the side so as to avoid footprints both on the oil paint and our carpet. It worked perfectly. Just before retreating to the house and to a much needed shower, I took one last look at this fine work of art. “What is that?” I said. “Where did that come from?” Clearly marked and evenly spaced across the entire area, I found tiny marks running in straight lines and inexplicably in circles. Making my way tucked close to the house, I carefully stepped to the very edge of the deck closest to our flower garden. It was there I found several of the small markings. Upon closer observation I discovered that these were indeed footprints. “I can't believe it!” I whispered. “What can I do now?” In my frustration, my foot slipped and I was now standing on the freshly stained decked. I crouched down in disbelief and sighed. I was baffled by it all because I thought I planned for all the possibles of the human and animal size, never considering the fact that my yard is inhabited by creatures as small as this. Now, almost frozen in place by this stunning discovery, I remained in position so as to prevent further damaging my work. Just then, off to my left, it appeared. The culprit! The menace of my masterpiece. The graffiti artist responsible for this act. A chipmunk. He was as stunned as I was. We stood there face to face looking at each other, wondering who would make the first move. “How could you?” I said. He didn't blink an eye. (I'm not really sure if chipmunks can blink.) It was like the scene from “High Noon,” where two men standing on main street wait to see who draws first. He actually sat down. He's teasing me, taunting me now. The warm, humid air was now getting the best of me. Sweat that once easily soaked into my hair, now ran freely over my bald spot, and in poor timing into my eyes. I reached up to rub them and when I opened my eyes he was gone. I won the stand off! He ran first. My legs now cramped, my body soaked, my spirit crushed, I looked around for something, one thing positive in all of this. My only satisfaction was in thinking that when he returned home he tracked oily footprints into his own home. And, hoping he was married, his wife would not let him live it down for the rest of his life. Suddenly, I heard the leaves on the two tall trees nearby begin to rustle. I looked off to my left where I came face to face with my enemy. Out of nowhere, at the urging of the wind, a small bunch of daisies show their faces, retreating on and off until a smile came to my face. In comparison to all the woes of the world this deserves no more stress or acknowledgement. I did build all of this to make my yard more beautiful and for the enjoyment of family and friends. I do count among those friends all the creatures great and small who bring joy to my life simply by watching them. I stood up, shook my head, and laughing about it all walked into my house. Yes, I tracked oil on the carpet. I am married. My wife will not let me live it down for the rest of my life. But I out stared a chipmunk at high noon. By Bob Perks Read and meditate on these scriptures: Psalm 138:6-8 “Though the LORD be high, yet hath He respect unto the lowly: but the proud He knoweth afar off. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me: Thou shalt stretch forth Thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and Thy right hand shall save me. The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: Thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of Thine own hands.” Psalm 34:17-19 “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.” 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now Mine eyes shall be open, and Mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.” Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Psalm 37:4-7 “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. And He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him...” All scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today's Selected Poem: DO NOT FEAR Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem174.htm Today's Selected Testimony: FATHER KNOWS BEST Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony109.htm ============================================= God's Work Ministry E-mail Dear Friend, We should always keep in mind that God has us on this Earth with a special purpose in mind. Whether it is to help our family, our community or this world, each of us have a special assignment that we are called to bring to fulfillment. We are to use the gifts that we have nurtured for the betterment of others. We must teach them what we have learned so that they can become better in their life. We have all been given different gifts that are meant to be used for different purposes. It is for this reason that we are commanded to help others reach their potential by imparting the wisdom that we've received into their lives. Be encouraged and know that you have the ability to impart the lessons that you've learned through your life to make someone else's life better than it was before. Take the initiative when you see the opportunity to teach, encourage, minister to and edify those who will be made better because of your positive interaction. (Jeremiah 29:11) (Romans 12:4-10) (Matthew 25:37-40) I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to be a teacher towards those who lack understanding and need assistance in finding their direction in life. The simple things you can do will be far more beneficial than you can ever think or imagine. THE TWO PELICANS I watched as two pelicans were gliding just above the water out where the waves begin to break. There were only two, not the more typical five or six. Why only two? I have a theory. Perhaps there were two because this was a training flight. The lead pelican was the older, wiser, more experienced pelican. The second one was being trained in the fine art of pelicaning. I imagined the instructions going something like this: “Okay, Junior, you stick with me and I’ll show you how to do it,” said the older pelican. In seconds they were airborne. “First, flap your wings like this. Not so fast. Slower. Smoother. Now, stop flapping and glide. Be sure to make it look effortless. That guy on the beach is taking notes.” “Now, here’s how you hover. Good! Now flap! Stop flapping! Flap! Stop flapping! Remember, smooth and leisurely. Excellent! Now let’s glide right down over the water where we can almost touch it, but not quite. Those humans go nuts when we do this. They wish they could do it. You’re doing great kid, but we’re not finished. This is our big moment. Ready? Stop! Drop! Splash! Up! We’re outta here! You’re doing great! Just keep doing what I do and you’ll be fine.” Those two pelicans have gone on down the coast, but I see similar scenes every day. There is the mother who sits with her daughter sharing her years of experience as a wife, a mother, and a lady. There’s the father showing his son how to hold a baseball bat and how to stand at the plate. An older mechanic patiently explains the strange noise under the hood to the new guy. An experienced teacher illustrates her technique of classroom discipline to the recent graduate. The long-time student of the Word explains a text to his disciple. People taking time to share their wisdom, explain their success, and reveal their failures. Both benefit from the experience. Many others will reap the fruit of their time together. A little later I saw the two pelicans on their way back down the coastline (I’m not absolutely sure it was the same two pelicans, but they looked like them.) This time they have switched places. I heard the older one say, “Okay, son. Your turn to lead. Take off!” Look around you. Do you see any young pelicans wanting to learn to fly? There may be someone who needs the wisdom and experience you have. The new guy on the job, the new couple at church, that young mother who seems to have her hands full, or the young man who has just begun his walk with the Lord. You have the knowledge, you have the wisdom, and you have the gift they need. Don’t waste the opportunity! Take time and teach someone to fly! By Tom Norvell Read and meditate on these scriptures: Hebrews 13:1-3 “Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.” Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus declares, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” 1 Peter 3:8-11 “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.” 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.” All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today's Selected Poem: THE POWER OF ONE Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem125.htm Today's Selected Testimony: GOD NEVER GIVES UP Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony114.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. 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