From: "Dwayne Savaya" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> God's Work Ministry E-mail
Dear Friend, We never know what trials and tribulations others are going through and as children of the Most High God we should be quick to help and give a word of encouragement when we see the need for it. The Lord Jesus Christ calls us the children of light. We are commanded to unburden those who are downtrodden and lift up those who have no strength to stand on their own. We simply need to think of how we would want others to help us if we were in need and apply that same love and hope towards those who do need what we can provide. The Lord has promised that every act done in His name will bring forth a proper reward. We don't do good deeds simply to be praised, but because we do, the Lord is proud of us and promises to bless us in kind. Be encouraged to lend a helping hand when you see the opportunity. You will benefit more than the recipient simply by knowing you helped to make a bad situation a little better. I hope this message ministers to your heart to never judge or condemn anyone. All of us face different trials in life and need to be shown love and acceptance and told that it's not as bad as it seems right now. A BAG OF KINDNESS “Class, tomorrow I want you all to bring a cup of macaroni for our crafts class, okay? Now go on out there and enjoy the day.” These words from my second grade teacher at the end of the day echoed in my mind all evening. I was dreading the next day because I knew we wouldn't have any macaroni at home. Living in an alcoholic environment, we never had too much of anything laying around our house except beer bottles. I trudged home after school with my mind working overtime. Where would I find macaroni? I knew that the local bottle depot at the edge of town gave twenty cents for a case of beer bottles so I decided that I would collect some bottles and maybe I could buy a small box that evening at our local corner store. When I got home I started collecting the bottles and before long I had a nice pile in the back of my wagon. I started off to the bottling depot with my little brother Able in tow. We had a mission and no one would stop us. When we arrived at the depot they counted our bottles and gave me the eighty cents. I felt very wealthy and as we walked back into town Able was bouncing up and down asking to see the money. I showed him several times then asked him to get in the wagon so I could pull him. Truth be known I just wanted to enjoy feeling those coins in my pocket and I didn't mind pulling him as the price for this little freedom. We got to the corner store and entered to the smell of fresh bread baking in the back. I think we must have looked like we had rabies the way our mouths were watering. Able looked at me and at once I knew I would be going to school the next day with no macaroni. We bought two loaves of bread and two jelly doughnuts (which we ate on the way home). When we arrived, there was the usual party going on upstairs so we gathered my other siblings and went to the basement where we shared the bread with some strawberry jam. We all fell asleep with Johnny Paycheck booming from the ceiling above that night. The next day as craft class neared I began to think about the macaroni again. I was in anguish as the teacher asked why I didn't have any macaroni. “Weren't you listening when I asked you all to bring it John?” She asked sternly. I was mortified, I didn't know what to say and as the other children started laughing, out of nowhere this little girl Rosalyn who sat beside me turned to me and said “Here you can have some of mine.” The way she said it, so nice, and the kindness in her eyes made me start to cry. I ran from the room in shame. I never did take her macaroni or thank her for the offer. I couldn't speak to her again because I was sure I would see my own shame mirrored in her eyes. I often think about Rosalyn and the way she turned to save me that day. I spent a great deal of my life letting the bricks of anger, hurt and rejection wall me in. I kept good people like Rosalyne out and surrounded myself with the kinds of people who I thought I was. I eventually did see that and I have changed my life. My own daughter is eight now and I have had the opportunity to send her to school with her own little bag of macaroni. I wrapped it up with a heavy heart that morning thinking of those turbulent days past. I thought of Rosalyn and the little gift she tried to share with me and I give a silent prayer of thanks for all the people like her that make this world a better place to live in. By John Gaudet Read and meditate on these scriptures: Colossians 3:23-25 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.” Romans 12:4 “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Luke 6:35-36 Jesus declares “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” 2 Timothy 4:6-8 “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today's Selected Poem: I'M JUST TOO BUSY Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem150.htm Today's Selected Testimony: MADE STRONG THROUGH WEAKNESS Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony183.htm ========================================================== God's Work Ministry E-mail Dear Friend, Have you ever taken a moment to think of the many blessings that surround you? If we do, we would soon find how abundantly blessed we truly are and how much we have to be thankful for. Even though it is easy for us to murmur and complain about the temporary sufferings that are in our path, we should be disciplined enough to look past these temporary setbacks and be thankful to the Lord for the long-term gifts that have surrounded us our entire life. What type of gifts am I referring to? A beautiful gift that I am thankful for is the gift of sight. I am thankful that I have the ability to see the beauty that surrounds me. I am thankful that I have ears to hear the majestic sound of God's creation. I am thankful for my salvation, my family, my friends, my home, my health. Have you been thankful? Think of the blessings that God has given to you. Give thanks to the Lord and let Him know that you are appreciative for every gift in your life. (Psalm 139:14) (Psalm 103:1-5) (Matthew 10:8) (Psalm 30:11-12) I hope this message encourages your heart to be thankful for everything in life. Appreciate what you have and do all that you can to let those who are without experience the gifts that you’ve received. I'M FLYING DADDY Once upon a time there was a little boy who was raised in a orphanage. The little boy had always wished that he could fly like a bird. It was very difficult for him to understand why he could not fly. There were birds at the zoo that were much bigger than he, and they could fly. “Why can't I?” he thought. “Is there something wrong with me?” he wondered. There was another little boy who was crippled. He had always wished that he could walk and run like other little boys and girls. “Why can't I be like them?” he thought. One day the little orphan boy who had wanted to fly like a bird ran away from the orphanage. He came upon a park where he saw the little boy who could not walk or run playing in the sandbox. He ran over to the little boy and asked him if he had ever wanted to fly like a bird. “No,” said the little boy who could not walk or run. “But I have wondered what it would be like to walk and run like other boys and girls.” “That is very sad.” said the little boy who wanted to fly. “Do you think we could be friends?” he said to the little boy in the sandbox. “Sure.” said the little boy. The two little boys played for hours. They made sand castles and made really funny sounds with their mouths. Sounds which made them laugh real hard. Then the little boy's father came with a wheel chair to pick up his son. The little boy who had always wanted to fly ran over to the boy's father and whispered something into his ear. “That would be okay,” said the man. The little boy who had always wanted to fly like a bird ran over to his new friend and said, “You are my only friend and I wish that there was something that I could do to make you walk and run like other little boys and girls. But I can't. But there is something that I can do for you.” The little orphan boy turned around and told his new friend to slide up onto his back. He then began to run across the grass. Faster and faster he ran, carrying the little crippled boy on his back. Faster and harder he ran across the park. Harder and harder he made his legs travel. Soon the wind whistled across the two little boys' faces. The little boy's father began to cry as he watched his beautiful little crippled son flapping his arms up and down in the wind, all the while yelling at the top of his voice, “I'M FLYING, DADDY. I'M FLYING!” By Roger Dean Kiser Read and meditate on these scriptures: 1 Corinthians 3:8-9 “Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.” Psalm 37:1-5 “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. 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.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 “And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” Romans 8:35,37 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” 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: GOD IS FAITHFUL Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony118.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. 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