From: "Dwayne Savaya" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> God's Work Ministry E-mail
Dear Friend, We each have much to be thankful for, but because of our shortsightedness, we sometimes fail to see how blessed we really are. Many times we focus more on what we are missing rather than being thankful for the great bounties that we possess. If we take a moment and think of those who are less fortunate than we are, we would quickly realize that we have nothing to complain about. We are to be thankful for our health, our family, our friends, our jobs, and the list can continue on. Train yourself to be one who gives thanks to the Lord multiple times each day. Do not allow yourself to murmur and complain when the temptation arises, but rather use that opportunity to let God know that you are trusting in Him and know that every trial will be used to make you stronger than you were before. Give God thanks for all that He has given to you. You will soon find that being thankful will ease your burdens much more than your complaining could ever do. (Philippians 4:19) (Psalm 103:1-5) (Psalm 146:5-10) I hope this message challenges your heart to be one who gives thanks and praise to the Lord in all situations no matter the temptation to murmur or complain. A NEW PERSPECTIVE Leaving for work one morning, I noticed that my newspaper hadn't been delivered yet. Since I always brought it to work, it upset me that I would have to stop at the store and pick one up. I was already running late, but figured I could make it if I hurried. This would really throw a monkey wrench into my morning though and it was putting me in a bad mood. As I pulled into the parking lot of the store, I noticed a young man in a wheelchair at the far end of the lot who seemed to be struggling. “I'm sure he's all right”, I thought, “or if he's not, someone else will stop and help him.” Judging by the customers and cars that were passing him by, I guess they were thinking the same thing. I got out, and walked over to see what the trouble was. “Is there anything I can do?” I asked. It was then that I noticed he wasn't able to speak, and was still struggling with the chair. “Is there someone I can call for you?” I said. He still couldn't give me any indication. I looked down at the chair and noticed that the clamps holding the electronic keyboard and chair controls had apparently loosened causing the equipment to slip down, out of his reach. “Is this the problem?” I said, as I pulled it back into place, hoping I wasn't doing more damage than good. I then re-tightened the clamps. His hand jerked over to the keyboard and he hit a single key. An electronic voice told me, “Thank-you.” He then found the toggle control that steered the chair, turned and left. I got back in my car and headed off to work, completely forgetting my newspaper. As I drove, I felt a gratitude come over me like I had never felt before! I was truly blessed to have the physical abilities that allow me to live a normal life. Here was this young man who relied on a mechanical chair to get him around and a voice simulator to communicate. He probably dreamed about doing all the things that I take for granted every day. I vowed from now on, not to take those things for granted anymore. I would be grateful to God for his blessings that could be gone tomorrow. It's funny, fifteen minutes before that happened, I was whining because my morning paper hadn't arrived on time. I'm glad I was able to help the young man, but more importantly, he was able to help me gain a new perspective on my priorities in life. By John Fern Read and meditate on these scriptures: 1 John 4:20-21 “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” Romans 8:31-32 “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?” 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.” 1 Timothy 6:6-10 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today’s Selected Poem: EVEN IF Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem108.htm Today’s Selected Testimony: TAKING A GOOD LOOK Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony189.htm ==================================================== God's Work Ministry E-mail Dear Friend, It is important that we show our love and appreciation to those whom God has placed in our care. We must let them know that they are special and have been given abilities that no one else possesses. We are to lift up our children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews and instill within their hearts the confidence they require to move ahead in life knowing that victory is within their grasp. We should never allow ourselves to belittle their accomplishments or make them doubt their ability. Our role must be one of encouragement and affirmation cheering on their successes and comforting them when they fail. We are to let them know that nobody is perfect and all have fallen short at one time or another. By building their self-esteem and showing them our love, we will build mighty warriors who will go forth making our world a better place and we will remind all that there is great power in encouraging and affirming those who have been entrusted into our care. (Romans 12:5-10) (Romans 3:23) (Galatians 6:2-4) I hope this message challenges your heart be an encourager in life. Show those who are nearest to you how special they truly are. Speak words of encouragement into their lives and let them know that they can accomplish anything that they set their mind to do. PROUDLY DISPLAYED I've had fridge art from three grandchildren. They're all priceless works, so some samples have been kept to delight me with pleasant memories during rainy-day treasure hunts. Sometimes there are ancient discoveries -- works done by their mom some thirty years ago. Like the plastic butter dish used to mount a drawing of her family. Three people sporting age-labeled T-shirts. Herself with a 6. Me, at 27, red hair still intact! Her dad, with a huge 43. He did not appreciate her momentary dyslexia! He was 34. I, on the other hand, was tickled by this production. I became her stepmom just months earlier. She lived with us, but it was still a proud surprise to be included in her family portrait. Then there's her seashell decorated with paper and marker saying, “I'm sorry. I will never forget you.” I no longer recall what transgression preceded this declaration. It may have come after a spousal argument that left her suspecting I would leave. If so, it was certainly a more heartwarming sentiment than her reaction on another such occasion when she tearfully whimpered, “Are you going to take your stereo?” Her works of art are mostly buried in boxes, but the queen of my kid art mementos sits in a kitchen cupboard. Yes, it's housed in the catch-all cupboard, but it's on the front of the top shelf where I can see it. My daughter made it when she was 7. A detergent bottle cap with a styrofoam ball. Plastic fork, handle broken and inserted to stick out just enough to hold a recipe card. Pink carnation to cover the ball, pink ribbon trimming the bottle cap, and voila! The absolute best recipe holder ever! And indeed it is. Because it was my first Mother's Day gift ever! It's not packed away. It's there where I can glance at it occasionally, a reminder of a little girl who stole my heart and made my life complete. One who every now and then, with a butter dish family portrait or a detergent cap recipe holder, made me feel loved -- something that showed me I had made it! I was really accepted! I was in! And isn't that what kid art always is? Kids bestow their gifts upon us to show their love and affection. They don't fake it. Every piece of kid art ever handed to us is a seal of approval, a medal of honor. Don't take it lightly! If you get kid art, you know that in the eyes of that child, you are special and deserve the best. Display that award proudly. Come to think of it, I think a certain recipe holder needs a better spot. By Beth Fryer [EMAIL PROTECTED] Read and meditate on these scriptures: 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.” 1 John 4:7-11 “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” Ephesians 4:1-6 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today's Selected Poem: WISE WORDS Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem109.htm Today's Selected Testimony: GOD'S ALIVE AND WELL Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony34.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.
