From: "Dwayne Savaya" <[email protected]> God's Work Ministry E-mail
Dear Friend, We should always be quick to thank the Lord for every gift and blessing that we have in our lives. Many times we get caught up with what we are going through and fail to see our true blessings. If we take a moment and think of the plight of others, we would soon find how much we have to be thankful for. I believe the saying “you don't know what you have until you lose it”, but it should not come to that for us to realize and appreciate what we have. If we only imagine losing our most precious gifts, we will be thankful for them right now. The blessings I am referring to are very simple. The gift of your eyes and ears and even the gift of your legs. Imagine how much more difficult life would be if you lost any one of these simple abilities. We have much to be thankful for and we should always be quick to let God know how appreciative we are for everything. A thankful heart will give you a renewed appreciation and zest for life. Think of your blessings and give thanks for them. (Deuteronomy 7:12-14) (Job 11:16-18) I hope this message encourages and inspires your heart to always appreciate every gift and blessing that God has bestowed upon you. Do not take them for granted, but rather give thanks and know that you are abundantly blessed. FIRST LIGHT Back when us kids were small, there was a little kid two houses down that was blind. Smart little guy too. He could read Braille at a sixth grade level, and he was only six or seven. The way he ran, played and spoke to you, it would be difficult to tell he was blind from a distance. His eyes looked normal except for the slight cloud or film that seemed to be in their depths. In the early fifties, there was a new eye surgery that became available. The parents looked into it and discovered with the doctors that there may be a chance at some level of eyesight. They knew not what it would be, but they were pretty sure it would be better than complete blindness, which he suffered at the time. Investigating further they discovered the cost, a staggering sum would be an understatement. Insurance at the time wouldn't cover it. The people at church, the whole neighborhood, well, the whole community found out about it after awhile and some started little things to raise money. Gloria, the little crippled girl who owned Shep The Wonder Dog who pulled her around in a carriage her dad had made, started a lemonade stand in front of her house to help. Several of us started a neighborhood vegetable stand selling things from our gardens. They even had rummage sales and lawns were being mowed that didn't need it. Special collections were being taken up in church for the fund and all of it was going into the fund for his operation. Our efforts even made the paper. The family was contacted and it seems that a hospital out of town agreed to do it for what was in the fund at the end of that summer. They were gone a few days to get it done and when they returned, his whole head was bandaged and he had to be kept inside for thirty days. It was a cool, crisp fall evening when it was time to unwrap the bandages. The room had to be darkened. We neighbors were all gathered on their patio barbecuing and had brought all kinds of things to go with it while waiting for the event. Their house was dark and it had gotten so clear in the outside sky that the stars seemed to be flashing like a circus. I went inside to see how things were going just as they opened the venetian blinds a little for him to have his first glimpse of the world. Across the street, a neighbors lights were on. He asked what it was and was told the neighbors were home because their lights were on. He had never experienced seeing lights before. His parents gently led him out onto the patio where we were all gathered watching in anticipation of his first visions. He looked around at all of us who he recognized by our voices, but had never seen. Then he looked up into the sky and exclaimed, “Look daddy, God's home, his lights are on.” There was not a dry eye among us. By Mark Crider Read and meditate on these scriptures: Psalm 145:14-19 “The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all His ways, and Holy in all His works. The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear Him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 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.” Habakkuk 3:17-19 “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places...” 1 Peter 5:10-11 “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today’s Selected Poem: THE BRIGHTEST STAR Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem101.htm Today’s Selected Testimony: MADE STRONG THROUGH WEAKNESS Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony183.htm ======================================================= From: "Dwayne Savaya" <[email protected]> God's Work Ministry E-mail Dear Friend, We should always remember that God is able to do a new thing in our lives. As long as we have breath in our lungs, it is not too late for us to start afresh. It is important for us to remember God's love and forgiveness because sometimes when we fall short, we believe the lie that we are not worthy to be the redeemed of God. When Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood for all mankind, He did it knowing of our frailty and our sinfulness. The Lord knows that man is easily led astray, but He has given us the Holy Spirit to lead us towards life and not death. We must simply submit ourselves to His leading and forsake every carnal desire. The Bible says sowing to the flesh leads to death, but sowing to the Spirit leads to life everlasting. Be encouraged to submit your heart to the Lord again if you have fallen away and allow the Lord to work in your life where it will be changed for the better and used for His Eternal purposes. (Galatians 6:8) I hope this message ministers to your heart to see that it is never too late for us to spring forth to life again. The Lord is able to do a new thing. We simply must trust the Lord and allow Him to work in our lives. THE LIVING TREE The small Canadian Hemlock shook her lacy branches in the wind, like a little girl swinging her petticoats. Like a small child, I had become alive with hope. We stood there, in the windy Christmas tree lot, and each of us was filled with the joy of Christmas. There was no way that we would say “no” to the small Canadian wonder. For she was beautiful. The perfect tree. Due to my deteriorating asthma, Christmas had become a struggle for me. But this year was different. Due to the wonders of modern medicine, we were looking for our first real Christmas tree in years. And she was extra special, because she was a living tree. Costly though it was, we paid the man and we considered it a bargain. We made a promise to our living tree. We would take care of her, and we would keep her alive until spring. Then we would plant her in a special place in our garden. Our first hurdle was finding a pot to put her in. We settled on a laundry tub. After we bumped the tree ball up the stairs and negotiated the heavy weight of the root ball into the shiny tub, we filled the tub with water, just like a potted plant. Oblivious to the combination of moisture and electricity, we had our tree lighted in no time. Standing back, in the living room, now darkened except for the lights of the tree, was a breathless, magical moment. Tears rolled down my cheeks, as I thanked God, for giving me back my Christmas. We went a little wild, carefully placing every childhood token, every home-made gift, and every bauble and bead, that we had packed so long ago, only to be forgotten. But not this Christmas. Our little living tree became filled with a lifetime of love and sharing. Christmas came and went, all too fast. We carefully removed each ornament, the lights and the garland. Tenderly, we moved our potted tree down into the chilled basement, right in front of the patio door. I would frequently slip downstairs and visit the little tree. Then standing before her, I would whisper, “Stay alive, little tree. Please stay alive. I need you to live.” >From January until early spring I made sure that our tree's root ball never dried out. She even seemed to flourish. Then the needles began to drop. Hastily, my husband dug a huge hole in our back yard. Into the ground, with a mixture of perfect soil, went our little tree, along with all of my hopes and dreams. Was it too late? Was she dead? Would, by some miracle, she grow? The spring weather was raw and I could not visit her often. Each day, with more and more branches devoid of needles, our hopes flagged. We agreed that we would give her until fall. If no new growth appeared, our little tree would be pulled from the ground. My heart was heavy, as I approached my own retirement. Perhaps I was like that little tree. Maybe I was finished. I felt like all the hope had been sucked out of me, too. The summer skies opened with life giving rain. After three years of drought, there was a new day for our gardens and our little tree. Perhaps by some miracle our Canadian princess would find life again. I must confess that I talked to God every day. Like a small child, placing my hand into the sheltering hand of my Father, I begged Him for that little tree. One day, my husband and daughter shouted at me. “Come outside!” they called. Hastily, I covered my mouth to protect my lungs from the raw spring wind, and I hurried into the back yard. “Look at the tree! Look at the tree! It's growing buds!” Hardly daring to hope, I journeyed over to the garden, and I searched, as my daughter gently guided my eyes to the tips of each tiny branch. There they were! Tiny growth buds, tender and green. Tears dripped from my eyes, as I thanked God for this wonderful gift. We hadn't killed her after all. Now, as I await the first winter snows, our Canadian Hemlock is thriving. It seems like a miracle, which I too have shared, for I am gardening again. Along with our little tree (which now is thick with healthy needles) I too have experienced a rebirth. Just as she was dormant, so was I. I had given up. I, too, thought that my growing days were gone. Well, a new day has dawned, and my little tree and I are spreading our branches together. Both of us are very much alive! By Jaye Lewis Read and meditate on these scriptures: Isaiah 49:13-16 “Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the LORD hath comforted His people, and will have mercy upon His afflicted. But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands; thy walls are continually before Me.” Habakkuk 3:17-19 “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will Joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places...” Philippians 4:4-7 “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” All scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today’s Selected Poem: WORDS TO LIVE BY Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem180.htm Today’s Selected Testimony: WHO CRUCIFIED CHRIST? Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony192.htm I pray that you have a very Merry Christmas and a blessed and prosperous New Year. I believe God will do great things this coming year so let us praise Him together in advance and thank Him for Jesus who was born on Earth to die for us and through His death and resurrection; God now calls us His children. Jesus is the reason for this season, so don't forget to wish Him Happy Birthday on this day that is meant for Him. 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. .
