From: "Dwayne Savaya" <[email protected]> God's Work Ministry E-mail
Dear Friend, There are many moments in life when we are tempted to hold a grudge and not forgive those who have done something wrong against us. What we must realize is that forgiveness is a necessity of life. We must have a forgiving heart because holding onto the pain is only to our detriment. We are the ones who will suffer because we refuse to forgive the wrong that we've encountered. Instead of forgiving and letting go, we will be holding onto the hurt, pain and poison of those thoughts that will keep repeating in our minds. But if we choose to forgive, we will be releasing all of that hurt, pain and poison and we will be freeing ourselves from those strongholds that we kept ourselves in. We should always remember and keep in mind that forgiveness is to our benefit even more than to that one whom we forgive. Yes they may benefit because their hearts may be a little less burdened knowing that they've been forgiven, but our hearts benefit even more. (Matthew 18:21-35) (Matthew 6:15) We will be freeing ourselves from the past so that our future is wide open and ready to be taken a hold of. Our minds will be clearer because it will not be fogged down with the negative thoughts that kept repeating over and over and our hearts will be more open to loving others because the hatred and unforgiveness that resided in our hearts will be gone. The benefits to forgiving are too numerous to count and when we refuse to do so, we are the ones who lose in the end. Remember, Jesus said if you have anything against anyone, forgive them so that your Heavenly Father may also forgive you of your sins. Be encouraged to let go of the past if you need to and start living for your future. Life is too short to hold on to what someone did to us in times past. The Bible says our life is like a vapor that appears for a short time and then vanishes away. Don't allow your short time on this earth to be spent wallowing in hatred and unforgiveness. Move forward with your life in happiness and use it to be a benefit to all those around you who love you. (Mark 11:25) (James 4:14) I hope this message encourages your heart to be quick to forgive. Don't hold on to that hurt for years, but rather forgive quickly and move forward with your life. SWEET FORGIVENESS "Forgiveness is the sweetest revenge." I saw this wonderful old saying again in a book recently. It got me to thinking about all the times that I have been able to forgive others in my life and all the joy that it has brought me. One memory stands out particularly well. I was a young boy spending a week at 4-H camp during the Summer. I was having a great time and enjoying everything about it except for another young boy about my age. To say we didn't get along would be an understatement. We spent most of the week irritating, insulting, and picking on each other. Words finally came to blows on the next to last day of camp. We got into a fist fight which I lost. Thankfully, older boys broke it up before I was hurt too much. I spent the rest of the day alone, sulking and stewing in my own anger. The next day my spirits were lifted, however, when my Mom brought the boys in our cabin some of her delicious homemade pizzas. I was enjoying a few slices of it when I saw the other boy sitting by himself at the bottom of the steps outside. He seemed very lonely right then. I am not sure what moved me to do so, but I took my pizza down and shared it with him. It made all the anger and pain inside me go away. We became friends after that. I never got into another fist fight either. I had found out that sharing and forgiving were way more fun and a lot less painful. Forgiveness truly is the sweetest revenge. It can turn an enemy into a friend. It can free a heart from the chains of anger, hatred, and pain. It can open a soul to the sweetness of love and joy once again. It can help you to live by the Golden Rule and to create a Golden Life. It can bring you back to oneness with God in everything you think, feel, and do. That is why I often pray, "God help me to forgive, help me to give, and help me to love." May your life always be full of sweet forgiveness then. May you always delight in its Heavenly charms. By Joseph J. Mazzella Read and meditate on these scriptures: Ephesians 4:31-32 "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." 1 John 4:10-12 "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. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and His love is perfected in us." Romans 12:1-2 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today's Selected Poem: I ASKED GOD... Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem102.htm Today's Selected Testimony: JESUS MY DELIVERER Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony136.htm =========================================== God's Work Ministry E-mail Dear Friend, We should always be caring and affectionate with those whom we love and show them with our words and our actions how much they mean to us. Many times we get so busy with the daily routines of life that we forget about the most important thing; our relationships. We cannot ignore the importance of spending time with those who mean the most to us. We must sit with each other, sharing our day, giving and receiving in conversation and simply taking an interest in what they are going through. We cannot get so self-involved with what we are doing that we forget to ask how the day was spent for our children, or our spouse, or our parent, etc. When we take an interest in their life, they are shown the love that they need and they will see that somebody does care about them. Neglecting to take an interest can do harm to a relationship because that one may feel uncared for or unappreciated and they may close themselves off from us. That is all the more reason that we should take the initiative and ask how our loved ones are doing. (John 13:12-17) (Philippians 2:2-3) (Galatians 6:2) We can ask simple questions such as; how was your day, how are things at work going, what's new in your life, etc? We can also make simple statements such as; I've missed you today, I thought about you earlier, I forgot to tell you I love you yesterday so I want to tell you right now, etc. We can do simple things to reignite and refresh our relationships so that our loved ones know how much we love and care for them. What is life worth without our friends and family? We cannot be in such a rush through life that we forget what is most important. Be encouraged to slow down and spend time with those who mean the most to you. By doing so, you will be ensuring a blessed future surrounded by loved ones for the rest of your life. I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to think more on how you're spending your time with your loved ones. It is a great message and if it's taken to heart, it can improve how you interact with those who mean the most to you. THE POWER OF A TOUCH Writer Gordon MacDonald said that each night he reads a story to his little daughter. One day he was preparing to be away from home for a few days and he taped a selection of stories for his daughter to listen to while he was gone. When he came back, he was eager to hear his daughter's reaction. She answered, "Dad, the stories were fine, but it wasn't the same -- I couldn't sit on the tape recorder's lap." Too often we underestimate the power of touch. Negative as well as positive touch has the power to elicit strong emotions. It can hurt and it can heal. Touch people in a negative way and you may get a strong reaction you didn't expect. Touch them in a safe, affirming and affectionate way, and you'll probably get just as strong a response -- only this one you will welcome. Touch is powerful for infants. Newborns who are touched will thrive. Studies have shown that babies deprived of touch have a significantly higher mortality rate than those who are held and cuddled by caring adults -- even when the "touched" babies are reared in unsanitary conditions. Touch is powerful for teenagers. Teens who are touched communicate better. Many adolescents assert their independence by refusing to be hugged by their parents. But most of them will accept a simple back or shoulder massage. That act of touch communicates love in a powerful way. It will frequently break down emotional barriers and even help young people to "open" up and talk about what is on their minds. Touch is powerful for adults. Both men and women who are touched are happier and healthier. According to University of Colorado researchers, most adults would like to be touched more. Holding a hand or offering a hug can warm hearts and heal relationships like nothing else can. Touching is powerful. Learn the art of a caring touch and you'll discover a magical key that opens the lives and hearts of those you care about. By Steve Goodier Read and meditate on these scriptures: John 15:11-13 Jesus says "These things have I spoken unto you, that My Joy might remain in you, and that your Joy might be full. This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." 1 John 4:7-8 "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." Romans 12:15-17 "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men." Philippians 4:8-9 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today's Selected Poem: DON'T SAY YOU'RE NOT IMPORTANT Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem85.htm Today's Selected Testimony: JESUS SAVES ALCOHOLIC UNCLE Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony58.htm =========================================== God's Work Ministry E-mail Dear Friend, With the many trials and tribulations we as human beings go through in daily life, it is easy to want to give up on ourselves as well as on others. What we must understand is that no matter how beat down we may sometimes get, a new day is always dawning. When today has gotten the best of us, we always have tomorrow to try again. We should never get so down on ourselves for our past mistakes and shortfalls that we believe the lie that a new beginning is impossible for us. We must remember that God never gives up on His creation. His love for us reaches from everlasting to everlasting and when we simply call upon Him asking for help, Divine intervention takes place and a strength that we have never known before lifts us up and places our feet on solid ground. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10) The area in which we have failed does not matter. If we simply let go of the past and believe for a new beginning, great things can begin to happen in our life. We simply must believe in ourselves again and know that God's love for us is greater than our condemnation for ourselves. Be encouraged to believe that God loves you and wishes for you to begin again. No matter your shortfalls or mistakes, if you give it all to the Lord, He can take your mess and turn it into a miracle. You just have to trust Him to do it. (Psalm 84:11-12) (Psalm 28:6-8) I hope this message inspires your heart to see that no person is beyond redemption. We can all begin again if we simply trust the Lord and believe in ourselves as He believes in us. TOO BAD TO CHANGE? They're one of the worst teams in professional sports. They play their games in a half-filled arena and are rumored to be struggling just to pay their players. Not only do they lose games, they lose money as well: $4 million just last year. Times are so tough that a group of area merchants banded together and held a telethon just to keep the team alive. Observers say the team is worth less than any other team in its league. What possible future could a basement-dwelling bunch like this have? After all, don't you eventually just get too bad to change? Actually no. The year was 1992, and the team was, in fact, the Indiana Pacers. One year later, the Pacers were almost sold to a group of Canadian investors (how does "Toronto Pacers" sound?) before beginning a steady turnaround which led to several divisional championships and an appearance in the NBA finals. Today, the Pacers are worth more than four times their value of ten years ago and are a recognized powerhouse in the NBA. Quite a turnaround. A house can reach the point of no return, a state of disrepair so advanced that it is actually less expensive to tear it down and start over. A car can become so rust-eaten and unsafe that repairing it actually costs more than buying a new one. A lawn can become so weed-infested that the most logical solution is to spray herbicide on everything, killing both weeds and grass, and start over next spring. Most things in this life can become so run-down that repairing them is actually more expensive and more time-consuming than just throwing them away and buying a new one. Most things... But not human beings. When you and I give up on people, God is still willing to give them another chance. When we write people off as "unchangeable," God says "No problem, I've handled worse before." When we give up on ourselves, concluding that we are too bad to ever change, God says "Wait a minute. I made you and I still see what you can become. You can't change yourself, but I can change you if you will let me." God is in the people-changing business. He's never met one yet that he couldn't fix. Author Unknown Read and meditate on these scriptures: 2 Corinthians 4:8-11 "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh." Deuteronomy 4:30-31 "When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto His voice; (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) He will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which He sware unto them." Psalm 28:6-8 "Blessed be the LORD, because He hath heard the voice of my supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him. The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving strength of His anointed." 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." All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today's Selected Poem: I REFUSE TO BE DISCOURAGED Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem25.htm Today's Selected Testimony: THE LORD ALWAYS PROVIDES Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony184.htm =========================================== God's Work Ministry E-mail Dear Friend, With the way this world is going these days, we are constantly bombarded with advertisements wherever we go telling us how we need this thing or that thing and how greatly it will improve our life. What we must realize is that material possessions do nothing to fill the soul with peace and joy. I know from personal experience after looking forward to receiving a certain technological gadget for so long and after finally receiving and playing with it, I said to myself "Is this what I couldn't wait to get my hands on?" The excitement of what we thought would bring us joy quickly wears out and the same feelings that we had beforehand will return. If we are not fulfilled internally then nothing that we can purchase externally will change that. (1 Timothy 6:6-9) (Psalm 37:3-5) We must understand that it is a personal relationship with the Lord that fills us with joy unspeakable and a peace that this world does not comprehend. The world's way to happiness is by filling it with things, but the Lord's way is by filling us with His presence. Once we taste what God offers, then we will see that nothing this world has to offer can come close in comparison. The Lord fills us from the inside out so that we will not care about our physical possessions. As long as we have a home to live in, cloths on our backs and food to eat, we will be content in life. The rat race will have no part of our life because we will have found what the world is still searching for. True peace, True happiness, True contentment. That's how good God is. He leaves us lacking nothing. Be encouraged to seek God with all your heart. Do not believe the lies that your happiness is waiting for you in a certain possession. There is no car beautiful enough, house big enough, or piece of jewelry expensive enough to give you true peace and joy. The Bible says the Joy of the Lord is their strength. In Him lies our strength, our joy, our peace, our comfort and our salvation. Remember, God says no good thing will He withhold from them that love Him. When you love God with all your heart, everything else is added unto you. (Nehemiah 8:10) (Psalm 84:11-12) I hope this message encourages your heart to think on what is most important in life. I hope you will realize that the material things have no significance towards your happiness, but a personal relationship with the Lord can fill you with joy unspeakable. TIME TO WAKE UP I read in a news story today that the ultra rich are now paying $736,000 dollars for watches. As I was shaking my head at the insanity of it, I glanced at my own $8 dollar watch. It tells me the time just fine. I guess that would leave me about $735, 992 dollars left over. With that I could send 18 kids to college for 4 years each with room, board, and books included. With that I could sponsor almost 200 needy children overseas into adulthood. With that I could buy meals for 2 1/2 million starving people around the world. With that much left over money I could do so much good, help so many souls, and still know the time whenever I looked down at my wrist. When did our society become so insane that anyone would think they needed a $736,000 dollar watch? When did people become so shallow that they would believe a one million dollar car is essential? My first car cost me only $500 dollars and it still got me wherever I needed to go. When did $50 million dollar yachts and $100 million dollar houses become so vital to a person's happiness? My tiny home has more joy in it than the biggest mansion in the world and I can walk the shore of the local lake here and delight in its beauty for free. I pray that at some point our society says "Enough!" and wakes up from this nightmare of materialism. Each of us only has one life. Let's not waste it on the watches we wear and the cars we drive. Each of us only has one soul. Let's not lose it trying to gain the whole world. God put us here to love each other, to help each other, and to make this world a better place together. No house or boat will ever bring us joy like living the way that our Heavenly Father meant for us to. No amount of material wealth in this world will ever equal the treasures of Heaven. Live your life in love, joy, and oneness with God then. Help others whenever you can. Make this world a better place now. Life is brief and no watch will buy you an extra second of it. By Joseph J. Mazzella Read and meditate on these scriptures: 3 John 11 "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God." 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." Isaiah 26:3-4 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength." All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today's Selected Poem: ENRICHING THOUGHTS Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem157.htm Today's Selected Testimony: GOD HEALED ME FROM EPILEPSY Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony91.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 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.
