From: "Dwayne Savaya" <[email protected]> God's Work Ministry E-mail
Dear Friend, We should never lose our joy and zeal for life. Many times we allow our circumstances to change how we see life and we lose our appreciation for the simple things that are all around us. What we must realize is that all of the joys of life come down to the simple things. It is not a big event that will fill us with joy, but many small happenings that if we allow them will fill us with a joy that is unspeakable. Doing simple things like spending time with your children, your spouse, your family and friends can do so much to show you that life is beautiful. If we only focus on the problems around us, it is very easy to have a pity party and be tempted to murmur and complain about our woes. That is all the more reason that we should focus on our blessings. See the good that surrounds you and make an extra effort to relive those childhood memories that brought so much happiness. Doing simple things like taking walks in the park, going for ice cream, playing board games, and simply doing things with those who mean the most to you can reignite your zeal for life and show you how much you have to be thankful for. It is in looking at what we possess that we become appreciative for life. Be encouraged to do the simple things again. Do not fall for the rat race of life, but rather take it easy, smell the fresh air outside and look around you to see how abundantly blessed you really are. I hope this message encourages your heart to never think it foolish to slow down and take a moment to be a kid again. Acting like a kid even when we are adults can do so much to fill one's heart. JUMPING IN THE LEAVES Whenever the bare trees and grey skies of mid November start to get me down and I start to mope about how Autumn always ends too early, I go to a special place in my mind. This place holds a beautiful memory that I cherish to this day. It was many years ago when my grown children were still young. A warm Indian Summer had blessed us with a beautiful Wednesday. It was the day before Thanksgiving and the temperature was in the seventies with a gentle breeze in the air. My wife was baking pumpkin pies to take to her Mom's house for Thanksgiving dinner, so I decided to take the three kids to a local park for the afternoon. Mighty Oak trees throughout the park had laid down a blanket of dry leaves on the ground. I found an old fallen tree branch nearby and decided to make some good use of it. Using it as a rake I slowly made several huge piles of leaves on the side of a hill. Then I called my children over. They knew just what to do. The next hour was spent jumping, sliding, running, and playing in the leaves. We took turns burying each other. We played hide and seek. We pretended to be leaf monsters. And we saw who could make the biggest splash in the dry and crunchy piles. It was a magical time full of smiles, laughter, and the simple joys of childhood. After that day too we made many more happy trips to the park to play in the leaves. Happy memories of loving times are a lot like those fallen leaves in November. They nourish the soil of our souls and bring forth new life inside of us whenever we think of them. They give us the strength to keep on creating fresh joy and a new Springtime everyday of our lives. This Thanksgiving and Christmas give a special "Thank You" to God for all of your happy memories and loving times. And also whenever you get the chance, jump in the leaves! By Joseph J. Mazzella Read and meditate on these scriptures: Deuteronomy 30:19 "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." Psalm 3:4-8 "I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: Thy blessing is upon Thy people. Selah." 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." Romans 12:15-18 "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. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today's Selected Poem: APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem2.htm Today's Selected Testimony: OUT OF DARKNESS Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony103.htm ============================================== From: "Dwayne Savaya" <[email protected]> God's Work Ministry E-mail Dear Friend, There are many instances in life when we are tempted to do the wrong things even though we know in our hearts they shouldn't be done. We are tempted to lie to others to make ourselves look better, we are tempted to cheat to fulfill some carnal desire or so that we can excel or look better than we actually are and we are tempted to steal so that we can have the things that we think we are lacking. Doing any of these things will not bring fulfillment to the heart, but rather it will bring pain and misery into our lives. What we must understand is that sin looks very enticing in the beginning. It looks very sweet, very alluring and very welcoming and does not show even a hint of the pain that stands behind it. That's why Satan is so successful in leading people down the wrong path. They don't see the end result because they are too busy fixated on the lies that seem so pleasurable in that moment. (James 1:13) (Genesis 3:1-5) What we must remember is that the end result of sin will bring only heartbreak, misery and death. We read this in James 1:14-15 "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." We must be steadfast in resisting the enemy's temptations realizing that nothing good will come from them. When we submit ourselves to the Lord and ask for His guidance and protection, we will find ourselves better able to follow the right path and do that which is acceptable before the Lord. (James 4:7) (John 8:44) Be encouraged to always do the right thing and don't believe the lies of the enemy. Whatever the devil tells you to do, you should do the opposite. Jesus calls him a liar and the father of lies. Submit yourself to the Lord afresh and ask for God's help and strengthening to do the right things. That is when peace and joy will begin to dominate our life and lead us down the best path. (James 4:17) I hope this message ministers to your heart to always do the right thing no matter how hard it may seem in that moment. By doing what is right, you are ensuring to protect your own life. THOSE ARE MY PRINCIPLES Comedian Groucho Marx quipped, "Those are my principles. If you don't like them, I have others." I have principles. And sometimes I follow them. Well, usually. I also have opinions. I have opinions about politics, yard sales, health food and fortune cookies. (Actually, more about the fortunes than the cookies.) But they're opinions. I could be wrong about some of those things. And I have opinions about four-year-olds. Like the one who came screaming out of the bathroom to tell his mother that he dropped his toothbrush in the toilet. He watched her fish it out and toss it into the garbage. That is when something occurred to him, something about when a toothbrush ought to be discarded. He ran to the other bathroom and came out with his mother's toothbrush. Holding it up, he announced, "We better throw this one out too then . . . it fell in the toilet a few days ago." That confirms at least one of my opinions about four-year-olds. But it also points to something more than an opinion - a principle. In this case, the principle is about the importance of trying to do the right thing, even if you're a few days late in doing it. Martin Luther King, Jr. put it well: "The time is always right to do what is right." And one like it is this: doing the right thing, even in little things, is never a little thing. And that's not just an opinion. It's a principle that works. By Steve Goodier Read and meditate on these scriptures: James 1:13 "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man." James 4:7-8 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." Psalm 37:16-19 "A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied." Ephesians 6:10-14 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore..." All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today's Selected Poem: LOOKING FOR JESUS Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem131.htm Today's Selected Testimony: HEALED FROM DEPRESSION Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony130.htm ================================================= From: "Dwayne Savaya" <[email protected]> God's Work Ministry E-mail Dear Friend, The love and joy that God has placed within our hearts is not meant to be kept to ourselves, but it is to be used to encourage and bless those around us who need to be lifted up and shown that goodness still exists and is abundant upon the earth. We should remember that we are ambassadors for Christ who are meant to share what we've been given with a world that is hurting around us. When we share a smile, give a hug, or simply encourage someone to try again, we are not only investing in their lives, but we are also making a difference in their future. We are showing them by our actions of care that someone does love them and that they are worthy. Never postpone doing something kind because the impact that you will leave behind is limitless. It may only take us a moment to share a kind word or do a kind deed, but the ripple effects will continue on far longer than we can think or imagine. (Romans 12:9-10) (2 Corinthians 5:20) (Hebrews 13:1-3) I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to take time to spread the love and joy that you have in your heart to those around you. By doing so, you will be blessing others in ways that will be remembered for years to come. EVER INCREASING JOY One of the most fascinating discoveries that I have made in my life is that no matter how much love you give to others or joy you share with them you still end up with more than you started with. It is a wonderful miracle that never stops amazing me. When I smile and wave at my neighbor across the road, I send all of my joy with it. Yet, when I go back inside my house, I find that I have even more joy warming my heart and soul than I did before. When I stop to share a few nice words with someone I meet, I share my kindness with them as well. Later, however, I find that the kindness in me has grown even greater. When I give my children a hug and tell them I love them, I can actually feel the love flowing from my heart and soul to theirs. Still, when I look inside myself afterwards, I find that the love within me has increased once again. I still smile everyday at this wonderful miracle although it must drive the mathematicians crazy. I rejoice in this special law of giving that God has blessed our hearts and souls with. I thank God for the ever increasing joy, love, peace, happiness, goodness, and delight that flows back into my life whenever I share it with others. I hope too that one day the entire world realizes this glorious truth and lives it as well. Norman Vincent Peale said, "Joy increases as you give it, and diminishes as you try to keep it for yourself." Never stop giving your joy away then. Never stop sharing your love with the world. You will be amazed at just how much love you can bless others with. You will be delighted at just how much joy you can spread. And most of all you will be surprised at just how much more love and joy grows in your heart and soul when you do so. By Joseph J. Mazzella Read and meditate on these scriptures: Romans 12:15-18 "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. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men." Philippians 2:3-7 "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men." 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." All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today's Selected Poem: GRACE IS A LANTERN Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem125.htm Today's Selected Testimony: MY ANGEL... Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony127.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.
