From: Dwayne Savaya [[email protected]] God's Work Ministry E-mail Dear Friend, It is important that we always have the right attitude in life. There are many moments when we are tempted to lose our peace and murmur and complain about all that is going wrong in our life. It is in these moments that we must be conscious to how we react to circumstances that are trying to steal our peace. We must be steadfast and vigilant determined to react in the correct manner and allow ourselves to stay at peace regardless of the wrong that is going on around us. Our attitude should be one filled with gratitude, gratefulness, appreciation, humility and an eagerness to see the good that tomorrow holds. Just because we are facing tough times today does not mean our attitude should reflect those difficulties. Our countenance can remain to show a sense of peacefulness no matter the storms that are raging around us. We can keep our faith strong in the Lord knowing that if He has brought us to the trial, then He will also bring us through the trial better than we were before it. We simply must maintain an attitude of praise in the midst of the trial and show God that our eyes of faith are focused on Him. Be encouraged to realize how important having the right attitude is. It is easy to murmur and complain when tough times come our way, but I believe it takes a real strong person to maintain their integrity, their character, their faith and their trust in the Lord that all will turn out well. An attitude of appreciation and expectancy for good is what will turn a bad situation into one of being a lesson learned and being made better because of it. We can either see our glass half-full or half-empty. It all depends on our attitude. We can be appreciative and thankful that we will overcome the trial before us, or we can murmur and complain about how tired we are from going through the storm. The right attitude will make the best from a bad situation. It will see the sun coming through even in the midst of a cloud filled sky. The right attitude will have expectancy that good will come our way no matter how bad our situation may look right now. Be encouraged to adopt a positive, upbeat and faith filled attitude. It will make your burden much lighter and your path much clearer. I hope this message encourages and challenges your heart to see the good even in the midst of a bad situation. Focus on your blessings and not your challenges because when you do, you'll see how much you have to be thankful for. IT'S ALL ABOUT ATTITUDE I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight. I have responsibilities to fulfill today. I am important. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have. 1. Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or...I can be thankful the grass is getting watered for free. 2. Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money or...I can be glad my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste. 3. Today I can grumble about my health or...I can rejoice that I am alive. 4. Today I can lament over all my parents didn't give me when I was growing up or...I can feel grateful they allowed me to be born. 5. Today I can cry because roses have thorns or...I can celebrate that thorns have roses. 6. Today I can mourn my lack of friends or...I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships. 7. Today I can whine because I have to go to work or...I can shout for joy because I have a job to do. 8. Today I can complain because I have to go to school or...I can eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge. 9. Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or...I can feel honored because God has provided shelter for my mind, body and soul. 10. I get to play a big part into what kind of day I will have! Author unknown Read and meditate on these scriptures: Proverbs 9:10-12 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you will bear it alone." Deuteronomy 30:19-20 "I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; "that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them." Philippians 4:11-13 "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Hebrews 13:5-6 "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?'" Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things." All scriptures can be found in the New King James Version. 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, No matter what we encounter in life, if we hold true to our character and integrity and treat others as we would like to be treated, then we will have lived well. There are many instances in life where people look down upon others because they perceive them as less than and not on "their" level. What they fail to realize is that all human beings deserve to be treated equally and receive the same amount of respect that they would give to anyone else. What we must always remember and recognize is that there is One judge and that's God Almighty. He is the One who will give to every person what they rightly deserve. We as God's children must remember that mercy, compassion and love should be at the center of our lives towards His creation and treat all people as we would like to be treated. We are to treat all people with love and respect and honor them, especially those who are close to us. We are to bless our relationships and recognize how precious they are. No matter what we accomplish in life, if we fail in our relationships, then we have failed in everything else. Be encouraged to recognize what's most important in life and do your best to nurture, strengthen and bless your relationships. Go the extra step, say an extra kind word and show those who mean so much to you how special they really are. When you do, all doubt is removed and the relationship is strengthened beyond compare. I hope this message encourages your heart to invest wisely in the lives of others. THE VACUUM Vacuuming my house is something I most often leave to the fine-tuned domestic capabilities of my wife. She will actually use the hose to clean corners and reach cracks and crevices that I wouldn't even think of trying to get. My philosophy is that if you absolutely must vacuum, just get to the main part of the carpet and give it a quick once over - if you can't trip over it, it must be clean. I have owned my share of mischievous vacuum cleaners over the years. There have been the ones that gargle with little pieces of metal or debris left behind by children who just happen to enjoy the sound of a vacuum cleaner beating itself up. Once it gets to the velocity of a jet engine, it shoots the metal piece across the room causing "Fluffy" the cat to forfeit another life. I've also had the vacuum cleaner that found an almost imperceptible frayed bit of carpet. It latches onto that bit and unravels the carpet until the entire carpet is wrapped around the innards of the vacuum while it wheezes with indigestion. Then there's the finicky vacuum - this one picks up an item, taste it and determines it is not fit for consumption and summarily spits it to the side. I have stooped to pick up that bit of something and attempt to re-feed it to the vacuum, who has already tasted and found it to be nothing short of disgusting. You'd think I'd learn, if the vacuum doesn't like something on the floor, there is no amount of coaxing that I can do to convince it to take it (Reminds me of my son). Invariably the manufacturers of these demented machines make the electric cable one foot too short. Why, there was even a time when I spent valuable time trying to locate a new electric outlet that would allow me to vacuum that one square foot of space. Since then, I just forget about the electrical outlet, and simply pick up the big pieces while brushing my hands together declaring that "it is good". One other thing I have learned about vacuums is that they only behave when the salesman is demonstrating them. As soon as you make a commitment to the little beast, it figures that it already won you over so what's the point in being on their best behavior? I guess there have been times I've been a lot like a vacuum cleaner. I was on my best behavior before marriage. However, once I had a commitment from my wife, I suddenly acted as if it didn't matter how I behaved. I could stop short of my best because I had nothing more to prove. I mean, I already won my bride - so why bother? There are other guys out there that have done the same thing, so you can quit looking at your screen as if you've never heard such foolishness. As the years go by, we all need to learn that we need to be honest about our failings and then work hard to be the best vacuum cleaners (men) we can be in our respective homes. After all, when we got married we came with a lifetime guarantee oh, and don't forget those promises about loving, cherishing, honoring, being faithful and eating your mother-in-law's cooking. By Glenn A. Hascall Read and meditate on these scriptures: Galatians 6:9-10 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." James 1:22-25 "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." Philippians 2:5-7 "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." 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." All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today's Selected Poem: DON'T WAIT Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem13.htm Today's Selected Testimony: THE SPARROW Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony56.htm =============================================== God's Work Ministry E-mail Dear Friend, Our relationships are the most important thing in our lives, but many times we forget how much our loved ones mean to us and we end up taking them for granted. We may treat them harshly, not consider their feelings or simply not be there for them when they need us. What we must realize is that those we love the most also deserve our attention the most. We cannot ignore their needs and just be around when it's convenient for us, but rather we have to be there when they need us. Whether it is our parent, spouse or our children, we need to be there to nurture those relationships and make known our love. I know of many people who neglect those closest to them and in the end they pay a price for doing so. They don't realize the damage they are doing by not paying attention to those closest to them until it is too late. What they would have quickly found is that doing simple things like giving and receiving in conversation, being courteous with one another and simply making an effort can do so much to show our loved ones that we care. What we must remember is that anything neglected will eventually die. Whether it is something as simple as a plant or something as complicated as the human body, if it is not taken care of, it will perish. It is the same thing with our relationships. Just like a plant, our relationships also need to be fed, watered, pruned, given enough sunlight and shown a little tender loving care. When it is, it will flourish and last a lifetime. Let us realize this truth and see that our family and friends need us as much as we need them. Be encouraged to reevaluate how you arespending your time and if changes need to be made, make them quickly. Spend time with those who mean the most to you. Realize that they need you as much as you need them. When you do, great things will begin to take place in both of your lives. I hope these simple anecdotes will encourage and inspire your heart to treat those closest to you with love, care and respect and show them how much they mean to you. HOW TO GET ALONG WITH PEOPLE 1. Keep skid chains on your tongue; always say less than you think. Cultivate a low, persuasive voice. How you say it counts more than what you say. 2. Make promises sparingly, and keep them faithfully, no matter what it costs. 3. Never let an opportunity pass to say a kind and encouraging word to or about somebody. Praise good work, regardless of who did it. If criticism is needed, criticize helpfully, never spitefully. 4. Be interested in others, their pursuits, their work, their homes and families. Make merry with those who rejoice; with those who weep, mourn. Let everyone you meet, however humble, feel that you regard him as a person of importance. 5. Be cheerful. Don't burden or depress those around you by dwelling on your minor aches and pains and small disappointments. Remember, everyone is carrying some kind of a load. 6. Keep an open mind. Discuss but don't argue. It is a mark of a superior mind to be able to disagree without being disagreeable. 7. Let your virtues speak for themselves. Refuse to talk of another's vices. Discourage gossip. It is a waste of valuable time and can be extremely destructive. 8. Be careful of another's feelings. Wit and humor at the other person's expense are rarely worth it and may hurt when least expected. 9. Pay no attention to ill-natured remarks about you. Remember, the person who carried the message may not be the most accurate reporter in the world. Simply live so that nobody will believe them. Disordered nerves and bad digestion are a common cause of backbiting. 10. Don't be too anxious about the credit due you. Do your best, and be patient. Forget about yourself, and let others "remember." Success is much sweeter that way. By Ann Landers Read and meditate on these scriptures: Romans 12:17-21 "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. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus says, "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 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." 1 Peter 3:8-12 "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. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers..." All 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 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.
