From: Dwayne Savaya [[email protected]] God's Work Ministry E-mail Dear Friend, With so many people struggling and having a hard time around us, we are to remember to be there for them letting them know that everything will be all right. We should always take the initiative and be comforting towards those who are down or discouraged. We as God's stewards must comfort the brokenhearted and be their shoulder to lean upon. The Bible declares in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore comfort each other and edify one another..." The word edify means to build up. We are told to comfort one another and build others up so that they might believe in themselves again and know how valuable they really are. It is easy for anyone to turn their head and ignore the hardships of others, but as true believers in Christ we are called to lift up, to strengthen, to encourage, to love others and to esteem them higher than we esteem ourselves. (James 1:27) (Philippians 2:3-7) Just as we would have someone to comfort us in our time of trouble, we should be quick to offer that same love and compassion to those in need around us. We are to comfort them with our words and with our actions. Giving an encouraging word can do so much to reaffirm their belief in themselves and show them that life is worth living and their life means so much to so many people including ourselves. Be encouraged to be that rock that others can lean upon. Give an encouraging word, do a kind deed, treat others the way you would like to be treated and do for them what they can't do for themselves right now. By being a comforter, we are following Christ's example of loving others and showing them the love of God that dwells within our hearts. I hope this message encourages and challenges your heart to bless others in their time of need and be there for them to encourage them, lift them up and show them how much you care. FINDING THE RIGHT WORDS Have you ever noticed how hard it can be to find the right words? It was once said that Al Smith, former governor of New York, was making his first inspection of Sing Sing prison. The warden asked him if he might say a few words to the prisoners. The governor began, "My fellow citizens." But he suddenly felt confused about whether the inmates may have forfeited their citizenship. So he took a second stab at it: "My fellow convicts." There was a roar of laughter and now he became flustered. He gallantly tried a third time: "Well, anyhow, I'm glad to see so many of you here." There is no record of what he said after that. I have frequently struggled to find the right words. And there are times I am certain the right words do not even exist. Like when I'm trying to say something hopeful or comforting in a particularly frightening situation. More than once I have been called to a hospital emergency room or to be with a family surrounding the bed of a dying relative. And more than once I've been at a loss for words. What is the right thing to say at a time like that? What can I say that doesn't sound hollow or trite or like I'm just not in touch with the feelings of others who are hurting? A lot of us really don't know what to say at these times. And too often the professionals who work daily with people on the ragged edge of hope have become so desensitized they have lost any ability to comfort. A wise obstetrician at a university teaching hospital once made a comment about comforting those who suffer. Someone asked the doctor what advice he offered his students, future doctors and nurses, when caring for mothers who gave birth to stillborn infants. The doctor paused for a moment in thought. Then he said this: "I tell them that they need two eyes. One eye is not enough; they need two eyes. With one eye they have to check the I.V. And with the other eye they have to weep. That's what I tell them," he said. "I tell them that they need two eyes." That may be some of the wisest advice I've ever heard. We may not always need to figure out what to say; we really only need two eyes. In Emily Dickinson's words, "Saying nothing . . . sometimes says the most." And this from a poet whose life was all about finding exactly the right words. I agree with the doctor - empathy goes a long way. And somehow finding the ability to feel, even for a few moments, what another is feeling may speak more loudly than the best words I can choose. It speaks to the fact that I care; I understand. It says that I am willing to share their pain so they do not feel so alone. It says I want to be fully present with them and to walk alongside of them, difficult as it may be. My presence is something they can draw real strength and hope from. Come to think of it, maybe Dickinson did find the right words: saying nothing . . . sometimes says the most. And saying nothing at all may be just the right thing to say. By Steve Goodier Read and meditate on these scriptures: Ephesians 4:29-32 "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 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." Galatians 6:2-4 "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another." Romans 15:1-4 "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not Himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on Me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today's Selected Poem: PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem84.htm Today's Selected Testimony: HE WANTED ME Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony88.htm ========================================== From: Dwayne Savaya [[email protected]]
God's Work Ministry E-mail Dear Friend, We should always be quick to bless others when we have the opportunity. I've learned the secret to a blessed life and it has much to do with how giving our hearts are. The blessed person is the one who gives without motive, loves without pretense, listens without judgment and lifts up those who are downtrodden. We must remember that blessing others is how we get blessed, giving to others is how we gain the most and loving others is what fills our heart with the most love. It all goes back to sowing and reaping. Whatever we put into the ground is what will grow and come back to us one day. Whether we are sowing goodness and mercy or hatred and strife, we should expect to receive the same in abundance. We shouldn't be surprised when bad things return to us when the seeds we planted called for that harvest. We should always remember the frailty of life and the short time that we've been given on the Earth to live productively. How do we live productively? We do that by sowing goodness, mercy, love, encouragement. We bless others by leaving a situation better than when we found it. Life is too short to live it with regrets. That is why we should use our life to make a difference that can never be erased. Leaving a mark for good so that our legacy will live on long after our time has ended is what each of us should strive to do. Be encouraged to make your legacy one that will live on forever. Let your good works speak on your behalf because in doing so you will be exalting the name of the Lord on whose behalf every good work was done. Praise God. That is my wish for my life and the lives of those I am blessed enough to be in contact with. I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to see that your good works are never forgotten. They will one day return to bless you and remind you of the good that you've sown in times past. A SWING AND A HUG It was a warm, sunny, Saturday afternoon some fifteen or sixteen years ago. I had volunteered to take my two older kids to the local playground while my wife put the youngest down for a nap. As soon as we got there my daughter headed for the swings and asked for a push. As I was helping my daughter to go higher and higher, I noticed another little girl 3 swings down trying in vain to get her own swing going. Her elderly grandmother was sitting quietly on a nearby bench and smiled at me. I gave my daughter one last big push and then walked over to the little girl and asked if she could use a push too. She smiled and said "Yes!" I soon had her feet soaring towards the clouds while she laughed happily. For the next two hours I found myself pushing swings and playing tag with my son, daughter, and the other little girl. By the time we headed home I was physically exhausted but my spirit was still flying higher than those swings. Two years later I was exhausted again after a long day's work. Still, I needed to pick up my kids from the local grade school before heading home. I stood wearily in the parents' waiting area watching for my children. Suddenly, I felt two tiny arms wrap around my stomach. I looked down and there was the little girl from the playground smiling up at me. She gave me one more big hug before heading off to catch her bus. As I watched her go I didn't feel quite so tired anymore and my spirit was once again soaring in the Heavens. In this life every single bit of love we share finds its way back to us again. It may travel from heart to heart or it may blossom in the soul where it was planted. It may take seconds or it may take years. God's law of love, though, is never broken. What we give, we get back. What we sow, we reap. The love we share, the kindness we give, and the joy we create will always come back to bless us in this life and even more so in the next. By Joseph J. Mazzella Read and meditate on these scriptures: Romans 12:19-21 "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 5:43-45 Jesus declares "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." Galatians 6:1-4 "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another." Hebrews 6:10 "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward His Name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister." All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today's Selected Poem: THE RIGHT WORDS Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem173.htm Today's Selected Testimony: I'M AN OVERCOMER Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony76.htm ================================================ From: Dwayne Savaya [[email protected]] God's Work Ministry E-mail Dear Friend, There are many instances in life when we just want to be left alone. Whether we are going through a breakup, a financial hardship, a health crisis, or just the challenges of life, we think we can handle the situation by ourselves and not need anyone to help us get through. What we must realize is that we are strengthened by the support of our loved ones. They help us to realize that our situation is not the end of the world and with their love they show us that we will overcome the difficult times. What we must realize is that trying times are promised to come to each of us and because they do, we should be quick to help one another through them. Just as we should seek help in our time of need, we should also extend that same help towards those who are going through their own dark hour. Supporting one another, loving one another and lifting each other up strengthens both our hearts and our resolve to never give in and never give up. I have learned that it is okay to admit that I don't have all the answers. I know that I can't handle the difficult times all on my own. I see now through experience that allowing others to help carry my burden not only lessens the weight on my shoulders, but it allows those closest to me to feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that they can help make a difficult situation a little bit better. That's what we are on this Earth to do. We are here to love one another, to support one another, to lift one another up and show through our actions; our love, our care and our compassion. Jesus says that on these two commandments lay all of the law. The first is to love God with all of our heart, mind and soul and the second is to love our neighbor as ourselves. Be encouraged to make these two commandments the cornerstone of your life. Love God first and equally to it love your neighbor as you love yourself. By doing so, you are ensuring a blessed life. (Galatians 6:2) (Matthew 22:37-40) I hope this message encourages and strengthens your heart to know that depending on one another gives us strength to continue on better than trying to do it on our own. I hope you are blessed by today's message. WE NEED EACH OTHER Many living things need each other to survive. I have lived for most of my life near trees known as Colorado aspens. If you are familiar with this tree, you may have noticed that it does not grow alone. Aspens are found in clusters, or groves. We're told that the reason for this is because aspens can multiply from the roots. They send up lots of new shoots every year. These become saplings that grow quickly and make new baby aspens of their own. In some groves, all of the trees may actually be connected by their roots. It is as if they are one tree. Another tree, the giant California redwood, may tower 300 feet into the sky. We've seen pictures of tunnels carved into massive trunks wide enough to drive an automobile through. It seems they would require the deepest of roots to anchor them against strong winds. But instead their roots are actually shallow -- they spread out wide in search of surface water. And they reach in all directions, intertwining with roots of other redwoods. Locked together in this way, all the trees support each other in wind and storms. Aspens and redwoods never stand alone. They need one another to survive. People, too, are connected by a system of roots. We grow up in families that nurture and guide us. We learn early to make friends who support us in different ways. We are not meant to survive long without others. And like the giant redwoods, we do best when we hold onto one another and help each other to keep standing through life's storms. We need others to hold us up, encourage us and to stand with us. When I'm not doing well, it is often because I am going it alone. I don't always let others in. I forget to ask for help; I keep my problems to myself. And though I may not see it, others around me might be doing the same thing. It helps to remember how much like those trees we really are. It might be time to let someone else help hold you up for awhile. Or perhaps someone needs to hang on to you. By Steve Goodier Read and meditate on these scriptures: 1 Peter 3:10-12 "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: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." 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." 2 Timothy 4:7-8 "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing." 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: 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 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.
