From: "Dwayne Savaya" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Gods Work Ministry Inspirational and Encouragement E-Mail
Dear Friend, We should never postpone enjoying our days simply because there are setbacks in our path. We must stand firm in the difficult times and make a decision to enjoy each day to its fullest. The Lord Jesus forewarned that in the world we will have tribulation, but then went on to reassure us to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world for us. The Lord commands us not to worry about anything, but rather rest in God and allow His perfect peace to take rule in our minds and hearts. Be encouraged to have the attitude of trust and allow God's providence to lead your life on to the best path as He sees fit. Always remember that the Lord loves you and wishes for your best interest at all times. (John 16:33) (Isaiah 26:3-4) I hope you are encouraged by today's message to rest in the Lord at all times and know that He will never leave you nor forsake you. FIND JOY IN THE ORDINARY We played every game we knew. We ran up and down the hall. We played "find me" behind the couch. We bounced the beach ball off each other's heads. We wrestled, played tag, and danced. It was a big evening for Mom, Dad, and little Jenna. We were having so much fun that we ignored the bedtime hour and turned off the T.V. And if the storm hadn't hit, who knows how late we would have played. But then the storm hit. Rain pattered, then tapped, then slapped against the windows. The winds roared in off the Atlantic and gushed through the nearby mountains with such force that all the power went off. The adjacent valley acted as a funnel, hosing wind on the city. We all went into the bedroom and lay on the bed. In the darkness we listened to the divine orchestra. Electricity danced in the sky like a conductor's baton summoning the deep kettledrums of thunder. I sensed it as we were lying on the bed. It blew over me mixed with the sweet fragrance of fresh rain. My wife was lying silently at my side. Jenna was using my stomach for her pillow. She, too, was quiet. Our second child, only a month from birth, rested within the womb of her mother. They must have sensed it, for no one spoke. It entered our presence as if introduced by God himself. And no one dared stir for fear it would leave prematurely. What was it? An eternal instant. An instant in time that had no time. A picture that froze in mid- frame, demanding to be savored. A minute that refused to die after sixty seconds. A moment that was lifted off the time line and amplified into a forever so all the angels could witness its majesty. An eternal instant. A moment that reminds you of the treasures surrounding you. Your home. Your peace of mind. Your health. A moment that tenderly rebukes you for spending so much time on temporal preoccupations such as savings accounts, houses, and punctuality. A moment that can bring a mist to the manliest of eyes and perspective to the darkest life. Eternal instants have dotted history. It was an eternal instant when the Creator smiled and said, "It is good." It was a timeless moment when Abraham pleaded for mercy from the God of mercy, "But if there are just ten faithful." It was a moment without time when Noah pushed open the rain-soaked hatch and breathed in the clean air. And it was a moment in the "fullness of time" when a carpenter, some smelly shepherds, and an exhausted, young mother stood in silent awe at the sight of the infant in the manger. Eternal instants. You've had them. We all have. Sharing a porch swing on a summer evening with your grandchild. Seeing her face in the glow of the candle. Putting your arm into your husband's as you stroll through the golden leaves and breathe the brisk autumn air. Listening to your six-year-old thank God for everything from goldfish to Grandma. Such moments are necessary because they remind us that everything is okay. The King is still on the throne and life is still worth living. Eternal instants remind us that love is still the greatest possession and the future is nothing to fear. The next time an instant in your life begins to be eternal, let it. Put your head back on the pillow and soak it in. Resist the urge to cut it short. Don't interrupt the silence or shatter the solemnity. You are, in a very special way, on holy ground. By Max Lucado Read and meditate on these scriptures: Psalm 34:1-4 "I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Isaiah 40:28-29 "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of His understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength." Psalm 34:17-19 "The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all." Psalm 103:1-5 "Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's." All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. Today's Selected Poem: WISDOM OF THE SOUL Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem182.htm Today's Selected Testimony: SAND OR GRAVEL? Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony101.htm ============================================ From: "Dwayne Savaya" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Gods Work Ministry Inspirational and Encouragement E-Mail Dear Friend, We who are fortunate enough to have our health and finances should be quick to lend a helping hand and encourage those who need to be uplifted. The Lord Jesus calls us the children of light who are meant to brighten every dark situation and show forth love where heartbreak and despair abound. By spending time investing our life in the lives of others, we will bring so much benefit to those around us and we'll make our world a better place to live. Take some thought on what you can do to bless someone else and make a decision to do it today. (Romans 12:15-21) (Matthew 5:14-16) (Eph. 6:5-8) I hope you are inspired and challenged by today's message to take the initiative and invest wisely in the lives of others where your life will be made better because of the impact that you've had on those around you. THE VISITING FRIEND Jasper was of no special breed. He was just a little black and white longhaired, terrier cross. And he wasn't a registered therapeutic dog, but his visits were certainly therapeutic. It was a joy to see the expressions on the faces of many of the people when they saw us walking in to the "Home" to visit his special person, "Auntie Clare." Some folks, who normally sat with a blank expression on their faces, literally came "alive" when they saw us coming down the hall with Jasper. We often took our cat. Honey, too. "Auntie Clare" called Honey "her" cat. But it was Jasper that the other residents at the home looked forward to seeing. His visit was a special treat. But I'll let Jasper tell his own story. I love to visit the nursing home, and down the halls I love to roam. But first I check the nurses out to see if I may walk about. They always say, "We're glad you've come. The folks all here call you their chum." I've come to see a special friend. I know she'll be there in the end. But first I'll greet some other folk, my head they'll pat, my back they'll stroke. So onward down the hall I go; although my progress may seem slow. These are my friends all sitting there. Some are sleeping; some just stare. Too bad these people at the home seem oh, so sad, and all alone. They sit and dream of days gone by. It breaks my heart to see them cry. And yet, how they all come alive when they see me-a dog-arrive. There's Mr. Johnson in the hall. I heard that he has had a fall. He can no longer wheel his chair: I'll lick his hand to show I care. Though Mrs. Ansley cannot hear, she always senses when I'm near. She offers me a small tidbit, but always makes me beg for it. I feel so sad for Myra Wynde. Oh, did I mention? She is blind. I go so softly up to her. She puts her hand into my fur. She pats my head, and says to me, "To know you're grand I need not see." For Mr. Smith I do some tricks. To poor old Joe I give some licks. There are so many folks to greet. To them my visit is a treat. Ah! There she is in her wheel chair. I see her coming-Auntie Clare. I wiggle-waggle, full of glee. Her face lights up when she sees me. "Where have you been? It's been so long!" She then sings me a little song. Her memory is no longer keen. She won't remember that I've been. But that's okay. I do not care. At least I know that I've been there. By Helen Dowd Read and meditate on these scriptures: 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." Romans 12:14-17 "Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 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." Hebrews 13:1-3 "Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body." 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: MY VERY BEST GIFT Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem166.htm Today's Selected Testimony: DELIVERED FROM AN ACCIDENT Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony152.htm In Christ's Service, Dwayne Savaya Gods 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 by ordering Voice Messages. Each volume contains 15 messages that can be heard and enjoyed anywhere a CD player is available. To order your copy, please click on this link: http://www.Godswork.org/voicemessages.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.
