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There are moments in life when we get down on ourselves because we focus
on what we don't have and we find ourselves becoming discouraged not
realizing that our blessings and God's favor upon our life are not being
recognized by us. We sometimes become so focused at what we are missing
that we neglect to see all that we possess. When we take the time to
reflect on the abundance that we have been fortunate enough to have, that
is when our ungratefulness for our many blessings will begin to cease. It
is in looking at what we do have that will make our hearts overflow with
joy and gratitude.
Seeing the love of our family and friends, being thankful for our health,
appreciating our jobs, taking the time to enjoy and reflect on the beauty
of life that surrounds us are very simple ways to see how fortunate we
really are. Be encouraged to change your focus and see the blessings that
you possess if you're finding yourself quickly forgetting how much you have
to be thankful for. When we take the time to count our blessings, we will
quickly lose count of the things that were so prominent in our minds before.
I hope this message encourages and challenges your heart to see that it is
within our ability to choose joy and happiness. We are the gatekeepers to
our hearts so let us only allow good things to flow in and out of it.
FINER THAN WEALTH
I love the story about an angel who suddenly appears at a faculty meeting
and tells the dean of the college that, in return for his unselfish and
exemplary behavior, he will be given his choice of infinite wealth, wisdom
or beauty. Without hesitating, the dean selects infinite wisdom.
“Done!” says the angel, and disappears in a cloud of smoke and a bolt of
lightning.
Now, all heads turn toward the dean, who sits surrounded by a faint halo
of light. At length, one of his colleagues whispers, “Say something wise.”
The dean looks at them and says, “I should have taken the money.”
Though wealth is highly regarded in our world, I rather suspect this
fictitious academic made the better choice. Wisdom, like many other
virtues, is usually more difficult to obtain and can be far more satisfying.
I've heard it said that when our hearts are empty, we collect “things.” On
the other hand, when our hearts are full, we tend to lose interest in most
of the “stuff” of life. The “things of the heart” become all important.
Things like love and joy and peace. Or wisdom, hope and faith.
And the wonderful truth is that these gifts are given freely to any who
will take them! None of us has to live without love. There really is joy
to be found in this life. And we can know peace - now.
Fra Giovanni gave us these immortal words in 1513:
No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in today.
Take heaven!
No peace lies in the future that is not hidden in his present moment.
Take peace!
The gloom of this world is but a shadow. Behind it, yet within reach, is joy.
There is a radiance and glory in the darkness, could we but see, and to
see we have only to look. I beseech you to look.
Life is so generous a giver...
You have already been offered things even finer than infinite wealth. Will
you grasp them and make them yours - today?
By Steve Goodier
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Psalm 40:1-4 “I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined unto me, and
heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the
miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He
hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see
it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Blessed is that man that maketh
the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside
to lies.”
Psalm 37:3-5 “Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the
land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and
He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the
LORD; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.”
Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be
not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee
whithersoever thou goest.”
Psalm 37:23-25 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He
delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:
for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand. I have been young, and now am
old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: DON'T LOOK BACK
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem152.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: FROM PRISON TO PRAISE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony8.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
