There are many people in this world who are only interested in themselves
and meeting their own needs, but that's not the way God wishes for us to
act. The Lord declares in Mark 12:31, "You are to love your neighbor as
yourself" and Luke 6:35 says to be willing to give to all who ask of you,
not looking for anything in return and God Himself will reward you openly
for acting as He has called each of us to act. I know it is easier said
then done, but I challenge you to try to be more giving of yourself and in
doing so you will see Acts 20:35 come alive, which declares "It is more
blessed to give than to receive."

We never know what a kind word or gesture can do to someone on the inside,
but doing nothing and expecting the next person to lend a helping hand is
in essence canceling out the blessing that could have affected at least two
lives; yours and that person in need. 

This is a good story that shows how we never know who that person is that
needs a simple helping hand. I hope this message speaks to your heart as
it did to mine.


THE HOMELESS MAN

It was a cold winter's day that Sunday. The parking lot to the church was
filling up quickly. I noticed as I got out of my car that fellow church
members were whispering among themselves as they walked to the church.

As I got closer I saw a man leaned up against the wall outside the church.
He was almost laying down as if he was asleep. He had on a long trench coat
that was almost in shreds and a hat topped his head, pulled down so you
could not see his face.

He wore shoes that looked 30 years old, too small for his feet with holes
all over them as well as his toes sticking out of one shoe. I assumed this
man was homeless, and asleep, so I walked on by through the doors of the
church.

We all gathered for fellowship for a few minutes, and someone mentioned the
man laying outside. People snickered and gossiped but no one bothered to
ask him to come in, including me.

A few moments later church began. We all waited for the Preacher to take
his place and give us the Word, when the doors to the church opened. In
came the homeless man walking down the aisle with his head down.

People gasped and whispered and made faces. He made his way down the aisle
and up onto the pulpit and took off his coat and hat.

My heart sank. There stood our preacher...he was the "homeless man".

No one said a word. The preacher took his Bible and laid it on the stand
and said, "Folks, I don't think I have to tell you what I am preaching
about today." 

Author Unknown


It is so important that we love one another and show Jesus through our 
acts and deeds. The best way to win a person to Christ is by showing we
care and not be judgmental of their past mistakes. None of us are perfect
and we have all fallen short plenty of times, for the Bible declares in
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." I
encourage you to be forgiving and caring, just as God cares for and has
forgiven each of us.

The Bible declares that by our acts of kindness, we have without our
knowing, in fact reached out and entertained angels as it is written in
Hebrews 13:1-3 "Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to
entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels
without knowing it. Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow
prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were
suffering." God is a loving God and wishes for each of us to have that
same love and compassion for one another.


I can continue to tell you how blessed it is to give to others, but I think
it's better if the Master explains giving, as He is the example that we
all need to follow. 

Read and meditate on these words from the Lord:

Matthew 5:16 Jesus says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may
see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

Matthew 25:34-40 Jesus says, "Then the King will say to those on His right
hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world: 'for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I
was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 'I
was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in 
prison and you came to Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying,
'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You
drink? 'When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe
You? 'Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' "And the
King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you
did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'" 

All scriptures can be found in the New King James Version.


Remember this: Giving, is not your chance to bless someone else, but God's
chance to bless you. (Luke 6:38)

In Christ Service, 

Dwayne Savaya 
Gods Work Ministry