We should never believe the lie that joy, peace and happiness could never 
be ours to behold. It is within our ability and capacity to have true 
peace and joy in life, but sometimes a change needs to be made to receive 
what we don't have. We can't follow the wrong path and expect to reach 
the correct destination. We must be diligent in doing the right things, 
the right way and allowing the right changes to take place in our life. 
Doing the same things over and over again because that's how they've 
always been done is a sure way to keep one's life stagnant, unmotivated 
and unchanged. When we want a change to come, we have to do what we 
haven't done. We must make a conscious decision to move in the direction 
that we haven't moved in before.

When one says “I want to simply have joy and peace in my life”, my 
question is “Are you doing the right things?” The Scriptures tell us in 
order to have joy, peace and happiness wholeheartedly in life, we need to 
have the God who created us in our life. The Bible declares in Isaiah 
26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: 
because he trusteth in Thee.” The Lord gives us freely what the world 
promises to give, but could never give. We can't expect to gain fulfillment
from the world because it does not exist in the world. In the world we 
are told that happiness lies in materialism. If one wants to be happy, 
they need a better house, a better car, better possessions, etc. Their 
answer isn't in a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Their 
answer is in anything and everything except God Almighty.

If you're seeking a change then today is the best day to begin that change.
When you draw near to God He promises to draw near to you. When we take 
one step towards Him, He will take a giant leap towards us. It is God's 
desire to see every person come closer to Him. He takes no pleasure in 
seeing the sinner parish in their sins, but rather He wishes that all would
come to repentance. When we simply repent and acknowledge our shortfalls, 
we will be forgiven of our past and given a clean slate for our future. 
The Lord is gracious and full of mercy. Always remember that God is not 
mad at you. He wishes to restore you and give you all that you are 
lacking. If you need the joy and peace that you have sought and not 
found, I can assure you it is found in a personal relationship with the 
Lord Jesus Christ. (James 4:8-10) (Ezekiel 18:32) (2 Peter 3:9) (Psalm 145:8-9)

Call upon the Lord and share with Him all that is on your heart. He knows 
you better than you know yourself and nothing would please God more than 
to be in communion with you. He created you to commune with Him. You are 
His beloved child whom He loves and died for. Never forget that God loves 
you. With Him you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
(Psalm 4:3-5) (John 3:15-21) (Romans 8:32-34)

I hope this message inspires and encourages your heart to see that change 
is always possible. You simply must be willing to allow change to take place.


CHANGING COLORS

Autumn this year in the mountains of my home has been truly spectacular. 
It is like an Angel artist has been assigned to paint each tree in the 
most glorious colors imaginable. Perhaps it is the wisdom of age that has 
helped my eyes to see more clearly. Still, to me the leaves have never 
looked as beautiful as they do this Fall.

One tree in my backyard has especially caught my attention. Every year 
before this one its leaves had always turned to a rich, vibrant red in 
October. This year, though, the entire tree was bathed in the most 
outrageous orange. It was both delightful and amazing to watch this tree 
suddenly change its colors.

Looking at that bright, orange beacon in my backyard made me think too of 
how we can go about changing our own colors. I remember when cold, dark 
hues colored my own heart, soul and mind. I remember when fear, apathy and 
selfishness colored my life. I remember when my only thoughts were of my 
own wants, needs and desires. It was an ugly picture indeed. One day, 
however, I am not sure exactly when, that picture started to change. It 
started with a single brush stroke, one kind act, and one loving thought. 
This was followed by another and another. Each one brought a new dab of 
color and brightness into my heart, soul and mind. Slowly, choice by 
choice, moment by moment and day by day I began to turn the cold, dark, 
miserable November of my life into a warm, shining, and loving October.

God in His endless love never ceases to give us fresh chances to change 
our colors, change our lives and change the world. Each day is full of new 
opportunities to paint our hearts, souls, and minds with the brightness of 
love. Each day is full of moments to bring the colors of joy to this often 
drab world. We are the artists of our own lives. May we forever color them 
beautiful.

By Joseph J. Mazzella


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Ezekiel 33:11 “Say to them: 'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no 
pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way 
and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die...?'”

1 John 1:9-10 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive 
us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we 
have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”

Isaiah 55:6-7 “Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He 
is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his 
thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; And 
to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.”

Romans 10:9-10 “…If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe 
in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth 
confession is made unto salvation.”

1 John 5:11-13 “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal 
life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does
not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to 
you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you 
have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the 
Son of God.”

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


Today's Selected Poem: HE IS...
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem44.htm

Today's Selected Testimony: DON'T DOUBT GOD'S POWER
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony148.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry