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I would like to tell you a little story of what happened to me after I
published my first book and let all of our ministry members know about
it. On May 23, 2013 I published my first book called Messages of Hope and
I was so excited to let all of you know about it. I sent you all an e-mail
letting you know of the newest addition to our ministry and also shared a
lot about my personal life which I had never done before in one of my
messages. I then expounded about the book and gave you all the details on
how you would be able to purchase a copy. It was only available on
Kindle's e-reader platform then and the price was less than $5 which I
thought was very reasonable considering the amount of work that went into
it and the number of messages that would be included in the book.
I received many responses concerning the book, the overwhelming majority
of which were highly positive and appreciative that a book of this type
would be available to them. I was very thankful and appreciative for all
of the kind e-mails that I received and I responded to as many as I was
able to. The following day I received a very harsh rebuff from one of my
ministry members. I'd like to share it with you. She says and I quote
“How can you tell me spending my money to purchase YOUR book which will
increase your finances will benefit me? And i quote "it will be to your
benefit”. Please remove me from your mailing list. I've seen enough of
people preaching "God's word" while lining their pockets from the people
who believe." As you can imagine I was taken aback to say the least
because I never expected this type of response. People who have been
receiving my messages for years know all too well that I never solicit any
money for my work and I am the one who calls it a privilege to be able to
serve God and His people in this manner.
I didn't respond to the message right away because it really would have
been "un-Christian" of me with the way that I wanted to respond, but after
a few moments of pondering her message I responded with a simple question.
I asked “How long have you been receiving my messages?” I honestly didn't
think she would answer, but a day later I received a four word response,
“for a few years”. She had been receiving my messages completely free of
charge for at least three full years and she thought it was too much of me
to ask her to purchase my book for less than $5. I responded a final time
and wished her well and I let her know that she was now unsubscribed from
receiving any more of my messages as she had wished, and I have not really
thought about it again until the writing of this message. (Proverbs 15:1-4)
So why am I sharing all of this? It's not to relieve my heart or to say
that some people just can't be pleased, but rather it is to encourage you
and show you that no matter how hard you may work and no matter how
dedicated you may be in helping others, you will still sometimes receive
harsh words, persecution or all out rudeness when all you did was show
kindness and mercy. It is important that we always repay with kindness
when we are tempted to repay with the same rudeness that we received. As
shining beacons of hope and light, let us always do the right thing even
when we are tempted to do the wrong thing. Let us be disciplined enough
and stand firm in our faith and trust that God would be our vindicator.
He is the One who will repay those who show us kindness as well as those
who don't treat us as we wish to be treated. (Luke 6:31-36) (Romans 12:17-21)
Our job as believers in Christ and followers of His command is to simply
be an example of His Love, His Mercy, His Forgiveness, and His Grace. Let
us treat others as we wish to be treated and not the other way around. A
tooth for a tooth and an eye for an eye will not make either of us better,
but when we respond with love and mercy, their life will be affected for
the better and they will remember us far longer than we could ever think
or imagine. Be encouraged to repay good for evil, to offer mercy and
grace when you are tempted to do otherwise and simply love your neighbor
as you love yourself. The Lord will be well pleased when you act in this
manner and He will lift you up so that your life will be a shining beacon
of hope and love that all will be drawn to.
(Matthew 5:38-48) (John 13:12-17) (Philippians 4:8-9)
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Romans 12:18-21 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably
with all men. 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.”
Ephesians 4:31-32 “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.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth
not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself
unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things,
believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity
never faileth...”
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.”
Colossians 3:16-17 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all
wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And
whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: WHAT IF?
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem16.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony48.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
