Today is a beautiful day. It is beautiful not because the sun is shining or because the flowers are blooming. It is beautiful because we are blessed and fortunate enough to see it. Nothing extraordinary has to happen in order for us to be appreciative of this day. We don't have to receive a good report, we don't have to travel to a distant land or experience something extraordinary to say that today is a beautiful day. We can say it's beautiful because each new day that we are lucky enough to have is a gift that should be treasured, enjoyed and used to the full. The psalmist wrote in Psalm 118:24 “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Nehemiah 8:10) (Psalm 103:1-5)

We are to rejoice in each new day that we see. No matter the storms that rage, no matter the discouraging situation, no matter how hard the trials of life are banging on our door; we can still show our gratitude and thankfulness to the Lord for His sustenance that is renewed every morning. The Lord who keeps us also guards us and protects us and the Lord promises that He would never leave us nor forsake us. Do we remember His promises? Do we make known to the Lord that we are thankful for His blessings over our life? We must be conscious to our gratitude. We must willingly and deliberately make it a point to say “Thank you Lord for your goodness, thank you Lord for all that you have given to me, thank you for every gift and blessing that you have showered me with.” An attitude of gratitude will make any situation better. A thankful countenance will draw peace and joy back to it again. (Psalm 121:1-8) (Hebrews 13:5-6)

So are you thankful? Do you make it known to the Lord that you appreciate this beautiful day that He has given to you? If not, I encourage you to think of the many things that are good in your life. Think of your family, think of your friends, think of your health, your children, your home, your job. Think of the things that would make life so much more difficult if you didn't have them and then be thankful that you do have them. No matter where you are in life, I encourage you to practice Thanksgiving. Make it a daily part of your life because when you do, you will not allow the temporary setbacks to steal your joy or make you question the goodness of the Lord. You will be focusing on so much good that you won't allow the temporary bad to overtake you. Praise the Lord for His goodness and continually say with me “Thank You Lord!” (Philippians 4:4-7) (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to see how beautiful it is to be thankful for all of God's goodness.


THE MILLION WAYS

After almost two weeks of constant cloudiness I saw the sun again today. It was like greeting an old friend that I hadn’t seen in years. It lit up not only the sky and the Earth but my soul as well. I smiled towards the Heavens and thanked God for this beautiful sight. I knew too that it was just one of the million ways that God says, “I love you” to us everyday.

In fact, if I started writing on all the ways that God lets us know just how much He loves us then I would never stop. I would like to share just a few of them with you here, though. There are those unexpected hugs from our kids, that shining light in another’s eyes when they love you, the laughter of a child, a puppy licking your hand, a kitten purring on your lap, a new baby’s smile, and the first songs of the birds in the Spring. 

There are also the delightful smells of Spring flowers and Fall leaves, plus warm sweaters, warm hearts, and hot chocolate on cold Winter days. Let’s not forget either inspiring books, encouraging words, beautiful music and the peace that prayer brings. We are also blessed with caring friends, good-hearted neighbors, and compassionate strangers who bring us comfort in times of need. 

Then we have all those obstacles that make us steer off the wrong road and onto the right path as well as all those problems that make us stronger, better, and more loving people. God’s wondrous love flows through all of these things and through our own hearts and souls as well. That is why I find the best way to start any day is to say, “I love you too dear God and I thank you for my life here.”

God loves us all so much. He says it in a million ways everyday of our lives. His love is all around us and within us as well. His love watches over us in this life and His love promises us an even greater life to come. His love and the joy it brings are His gifts to us. Let’s make them our gifts to each other as well.

By Joseph J. Mazzella


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Psalm 91:9-11 “Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”

Psalm 139:17-18 “How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with Thee.”

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey His voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto Him: for He is thy life, and the length of thy days...”

Psalm 28:6-8 “Blessed be the LORD, because He hath heard the voice of my supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him. The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving strength of His anointed.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”

All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.


Today’s Selected Poem: GOD'S PROMISE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem18.htm

Today’s Selected Testimony: THE PINK BIRDS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony155.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry