The great thing about life is that each new day that we are blessed enough to see brings with it a new chance and a new opportunity to make our life useful for ourselves as well as for our fellow man. Being alive affords us the luxury to try again, to reach farther, to stand taller, to hope anew, to believe that our life is significant and can be used to make a difference. No matter how many times we have fallen short, we can begin again, we can dust ourselves off, wipe away the tears and believe that our life is precious, worthy and one that is meant to be used to its fullest potential. We must have an unwavering faith and belief that every failure and every setback will be a stepping stone towards a brighter future. Our past does not define our future. We must believe this truth in order to move forward in life in confidence. (Psalm 103:10-14) (2 Corinthians 4:15-18)

If we believe the lie that we can't use our life to make a difference despite our mistakes and shortfalls, then most of the stories in the Bible should not be there. Thankfully God doesn't see us only for our past, but He looks forward towards our future and in our future there is hope. No matter how discouraged you may feel, no matter how tempted you are to give up, I want you to know that your ending is far from right now. You can rise up, you can begin again, your life can be used to make a difference that will never be forgotten or erased, but you must stand up for yourself and believe this truth for yourself. If God does not condemn you, then you mustn't condemn yourself. If God forgives you, then you must also forgive yourself. If God gives you a second chance, you must gladly, willfully and wholeheartedly take it. (Psalm 61:1-3) (Psalm 46:1-5)

I encourage you to never doubt your significance. Don't count your life away, but see it as something that God can use to change your life, your family's life and even this world. When we dare to believe, dare to dream, dare to hope, miracles can and will happen. We simply must believe in ourselves as God believes in us and trust that every setback, every trial, every heartache will serve a purpose for us now and in our future to come. Stay in faith, stay in trust and never even think of giving up. God loves you more than you can know. Trust Him and do all that you can to use every gift, talent and ability to bring Glory and Honor to His Name. (Psalm 103:1-4) (Romans 8:31-39)

I hope this message encourages and inspires your heart to believe that your life is significant and can be used for a great purpose no matter what you have gone through in times past.


YOU HAVE A CHANCE

Charles Revson, founder of the successful cosmetic manufacturing firm Revlon, once said, “In our factory we make lipstick. In our advertising, we sell hope.”

We could use a little more hope. I think that is why people buy lottery tickets. One poor mother, who was raising her children on a small salary earned from long hours of hard work, was asked, “Why do you waste your money on a lottery ticket when you can hardly make ends meet?”

“Yeah, I buy a ticket every day,” the woman acknowledged. “But a dollar is not too much to pay for 24 hours of hope.”

There are probably better uses for her money than buying lottery tickets. But she would rather hang onto a little hope than onto her dollar.

We need hope. It is a vital ingredient in life. Without it, far too many people come to the conclusion that they are powerless in the face of difficulties. “It can't be helped,” is their motto. Without hope, they won't make needed changes. They feel powerless. Without hope, they will grimly accept the unacceptable and believe that things are about as good as they will ever get.

I've found that I can either be a prisoner of circumstances or a practitioner of hope. I can feel sorry for myself and helpless to do anything about my problems, or I can believe there is a realistic chance for something better.

Norman Cousins, in his book Head First, the Biology of Hope, illustrates the power of hope. He tells of two physicians who were to deliver a paper at a national meeting of cancer specialists. One was truly perplexed. “I don't understand it, Bob,” he said. “We use the same drugs, the same dosage, and the same schedule of treatment. Yet I get a 22% recovery rate and you get a 74% recovery rate. How do you explain that?”

The other responded, “We both use Etoposide, Platinol, Oncovin, and Hydroxyurea. You put those letters together and tell people that you are giving them E-P-O-H. I put them together and explain to them that they are receiving H-O-P-E. I emphasize that they have a chance.”

You do have a chance. You have a chance at life. You have a chance at success. You have a chance at wholeness. You have a chance at meaningful relationships and, though you may not believe it, at happiness.

Are you a prisoner of circumstances...stuck and helpless, or a practitioner of hope? It can be a difference between life and death.

By Steve Goodier


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus declares “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

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.”

2 Timothy 4:6-8 “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.”

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

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


Today's Selected Poem: AFTER THE RAIN
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem84.htm

Today's Selected Testimony: RESCUED FROM DEPRESSION
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony37.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry