One thing that I love about the Lord is that if we open ourselves up and make ourselves available to be used of Him, He will accept our invitation of service and use us in ways that we can't even think or imagine would be possible. When we humble ourselves and say “Here I am Lord, use me for your eternal purposes”, the Lord will supernaturally position us and give us opportunities to bless, to encourage, to inspire, to lift up and to simply show others that goodness in humanity not only exists, but it abounds. We just have to be willing and when we are, extraordinary things take place. (Isaiah 6:8) (Isaiah 1:19-20)

I truly believe that the greatest way to lighten our own burdens is to help others carry theirs. When we help to do for others what they can't presently do for themselves, that is when God will do for us what we can't do for ourselves. The Bible declares in 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.” (Galatians 6:2) (Mark 9:41)

No matter how busy you may be, you can still pray a simple prayer asking the Lord to use you. No matter how troubled you may feel from the trials and tribulations of life, you can still ask the Lord to use you to bring light to a dark situation, to brighten up someone's day, to lighten someone's burden and be that beacon of hope that others are drawn to. (Matthew 5:16)

Be encouraged to take on the mentality of being a servant to the Lord. Serve in any capacity, in any circumstance, at every opportunity and simply let the Lord know that you are available to be used in any good way that He sees fit for your life. When you do, you will be amazed at how your life was used in such an abundant and significant way. (Mark 10:29-31)

I hope this message ministers to your heart to see that our simple gestures of love can do so much to help so many.


A CLOSET FULL OF COATS

My toilet handle broke the other day. I knew that I had a few pieces left over from an another toilet repair a few years earlier. I decided then to dig them out and save a few dollars. I hadn’t realized, however, just how crowded my storage closet had become. I started to pull stuff out a little bit at a time. The first thing I moved was a heavy winter coat that I hadn’t worn in years. Next I saw another old coat that had also fallen to the floor. Setting them to the side I picked up a trash bag that I thought might have the left over plumbing supplies. It ripped as I lifted it up and several coats, scarves, and toboggans that the children had outgrown fell to my feet.

At that moment God pulled the curtain shade open to the window of my mind and shined His light through it. I remembered a flier at my daughter’s college calling for a winter coat drive to help the needy. Suddenly the toilet repair didn’t seem quite so urgent anymore. I never did find the handle I started looking for, but I did leave the closet with both arms full of warm coats to help some good souls get through some cold days.

It’s wonderful how God always gives us what we need even if it isn’t always what we want. I had wanted to save a few dollars for myself, but instead God gave me the priceless gift of helping others. He took a moment of silly selfishness on my part and turned it into a wonderful chance to share, and love. I only wish that I had listened sooner to His soft whisper so that He would not have had to yell it out with a broken toilet and a shower of old coats.

The truth is "that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him." I am just glad that God is always patient with me during those times when I get distracted from our true purpose here: to love and help each other. May both your coats and your hearts keep you warm this Winter and always.

By Joseph J. Mazzella


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Galatians 6:9-10 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

Romans 12:10-16 “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 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...”

Romans 15:1-4 “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not Himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on Me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

1 Peter 3:8-11 “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.”

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


Today's Selected Poem: THE POWER OF WORDS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem40.htm

Today’s Selected Testimony: GOD SAVED MY DAD
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony144.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry