The greatest thing that we could ever hope to do with our life is to make it useful to another. A useful life means that every opportunity that came our way to be helpful, encouraging, affirming, forgiving, inspiring and loving was taken to lift up that one who was feeling down. Our mindful attention will help to make a difficult situation just a little bit better. When we surrender our earthen vessels and allow the Lord to work through us, we will be used in ways that we never thought or imagined would be possible. That is why I am always open to the leading of the Lord. I don’t allow the opportunity to be encouraging to pass me by because I know there is power in giving someone an encouraging or hope filled word. That is why the Bible declares in Galatians 6:10 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-9) (Matthew 10:16-20)

No matter what you may be going through at any given time, I want you to know that your life can still be used to impact someone else for the better. The trials, heartaches, setbacks and troubles that we go through in life strengthen our resolve and quicken our hearts to persevere which I believe are great attributes to impart upon someone else who may be going through their own storms in life. By being our brother’s keeper I believe our life will be significant upon this earth. That’s all we should ever hope for our life; that it be used up for the Lord until there is nothing left to give. That is what the Lord Jesus did for us. He selflessly gave until He died for the redemption of the world and upon His resurrection we the human race benefit from His great sacrifice. Giving of yourself will never be equivalent to what the Lord gave so I encourage you again to be selfless in your helping and do your best to lift up the name of the Lord through your life’s testimony. (Matthew 25:37-40) (1 John 3:11-18)

I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to see where you can be used to make a difference in someone’s life.


THE GIFT OF SELF

“The only gift is a portion of thyself.” - Emerson 

As a very young child, I recall watching a children's film titled, "The Little Drummer Boy." The animated fictional story told about a poor shepherd boy who went to visit the Christ child on the day of his birth. When he arrived, the boy realized that other visitors presented the baby Jesus and his parents with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but the shepherd boy had no gift due to his impoverished state. The only possession in the world the child had was a small handmade drum, and so, the little drummer boy gave the only gift he could give out of the pureness of his heart. The young shepherd picked up his drum, and as he looked in wonder at the Christ child, he played the best song ever; a drum solo inspired by the opening of his own heart. 

Even as an adult, this animated cartoon never fails to bring a tear to my eye. Certainly, it is only a make-believe story, but the message it conveys is not only very real, but of great importance. 

The gift of self is a most precious gift, indeed, because it is not a gift that can be purchased easily with money, but requires the time, energy, and heartfelt sentiments of the giver. For example, every mother knows how her heart leaps when her child presents her with a hand-drawn card, offers her a hand-picked flower, or gives her that old kindergarten standby, the noodle necklace! I don't know about you, but that silly noodle necklace was more precious to me than diamonds or pearls! This, my friends, is a gift of love. A gift of self. 

There are birthday gifts, and Christmas gifts. Gifts of fruit, chocolates and flowers. However, the most precious gift known to all of mankind, is the gift of salvation our heavenly Father presented all of us when He allowed His Son, Jesus Christ, to be a living sacrifice for our sins. Our Creator did not “have” to do this, but He loved us so richly as individuals, that He gave to us the greatest gift He could give. The gift of love. The gift of self.

Author Unknown


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Matthew 5:43-45 Jesus declares “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

Philippians 2:3-7 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.”

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...”

Galatians 6:1-4 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.”

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


Today’s Selected Poem: ETERNAL INK
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem2.htm

Today’s Selected Testimony: JESUS MY DELIVERER
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony136.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry