We should always be careful to what we allow ourselves to listen to. So many times people surround themselves with negativity and they wonder why their life isn’t as blessed and lifted up as they wish it would be. If we listen to the negativity of others and allow what they say to take root in our hearts, then our life will be affected because we received into our hearts the seeds that they sowed. That should never be allowed. We are too valuable to allow someone else’s pessimism to infiltrate our life and lead it down the wrong path. That is why I believe we must surround ourselves with those who celebrate us and not tear us down. We must ask ourselves how will we become better when we are constantly hearing about our mistakes, shortfalls and failures? We will not become better because we will have a lower self-esteem, a damaged self image and any hope for becoming better in our days to come will be greatly hindered because we won’t believe in ourselves as we should. (Proverbs 23:7) (Proverbs 4:20-27)

I encourage you to see that your life is precious and does not need to be belittled, mocked, questioned or made a shame of. The Lord Jesus who forgives us of our sins and cleanses us of our unrighteousness calls us victors and not victims. We are not our past and if God has forgiven us then we should also forgive ourselves and move on to the heights of victory that God has prepared for each child that belongs to Him. Surround yourself with other victors and together speak encouraging, affirming, inspiring words that will elevate your lives and not hinder them. Life is too short to live it in misery and that is why we should use each and every new day that we are blessed enough to have to make it beneficial to ourselves and to those around us. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) (Ephesians 4:29-32)

I encourage you again to see your life as precious and valuable and make every effort to only allow good things to enter into your heart so that those good seeds may take root and bring forth a blessed harvest.

I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to surround yourself with people who will add to your life and not take away from it.



SURROUND YOURSELF WITH ENCOURAGERS

Simeon Ford, the proprietor of the old Grand Union Hotel in New York, said, “You don't need to know anything about a hotel to run one. You just open up and the customers tell you how to run it.”

That must be true of other businesses, too. I heard of a newspaper editor who called in her assistant and handed him a stack of papers. “These are suggestions sent in by subscribers on how to run our paper. Make sure you carry them out,” she said.

He did. He carried them out and dropped them in the trash bin.

Many people are quick to suggest, and quicker to criticize. When asked why she was always so critical, one woman said, “I guess I just have a knack for seeing other people's faults!” (There's a gift she could hide under a bushel.)

Criticizers are not hard to find. What the world needs are good encouragers. Not more people to find fault, but people to point out strengths and encourage us to excel. The most successful people look for positive qualities. They see potential where others see failure. And they encourage success in others.

Mark Twain put it like this: “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too, can become great.”

Who do you spend time with? Criticizers or encouragers? Surround yourself with those who believe in you. Your life is too important for anything less.

By Steve Goodier


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Matthew 12:35-37 Jesus declares “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”

Proverbs 17:9 “He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.”

Colossians 3:22-25 “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.”

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...”

Matthew 7:1-4 Jesus declares “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? ”

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


Today’s Selected Poem: THE CHOICES WE MAKE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem139.htm

Today’s Selected Testimony: A BETTER WAY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony22.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry