There are moments in life where we feel discouraged because we think that nobody has our back. We allow ourselves to falsely believe that we are alone in this world and that nobody cares for our well-being. That is the furthest thing from the truth because we are more loved than we often realize, but because we don't always see the love, we feel as if it does not exist. What we must always remember and keep in mind is that those who are closest to us are the ones that we can go to when we are not feeling our best. We must not allow pride or ego to keep us from sharing how we feel so that we may receive the comfort, encouragement and sense of security that we sometimes need to feel anew. People love to be helping when they know there is a need, but so many times with the busyness of life they forget to show their love as they should. When we are simply reminded of what is most important in our life, we will be quick to see that our loved ones bring the most meaning to our life and when we are there for one another both of our lives become enriched. (Galatians 6:2) (1 John 4:12)

Be encouraged to see that you are not alone. You have physical beings who are in love with you and you have a supernatural being Who loves you more than you can ever fully know. The Bible declares in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." The Lord is always there to strengthen, encourage and comfort us so that we may be able to do the same towards our fellow man. The blessings that we have received we are to share, the strength that we have from within is to be used to strengthen another, the encouragement that we receive is to be used to encourage the downtrodden and the comfort that we receive is to be imparted upon another letting them know that all will be well with them in the end. Let us seek comfort when we need it and be quick to comfort another when we see the need for it. (Psalm 142:4-7) (Psalm 20:6-7)

Let us always be the hands and feet of the Lord Jesus to everyone we come into contact with so that our life's testimony will speak not of our own good works, but of His good works through us. Let your life be significant upon this earth so that your testimony may speak volumes to your character, to your love and to your care for one another. (James 1:27)

I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to be quick to seek for the encouragement you need and to share encouragement with another when you see the need.


DAD AND THE SNAKE

When I was a boy growing up my Dad, Mom, Grandma, two brothers and I all lived together in an aging house. The house had originally been built from two Shanty cars. Other rooms had been added later as money allowed. Finally, as a finishing touch my Dad had decided to build a porch. Because of the house's strange shape with all of its add on's and lean to's, the only place to build the porch was off the side of the bedroom my brother and I shared. 

A few weeks after the porch was finished I was playing in my room when my Mom walked in carrying a new flower pot to hang on the porch. My Dad was in the living room resting in his chair after a long, exhausting day at work. A surprise was waiting for us all, though. The night before a snake had crawled up the bank from the river near our home and made its way up the steps and onto the wooden roof beams of the porch. Just as my Mom opened the door to go out on the porch then, the head of the snake dropped from the beams right in front of her face. 

In my entire life I had never heard my Mom scream so loud or seen my Dad move so fast. He was by me in a second, grabbing the snake by the back of the head, and pulling it away from my terrified Mom. Later with the snake safely gone the whole family laughed with relief while my Dad wrapped his arms around my Mom in love. 

The story of that day became a part of our family lore and was retold many times over the years. Each time it brought smiles to our faces, laughter to our lips, and joy to our hearts. As I think back on it today I can still see the wonderful example of my Dad's love in action. He didn't think of himself for a second. Someone he loved was in danger and he risked his life to save her. It is how he has lived his whole life here, with the unselfish love that God wishes for us all. May the same be said for you, me, and everyone in this world. 

By Joseph J. Mazzella


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

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."

Isaiah 40:28-29 "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of His understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increaseth strength."

Psalm 34:17-19 "The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."

1 Peter 3:8-12 "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. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers..."

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


Today's Selected Poem: WISE WORDS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem109.htm 

Today's Selected Testimony: GOD'S ALIVE AND WELL
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony34.htm


In Christ's Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God's Work Ministry