It is important that we always relish the good times in our life and make an extra effort to see our great abundance and the many blessings that we have been bestowed with. So many times we rush through our days without realizing how fleeting our days are. Before we know it a lifetime will have passed us by and we will wonder where the time went. That is why I am a firm believer in slowing down from the busyness of life and enjoying this simple day as best as I can. One thing that is true is that sometimes our days seem to be never ending, but the funny thing is we can look back over 20 years and they seem to have passed by in a flash. That is a very true observation that many can attest to being 100% true and that is why I want each of us to recognize and realize that today is precious all by itself. (Psalm 103:15-16) (James 4:14)

We have today to bless, to encourage, to strengthen, to laugh, to affirm, to forgive, to make use of so that when we look back over our life we will remember specific instances where we helped to make a tough situation just a little bit better. I believe when we live life purposefully we won't rush through our days and they will not pass by in a blur. They will be remembered because the blessings that we imparted will leave a lasting memory in our hearts and minds. Be encouraged to think of this day as most important. Don't look to the future, don't wait for some event that is yet to come, but relish in and enjoy this day to its fullest. Do all that you can to get the most out of today so that you will be proud that you did not waste it. (2 Corinthians 1:3-6)

What are most people's biggest regrets? It isn't that they did not spend enough time at work, but that they did not spend enough time with their loved ones. Those who mean the most to us should receive our attention the most just the same. We can't ignore and take for granted those who mean the world to us and expect our relationships to be solid as a rock. It doesn't work like that. Anything that is to survive must be nurtured. Just think of a plant. You must water it, you must give it some light, you must give it the correct nutrients for it to grow and flourish as it should. It is the same thing with our relationships. We must pay attention to, praise, love, encourage and be present so that our love will be made known. (Romans 15:1-4) (Luke 6:30-32)

I encourage you again to do all that you can to make your days count for your life. Don't look back in regret years from now, but be wise in your dealings and do your best to use each new day to make an impact that will be remembered and thought upon when you look back on how your days were spent.

I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to make use of each new day that you are blessed enough to have.


ALL OF OUR MOMENTS

When I was a boy we always spent a week every summer visiting my Grandmother in Tennessee. She lived with my Aunt and Uncle in a quiet little town near the Great Smokey mountains. Before the interstates were completed it often took 8 hours driving up and down curvy, mountainous roads to get there, but it was worth it. My Mom was always so happy to see her Mom, sister, and family again. The days there were always filled with visiting relatives, fun activities, and big suppers that made every stomach smile. The best times of all, though, were the evenings. It was then that everyone would gather on the front porch. 

The swing, glider, and steps would all be full of people sitting and talking. As neighbors dropped by more chairs would be brought out from the dining room. The stories, jokes, and laughter would continue on as the sun set and the stars rose. When it got late my Mom would send me to bed, but I would still stay awake listening to the sounds of happiness drifting in from the porch to my bedroom until their gentle music would put me to sleep like a lullaby.

Looking back on those summer evenings from 35 years ago makes me wish that all of our moments here could be so sweet. I wish that all of our moments could be filled with such love, laughter, happiness, and togetherness. I know too that they all can't be that way, but the truth is a lot more of them could be if we made the effort.

God loves us and God has given each of us a wonderful and powerful gift called choice. We use this gift everyday of our lives. We use it moment by moment. Why not use it to create love and happiness? Why not use it to share laughter and togetherness as my family did on those summer evenings long ago? Leo Buscaglia wrote that: "Even for the longest lived of all, time of life is limited. Why not live it in joy?" That choice is ours to make in all of our moments. 

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."

1 Thessalonians 5:11-14 "Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men."

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."

John 13:12-15 "So after He had washed their feet, and had taken His garments, and was set down again, He said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you."

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


Today's Selected Poem: BRIGHTEN YOUR CORNER
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem71.htm

Today's Selected Testimony: ALBERT ODUYEMI'S TESTIMONY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony137.htm


In Christ's Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God's Work Ministry