When our time on earth comes to an end what do we want to be remembered for? Do we want to be remembered as living selfishly and only wanting for our own well-being or do we want to be remembered as loving and thoughtful souls who cared for the well-being of others even more than ourselves? We should become introspective in this sense and contemplate how we are spending our days. So many times we rush through life on a mission to get things done and at the end of the day we don’t know what we’ve accomplished and yet we are still exhausted. Wouldn’t it be better to be deliberate with our actions? Shouldn’t we do good, seek good, bless, encourage, motivate and inspire others consciously and with purpose? I believe the answer should always be yes because a life well lived will always be lived in service to others. (Luke 6:35-36) (Romans 12:20)

I know people who live selfish lives and I see the fruit that they bear living that way. I can tell you it is a lonely existence. Nobody cares for their well-being, nobody goes out of their way to help them because they see the selfishness of that life and they don’t feel they deserve to be given what they themselves don’t give to others. I would never want that to be me. I would never want to only want for myself so much that others notice my selfishness and would not go out of their way to help me if I was in need. That is why I love the ways of Jesus. His command is to give without motive or pretense. He tells us to love, to forgive, to bless, to encourage, to go the extra mile and to show those who don’t know God how good He is to those who trust in Him. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8) (Matthew 5:38-48)

We as Christ’s ambassadors are to lead our life by example not worrying about the results that will come forth, but still putting in the effort to live selflessly for the betterment of those around us. We may not be able to live lavishly on the earth, but what does that mean? Jesus says having food and clothing we should be content with our life. We don’t need the larger-than-life possessions to feel fulfilled and content, but by living for Christ and following His commandments, I believe our inner peace will greatly outweigh any material possession that this world deems “fulfilling”. Let us continually serve the Lord by serving our fellow man. Let us do as the Bible says and esteem others higher than ourselves. I believe when we do we will not only carry goodwill with man, but also and more importantly with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:20-21) (Luke 6:27-36)

I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to count yourself as one who wants to be a world changer by doing unto others as you would want them to do unto you.


DO ALL THE GOOD YOU CAN

You've probably heard it said that it's nice to be important, but it's important to be nice. And there's truth in that. But isn't there something even more important than being nice? More important even that being good? What about Doing good? What about standing up and being counted? When courageous people take unpopular stances, they aren't always seen by their opposition in a soft and gentle light.

Not too long into the American Civil War the Union finally won a victory at Antietam. President Lincoln used the occasion to produce a proclamation to free American slaves. He called his cabinet together and laid the document before them. He had been shaking the hands of well-wishers all morning and his arm and hand were stiff. He rested his arm and spoke to Secretary of State William Seward.

“If my name ever goes into history, it will be for this act, and my whole soul is in it. If my hand trembles when I sign the Proclamation, all who examine the document hereafter will say, `He hesitated.'”

Then he picked up a pen and signed “Abraham Lincoln” in bold writing. There were a large number of people that day who would not have used the word “nice” to describe his action. In fact, a great many not only couldn't say anything kind, they couldn't even be vague. He was slandered, maligned and demonized. But that signature, coupled with a later Union victory, changed the course of history forever. American slaves were finally to be freed.

How many slave-owners of the day were reputed to be nice people? And in most areas of their lives, many probably were. But there comes a time for each of us to stand up and do the right thing. To DO good. I hope that that my personal moral code will always be broader than simply trying to be a pleasant person. I hope I don't back down when I have a chance to Do good, to make a real difference, even at a cost.

I don't think it was ever put better by anyone than by eighteenth century church reformer John Wesley.

“Do all the good you can,
by all the means you can,
in all the ways you can,
in all the places you can,
at all the times you can,
to all the people you can,
as long as ever you can.”

What if we tried to live by the motto: Do all the good you can? Now, That would be nice.

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.”

Philippians 2:2-3 “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD Thy God, and that thou mayest obey His voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto Him: for He is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

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


Today's Selected Poem: LOVE IN THE HOME
Click here to read --- http://www.godswork.org/inpoem143.htm

Today's Selected Testimony: I ALMOST DIED IN SIN
Click here to read --- http://www.godswork.org/testimony185.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry