The good that we do for others as simple as it may be in our own eyes makes a huge difference to the recipient. Many times we don’t know what others are really struggling with internally and when we take a moment to say a kind word, do a kind deed and share a simple act of love we are making a difference in that life that will never be forgotten or erased. The Lord Jesus tells us in Luke 6:35-36 “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” We have all fallen short at one time or another and needed the guidance, assistance and help of someone else so that we were able to stand up again. Just as we have received help when we needed it the most, we should also extend that same help towards someone else who has fallen and is in need of a helping hand to stand up again. By loving, forgiving, esteeming, affirming and encouraging one another we can make this world a better and brighter place. By treating others as we would want to be treated ensures a blessed life for us as well as those whom we were fortunate enough to cross paths with. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) (John 13:34-35)

Be encouraged to believe that you can make a difference in this world. You can do something good and kind for someone else that will show them that someone cares for their well-being. Each of us if we heed the call of God for our life the impact that we can make is unimaginable in our own minds. Still we must make the decision to act as Jesus acted, to love as Jesus loved, to forgive as Jesus forgave and to lift up our fellow man as Jesus did to all those who were broken and needed to be touched by the Master. We are meant to do good works as Jesus did as we read in Ephesians 2:10 “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” This life is too short to live it selfishly and just as we entered into this world carrying nothing we will leave it the same way except for the good works that were done throughout our life. Those moments of shared love will testify on our behalf and we will be proud that we took the time to care for our fellow man as we would wish we would be cared for just the same. (Luke 6:30-36) (Revelation 20:12-15)

I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to never turn a blind eye when you see someone in need, but make a conscious decision to make a bad situation just a little bit better. You will be proud that you took the time to be helping even if it’s in the simplest of ways.


A CUP OF HOT COFFEE IN HIS NAME

I don't even know his name. I didn't think to ask, our encounter was so brief. But I still remember his face, and his eyes.

It was a usual chilly morning, not much past dawn when I turned off the highway, taste buds set for a good hot cup of coffee. As I rounded the corner for the drive-up window I saw him in the distance, crossing the barren parking lot. It was foggy, damp and drizzly, and he wore only denims. He headed straight to the dumpster but found it within its own fortress, locked behind tall gates.

I hastily ordered an extra cup of coffee and a couple of breakfast sandwiches, hoping he hadn't gotten too far. As I pulled around, my gaze scanned the area until I saw him, on the far side by the shopping mall. I wondered where he might be heading now.

As I pulled up alongside, I lowered my window and called out 'Hey son', and told him I'd brought him a little breakfast. His humble reply surprised me, “No, you keep that, you bought it for yourself”

“Oh,” I said, “I got some for myself, too. This is for you.”

He hesitated as he came up to the car to take the steaming cup and small bag and seemed obligated to answer a question that hadn't been asked.

“I've been working the carnie,” he said politely. But I knew the carnival season was long over. His clothes bore the telltale signs of sleeping on the ground. He shivered in his thin jacket which was little comfort against the cold. His teeth had gone the way of all teeth without proper care. I thought of my twice-a-year cleanings, and gold crowns. His rugged face exceeded his years I thought. I was sure there were no daily handfuls of vitamins in his routine, nor routine doctor visits, nor medication for common colds or flu.

As I briefly glanced into his gentle eyes, I caught a glimpse of a tender heart, even with all that life seems to have been to him. And I thought of his mother. This was some mother's son--her bouncing baby boy that she conceived and carried and birthed. Where was she now, I wondered. Does she know what has become of her precious son? Is she alive and does she know that he is alive, or care? I thought of my own son, still in his youth, and his sweet, tender spirit. How could I live without him? Without knowing where he was and that he was well?

“God bless you.” he said.

“Thank you!” I replied most sincerely. “May the Lord bless you.”

He headed for shelter from the drizzle under the eve of a not-yet-opened store and disappeared from my rear-view mirror. I wished I'd bought a whole bag of sandwiches. How does this happen to a human being that he looks for breakfast in a dumpster? Was he not able to finish school? Did he run away from home at a young age? Was he or did he feel abandoned? Did he abuse drugs and alcohol? Who's to know? I cried all the way to work.

I now have a special envelope stuck between the car seats where I keep a small supply of gift certificates to McDonalds, Burger King and a restaurant and grocery. And when I'm driving, I keep an eye out for someone who looks like he might need a meal. It doesn't cost much or take much effort, and I no longer have to look the other way as I pass by.

I think of him now and then and remember to pray that the Father of all would touch his life. I wish he could know how he touched mine, and changed me forever.

Caution -- Use common sense when passing out meal certificates, or any other type of help for the needy.

By Jill Burnett


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Ephesians 4:29-32 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”

Galatians 6:2-4 “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil 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.”

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.”

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


Today's Selected Poem: PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem84.htm

Today's Selected Testimony: HE WANTED ME
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony88.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry