No matter what may come our way in life we should remain steadfast in our faith knowing that there is no trial or challenge so difficult that we can’t come out of it better, wiser and stronger than we were before that obstacle. When we face the challenges of life with a quiet confidence that victory will be ours, we are showing the visible and invisible that our strength is not our own because it is the Lord who gives us the strength, the courage, the peace and the fortitude to face that obstacle, overcome that obstacle and stand victorious over that obstacle. It all has to go back to our foundation. When our foundation is solid then nothing will be able to shake our faith or make us question God’s love or His plans for our life. The Lord Jesus is our strength and support and all those who call Him their Lord and Savior have their foundation on the Solid Rock that is Christ the Lord. Jesus declares in Matthew 7:24-25 “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” (Job 23:10) (2 Corinthians 4:10-18)

When our foundation is secured we will not be swayed by the storms of life no matter how strong or severe they may be. We can rest in the Lord knowing that after the storms rage and the thunder ceases we will still be standing not because of our own strength or ability, but because of the strength of the Lord within us. We should always remember and keep in mind that God wishes for us to be overcomers not fearing the trial, challenge or obstacle that is in our path. The Bible declares in 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” We have been equipped to stand atop the mountain so why should we settle for the valley? (Psalm 37:7-9)

My best encouragement to anyone is to believe in yourself as God believes in you. Don’t belittle your self-worth, don’t think less of your life because of some past mistake or shortfall, but remember your strong foundation in the Lord and see yourself as a Victor and not a victim. It is when we remind ourselves Whose we are that we can again be encouraged, strengthened and confident that our life is meant to make a difference for our betterment and the betterment of those around us. (Ephesians 6:10)

I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to remember your foundation in the Lord so that you will be strengthened anew when the storms start beating on your house.


LEAFAGE AND ROOTAGE

American President Woodrow Wilson once pointed out that “a man's rootage is more important than his leafage.” What others see are the leaves, the outside. What they can't see are the roots, the values and principles that ground a person. A happy and fulfilled life grows from a good system of roots.

No one believed in the solid “rootage” of President Jimmy Carter more than his own mother “Miss Lillian,” as she was fondly called. She was aware of her son's reputation for honesty, which had become a topic of curiosity among many politicians and even reporters. During a 1986 speech at the University of Tennessee, Jody Powell told a story about a television reporter who grilled Miss Lillian on this topic.

“Is it true,” asked the reporter, “that your son doesn't lie? Can you tell me he has never told a lie?”

“Well, I reckon he might have told a little white lie now and then,” replied Miss Lillian.

The reporter spotted the opening. “I thought you said he didn't lie!” she exclaimed. “Are you telling me that white lies aren't as bad as black lies? Just what do you mean by a white lie?”

“Well,” drawled Miss Lillian, “do you remember when you came in this morning and I told you how nice you looked and how glad I was to see you..?”

Those people who care about strong and principled inner lives leave an important mark on the world. They actually live from the inside out. Their inner convictions guide their actions. Their inner principles govern their lives. It's like roots which are sunk deep into lasting values and sustain the tree through whatever hard times may come along.

What does it mean to have good roots? I think it means to be strong enough and healthy enough to do whatever you truly want to do. It means to be strong enough, at least most of the time, to give your best to the world.

I would like to have roots that grow deep and strong. I would like a system of roots that could give me:

enough strength to forgive those who hurt me;

enough confidence to overcome any amount of fear;

enough courage to accept whatever obstacles life throws my way;

enough compassion to love even the unlovable;

enough faith that nothing can shatter my peace of mind.

If I grow good roots, I don't need to worry about the leafage.

By Steve Goodier


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Isaiah 26:3-4 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.”

Psalm 91:1-4 “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”

Psalm 91:14-16 “Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him My salvation.”

Psalm 34:8-10 “O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him. O fear the LORD, ye His saints: for there is no want to them that fear Him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.”

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


Today’s Selected Poem: PEACE AMIDST THE PAIN
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem148.htm

Today’s Selected Testimony: ROBERT'S TESTIMONY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony199.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry