There are many people in this world whose sole intent in life is to accumulate “things” that will bring them joy and happiness. They strive to get the best new gadgets, clothing, accessories and anything else they think will bring them “joy and contentment.” What those people will sadly realize is that real joy, peace and contentment will never be found in things, in possessions, in materialism because the God who created us has deemed that only through Him can we receive peace that surpasses all understanding, joy that will not be fleeting and gladness of heart that will never leave us. I have learned in my life that the things that I had long waited for and finally received soon lost their luster; they didn’t bring lasting joy and they didn’t fill my heart with gladness. It was only after meeting the Lord that I found what I had lacked, filled a void in my heart that nothing had been able to fill and received peace that has not left my heart in 20 years. (Philippians 4:6-9) (John 14:25-27)

If you have been one who is trying to compete with the Joneses and striving to accumulate things, I would encourage you to change your course and receive from the Lord the goodness that He offers that will not fade, will not tarnish, will not lose its appeal and will be with you all the days of your life. The Lord Jesus said it perfectly in Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This life is too short to spend it accumulating things that will have no relevance when we step into eternity. That is why we should spend our time doing things that have an eternal value. Being a vessel in which God can work through to bring blessings, joy and gladness into the lives of others will fill us with more thankfulness and gratitude than the recipients received themselves. (1 Timothy 6:6-9) (Galatians 6:7-10)

I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to be quick to let your light shine so brightly that others will be drawn to your life’s example and would wish to emulate your good works.


LIFE AT THE POOL

I used to love to swim as a boy. My home was just a short walk away from the local pool and I used to spend most of my Summer days there. I would head out early with just my trunks and a towel. I always got there before it opened and then stayed until closing time. It was four hours of pure joy. I loved to dive in that cool, clean water. I would swim, splash, play games with my friends, talk, laugh, and only dry off during the breaks. I always walked home in the evenings with a smile on my face too. As a boy I thought summertime at the pool was about as good as life could get. 

There were some people who came to the pool that I never could understand, however. They would show up everyday carrying around and watching over these huge, heavy bags full of stuff. They would be all dressed up in fancy swimsuits. They always had on hats, sunglasses, and sandals. They would cover themselves in lotion, but then sit in the shade of umbrellas. They spent most of their time near their bags, sitting in chairs, and watching other people swim. If they did dive in the pool it was only for a few minutes before retreating back to their stuff. I often wondered why they even came to the pool at all. 

Sometimes I think that life at the pool is a lot like life in general. Some people spend so much time carrying around and worrying about their stuff that they hardly get to swim at all. They just sit in the shade and watch their bags while everyone else soaks up the sun and delights in the day. Don’t become one of them. Life is for living not for sitting with your stuff. Dive deep into God’s love today. Swim all day long in joy. Play, love, laugh, and celebrate life with everyone around you. Make every day of your life as good as it can get and help others to do the same. I want you to walk home to God with a smile on your face, because the bag isn’t coming with you. 

By Joseph J. Mazzella


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Romans 12:15-18 “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”

1 John 3:16-18 “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”

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.”

Hebrews 6:10 “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward His Name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”

Colossians 3:23-25 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.”

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


Today’s Selected Poem: THE RIGHT WORDS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem173.htm

Today’s Selected Testimony: I'M AN OVERCOMER
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony76.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry