We should always have a cheerful countenance no matter the struggles, challenges or hardships that we may be going through. Many times people base their joy and happiness level on how few troubles there are in their life, but what they fail to realize is that their blessings greatly outweigh their challenges and if they thought about the many things that they were favored with they would quickly find their joy and gladness be filled and overflowing. King David said in Psalm 34:1-4 “I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” King David knew that God would be there to lift him up when he fell, to strengthen him when he was weak and to encourage him when he felt alone. That is why David said he will bless the Lord at all times, not just in the good times, but even in the midst of heartache and trouble because he already knew he would come out of that situation better, wiser and stronger. (Romans 8:27) (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

That is why I believe we should keep our joy filled at all times and use our positivity to encourage and influence those around us who need to see the good that is in their life. Sometimes one only needs to have their prospective changed in order to change their outlook on life. When they focus more on the good that is before them they won’t be quick to murmur and complain about the challenge that is in the path. When they are reminded of how blessed they are to have their spouse, their children, their health, their employment, they will begin to change their mindset from one of complaints to one of Praise and Thanksgiving. King David said in Psalm 138:7-8 “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou wilt revive me: Thou shalt stretch forth Thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and Thy right hand shall save me. The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: Thy mercy, O Lord, endureth forever: forsake not the works of Thine own hands.” We will always stay faithful to the Lord and encourage others to do the same because with God by our side all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26) (Proverbs 15:13)

I hope this message inspires and encourages your heart to be one who spreads joy and gladness towards everyone you come into contact with so that you can help to make a bad situation a little bit better.


SNOOPY GIRL

We added a new member to our household recently. We adopted a 2 month old female beagle that we affectionately named Snoopy Girl. Snoopy shares a lot of the same qualities of the comic strip dog she was named after. Just like the “Peanuts” Snoopy our new puppy has a sense of adventure, stubbornness, and independence. She also shares his wonderful joyousness, enthusiasm for life, and boundless appetite. Most of all, though, our Snoopy shares her namesake’s loving nature. She will bound up and give anyone close enough a shower of kisses. The kids and I don’t mind this at all and will laugh happily at her cheerful affection. The cats, however, often react like “Lucy” and will leap for higher ground to get away from the dreaded dog germs. 

Watching my Snoopy Girl has given me a fresh lesson in living. From now on I am going to try and follow her wonderful example. Like her I am going to do my best to greet each day with energy, adventure and joy. Like her I am going to try and find enthusiasm and delight in everything that comes my way. Like her I am going to do all I can to share my love happily with everyone everywhere no matter what I get in return. It doesn’t matter, after all, if you get hugged by “Charlie Brown” or yelled at by “Lucy”. All that matters is that you continue to Love. 

I pray that Snoopy Girl continues to bless me with her happiness and vitality for years to come. She not only has a love of living, but also a life a loving. I think that God in His loving wisdom must have given us animals like her for a special reason. In the midst of our daily work, struggles, and details of living they remind us of what life is truly about: giving love and sharing joy. May we always clearly see the lessons they teach. May we always follow them in our hearts, souls, and lives as well. 

By Joseph J. Mazzella


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

John 15:11-13 Jesus says “These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

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 4:20-21 “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”

Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus declares “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

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: JESUS STILLS HEALS TODAY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony35.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry