There are many people in this world who only want for their own betterment. They don’t think about the plight of those who are less fortunate than them because their sole focus is on what they can gain, accumulate and possess. To me that is a sad way to go through life because this one life that God has entrusted us with is not meant for accumulation, but it is meant for dispersion. We are meant to give away more than we gain. We are meant to give away joy, wisdom, affirmation, forgiveness, love, encouragement and show by our positive actions Whom we belong to. The moment we start only focusing on ourselves and what we can gain that is the moment that we have stopped allowing God's will to be done and we begin fulfilling our own will which will ultimately leave us wanting. Thankfully, I have come to the realization fairly early in my life that it is better to give than to receive, better to be a blessing when we have the opportunity and better to impart love and encouragement into someone else’s life because that will live on in their hearts far longer than any possession will have meaning in our own life. (Luke 6:27-36) (Proverbs 15:6-9)

A hundred years from now every possession that we worked so hard to have will either be destroyed, lost or forgotten about, but the good works that we do throughout our life will testify on our behalf long after we have gone into eternity. The good works, the blessings, the joy, the love, encouragement and impartation of God’s goodness towards another will create ripple effects that may have started with us, but will continue on far longer than we can even think or imagine ourselves. That is why I love what the Bible says in Galatians 6:7-10 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 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.” (Romans 14:19) (1 John 4:11)

We must remember and keep in mind that God is keeping a record of everything that is done openly and in secret. The prayers we pray, the good we do, the blessings we bestow are all written down and will one day testify on our behalf when we stand before God and give an account over our life. May we be eternity minded right now so that our actions will be deliberate with the intent of fulfilling God’s will for our life and leading all men to the One who loves them, died for them and wishes to be with them for all eternity. (Matthew 6:1-4) (Revelation 20:11-15)

I hope this message inspires, challenges and encourages your heart to never turn a blind eye to one in need, but do your absolute best to make every tough situation in their life a little bit better.


THE YOUNG MAN AND THE LEPER

There is a story from the Middle Ages that has always touched my heart. The grown son of a rich merchant was walking down the road towards his home after visiting friends. As he neared a curb he heard the ring of a leper’s bell coming from the other way. At that time Leprosy was a highly contagious and incurable disease. Lepers were not allowed in the towns and were forced to ring bells and warn others of their approach as they walked the roads. Before the young man could leave the road the leper rounded the curb and was suddenly face to face with him. 

The leper’s face and body had become horribly disfigured by the disease and when the young man saw him he drew back in disgust. As the leper lowered his head and began to walk on, however, the young man felt his heart breaking for the man. He quickly caught up to the leper and apologized for how he had acted. Then he gave the leper all the money he was carrying and hugged him. The leper looked at the young man with tears in his eyes and said that was the first time anyone had touched him in many years. That blessed moment began a change in the young man’s heart and started him on a different path that would also affect the whole world. You see, that young man would later become Saint Francis of Assisi. 

There are many types of “lepers” in our modern world that could use our love, help, and hugs. The homeless, sick, poor, disabled, elderly, and mentally handicapped often have to wear the “bells” that society forces on them. Many of them go through life either avoided or looked down upon. Like that young man, though, we can make a difference in their lives with just one gesture of caring and love. Like him we can let God’s love shine through us to touch their hearts and souls. And we may also find as he did that their love can touch and change us for the better as well. Remember, in God’s eyes there are no leper’s only children needing and deserving love. 

By Joseph J. Mazzella


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

2 Corinthians 9:6-9 “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.”

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.”

Romans 12:10-16 “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another...”

1 Thessalonians 5:11-14 “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”

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


Today’s Selected Poem: THE POWER OF ONE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem125.htm

Today’s Selected Testimony: THE PINK BIRDS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony155.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry