There are times in life when we become discouraged because of something bad
that happened that we don't fully understand. When this happens, we are to
be conscious to the fact that we have not seen the full picture of what is
yet to come and should not judge that situation as purely negative. All of
us have been through situations that seemed bad at the time, but when we 
look back on it months and years later, we see how that "bad" situation 
helped us grow in wisdom, strength and faith. We are to trust that God is
in control and will work all things out for our good in His time. We must
also trust in His wisdom and remember that we're in safe Hands no matter 
the trial or tribulation that comes before us. (Isaiah 49:13-16) (Proverbs 3:5)

I hope you are encouraged by today's message to rest in God's wisdom and
strength and know that He will never fail you and will make all things work
together for good and not evil.


FOUR SEASONS OF A TREE

There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to Judge
things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and 
look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in
the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest
son in the fall.

When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe
what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and
twisted. The second son said no--it was covered with green buds and full
of promise. The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms 
that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful 
thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said
it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they
had each seen but Only one season in the tree's life. He told them that you
cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence
of who they are--and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life--
can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are complete.

If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring,
the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall. Don't let the pain 
of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. Don't judge life by one 
difficult season. Persevere throughout the difficult patches and better 
times are sure to come some time or later.

Author Unknown


Be encouraged to stand strong in the difficult times that come before you
and do not entertain the thoughts that you should just give up. God has 
created you with a special plan and purpose in mind and promises that in 
the appointed time you will see how the difficult and discouraging 
situations that came before you will be used for good to strengthen you and
make you better able to be an ambassador for the Lord Jesus Christ and His
eternal purposes. (Romans 8:31-37) (Psalm 139:17-18) (2 Corinthians 5:17-21)


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take
heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is 
common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted
above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to 
escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

John 16:21-22 Jesus declares "A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow,
because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she
remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart 
shall rejoice, and your Joy no man taketh from you."

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto
thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall 
direct thy paths."

Psalm 107:19-22 "Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and He 
saveth them out of their distresses. He sent His word, and healed them,
and delivered them from their destructions. Oh that men would praise the
LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!
And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His 
works with rejoicing."

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


Today's Selected Poem: DON'T LOOK BACK
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem152.htm

Today's Selected Testimony: THE REWARD
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony105.htm


In Christ's Service, 

Dwayne Savaya 
Gods Work Ministry