We should be quick to recognize our blessings and share in the bounty of 
what God has given us. The true heart of the believer is to see the needs
of those less fortunate and do their best to make a bad situation a little
better. The Bible declares in 1 John 3:16-18 “By this we know love, because
He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for
the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in
need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in 
him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed
and in truth.” Be encouraged to show your love and care through your words,
deeds and actions and allow God’s love to emanate through your life where
all who come into contact with you will be blessed. (Matthew 10:7-8)

I hope this story ministers to your heart to be more giving towards others
and realize that God will be well pleased with what you did with His gifts.


A RACCOON STORY

My fingers were locked in the death grip mode on a half filled bag of 
bread. My mom was taking me to the zoo and I wanted to feed the birds and
raccoons.

We had taken the time to tear the bread into little bits so they would last
longer. This was a special occasion for a seven-year-old boy. I placed my
two shiny quarters on the counter and walked into the zoo.

It wasn't a big zoo, but it was the only place I could see monkeys and an
old lion. They had a few things to play on and didn't seem to mind if 
little kids fed a few of the animals.

The ducks and geese acted as if we owed them the bread and became 
increasingly upset with us if we failed to keep the stale bread coming. I
got tired of that pretty quickly and wandered to the raccoon cage.

The furry criminals looked at us with joy and shuffled quickly to an 
awaiting tube. The zoo staff had installed a metal tube that allowed 
children to place food in the top and gravity took it from there. Two or 
three of them would stretch their raccoon hands as far into the tube as 
possible hoping they would be the one to grab the tasty morsel. Then they
would run to a corner of the cage and hiss at any other raccoon that had 
designs on their prize catch.

I have discovered that I can be a spiritual raccoon. I know God is the 
giver of all good gifts and I struggle to catch one of His blessings and 
then I run and hold tightly to the blessing. I know it could bless others,
but - IT'S MINE!!! Get your own, leave me alone.

I like to think of those raccoons from time to time and I don't like to 
think of myself as greedy, yet I wonder if there might be some blessing I
could give that I have been selfishly holding.

If memory serves me correctly, when I have shared in the past, I am always
blessed by the sharing. So, today I share with you a raccoon story and a 
boy who saw the need to share so long ago, yet must continually learn the
same lesson.

By Glenn A. Hascall


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Galatians 6:7-8 “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.”

Romans 12:19-21 “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give 
place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, 
saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, 
give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Matthew 5:16 Jesus says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may
see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 “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. See
that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is
good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”

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


Today’s Selected Poem: ENRICHING THOUGHTS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem157.htm

Today’s Selected Testimony: STEPHANIE'S TESTIMONY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony188.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry