We who are fortunate enough to have our health and finances should be quick
to lend a helping hand and encourage those who need to be uplifted. The 
Lord Jesus calls us the children of light who are meant to brighten every
dark situation and show forth love where heartbreak and despair abound. By
spending time investing our life in the lives of others, we will bring so
much benefit to those around us and we'll make our world a better place to
live. Take some thought on what you can do to bless someone else and make
a decision to do it today. (Romans 12:15-21) (Matthew 5:14-16) (Eph. 6:5-8)

I hope you are inspired and challenged by today's message to take the
initiative and invest wisely in the lives of others where your life will
be made better because of the impact that you've had on those around you.


THE VISITING FRIEND

Jasper was of no special breed. He was just a little black and white 
longhaired, terrier cross. And he wasn't a registered therapeutic dog, but
his visits were certainly therapeutic.

It was a joy to see the expressions on the faces of many of the people when
they saw us walking in to the “Home” to visit his special person, “Auntie
Clare.” Some folks, who normally sat with a blank expression on their 
faces, literally came “alive” when they saw us coming down the hall with
Jasper. We often took our cat. Honey, too. “Auntie Clare” called Honey
“her” cat. But it was Jasper that the other residents at the home looked
forward to seeing. His visit was a special treat. But I'll let Jasper tell
his own story.

I love to visit the nursing home, and down the halls I love to roam. But 
first I check the nurses out to see if I may walk about. They always say,
“We're glad you've come. The folks all here call you their chum.”

I've come to see a special friend. I know she'll be there in the end. But
first I'll greet some other folk, my head they'll pat, my back they'll 
stroke. So onward down the hall I go; although my progress may seem slow.
These are my friends all sitting there. Some are sleeping; some just stare.
Too bad these people at the home seem oh, so sad, and all alone.

They sit and dream of days gone by. It breaks my heart to see them cry.
And yet, how they all come alive when they see me—a dog—arrive. There's
Mr. Johnson in the hall. I heard that he has had a fall. He can no longer
wheel his chair: I'll lick his hand to show I care. Though Mrs. Ansley 
cannot hear, she always senses when I'm near. She offers me a small tidbit,
but always makes me beg for it.

I feel so sad for Myra Wynde. Oh, did I mention? She is blind. I go so 
softly up to her. She puts her hand into my fur. She pats my head, and
says to me, “To know you're grand I need not see.” For Mr. Smith I do some
tricks. To poor old Joe I give some licks.

There are so many folks to greet. To them my visit is a treat. 

Ah! There she is in her wheel chair. I see her coming-Auntie Clare. I
wiggle-waggle, full of glee. Her face lights up when she sees me. “Where
have you been? It's been so long!” She then sings me a little song. Her 
memory is no longer keen. She won't remember that I've been. But that's
okay. I do not care. At least I know that I've been there.

By Helen Dowd


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

1 John 4:7-11 “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and 
every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not
knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God
toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that
we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that
He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved,
if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”

Romans 12:14-17 “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. 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.”

Hebrews 13:1-3 “Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain
strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them
that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as
being yourselves also in the body.”

1 Peter 3:8-11 “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of 
another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for
evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye
are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will
love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his
lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him 
seek peace, and ensue it.”

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


Today’s Selected Poem: MY VERY BEST GIFT
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem166.htm

Today’s Selected Testimony: DELIVERED FROM AN ACCIDENT
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony152.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry