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We should be quick to show our generosity towards those in need around us
and remember that we will reap exactly what we have sown. No good deed
will ever go unnoticed by the Lord because He has promised that every deed
done openly and in secret will have a just reward. The Bible declares in
2 Corinthians 9:6-7, “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap
sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let
each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity;
for God loves a cheerful giver.” Be encouraged to allow the Lord to bless
you by the blessings that you bestow upon others. We can never out give God
so we should do for others all that we can with a pure heart and in doing
we who gave will receive the greater blessing. (Galatians 6:7) (Matthew 6:3-4)
I pray this message inspires your heart to love others unconditionally just
as God loves you and I hope you are challenged to give with a pure heart
knowing that God will be well pleased with how you treated His creation.
THREE COWS
It was a year I will never forget! 1988 would see my family move back to
the States after spending eight of the most rewarding years of our lives
in the mission field of Thailand. Our departure was more sudden than we
had anticipated, as there were problems in our home congregation and the
money just was not there. Paula and I prayed for wisdom, and the answer
came loud and clear. Yet, we had made so many friends; and it was difficult
to pack up eight years into shipping crates and footlockers, get on a train
which would take us to an airplane, and just leave!
But we did!
However, before we left, we spent several weeks traveling all over the
country saying good bye to those we loved so much. It was a difficult
assignment, but God provided the grace we all needed.
I remember one particular good bye that will stay with me forever, or I
hope it does. His name was Paw Phim. Paw in the Thai language is a term of
respect and endearment for older men. It is equivalent to our “Father”.
Paw Phim had become like a second father to me, for it was in his village
that I preached my first sermon in Thai. On that particular day, I knew no
one understood, but Paw Phim took my hand after the sermon and told me it
was one of the finest sermons he had ever heard.
Years later I would ask Paw Phim if he really understood what I said, and
he told me, “Of course not, but what your face and heart said on that day
spoke much louder than what came out of your mouth. I knew then that you
loved the Thai people, and it was then I became to love you like a son.”
Wow! Aren't I a lucky man?
Paw Phim was the last stop on my circuit of “good byes”. It was the most
difficult. I didn't usually bring food when I went to visit him because it
offended him. But I was tired of seeing him get up at 4:00 in the morning
and walk over a mile on those swollen, beaten up knees, to go to a small
pond to seine a few little fish for me to have in my soup and rice for
breakfast. I was tired of seeing his family do without so I could have a
little meat with my rice and vegetables at the evening meal. For my last
visit, I brought two chickens and a bag full of vegetables and fruit. He
didn't like it one bit and accepted it begrudgingly.
However, I was not to outdo Paw Phim! At our last meal, we had roasted beef
along with a host of other delicacies. It was unbelievable! We never had
beef -- there just wasn't any to be had -- water buffalo, yes, but not real
beef from a cow! Yet there it was.
I asked him where he got it and he told me not to worry about it. I was to
eat it and enjoy it for this was the least he could do for me before we had
to say our good byes. I kept digging, because I wanted to know what he had
just done for me. It was then that my heart began to break, for I found out
that Paw Phim had slaughtered his only cow, which gave milk to his grand-
kids, so I could have beef at our last meal.
I gently rebuked him and offered to give him money to buy another cow. It
was then that these words poured out of his weather-beaten face, “Joe, I
didn't give my cow to you, I gave it to God. Do you think I would do that
for you?”
Again, Wow! How does God make people like this? I don't know, but everyone
should have a Paw Phim in his or her life!
This story came to its powerful conclusion three years later. I went back
to visit my second home in Thailand. Of course I went to see Paw Phim. His
health was bad, but his mind and heart were the same. He asked me if I
remembered that cow he had slaughtered, and I said that I had. He then took
my hand and led me to the back of his house. Standing there were three
beautiful cows!
I asked Paw Phim where he got them, and his answer? “Where do you think I
got them, Joe? God delivered them to me three weeks after you left!” No, I
didn't buy those cows, but someone did! How God provided those three cows
I'll never know, but I don't need to know!
The point of this story is not about the cows, but about the faith and
trust of a Thai Christian named Paw Phim who lives on the other side of
the world, yet still teaches us that faith and trust will always win the
day! Thank you Paw Phim! I'll see you soon.
By Joe Bagby
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
1 John 4:18-21 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out
fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in
love. We love Him, because He first loved us. 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.”
Romans 12:9-10 “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is
evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another
with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.”
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.”
Revelation 22:12-13 Jesus declares “...Behold, I am coming quickly, and My
reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the
Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: MESSAGES TO REMEMBER
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem110.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: SAVED IN CHILDBEARING
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony111.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
