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We should always portray an attitude of gentleness towards those around us
and allow them to feel the love and care that we have in our hearts for
them. Many times we go through life not really taking an interest in what
others are going through and in turn causing an uncomfortable relationship.
We must remember that God calls us the children of light who are meant to
encourage, lift up and strengthen those who are weak and discouraged.
We must take an interest in those who are feeling alone and discouraged and
let them know that they are loved and have much to offer this world. It is
in blessing others that we are blessed and it is in encouraging others that
we become encouraged. We will reap exactly what we sow, so be encouraged
to sow goodness, cheerfulness, hope and love and expect to reap the same in
your life. (Galatians 5:22-26) (Matthew 5:14-16) (Galatians 6:7-8)
I hope this message encourages your heart to bless those who persecute you
and allow the light that is within you to shine brightly where they will be
changed because of the example that you set forth.
ARE YOU ADOPTABLE?
One of my favorite activities is to visit our local animal shelter. It's a
bittersweet tug on my heart, as I would love to scoop up and take a bunch
of the animals home with me, yet I know that reality tells me I can not.
So, my time spent is mostly conversing with and petting the animals that I can.
There is one large dog there named, Otis, who is Not up for adoption. I
believe the Lord used this dog to teach me a valuable lesson. When I first
started coming to the shelter to visit with the animals, Otis would always
growl, bark and sometimes lunge at the cage. It didn't matter how much I
tried to talk to him, he was still very standoffish. Soon, I gave up
trying and kept my distance so as to not cause him any additional stress.
Months had gone by, and even when in the same room with Otis, I would just
ignore him and not go by his cage. Although, he wasn't barking or growling
at me anymore, I still maintained my distance. I just didn't trust him.
One day, a small, 4-month-old black lab puppy was placed next to Otis. I
went up and started talking to this puppy, gently and playfully. Little did
I know that the whole time I was talking to the puppy, old Otis thought I
was talking to him. Starved for attention and human touch, Otis placed the
side of his body up against the cage for me to pet him.
Was I nervous? You bet I was! This was the same dog I thought would bite
my hand off. I looked in his eyes and all I saw was one of God's creatures,
wishing only to be loved.
Slowly, I started to pet Otis and call him gently by his name. The joy in
his eyes was inexpressible.
How many times, I thought, had I treated a person in the same manner as I
had treated Otis? Maybe, because of their outside exterior, their
gruffness, rudeness or maybe even irritability, I had distanced myself or
even ignored them. Had I failed to really, really look and see their true
inner being? Like Otis, all of us long to be loved and accepted.
Isn't it wonderful that God accepts us and wants us just as we are? He
doesn't say, “Come, when you get your life in order.” or “Come, when you
stop with that bad habit.”, or “Come, when all your relationships are
mended.” No, when He says, “Come as you are,” that's exactly what He means.
Remember a kind soft word, gentle hug or smile may be all that is needed to
soften the hearts of the Otis's in this world.
And Yes, Otis is still at the shelter, and he's still one of my most
favorite dogs to spend time with!
Author Unknown
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Romans 12:15-18 “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. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with
all men.”
Philippians 2:3-7 “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in
lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not
every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the
form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made Himself
of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in
the likeness of men.”
Galatians 6:2-4 “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of
Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he
deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he
have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.”
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: JUDGE GENTLY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem180.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: MY SALVATION STORY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony120.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
