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We should never think it a waste of time when we bless and encourage those
who may be alone, discouraged or just not feeling good about themselves.
Jesus who is our example taught that we should love one another just as God
loves us. He also tells us to give to others not because we want something
in return, but because we are children of the Highest and God who sees all
things will reward us in like manner. Living for ourselves and doing
things that only make our life better will not leave a lasting impression
on the world. When our lives are said and done, we will have regretted
that we did not impact the world like we should have. We are to see the
future with our minds eye and realize that life is worth living when we are
able to impact others for the better and leave a mark on their lives that
can never be erased. (1 John 4:7) (Luke 6:30-36) (Acts 20:35) (Matthew 10:8)
I hope this message encourages your heart to invest in the lives of others
and help to make them better than they were before. You are God's beacon
of light. Stand in your authority as a child of God and do positive things
that will make Him proud.
I KNOW YOU BY HEART
I recently heard someone say, “What you do for others you do also for yourself.”
I was confused at first, because it almost made me feel selfish. I mean, I
love doing things for other people, but my wife told me recently that I
always put others first. She was saying that was one of my faults. I needed
a little more “me” in my efforts to change the world.
I visit people in nursing homes, retirement and senior centers. I love to
spend time with older folks. It's like mining for gold. They have been down
the road ahead of me and I want to know what they have learned so that I
make the right choices.
A speaker at a conference I attended many years ago asked, “Where do you
think the most value real estate is in the world.”
Hands went up and offered big city names, resorts in development and exotic
locations around the world.
“Nice try,” he said. “The most valuable real estate are the cemeteries.
Buried there are dreams that might have changed the world, perhaps cures
for major diseases that were never developed and people who could have made
a difference in your life but never took the chance. What happened? No one
listened.”
I listen, I encourage, but I don't realize the value of what I do or
understand the impact.
It was during a recent visit to a new facility that I realized that my
efforts made a difference in the lives of those I met.
“How are you today?” I heard someone ask.
I turned around and scanned the room to see who was speaking.
“I heard the voice of an angel!” I said smiling. “Where are you?”
Then I heard a faint laugh in the corner.
“Oh, there you are. I am so lucky to find you today,” I said.
She was seated on an old Victorian looking couch. It reminded me of the
furniture in my mother's living room. We could only sit on it when company
came. So, I jumped at the opportunity to sit next to this wonderful woman.
Her hair was white and neatly brushed with an occasional wave gently
reflecting the light from the nearby window.
Her hands crossed on her lap resting on top of a knitted pink blanket that
covered her legs. Two practical looking walking shoes peeked out at the
bottom and a wooden cane was placed within her reach nearby.
“It's good to see you,” she said. “I love when you come to visit.”
I was a bit surprised to hear her say that. I had never been here before.
Maybe she was transferred here from another place and she remembered me.
“It's good to see you, too,” I said.
“You always brighten my day,” she added.
I sat quietly for a moment trying desperately to remember if we had met
before. I really love to remember names. It makes people feel good when you
remember.
Then I asked, “When was the last time I saw you?”
She turned her head away for a moment and then looking back at me, she
said, “Oh, we've never met, you and I. But I know you by heart.”
How curious. We never met, but she knows me by heart.
It must have been the look on my face that caused her to explain further.
“There is something about people like you. You are the ones who carry the
world on your back. When you walk in a room you make us smile. When you
touch my hand I can feel the warmth in your heart. People like you bring
flowers, music and sunshine. Even when you bring nothing at all, you leave
so much behind.”
I was humbled and at a loss for words.
“My, I thank you for saying that,” I said. “When you said, 'I know you by
heart,' I naturally felt like I must have met you before.”
“I know you by heart, because I always did the same thing. I always put
others first,” she said.
There it was again. “Putting others first.”
Then I shared, “I heard someone say, 'What you do for others you do also
for yourself.'”
“I am living proof of that,” she said. “You see, after all that time, after
all that caring it all came back to me. People like you now visit me and I
know you by heart.”
By Bob Perks
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
John 15:11-13 Jesus says “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy
might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my
commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love
hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth
not; charity vaunteth; not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself
unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things,
believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never
faileth...”
1 John 4:7-8 “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.”
Psalm 37:23-27 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and He
delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down:
for the LORD upholdeth him with His hand. I have been young, and now am
old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging
bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. Depart
from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: THE POWER OF HABIT
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem107.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony27.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry
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