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With the many stresses that life brings our way, we should make every
effort to not lose our peace and have a lighthearted attitude seeing the
good and not the bad. We must look past the present situation and see the
big picture with the end result being our victory. The Lord has promised
that He would keep us in perfect peace because our mind is stayed on Him.
When we have confidence in God's ability to deliver us, there will never
be anything powerful enough that will cause us to stress or worry over
that situation. Has your car broken down? It's no problem, you can get
it fixed. Have you lost your job? It's no problem, there are many other
jobs out there better than the one that you had. (Isaiah 26:3) (Mark 10:27)
No matter the situation, we must stay in peace and let God know that our
eyes are focused on Him and not on the problem. He is able to make a way
even when there seems to be no way. He can make a new road. He can pave
a new path. The Lord God Jehovah can do the impossible. Let us stay in
peace and trust Him. Do not stress. Do not worry. Have confidence in
the God who created you. He loves you and wishes for you to be victorious
in life. Make Him proud by proving God right. (Romans 3:3-4) (Psalm 20:6-9)
I hope this message encourages your heart to not stress or worry no matter
what happens in your life. See the good that surrounds you. Focus on
your blessings and you'll soon find that the stresses that were so
dominant in your mind will soon be made to no affect.
HIGH NOON
I had worked long and hard on this project. Knowing it was finally
complete gave me great satisfaction. But it was high noon on one of the
hottest days of this summer and I was drenched with sweat, a little burned
on my now balding head, and my knees were painfully sore.
I had this planned over the past several summers always finding a good
reason to put it off. Well, maybe not a good reason. Any excuse would do.
I hate painting. Staining the deck is very low on that list of things I
should and need to do. Right above coating the driveway with tar oil.
That's at the very bottom.
That is also next on my list of things I must do this year.
Like all things I put off, once they are complete, I stand proudly over
them, beat my chest, and gloat over the accomplishment.
“Perfect!” I said. “Now, all I have to do is keep the dogs off of it.”
I went about setting up barriers using old fence, deck chairs, planters,
and anything I could find. I directed them out the back door and off to
the side so as to avoid footprints both on the oil paint and our carpet.
It worked perfectly.
Just before retreating to the house and to a much needed shower, I took
one last look at this fine work of art.
“What is that?” I said. “Where did that come from?”
Clearly marked and evenly spaced across the entire area, I found tiny
marks running in straight lines and inexplicably in circles.
Making my way tucked close to the house, I carefully stepped to the very
edge of the deck closest to our flower garden. It was there I found
several of the small markings.
Upon closer observation I discovered that these were indeed footprints.
“I can't believe it!” I whispered. “What can I do now?”
In my frustration, my foot slipped and I was now standing on the freshly
stained decked. I crouched down in disbelief and sighed. I was baffled by
it all because I thought I planned for all the possibles of the human and
animal size, never considering the fact that my yard is inhabited by
creatures as small as this.
Now, almost frozen in place by this stunning discovery, I remained in
position so as to prevent further damaging my work.
Just then, off to my left, it appeared. The culprit! The menace of my
masterpiece. The graffiti artist responsible for this act.
A chipmunk.
He was as stunned as I was. We stood there face to face looking at each
other, wondering who would make the first move.
“How could you?” I said. He didn't blink an eye. (I'm not really sure if
chipmunks can blink.) It was like the scene from “High Noon,” where two
men standing on main street wait to see who draws first.
He actually sat down.
He's teasing me, taunting me now.
The warm, humid air was now getting the best of me. Sweat that once easily
soaked into my hair, now ran freely over my bald spot, and in poor timing
into my eyes. I reached up to rub them and when I opened my eyes he was gone.
I won the stand off! He ran first.
My legs now cramped, my body soaked, my spirit crushed, I looked around
for something, one thing positive in all of this.
My only satisfaction was in thinking that when he returned home he tracked
oily footprints into his own home. And, hoping he was married, his wife
would not let him live it down for the rest of his life.
Suddenly, I heard the leaves on the two tall trees nearby begin to rustle.
I looked off to my left where I came face to face with my enemy. Out of
nowhere, at the urging of the wind, a small bunch of daisies show their
faces, retreating on and off until a smile came to my face.
In comparison to all the woes of the world this deserves no more stress or
acknowledgement. I did build all of this to make my yard more beautiful
and for the enjoyment of family and friends. I do count among those
friends all the creatures great and small who bring joy to my life simply
by watching them.
I stood up, shook my head, and laughing about it all walked into my house.
Yes, I tracked oil on the carpet. I am married. My wife will not let me
live it down for the rest of my life.
But I out stared a chipmunk at high noon.
By Bob Perks
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Psalm 138:6-8 “Though the LORD be high, yet hath He respect unto the
lowly: but the proud He knoweth afar off. Though I walk in the midst of
trouble, Thou wilt revive me: Thou shalt stretch forth Thine hand against
the wrath of mine enemies, and Thy right hand shall save me. The LORD
will perfect that which concerneth me: Thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for
ever: forsake not the works of Thine own hands.”
Psalm 34:17-19 “The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth
them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a
broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the
afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.”
2 Chronicles 7:14-15 “If My people, which are called by My name, shall
humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked
ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will
heal their land. Now Mine eyes shall be open, and Mine ears attent unto
the prayer that is made in this place.”
Joshua 1:9 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be
not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee
whithersoever thou goest.”
Psalm 37:4-7 “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the
desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in Him;
and He shall bring it to pass. And He shall bring forth thy righteousness
as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait
patiently for Him...”
All scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: DO NOT FEAR
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem174.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: FATHER KNOWS BEST
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony109.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
