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We should always be quick to thank the Lord for every gift and blessing
that we have in our lives. Many times we get caught up with what we are
going through and fail to see our true blessings. If we take a moment and
think of the plight of others, we would soon find how much we have to be
thankful for. I believe the saying “you don't know what you have until you
lose it”, but it should not come to that for us to realize and appreciate
what we have. If we only imagine losing our most precious gifts, we will
be thankful for them right now. The blessings I am referring to are very
simple. The gift of your eyes and ears and even the gift of your legs.
Imagine how much more difficult life would be if you lost any one of these
simple abilities. We have much to be thankful for and we should always be
quick to let God know how appreciative we are for everything. A thankful
heart will give you a renewed appreciation and zest for life. Think of
your blessings and give thanks for them. (Deuteronomy 7:12-14) (Job 11:16-18)
I hope this message encourages and inspires your heart to always appreciate
every gift and blessing that God has bestowed upon you. Do not take them
for granted, but rather give thanks and know that you are abundantly blessed.
FIRST LIGHT
Back when us kids were small, there was a little kid two houses down that
was blind. Smart little guy too. He could read Braille at a sixth grade
level, and he was only six or seven. The way he ran, played and spoke to
you, it would be difficult to tell he was blind from a distance. His eyes
looked normal except for the slight cloud or film that seemed to be in
their depths.
In the early fifties, there was a new eye surgery that became available.
The parents looked into it and discovered with the doctors that there may
be a chance at some level of eyesight. They knew not what it would be, but
they were pretty sure it would be better than complete blindness, which he
suffered at the time.
Investigating further they discovered the cost, a staggering sum would be
an understatement. Insurance at the time wouldn't cover it. The people at
church, the whole neighborhood, well, the whole community found out about
it after awhile and some started little things to raise money. Gloria, the
little crippled girl who owned Shep The Wonder Dog who pulled her around
in a carriage her dad had made, started a lemonade stand in front of her
house to help. Several of us started a neighborhood vegetable stand selling
things from our gardens. They even had rummage sales and lawns were being
mowed that didn't need it. Special collections were being taken up in
church for the fund and all of it was going into the fund for his
operation. Our efforts even made the paper.
The family was contacted and it seems that a hospital out of town agreed to
do it for what was in the fund at the end of that summer. They were gone a
few days to get it done and when they returned, his whole head was bandaged
and he had to be kept inside for thirty days.
It was a cool, crisp fall evening when it was time to unwrap the bandages.
The room had to be darkened. We neighbors were all gathered on their patio
barbecuing and had brought all kinds of things to go with it while waiting
for the event. Their house was dark and it had gotten so clear in the
outside sky that the stars seemed to be flashing like a circus. I went
inside to see how things were going just as they opened the venetian blinds
a little for him to have his first glimpse of the world. Across the street,
a neighbors lights were on. He asked what it was and was told the neighbors
were home because their lights were on. He had never experienced seeing
lights before.
His parents gently led him out onto the patio where we were all gathered
watching in anticipation of his first visions. He looked around at all of
us who he recognized by our voices, but had never seen. Then he looked up
into the sky and exclaimed, “Look daddy, God's home, his lights are on.”
There was not a dry eye among us.
By Mark Crider
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Psalm 145:14-19 “The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those
that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them
their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the
desire of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all His ways, and
Holy in all His works. The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon Him,
to all that call upon Him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that
fear Him: He also will hear their cry, and will save them.”
2 Corinthians 12:8-10 “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it
might depart from me. And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for
thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore
will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest
upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in
necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I
am weak, then am I strong.”
Habakkuk 3:17-19 “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall
fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields
shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there
shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy
in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and He will make
my feet like hinds’ feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places...”
1 Peter 5:10-11 “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His
eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make
you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To Him be glory and dominion
for ever and ever. Amen.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: THE BRIGHTEST STAR
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem101.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: MADE STRONG THROUGH WEAKNESS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony183.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
