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There are many moments in life when we are tempted to lose our peace
because we allow what the world is doing to influence our own hearts. We
are tempted to believe the lie that happiness can only be attained if we
had that kind of house or that kind of car, etc. We fall into the trap of
wanting what our neighbor has and instead of being happy within ourselves,
we lose our peace and replace it with envy and jealousy. Possessions don't
make the person, but many times the person feels incomplete without the
possession. What we must realize is that what we possess is just as good.
The main issue is our heart. (Isaiah 26:3) (Psalm 111:1) (Proverbs 4:23)
Are we focusing on the right things? Are we thankful and appreciative for
our family, our health, our children, our job? These are the things that
are most important. The heart filling joy that the simple things bring
should be thought upon more often than what the world is doing and what
the world possesses. Be happy right now where you are. Appreciate your
life. Look at the greatness that surrounds you and soon you will see that
you are the fortunate one. (Psalm 30:12) (Habakkuk 3:17-19) (Psalm 139:14-18)
I hope this message inspires and encourages your heart to be appreciative
for all that you have right now. See the beauty of life with refreshed
eyes and know that you have much to be thankful for.
WARM HEARTS
The cold weather of Winter returned to the mountains of my home recently.
Several inches of fresh snow fell again covering the landscape in white.
Steam rose from my breath as I walked my dogs outside. A quiet peace
filled the woods around me as I smiled and breathed in deep the chill of
the air. I didn’t mind that my nose was numb and my fingers felt like ice.
I didn’t mind that my feet were cold and my lips were chapped. I didn’t
even mind that my middle-aged bones were aching a bit. I didn’t mind any
of it, because my heart was warm.
My heart was warm with the beauty of the evening sunset over the far
mountains. My heart was warm with the delight of watching my dogs jumping
joyfully in the snow. My heart was warm with the peace and love of God
that I felt within me and all around me while I walked over this sparkling
field of white.
I was thinking too that if God can keep our hearts warm in the middle of a
cold Winter’s day then God can keep our hearts warm in the middle of a
sometimes cold world. Yes, this world is often full of heart freezing
hate, bone chilling apathy, and bitterly cold meanness. Sometimes we worry
about even going out in it for fear that it will turn our own souls to
ice. God’s love, however, is always there waiting to keep us warm and
waiting to help us warm the world around us as well.
God loves us so much. He gives us so much peace, love, joy, beauty, and
delight to warm our hearts, souls, and minds. He gives us so many
opportunities to choose and share this glorious warmth everyday of our
lives. He gives us all the chance to be one with Him and to help Him bring
this warmth to the world. It is up to us, however. We can wrap ourselves
and others in the warm coat of God’s love and joy or we can continue to
shiver out in the cold.
By Joseph J. Mazzella
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Galatians 6:1-4 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are
spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering
thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so
fulfill 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 Timothy 6:6-8 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we
brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing
out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the
things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth;
shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers
in the desert.”
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.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem2.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: GOD SAVED MY DAD
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony144.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
