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The generosity that comes from our hearts and is passed on to the hearts of
others is something that will never be forgotten. What we must remember
about life is that it is fleeting. We can be here one moment and gone the
next and all we will have left on this Earth is what we did to help others
become better. When we see someone in need and do something to help their
situation, we are ministering to them physically, emotionally and
spiritually. When we give to someone in need, we are showing them that
love abounds, we are encouraging their hearts to never give up and we are
acting as ambassadors of God bringing light to a dark situation. People
simply need to know that others care for their well-being and when we act
as Christ did while He was on the Earth, we are following His command to
treat others as we would like to be treated.
A quote that I love by Charles Spurgeon says “A good character is the best
tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you.
Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.” No matter how great our own
difficulties are, we still have the ability to be encouragers. We may not
have the greatest of wealth, we may not be able to give as much as we'd
like, but when we do something kind for someone else despite our own
hardships, we will make an impact that is inconceivable in our own minds.
God is able to take the smallest of pebbles and use it to create the
biggest of ripples. We simply must surrender ourselves so that we can be
used to make that ripple that will never be forgotten. Be encouraged to
be that tower that sheds light in every direction. Allow your life to
impact the lives of others by giving, helping, encouraging and challenging
all people to believe in themselves again and showing them how special
they are in God's eyes.
I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to be that beacon
of light and hope to a hurting generation letting them know that good
exists and that it is abundant upon the Earth.
IT MUST BE RAINING
The images flash across my television screen as I sit there in the comfort
of my home.
“It's that time of year again,” I thought to myself.
Then realizing how foolish that was to say, I sat up in my chair and
watched closer.
The news reporter was telling the story of one of many food banks in our
area that were serving those in need of the basics for the holidays.
This particular place had both food and clothing. Food for the body and
warm second hand coats for children.
“It's that time of year again,” replayed in my mind.
I meant that throughout the holidays we see such reports over and over,
unlike the other 11 months when the same people are hungry, in need of
clothing, basic services and a little help with life.
Maybe I said it because I was becoming numb to it all, like watching the
same commercials a hundred times.
I was about to feel the real impact of it all.
I was sitting at the counter having breakfast at a local diner the next day.
It's a small “quaint” place. Local people, husband and wife cook and serve.
A man walked in and sat next to me. There is little elbow room as it is and
he was a big fellow.
On top of the milk dispenser is a small television placed there for both
the customers enjoyment and the owners when things get slow.
It just so happened that the news was on and once again that same report
on the food bank. This time it included more information and a few
interviews of some of the people who participated.
There was a little girl looking through the coats. The reporter asked her
if she found something that fit.
She turned toward the camera and smiled. She flipped her soft brown hair
up over the collar as she pulled and tugged at the front to make sure it
would zipper properly.
“I like this store. Mommy said I could have any coat I wanted, but I'm
getting this one for my friend. Her daddy won't come here. Mommy says he's
too proud. Whatever that means. All I know is Mandy needs a coat.”
Out of the corner of my eye I could see the man next to me lower his head.
Without looking up he fumbled for a napkin and began to wipe his eyes.
“Incredibly sad, isn't it?” I said.
He didn't respond.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Yes,” he said quietly.
“Hey, don't feel bad, I've shed many tears through the holidays for those
who don't have nearly as much as I and I am in no way financially set for
life,” I told him.
“I'm a writer. I live on my dreams,” I added.
He turned toward me. I could still see the dampness of tear filled eyes.
He raised his hand to his chest and pointing at himself he said...“I'm
Mandy's father. That's the first I've seen that. The little girl goes to
school with my daughter.”
Oh, my god! My chest tightened, my hands shook and I shared in his tears.
“It must be raining,” he joked.
We spoke for a few more minutes about how he felt and what he needed to
do. Turns out he's unemployed for more than a year now and doing odd jobs
to pay bills.
We said our goodbyes and I approached the register.
I whispered that I wanted his check.
“He only gets coffee,” she said.
“Well, here. This is for my meal, his coffee and tell him this is for
Mandy. He'll understand.”
Many years ago I spoke at my friend's church in Atlanta, The Ark of
Salvation. A woman came up to me and said God told her to give me
everything she had in her wallet. I was shaken by the thought and began to
refuse it. Things were better for me back then. I couldn't justify what
she offered.
God spoke to me as I listened to her explain.
“It isn't very much, but God said that it would multiply. Please take it.”
I did. I shared the story with Nathaniel Bronner, the pastor of the church
and he smiled assuring me I did the right thing.
It was $57. I always carry it with me until this very day. I give it away
and replace it. It has indeed multiplied many times.
God is an amazing God Who has never failed to replace that $57 each and
every time I use it.
I turned to walk away and another man sitting at the counter grabbed my arm
and said...“I overheard your conversation with that man. I'll help him, too.”
He then wiped his eyes and said, “He's right. It must be raining.”
By Bob Perks
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
1 John 3:16-18 “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down
His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But
whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth
up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed
and in truth.”
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.”
Hebrews 13:5-6 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be
content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave
thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper,
and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
Luke 6:37-38 Jesus says, “Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn
not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and
shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For
with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: THINGS TO FORGET
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem141.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: ANGELS IN THE ROOM
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony84.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
