|
It is important that we always have a childlike Joy and Enthusiasm for
life. We should never allow ourselves to get jaded and not appreciate
each new day that comes before us. So many times we get into a routine of
daily life that we forget how blessed and fortunate we are that we are
able to see and be a part of this day. We must have a reflective heart
and think on our many blessings and not allow the temporary trials,
challenges and setbacks to make us forget all the good that we have
encountered and experienced throughout our life. Focusing on the good is
a great way to minimize and marginalize the bad. When we make a conscious
decision to give Praise to the Lord for His provision, His sustenance and
His faithfulness, then we are setting ourselves up for a blessed, bright
and beautiful tomorrow.
We must have the right attitude in order to receive the right outcome. We
can't constantly murmur, complain and have a pity party about how tough
life is and expect Joy, Peace and God's blessings to overtake our life.
We must do our part; we must sow the right seeds and we must stay in faith
despite the challenges that seem so overwhelming and trust that God has
our best interest at heart and we must remember that every challenge that
comes before us serves a greater purpose to make us better, wiser and
stronger than we were before that challenge. The Lord is faithful to
bring us out of every trial as purely refined gold. The amazing thing
about gold is that the more it is put in the fire, the purer and more
valuable it becomes. It is through that firing process that separates the
elements from the gold making it that much more beautiful, valuable and
desired. That is why I believe we should see every challenge from the
proper perspective and know that we are becoming better because of it.
Let us have a Joy filled attitude and keep our hearts focused on the
faithfulness of the Lord. Let us not lose the song in our hearts and
forget the many times that God has delivered us in times past. I encourage
you to rekindle your zeal and zest for life. Don't allow the setbacks,
the discouragements and the detours to make you question or doubt your
faith, but rather let those refining moments make you embrace your faith
in the Lord and trust that He sees the end of the road that we are still
traveling on. If we call ourselves followers of Christ, then we must
follow where He leads in complete trust and surrender. When we do so, the
Lord will be faithful to never leave us nor forsake us.
I hope this message encourages and inspires your heart to see the many
blessings that surround you and focus not on what you are lacking, but
rather see all that you are fortunate enough to possess.
A TINY WAVE
Life is full of miracles. They come in all sizes too. Most people only
notice the big miracles, but the tiny miracles surround us every day. They
are gentle reminders of how much God loves us and how much we can love too.
I got one of these miracle reminders just the other day as I was driving
my handicapped son to the sheltered workshop where he works part-time. The
sky was full of gloomy, gray clouds, but they had not dampened my mood. I
was singing along with the radio and indulging in a favorite past-time of
mine: joy watching. I was keeping my eyes open for little things that
would uplift my heart and nourish my soul. So far that day I had noticed
patches of white Daises and Queen Anne’s Lace blooming along the side of
the road, the first red Maple leaves of the year, and a smiling dog sitting
on its front porch.
The best sight of all, though, happened just as I rounded a curve. A young
mother was waiting to cross the road. Her five year old daughter was by
her side. In the mother’s arms was another daughter about two. As I got
closer to the family the little toddler in her Mother’s arms saw us,
smiled, lifted her tiny arm, and began to wave at us. My son and I both
smiled and waved back at this little angel. Just then the gray clouds
parted for the briefest instant and a beam of sunshine broke through to
kiss that little girl with its light.
That miracle moment stayed in my heart the rest of the morning. I felt
God’s love flowing down from Heaven on that beam of sunlight. I saw His
lesson for us all too in that girl’s tiny wave. May we all live as she
does: joyously, lovingly, and enthusiastically. May we all share our own
smiles, waves, and light with everyone we meet in this world. May we all
be the miracle and help to bring a little more Heaven to Earth every day.
By Joseph J. Mazzella
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Job 23:10-12 “But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I
shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held His steps, His way have I
kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of
His lips; I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.”
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.”
Psalm 103:1-5 “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless
His holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who
redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness
and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy
youth is renewed like the eagle's.”
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...”
Psalm 28:6-8 “Blessed be the LORD, because He hath heard the voice of my
supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in
Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my
song will I praise Him. The LORD is their strength, and He is the saving
strength of His anointed.”
Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath
begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: MY DECISION
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem12.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: AN ANGEL BY MY SIDE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony194.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
