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It is important that we trust the Lord in every area of our life and
realize that God will work all things out for our good when we place our
faith and confidence in Him. The Bible declares in Romans 8:28 "And we
know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them
who are the called according to His purpose." No matter how unfair life
may seem right now, we are to stand strong in our faith and know that God
will work things out for our benefit in ways that we never thought
possible. Be encouraged to put your trust in the Lord and know that your
latter end will be much brighter and blessed than any former misery's that
came your way. (Psalm 18:1-3) (Psalm 118:6-11) (Ephesians 6:10-14)
I hope you are encouraged by today's message to live your life by faith and
know that in the end good will come no matter what you may be going
through right now.
NO REGRETS
Not many people have heard of Bill Havens. But Bill became an unlikely hero
of sorts -- at least among those who knew him best. Here is his story.
At the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, the sport of canoe racing was added to
the list of international competitions. The favorite team in the four-man
canoe race was the United States team. One member of that team was a young
man by the name of Bill Havens.
As the time for the Olympics neared, it became clear that Bill's wife would
give birth to their first child about the time that the U.S. team would be
competing in the Paris games. In 1924 there were no jet airliners from
Paris to the United States, only slow ocean-going ships. And so Bill found
himself in a dilemma. Should he go to Paris and risk not being at his
wife's side when their baby was born? Or should he withdraw from the team
and remain with his family?
Bill's wife insisted that he go to Paris. After all, competing in the
Olympics was the culmination of a life-long dream. But Bill felt conflicted
and, after much soul searching, decided to withdraw from the competition
and remain home, where he could support his wife when the child arrived.
He considered being at her side his highest priority -- even higher than
going to Paris to fulfill his dream.
As it turned out, the United States four-man canoe team won the gold medal
in Paris. And Bill's wife was late in giving birth to their child. She was
so late, in fact, that Bill could have competed in the event and returned
home in time to be with her when she gave birth.
People said, "What a shame." But Bill said he had no regrets. For the rest
of his life, he believed he had made the better decision.
Bill Havens knew what was most important to him. Not everybody figures that
out. And he acted on what he believed was best. Not everybody has the
strength of character to say no to something he or she truly wants in order
to say yes to something that truly matters. But for Bill, it was the only
way to peace; the only way to no regrets.
There is an interesting sequel to the story of Bill Havens...
The child eventually born to Bill and his wife was a boy, whom they named
Frank. Twenty-eight years later, in 1952, Bill received a cablegram from
Frank. It was sent from Helsinki, Finland, where the 1952 Olympics were
being held. The cablegram read: "Dad, I won. I'm bringing home the gold
medal you lost while waiting for me to be born."
Frank Havens had just won the gold medal for the United States in the
canoe-racing event, a medal his father had dreamed of winning but never
did. Like I said -- no regrets.
Thomas Kinkade eloquently said, "When we learn to say a deep, passionate
yes to the things that really matter...then peace begins to settle onto
our lives like golden sunlight sifting to a forest floor."
By Steve Goodier
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto
thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall
direct thy paths."
Psalm 20:6-9 "Now know I that the LORD saveth His anointed; He will hear
him from His Holy Heaven with the saving strength of His right hand. Some
trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of
the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and
stand upright. Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call."
Psalm 34:1-5 "I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall
continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the
humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and
let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and
delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto Him, and were lightened:
and their faces were not ashamed."
Philippians 4:8-9 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things
are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good
report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these
things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard,
and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today's Selected Poem: WHAT DOES HOPE DO FOR US?
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem114.htm
Today's Selected Testimony: GOD WILL NEVER LEAVE OUR SIDE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony52.htm
In Christ's Service,
Dwayne Savaya
Gods Work Ministry |
