|
We should never look on the exterior to find interior fulfillment. Having
the mindset or belief that this world can bring fulfillment to our life by
having some physical possession, by reaching a goal or accomplishing
something profound is a misnomer that many people have falsely believed.
After the initial joy fades away, the same emptiness will come back and
they will once again find their heart wanting. This world with all of its
glitz, glamour and infinite distractions does nothing to bring fulfillment
within oneself, but when we become introspective and analyze our life we
will come to the realization that our spiritual being is what is most
important and what needs our attention in order to be fulfilled from
within. When our spirit man is at peace, our life will also be at peace.
When we are fulfilled within, our exterior will also portray the same
peaceful and content picture.
When we acknowledge the Lord as the leader and sustainer of our life, we
are taking the burden off of ourselves and we are giving it to God. We
take the pressure off of ourselves and we say to God “I trust you to lead
me on to the best path as you see fit for me.” Humility before the Lord
is our greatest asset. James 4:10 declares “Humble yourselves in the
sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” When we ask the Lord to lead
us, He will be faithful to hear and answer our heartfelt prayer. The Lord
will never lead those astray who depend on Him, who trust in Him and who
know that His Word can be trusted above all things and above all people.
If you are lacking the joy that so many others seem to possess, I invite
you to ask the Lord to fill you with His Joy that is unspeakable. If you
are lacking peace that so many others possess, you are invited to ask the
Lord to give you perfect peace that surpasses all understanding. We simply
must humble ourselves and ask for the Lord to intervene in our life. He
wishes and waits to do so, but we must ask Him for it.
I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to trust in the Lord
all the days of your life and know that with God in your life, it can reach
its fullest potential.
PARADISE WITHIN
My good friend and neighbor is dying. She has battled more health problems
through the years than anyone should have to endure. Now as she approaches
her 57th birthday she knows that it will probably be her last. She has
started giving away a lot of her things so her loving husband won’t be
stuck with her “Junk” as she says. She has already given me several books,
containers, clothes for my daughter and a beautiful Hawaiian shirt to add
to my collection.
She has given all of us around her much more than just her stuff though.
She has also given us her friendship, her kindness, and her joyous smile.
She has given us her wit, wisdom, and sweet laughter. She has given us her
shining spirit that has made all of our lives so much brighter. When my
daughter turned 19 my friend made her a red velvet cake and talked with
her about what is important in life. When a local dog was nearly killed by
a bear my friend welcomed it into her home and nursed it back to health.
When any of us needed anything she was there doing all that she could with
a heart full of love and a soul full of goodness.
She did all of this too while her health continued to grow worse and worse.
My friend, however, is not afraid of death. She has told me several times
that she believes it will only be like a brief sleep and then she will
awaken in Paradise. I am sure as well that she will fit right in there
because she already has a lot of paradise within herself. It is the
paradise within her that she has so freely and beautifully given to us all.
I thank God for giving me a chance to get to know her. She has shown me
that we all have a bit of paradise within ourselves. She has shown me too
that the best way to enjoy that paradise is to share it with everyone you
meet. I wish my friend only joy in her remaining days here and endless
love and life in her coming days in Paradise.
By Joseph J. Mazzella
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Psalm 23:1-4 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to
lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He
restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His
name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they
comfort me.”
Isaiah 55:6-7 “Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him
while He is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man
his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy
upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”
Romans 8:14-17 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the
sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear;
but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children
of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with
Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified
together.”
Psalm 116:1-2 “I love the LORD, because He hath heard my voice and my
supplications. Because He hath inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I
call upon Him as long as I live.”
John 14:13-14 Jesus declares “And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that
will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask
any thing in My name, I will do it.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORM
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem67.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: STEPHANIE'S TESTIMONY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony188.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
