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1173rd -- Birthday Thoughts

  

We should always be quick to think on the fragility of life. There are so 
many moments in life when we lose perspective of what's most important and 
instead of relishing in and enjoying the important things in our life, we 
become distracted, lose focus and we are quick to murmur and complain 
about the trial or setback that we are facing. When we are quick to look 
past our blessings, it is easy to fall into the trap of being ungrateful 
for all that we possess. What we must realize is that the good in our 
life greatly outweighs the bad, and when we choose to look on the bright 
side of things, we are guiding our life towards thankfulness, towards 
appreciation, towards gratitude and towards giving praise to the Lord who 
has freely given us all things. (Matthew 6:25-34) (Psalm 34:1-8)

The Bible says having food and clothing, let us be therewith content. The 
word content is defined as being in a state of peaceful happiness. God 
tells us if you have clothes on your back and food in your belly you 
should be in a state of peaceful happiness. Nothing else is required for 
you to be filled with peace and happiness. You don't need a bigger house, 
you don't need a better job, you don't need that possession that may look 
so appealing, but deep down has no significance or relevance concerning 
your state of peaceful happiness. (1 Timothy 6:6-9)

All that you require to be content is already within your possession. 
Nothing else is required and yet still the decision is yours to make. No 
one else can be happy for you and no one else can cause you to be happy. 
It is a decision that you must make. You must realize how much you do 
have in your life and show the Lord with your words and actions that you 
are thankful and appreciative for all that He has graciously given to you. 
(Philippians 2:14-15)

I encourage you to see with refreshed eyes how fortunate you really are. 
Don't look at others with envy, but be introspective and see how much you 
have to be thankful for. When you start counting your blessings and not 
your problems, your heart will be filled with gratitude and your mouth 
will be filled with praise for how good God has been to you.
(Proverbs 23:17) (Galatians 5:26)

I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to look at the 
brevity of life so that you can appreciate every day and use all of it to 
the best of your ability.


BIRTHDAY THOUGHTS

I celebrated another birthday recently. As I sat down that evening with a 
belly full of red velvet cake and chocolate chip ice cream, wearing the 
new Hawaiian shirt my daughter had bought me, it occurred to me that I had 
already passed the midway point of my life here. I had already lived 44 
years on this world. Statistically, I had about another 30 years left, God 
willing. Sitting in the quiet of the evening, though, I realized that 
whether I had 30 years, 30 days, or 30 minutes left I didn’t just want to 
let them pass me by. I wanted to truly live them.

I have decided then to give up regretting the past and dreaming about the 
future. Both are a waste of time. The past is over. It taught me a lot and 
for that I am truly grateful, but I can only live today. The future hasn’t 
even happened yet. Why should I dream of being happy in some fantasy, 
perfect future when I can instead choose to be happy in the wonderful if 
imperfect present?

I have decided as well to stop worrying about money and thinking about how 
much better my life would be with more of it. Looking back I realized that 
money had never once bought me happiness. Money had paid bills and bought 
stuff, but every bit of joy in my life had come from love. It had come 
from God loving me and me loving God. It had come from the love I gave to 
others and the love I received back from them. It had come from loving 
life, myself, and my neighbor as myself. Money may have helped feed my 
stomach, but love is what fed my soul.

That then is what I have decided to do with my next 30 years: just love. 
With love, life is glorious and without love, life is meaningless. Is it 
any wonder the two greatest commandments are about love? Is it any wonder 
that every great story, beautiful song, and well-lived life is about love? 
Love is what God created us for. Love is what we are meant for. Without 
love life is wasted. With love life is truly lived.

Look for me in the next 30 years. I will be the one hugging my children 
with loving arms. I will be the one watching the sunset with a loving 
smile. I will be the one singing along with the radio with a poor voice, 
but a rich heart. I will be the one dancing in the leaves, playing with my 
grandchildren, and petting my cats and dogs. I will be the one living with 
love, writing about love, walking the path of love, and sharing God’s love 
with everyone I can. I will be the one cherishing every single, beautiful, 
loving moment that I am given here.

I hope that all of your birthdays are joyous ones. I pray that all of your 
years are loving ones. I wish that you truly live every day you get here. 
And most of all I pray that you will take God’s hand and sing, dance, 
laugh, and love your way into Heaven.

By Joseph J. Mazzella


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

1 Timothy 6:6-10 “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. But they 
that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish 
and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the 
love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, 
they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many 
sorrows.”

Isaiah 26:3-4 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed 
on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for 
in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.”

Psalm 91:1-4 “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall 
abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my 
refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. Surely He shall 
deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou 
trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”

Matthew 6:19-21 Jesus says,
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon 
earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through 
and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither 
moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor 
steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”


All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. 


Today's Selected Poem: TEN RULES FOR A HAPPY DAY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem133.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
God’s Work Ministry

 
 

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