Gods Work Ministry Inspirational and Encouragement E-Mail Dear Friend, I hope you are doing well and in the best of health. I would like to take a moment and say thank you to all of the members that have written in to show their appreciation for this Ministry. It is very encouraging to know that Members are being blessed and encouraged to never give up and always strive for God's best. To God belongs all the Glory, Honor and Praise, because it is by His Spirit the blessings flow. This is a good story that reminded me that God is always with us even in the darkest times of our life. I hope it encourages you to continually trust the Lord and know that He will never leave your side no matter what may be going wrong in your life. He is our bright and shining star, even in the midst of the darkness. (Job 36:5-7) (Revelation 22:16) EVEN IF IT'S DARK He was a strong man facing an enemy beyond strength. His young wife had become gravely ill, then suddenly passed away, leaving the big man alone with a wide-eyed, flaxen-haired girl, not quite five years old. The service in the village chapel was simple, and heavy with grief. After the burial at the small cemetery, the man's neighbors gathered around him. "Please, bring your little girl and stay with us for several days," someone said. "You shouldn't go back home just yet." Broken hearted though he was, the man answered, "Thank you, friends, for the kind offer. But we need to go back home�where she was. My baby and I must face this." So they returned, the big man and his little girl, to what now seemed an empty, lifeless home. The man brought his daughter's little bed into his room, so they could face the first dark night together. As the minutes slipped by that night, the young girl was having a dreadful time trying to sleep...and so was her father. What could pierce a man's heart deeper than a child sobbing for a mother who would never come back? Along into the night the little one continued to weep. The big man reached down into her bed and tried to comfort her as best he could. After a while, the little girl managed to stop crying�but only out of sorrow for her father. Thinking his daughter was asleep, the father looked up and said brokenly, "I trust you, Father, but...it's as dark as midnight!" Hearing her dad's prayer, the little girl began to cry again. "I thought you were asleep, baby," he said. "Papa, I did try. I was sorry for you. I did try. But�I couldn't go to sleep. Papa, did you ever know it could be so dark? Why Papa? I can't even see you, it's so dark." Then, through her tears the little girl whispered, "But you love me even if it's dark�don't you, Papa?" For an answer, the big man reached across with his massive hands, lifted his little girl out of her bed, brought her over onto his chest, and held her, until at last she fell asleep. When she was finally quiet, he began to pray. He took his little daughters cry to himself, and passed it up to God. "Father, it's as dark as midnight. I can't see you at all. But You love me, even when it's dark and I can't see, don't you?" From that blackest of hours, the Lord touched him with new strength, enabling him to carry on. He knew that God went on loving him, even in the dark. By Ron Mehl Take this story as an encouragement to your heart and know that God is closest to you when you feel heartbroken and discouraged. Never allow the enemy of hell to make you think that God has forgotten you or will not help you in the situation that seems hopeless. Our God is a loving father who pities those who are downtrodden and has mercy on those who are of a broken heart. (Psalm 147:2-6) (Luke 18:27) (Luke 4:18) I encourage you to take comfort in the Lord and know that He will never leave you nor forsake you. The Bible says that God holds you as the apple of His eye and has even written your name on the palms of His hands. Call upon the Lord if life seems overwhelming, and ask God to help and comfort you while you are in the midst of the storm. He will be faithful to hear and answer your heartfelt prayers. (Hebrews 13:5-6) (Psalm 17:8) (Isa. 49:16) Read and meditate on these scriptures: 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 3:4-8 �I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.� Jeremiah 33:2-3 �Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is His name; Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.� 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.� All scriptures can be found in the King James Version. Today�s Selected Poem: TEN RULES FOR A HAPPY DAY Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/inpoem133.htm In Christ�s Service, Dwayne Savaya Gods Work Ministry Please feel free to visit the Website to read more Encouraging and Inspirational stories, poems and testimonies. Our E-mail Archives are available as well to read the messages that have been sent in the past. You can also send Free E-cards to friends and loved ones with the many choices available. You are also welcome to post your prayer requests in our Prayer Forum. All this and more available at --- http://www.Godswork.org You can also send prayer requests to --- Prayer@... Add your E-mail address if you'd like correspondence with the prayer partners. _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus