Welcome to Garden Ministry, where the soil of the mind is broken up, fertilized, and made ready for the toiling of the Holy Spirit.
Garden Ministry’s purpose is to encourage the workers in the field of the Lord, and to keep them looking up to Jesus.
This is the 16th letter:
Text for the day: Matthew 9:36
But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
Our Theme for the day: It’s Harvest Time
The Laborers’ International Union of North America is one of the most progressive, aggressive and fastest-growing union representing public service employees. The LIUNA members are on the forefront of the construction industry, a sector that is a powerhouse of 12 million workers producing 5 percent of the USA’s, economic output. With a half-million strong, they are united through collective bargaining agreements which help them earn a family supporting pay, good benefits and the opportunity for advancement and better lives. But with the demand of more work, there comes the call for more laborers. In the day of Jesus, this call for laborers became evident to the point of Jesus admonishing His followers to pray for more that the work may be finish. The book of Matthew begins the account of Jesus third Galilean tour, which was conducted during the winter of A.D. 29-30. Little is said of the events on the tour itself, but that this was a preparatory lesson to send them out two by two and apply the principles they had observed in the ministry of Jesus. As servants and leaders in the call to minister to others, there comes a time when you need to expand yourself in ministry. This brings us to a very important question, "Why would Jesus do this expansion or enlargement of Himself now?" The answer can be found in Matthew 9:37, which says,"Then He said to His disciples, the harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few."
Notice Jesus' opening statement in verse 36 of the same chapter, “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd”.
If there ever was a lesson of which we should learn, this is it, “It is only as the demand increase, that more laborers are needed”. Life is like this, when there are but few laborers to reap an abundant harvest much good grain will inevitably be lost, but were there are laborers equal to the task the harvest is abundantly good, and saved. Thus far there had been only one gospel harvest crew in the field gathering in the grain of the kingdom, and it was time for them to lay broader plans, for a greater work.
There is another lesson in this story. Up until this point, the leaders in Israel did not see the need for more laborers. Not that there were no schools of training for service and laborers, but their schools prepared them for an earthly work and not a heavenly one. They were also trained to look good in the standards of the world, and to forget their preparation for service in kingdom building and a heavenly home.
The disciples were also of the same mind preparing for an earthly ministry and the time had finally, come for Jesus to open to them the need of laborers in service for others. Finally, in verse 38 Jesus said to them, “Pray ye therefore." We ought to also pray. It is not that God is unconcerned or unaware of the need of more laborers, ----------. The disciples were to make this need the object of prayer in order that the Lord of the Harvest might have an opportunity to bring to their own minds a conviction of their personal responsibility, and help them to help others to see the urgency and need of the harvest.
For the most part, prayer is designed not to inform God of what He would otherwise not know or to prevail upon Him to do what He would otherwise not do, but to condition our own hearts and minds to cooperate with Him. We should pray, and then go forth in faith to cooperate with God in answer to our prayers. Like the twelve disciples whom Jesus sent out and commanded, He speaks to you and me today saying, “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you goon your journey, preach saying, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand." Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and raise the dead. Cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely you should give. As servants of God we are provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in our money belts. Nor bag for our journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.
“Now whatever city or town you enter then inquire who in it is worthy, and then abide there until you go out. And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, "It will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the Day of Judgment than for that city, Matthew 10:5-15! Just like it was in the days of the disciples, it is in our day. Today God is looking for laborers to work His fields, but only laborers who are willing to go through the preparatory training of His supervision for kingdom building. Today don’t allow anything or anybody to pull you away from his field of harvest and service.
Our Prayer for today:
Please join us as we pray for laborers to help reap the harvest in this harvest time.
Remember, you’re the only Jesus some will ever see.
If you are blessed by these “uplifting gems”, share them.
These letters are written by Elder Kevin Santucci
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