This is the 166th letter:
Text for the day: 1 C orinthians 9:27
Our Theme for the day: “Mind and body”
Yesterday as I was talking to my wife
about ministry, I could not help but say, today is a hot day. Then it hit
me, we are in the summer months which calls for some change in the way you do
things. Like more water in the body then usual and the wearing of the right
clothes. The change of the season reminds me of our body and the things one
must do in preserving it in the total scene. When you look at the market of
health, there is so much stuff out there to help the body in the area of
health. To those who work in these areas we say thank you for spending long
hours in finding the right cure to help those in need of better health. But
to have a higher quality of heath means more then just seeking for it when you
are sick. A higher quality of health is more then a health program, not that
there is any thing wrong with that.
In all truth, the highest health
program we can have is a way of life. If a poll was taken on health and health
care, so many wonderful things would come out of it. Today this devotion is
designed to encourage you to take another look at your health and health care,
by asking these questions. How can I preserve my health, and the full vigor of
my power? Is there anything I should eat or drink that can ensure good health?
Should I have a check up every six months, or once a year? Let me say, in every
area of life to preserve the quality of the full vigor of all our powers should
be for the accomplishment of the work ministry first. This applies in
all areas of life. On the other hand, whatever detracts from our physical
vigor, will weaken our mental effort. Hence, every practice unfavorable to the
health of the body should be resolutely shunned immediately. Let us take the
council of Paul, "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection, lest
that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a
castaway." 1 Corinthians 9:27.
Keith Krell in his sermon
“Living for God's Approval” said, “Paul makes this contrasting statement, “but
I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to
others, I myself will not be disqualified.” With the judgment
seat of Christ in mind, Paul writes, “but I discipline my body and make it
my slave.” The word translated “discipline” literally means “to
strike under the eye” or “to beat black and blue.” Paul beat his body into
submission doing all that he could to ensure his success. He deliberately
knocks himself into unconsciousness, so to speak, thus bringing his body into
“slavery.” Most people, including many Christians, are slaves to
their bodies. Their bodies tell their minds what to do. Their bodies decide
when to eat, what to eat, how much to eat, when to sleep and get up, and so on.
An athlete cannot allow that.
He follows the training rules, not
his body. He runs when he would rather be resting; he eats a balanced meal when
he would rather have a chocolate sundae; he goes to bed when he would rather
stay up; and he gets up early to train when he would rather stay in bed. An
athlete leads his body, he does not follow it. It is his slave, not the other
way around.Many people hate the word “discipline” as much as “self-control.”
Yet, Paul says both are necessary. However, being disciplined in yourChristian
life doesn’t mean being straitlaced, sober, and sad. It means measuring
everything you do by the goal of pleasing Christ. Discipline means asking
yourself, “Is what I’m doing now going to help me win myChristian race later?”
If you struggle with discipline, then
consider a workout routine and partner.” We cannot maintain consecration
to God and yet injure our health by the willful indulgence of wrong habits.
In life self-denial is one of the
conditions, not only of admission into the service of Christ, but of
continuance therein. Finally, if ever there was a time when self-denial should
be taught it is now. Christ Himself declared, in unmistakable language,
the conditions of discipleship by saying, "If any man will come after me,
let him deny him self, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Matthew
16:24, Luke 9:23.
To be Selfless this calls for our all as servant leaders. Yet, how many followers of Christ are unwilling to exercise self-denial even for Christ's sake? How many? How often the love for some pernicious indulgence is stronger than the desire for a sound mind in a sound body. Precious hours of probation are spent, God-given means squandered, to please the eye or to gratify the appetite. Custom and tradition, holds thousands in bondage to the earthly and sensual, and many are willing captives. Do they desire a better portion? It is our prayer that they will before probation closes. May God help us all to this end!
Join us next time for another ray of sunshine from Garden M inistry.
Our Prayer for today:
Loving Lord, bless your people that they may work with
you in the line of good heath. Help them with their mind
and body, that it may be one in Jesus name Amen.
Prayer Request
No Request
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We are into our 55th week since starting Garden M inistry;
it is growing with new people asking to subscribe to it each day.
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and strength through Garden M inistry, and would like to help
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share your Testimony with our faithful viewers and readers.
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you to hold on to your faith, or helped someone else hold on to theirs?
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 K evin Santucci
For further information, comment or requests, E-mail Garden M inistry:
Garden M inistry would love to thank you today for your prayers and continual
faithfulness of sharing these letters with others like your self. Thank you for
your insightful comments to Garden M inistry. If you love to leave a comment,
follow the directions and then you will be finished. Truly I am encouraged how
little can become much when you place it in the master’s hand. To all our
faithful readers on behalf of the Garden M inistry team , we wish you Gods
riches B lessings.
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