Stand Part 3 (Holding on to the Principles)

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 29^th letter:

Text for the day: James 1:2-4

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Our Theme for the day: Holding on to the Principles

Heraclitus once said, “Think only on those things that are in line with your principles and can bear the light of day. The content of your character is your choice. Day by day, what you choose, what you think, and what you do is who you become.” The power principle is the greatest witness anyone can ever have, and of which mankind long for. This is the most trying area in life, holding on to once principle, even when the majority sees otherwise. Mrs. Potiphar of Egypt was a woman of high rank and should have known about the importance of principles. But she was willing to put that aside for a few moments to get next to Joseph, and cause him to compromise his principles. As servants of God you need to always see that Satan is trying in every avenue to cause you to fall, through the compromising of your principles. Principles are important; we have "principles of utility in our world, “when the means subordinate themselves to the ends in order to be affective.” And then there is principle of ethics, “which takes in the cause of liberty, and morality, when the principle establishes in the individual conscience that a norm of action is necessary for the realization of a value that is unconditional and universal.” Principles are good, for they act as a guide to a healthful action, if all abide by them.

But sad to say, we are living in a time when ecclesiastical powers and the powers of Government are challenging the Biblical principles of God, and the religious stand of the servants of God. But like Joseph, the servants of God are called to be true to their God, and Master in Heaven whatever the consequences. John Rawls rightly stated it when he said; “The principles of justice are chosen behind a veil of ignorance.” We must ask our selves, are we willing to hold up the principles of Men over the principles of God? Under the inspecting eye of God and holy angels many take liberties of which they would not be guilty in the presence of their fellow men, but like Joseph our first thought should be of God. We should always say, when faced with temptation, "How . . . can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"

If we were to cherish an habitual impression that God sees and hears all that we do and say and keeps a faithful record of our words and actions, and that we must meet it all in the day of Judgment, we would fear to sin. Let our youth ever remember that wherever they are, and whatever they do, they are in the presence of God. No part of our conduct will ever escape the observation of the all seeing eyes of God. We cannot hide our ways from the Most High. Human laws, though sometimes severe, are often transgressed without detection, and hence with impunity. But this is not so with the law of God. The deepest midnight is no cover for the guilty one. You may think yourself alone, but to every deed there is an unseen witness. The very motives of our heart are open to divine inspection. Every act, every word, every thought, is as distinctly marked as though there were only one person in the whole world, and the attention of heaven were centered upon you.

Finally, Joseph suffered for his integrity, for his tempter revenged her self by accusing him of a foul crime, and causing him to be thrust into prison. But had Potiphar believed his wife's charge against him, the young Hebrew would have lost his life; but the modesty and uprightness that had uniformly characterized his conduct before the accusation, were proof of his innocence; and yet, to save the reputation of his master's house, he was abandoned to disgrace and bondage. Today there is an enemy seeking revenge on you, and will try to accuse you of a foul crime to thrust you into prison and stop your good work. “My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested. But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything.” (Contemporary English Version) Don’t give up, don’t give in, keep the faith, God will take care of you.

We are into our fifth week, since Garden Ministry got started and it is growing with new people asking to subscribe to it each day. If you are gaining spiritual muscle mass, and strength through Garden Ministry, and would like to help some-one else gain Spiritual muscle mass and strength also. Then why not send Garden Ministry your Testimony? Ever Monday of the seventh week, Garden Ministry would like to share your Testimony with our faithful viewers and readers. So let us look back over these weeks and ask ourselves, which letter or message from Garden Ministry helped me to hold on to my faith? Look up and push on in the name of Jesus.

Our Prayer for today:

Please join us as we pray for soundness mind among all leaders, in their decision making today.

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

For further information, comment or requests, E-mail Garden Ministry: gardenministry.blogspot.com