TAKE ME BACK (Part 3) (SHEPHERDS AND ANGELS)

 

 

 

 

This is the 105^th letter: 

 

Text for the day: Luke 2:15

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

                                                                                                                                                                                        

Our Theme for the day:   TAKE ME BACK (Part 3)

(SHEPHERDS AND ANGELS)

 

 

 

Our Devotional

 

 

Can I get a witness, came from the voice in front of the church. This was the first morning of the share your faith stories at a New Haven church in New Haven. This was a moment at the beginning of their worship service when anyone could come forward to make an announcement or testimony. People had a love-hate relationship with this time. On the one hand, it was a chance to see the diverse vitality of the congregation and to match a face and a name. For newcomers, it was a wonderful introduction to the strong lay leaders of our church. Announcements and testimonies had to be watched so they did not become long and tedious and interrupt the worship. As we look back in time to the week leading up to the birth of Christ, we see that God had prepared witnesses to testify of that glorious event.  In the book of Luke chapter 2:8 the Bible says, “And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger” Luke 2:8-16. The angels had long wondered at the plan of men’s redemption. They had watched for century’s the preparation of the beloved people, and now they where watching to see how the people would receive Him, not in his full glory but garb in humanity. While the nations around were dealing in fables and worshiping false gods. “To the land where the glory of God had been revealed, and the light of prophecy had shone, the angels came. They came unseen to Jerusalem, to the appointed expositors of the Sacred Oracles, and the ministers of God's house.” (DA 43)

As these heavenly messengers made themselves through the city, they were amazed with what indifference the people whom God had called to communicate His light where sleeping with His truth. This nation had been preserved as a witness for God, knew not that the time of His coming was now at hand. Leaders of which everyone looked up to, where in the temple for the morning and the evening sacrifice which represented the Saviour; but where not in the community pointing the people to the Saviour. These servant leaders were eating and drinking at the expense of the people, but knowing not that the greatest event of the ages was soon to take place. They took joy in their meaningless prayers, and rites of worship to be seen by men. Among these servant leaders they had strife for riches among themselves and worldly honor. As we look at the people of the scared truth, their hearts were full of selfishness and worldly engrossment, which snuffed out the joy that thrills the heart for service. Note, only a few were longing to behold the glorious event, of these where humble Shepard’s. There is a lesson hear for all to learn, God is not subject to the theological way of thinking. When theologians are looking for someone to call on to speak on behalf of them or as a recommendation for some one else they call on them who have been to the theological center. But God looks to call the humble.

This is not to say that God can’t use the theologian, but to him they must be humble. God can do far more with the humble with no formal training, than with the trained that are not humble. The Bible goes on to say that after these Shepard’s saw Jesus, they departed with great joy telling whoever wound listen, they made known the things they had seen and heard. In other words they became witnesses. "And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God. Luke 2:17-20

To you in the common walks of life, God is speaking to you, angels are longing to attend your steps if you will be led by God's command. We over the next twenty four hours should pause and reflect over the Saviour's great sacrifice in exchanging the throne of heaven for the manger, and the companionship of adoring angels for the beasts of the stall. Today as servant leaders what are you willing to give up? Human pride, self-sufficiency, may be the desire to be the first to achieve that big something in life. Paul reminds us to, “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits, Romans 12:15-16

Today let us take time to thank God for those humble Shepard’s, and those persistent angels.

 

Join us next time for another ray of sunshine from Garden Ministry.

 

Our Prayer for today: Lord, bless all your humble servant leaders with a double portion   of your spirit to serve thy people today.     Prayer Request For a mother who is looking for a church or organization of which   she can take her three girls too, so they can help with the serving   of food or anything that’s needed for the poor.   We are into our 28th week since starting Garden Ministry; 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 send Garden Ministry your Testimony at, http://gardenministry.blogspot.com/ . Garden Ministry would love to share your Testimony with our faithful viewers and readers. So ask yourselves, which letter or message from Garden Ministry helped 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 Kevin Santucci   For further information, comment or requests, E-mail Garden Ministry: http://gardenministry.blogspot.com/   Garden Ministry 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 Ministry. If you love to leave a comment, go to our website at http://gardenministry.blogspot.com/ and then 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 Ministry team, we wish you Gods riches Blessings.