Who is wise? (Part 1)

This is the 99^th letter:

Text for the day: 1 Corinthians 4:3-4

But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, ⁴ whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

Our Theme for the day: Who is wise? (Part 1)

Our Devotional

Benjamin Franklin asked a question one day, who is wise? He went on to say, “He that learns from everyone.” As the hearers of Benjamin Franklin listened to him, he went on to ask three more questions. Who is powerful? He that governs his passions! Who is rich? He that is content! And who is that? Nobody! It is clear and all would agree that even thinking men at times can ere. Not that Benjamin Franklin was not infallible he was, but at times God used him. At times Benjamin Franklin would admit and confess that Proverbs 3:7 was the central theme of his life. “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.” Today almost every one believes that it is the eloquent worker in the work force that is most needed. On the contrary, it is not learned, eloquent men or workers that are needed in the work force. But those with a calling in the area appointed them, who are in great need of.

The same can be said of those who are called to serve in the Lord’s work. Many would have you believe that God is working through the learned or eloquent persons in the church only, but this is not true. Like it was in the days of Christ first advent, it would be the same in the days of His second advent. God worked through humble, Christ like men and women, who had learned from Jesus of Nazareth to be meek and lowly, and who where trusting in His strength not theirs, that was needed in the work of the Lord then. In likeness, it is not learned, eloquent men or even workers the Lord needs now. But humble, Christ like men and women, who have learned from Jesus of Nazareth to be meek and lowly, and who are trusting in His strength, that is needed in the work of the Lord right now. This is by no means saying that God will not use the learned, or the eloquent person. But they must be humble and Christ like. The world is looking for impassiveness; expressiveness; and persuasiveness, but God is looking for humility, and willingness.

As one reads the Bible it is very few times in history where you see God using the learned, or eloquent. Most times when God needs to do a special work He called upon the unlearned, or maloquence which is one who is butchery of language, the humbled God fearing persons. These He sent into the highways and hedges to give the invitation, "Come; for all things are now ready." As the year is coming to a close, we must ask ourselves these questions. Do I have a burden for the work that I bear for Christ's sake? Am I giving my all in willingness in unpaid or paid service to the Lord? Do I have a complete surrender to God, if not, why not? To you who are trying to complete projects on time for bonuses, promotion, or success, is it for the right spirit? Remember the measure of our love for God and of our success in life is service to others. Many Christians are working at cross purposes with God. They tell us that they are waiting for some great work to come to them. They neglect the daily duties of life. These seem to them to be uninteresting and unimportant. They long restlessly for a large place. Day by day they lose opportunities to show their faithfulness to God. While waiting for some great work, their life passes away. It’s not the big steps that matter but the small once. Lao Tzu puts it this way, “The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”

There are lessons for each one to learn in the daily experience. Be patient, and perform faithfully the work given you, however humble it may be. Go about your work calmly, relying upon God for strength. Look not anxiously into the morrow. Today employ your time to the very best account. Today let your light shine for Christ, even in the performance of little duties. Tomorrow again present yourself to Jesus as one ready to do any work, be it ever so humble. The faithful performance of today's duties will prepare you to take hold of tomorrow's work with fresh courage, saying, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped me." Ever stand as minute men before God. Let the prayer of your heart be, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? (Acts 9:6) Imbue me with Thy Spirit; strengthen me for Thy Work." Thus you will grow up to the full stature of men and women in Christ. These are the wise once. Will you not follow them?

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

This is our 27th 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? Our Prayer for today: Lord, help us to listen and be willing to follow your instruction that we may be wise; and not be fools and not ignore them. Prayer Request Let us pray for Alvin and Lucy Goulbourne who will be traveling by car on Tuesday from Huntsville Alabama to Ohio to their nephew's funeral which is on Wednesday. From there they plan to drive to MD to spend the holidays with their daughter,son-law and grand children. If you have a prayer request let us know, so we can pray for you. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; If you are blessed by these “uplifting gems”, share them. These letters are written by Elder Kevin Santucci For further information, 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 would 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.