WORDS FROM THE PAST, IS FOOD FOR TODAY

This is the 143^rd letter:

Text for the day: Jeremiah 6:16

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.

Our Theme for the day: WORDS FROM THE PAST, IS FOOD FOR TODAY

Our Devotional

This past Sunday, I had the privilege of going back in time. A lady who I am working with decided to make a garden, but did not know how to make one. With my background and training in gardening she asked if I could help her. Seeing this as an opportunity to help, my wife and I went. What a morning it was to see not just the lady, but her mother, sister, father, and other members of the family looking on, as the lady and I made her garden. The thing that touched me so much was when I picked up and used an old tool, “a fork hoe,” about seventy years old, which was her grandfather’s tool. As we said our goodbyes, and drove off, my wife and I could not help but talk about the smiles on the faces of that family. Some times it’s good to go back to the old paths, especially if you are starting a new project, or you have lost your way in life.

When God starts His work in the believer’s heart, note, He always goes back to the old path. “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall Find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16. If you notice, this is not man speaking, but God. All would like to think that if God would come down to our house and speak, or work with us, all would listen. Sad to say this is not the result. The Bible goes on to say in the same verse, “But they said, we will not walk therein." If you needed help, and you asked for help, but don’t do anything with that help, then you have become like the people of Jeremiah’s time. The problem with many people who call themselves Christian’s today is that they have gone out of the old paths, the paths of righteousness and holiness, the path that lead to eternal life. What we need today is a big dose of old-time religion!

Unfortunately, many people equate "old-time religion" with the legalism of the past. I'm not for legalism, unless, of course, legalism is defined as obedience to the Word of God. I abhor the outward, legalistic trappings of twice dead religious systems. Such man-made standards have hurt the church as much as liberalism.

But we must walk the old paths if we will see a revival and reformation, in these final days. Walking in the ways of the world, promoting worldly activities, compromising doctrinal soundness for political expediency will never bring revival. It might draw a crowd, but it will never draw the purifying presence of God's Holy Spirit. The question has been asked, what kind of vessels does the Spirit of God use? What does the Bible say? "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30. God uses empty vessels. When we empty our minds of every defilement than we are ready for God to use us. But notice, we can not empty our selves; we need Jesus to help us.

Ask yourself this question, am I emptied of self? Am I cured of selfish planning? The times, in which we live, calls for a people with no self-occupation! May the Lord purify us, his people, teachers, pastors, evangelists; and churches of self today. God has given a rule for the guidance of all, and from this there can be no careless departure. But there has been, and still is, a swerving from righteous principles. How long shall this condition exist? How can the Master use us as vessels for holy service? Not until we empty ourselves of self and make room for the working of the Holy Spirit. God calls for his people to reveal him. Shall the world manifest principles of integrity that the church does not maintain? Shall a selfish ambition to be first be shown by the followers of Christ? Shall not the principles cherished by them be laid upon the true foundation, even Christ Jesus?

What material shall we place upon this foundation, that there may no longer be antagonism, but unity, in the church? Shall we bring to it wood, hay, and stubble? Shall we not rather bring the most precious material,--gold, silver, and precious stones? Shall we not distinguish sharply between the chaff and the wheat? Shall we not realize that we must receive the Holy Spirit in our hearts that it may mold and fashion the life today? We are living in perilous times, and God is calling for the true exposition of the Scriptures. Through the right teaching of the scripture, we will see correct moral development of character. Through the right teaching of the scripture, we will see both mind and body brought into subjection by the Spirit. Through the right teaching of the scripture, self will die; truth will expand, or elevate the mind of the believer, which will enabling them to reach holiness, perfection, and joy, in Christ Jesus.

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

Our Prayer for today:

Lord keep us in a right path, so we may know your will today.

Prayer Request

NONE:

A person who loves the Bible will also love to pray, and a person who loves to pray will delight

themselves in the Bible.

We are into our 43^rd 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.