"Jesus, You are the Center of my Joy"

 

 

This is the 174^th letter:

 

Text for the day: Hebrews 4:15

 

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.”

 

Our Series: “The Provision of Salvation” Part 2

 

Our Theme for the day: “Jesus, You are the Center of my Joy”

 

Our Devotional

 

Have you ever been hated for doing something good? How did you feel? Did you long to go back home, or just resign? The Bible reveals to us this very thing when we look at the mission of Jesus from heaven to earth. When Jesus came to earth in the fullness of time his one goal was to redeem and restore falling men. From youth to adulthood, nearly all He came in contact with hated or rejected Him, He was not understood. Bear in mind, He would leave all heaven with its glory, to appear upon earth as a man, and humble him-self even to the death of the cross. He was acquainted by His own experience with the various temptations with which mankind where beset.

 Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” To have power and not call upon it can be frustrating, but Jesus submitted himself to the mission, that He might know how to help and understand those who should be tempted. Some believe that Jesus bore our suffering in His divinity. But not so! The Bible teaches that every temptation that came Jesus way while on earth, He bore in His humanity.  His dreadful hours of agony before a kangaroo court and leaders, even angels could not look upon, but veil their faces from the sight.

Not merely agony of body would He suffer, but mental agony, that with which bodily suffering could in no wise be compared. The weight of the sins of the whole world would be upon Him. Today, right now, why don’t you thank God for the plan of salvation, for He is worthy to be praised? One day the work of the plan of salvation will come to a close, the question we need to answer is will my sins be forgiven, or if not will it keep me out of God’s kingdom. Remember God’s word says, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13.

 

Today let us reflect on this great salvation through Jesus by listening to Neville Peter singing - Jesus, You are the Center of my Joy - Praise Medley

 

Click:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG8YfYkh7cI&feature=related

 

This letter was written by Elder Kevin Santucci

 

 

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

 

Our Prayer for today:

Thank you Father for your great plan of salvation in Jesus name Amen.

 

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.

 

Share your prayer needs with our

network of intercessors.

 

 

You and your health:

 

 

What do many Medical Experts argue is the most

 

"important system in your body"?
The ONLY Natural Health Product of its kind that is listed in the PDR

 

(Physicians Reference Book) 35 years of research and development

 

and is FDA approved. This might be the most important question you

 

ever ask!!

 

For more information see www.immunotec.com/237562 .

 

 

 

We are into our 58^th week since starting Garden Ministry;

why not send Garden Ministry your Testimony or prayer request today to,

 http://gardenministry.blogspot.com/ .

 

"We have the mind of Christ"

 

This is the 173^rd letter:

 

Text for the day: 1 Corinthians 2:16

 (King James Version)

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

 

Our Series: “The Provision of Salvation” Part 1

 

Our Theme for the day: “We have the mind of Christ”

 

Our Devotional

It was known as Operation Moses, when 8,000 Ethiopians fleeing famine-struck Ethiopia arrived in Israel. In 1985 the Israeli Government ended weeks of rescue which began in November 21, 1984. As the Arab world was angered by Khartoum's decision to co-operate with Israel and allow charter planes to fly from Sudan to Ethiopia it was clear the mission to save would continue. These Jewish people from Ethiopia, who claim to be descendants of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, trace their lineage back almost 3,000 years were in need of help and help arrived.

Today there are millions across the world who do not fully understand the plan of salvation, at least the basics of the plan of salvation. The Bible teaches that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Infact the testimony of John is clear when he said, “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life” 1 John 5:11-12. John wants all to know that we can’t live long enough to get good enough to be saved without Jesus in our lives. You may be asking the question, what about Penances, mortifications of the flesh, constant confession of sin, without sincere repentance, are these not avenues where by we can obtain salvation?

What about being factual, or celebrating festivals, and outward observances, unaccompanied by true devotion are these any value whatsoever in our salvation? No! The Bible teaches that the sacrifice of Christ is sufficient; He made a whole, efficacious offering to God for men by His death on the cross. In other words human effort without the merit of Christ is worthless. Today there are so many people that are taken this course, but the Bible forbids this plan of salvation. This type of plan of salvation not only dishonors God, but destroys our present and future usefulness. On the other hand, sad to say, many denominations are supporting this debasing influence which is devaluing the sacrifice and offering of Christ on the cross. It has led to the unsound and perilous theories concerning the salvation that has been purchased for us at an infinite cost by Jesus.

As this mistruth of salvation is building momentum in Christendom, the call should still be by the true servants of God that our pardoned of sin is only through Jesus Christ, and any other way is false. Today God is longing to renew us in the spirit of our mind. For He says, "A new heart will I give unto thee." In other words God is longing that the image of Christ be stamped upon our minds. The apostle says, "But we have the mind of Christ" 1 Corinthians 2:16.

This mind of Christ can only be obtained by the transforming process of the Holy Spirit. Our natural propensities to sin, with all it’s strength, must undergo a new change from slavery to sin and the devil to servant to righteousness and Jesus. God is calling upon us to put away our plans for salvation, like our idols, theories, our old taste and ideas. Because Heaven would be no place of joy to them; for everything would be in collision with their tastes, appetites, and inclinations, and painfully opposed to their natural and cultivated traits of character. These things lead away from Christ. Solomon understanding this said, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25. Finally, like the Jewish Ethiopians where ready and prepared to flee the famine-stricken Ethiopia in 1984, 1985 under operation Moses, let us do all we can through the Holy Spirit to be prepared for Jesus, so He can take us to Heaven were we shall continue in our study of the plan of salvation and never get tired.

 

This letter was written by Elder Kevin Santucci

 

 

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

 

Our Prayer for today:

Lord, thank you for those who have answered the call to serve.

Bless their gifts, that the church and community may be edified

and we be prepared for your coming in Jesus name, Amen.

 

Prayer Request

 

Five silent requests have come for health concerns:

 

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

delight themselves in the Bible.

 

Share your prayer needs with our

network of intercessors.

 

 

You and your health:

 

 

What do many Medical Experts argue is the most

 

"important system in your body"?
The ONLY Natural Health Product of its kind that is listed in the PDR

 

(Physicians Reference Book) 35 years of research and development

 

and is FDA approved. This might be the most important question you

 

ever ask!!

 

For more information see www.immunotec.com/237562 .

 

 

 

We are into our 58^th week since starting Garden Ministry;

why not send Garden Ministry your Testimony or prayer request today to,

 http://gardenministry.blogspot.com/ .

"Never judge someone"

 

 

 

 

This is the 172^nd letter:

 

Text for the day: Matthew 7 (King James Version)

 

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

 

 

Our Theme for the day: “Never judge someone”

 

Our Devotional

 

Today I will share a massage that was sent to me by a good friend of mine named Dr. D. IT MAY OPEN A LOT OF EYES, HOPEFULLY More HEARTS, AND KEEP SOME MOUTHS SHUT TO Never JUDGE ANYONE.

Some people!' snorted a man standing behind in the long line at the grocery store. You would think the manager would pay attention and open another line, 'said a woman. At the front of the line to see the hold up was A well dressed, young woman, trying to get the machine to accept her apparent credit card. No matter how many times she swiped it, the machine kept rejecting it. It's one of them welfare card things. These people need to get a job like everyone else,' said one of the men in the line. The young woman turned around to see who had made the comment. It was me,' he said, pointing to himself. The young lady's face began to change expression. Almost in tears, she dropped the welfare card onto the counter and quickly walked out of the store. Everyone in the checkout line watched as she began running to her car. Never looking back, she got in and drove away.

 Several minutes later a young man walked into the store. He went up to the cashier and asked if she had seen the woman. After describing her, the cashier told him that she had run out of the store, got into her car, and drove away. Why would she do that?' asked the man. Everyone in the line looked around at the fellow who had made the statement. 'I made a stupid comment about the welfare card she was using. Something I shouldn't have said. I'm sorry,' said the man. Well, that's bad, real bad, in fact. Her brother was killed in Afghanistan two years ago. He had three young children and she has taken on that responsibility. She's twenty years old, single, and now has three children to support,' he said in a very firm voice. I'm really truly sorry. I didn't know,' the complainer replied, shaking both his hands about. The young man asked, 'Are these paid for?' pointing to the shopping cart full of groceries. It wouldn't take her card' the clerk told him.

Do you know where she lives?' asked the man who had made the comment. Yes, she goes to our church. Excuse me,' he said as he made his way to the front of the line. He pulled out his wallet, took out his credit card and told the cashier, 'Please use my card. PLEASE!' The clerk took his credit card and began to ring up the young woman's groceries. Hold on,' said the former griper. He walked back to his shopping cart and began loading his own groceries onto the belt to be included. 'Come on people. We got three kids to help raise he told everyone in line. Everyone began to place their groceries onto the fast moving belt. A few customers began bagging the food and placing it into separate carts. Go back and get two big turkeys,' yelled a heavyset woman, as she looked at the man. NO, yelled the man. Everyone stopped dead in their tracks.

The entire store became quiet for several seconds. 'Four turkeys, yelled the man. Everyone began laughing and went back to work. When all was said and done, the man paid a total of $1,646.57 for the groceries. He then walked over to the side, pulled out his check book, and began writing a check using the bags of dog food piled near the front of the store for a writing surface. He turned around and handed the check to the young man. She will need a freezer and a few other things as well, he told the man. The young man looked at the check and said, “This is really very generous of you.”

No, said the man. Her brother was the generous one. Everyone in the store had been observing the odd commotion and began to clap. A great example of why we should be kind and patient. Kindness is the language the blind can see and the deaf can hear. Never judge a person because you never know what heartaches they are living with. A good saying to remember is there goes I, but for the grace of God. You should never pass judgment until you have walked a mile in their shoes. Finally in the word of Jesus I end with His words. “Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.” Matthew 7:4-5

This was written by an anonymous writer.

 

 

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

 

Our Prayer for today:

Father, help us not to judge anyone falsely from this day forward.

 

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.

 

Share your prayer needs with our

network of intercessors.

 

 

You and your health:

 

 

What do many Medical Experts argue is the most

 

"important system in your body"?
The ONLY Natural Health Product of its kind that is listed in the PDR

 

(Physicians Reference Book) 35 years of research and development

 

and is FDA approved. This might be the most important question you

 

ever ask!!

 

For more information see www.immunotec.com/237562 .

 

 

 

We are into our 58^th week since starting Garden Ministry;

why not send Garden Ministry your Testimony or prayer request today to,

 http://gardenministry.blogspot.com/ .

FW: "No big I and small you"

 

This is the 171^st letter:

 

Text for the day: 1 Corinthians 12:28

 (New International Version)

 

“And God hath set some in the church first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.”

 

Our Series: “HE GAVE GIFTS TO HELP US” Part 5

 

Our Theme for the day: “No big I and small you”

 

Our Devotional

 

As the members of the Godhead is one and work together in unity. God has set for Himself through the Holy Spirit that His church also be one and united. Yet the unity of the church could never be accomplished by earthly means, but only through the Holy Spirit dispensing itself through the gifts of it members. Let me say, “when we read 1 Corinthians 12:28-31, by no means is Paul trying to say that there is classification, or rank of one gift of more importance in the office of the church.” If we believe this then we limit the power of the Holy Spirit special endowment and ability to work through who it wills in Gods last day church.

Here are some of the parts or gifts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership or administration, and those who speak in different languages. With so much head butting and fighting for position in Paul day, he had to ask this question in verse 29. “Are we all apostles? Are we all prophets? Are we all teachers? Do we all have the power to do miracles? Do we all have the gift of healing? Do we all have the ability to speak in different languages? Do we all have the ability to interpret different languages? Of course not! Like the people of the church at Corinth were admonished to seek the Lord most earnestly for the out pouring of the Holy Spirit we must do the same.

Also, let us not text our minds as to who we want to lead out in God’s work, where ever it may be in the world. But let us deal directly with the main purpose of the called out church, namely the preaching of the everlasting gospel, and then shall the end come. Finally, do not forget to give your all to the edification of the saints.

Sad to say, but we live in a world that would take anything as good when it comes to service, but God requires more, you’re best. Earnestly desire the most helpful gift or gifts in your calling in the Lord, that the face of Jesus, which is love may be seen, should be our only goal. Ted was not so good at many things, but what he was good at no one would dear to challenge him. Playing the piano was something he loved to do, but only for his friends and family. One day, Ted gave his life to the Lord and this young man who would only play for a few would now play for thousands and go on to teach others how to minister through their gifts. Today there may be someone like Ted, you have been blessed to do something beautiful for the Lord, but you haven’t given you’re life and talent to Him. Give Jesus your all and watch Him turn your ordinary talent or talents, into extraordinary gifts. That He may use your gifts to help others see His face.

 

 

This letter was written by Elder Kevin Santucci

 

 

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

 

Our Prayer for today:

Lord, thank you for those who have answered the call of service through their gifts, that the church would be edified today and we all come into the unity of the faith.

 

Prayer Request

 

For the safety of all the children and young adults on their

 summer break.

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

delight themselves in the Bible.

 

Share your prayer needs with our

network of intercessors.

 

 

You and your health:

 

 

What do many Medical Experts argue is the most

 

"important system in your body"?
The ONLY Natural Health Product of its kind that is listed in the PDR

 

(Physicians Reference Book) 35 years of research and development

 

and is FDA approved. This might be the most important question you

 

ever ask!!

 

For more information see www.immunotec.com/237562 .

 

 

We are into our 57^th 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 or your prayer request to,

 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?

Look up and push on in the name of Jesus.

 

 

If you are blessed by these “uplifting gems”, share them.

 

For further information, or requests, E-mail Garden Ministry:

 

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.

 

How To:

 

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.

 

 

"COME TOGETHER"

 

This is the 170^th letter:

 

Text for the day: 1 Corinthians 12:21

 (New International Version)

 

“The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!"

 

Our Series: “HE GAVE GIFTS TO HELP US” Part 4

 

Our Theme for the day: “COME TOGETHER”

 

Our Devotional

 

One day as I was sitting down and quietly reading by myself, three men sit not to far from me. As we shared our pleasantries, I quickly went back to my reading. Before long, I could not believe what I was hearing. One person said to the other, our gifts are more superior then those of our peers. Then they started to pull a speakers style of speaking apart. This was too much for me, so I got to thinking and God led me to look at the people in Paul’s day that had the same problem with pride. When you look at 1 Corinthians 12:21, Paul is seen pulling out the rod of rebuke to those who prided themselves in the notion that they were highly gifted. Infect they had shown by conceit, that the lesser gifts among them could be dispensed with and God could work out His plan through just them. On the other hand, “Paul had to put them in their place and tell them that this was wrong and not of God.”

 

Since the economic down fall in the world, every week on the news all you hear about is some company has cut back on staff or closed. What you don’t hear is what happened to the owners or C.E.O of these businesses. Why is it always that the small man comes out on the short end of the stick? Paul addressing this confused point at the church at Corinth tells them that there is mutual dependence of all the gifts in the body, (even department) of the Church and one another. Just as important that every department or person is needed for proper functioning of the whole, God has called His children. The most gifted church members, or person on your jobs are as much dependent on the less favored as the latter are on the former. This being the case, there is no place at all for pride who think they are better then others or discontent who feel they are over looked by those who feel they are much better. Today we need to come to the place where God is seen working through the gifts of the ordinary and the extraordinary. We are not in great need of more gifts in the body of Christ, but in great need of seeing the gifts, big and small, those who are gifted beyond measure and those who are not so gifted beyond measure as they really are and as God views them.

 

Let us stop trying to close down the work of God like many businesses are closing today because there is no longer a quick profit. This is God’s work, and He has been working as the boss with His son Jesus the Christ as C.E.O and the Holy Spirit as overseer for over five thousand years. But let us stick to the vision delivered to us through the patriarchs and prophets. That each part of the body may be encouraged to perform its own peculiar duty, and that the failure of one part will affect the efficiency of all the others. Finally, instead of promoting pride and given sympathy to discontent.

 

We need to love one another. Let those who are more generously gifted by God, cherish their less favored brethren or colleagues on the job. Let those who have been blessed to a higher measure in life reach back and help those who haven’t, in the same area or gift. If the kingdom of grace is to be established and prosper, then we must learn how to appreciate what others are doing in the body of Christ. Let us always remember that love and unity seen among those who call themselves Christians is God’s stamp of approval of informing the world that Jesus was sent by the father into the world to save. John 17:21 Remember as members of the body of Christ we are called to protect the weaker, injured members of the body because we are closely knitted together in Christ. May God help us in this area of life, for we are our brother’s keeper.

 

These letters are written by Elder Kevin Santucci

 

 

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

 

Our Prayer for today:

Father, I ask that you will protect your weak one from

the finger and poisonous darts of Satan today.

Help your church not to be disgraced by the defection

of the weaker members in service but helped by the stronger,

so your name may be praised, in Jesus name Amen.

 

Prayer Request

 

For those who are morning the lost of a loved one.

 

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

delight themselves in the Bible.

 

 

Share your prayer needs with our

network of intercessors.

 

 

We are into our 57^th 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.

 

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.