God calls for consecrated men, who are willing to deny self.
This is the 193rd letter:
Text for the day: Psalm 108:4 New King James Version)
“For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.”
Our Theme for the day: “FAITHFUL FATHER”
Our Devotional
Walter Breuning (born September 21, 1896) is an American super centenarian. He is the last known surviving man who was born in 1896. On his 110th birthday, Breuning was declared the oldest living retired railroader in the United States. Last week on January 17, 2011, Walter Breuning, aged 114 years, 118 days became one of the 60 undisputed oldest people ever to record. Mr Breuning is still able to dresses himself in a suit and tie every day. "Mornings he can still be up doing his exercises before his daily plans." What a man whose wife passed in 1957 with no children!
Besides Mr. Walter, the Bible speaks of other men that lived to a ripe old age. Genesis chapter five speaks to us of the generation of Adam to Noah. But when you read Matthew chapter one, the genealogy starts with Adam showing that Jesus was the direct descendent of David and Abraham. Then in Luke chapter 3:23-38, it helps us see that Jesus through Joseph was the son of the living God. There is one other thing worth looking at. Before the flood, mankind lived to over nine hundred years, and a few almost one Thousand years which in those days was a ripe old age. These super centenarians, who lived a number of centuries, were much appreciated by all in their generation. After the flood the life span of men lowered but there were still some who lived over one hundred years. Abraham was one of those persons who lived more than one hundred years of age. Like Walter Breuning he still had his vigor and strength. Infact the Bible says his second son (Isaac) was born to him when he was one hundred years old Genesis 21:5, to his wife Sarah.
But did Abraham understand the promise made to him by God that he would be a great nation? No! After Ishmael was born to his wife’s handmaid whose name was (Hagar), Abrahams mind clinged to the belief that through him God's gracious purposes were to be accomplished. But this was not God’s plan! In his affection for his first born son he exclaimed, "O that Ishmael might live before Thee!" Again the promise was given, in words that could not be mistaken: "Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him." (Genesis 17:19) Yet God was not unmindful of the father's prayer. This was a reaffirmation of the promise of the birth of Isaac, putting him in line to inherit the covenant. (Genesis 17:6-8) "As for Ishmael," He said, "I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him and I will make him a great nation also." Verse 20 Abraham’s Hamito- Semitic son Ishmael was promised to be the progenitor of a great African/ Edenic (Arab Ishmaelite) nation.
After the birth of the long awaited promise, Isaac brought a lifelong answer to the fulfillment of Abraham and Sarah’s dearest hopes. Gladness filled the tents of Abraham and Sarah, but not for Hagar. This event was to her the overthrow of her fondly cherished ambitions. But Ishmael was born not as God had planned, but a work of human making. When Ishmael was a youth, he had been regarded by all in the encampment as the heir of Abraham's wealth and the inheritor of the blessings promised to his descendants. But now the day came when Ishmael was to be suddenly set aside. In the disappointment that followed, mother and son would now hate Sarah and Isaac. Isn’t it funny how something so innocent can be so wrong? Jealousy has destroyed so many good relationships. Jealousy has destroyed countries, nations, Governments, neighborhoods, work places, churches, schools, and even homes.
There is a lesson here of which we all need to remember. If we allow God to work out His will, we shall prosper. But when we put ourselves in the way of God’s work and do things our way it will spring forth jealousy, and then come to nought. Notice it wasn’t until Ishmael dared openly mock the real heir of God's promise that the venom of jealousy came out. Sometimes in life, God allows something bad to happen before you see the venom of jealousy in those who are closest to you. But Abraham was a faithful father.
Today there are only two places which we find ourselves, in a spirit of loveliness like Sarah, or in a spirit of jealousy like Hagar. Like Sarah, God has also opened your eyes to the turbulent disposition of your Ishmael’s in your children’s life. They have been a perpetual source of discord, and you must appeal to God, urging that your spiritual Hagar’s and Ishmael’s be sent away from the encampment.
You may be a leader like the great patriarch and thrown into great distress of how you could banish the work of your hand, or even the ministry of your own doing like the birth of Ishmael. The consoling promise to you today is that though separated from his father's home, Ishmael should not be forsaken by God; his life should be preserved, and he should become the father of a great nation. Abraham obeyed the angel's words, but it was not without keen suffering. The father's heart was heavy with unspoken grief as he sent away Hagar and Ishmael his son, but they had to go. If you have been asked by God to wait on Him, then wait, don’t go before Him or stand in the way of His plans. On the other hand you may be asked to put away or cut off what has not ordained by God. The call today is to wait, wait on the Lord. Like Abraham, God is the Faithful Father, and He deserves our thanks for His faithfulness and love to all men. God’s love is higher than the heavens; and His faithfulness reaches to the skies. Wait I say on the Lord.
This letter was written by Elder Kevin Santucci
Join us next time for another ray of sunshine from Garden Ministry when we shall look at, “Great is thy Faithfulness.”
Song of the day
Click:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk_TSl2P46Q
Our Prayer for today:
Our father we come thanking you for loving, and caring for the needs of your children everyday. In Jesus name Amen.
Prayer Request
Community / International Prayer
Let us pray that Germany will give money again to the global aids funds. It has suspended its annual payment of more than 200m euro’s (£172m) to the Global Fund against Aids, TB and malaria, following corruption claims. Germany is the third-biggest donor to the UN-backed fund, which has an annual budget of more than $20bn (£12bn). Let us also pray that those who had a part in this stealing of money may be brought to justice.
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Colombia
Good day I am Adrian Bonillo from Colombia and I am in deep need of your help in prayers so gods give me a financial miracle that help me to buy back my home pay my debs and start my life again and so any persecution against me and my business yes stop forever by the power of God thanks Adrian.
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Would you pray for Morris Peniston who is very sick?
Prayer is asked for Pastor Alvin Goulbourne Sr. of Huntsville Alabama.
A prayer request has come in for the family of Calvin Ming of Bermuda. Brother Ming has to have a kidney transplant donated by his son so keep them all lifted up before the Lord. Thank You
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Around the world:
Former South African President Nelson Mandela is in hospital for a second day under medical supervision. Current President Jacob Zuma said Mr Mandela, 92, had flown from Cape Town to Johannesburg on Wednesday and had gone to a clinic. Among his visitors at the Johannesburg hospital were his wife, Graca Machel, and ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Security was tight outside the hospital and police were called to control traffic as a scrum of journalists grew.
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Remember that the true meaning of ASAP: "Always Say a Prayer"
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.
'TucciGardenMinistry@gmail.com'
Testimonies
These testimonies are from the readers of our devotion, “The Refiner's Fire (Part 3) The Silversmiths Reflection”.
Good Morning Brother Santucci,
I feel exceptionally Blessed today!! Thank you for including me in A Word from Garden Ministry. It’s always good to be reminded that no matter how late or behind schedule I am running that before my feet hit the floor I should thank God for the safety through the night and for His presence continually throughout this another glorious day. He has afforded me another opportunity to share Him, His Love and His Word with others.
I truly appreciate this wonderful message. Thanks for sharing.
Your sister in Christ
Sherry
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This was excellent. Thank you for sharing with me.
Denise
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We are into our 83rd week since starting Garden Ministry; why not send Garden Ministry your Testimony, remarks, or prayer request to http://gardenministry.blogspot.com/ .
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