Matt Neace writes, “I was at a conference a few years ago where
they told the story of a church that looked as though they were
really thriving: they had about 500 people attending, and had
many outreach ministries reaching their community, and many
people were coming to Christ and to church through their
ministry. The problem was that the church was not growing in
numbers – people were leaving as quickly as they were coming
in.” All of this happened because Satan had set many traps in the
church.
This is the 251st letter:
Text for the day: Jude 1:24-25 (King James Version)
“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”
Our Devotional
May is heritage month in Bermuda. Every day in this month there is something going on to remind Bermudians and visitors of our history as one of the most beautiful places on earth. The church has a heritage as well, infect when you study the history of the early church; you get a clearer picture of what Jesus has established. Their hope of the second coming was and still is the blessed hope of the church. Through their strong belief in the soon return of Jesus, they did and are still doing all in their power to prepare people for this great event. But this by no means made Satan feel good, so he designed many traps to hold the church back from telling people of Jesus. Some of those traps he still uses today, but wrapped in new packages.
So what is one of Satan’s' master traps? Believe it or not, it is slumber; or better known as sleep. As long as Satan can keep the people of God in a spirit of slumber he is happy. Having people think that they have time is his master key to keep people from doing what God has called them to do. Procrastination, how many people think they have all the time in the world?
Putting things off until the last minute, this is a favorite among so many. In the days of Jesus it was common to hear people say, "My Lord delayeth his coming,” As a result, many lost their faith in the appearing of Jesus, and the unfaithful servant begins to smite his fellow-servant, and to eat and drink with the drunken. These were the days of great apostasy! Darkness covered the earth and gross darkness covered the people in those early days of the church, (Matthew 24:48; Luke 12:45).
For many generations not only the evil servant but many devout followers of Jesus wondered why his promised return has not yet occurred. Some imagine that God has abandoned this world. Others contend that he has already returned into their own hearts. Still others believe that God is waiting for all heretics to be eliminated. Yet others made mockery of those who wait for His coming, (2 Pet 3:3-4).
Because of this, hope which had been so precious to those early Christians soon lost its attraction in many of them. For the auspicious delusions of Satan wholly extinguished the light of salvation through Jesus Christ in them. But God had a faithful few who refuse to give up their hope in Jesus, these faithful sentinels stood as beacon lights to all who would see Jesus. To a child a new toy or electronic gadget can soon become an expensive dust collector once it looses it attraction. Sometimes even the exciting new city we couldn't wait to live in may soon seem boring and predictable. As humans we tend to lose interest in most things as soon as it becomes overwhelmingly familiar. Unfortunately, this can also hold true for our feelings about those closest to us. What was once a passionate, magnetic attraction can slowly evolve into an uncomfortable partnership and drift to a disinterest which most times lead to a fall-out.
A husband may find that the young woman he first met as a teen or young adult has changed over the years into someone he no longer recognizes, and this can happen to the wife as well. The key to a positive and rewarding relationship with God and men is to not allow your mind to become trapped by slumber and idleness. Find out what God wants you to do, and ask God to give you power to do it. Look for ways to improve your relationship with God, even your spouse, and don’t take anything for granted. Finally, keep your eyes on Jesus and you will never fall, and grow from strength to strength.
If you would like to put forth a comment to our series, send it to TucciGardenMinistry@gmail.com, all comments will be viewed then posted. If you don’t wish your comment to be posted just let us know.
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, “Tis almost time for the lord to come!” (Part 11)
Song of the day
Click:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUGZAHztq_s
Ø Today is looking ahead day; let us keep our eyes before us today, so the shadows can fall behind us.
If possible, share with us your response.
Our Prayer for today:
Loving Father, we need your help today as you have promise according to the power that worketh in us. Keep us as the apple of your eye in Jesus name Amen.
May GOD continue to Bless, Guard and keep you within his will.
Prayer Request
Community / International Prayer
Open Prayer Needs:
Ø Pray for rest: Victor DeFrias, working three jobs each week, plus other related family chores, and other Families in our community with the same or similar conditions.
Ø Intercede prayerfully on behalf of those young people who are seeking refuge and safety from these so-called-gangs violence and threats. Pray that their refuge will be found in the Soul Saving Blood of JESUS CHRIST of Nazareth.
Ø Pray that our Government, Law Enforcement agencies, Churches and all Public and Private Institutions will swiftly identify and purge the internal dissenters and disruptive elements from their midst by the Wisdom from our almighty GOD.
Around the world:
USA:
Ø Let us pray for the thousands of people who have to evacuate the US state of Louisiana after floodgates were opened on Saturday to relieve pressure from the swollen Mississippi River. It is said that more floodgates are to be opened in the coming days, for the first time in several decades. This man-made flood will damage thousands of homes and hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland.
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
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.
We are into our 100th week since starting Garden Ministry; why not send Garden Ministry your Testimony, remarks, or share your prayer request with our network of intercessors.
Send your request to: tuccigardenministry@gmail.com
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