“A church in the land without the Spirit is rather a curse than a blessing. If you have not the Spirit of God, Christian worker, remember that you stand in somebody else's way; you are a fruitless tree standing where a fruitful tree might grow”.
By Charles Spurgeon
This is the 260th letter:
Text for the day: Acts 9:31
Therefore the church throughout Judea and Galilee and Samaria was having peace, was being built up and proceeding in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, and was being multiplied in numbers.
Our Devotional
Generally just before a person travels, they often sit around, or join their best friends for a night out. Leaving can sometimes cause pain and bitterness. On the other hand to some, as they are about to travel believe that they should be nice to people, especially their friends. There is still another class of people some say are the smile until they leave group, if there be a group by that name. They won’t do anything but smile at you, and wait until you smile back. They will do this until they leave. Smile! What ever you do, most experts say leave no room or excuses for gossip when you are about to travel. Because you need to come back to the place you call home.
Just before leaving His disciples, Christ once more plainly stated the nature of His kingdom. He recalled to their remembrance things He had previously told them regarding it. He declared that it was not His purpose to establish in this world a temporal kingdom, Acts 1:3. But how is it that they forgot so soon, when Jesus echoed and reechoed this truth in their mind? (Mark 1:14-15, Luke 4:43, Luke 8:1)
Did not Jesus send His disciples forth to peach the kingdom of God is at hand? Yes! (Luke 9:1-6) With a humble spirit and no fuss the teacher, re-educated His disciples. “I am not appointed to reign as an earthly monarch on David's throne” said Jesus. When the disciples asked Jesus, "wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" He answered, "It is not necessary for you to know when that will happen. What is important is for you to receive power to minister" Acts 1:6-7. Why is it that we find it so necessary to know things beyond our limit? Jesus’s answer to the disciples is the same for us today. Your work is to proclaim the gospel message, the good new to all men, and leave the other stuff to me.
How is it that we so often miss the most important point? Jesus was longing for the disciples to have the Holy Spirit; a new endowment of power, but they where longing for earthly power and fame. Like the disciples of old there are quit a number of Christians today who are longing for the same thing, “Earthly power, fame, and recognition. When the Holy Spirit had finally come, it was given to them in its fullness, sealing the disciples for their work. "Behold," the Saviour said, "I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." Luke 24:49. "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence." "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth" Acts 1:5, 8
Future study Acts 1:8 show that without the anointing Holy Spirit our service can only be accomplished in the energy and wisdom of the flesh, which leads to a fruitless and useless ministry. It is only as the power of the Holy Spirit lives out its will in our lives that we have:
1. Power to speak (Acts 2:4).
2. Power to speak fearlessly (Acts 4:13).
3. Power to discern the true from the false (Acts 5:3).
4. Power to give needed help (Acts 5:16).
5. Power to obey God regardless of consequences (Acts 5:20-21,29)
6. Power to do first things first (Acts 6:4).
7. Power to perform miracles (Acts 6:8), etc.
The disciples where told to begin their work at Jerusalem, a place they knew, and among a people who knew them. New beginnings can sometimes be frightening, and to these disciples they needed hope. Jim Rohn once said, “Great works are often born on a street corner or in a restaurant's revolving door.” In other words all great deeds and all great thoughts have a ridiculous beginning. Just step out where you are, and start to work for the salvation of men, and then move on. May we follow the disciples’ example of ministry as outlined by Jesus today!
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, (I’LL GIVE YOU POWER Part 2)
Song of the day
Click:
Ø This week we are giving way to the Holy Spirit, may He have its way in us today.
If possible, share with us your response.
Our Prayer for today:
Clean my hearts O Lord, that I may yield my life to your Holy Spirit. May I accomplish your will, and work in the area of the world you choose, that your church may be built up and your kingdom come, Amen.
Prayer Request
Community / International Prayer
Please join us in this prayer for healing, comfort, and straight for these areas.
GOD Bless and keep you.
Bermuda:
Ø Let us keep the two men seeking medical care through a bike accident while traveling east in Bermuda. They struck a car traveling in the opposite direction. Both the pillion passenger and the rider were trapped under the car and had to be extricated. One of the gentlemen is in Massachusetts for further medical attention, and the other gentleman is in the care of KEMH in Bermuda.
Around the world:
Ø We are praying for the needs of all nations this week. Share with us your needs.
Ø Please pray for the “String of Hope” School and Clinic in Ghana, West Africa. The 20+ students (and growing), often have to walk 20+miles to the facility. During their trek, they are exposed to the often adverse elements, guerilla rebels, wild animals and other dangers; they are in immediate need of acceptable motor conveyance to pick-up and return them to their outlying communities, pick up and deliver donated supplies and material from the debarkation point to their facility.
"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 is: "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 103rd 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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