A Lesson for the Christmas Holiday Part 1

On Sunday evening December 18, 2016 as I was ministering to the population of Bermuda via radio, God spoke to me. It was in one of my moments of asking Him for inspiration, clearer enlightenment, and a vision to share with His people one of their greatest needs right now. As I was ministering at the Inspire FM 105 station, I came across a reading dating back to November 1, 1894 from Melbourne, Australia. This letter was written for all to understand the soberness of the time. 

The letter comes out of a question of, "should we care for the homeless, and homeless orphan children,” or even children who go to school without food? “In Luke 17:11-19, Jesus shares the other side of the story of gift giving and Christmas. Listen to His comment in verse 17, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine?” Let us give earnest consideration to this question, “Where are the nine?” Why is it that we feel such great obligation for human favors, and so little for the divine? Why do we praise and glorify man, and leave God out of our reckoning? What human agent could have done one thousandth part of that which God has done for his heritage? Could a human agent do even a fraction of what God has done, it would be done only by the grace which God supplies. Man is so ungrateful, so forgetful of God, whose mercy sustains him every hour and every moment! 

All we have received in the past, and all we are now receiving, comes from One who “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, (the Christmas story) that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved" John 3:16-17 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:14. “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things" Romans 8:32

Satan works to interpose himself between God and man, so that the affections, the gifts and offerings of human agents, shall be turned into human channels rather than into the divine. The enemy has been especially alive upon this point, and shall those who profess to be the followers of Christ unite with him in this branch of satanic work? For Christ’s sake let not the world give a better example in works of benevolence than do those who claim to love God with all their heart, and their neighbors as themselves. Let Christ be represented in tender compassion and love for suffering humanity. Let the condition of helpless little ones appeal to every mother’s heart, that she may put into exercise a mother’s love for homeless orphan children. Their helplessness appeals to every God-given attribute in human nature."

The Bible is very clear on this subject of standing beside the poor and needed that it says, "Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you, Matthew 5:42. To further emphasize this fact, in Deuteronomy 15:11, it encourages to take out some time for the poor among us. "For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land."

The other day, my loving sister-in-law Denyse shared a story with some of her family and friends that she saw in a shop as she was there, this is the story. "Today I was doing a little shopping in town more than once I heard the conversation about how much money someone spent, and was going to spend on gifts for their loved ones. One lady even told another, she has spent over $1000 on her 10yr old already and she wasn't half way finished with his gifts. People have seriously lost the true meaning of Christmas; it's all about material things."

It seems like many of us have forgotten that, "there is a large field for missionary labor in caring for homeless orphan children. Shall not the love of Christ constrain my brethren and sisters to use the capital entrusted for the purpose of blessing others, in providing for the destitute and homeless...? Shall Christmas and New Year’s find you enriching yourselves by accepting gifts that you do not need, or will you tell your friends and relatives that you will regard it as a great favor to yourself if they will bestow their gifts on the Orphans’ Home, and needy, homeless, and needed little children may thus be cared for, clothed, and fed as God would have them?"

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ Matthew 25:35-40 

The blessing of the Lord will surely be bestowed upon all who will deny self, using the means He has lent them in an economical way in providing for themselves, in order that they may provide for those also who are destitute and afflicted. God is testing and proving every soul in this probationary time that it may be made manifest whether or not his attributes of character are formed within. "Give and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38

On the other hand, "Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him" Proverbs 14:31. As you go on your way today, "Do not neglect to do good, and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." Hebrews 13:16 

Song of the Day: We are the Reason - David Meece

Thank you for your prayers for this ministry, and may the blessings of the Lord rest on you, and your family always.

Season’s Greetings to All

Garden Ministry Devotionals are written by Chaplain Kevin Santucci

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