HELP IS ON THE WAY!

 "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12, 13

Throughout history there has been a few faithful men and woman of every generation who have been courageous people. These persons have sacrificed their own comfort and freedom to stand up for principles of human dignity and liberty.

This is because they all held on to a spiritual call outside of themselves, which propelled them to a commitment of duty of service for others. Though all not professing a religious background, they all practice a religion of principle of the heart that was ignited by love.

Note religion is not a magical word or a trick of the mind. It is a biblical fact that if we long to be saved, we must look to GOD through Jesus only. This is our only hope of gaining victory over how we are feeling, strength for tomorrow, and eternal life to come.

Through this we have the true science of healing for body, mind, and soul. The mind must not be centered upon any human being, but upon God, and the finishing of His work in this generation. "The man who seeks to pattern after any man's character will make an utter failure. Each person is to look to God for himself."

As it was in the days of Christ, it is today, “there is a blindness upon human minds that is willful. Jesus said, “This people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them” Matthew 13:15. 

On June 24, 2019. in Boston, a woman was knocked down by a car and killed on Massachusetts Avenue. As I veiwed this sight from my window in the hotel, I got to thinking about the value  of a persons life.

For more on this story go to, (The Boston Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/06/24/fatal-pedestrian-crash-shuts-down-piece-mass-ave/GXl8yr34JMCnsFlmrqOiDJ/story.html

Did you not know that the work of God for the salvation of men is the one work of supreme importance to be carried forward in our world; but many do not see this, because their interest is more with the ranks of the enemy than with the loyal soldiers of Christ. They do not see the necessity of the cooperation of the human with the divine agency.

The Lord has bidden us: “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” Philippians 2:12, 13. This is the plan which God has revealed to us to guide us in all the plans and purposes of life. But while men pray, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” Matthew 6:10, many reject the very means by which God would establish His kingdom.

When they are willing to count all things but loss that they may win Christ, their eyes will be opened to see things as they really are. Then they will turn away from the earthly attractions to the heavenly. Then they will see the true nature of the worldly, selfish enjoyments that they now value so highly, and these things that they now hold so dear will be given up.

All heaven is looking upon you who claim to believe the most sacred truth ever committed to mortals. Angels are waiting with longing desire to cooperate with you in working for the salvation of souls. Will you refuse this heavenly alliance in order to maintain your connection with society where God is not honored, where His commandments are trampled upon? How would the truth ever have been brought to you if others had felt so little interest in its advancement as some of you manifest?

Today the cause of God demands our help, that it may be established upon a proper basis, and that the truth may be carried forward into new fields, to those who are ready to perish. Can you who claim to be sons of God refuse to aid in this work? Will you, in order to receive an earthly return, withhold your means from the treasury of God, and let His work be shamefully neglected? It is grievous to consider what might have been accomplished in the saving of souls if the heart and service of all who profess to believe the truth had been undividedly given to God. Work has been negligently done. If self had been hid in Christ, sinners might, through wise, ingenious methods, have been won to the truth, and today be in cooperation with God. 

Now, before the time comes when you must render up your account to God, I urge you to give heed to His word, “Lay up for yourselves” a “treasure in the heavens” Matthew 6:20; Luke 12:33, not in secret societies. Consider that there is only one Proprietor of the universe, and that every man, with his time, his intellect, his resources, belongs to the One who has paid the ransom for the soul. God has a righteous claim to constant service and supreme affection. God's will, not your pleasure, is to be your criterion. And though you should accumulate a fortune less rapidly, you are laying up treasure in heaven. Who of the church is resolved to maintain his spirituality? Who will develop an experience that reveals Christian fervor, persevering energy? Who, like Jesus, will not fail nor be discouraged, not in grasping means for the service of self, but in laboring together with God? 

All who are striving for the crown of everlasting life will be tempted as was their Master before them. He was proffered the kingdoms of the world if He would pay homage to Satan. Had Christ yielded to this temptation, the world would have passed forever under the sway of the wicked one. But, thank God, His divinity shone through humanity. He did that which every human being may do in the name and strength of Jesus. He said, “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve” Matthew 4:10. If this is the way you meet temptation, Satan will leave you, as he left Christ, and angels will minister unto you, as they ministered unto Him.

To those who have thought and talked of the great advantages to be gained by worldly association, the Lord declares, through the prophet Malachi:

“Your words have been stout against Me, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against Thee? Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts? And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered” Malachi 3:13-15. These are the thoughts of many, if the words are not spoken. 

“Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name. And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not. For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch” Malachi 3:16 to 4:1.

Here are the people that in the world are judged to be greatly favored; but there comes a time when the children of God are distinguished as those who are honored of God because they have honored Him. 

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure” 1 John 3:1-3.”  2SM 135 - 138

"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philippians 2:12, 13. "There is nothing more important than this moment." Unknown 

"The love which Christ diffuses through the whole being is a vitalizing power. Every vital part—the brain, the heart, the nerves—it touches with healing. By it the highest energies of the being are roused to activity. It frees the soul from the guilt and sorrow, the anxiety and care, that crush the life forces. With it come serenity and composure. It implants in the soul, joy that nothing earthly can destroy—joy in the Holy Spirit—health-giving, life-giving joy." 

"Whenever you see a successful person, you only see the public glories, never the private sacrifices to reach them."By  Vaibhav Shah. Today I encourage you to stop trying to steer the river, and enjoy the ride! May your day be filled with love. 

A prayerful moment:  Father help me find peace in the river of your love.

Song of the day: Don Moen - Rivers Of Joy

Do you have questions that have not been answered? Would you like to know more about the God of the Universe? Then contact me at Garden Ministry. Just email your questions today!

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Garden Ministry Devotionals are written by Chaplain Kevin J.T. Santucci

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