A DAY OF REST

This week, many of us have had a busy, yet fruitful week. With that said, we have so much to thank God for, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV.

Today I am thankful to God for your brotherly kindness and love. You are exceptional, important, needed, unique, and a blessing to so many people.  

The Bible teaches, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6, 7.

What does it mean to not be anxious, and rest in the Lord?

"It is not the will of God that His people should be weighed down with the cares of this world.". Because it is not work that kills; it is worry. The only way to avoid worry is to take every trouble to Christ. Moving forward, let us not look on the dark side of life. Let us cultivate cheerfulness of spirit in the light of God’s eternal glory!

Let us turn from the dusty, heated thoroughfares of life to rest in the shadow of Christ's love today. Here we gain strength for conflict. Here we learn how to lessen our toils and worries and how to speak and sing to the praise of God. If we would be possessors of God’s perfect peace and rest, we must be willing to rest in Him now.

As it is said by them of old, “In trusting in God continually there is safety; there will not be a constant fear of future evil. This borrowed care and anxiety will cease. We have a heavenly Father who careth for His children, and will and does make His grace sufficient in every time of need.” Today is a day of rest, if we do well the duties of today, we will be ready for the duties of tomorrow.

May this day bring you the fullness of the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance in all things. 

 

SMALL THINGS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

 

Watch "SMALL THINGS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE - The Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service (BFRS)" on YouTube

https://youtu.be/-p845YPKc00 

Today's inspirational message is dedicated to the Bermuda Fire & Rescue Service and their families, all essential services in Bermuda and the world.

"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together."

"If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way."

Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."

The Bible says, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." Ecclesiastes 9:10.

The voice of duty is the voice of God—an inborn, heaven-sent guide. Whether it be pleasing or unpleasing, we are to do the duty that lies directly in our pathway. If the Lord would have us bear a message to Nineveh, it will not be pleasing to Him for us to go to Joppa or Capernaum. God has reasons for sending us to the place to which our feet are directed...

"It is the little foxes that spoil the vines, the little neglects, the little deficiencies, the little dishonesties, the little departures from principle, that blind the soul and separate it from God.

It is the little things of life that develop the spirit and determine the character. Those who neglect the little things will not be prepared to endure severe tests when they are brought to bear upon them. Remember that character building is not finished till life ends. Every day a good or bad brick is placed in the structure. You are either building crookedly or with the exactness and correctness that will make a beautiful temple for God. Therefore, in looking for great things to do, neglect not the little opportunities that come to you day by day. He who neglects the little things, and yet flatters himself that he is ready to do wonderful things for the Master, is in danger of failing altogether. Life is made up, not of great sacrifices and of wonderful achievements, but of little things." The Review and Herald, December 29, 1910.

Whatever your hands find to do at all times, do it with all your might. Make your work pleasant with songs of praise. If you would have a clean record in the Bermuda Fire and Rescue Service, or any other area of service, and the books of heaven, never fret or scold. Let your daily prayer be, “Lord, help me do my best... Give me energy and cheerfulness. Help me to bring into my service the loving ministry of YOU, THE GREAT I AM.”

Prayer for the day:

LORD, help me look upon every duty this week, however humble, as sacred because it is part of Your service for me. Help me not to allow anything to make me forgetful of YOU. Most of all, help me bring you into all that I do this week. Father, help me do my best, and be the best at whatsoever I put my hand to from this day forward. Lastly, help me to move forward cheerfully in my learning and service to my country, with my heart filled with YOUR joy.

Have a Happy Day

By GARDEN MINISTRY - Chaplain Dr. Kevin J.T Santucci

THIS IS THE DAY OF SMALL THINGS

We all face tremendous challenges these days. Yet we can find our greatest consolation in the Lord, the spirit of unity, and teamwork. 

The word of the Lord to us today is, “For who hath despised the day of small things? Zechariah 4:10.

“In rebuilding the house of the Lord, Zerubbabel had labored in the face of manifold difficulties. From the beginning, adversaries had “weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building,” “and made them to cease by force and power.” But the Lord had interposed in behalf of the builders, and now He spoke through His prophet to Zerubbabel, saying, “Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain.” ...

Throughout the history of God's people great mountains of difficulty, apparently insurmountable, have loomed up before those who were trying to carry out the purposes of Heaven. Such obstacles are permitted by the Lord as a test of faith. When we are hedged about on every side, this is the time above all others to trust in God and in the power of His Spirit. The exercise of a living faith means an increase of spiritual strength and the development of an unfaltering trust. It is thus that the soul becomes a conquering power. Before the demand of faith, the obstacles placed by Satan across the pathway of the Christian will disappear; for the powers of heaven will come to his aid. “Nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

The way of the world is to begin with pomp and boasting. God's way is to make the day of small things the beginning of the glorious triumph of truth and righteousness.” Sometimes He trains His workers by bringing to them disappointments, apparent failures, and even death. It is His purpose that they shall learn to master these difficulties through Him. 

“Often men are tempted to falter before the perplexities and obstacles that confront them. But if they will hold the beginning of their confidence steadfast unto the end, God will make the way clear.... Before the intrepid spirit and unwavering faith of a Zerubbabel, great mountains of difficulty will become a plain; and he whose hands have laid the foundation, even “his hands shall also finish it.” By Prophets and Kings p. 594-595.

Today the challenge of carrying out our responsibility and duty as a team member is before us. The moment to announce our hope with power has come. Let us take hold of our duty right now, and go forward in the name of the Lord. May the peace of the Lord go with you both now and forever more. Amen. Blessings, Blessings, Blessings.

By GARDEN MINISTRY - Chaplain Dr. Kevin J. T Santucci 

A TRUE CHAMPION

            

You may have heard it said, "Be careful how you take advantage of people." For hundreds of years, people have taken advantage of other people because they believe they can get over them. Today's true story is an example of integrity at its best. 

Is winning all that counts, or saving money in one area, while spending it like a foolish person good? Some of you may say yes to these questions. Yet are you absolutely sure about that?

On December 2, 2012, a Spanish athlete Iván Fernández Anaya was competing in a cross-country race in Burlada, Navarre. He was running second, some distance behind race leader Abel Mutai - bronze medalist in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the London Olympics. As they entered the finishing straight, he saw the Kenyan runner - the certain winner of the race - mistakenly pull up about 10 meters before the finish, thinking he had already crossed the line.

Fernández Anaya quickly caught up with him, but instead of exploiting Mutai's mistake to speed past and claim an unlikely victory, he stayed behind and, using gestures, guided the Kenyan to the line and let him cross first.

He was the rightful winner. He created a gap that I couldn't have closed" "I didn't deserve to win it," says 24-year-old Fernández Anaya. Everyone saw that the Kenyan runner Abel Mutai was a few meters from the finish line, but got confused by the signals and stopped, thinking he had finished the race.

The Spanish runner, Ivan Fernandez, was right behind him and, realizing what was happening in front of him, began shouting for the Kenyan to keep running. Motai did not know Spanish and did not understand. Yet, Fernandez pushed Mutai to victory.

One reporter asked Iván after, "Why did you do this?" Iván replied, "My dream is that one day we can have the kind of community life that pushes ourselves and others to win as well."

"But why did you let the Kenyan win?" the reporter insisted. Fernández replied, "I didn't let him win, he would win. It was his race." The reporter insisted and asked again: "But you could have won!"

Fernández looked at him and replied, "But what is the merit of my victory? What is the honor of this medal? What will my mother think?"

"In the Burlada cross-country race there was hardly anything at stake [...] apart from being able to say that you had beaten an Olympic medalist," says Fernández Anaya. "But even if they had told me that winning would have earned me a place in the Spanish team for the European championships, I wouldn't have done it either. Of course, it would be another thing if there was a world or European medal at stake. Then, I think that, yes, I would have exploited it to win... But I also think that I have earned more of a name having done what I did than if I had won. And that is very important, because today, with the way things are in all circles, in soccer, in society, in politics, (in the workplace), where it seems anything goes, a gesture of honesty goes down well."

“Values are passed on from generation to generation. What values do we teach our children and to what extent do they inspire others to earn them? Most of us take advantage of people's weaknesses rather than helping to strengthen them.” Credit: Reddit.

If you are taken advantage of, or exploiting someone today, stop it, and do the right thing. God is looking. The Bible teaches, “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:17-21.

Remember, “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.” Proverbs 10:9. Do you want to be a true champion, then do what is right to all men, at all times, and walk in your integrity.

Video of the day: https://youtu.be/omIDvBSoId8

 

By GARDEN MINISTRY - Chaplain Dr. Kevin J.T Santucci 

REFLECTING THE IMAGE OF CHRIST

Today is a great day to start paying more attention to what you eat. Because it can change you from your head to your feet. This principle should also be applied to what we allow our eyes to feed on, and our ears to hear.

Let us learn to reflect upon our present blessings of which every man has a few, and not on our past misfortunes, of which all men have many.

Among the more important things to consider in life is the power that comes in "beholding." We become changed into the likeness of the things we "behold." "Beholding" good things is very positive, and causes us to become like the positive thing(s) we are beholding; "beholding" bad and evil things, we become like those bad things. I am not sure most of us realize to what degree we are influenced, either for good or for bad, by the things we "behold"!

"If we gaze even a moment upon the sun in its meridian glory, when we turn away our eyes, the image of the sun will appear in everything upon which we look. Thus it is when we behold Jesus; everything we look upon reflects His image, the Sun of Righteousness. We cannot see anything else, or talk of anything else. His image is imprinted upon the eye of the soul and affects every portion of our daily life, softening and subduing our whole nature. By beholding, we are conformed to the divine similitude, even the likeness of Christ." By Testimonies to Ministers, 387-389.

The Apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 3.18, "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

It is impossible for any of us by our own power, or our own efforts to work this change in ourselves. It is the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, which Jesus said He would send into the world, that changes our character the image of Christ; and when this is accomplished, we reflect, as in a mirror, the glory of the Lord. That is, the character of the one who thus beholds Christ is so like His, that one looking at him sees Christ's own character shining out as from a mirror. Imperceptibly to ourselves, we are changed day by day from our ways and will into the ways and will of Christ, into the loveliness of His character. Thus we grow up into Christ, and unconsciously reflect His image.

It is time for us as professed Christians to unfocus our eyes and ears on the things of this world. Because, if we are going to make it to Heaven, we must be willing to fulfill the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:19-20, and stop concerning ourselves with the evils of the lowlands of earth.

As the eyes are being trained to see only the commonplace things of this earth, the mind will dwell upon the evil things the eyes behold. This will eventually cause the religious experience to become shallow and unsatisfying. Sad to say, what follows is light and valueless words from the mouth, and even cursing. 

Speaking on the measure of a man's worth, In the book Heavenly Places page 237, these words are penned, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8.

What a man is has greater influence than what he says. The quiet, consistent, godly life is a living epistle, known and read of all men. Holiness is not shaped from without or put on; it radiates from within. If goodness, purity, meekness, lowliness, and integrity dwell in the heart, they will shine forth in the character; and such a character is full of power. Not the instrument, but the great Worker in whose hand the instrument is used, receives the glory. The heart filled with the Saviour’ s love, daily receives grace to impart. The life reveals the redeeming power of the truth.

The witness borne concerning Jesus was, “Never man spake like this man” (John 7:46). The reason that Christ spoke as no other man spoke was that He lived as no other man lived. If He had not lived as He did, He could not have spoken as He did. His words bore with them convincing power, because they came from a heart pure and holy, burdened with love and sympathy, beneficence and truth....

While the shepherds were watching their flocks on the hills of Bethlehem, angels from heaven visited them. So today, while the humble worker for God is following his employment, angels stand by his side, listening to his words, noting the manner in which he does his work.... If he trusts constantly in God, these angel watchers will not allow his work to deteriorate. They will not permit it to be warped into lines that will imperil the cause of God. The Lord is looking upon the work that comes from the hands of His people. He will judge every piece of work, to see of what sort it is.

Pure and undefiled religion speaks for itself. It transforms the characters of all who receive it, improving their usefulness and beautifying all with which it is brought in contact... A man's worth is not measured by the position of responsibility that he occupies but by the Christlike spirit that he reveals. When the Saviour abides in the heart, the work bears the impression of the divine touch. Self does not appear. Christ is revealed as the One altogether lovely.”

The big question today is, how can such a person reflect the image of Christ? How can they send forth the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness into all the dark places of the earth? As you go through your day today, remember, to be a Christian is to be Christlike. May you have a HAPPY DAY! Blessings, Blessings, Blessings

By GARDEN MINISTRY - Chaplain Kevin J.T Santucci

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