The Gardners

Saving the Best for Last

When the host tasted the water that had become wine (he didn't know what had just happened but the servants, of course, knew), he called out to the bridegroom, "Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you've saved the best till now!" (John 2:9-10 The Message)

Have you ever had something that you were saving; saving it for last because it was the best? Holding onto it for a time when you really knew you were going to need it. Jesus turned the water into wine after they ran out of the cheap stuff. The host questioned the bridegroom why he saved the best for last.

Broadway or Musicals have their Grand Finale where they save the best for last. This leaves the audience with no doubt that the show is nearing the end. I think you would agree with me that the show for mankind is about to end with the Rapture! But before the curtain falls, I believe we will continue to see greater demonstrations of God’s anointing and power. I’m sure glad to be part of this last day church that Jesus built on the rock. Baseball has a closer, a relief pitcher who specializes in closing games, i.e. getting the final outs in a close game. The best, saved for the last innings. Since closers appear almost exclusively when a game is on the line, the role usually goes to a team's best reliever.

In general, closers are selected based on their ability to pitch effectively for one inning against both right-handed and left-handed batters and their ability to maintain their composure in high pressure situations. Good closers usually have an overpowering fastball and one or two complimentary pitches.

A closer enters the game to pitch the ninth inning when his team is ahead to get a save. If the closer fails at his task, he has blown the save. We, the church of these last and final days are the closers. Yes, it’s hard times. Yes, it’s dark times, with sin on every hand. However, God has equipped us with Holy Ghost power, saving us, perhaps the last generation before his return, to close out the game. We are the best!

God’s plan is a progressive plan. It started out with the Old Testament, The Old Covenant, and The Old Way. We now have a New Testament, a New Covenant, and a New Way. It seems that the key word for the book of Hebrews is better mentioned12 different times. Some of them are:
Heb 7:19 a better hope
Heb 7:22 better testament.
Heb 8:6 more excellent ministry, ….the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
Heb 9:23 better sacrifices
Heb 11:16 better country, that is, an heavenly:

Jesus said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. (John 14:12-14 KJV) I’ve often wondered how we could do greater things than Jesus. Please consider this. Never has there been a generation with all the technology and means to communicate and reach the world with the gospel like ours. Greater things than Jesus did? Who me? Yes, that’s right, we who live in the here and now, in this day, we are the best. God saved us for a time like this. We can and we will reach our world.

We need to realize our importance in the kingdom of God.
We need to realize the power and the significance we have. We need to realize that God has empowered us and made us the best. We need to realize what we have available to us in the kingdom of God. I believe we are starting to witness the greatest revival America has ever seen and it’s only going to get better. We who serve our Savior through music ministry are a part of this mighty revival. I’m amazed at the level of talent of our youth. I’m convinced that the music we call Southern Gospel, when delivered with passion, worship and sincerity will attract not only the best young artists to sing, play and perform this music, but will also attract the masses of hurting, lonely and lost humanity to the Cross. They will recognize that God has saved the best for last.

Michelangelo said “The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we hit it.”

One great artist said, “My greatest sculpture will be my next one. My greatest painting will be my next one.”
Our greatest revival will be our next one.
Our greatest service will be our next one.
Our greatest sermons will be our next one.
Our greatest songs will be our next one.
Our greatest altar service will be our next one.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isa 9:6-7 KJV)

There is no end or increase to the Lord’s government and peace. The best days for our music are ahead of us. Let’s aim high! Let’s pray! Expect results! I know there are a lot of reasons discussed why our music is not this or not that. I don’t have the answers, but I know I love Southern Gospel and I believe there are millions of people who have never heard SGM that will love it if they see we have the best.

We are in the 9th inning
• The Set up pitchers (Peter, James, John the Apostles and our forefathers of the early church have brought us to the 9th inning in good position.
• The manager has called us from the bull pin.
• Our team is ahead and we will win.
• We are the closer, the relief pitcher.
• The manager (Jesus) brought us in “for such a time as this.” He brought us in because He believes in us. He empowered us, He trained us and now we will close the game for Him.
• We will get the final outs.
• We are the team’s best reliever.
• We have a wide variety of pitches.
• We have an overpowering fast ball in the Holy Ghost.
• We have a curve ball, knuckle ball and slider in Prayer, Praise and Worship.
• Our change up (fasting) will throw ole Satan out of rhythm every time.
• We can pitch against both right-handed and left-handed batters. It does not matter what the devil does, he will not be successful. The gates of hell shall not prevail against us, the church.
• We have the ability to maintain composure in high pressure situations.
• We will win!
• Yes, just like the 1919 World Series between the Chicago White Sox and the Cincinnati Reds this game is fixed. It was decided before the worlds were formed and the victory was secured at Calvary by our Owner. He paid the price with His own blood.

I like what Coffman Commentaries has to say about the subject. In time and eternity, we may be certain that God has kept the best until last. Joyful and fulfilling as the Christian life assuredly is, the full glory of it will not be realized until "that day" when the Lord shall provide the crown of life to all them that have loved his appearing. No description of heaven is possible. Language itself, as a means of communicating thought, breaks down under the weight of superlative metaphor employed by the inspired writers who received from God visions of the Eternal City. The throne of God is there, the river of life, the tree of life, the gates of pearl, the streets of gold, the protective wall, and the Saviour's own face as the light - who can fully understand such things as these? But of one thing we may be certain: when the trials, sorrows, tribulations, heartaches, and sufferings of our earthly pilgrimage have ended, and when we awaken to behold the Saviour's face in the eternal world, we shall cry adoringly, "Lord, thou hast reserved the best until now."

Blessings & Joy,
Mitch Gardner
http://www.thegardners.com

Our latest radio single “I’ve Had Enough” is on Zion Music Group Comp 44