Issue #1,155 August 16, 26 Up Close and Personal
I have been busy scanning photographs of our Africa trip over the past few days.
As I spent time looking at the many photographs we had taken, I realized that
we often took the shot from too far out. Much of the detail and impact was lost
due to the distance, and more yet lost because my scanner was not working well.
Yesterday my scanner died totally, so we had to purchase a new one. New technology
and higher quality means that I can touch up the photographs to be brighter and
I can crop and enlarge them more without loss of quality. That will mean some
repeated work, but it will mean that much of the detail and impact will be regained.
Life can be like that. Often times things look different from far away. I think
back to before our trip to South Africa. It really didn't impact our lives all
that much, after all it was a problem for "those people over there". Yet when
we went and spent time with "those people over there" it became more personal.
Those people became Fransie; Moses; Agnes; Lorett; Tembali; Sister; Lorato; Arthur;
Michelle and more. They were suddenly real people, with real problems. They became
Norman; Lesley; Emma; Tony; Avril; Margaret; Alfons and Yvonne and others like
them. Real people dealing daily with those afflicted. People who couldn't ignore
the problem. All these people are part of my life now and nothing can change that.
The AIDS problem is suddenly my problem too.
It's the same with God. From far away our perspective can be skewed, yet the
closer we draw to Him, the clearer we see Him and the more a part of us He becomes.
He wants us to get up close and personal with Him. There is a name of God used
in the Old Testament which shows how much He desires us to be personal with Him.
After Jacob came from Paddan Aram, he arrived safely at the city of Shechem in
Canaan and camped within sight of the city. For a hundred pieces of silver, he
bought from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, the plot of ground where
he pitched his tent. There he set up an altar and called it El Elohe Israel.
Genesis 33:18-20 NIV
"El Elohe" means the God of. In this case it's the God of Israel. In other places
it's used to designated the God of Jacob; the God of Isaac; the God of the Hebrews;
The God of Abraham, the God of Jeshurin and more. It can also be applied to any
of those who know Father through the Son. He is El Elohe Kevin. He is El Elohe
Kathy. He is El Elohe (your name).
God wants us up close and personal. Not for His sake, but so that we can see
Him, know Him, love Him and be blessed by Him.
Until next time rejoice in your El Elohe.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed
Kevin
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. You have
value in the eyes of God so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing
to the world. You are so precious to God that heaven will not be complete without
you.
HELP FOR THE HURTING
Did you know that it is possible to have a personal relationship with the Living
God, the Creator of all things. As people, our sins separate us from Him, but
He sent His Son Jesus to close the gap to allow us to be where He desires us to
be ... up close and personal. You can have that relationship with God simply by
believing and asking. Will you do that today?
If you want to know how to do that simply email us and we'll send you some Bible
verses that will explain it to you.
You can simply begin the relationship by honestly and completely opening your
heart; admitting you need God's help; turning away from your sin and saying a
prayer along the lines of the one below. There isn't any "magic" in the prayer;
it's simply a way to open up to the gift that Jesus already bought for you with
His very life. You can't earn it. You don't deserve it. He freely offers it to
all who will accept it.
Jesus:
I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I have
sinned. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world
and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and
rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you
Lord.
Amen
If you pray this prayer for the first time let me know so I can rejoice with
you. It's not the end of the process. It is the beginning of a wonderful journey
to become more like Jesus. It's your starting point.
NEED PRAYER? GOT QUESTIONS?
If you're in need of prayer or answers to questions about the faith email us
SUPPORT OUR MINISTRY
Gleanings From The Word is distributed free of charge, six days a week to readers
in more than 180 countries. It reaches into homes, hospitals, care centers, prisons
and many other places. People comment regularly on how God has used Gleanings
to change their lives, bring them to know Christ or brought them through difficult
times.
While we offer Gleanings free to anyone who asks, that does not mean it is without
cost to produce. We request that you prayerfully consider supporting us in prayer
and with your finances. While we are unable to provide tax receipts at this time,
we are registered as a non-profit corporation. Please know that your gift of any
amount is appreciated and will pay eternal dividends.
Please make cheques payable to: Gleanings From The Word Ministries
and send them to 114 Oak St, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada T8A 0V8
Thank You.
BACK ISSUES Looking for a previous issue of Gleanings From The Word? Selected back issues are available on our website
Looking for a previous issue of Gleanings From The Word?
SHARING GLEANINGS
If you enjoyed this issue of Gleanings From The Word, email it, in its entirety,
to a friend. Better still, get their permission and sign them up for their own subscription,
after all it's free.
We do not rent, sell, trade or share our mailing list with anyone. Your email
address is kept completely confidential. We also send no forms of unsolicited
email.
For information on use of Gleanings in your church newsletter or other situations
please visit the permissions page on our website.
CONTACT US
To share your questions, comments, thoughts, prayer concerns and praise reports:
you can email us
Or you can write to us at
Gleanings From The Word Ministries International
114 Oak St Sherwood Park, AB Canada T8A 0V8
© 2001-2004 Gleanings From The Word Ministries International - All Rights Reserved
