Issue #1,160 August 23,2004 Rainy Afternoon
The view across the pasture, down the valley and up through the hills on the
other side was nothing short of spectacular. Some call them the Thunder Hills.
It is an appropriate name, hardly a day goes by in the Spring, Summer and Autumn
where you can't see a rainstorm somewhere along the range. On Saturday afternoon,
a trail of fog marked the river, deep in the valley and up on the hillside you
could see the fog tracing out the shape of the lakes. It had been raining all
day and the sun had finally broken through.
The pasture seemed to transform from a gray-brown to a bright green as the sunlight
continued to spread across the field, slowly illuminating more and more. Birds
burst out in song as the sun hit their roosting spots. The rain seemed to retreat
in fear from the sun.
The dark gray clouds seemed somehow lighter and fluffier as the sun played across
the sky. As the sun hit the spot where I was standing, I felt the air temperature
begin rising. Only moments before, I could see my breath in the cool air and now
I was thinking of taking my vest off.
The contrast between the steady rain and the warming sun, is like my life before
and since knowing Christ. I had lived in the gray drizzle and rain my whole life
without knowing there was something else. Then came Christ and my world warmed.
I saw things with different eyes. Old threats seemed somehow less menacing, and
life brought forth color and song.
Without Jesus we merely exist. We're dead in our sin and don't even know the
difference. Because our perspective has always been clouded by our sin, the light
offered by Christ seems somehow almost to good to be true.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been
made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in
the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
John 1:3-5 NIV
The darkness doesn't understand the light. It's afraid of the light, it hides
from it. Those in the dark try to justify their sin rather than being cleansed
in the light, yet somehow, somewhere, deep in their hearts, they know that the
light is the answer. Knowing that only makes them rail all the more.
When those in the darkness don't understand you. When they rail against you,
reject you or persecute you, remember that you're not alone. They did the same
to the prophets and to Jesus.
Blessed are you when men hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject
your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for
joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated
the prophets.
Luke 6:22-23 NIV
Sometimes life with Christ is hard, yet it is still life. Having known both the
darkness and the life, I would choose difficulty with Jesus over what seems like
ease in the dark places anytime. I chose to walk in the light and not to remain
in the darkness. I've never regretted it.
Until next time. Rejoice if you know Jesus, for life with Jesus is life indeed.
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
Somewhere in the deepest recesses of your heart, perhaps in the 2:00 a.m. awakening,
you know that something is missing. The heavy rain of life seems normal but you
wonder if there isn't something more. God promises that there is. He promises
light rather than darkness; life rather than death and blessings rather than curses.
All you have to do is step into the light and choose it over the darkness. Will
you?
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.
Looking for a previous issue of Gleanings From The Word?
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
