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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life

  

Issue #1,189 September 27,2004 Autumn   Genni the wonder dog and I took our stroll around the lake yesterday afternoon. We've been blessed with a bit of Indian Summer after our early snowfall, but there is no doubt that we're well into autumn and winter isn't far behind. The snow only lasted a day or two but it wreaked havoc on the trees. Many were broken and even more have been bent down for life from the weight of the wet snow. The ground is strewn with yellow and orange leaves and the trees look more bare with every passing breeze. Most of the ducks seem to have departed and the geese are flocking up for winter. There were probably seven or eight hundred geese gathered on the lake, instead of the usual 150 or so. That means they've begun the trek from up north (I know for our American readers that anywhere in Canada is up north, but I mean north of here even). More and more people are wearing heavy jackets and it's becoming almost common to see toques and mitts already. There were plenty of people out enjoying the afternoon. Every bench in the park had someone sitting and soaking up the warmth of the sun. We know that soon the colder temperatures will be upon us and sitting outside won't be nearly as pleasant. It won't be long now and the snowbirds (Canadians who live in the Southern US during the winter) will be flocking up and heading out for their annual break. The rest of us will soon be pining away, wishing the winter would leave and spring would arrive. It's sad in a way because while we wait impatiently for spring we miss the many joys that Winter can bring. I've met many Christians like that. They pine away for the afterlife and miss out on all the blessings God intended for them to have in this life. When we're dead their won't be anyone around to give our faith away to. We'll be surrounded by believers. It's only in this life that you can know the indescribable joy of seeing someone come to know Jesus for the first time. We're told to share our faith. We're called to be the salt and light to the world. "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16 NIV If you know Christ, you'll still get to heaven even if you don't share our faith, but when you do, you'll recognize that sharing was not only a responsibility, it was designed by God to be a huge blessing for us. What could be more satisfying than knowing you played some part, no matter how small in seeing someone spend eternity with Christ? Nothing that I can think of. Don't waste a moment. Use every moment to grab hold of the blessings God has designed for you that come only in this life and only by being a blessing to others. Until next time, live each moment to the fullest in Christ. 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 Don't waste a minute. God created you to walk in a personal and intimate relationship with Him. Every moment you spend running from Him is a moment less of the joy He intends for you. No one is too insignificant for Him. No one is so bad they can't be redeemed through Jesus Christ. He has a love beyond measure for you. Will you get right with Him 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.

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