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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue # 770 April 1, 2003 Groaning With the current temperatures being well above the freezing level most days of late the snow cover has been rapidly melting away. The lake ice is covered with a heavy layer of melt water that has flown onto it from the surrounding countryside. It will be a while yet before the ice breaks up, in the interim, the weight of the melt water will continue to lay heavily on the ice cover. At times when it is really still, you can hear the ice shifting and groaning under the weight. Sometimes it's a high-pitched scream, other times it is a deep groan that sounds like despair personified. Our lives can be like the ice. The weight of our sins and our circumstances piles up heavily on us. At first we don't even notice, after a while it becomes more uncomfortable and finally it weighs so heavily on us we groan in despair. It feels as if the whole universe is pressing in on us. King David knew the feeling well. We often read in the Psalms of his groans to God. I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. Psalm 6:6 NIV My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent. Psalm 22:1-2 NIV My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. Psalm 31:10 NIV Despite his pain, David knew that God was in control. The LORD has heard my cry for mercy; the LORD accepts my prayer. Psalm 6:9 NIV All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations. Psalm 22:27-28 NIV But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." Psalm 31:14 NIV When the pressure gets to you give it to God. Better yet give it over to God long before the pressure rises to the point of causing you to groan. Until next time, may you put all of your sin at His feet, and trust in Him no matter what your circumstances are. Be blessed. Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are led in Christ's triumph. thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 2 Corinthians 2:14 NIV 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. Is the weight of life making you groan? Give it to God! He wants to help you carry it and to set you free. If you want to know how that's possible 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, and saying a prayer along the lines of: 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. Did you know that at Gleanings, we have a dedicated team of prayer warriors and all prayer concerns are kept strictly confidential? Your comments, your questions and your joys are shared with the prayer team, to keep me accountable as the head of the ministry and to encourage them as they see God at work in your life. As with prayer all these things are kept confidential within the Gleanings team. To share your questions, comments, thoughts, prayer concerns and praise reports email us If you enjoyed this issue of Gleanings From The Word, email it, in its entirety, to a friend. For information on use of Gleanings in your church newsletter or other situations please visit the permissions page . You can write to us at Gleanings From The Word Ministries International 114 Oak St Sherwood Park, AB Canada T8A 0V8 © 2003 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin Gleanings From The Word Minististries International - All Rights Reserved
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