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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue # 772 April 3, 2003 A New Thing God has given Kathy and I a new vision (it still includes Gleanings so you can relax). We're being called out of the congregation we are members of, to start a new work here in our home community of Sherwood Park, Alberta. The congregation we are leaving has been our church home ever since we became Christians and has been a blessing to us. We will miss it and the people there who have in many ways been our family for a long time. Yet, we know that God is calling us to do something different. Not better just different. We won't actually leave the congregation we belong to until the end of May as we have made commitments to teach there until that time. The vision is a new ministry/church that reaches out to the community and networks to link the resources of other ministries and churches in our area. We have some concepts that we believe will enable us to do that and be a blessing to the community. The details aren't fully articulated yet and would be too long to fit in an issue of Gleanings, so for the time being, I'll just leave it at that. It has been a process that has taken a couple of years of following the different steps towards the goal that God has placed in front of us. At times, we weren't certain where He was leading other than "out" to something new. It's been both exhilarating and terrifying to follow God along to a destination we weren’t certain of. Each step of the way we've said yes, although sometimes with more excitement than others and the new vision is tremendously exciting for us. I'm coming to understand the words of the Psalmist better: Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Psalm 2:11 NIV We don't have the logistical details for the new vision all figured out yet, but we're trusting in God to guide the way. While I certainly wouldn't call myself an Abraham, I have a taste of what it must have been like when God called him to leave his home and go out to parts unknown. At the time of the calling, Abraham was still known as Abram. The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. Genesis 12:1 NIV He also threw in some big incentives for Abram to go. "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Genesis 12:2-3 NIV God hasn't thrown us promises of big blessings. In fact He hasn't promised us anything at all, except the satisfaction that comes from being obedient to what He calls us to do. We've already faced some opposition from people who don't understand the vision and that's to be expected. We've also met some people who are very excited about it. Even if no one else climbs aboard, we will be obedient and move in the direction God is calling us. Obedience to God is far more important to us than pleasing people. Of course in an ideal situation we could make everyone happy and serve God at the same time, but that isn't reality. So we've made the choice to do as Joshua did But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD Joshua 24:15b Is God calling you out to do something? Is there a ministry He has laid on your heart? Trust Him and follow. He doesn't promise success, as the world understands success but nothing done in His name and under His authority is ever wasted. You might have success beyond your wildest dreams. You might have a season of ministry that passes in time. You might have a ministry that didn't seem to work. No matter what the outcome of the venture, if you done it in obedience to God, there will be benefits for eternity. If He's calling you, He has a reason of great importance. Until next time, may you step out in obedience to His call on your life. Be blessed. Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are favored by God You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit. Job 10:12 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. Did you know that God has a big plan for your life? No matter what you've done, He wants to forgive you and make you right with Him. Being made right with God is the first step in an incredibly exciting journey. 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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