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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue # 782 April 15, 2003 Late Night Stroll It's almost 2:30 in the morning. Genni the wonder dog decided about 1:30 that she desperately needed to go for a walk. When she wakes me in the middle of the night, I know she has to go. I crawled out of bed and found my glasses in the dark. After stumbling down three flights of stairs to the front door (we live in a tall condominium), I located a couple of plastic bags to gather the puppy presents in. Finally (at least in her mind because I was obviously taking far too long) I threw on a jacket and hat to keep the mix of rain and snow off and we headed out for a walk. It wasn't very long before she had attended to business and we were able to come back in. As soon as we got home, she curled up on her blanket in the bedroom and went right to sleep. As for me, I'm still wide-awake from our little stroll. There's something decidedly unfair about that. I got up and responded to Genni's need but rather begrudgingly. Fortunately God is a lot more compassionate than I am God doesn't need to get up and He loves to respond. We can call on Him day or night and He is there to respond without the kind of little pout I'm having right now. Jesus understood that well. Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, `Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.' "Then the one inside answers, `Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs. "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11:5-10 NIV God stands ready at any hour of the day ready to answer. It might not be the answer we hoped for, but since He's God and we are not, we can trust that whatever the answer is, it is the best thing for us. Because of Christ, we can approach the throne at any time with confidence. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV It doesn't matter if it's a big problem or a small concern; He stands ever ready to respond. Until next time, praise God for His faithfulness to be on call 24-7. Be blessed. Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you have received an unshakable kingdom. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:28-29 NIV Never let the enemy tll 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 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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