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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue # 783 April 16, 2003 Are You One?
The sun had set and dusk was upon us as I walked Genni the wonder dog last night. All around the edge of the lake there is now open water, leaving a huge ice pack in the lake center. The water was cold and grey. The ice was that strange mix of grays and browns that only rotten ice at dusk can attain. Many of the waterfowl are back from down south so I thought I'd soon be able to catch the odd glimpse of the muskrats. There are a couple of pairs that live on the lake, but they keep a pretty low profile, and in the winter they are either in their dens along the shore of the lake or swimming under the ice. I don't see them from freeze up until break-up. We were almost all the way around the lake when I saw one sitting on the edge of the ice eating some fresh green growth. It was so perfectly camouflaged that if I hadn't been specifically looking, I never would have seen it. It was either pregnant or winter had been very good to it, because it was the fattest spring 'rat I have ever seen. The oily grey/brown of its coat made it look like just another piece of pack ice in the fading daylight. We stopped on shore, maybe five feet away and watched for a while until it got bored of our presence and slipped down under the water. Even while we stood there watching the muskrat, people walked by and had no clue that it was there. They either assumed we were watching some of the ducks and geese that were nearby or paid no attention whatsoever to our presence. The church can be like that. Many people have been going to the church their entire life and never accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour. They say they are Christians, they talk like Christians, and many even act like Christians. Since they talk the right talk, they are as camouflaged as the muskrat on the rotting ice. The others in the church assume that they are Christians or pay them no attention at all. I've even heard people in the church say "Why is the preacher giving a Gospel presentation again? We're all Christians here." That's a sad statement. Firstly because if it is true no one has done their job and invited unbelieving friends. Secondly, many of the "Christians" in the pew are at best cultural Christians. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian. Doing ministry work doesn't make you a Christian. Being baptized doesn't make you a Christian. Serving on a board or teaching Sunday school doesn't make you a Christian. All those things are important, but the only way to become a Christian is to accept Jesus. Despite the baggage that the words contain for some people, to be a Christian, you must be born again. There is no such thing as a not born again Christian. That’s not just my opinion, that’s what Jesus said. In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. " "How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, `You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." John 3:3-8 NIV You might not like some of the people who describe themselves as born again Christians, but if you're not born again you won't enter the kingdom. Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?" He said to them, "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, `Sir, open the door for us.' "But he will answer, `I don't know you or where you come from.' "Then you will say, `We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' "But he will reply, `I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!' "There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last." Luke 13:22-30 NIV In many ways the church is a huge mission field, because it is filled with well camouflaged individuals who think that because they were born into a church, or attend a church or serve they are Christians. Unless they accept Christ they are deceived. Are you one of the deceived, sitting in church Sunday after Sunday, year after year but having never made the decision to accept Christ? If you haven't been born again or if you're not certain that you have email us and we'll share some Bible verses that will explain the why and how of being born again. Don't wait be born again today. Until next time, if you have been born again rejoice and be prepared to share the truth with anyone who wants to know. Be blessed. Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are born again. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 1 Peter 1:23 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. 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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