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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue # 788 April 22, 2003 How Often? As we drove around the corner, there was a raven feasting on a piece of road kill, or perhaps it was a bit of garbage. The raven was so intent on eating that it wasn't paying attention and was slow to fly out of the way. Only a bit of adept braking kept the raven from joining the feast permanently. As soon as we had passed, the raven flew back and began eating once again. It seemed to have absolutely no idea how close it had just come to death. I wonder how often we're like that slow to react raven. We're oblivious to the dangers around us and have no concept of how often we're saved by God's intervention in our lives. I wonder how often the mercy of God's wrath keeps us from paying the full and immediate price for our sins. We blunder along in life sinning as we go. Sometimes it's unintentional; sometimes we simply don't know any better, but often it's outright rebellion that we choose. God's Word makes it clear what the penalty for sin is. For the wages of sin is death Romans 6:23a NIV There have been times in Scripture where God has chosen to make examples of people and show the cost of their sin immediately. One of many examples is the story of Ananias and his wife Sapphira. Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet. Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God." When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then the young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him. About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, "Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?" "Yes," she said, "that is the price." Peter said to her, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events. Acts 5:1-11 NIV If it weren't for God's great patience the same fate would have befallen all of us a long time ago. Next time you get angry that the wicked seem to be getting "away with it", remember that just because God is patient, it doesn't mean people are getting away with any thing. There will be a day of reckoning for all of us. The fact that the day of reckoning might be postponed doesn’t mean it is not coming. Remember that before we accepted Jesus the punishment for our sins was postponed as well. Once we have accepted Him we become the recipients of His mercy and forgiveness and not just His patience. Until next time, rejoice in God's great patience and in the mercy He offers to all who will accept Him. Be blessed. Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you have become a recipient of God's mercy. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10 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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