|
GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #873 August 1, 2003 Routine I'm sitting in a coffee shop waiting for a friend as I write this morning. It's an incredibly busy place, with a non-stop flow of customers coming and going and the drive through window backed up almost beyond belief. It's obvious that for a great number of people a vital part of their morning ritual is a Tim Horton's (TM) coffee and a donut or a muffin. I'm sure if I went over to the local Second Cup (TM), Starbucks (TM) or Denny's (TM) I would see the same phenomenon. People will go out of their way to get their morning coffee, and if they don't get it, their entire day is out of balance. I've seen people whose whole week fell apart because they never quite recovered from missing a coffee. It's incredible how much reliance we put on the stability of a daily routine. It might not be coffee but most people have some "ritual" or another during the day that keeps them anchored. I'm not knocking coffee ( I do enjoy my morning cup), but I wonder what would happen if we started our day with a few minutes in Scripture as part of that routine. It's not likely that non-believers would do it, although I have met non-believers who know their Bible better than some pastors (at least in the sense of head knowledge, since if they don't believe, it obviously hasn't impacted their hearts). The body could face the day grounded on the Rock. We'd have closer relationships with the Great Shepherd and we'd be better equipped to face whatever the day would throw at us. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. Psalm 77:12 NIV I recounted my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees. Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders. My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. Psalm 119:26-30 NIV Until next time, incorporate some time in the Word as part of your daily routine. Don't be content to just read Gleanings, it's designed to supplement, not replace personal time in the Bible. Once you get used to the idea, you'll find it even more important than that first cup of coffee. Start the day with Christ and be strengthened. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you have peace with God and can stand in any adversity. Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God Romans 5:1-2 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 are so precious to God that heaven will not be complete without you. HELP FOR THE HURTING Are you looking for a source of stability in an unstable world? Look to a personal relationship with Jesus. 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
|