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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #880 August 9, 2003 Saturday Morning Part of the reason this morning's Gleanings From The Word is coming out late is my cat Tigger. Tigger has been in need of a great deal of extra affection while Kathy has been away and this morning she has been very insistent. She kept walking on my keyboard until I petted her. When I stopped, she repeated the process several times until I resumed petting. Genni the Wonder Dog on the other hand is still upstairs sleeping. I haven't made coffee or breakfast yet so there is not point in her getting up. I know that the instant I open the fridge or put toast in she'll come running. Kris (my eldest son, the Bible college student) is off at work. He works full time during the week then has a part time job on top. College is expensive and pastors don't make big bucks, so he's doing his best to get through with minimal or no debt. Kyle (16) is still sleeping. What can I say? He's sixteen and on summer holidays. I slept in some myself this morning. That's the other reason Gleanings is a little later than the norm. So what? Why am I writing about my sleepy household this morning? Gleanings From The Word is all about experiencing God in an ordinary life. I just wanted to let you know that we have perfectly ordinary lives. We're not "super-spiritual" or "really religious" people. We're just ordinary every day people who have a love for Jesus Christ. We don't walk on water. We have our share of fights and difficulties and all of us are far from perfect. That's okay, because Jesus doesn't expect perfection. Look at the people he chose to be his disciples, fishermen, tax collectors, and other just regular folks. They were undoubtedly a little rough around the edges and had a lot to learn before they were more useful than nuisances. They were proud, and lacked faith. They fought amongst themselves. They made many blunders before they got it. When they finally did understand those first disciples literally changed the world. All believers are called into Christ's service. There are to be no bystanders, no pew sitters in the faith. We're called to give of ourselves. "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left. "Then the King will say to those on his right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:31-40 NIV We're called to evangelize and teach. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 NIV We're called to joy, to prayer and to thanksgiving. Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV We're called to heal, and cast out demons. We're called to live and give. We're called to much more, but you get the idea. None of that calls for extraordinary people. All of it can and will be done by ordinary people who simply love the Lord and desire to be obedient. No one is too young or too old; too rich or too poor; too sick or too well; to serve in some capacity. If you're not serving, you are being disobedient. It's time to get back on track. When ordinary people mobilize in their ordinary worlds in the power of God, extraordinary things happen. Until next time, ask yourself the question "Where am I serving?" Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are called to go out and share His love. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 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 You've blown it. You've made mistakes and done things you know are wrong. You know you're just an ordinary person. Take heart, God has plans for you that would boggle your mind. Take the first step to finding out what they are and ask Him into your life. 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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