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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #882 August 12, 2003 Choices An update for those who have been praying, my grandmother Dot went peacefully to be with the Lord yesterday afternoon. I'll be traveling down to Nova Scotia on Thursday and returning late Monday. I will try to obtain internet access while I'm away, but if there are any issues of Gleanings from Thursday- Monday, they'll be sporadic. I'm sad of course that she passed away and I'll miss her. I'm relieved that He took her home quickly after she slipped into a coma. I'm at peace with her passing knowing that she knew Jesus so I'll see her again. Had she been a non-believer, I would be feeling a great deal of extra sorrow at her passing because I know that then she would spend eternity in hell. Heaven or hell. It seems to me such an obvious choice, yet for many years I was a non-believer and was deceived into thinking that hell might be okay, if it even existed. I certainly didn't want to go to heaven with all it's hypocrites and holy rollers. It took a long time for me to come to see the truth, but I'm forever grateful that I did come to understand. Hell is real and it won't be a pleasant place. Yet no one has to go there, we all have a choice to accept Jesus. Those who go there will have to acknowledge their error because Scripture tells us that It is written: " `As surely as I live,' says the Lord, `every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' "So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:11-12 NIV That means they will have eternity to think about their choice to reject God and an understanding of what that truly means. Those who reject Him are to be pitied. For those of us who have heaven as an eternal home, we must always remember that it isn't because we're any "better" or "more deserving" of escaping hell. It simply means that we accepted God's offer. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV We're going only because of His grace and His mercy. Each believer has a divine mandate to do everything in his/her power to see others brought to Christ. We're to give, not only to the local church but to ministries and missionaries who share the gospel. We're to pray for those who are lost. We're to tell others about Jesus and how He saved us. We're to love other people, even those who are hostile to the gospel message. These are not things requiring special gifts or calling from God. These things are a duty for every Christian. How well are you performing your duty? Until next time, may you begin to do all that God has called you to do. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are a disciple of Christ. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. John 8:31 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 Don't be deceived, hell is real and it's not going to be a fun place full of "fun" people. It's the stuff of your worst nightmares magnified infinitely. You don't have to go there though, all you have to do is bring Christ into your life as Lord. 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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