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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #884 August 16, 2003 Staying Centered I'm writing this in the living room of a family I'm staying with in Nova Scotia. They were kind enough to put me up at the request of a distant relative of mine, without even having met me. There are no available hotel rooms for miles due to a couple of regional festivals that happen this weekend. They're a delightful couple, who have been most hospitable. I've just returned from my grandmother's memorial service and interment. It's been a mixed blessing. There was grief as I thought of her passing and joy in knowing where she is (now safely in the arms of Father). I met people whose names I had heard my entire life, and was reintroduced to family members I haven't seen since my childhood. The memorial was just as she requested, short, simple and not a lot of falderal. I think she would have been pleased. Her passing had me contemplating the brevity of life. As I wrote her eulogy, I thought of something she had shared with me on my visit down to see her last fall. While I don't recall her exact words, she reminded me that first and foremost in importance is our faith. Family and relationships are secondary and all the rest is extra. She told me that she had recognized that late in life, and she wanted to be sure I understood. People come and people go. The world continues to click along as if they aren't here. As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. Psalm 103:15-16 NIV My grandmother understood that our faith is eternal. Our family and relationships invaluable, and the rest just blows away. She anchored her hope to the One who is eternal. But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children-- with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Psalm 103:17-19 NIV When we're right with God, we're equipped to better love our families and those we're in relationship with. We're better equipped to handle all the other "stuff", both good and bad that come our way. Nanny Dot had it right. Keep God the center. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-34 NIV What's at your center? What are you seeking? Until next time, may you truly seek Him and the things of His kingdom first. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are provided for. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. John 6:33 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 There is only one source for all the things you need. Chasing anyone or anything else will leave you eternally empty. Turn today 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
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