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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #886 August 20, 2003 Standing on the Promises I visited a pastor friend of mine yesterday, he lives in the parsonage right next to his church. As I pulled into the parking lot, I noticed a family sitting in the shade of a big tree having a picnic lunch. It's a popular spot for people who are traveling to stop and stretch their legs, walk their dogs, have a snooze or grab a bite. There's lots of room for them to park, to turn their vehicles around an to stretch. It's a pretty location with the old church building (by Canadian standards anyway - more than 100 years), the big cemetery, the new church building and lots of lawn. I think it's delightful that people feel comfortable in stopping and making themselves at home. It's sort of a silent reminder of God's rest. I was thinking about the family later that afternoon as I drove home. They reminded me of a lot of believers. We're called to trust God and stand on His promises. Yet far to often, His church just sits on the premises instead of standing on the promises. Scripture is full of promises for those who trust and are obedient. There are far too many to talk about in this short space, so I'll just share few of my personal favorites. That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:9-13 NIV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 NIV Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:1-5 NIV There are promises from God about eternity, forgiveness, love, healing and more. Whatever you are facing God has it covered. Are you standing on the promises or just sitting on the premises? Until next time, may the God of all power help you to stand in faith in the midst of whatever life throws at you. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are a mountain mover. "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, `Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:22-24 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 God has wonderful promises for YOUR life. The first step to accepting them is to open your heart up to a relationship with Him 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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