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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #891 August 26, 2003 Never The Same We've had some difficulty without outgoing mail the past two days, so if you've sent an email and not had a reply, please bear with us. We're working on the problem. One of the things I enjoy about walking Genni the wonder dog around the lake is that the trip is never the same two days in row. Even if we walk exactly the same route, there is always something different to see. We might encounter different people to talk to. The population of bird life is constantly changing. The grasses, trees and flowers are always a little different. The lighting might change depending on the time of day and the season. I can always find something new to enjoy. That's a wonderful thing when it comes to walking, but it would be a disaster when it comes to a God. I still learn something about God everyday, but that's because I see new parts of the whole, it's not because HE changes. How could we rely on a God for all of eternity if He constantly changed? How could we rely on the power and promises of a deity who was never the same twice? We couldn't. We'd have no assurance of anything. After His resurrection, Jesus spent forty days with his disciples and then ascended to heaven to sit at the right hand of Father. In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. "Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1: 1-11 NIV THIS SAME JESUS. The same Jesus who loved the children, who healed the sick, cast out demons and worked miracles. The same Jesus the disciple knew and loved. The same Jesus who lived a sinless life, then went willingly to the cross to pay for your sins and mine. This same Jesus is coming back. He proved His faithfulness and His claim to be the Son. He returned as He promised from the grave. This same Jesus is unchanging. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NIV When we trust in Him, we don't have to worry about Him changing His mind. He's our unchanging rock. Until next time, remember that as much as things around you change, we needn't ever worry, Christ remains the same. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are protected by the one who never changes. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 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 someone in life you can rely on. Jesus Christ. He's not simply a historical figure. He is alive, well and unchanging. He will set you free of the things that plague you, forgive your sins, and give you eternal life. All you have to do is make Him Lord of 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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