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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #350 December 12, 2001 Neglected Old Tools The old farmstead was abandoned and I poked around out of curiosity and boredom. I found the remnants of an old shed standing back in the shelterbelt. The shed was still standing, but barely. Gaping holes filled large areas of the roof and walls. It didn’t look safe to go in, so I looked through the window, or at least I think it was a window at one time. Scattered in with the debris were a few old tools that showed the cumulative effects of age, weathering and lack of maintenance. An axe head covered in rust, with part of a rotten and broken handle still attached. A knife, stuck point first in the wall, the blade dull, rusted and pitted beyond repair. A rusty old handsaw with only half a handle left. There were a few more lying about, but most were in such a sad state of repair that I could only guess what they might have been. The tools had been neglected so long that there were of no use to anyone. Nothing would ever be built with them again. Sometimes Christians neglect the tools God has given us to aid in our daily lives and grow His kingdom. We don’t take time for prayer. There isn’t enough time left during the day to spend with Him or in reading His Word. We fail to tithe and we find reasons not to attend worship or fellowship with other believers. We struggle and fight, but the tools He has provided just sit by the wayside as we try and do it all under our own strength. The church at Ephesus had neglected what God had given to them and He gave them a stern warning: Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. Revelation 2:4-5 NIV Until next time, may you pull out those old tools and begin to work some of the rust off them. God bless. Kevin Do you know the God who provides all the tools you need to make it through life, with peace, joy and freedom? If not email me and I’ll share a few Bible verses that explain why a relationship with Him is so important and a prayer that will make it possible. To share your thoughts on this issue of Gleanings, or to share prayer concerns email us at corbin_writer@hotmail.com. At Gleanings, we have a dedicated team of prayer warriors and all prayer concerns are kept strictly confidential. 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 on our website
© 2001 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin All Rights Reserved SUBSCRIBE TO GLEANINGS FOR FREE
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