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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue 722 February 3, 2003 - A Mountain Top Experience I spent a good part of the weekend at BreakForth Canada 2003, North America's largest creative worship conference. As well as having the opportunity to speak myself, I got to hear speakers like Dr. Henry Blackaby (Experiencing God) and enjoy worship lead by Arlen Salte (Canada's largest selling Gospel artist) and Graham Kendrick (Shine Jesus Shine). There were sessions by Phil Callaway, Bill Hybels, Tommy Tenny, David Nasser and many more. Lianna Klassen, Robin Mark, SONICFLOOd and others led worship sessions. All told, there were more than 130 sessions on an incredible array of topics presented by many of the top people in their fields, far more than any one person would ever have been able to take in. By Sunday evening, the conference halls were filled with exhausted Christians. They were filled to overload and exhausted but hungering for more. I suspect that there are thousands of very tired believers across the country this morning. I seldom endorse anyone or anything through this column, but BreakForth is an exception. If you can only attend one conference a year, Break Forth should be on your list for 2004. The presenter list will include Pastor John Ortberg from Willow Creek Community Church, and worship leaders Bob Fitts and Paul Baloche. Look for many exciting speakers to be announced in the months ahead. You can keep track of updates at www.breakforthcanada.com Like many such conferences, BreakForth is a mountain top experience. People leave the conference having heard a fresh word from God, fellowshipped intensely with other believers and experienced new and powerful levels of worship. They will return to their homes and congregations full of fresh vision and wonderful new ideas. As important as mountain top experiences are, we can't live on top of the mountain all our lives. Sometimes we live way down deep in the valleys of pain, depression and despair. Most people spend their time somewhere between the two extremes, moving a little up and a little down depending on what challenges they face in life. One of the blessings of being a Christian is that we serve a God who is faithful no matter what we face. He's there on the mountaintop rejoicing with us. He's in the valley to comfort us. He's in the foothills as we struggle through the daily grind of life. He is there to rejoice in our triumph. He is there to comfort us in our mourning. He is there to encourage us in our trials and weakness. He is God. God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: `I AM has sent me to you.' Exodus 3:14 NIV He is the great I AM. He is not the "I was" or the "I will be". He is the "I AM". He is the great God who was and is and is to come. We can count on Him in the valleys and on the mountaintops. He doesn't change when our circumstances change. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NIV Whatever you will face today, He's there for you. Until next time, sing His praise from the tops of the mountains, praise His name from the depths of your despair and call on Him everywhere in between. Be blessed. Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you are God's gift to Christ. Father, I [that is, Jesus] want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. John 17:24 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. Wherever you are standing in life, God can be there for you. Are you hurting? He's got the cure! Are you lonely? He can provide companionship! Are you confused? He can give you wisdom! Are you in bondage to sin? He can set you free! All you have to do is turn to Him and ask. You can have a personal, intimate relationship with God just for the asking. If you want to know how that's possible simply email us and we'll send you some Bible verses that will explain it to you 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 Ministisries International - All Rights Reserved
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