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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue 724 February 5, 2003 - Pain I'm up working earlier than usual this morning. It's not because I'm feeling particularly ambitious, it's because I can't sleep due to a throbbing toothache. I've tried toothache drops, and Tylenol, I've tried icing my face but none of it seems to be helping. I have a dentist appointment tomorrow so I’ll just have to put up with it until then. I know from the experience that a toothache fits pretty far down on the pain scale, but for me it's one of those nagging pains that really annoy. I've had broken bones that bothered me far less than a toothache. Pain really is an amazing invention. It is our body's way of telling us that something is wrong and in need of attention. Without it we would have all kinds of additional problems. For example, those who have Hansen's Disease (Leprosy) lose the use of nerve endings in various parts of their body. It's the loss of the nerve endings that creates many of their problems. They don’t feel the pain of cuts, burns and other injuries and can do their bodies irreparable harm. Pain is a fact of life. There is no escaping it. Pain can be a very beneficial thing. Pain is actually a gift from God. It can point out things in our lives that need changing. Experiencing pain can point us in the direction of God for pain-relief or comfort. Pain often accompanies growth. The old need to be broken before the new can emerge. For many people, the act of coming to terms with the pain in their lives (physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual) is the very act that sends them running into the arms of a loving God. It can be the final step that gets our attention and makes us look outside of "self." I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me. Psalm 69:29 NIV There will come a time when there is no more pain for all those who have accepted Him. We will be in an eternity free of any form of pain or suffering. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:3-4 NIV In the interim, if you have pain, trust God to bring you through it. Seek His heart in it and ask what it is you need to be learning or doing differently. Perhaps He will bring you relief, perhaps He will bring you healing, perhaps He will bring you growth or perhaps His plan is to simply let you rest in Him and be comforted. No matter which one He brings in response to your pain, if you allow your pain to draw you to God, you win. Until next time, may you find comfort and joy in Him even in the times of trial and pain. Be blessed. Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you are like a well-watered garden The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11 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. Are you hurting? Look to the one source of true relief; look to a personal relationship with Jesus. 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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