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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue 735 February 17, 2003 - A Scary Slide This morning, I remembered a scene I had witnessed this past summer while walking Genni in the park. A father and a small boy were playing and had gone over to the slide. The slide must have seemed enormous to the boy, but it wasn't as tall as the father. I had the impression that the son had been asking to go on the slide for a while from the tone of the father's "Okay, go ahead" The son squealed "yes", took the first step up the ladder, stepped back and said, "It's too big." "I'll be right here with you son" Up he went again, checking after every step that his father was still right there with him. When he reached to top, he cried, "It's too far down. I'm scared!" His father reassured him that he would catch him on the way down, walked to the front of the slide and caught him. "I want to go again daddy!" The scene played out the same way several times before the boy said "I can do it by myself now daddy." He went up and down several times by himself before I passed them and couldn't see anymore. I think a similar scene plays out in our hearts when God calls us to do something. We want to be obedient, but fear prevents us from taking that first step. Sometimes we manage to take the first step but get frightened and stop in the middle of the process. If we just trust in His presence and power, He'll see us through it every time and before long we have confidence in our new found ability. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:4 NIV The situation might seem uncomfortable or unfamiliar to us. The task might seem daunting, but obedience is an offering the Lord prizes highly. As the words to the old hymn say "Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey." He won't leave you to do the task alone. He'll equip you for whatever He calls you to do. May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV Until next time, may you take those first (or next) steps of obedience to His call upon your life. He's walking right there beside you. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you are a saint Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. Psalm 34:9 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 looking for purpose and meaning in life? Look to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, He has great plans for you. 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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