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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #413 February 13, 2002 Autumn Leaves It’s winter now, but a stray leaf had blown from somewhere and landed by our front door the other day and I started reminiscing. I had travelled a long way to see the autumn leaves. In my home province of Alberta, autumn leaves turn primarily yellow, so unlike some places yellow is the colour of fall. The spectacle had been worth waiting for. A thick blanket of leaves covered the ground and crunched when I walked on them. The colours of the leaves, the rich reds, deep oranges and the browns fascinated me. People wait anxiously each year for the colours to come out on the trees. The display is really something to see. In reality though, the leaves don’t change colour because new pigments or growth transforms them. Autumn leaves turn to their true colour once the life sustain chlorophyll departs from them. They change colour because the very thing that had given them life has left them. Life is like that for many people, they put on wondrous displays and have colourful lives, but they are missing the one thing that gives them life itself. Their lives are devoid of the transforming power of Jesus and while they may seem to be colourful, they are really dry and lifeless. Before becoming a Christian I had a good life. I was happily married, had a good career, came from a good home and was financially stable. I was always restless though and never quite content. I was perpetually looking for the next raise, promotion or new gadget that would settle my restlessness and leave me content. It wasn’t until I discovered Him and accepted Him as Lord of my life that I began to understand true joy and contentment. I never truly understood those things until, like the chlorophyll entering the leaves Holy Spirit came upon me and transformed me from within. It is God who gives true life. Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:17-21 NIV Until next time, remember those whose lives are not full of True Life and pray for them. Hallelu Yah Kevin Are you like I once was, living a life that is full but still knowing that something is missing? Do you recognize that for some reason you can’t quite put your finger on there is emptiness within. Look to the source of life for fulfillment. I’m not talking about religion; I’m talking about an intimate, personal relationship with God Himself. Email me and I’ll share a few Bible verses that will explain why that relationship 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. or write us at : Gleanings From The Word 114 Oak Street Sherwood Park, AB Canada, T8A 0V8 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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