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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #1,023 February 2, 2004, Sunrise ... Sunset Both the sunrise and the sunset yesterday were nothing short of spectacular. It had nothing to do with the appearance of either. It was simply the fact that for the first time in what seemed like forever, they could actually be seen instead of being hidden by snow clouds. In reality, both were at best pretty average looking, but being able to see them made them wonderful. They were a perfect example of the common made uncommon. God loves common things. I once read someone (I don't recall who it was) who said God loves common, ordinary people and the proof is that He made so many of us. That statement might be a tad cliché, but clichés become that way because they often contain kernels of truth. One of the real blessings from God is that He chooses to use ordinary, everyday people to do wonderful, extraordinary, holy things. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7 NIV In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 2 Timothy 2:20-21 NIV When you stop and think about it, it is an awesome privilege to be able to serve the Living God. Nothing else we will ever do, will equal the eternal value of serving the Lord even for a moment. The very talented people in this world may do incredible things (and I'm grateful for them) but if it's not done for the Lord it will come to nothing in the end. If you're one of the few who have wondrous talents, I urge you to use them in His service, where the results will last forever. For the rest of us, who have all been gifted in some way by Him, but are otherwise pretty ordinary, we can rejoice that He uses us. Open yourself up to being used by Him and He'll do wonderful things through you. You'll be blessed in ways that you never thought possible, simple because you said "Here I am, use me." Until next time, rejoice that God loves the ordinary as well as the extraordinary. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin OUR GOD IS Our God is holy. I am the LORD who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy. Leviticus 11:44 NIV YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus as Saviour you are holy. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Ephesians 1:4 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. You are so precious to God that heaven will not be complete without you. HELP FOR THE HURTING The world has told you that there isn't anything special about you. You don't really have a purpose or anything that makes you stand out above the 6 billion other people on this planet. Don't believe it. God has a wonderful purpose for your life and a job that only you can do. The first step to getting on with that purpose is to ask Him to be Lord of your life. Will you do that? 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 © 2001-2004 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin Gleanings From The Word Ministries International - All Rights Reserved
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