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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #1,024 February 3, 2004, Time to Invest Relax, this isn't a request for money!! Almost every time I visit my favourite watering hole (a Tim Horton's donut shop) for a coffee, there is someone in there selling someone else insurance; mutual funds or any other of a myriad of investments. Some seem perfectly legitimate, others are nothing more than blatant pyramid scams. It's not that I intend to listen, sometimes the sales pitch overwhelms your own conversation. I'm all in favor of investing and planning for the future. It makes good financial sense and we're called to be good stewards of what God has blessed us with. I could make a pitch for tithing at this point, because I firmly believe that all Christians are called to tithe and give offerings above and beyond their tithe. That's a subject for another day. I could make a pitch to giving to ministries and missions to spread the Gospel, but that too is a topic best left for another day. I could take about benevolent giving, where the proceeds go to people in need. Like the forgoing topics, it's not where I feel led this morning. So where are we going with this? I'm thinking about investing in your own spiritual growth. Investing in yourself for eternity. Knowing the Word. How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:9-11 NIV I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. Psalm 119-14-16 NIV How do we make such an investment? READ THE WORD Read your Bible every day. If devotionals like Gleanings are the only time you get in the Bible, it's better than nothing BUT it isn't nearly as good as reading the Bible for yourself. You're better off to unsubscribe and spend the time reading the Bible if you don't have time for both. STUDY THE WORD Compare different translations. Use any of a variety of commonly available Bible studies. You can find some good ones online here Attend a Bible study or a Sunday School. INVEST IN THE WORD Invest your time, but also invest in a good Bible dictionary, some commentaries, and a concordance. If you can't afford to buy these tools, here are some links to free downloadable Bible study software. Rather use online tools? Try this set at Crosswalk MEMORIZE THE WORD In case you're unclear about what I'm saying .... BIBLE READING AND BIBLE STUDY ARE VERY IMPORTANT INVESTMENTS IN YOUR FUTURE Until next time, may you spend some time finding out more about God and His plans for your life through time in His Word. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin 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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