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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #1,025 February 4, 2004, Faith I brushed the snow off my car and headed out the driveway. I used the debit card to pay for my groceries. I picked up the telephone to make a call. I turned on the stove to eat supper. What do all these things have in common (other than it was me doing them)? Got it yet? Lets try these events then. I sat in my chair. On my last trip to Nova Scotia I took a plane. I flicked the light switch on. I set my alarm at bedtime. How about now? If you haven't recognized the common thread in these seemingly ordinary, every day events, it's faith. What do these things have to do with faith? Whether we recognize it or not, we all have faith in something. I had faith that I could drive the car safely. Faith that there was money in the account to pay for the groceries. Faith that the telephone and stove would work. I had faith that the chair wouldn't collapse, that the pilot knew what he was doing and that the switch enabled the electricity to flow. Faith that the alarm would go off on time and that I would be alive to hear it. Perhaps you never thought of these sorts of things are requiring faith but they do. Would you willingly get into a plane where the pilot didn't know how to fly? Sit in a chair that you knew had a broken leg? Probably not. Faith is in integral part of every day life. Now, I'll admit that the faith that these sorts of things will work is in many ways a small faith that requires little or no thought. There is a faith that is of the utmost importance. When it comes to life and death, if you're reading this, you're alive but at some point in the future you will be dead (unless the Rapture happens before hand). The object of our faith in things for life and death makes a big difference. Some people feel that they just cease to exist when they die. They're basing their whole eternity on faith in their correctness. If they're wrong they have a big problem. The Bible says we all face God after our life. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. Revelation 21:12 NIV Some people have put their faith for eternity in being nice and doing good things. Scripture tells us that none of us qualifies as being good. Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone Mark 10:18 NIV Some have put their faith in religion. Religion doesn't cut it either. Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 NIV The only faith that will cut it when the bell rings for the end of life is a saving faith in Jesus Christ. Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:35-40 NIV I know you have faith in something, in fact you have faith in many things. What are you putting your faith for all eternity in? Until next time, may your faith for eternity be grounded in submission to the Risen Lord, Jesus Christ. 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 Life is hard and can seem hopeless and uncaring at times. You've wondered if there is anyone or anything out there that you can count on. You've wondered if anyone really cares. How do I know? I know because for many years I was in exactly that position. I learned that God is real, He can be depended on and He loves us. I learned that He promises that anyone who turns to Him will not be turned away. All of eternity hinges on one simple question I once read, "Jesus... yes or no?" I pray that your answer is yes. 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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