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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #1,026 February 5, 2004, False Advertising I walked into a hardware store that advertises itself as being helpful and friendly. It took a long time to find anyone who seemed to work there. When I asked them for assistance, the response certainly wasn't friendly, and the help dubious at best. We sat down to dine at a restaurant that specializes in chicken. They were all out. You couldn't order a single item that contained chicken off the menu. The insurance company advertises itself as caring and always there for you. That lasted as long as they were collecting premiums. As soon as we needed to make a claim they became difficult to reach and obviously cared far more about their bottom line than for me as a long term customer with a need. That's the way things often are in life. The reality and the claims are far from being the same. Now, I know in all fairness that it may have simply been bad days for those employees and supplier problems for the chicken place. Differences between the promises and the perception can even happen within the church. Unlike the promises of advertisers though, I know that God's promises are true. He has demonstrated throughout history, His incredible patience and faithfulness. When the church disappoints, it isn't because it's God who has failed, it's the people in the church. You see we serve, a loving, omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent God. Yet for His own reasons, he has allowed ordinary people with all of their faults to represent Him here on this earth. That means sometimes the church will miss the boat. Sometimes the people in the church will be uncaring, or rude, or self serving. Sometimes the teaching won't be bang on, or you won't be made to feel welcome when you visit. Sometimes the church will get it's priorities mixed up. Don't let those things turn you off of God. You would be missing out on the best thing that could ever happen to you if you did. The church by it's very nature can't be perfect. If they let you and I in the doors, we know that it's not going to always have it together. Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--and the things that are not--to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 NIV We're not perfect yet. That's not going to happen in this lifetime. We're better than we were when we started the journey (or should be if we're striving to know God more and follow Him ... which means if you haven't been growing in your faith and been undergoing Spirit led changes you need to do some repenting and get back on track) and down the road we'll be better yet. Never good enough to look down on others, because God knows that we wouldn't have a chance either without Him, but better than we were. Until next time, if you've been hurt by someone in the church. take it to God in prayer and remember you and I aren't perfect yet either. 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 You've struggled at times in this life. Perhaps you thought you would even try religion and found out it didn't help. Let me share a secret with you. Being a Christian isn't about "religion" it's about relationships. The key relationship is a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. He's not some distant, uncaring, force. He's right here, has a personality and wants to be in relationship with you. He wants to give you peace; hope; joy; love; contentedness; forgiveness and eternal life. All you have to do is invite Him into your life. Will you do that today? 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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