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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #384 January 15, 2002 Rising Rivers The rain was miserable, but we were having fun despite the inclement weather. Three friends and I, loaded in two canoes, were spending a lazy weekend paddling down the river. Our wives had dropped us off upstream on one river. We’d travel down to where it joined another, travel a half day further and get picked up again by our wives. The rain had raised the water levels some and we travelled faster than usual, but then the sun came out and we enjoyed the rest of our trip. What we didn’t know, until we tried to get out of the water and found our landing spot washed away, was how high the water had really risen. We found out later that the water had risen high enough to destroy several bridges just upstream of where we had started. I wonder sometimes if that’s not how Christians are. We go merrily to church each Sunday content to do our once a week Christian duty, floating along oblivious to what is going on around us. When we do that we miss two things. We miss seeing the great needs of a perishing world that we could be helping save and we miss seeing the wonderful ways that God’s hand is at work in the world. We start off with enthusiasm, and cool off. We become content with our routines and just drift along. I sometimes want to change the words to Amazing Grace and sing "Twas blind and then put on blinders so I wouldn’t have to see to much." Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. John 7:38 NIV He didn’t fill us with streams of Living Water so we could float along on them oblivious to things. We’re to do something with it, Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5:1-5 NIV Until next time, may the powerful streams of Living Water He gave you not become stagnant. I pray you use the power of those streams for His glory. God bless. Kevin Do you know the feelings of being empowered by the streams of living water; of being loved, forgiven and made new? If not, email me and I’ll share a few Bible verses that explain why a relationship withy Him 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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