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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue # 393 January 24, 2002 Highway Pond Next to the incredibly busy highway was a small pond. Perhaps it would be better described as a slough with a little open water. There was nothing special about the place; it wasn’t much different than thousands like it I have seen before. One scene does stick in my mind though. Sitting blissfully on a floating log and basking in the sun were two small turtles. They seemed completely oblivious to the tens of thousands of cars that passed by daily less than a hundred feet away. Sometimes the church is like that pond. Christians sit blissfully unaware in their little sanctuaries as the world passes by. The church needs to be a place where the hurting can come to find the comfort and love that is available only through Jesus. People need time to heal from their wounds. At the same time, however, we need to be equipping people to go out and find the lost, the hurting and the outcast. Our role is not to remain blissfully unaware of things going on around us. Jesus told a story about a man and a feast: Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, `Come, for everything is now ready.' "But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, `I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.' "Another said, `I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.' "Still another said, `I just got married, so I can't come.' "The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, `Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.' "‘Sir,' the servant said, `what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.' "Then the master told his servant, `Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.' Luke 14:16-24 NIV The Master has plenty of room at His table for those unwelcome at many places. Part of our role as servants is to seek them out and invite them to come. Perhaps it is time to get up off your warm, sunny log and go out in search of someone to bring to the Master’s feast. Until next time, may you find an opportunity to share the story of God’s overwhelming abundance with someone. God bless. Kevin He has called the lonely, the tired, the hurting, the unlovable and the unworthy to come to Him for comfort, forgiveness and healing. To find out more about what it really means to accept Jesus, email me and I’ll share a few Bible verses that explain why a personal relationship with 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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