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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #399 January 30, 2002 The New In-laws Our 25th wedding anniversary is coming up next month, so I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about weddings, what it means to be married and those kinds of things. In my musing, I have thought a lot about what it means for the church to be the Bride of Christ. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready Revelation 19:7 NIV Being the bride implies a high degree of intimacy. We’re called to have a personal and intimate relationship with Him and that is a glorious thing. It also struck me though, that it means something more. As in any other marriage, His family becomes part of our family. That brings about a whole new series of challenges. Sometimes in-laws are the most wonderful people on earth and a joy to gain as family members. Other times, like our own blood relatives some of them can be a real problem to have to deal with. Our new family includes wonderful people that we instantly like. It also contains people whose theology differs greatly from ours, and those whose worship style and priorities are different than our own. It includes people of different races, ages and backgrounds. The family contains drunkards, whores, thieves, abusers, and other undesirables. It includes people who are simply mean, nasty and difficult to deal with. We don’t get to choose them; they come with the package. Yet we’re still called to deal with them and love them. "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35 NIV Look around at your new family and ask yourself have you have been doing at loving them. Until next time, may God soften your heart towards members of the new family He has given you. God bless. Kevin Are you searching for belonging or a family? There is one waiting for you. It’s not a perfect family, but the head of the household loves unconditionally, will accept you where you are and will forgive your past. Accept Jesus as your Saviour and join the family of God. Email me and I’ll share a few Bible verses about why that relationship is 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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