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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #1,012 January 20, 2004 Ticket Time I confess to having recently received a red light camera ticket. One evening just before the new year on the way home from visiting friends, we approached an intersection. The light turned yellow, and I didn't think there was time to stop safely on the slick road, so I went through. Bad call! The light turned red as I was going through. I knew I was busted before we cleared the intersection, because I saw the flash on the camera go off. I'm now $237 poorer (OUCH) but at least with a photo ticket it doesn't impact my driving record or insurance rate. It's the first ticket I've had in many years, and prayerfully the last. People complain about photo radar and red light camera tickets, claiming that they are just a cash grab. The reality is that if we didn't speed or go through red lights, we would never have to worry. I could complain about the ticket I received. I could say that it was strictly a judgement difference. The truth is that no matter what the reason, I went through the red light. I'm guilty. I'm not happy about that fact, but it's pretty hard to argue We often try and justify our breaking of the rules. We're masters of justifying and making excuses. No one else obeys the rules. I had a reason to be speeding. My employer underpays me so they can afford it if I take a few things home. Who is going to know? No one is being hurt. It's only one time. I'm not as bad as he is. People even try and rewrite the Bible to excuse their sin. Oh God didn't really mean that. That was for then, things are different now. Jesus didn't really say that, it was added later. The list goes on and on. I'm sure you've probably heard (or used) some of the excuses yourself. The truth is we're often more repentant over being caught than over having sinned. That reveals a heart condition that needs adjusting because sinning is never excusable. The fact is sin is sin. God knows what's best and He knows any sin is too much and without justification. As His children we're called to not sin and to be holy. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16 NIV He knows that we won't be perfect and He offers us redemption when we fall short, but the call is still to be righteous. The call is to shed our sin and be blameless. Walking in the light involves a choice. So does staying in the light. Until next time, may He convict us of our sin and teach us that He's interested in pure hearts not excuses. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin OUR GOD IS Our God is never changing. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NIV YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus as Saviour you are called to be set apart and to live holy lives. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16 NIV 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 Let's cut to the chase. You know in the deepest part of your heart, or when you wake up in the middle of the night that the life you lead isn't pleasing to God. Yet you don't see any way out. You've blown it and you're convinced He could never forgive you. The truth is God will forgive anyone who comes with an honest repentant heart. He sent Jesus to die so that you might be forgiven. Don't buy into a lie, go for the truth. God loves you and wants you to have a personal relationship with Him. 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 © 2003 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin Gleanings From The Word Minististries International - All Rights Reserved
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