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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #1,018 January 27, 2004 Answered Prayer It's cold up in this neck of the woods lately. Yesterday with the wind chill it was -49 and today it's supposed to be colder. Some place are much colder with no immediate relief in sight. I thank God for a roof over my head and a furnace that works. There's something psychological about the -40 mark. When it gets below that level it's really cold. As the old cliché goes "Ain't a fit day for man nor beast." Even Genni the wonder dog doesn't want to go outside when it's like this. She reluctantly goes into the back yard to tend to business but she hurries when she goes out. Sometimes, I think animals are smarter than people. They hole up and bed down in weather like this, waiting for things to warm up. People try and carry on business as usual. The schools are open and people head off to work like always. That meant that I had to boost my son's truck so it would start, as he needed to get to work. He has to park on the street, so there isn't a place for him to plug in his block heater. I also got to meet one of my neighbours because his truck needed a boost as well. It was an answer to prayer for me as I've been praying for an opportunity to meet more of the neighbours. I doubt that the considered needing a boost to be an answer to prayer. That's one of the amazing things about prayer. When God His answers are so much better than ours. I couldn't have contrived a better way to meet my neighbour than a simple opportunity to be of service. God's ways are so much bigger than ours. He knows what is really needed and what it will take to get the job done. We might not consider what's going on in any given circumstance to be the answers to our prayer, but He's hard at work behind the scenes. That's part of the reason we're reminded in Scripture: Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV He's behind the scenes working in the bleakest seeming of situations. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV Cold weather or whatever else comes your way, might just be the opportunity you've been waiting for. An opportunity for you to minister to someone else, or for them to minister to you. It might be the answer to someone's prayer. Until next time, bundle up, keep warm and praise Jesus. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin OUR GOD IS Our God's voice has power. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic. Psalm 29:4 NIV YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus as Saviour you have life and peace in the Spirit The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace Romans 8:6 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 I don't know what's happening in your life. It may very well be a time of trial, disappointment and pain. You wonder how that can be a blessing from God. If it draws you closer to Him and His offer of love, hope, forgiveness and eternal life, it's worth it all. His love is the most valuable gift there is. There's no secret to getting it, all you have to do is humbly and with a repentant heart ask Him to come into your life. 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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