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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #1,020 January 29, 2004 Unexpected. We got the pipes and the crawl space insulated yesterday and the pipes weren't frozen today. so I pray we have the problem licked. Spending a good part of the day resolving that problem threw my schedule completely out the window. The bulk of what I wanted to get done yesterday is now on today's to be done list. Schedules are like that. We can plan to the very best of our ability. We can be experts at time management and careful not to take too much on. Yet, there's always something unexpected that pops up. Sometimes it's an enjoyable interruption, such as a surprise visit from an old friend. Sometimes it's not so pleasant, like a trip to the hospital to visit that same friend. The truth of the matter is that as much as we want to think so, we're not in control of our owns lives. Don't misunderstand, we do have influence on what happens. but we're not in control. That's probably a good thing, because if you and I did everything our own way, I suspect we'd mess things up pretty badly. While we have been created in the image of God ... So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 NIV and we have the mind of Christ in some ways For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16 NIV we're not God. I know that might seem like a simplistic statement, but most secular philosophy and the call of many religions and the so called New-Age movement is to become God or to reveal your inner god. It isn't going to happen. We're not ever going to be gods. Without God, we're not even good. Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone. Mark 10:18 NIV Believers can become more Christ like. We will be sanctified, justified and glorified. We have eternal life with Him and glorified resurrected bodies. It will be wonderful beyond belief, but we still won't be gods. He was in control before there was time, He's in control now and He'll be in control for all eternity. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 NIV The next time some individual or movement urges you to become the god (or goddess) you were intended to be remember the truth. Until next time remember the one who is truly in control and rejoice that it isn't you or I. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin 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 You've been trying hard to get it all together, be a nice person and be good, but, something always comes up and causes you to stumble. You don't want to fall, but you do any way. There is no way to earn your salvation, there is no way to make your self righteous in the eyes of God. We're only people not gods. There is hope though. God doesn't expect perfection. He does want open and honest hearts that are committed to seeking Him. Be reconciled with Him today, ask Him 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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