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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue # 854 July 8, 2003 Waiting on the Bus He was sitting at the bus stop when I arrived. He was an elderly man, it was hard to tell exactly how old, easily in his late seventies, more likely his mid to late eighties. He was dirty and smelled less than pleasant. It was only 11:00 a.m. and he smelled like he'd been drinking all day. I'd like to tell you I was super-spiritual and talked with him and shared the gospel, but to my shame I was tired from the teaching I had just finished and stood behind him. That didn't deter him, he simply turned around and began to talk. He told me his name, his life story, and more. I could hardly get a word in. Then his bus arrived. He got up, smiled and said "Thanks for talking to me. Most people don't." Ouch! He had been blessed by just having someone listen to him. I had some serious repenting to do. One of the biggest problems our busy world faces is loneliness. It's hard to imagine that in a world with more than six billion people that anyone could possibly be lonely, but it' true. Even in houses full of family many people lie awake in the middle of the night aching with loneliness asking themselves questions like: Does anyone even care that I'm alive? Will anyone even miss me if I disappeared? Why is everyone else so happy when I feel so all alone? Is there any meaning to my life? Why doesn't someone care? Why doesn't anyone ever listen to me? Am I invisible? The list goes on and on. For those of us who know Christ, we don't ever need to ask those questions. If we know who we are in Him, we understand how much He loves us and that He will never leave us We know that He has a purpose for our lives. We know that He will always be there for us. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV If you're not certain of who you are in Christ drop us a note. Let us know your first name (and gender if it's a name that might be either) and we'll email you back a personalized reminder of who you are in him. Please allow us three or four days for a response as we anticipate a heavy demand. A believer is never alone. We need never suffer from loneliness. Sometimes God's people will let you down, like I would have done with the old man waiting on the bus, after all we're only people, but God never will. Until next time, rejoice in the fact that you are loved and have value beyond measure. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are loved. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 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 Are you one of the lonely? You don't need to remain that way. The God of all creation longs for a relationship with you, a relationship that will last for eternity. All you have to do is invite 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 © 2003 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin Gleanings From The Word Minististries International - All Rights Reserved
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