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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue # 856 July 10, 2003 Fast Food God Genni the wonder dog knows what a drive-through is. We don't often go but after her very first visit she caught onto the concept that it was a good thing and she could expect a treat. As soon as we pull up to one she gets excited. She's looking forward to her taste of ice cream, nibble of donut or piece of burger. There's nothing wrong with a little fast food, but too much of it is an indicator of an unhealthy life style We live in a fast food world. We want our food NOW! We want our relationships to satisfy all of our needs NOW or we discard them. We want all of our weekly Jesus "obligation" done with in an hour on a Sunday morning. We worship a God who we expect to deliver all of our wishes and desires instantaneously. God doesn't work that way. An hour once a week relationship with anyone, including God, is destined to be a very weak relationship at best. Sometimes, God allows us to go through rough times to strengthen us, grow us or test our faith. An instant solution wouldn't be the best thing for us in the long run. Sometimes what we prayed for was the wrong thing, and if God had given us what we wanted, when we wanted it, we'd be in worse trouble. Sometimes our prayers are answered right away, but it's only in retrospect that we see them. God isn't a fast food God. He delivers the best quality every time in His own perfect timing. He isn't about to adjust His time schedule to fit ours, after all He's God and we're not (and that's a good thing). Our role is to walk in trust. To seek Him and let Him worry about the timing and how things will be handled. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34 NIV You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart Jeremiah 29:13 NIV Put away your fast food expectations of God. He's more like a gourmet banquet. It takes time to do the prep work, but the result is more wonderful than anything we anticipate. God is God. Let's walk in obedience and trust and let Him work in ways that will astound us. Until next time, to cite a cliché, let's "trust and obey." Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are able to stand firm in Him. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 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 God isn't a fast food God, but there is at least two things He does that are instant and permanent. He will forgive you of your sins and give you eternal life with Him. All you have to do is ask. 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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