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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life THERE WILL BE NO GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD TOMORROW OR FRIDAY AS I WILL BE IN THE MOUNTAINS WITH NO INTERNET ACCESS. WE'LL RESUME ON SATURDAY JULY 19th
There's something comforting about a nice campfire. It's warm, it makes me feel safe and I love to watch the different colors of the flames. Yet out of control fires can be terrifying. I've seen the aftermath of fires, I've watched buildings burning, fought grass fires that threatened to get out of control and seen the night sky lit up as distant forest fires burned. I've even known the horror of watching a person on fire. None of those brought me the comfort of my little campfire. Fire is a strange beast. It has been one of man's greatest helpers, providing heat, light, enabling the forging of metal and steam power but it can kill and destroy without warning if we're not careful. Some people are fascinated by fire. Others are terrified by it. I understand both perspectives as I've been in both places. Our God is like a fire, but never out of control. He can be terrifying to those who will face His wrath and comforting to those who know His love and forgiveness. God's wrath is not like that of an angry, spiteful, spoiled child out of control. It is the righteous anger of a Holy God, directed at those who rebel against Him and reject His offer of love and forgiveness. He is patient in exercising His wrath or we all would have been destroyed long ago. Both His love and His wrath burn with incredible intensity. Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:28-29 NIV We should never be fooled into thinking that God is always like our pleasant little campfire. He's also the power of the raging forest fire, all the burning suns put together and more. His wrath will come for those who don't believe. His wrath was for us as well until we came to know Him. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." John 3:35-36 NIV No one is born a Christian, we all become one by conversion. We move from death to life as a result of Christ's sacrifice. We've been saved from the wrath of God by the grace of God. That knowledge should create in us a burning desire, an internal, eternal fire to share the truth with other people. It should compel us to tell others to save them from the wrath that will come. Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. Jude 1:22-23 NIV Until next time, may you be a burning torch of light and rescue in a dark, hurting and ultimately doomed world. Let you fire for Christ burn brightly so that all can have the opportunity to be saved from the wrath. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are a save from the righteous wrath of God. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." John 3:35-36 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 The choice is yours and yours alone. Will you face God's righteous wrath for your sin, or will you accept the love that He offered through giving up His own Son in your place? God never sends anyone to hell, that' the natural consequence of sin. He's given you a way out. Will you take hold of it or make the decision to be damned for all eternity? I can't emphasize enough that the choice is yours and yours alone. Reach out and accept His love today. 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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