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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue # 864 July 22, 2003 Bandanas, Pocket Knives and Bible Verses I'm an old fashioned bandana and pocket knife kind of guy. I guess that in the eyes of many that makes me a hick or a redneck. Oh well, so be it. I carry a bandana most of the time to use as a handkerchief. Sometimes, I'll carry a handkerchief, but a bandana is larger and more useful. Most of the time I also carry a pocket knife or one of those folding multipurpose tools which contain variety of utensils and pair of pliers. Sometimes I'll have both in my pockets. Over the years I've learned that bandanas can be used to wipe perspiration. They can be used as a hat, as bandages, as little bags for carrying thing, as face clothes or towels. If I'm carrying red one, I can even use it to tie to the end of a load that sticks out of my trunk as a warning flag to others. The pocket knife can be used for everything a knife is capable of. The folding "leatherman" adds screw drivers, a ruler, pliers, bottle and can openers and more. All have come in very handy at one time or another. Having the bandana and pocket knife readily available has made life simpler more times than I can count. The third thing I try to carry is the Word. I don't have nearly enough of the Bible memorized. I use it to give myself encouragement, to share with others, as a prayer tool and more. With some verse committed to memory, I can meditate on the Word anywhere, any time. I don't even need to have my Bible with me. Having a bible is a blessing that much of the world doesn't yet have. Sometimes, even though we have Bibles they're not always handy when we need them. I don't always have my laptop available with the twenty or so translations I have on it. I don't always carry a Bible with me, but need the Scriptures when I'm talking with someone. The Bible itself tells us to know our Scripture. I remember your ancient laws, O LORD, and I find comfort in them. Psalm 119:52 NIV Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NIV My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 7:1-3 NIV Start with a meaningful verse, one that brings you comfort. You probably already have verses memorized and don't even know it. Think of John 3:16, Psalm 23, the Lord's prayer. Chances are good that you remember more than you think you do. Carrying a bandana or a pocket knife can be practical. Knowing the Word can be an eternal life saver. My prayer for you is that you always carry His Word next to your heart. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are liberated from death. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 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.
Maybe you've never read the Bible or accepted Jesus as Lord. Let me share with you how much God loves you and how to be reconciled to God. 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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