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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life
After yesterday's Gleanings went out, your responses told me that if I am a hick or red neck because of my pocket knife and bandana, I'm in great company around the globe. It's been a flurry of activity here in the Corbin household the past few days. Kathy's father (Bud) has been ill with cancer, diabetes and heart problems for a long time and is not expected to live much longer. Kathy flies to Toronto tomorrow to be with her family, and the boys fly down in a couple of weeks. It's been shuffle schedules, check fares, and all the pre trip falderal. Please keep Bud in your prayers, as well as Kathy and the boys. We've known for years now about his illness and his prognosis, but it has suddenly moved to a more critical phase. We have been praying for healing and salvation to no apparent avail, but we'll continue to pray. We know that God is fully capable of healing, but we also know that He is sovereign and trust that whatever the outcome, God will do what is best and be glorified through all of this. Death comes to us all at some point. Sometimes it comes before a person is even born, other times it comes only after a ripe old age. We have no way of knowing when our time will be up. I recently heard a pastor put it well "Living is a matter of life and death." Some will be taken and go to eternal glory with the Father. Others will be taken and spent eternity separated from Him because they have chosen to reject the gift of Jesus. No one is too wicked to be saved by His grace and no one is good enough to make it to heaven on their own merits. I can't speak for anyone else, but I have no fear of death because I know that when that happens, I'll be in glory with Him. I won't be there because I've been a good person or because of my works. I'll get there only because of the blood of Jesus and my acceptance of His sacrifice. Don't get me wrong, I'm not too comfortable with the whole concept of dying. I'm not looking forward to that, but I hold no doubt and no fear about what will happen afterwards. That's not true for everyone. Many don't know what will happen after they die, or they are not certain of their salvation. As believers we must share our hope with all who will listen. We know the secret to eternal bliss and glory and we have an obligation to share. The secret is encapsulated in these few verses ... But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10: 8-15 NIV Our salvation is by faith in Him. Look at that last paragraph though, "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" We must tell the lost. We don't have to travel to distant lands to do that, although some are called to do that (and those of us who stay behind are called to support them financially, with prayer and any other way we can). There are lost people in our families, in our neighborhoods, at our workplaces and in our schools. You and I must be Jesus to them. Someone's eternity may well depend on your efforts. Until next time, may your feet be beautiful. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are an evangelist. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20 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's Word, the Bible, makes it very clear that there are only two destinations for those who have died. Heaven for those who accept Jesus and Hell for those who reject Him. The Bible also makes it clear that no one is beyond saving (and that includes you) and no one is good enough or can work hard enough to earn their salvation (not even the Mother Theresa's of this world go to heaven without Jesus). The choice is yours. You can be reconciled with God today and be assured of an eternity in heaven. Choosing not to make a choice is the same as rejecting Jesus. Don't waste a moment, get right with Him while there is still time. 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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