|
GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #871 July 30, 2003 Free? Every day my email inboxes are filled with advertisements. I get dozens of ads for viagra, or weight loss schemes. The "perfect" one night stand is out there waiting for me if I just join their internet dating club. I can get rich quick (assuming I want to use my friends in some MLM scam or another) or just send $10 to learn how to get rich (and get a "free booklet" which tells me to run ads, fill people's mailboxes with junk and sell them the same book). Then there are the ads for free, or "nearly free" goodies. Of course they all come with a catch of some kind. I can't imagine what my mail box would look like if it didn't have spam filters on it. We're all skeptical of something "free" because we expect a catch. Life has taught us that very little is truly free. That skepticism has kept many from accepting Jesus as their Saviour. Many have been taught that salvation is "free for the asking." That's true, but only to a point. You see, it's free because it has been paid for already by Jesus. You are not your own; you were bought at a price. 2 Corinthians 19b-20a NIV When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! Hebrews 9:11-14 NIV Even though Christ paid for our salvation with His blood, and it is free for the asking, there is a cost. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:24-26 NIV We must humble ourselves enough to admit that we're sinners and we need his help. The true price is that we must give up our pride and for some that's too big a price to pay. Many will choose eternal damnation rather than admit they aren't able to do it themselves. Salvation is free, but it comes with a price. Have you paid it? Until next time, remember that if you have accepted Him, you are His forever because he paid the price for your sins with His blood. Praise God for His love that is so great that He died for our sakes. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin
Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are His, and have been bought at a high price. you were bought at a price. 1 Corinthians 6:20a 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 Salvation, forgiveness, love and eternal life in heaven are yours for the asking. Will you pay the simple price of putting your pride aside and asking Him for help, or will your pride lead you to eternal damnation. He's waiting to set you free, will you let Him? 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
|