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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #457 March 29, 2002 REJECTION On this morning of remembrance, I think about Jesus dying on the cross and the events that lead up to it. Late the night before or early that very morning, His closest friends had all sworn to stand by Him to the death. Yet they couldn’t stay awake through the hours of His agonized prayer and they ran away denying they ever knew Him. None of us likes to be rejected or betrayed. When it comes from close friends, family or our brothers and sisters in Christ, the pain seems especially intense. There is something devastating about being rejected by those closest to us; by those we trust the most. Jesus knew that pain fully. I’d love to say that those in the church are perfect and will never let you down, but that would be either blindly idealistic or an outright lie. The church is full of people and people do let each other down. The head of the church, Jesus, is perfect and will never turn away. We must always be careful not to confuse the people in the church with the head. Jesus warned the disciples that they would betray Him, but they didn’t believe or understand until it had already happened. What a glorious feeling it must have been some days later when He reappeared and they realized that He knew in advance, yet He still loved them and forgave them! He [Jesus] said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" Luke 24:25-26 NIV Are you carrying the wounds of being betrayed? Are you carrying the scars of being the betrayer? Perhaps this is the day to make amends, to offer and ask for forgiveness. Hallelu Yah Kevin Have you been betrayed? Do you find it difficult to trust again? There is someone you can turn to who will NEVER let you down, one who is always faithful. Turn to a personal relationship with Jesus. Email me and I’ll share some Bible verses that explain why a personal relationship with Jesus is so important and a prayer that will make it possible. Or simply begin the relationship by saying a prayer along the lines of: Dear God: I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. 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 let me know and I will direct you to some free non-denominational resources that will help you grow in that newfound relationship. To share your thoughts on this issue of Gleanings, or to share prayer concerns email us at corbin_writer@hotmail.com. or write us at : Gleanings From The Word 114 Oak Street Sherwood Park, AB Canada, T8A 0V8 At Gleanings, we have a dedicated team of prayer warriors and all prayer concerns are kept strictly confidential. 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 on our website
© 2001 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin All Rights Reserved SUBSCRIBE TO GLEANINGS FOR FREE
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