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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue 752 March 11, 2003 - Mixed Messages Friday night as Kathy and I were driving back home; we passed three of those big signs that flash the time and temperature at you. All three were located within a couple of blocks along the road; in fact two were visible from the same stoplight. As we drove past the first one, I noticed it said -32 and 11:16 PM. I remembered both, because we had just been commenting on the temperature, and we were pleasantly ahead of our schedule to be home before midnight. A couple of blocks farther down the road, we waited for the last few cars of a train to go by. We saw the next two signs, one on a hotel complex, and the other atop a local brewery. The temperature at the hotel was -30 and the time was 11:17. At the brewery it was -26 and 11:28. Both the thermometers and the clocks on those signs are noted for being somewhat less than accurate so we weren't surprised by the differences. We did chuckle however at the irony of the brewery sign, as it struck us as being typical of the messages of that industry and in fact of much of the world as a whole. You see, life was just a little faster and the world just a little warmer above the brewery. I'm sure the sign wasn't purposely set that way, it was located in a slightly more protected spot than the hotel sign so the temperature may have been a few degrees warmer and the Lord only knows when the clock was checked for accuracy last. The world constantly flashes the messages of "the fast life" at us. If we only drink the right brand of beverages; drive the latest car; eat at the right restaurants; wear the clothing that gives us "the" image, listen to the right music and look young and beautiful enough (which only comes with using the right products) we'll be happy, successful, popular with the opposite sex, live longer and be nicer people. The reality is that even if the products do some of what they are designed to do they really won’t impact our lives to the degree that the commercials imply. I'm not sure how to tell you this, but if it's only the brand of perfume you wear or the soft drink you consume that makes you popular, it's pretty shallow and transitory popularity at best. There's also nothing wrong with looking your age. Often times experience comes with age and that experience is far more valuable than looking younger. If someone is only attracted to you because you have one less wrinkle, or drive a "younger" car, the relationship doesn't have much depth. As cliché as it might sound, it really is what's inside that counts. The same is true with our relationship with God. We can fancy it up with nice clothes, big Bibles, churchy words and fine sanctuaries, but if it's not done with a pure heart towards God, it really isn't worth much. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Psalm 51:6 NIV Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 NIV You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:16-17 NIV Put aside all the pretence, all the flash and the hype. Come to Him with an honest open, seeking heart, scars, warts, sins and all. Come just as you are, it's the real you He's interested in anyway. It doesn't matter if we young or old, rich or poor, in style or hopelessly out of date. When we're His, we have all the approval that we'll ever need. Until next time, may you let yourself be real with God. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you area delight in the eyes of God. For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation. Psalm 149:4 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 don't have to look or act "Christian" to make yourself acceptable to God. Don't worry about having to have it all together before seeking Him, that's His department to make the changes from the inside out. Your "image" or brand isn't what He's interested in. All you need is a heart that recognizes its own mistakes and a desire to be made right with Him. If you want to know how that's possible simply email us and we'll send you some Bible verses that will explain it to you 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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