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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #1,055 March 11, 2004 Taking The Plunge The lessons were over. We'd run a few simulations and now, finally, it was time to go. I was terrified and exhilarated at the same time. I was to be the third of four. Everyone seemed to feel the same way except for the instructor and it was old hat to him. En route he reminded us of the procedure. Number one took the plunge and went. Number two followed. My turn, a split second thought about changing my mind, then I climbed out the door of the flying plane and positioned myself. I took the plunge and found myself floating through the air with my parachute slowing my descent. It took all of five minutes to reach the ground, but what an incredible five minutes. The sensation of the wind, the realization that I was really in mid air and the view the ground coming up at me combined to make an unforgettable feeling. It was one I had to repeat later. Even today, and I don't jump anymore, just seeing someone skydive on television or watching them in person raises my heartbeat and my adrenaline levels. No one would have said anything if I had decided not to jump. Many people go through the lessons, get in the plane and decide it's not for them after all. It takes a lot of courage to get there and then say no. However, like my first attempt at skydiving, many things in life don't actually happen until you take the plunge. Explaining the mystery creation of the universe is an example. Sooner or later you have to take the plunge and decide what you believe. We an never "prove" by conventional scientific means how it happened. Part of empirical proof means being able to recreate the event. That can never happen, so the best anyone can do is to evaluate the evidence, make an informed decision and step out in faith. Science has faith that it's explanation is correct. I have faith that God created it all. Whatever you think of that issue there's an even more important one. What do we do with Jesus? We can't prove beyond a doubt that He is who He claimed to be, at least not in the traditional sense of a scientific or mathematical proof. The documentary evidence is overwhelming enough to convince any open minded historian that He was here and said the things He said. There is sufficient eyewitness testimony detailed in Scripture to convince any jury in the world that He rose from the dead, but we can't "prove" it. That's when it must come down to faith. We must weigh the evidence, and make a decision based on faith, that either He was who He claimed to be or He wasn't. He claimed to be God. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one. John 10:27-30 NIV He claimed to be the truth and the only route to reconciliation with God. Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6 NIV None of the prophets or apostles made those claims. Mohammed didn't make that claim. Joseph Smith the Mormon leader didn't make that claim. None of the Buddha's made that claim. Even Satan doesn't make that claim although he wants to usurp the position. That makes His claim pretty unusual to say the least and one that we must decide to accept or reject. Can I positively, scientifically prove His claim? No ... but then again neither can you disprove them by the same criteria. You need to look at the facts and make a decision one way or the other based on faith. It's a decision that impacts you for all of eternity, so make it carefully. I've made my choice. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15b NIV Until next time, praise God if you've made the same choice. If you haven't decided or are hoping to decide by default (which is the same as choosing no to Jesus), it's time to take the plunge today. None of us is guaranteed tomorrow and when our time comes we want to be certain we've made the right decision. Hallelu Yah (Praise God) Be blessed Kevin 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 You've been hurt by life. You know there's more to it but haven't found the answers yet. The answer is closer than you might think. Peace; hope; love; joy and forgiveness are available to anyone who will take the plunge of faith and say yes to Him. It won't always be an easy road to walk, being a Christian has it's drawbacks, but the benefits outweigh them all. Examine the claims of Jesus, weigh them out and take the plunge. Say yes to Jesus today. 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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