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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #1,063 March 20, 2004 The Entire Orchestra Kathy and the boys bought me an electronic keyboard and a harmonica for Christmas. I've been working hard on learning how to play, but I must confess that I'm not filled with an over abundance of musical talent. When I was in elementary school I tried to learn the trumpet. I would practice indoors until my mom couldn't stand it any more and then I'd go outside and practice until the neighbors complained. I never did master the trumpet. With the keyboard, I've learned enough that I can play the melody side of a number of worship songs and hymns. Most of the time they're at least recognizable. I'm making progress. I spent some time the other day playing one song over and over, using all the different instruments that the keyboard can synthesize. It was almost like having an entire orchestra at my command. In the orchestra, each instrument has it's place. They have different sounds, but each instrument is needed to get the full effect of the music. If any one instrument isn't there or is off key it's just not the same. I suspect, you're probably thinking that I'm going to talk about how all believers are part of the same body of Christ by now. An orchestra makes a good illustration to do that with, but it's not what God laid on my heart this morning. One of the blessings about a ministry like Gleanings From The Word is the feedback we get from readers. Sometimes they agree with what I've written, sometimes they are in total opposition. Either way, I know that God has used what I've written has touched something. Sometimes people write to tell me I talk about one aspect of God either too much or too little. I'm told I need to spend all my time talking about His love, or more time talking about His wrath. I'm told I should never write anything that makes people feel guilty, or challenges them to stretch out of their comfort zone. These are all very sincere people who write, and they are being honest in what they are sharing. They truly believe that I should be doing it as they have suggested. I am appreciative of the fact that they care enough to write and share their perspective, as I said each email means a lot to us. But ... and let's be honest you were expecting a "but". But you see, as a preacher and Bible teacher, my commission from God is to teach His whole counsel. In writing to young Timothy, Paul had this to say ... In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:1-5 NIV I must unapologetically preach all the Bible has to say, even the tough bits and the ones that cut into our comfort zone. I must preach all of what the Scriptures have to say. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV Why do I have to do that? The Word tells me that as a teacher I will be held to a higher standard. Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. James 3:1 NIV If I fail to teach the whole counsel of God, some of the instruments in the orchestra won't be there and you won't get a full picture of how marvelous our God is. So by all means, write and share what's on your heart. Share your victories, your struggles and your prayer needs. Share your thought on what I teach, and your suggestions, but remember that I must teach what I feel God is leading me to share with you. Until next time, rejoice in the fact that God left His Word so that we might know Him and know what is pleasing in His sight. 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 Maybe you've been turned away from the church because of hell fire and brimstone preaching. Perhaps all you've heard is that God is love and He seems to be some impotent, uncaring figure that has no relevance to your life. The truth is that sinners face the wrath of God, but He has sent His Son in love to face the wrath in our place. God is much bigger and more wonderful than anything you can ever imagine. Better yet, He wants you to have a personal relationship with you. He cares deeply about you and the things in your life. He wants you to know His peace; hope; joy; forgiveness and to experience eternal life with Him. All that can be yours for the asking. Would you take the time to invite Him into your life today? You can simply begin the relationship by honestly and completely opening your heart; admitting you need God's help; turning away from your sin and saying a prayer along the lines of the one below. There isn't any "magic" in the prayer, it's simply a way to open up to the gift that Jesus already bought for you with His very life. You can't earn it. You don't deserve it. He freely offers it to all who will accept it: 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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