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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #1,064 March 21, 2004 Mixed Messages Sunday is the day that many of the people in our community worship the god of physical fitness the god of fitness. Now don't misunderstand, physical fitness is a good thing and I could use moe of it myself. It'a just that the worship of fitness seems more evident on Sundays. Virtually every Sunday morning, there are a number of levels of running classes that happen and each seems well attended, at least if the number of runners in any given class are an indication. What do you call a bunch of people running together any way? A gaggle? A flock? A herd? A tribe? A pack? A troupe? A clump? A crowd? As we headed off to worship service yesterday morning, we saw the usual clumps of runners heading out on differing routes and in different directions. The same corporation must sponsor them all, or at least be the "in source" of running gear because they all seem to wear virtually identical gear and carry virtually identical accessories. As we continued down the street, a pack of young runners were headed our way. They were dressed alike, but not in the usual runners attire. I suspect they were a sports team of some kind out for workout. Right behind the pack an adult male, dressed identically was an adult male, apparently the team coach. We laughed when we saw him, because as he ran, he was trying desperately to get his cigarette lit. Here he was working with this group of young athletes, even running with them (which many coaches would never do), but smoking at the same time. It must have sent a really mixed message to the kids. Get fit, but it's okay to smoke. It made us ponder how often our own actions send a different message than our words do about our faith. It was a bit of an uncomfortable moment because there have been lots of those times for all of us We're called to walk in love, but do we? "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35 NIV We're called to be joyful and thankful, but are we? Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV We're called to worship in spirit and truth but do we? Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. John 4:23-24 NIV I could carry on an on, but I'm certain you get the idea. Until next time, may the messages your actions send to the world match the call the Lord has given to you. 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 I'm probably not going to be the first person who has suggested to you that the answer to life's problems lies in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Perhaps you've heard it many times, but the mixed messages you got between the words of some Christian's mouth and his/her actions makes you tend not to believe them. Christians aren't perfect, far from it. When we become Christians we're starting as new born babies and have to relearn much of what life has taught us. That doesn't mean God's Word is not true and that the answer to your problems are not found in Jesus. He promises healing; hope; peace; joy; freedom; forgiveness and more. It's all there for the asking. Don't let a few Christians keep you from experience life's greatest blessing. Ask Jesus 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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