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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #484 May 8, 2002 Grace A friend and I sat talking yesterday about the concept of God’s wonderful grace and how hard it is to really comprehend. We know that Scripture tells us that God loves us beyond anything that we can comprehend and when we accept Him forgives our sins and makes us righteous in His eyes. We know that Jesus already paid the price in full for the sins of anyone who will accept Him. In some ways the message of the Gospel is so very easy to understand that even a small child can comprehend it. In other ways, the same message is so complicated and contrary to what we are used to that we can’t grasp it. Sometimes, like anyone else, I get caught up in chastising myself for not being a "good enough" Christian or not "doing enough" for God. I have those moments where I forget it’s all about God and that Kevin is not the centre of the universe. By the way, you’re not the centre of the universe either. Sorry to have to tell you that. When I catch myself thinking that way, I stop and confess it. That’s for my sake not God’s, He already knew about the problem. Then I picture a scenario that helps me understand once again God’s grace. I’m not the first to use it, because I have heard and seen variations of it described by others, but it helps me a lot. Let me try and describe it to you (where ever it says Kevin, insert your own name as you read). I’ve stumbled and fallen back into wrong thinking or I’ve stumbled and fallen back into sin. I go before God in prayer. As I pour my heart out, two huge hands descend from the heavens. They gently hold my face and a voice booms our from Heaven, "Kevin, I love you." "But God, you know what I did, I" Before I can finish the sentence, a finger covers my lips and the voice calls out again, a little more quietly "Kevin, I love you." "But God.." Again the finger covers my lips and the voice whispers " Shh. Kevin, I love you." "But.." On more time He whispers, "Kevin I love you." For a moment, I understand again. "I love you too God." "Kevin, I know." That’s God’s love and grace. He knew before I was born what I would do to dishonour Him. He knew the things I would be ashamed of and He still loves me. He knows the things that I will do in the future that will shame me, things I don’t even know about yet, and He loves me. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:16-18 NIV Praise God, because He loves you too. Hallelu Yah Kevin Do you know the God who knows everything about you but loves you anyway? 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. 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 prayer concerns and praise reports email us at corbin_writer@shaw.ca If you enjoy 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 To subscribe or unsubscribe, visit http://hundred-acre-woods.com/magic-list/lists/ or email me at corbin_writer@shaw.ca Archived issues of Gleanings From The Word can be found on our web site http://gleanings.jesusanswers.com To share your thoughts on this issue of Gleanings, or to share prayer concerns email us at corbin_writer@shaw.ca or write us at Gleanings From The Word 114 Oak St Sherwood Park, AB Canada T8A 0V8 © 2002 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin Gleanings From The Word Ministries International All Rights Reserved
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