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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue # 507 May 31, 2002 The Hike We wanted to see the view from the summit. A hiking trail was conveniently close so we decided to walk it. The slope was gentle at first, and grew slowly steeper. It switched back and forth across the face of the mountain. The gentle stroll became hard work. As we got higher we faced a fork in the road. One fork seemed to almost straight up and looked seldom used. The other seemed to drop a little then resume the gentle upward ascent. We opted for the one with the gentle ascent because it looked easier and was the one more people had taken. The short downward walk felt good, it provided relief for our aching legs before we started to climb again. It wasn’t long before we came to another, slightly longer downward stretch followed by a climb. Once again the way down felt good, giving us respite before we started ascending again. We walked upwards after the downhill stretch, rounded a bend and found the path led straight down to where we had started. Too tired to work our way back to the fork we should have taken, we scrambled down the hill to the bottom. We never did see the view from the summit. Life can be like that hike. We set our sights on the mountaintop and begin to climb. Sooner or later we are faced with taking the easy way or the hard way up. Far too often, we chose the easy path and never end up reaching our destination. The easy path can be small compromises or it might be turning to substance abuse to give us "a rest" or any number of things. By the time we recognize that the easy path doesn’t go where we want to go, it is often too late. What forks in the road are you facing today? Which one are you planning to take? Before you make the decision, talk with God and get direction. If the one fork is obviously Biblically wrong take the other. If the choices aren’t so clear ask Him. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21 NIV If you find you have made the wrong choice, all is not lost. Turn around and backtrack. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 NIV Until next time, may He guide you at every fork in the road. Be blessed today. Hallelu Yah Kevin Do you know that God is alive, well and still speaking today? He still desires to have a personal relationship with people; to offer them love, guidance, forgiveness and acceptance. 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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