|
GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #925 October 4, 2003 Against The Current The spring floodwaters had largely subsided, although the water levels were still higher than they would be as the summer progressed. I worked my way upstream, pausing now and then to wash a few pans out in my search for gold. There's lots of gold in Alberta rivers. Unfortunately, it's all flour gold. Like the name implies it's tiny like grain of flower. I've never seen a "nugget" from an Alberta river. I saw some nuggets in Nova Scotia this summer that the locals considered small. They dwarfed anything I've ever collected. As I came up to the head of a gravel bar, I notices a big dead tree, stuck just upstream of the bar. It must have washed down with the spring runoff. It stood there defiant against the current, not moving and forcing the river to go around it. The river hit the tree trunk and quite naturally flowed around it. The tree didn't stay defiant against the current for long. I saw the same gravel bar a few weeks later after a big rain and the tree was gone, washed downstream somewhere. When we stand up against the purpose of God, we can be as defiant as we like. God's purpose isn't thwarted. He just flows around us or washes us out of the way. The rabbi Gamaliel recognized this truth when the Sanhedrin was attempting to deal with the Apostles. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." Acts 5:4-39 NIV Gamaliel wasn't a Christian, he was a devoted and respected Pharisee. He understood the futility of fighting against an all powerful God. In what area(s) of life are you fighting God? You can stand firm for a season perhaps, but God's will is going to be one despite your best (worst?) efforts to the contrary. It's far better to invest your energies in following the will of God than fighting against Him. I've read the book and He wins in the end. Until next time, may you strive to have your will be His will. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are rescued from darkness. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14 NIV 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 spent your whole life rebelling, at least as far back as you can remember. You've fought God for control of your life, but it gets harder all the time. More power, drugs, sex, stuff is needed all the time and it still never satisfies you. It's time to stop fighting and draw alongside the God who loves you and wants to give you Hi forgiveness, peace, hope and joy. It's time to make Jesus the Lord of your life 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
|