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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #898 September 3, 2003 Back To School Here in our area, yesterday was the first day back to school for most students. The teachers have been back for some time, preparing their classroom and lesson plans, meeting new colleagues and catching up on changes in policies and procedures. For some it was a day of rejoicing, for others a day of great sadness as summer break officially ended. Back to school also seems to mean back to church. Most churches will move to their fall schedule on Sunday. It's back to regular program and fuller sanctuaries. Attendance will peak around Christmas, begin to decline except for a seasonal blip on the Easter weekend and drop off sharply again during the spring and summer. I confess I don't truly understand the phenomena of empty churches in the summer. Apparently, people only feel a relationship with the Lord is only important for some months of the year. I can understand people being away for a couple of weeks during their holidays, but that number should be balanced out by people who are visiting in an area visiting the local churches (at least for the regular worship service). Even more astounding is the number of elders, deacons and board members who can't be found from May through September. One would think that the spiritual leaders of the church would be faithful. I wonder what would happen if God treated His relationship with us in the same way. It's frightening to think of a God who was only as faithful as His people. We're like the unfaithful stewards who partied while the owner was away. "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." Peter asked, "Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?" The Lord answered, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose the servant says to himself, `My master is taking a long time in coming,' and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. "That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:35-48 NIV If He's only Lord of our life part time, the truth is that we live the rest of the time in rebellion. How would you have fared had He returned this summer? If you had accepted Him, your salvation would be intact, but how would your faithfulness be measured? Would Jesus have been pleased? Would He be saying "Well done good and faithful servant!" or would you be rewarded only according to your occasional service? If this made you feel guilty, remember there are two kinds of guilt, condemnation and conviction. Condemnation is from Satan and covers you like a wet blanket driving you from God. Conviction is from God and drives you back to Him. My prayer is that you've been convicted this morning. You can't change what's done, but you have a fresh opportunity to walk again in faithfulness starting today. Will you accept it? He is the God of second chances (and that is a blessing). Until next time, may you serve and worship Him all year round. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are guided and loved. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11 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 know you've been unfaithful. You've rejected God and walked in sin and rebellion. There's good news, He will forgive if you simply come to Him and ask. Don't walk away, run into His open and loving arms 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
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