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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #902 September 8, 2003 Rivers of Grace An integral part of our ministry is our prayer team. We're looking for some additional members. If you think you might be interested in serving with us in this way, send an email with the subject "Prayer team" and we'll send you some additional information. We're also seeking a volunteer (read unpaid) webmaster. Duties would include bring our website design up to date, and ongoing site maintenance. If you're interested email us with a brief resume and some samples of your work. Good communication skills, patience with non technical people (Like me), agreement with our statement of faith and a good walk with Christ are prerequisites. There's a beautiful spot in Canada's Rocky Mountains that I have visited on occasion. There is a walk in viewpoint that takes you in to a delightful waterfall about half way between where the falls drops off and where the hit the valley below. The river surges to the top of the falls then thunders over a drop of perhaps 150 feet (or more). Under the falls is a big, deep basin carved by years of pounding water. The basin grows slowly year after year from the river pouring down into it. Each year it gets a little deeper as the bedrock slowly erodes. It's almost as if the basin wants to keep all the water for itself because it fears going dry and goes to great lengths to keep the river from going any place else. Fortunately, the power of the river overwhelms the desire of the basin and the river continues to flow. After churning around in the pool, the river continues its downstream rush to the sea. These falls pour countless gallons of water every moment of the day, all year long. The river brings life to all that is downstream despite the best efforts of the basin to hold it in. I'm reminded of God's marvelous grace when I think of those falls. He pours rivers of mercy, healing, blessing, joy, peace and spiritual gifts into the lives of those who believe on Him. Like the basin, we try and keep it all to ourselves. We want the blessings to stay in our life and hesitate to share it with others so we build floodgates of me and mine to hold the blessing in. We're afraid that if we share the blessings and grace that somehow God's supply of those marvelous gifts might run dry. Ironically, when we open the floodgates and let the grace and mercy flow into the lives of those around us, we're doubly blessed. God not only continues to pour into our lives, but we see the blessing of others respond to his life giving, and sustaining gift. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day. Psalm 46:4-5 NIV For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams. Isaiah 44:3-4 NIV Until next time, may you open wide and let the streams of God's grace and mercy flow through you to bring life to others who are thirsting. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you have the power of God behind you. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.. Philippians 4:20-21 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 There is an eternal source of sustaining love, forgiveness, mercy and grace that you can tap into. You don't have to be perfect to tap into it. All you need to do is ask Christ to come be the Lord of your life. 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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