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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #904 September 10, 2003 Autumn Colors 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. Genni the wonder dog and I were out for a stroll after supper last night. It was just a quick walk as Kathy and I were to head off shortly afterwards to see Dr. Tony Campolo speak on behalf of World Vision (an excellent presentation and a wonderful cause.) The sky was gray, a light drizzle was falling and the water on the lake looked cold as the wind blew across it. I stopped for a few minutes and savored the beauty of the scene. Gray sky, drizzle and cold water might not sound attractive but there was beauty to behold. The water was gray, reflecting the dreary sky above but it had a subtle appeal all its own. As I watched the waves break on the shore, I was struck by the deep colors of autumn. Tucked in behind some grasses and reeds, a small mud flat was visible. It was the color of a deep, rich cocoa. There were fish muskrat footprints running across the little flat. The edges of the fresh tracks were outlined with wet mud as if with a felt marker. The reeds were a deep green and topped with dark seed heads. The grasses were green turning into yellow and into brown. The heads of the amaryth were turning from vivid red to chocolate. The clover added subtle shades of purple and white. The thistle added still more purple and the dandelions shone with a deep yellow. Scattered stinkweed plants added a touch of a more subtle yellow to highlight the scene. The silvery, green leaves of a willow gently caressed the tops of a clump of grass as it swayed in the breeze. The waves, the wind rustled grasses and the quivering willow leaves combined to make a wonderful symphony of nature. The sound was punctuated now and then by the quack of some ducks swimming on the leeward side of the island. It was a perfect accompaniment to the scene my eyes were taking in. It really was magnificent when I stopped to look and listen. It wasn't the bright, vibrant beauty of summer or the crisp freshness of spring, but it was stately, subtle, rich and deep. People are the same way. We have the fresh beauty of young babies, the vibrancy of youth and the richness of maturity. The delineations aren't clear cut as we slip from one phase to the next, but they are there. A similar thing happens when we come to know Christ. There's the joy of first discovering the love of one who loves you as much as He does. There's the unabashed vibrancy of nearly fired young Christians who are off to save the world and the wonderful deep committed faith and ministry of mature Christians. Few things are sadder to me than seeing a person come to life as a baby Christian, then wither away as a pew warmer not growing in their faith. They seem to view their salvation as the ultimate goal not understanding that it's merely the opening of the door to a wonderful journey. The beauty of their maturing is lost. Being a Christian is a process. It should never be stagnant. As we know and love the Lord more, we spend more time in His Word and ministering in His name. As we do that we get to know and love Him more. We called to maturity. Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly--mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 NIV Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 1 Corinthians 14:20 It was he [that is Christ] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:11-16 NIV There is an incredible beauty in a deep committed relationship with Jesus Christ. A beauty that grows as the relationship matures. A faith that has been tested and knows the steadfast faithfulness of God is one of the most beautiful things in all of creation. Until next time, may your relationship with the Living God grow deeper every day. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are royalty and a co-heir with Christ. The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:16-17 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 Perhaps like my cold lake, you've never considered yourself beautiful or valuable. You have incredible beauty and value in the eyes of God, so much so that He sent His Son to die on your behalf. Ask Jesus into your life today and begin to see some of the beauty and value that God created you to have. 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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