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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #905 September 11, 2003 Night March It was a dark and stormy night. I know that's really cliché but I've always wanted to write it and it was in fact a night that was dark (no moon) and stormy (pouring rain at times). We were on a night march during basic training with the Canadian Armed Forces. We had an objective to find some miles away using only a compass. It was so dark and the bush so thick in places that we literally had to hold on to the belt of the man in front to stay together. Even from that distance, you couldn't see the man in front. If the person in the lead stumbled over something, so did everyone else. It was a real challenge to stay together. We were exercising noise discipline so nor more than the odd whisper was allowed. There were a lot of muffled curses and groans. If you got separated, there would be no finding the group again and the squad was penalized, so we had to hold on tight no matter what. I came to understand that night, he reality of the old cliché about the blind leading the blind. Not only was it a night march to test our orienteering skills under less than ideal conditions, it was a team building exercise. There was nothing to be done but hold on tight to the man in front and trust the leader with the compass. That was hard at times because every step seemed like we walked miles and it was unfamiliar terrain so we had no landmarks to go by. Eventually we came out within about 20 feet of our mark and within the prescribed time. We weren't the first team but we were far from the last. One team had to be found after daylight and a few stragglers rounded up. We're called to trust God in much the same way as we had to trust the man in front of us. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV Sometimes in our faith walk, we don't know where God is leading, we don't know how we're going to get there and everything seems to press in around us. He's a much better guide than my team mate with the compass. God never fails to deliver on a promise. He has been faithful from before the beginning of time and He'll be faithful when time ceases to be. Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV Whatever you face today, trust in God to get you through it. That's not a cliché, it's a promise. Until next time, put your trust in the one who always delivers. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are rescued. 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 stumbled around in the dark for a long time. You find yourself getting more and more lost with each passing day and wonder if there is any hope or anyone who truly cares. Take heart, God cares and He's your hope. He'll accept you right where you are if you come before Him with a humble nod repentant heart. Open yourself up to His rescue today. Don't wait a moment longer. 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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