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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #908 September 15, 2003 Fellowship 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. I've occasionally mentioned my father-in-law "Bud" and his struggles with cancer. On Saturday evening, Bud went home to be with Jesus. He'll be missed, but we are grateful that his pain and suffering are over. We had a couple of good friends over visiting Saturday when we got the telephone call that Bud had passed. It was a blessing for Kathy to have some people to pray with when she got off the telephone with her family in Ontario. Prior to that call we had been sharing updates on kids, jobs and families. We shared how God had been working in our lives over the summer. I had an opportunity to bring our friends up to speed on the status of our upcoming Africa trip (all contributions greatly appreciated although we can't give you a tax receipt) and the vision to plant two new congregations in the community we live in. We envision a Sunday morning group with a strong outreach ministry and we see a Friday night cowboy church for our friends of the "country" persuasion. If you live in the vicinity of Sherwood Park, Alberta and might have an interest in either of these two new congregations, drop me a note or call me at 780-467-5598 and we can talk about them. They'll be separate ventures from the Gleanings ministry. However, I digress, I was on the subject of fellowshipping with our friends. Fellowship with other believers is an integral part of our faith walk. God commented on our need for fellowship early in the Bible. The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him." Genesis 2:18 While the specific context of this verse is the creation of Eve, the recognition of people's needs to fellowship is shown clearly. When you get together in true Christian fellowship in His name, He is there with you. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them Matthew 18:20 NIV Gathering together in His name is more than superficial chit chat about the weather or the local sports team. It's praying together, edifying one another, admonishing, sharing, rejoicing and mourning together. Where two or more gather in His name, the church is present. We're reminded in the Acts of the Apostles (which really should be called the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of some of the Apostles, but that's a whole different subject) that the early church wasn't content to just meet on "worship" day. They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47 NIV In Paul's letter to the Hebrew church we're admonished to continue to meet. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 We have some readers who are the only believer in their communities, or who are house bound and for them fellowshipping is only a dream. For the rest of us, we need to find that small group of Christian friends and make a point of spending time with them. If you know a believer who isn't able to get out, make point of spending some time with them on a regular basis for prayer and fellowship. I guarantee you'll both be blessed. Until next time, may you gather together in His name and enjoy the richness of His fellowship. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are a member of the body of Christ. for we are members of his body. Ephesians 5:30 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'll never truly experience fellowship, love and forgiveness until you come to know Jesus. You may get a taste of them without Him, but never the fullness. It's time for you to give your life over to Jesus 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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