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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #918 September 26, 2003 You Can Know As Genni the wonder dog and I walked around the lake last night we spent some time visiting with a neighbor. This person is relatively new to the neighborhood, but she has a puppy so we often see each other. We had a delightful conversation and the conversation slipped into one about the existence of God. She said that there was no way the beauty of bird and trees or the miracle of birth could have "just happened" there had to be a God (and I had to agree).She spoke of believing that there is a heaven, and that you got in based on the kind of life you lead here on earth. She told me that she has always done her best to be a good person and live a good life so she felt there was a pretty good chance that "When I knock on those pearly gates Saint Peter will say yes and let me in." She then added "I hope." I told her that there was a way to know for certain. She asked me how that was possible. I shared with her the general content of my favorite Bible verses (I didn't have my Bible with me and I confess I don't have them memorized). That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:9-13 NIV She was thrilled because she has done that, but still thought her entrance into heaven was based on her works. She said "Now I won't have to wait to ask at the gates!" The church is full of people who don't realize salvation isn't earned. Your neighborhood and workplace are filled with people who don't pursue Jesus because in their hearts they know their works would never be enough. The world hungers for the message of the gospel. People are chasing fulfillment in "religion", in accomplishments, in materialism and more. If you know Jesus you have the answer they are looking for. You could be the key to their eternal destiny. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 1 Peter 3:15-16 NIV Don't think of it as evangelism. For many Christians the word evangelism has a lot of negative baggage associated with it and frightens them unnecessarily. All you're doing is sharing the reason for your hope with others who desperately need hope too. Until next time, I pray God gives you an opportunity to share your hope. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are sealed with Holy Spirit. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 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 Perhaps your experience with the church has lead you to believe that its just about going and sitting in the church for an hour on Sunday and you don't want any part of that. I don't blame you, I don't want any part of that. Maybe you thought you had to earn your way to heaven and knew you could never do that. A relationship with Jesus isn't about playing church or working towards heaven. It's dynamic and life changing. It's about love, forgiveness, restoration, peace hope and joy. All those things can be yours once you accept Christ. Will you do that 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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