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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #919 September 26, 2003 A Rare Treat As Genni the wonder dog and I walked around the lake last night, we spent some time watching the Lesser Yellowlegs ( If you missed it and want to know more about what a lesser yellowlegs is check out this back issue ). Watching him fish was fascinating. He walked out to the top of his thighs in water, then periodically dipped his bill down and came up with a small fish. If you don't think that's marvelous I suggest you try walking out in water to the tops of your thighs, then bending over and catching a live fish in your teeth. As we walked further, we got a rare treat. An osprey dove and brought up a trout. I think it was only the second time I've seen an osprey on the lake, so it must have been passing through the neighborhood. Two totally different species of birds, both fish eaters. Two totally different ways of fishing. The yellowlegs could never catch a fish by diving from the air, it would starve to death. An osprey couldn't wade out deep enough to catch fish the same way the yellowlegs does. God created diversity for a reason. He's a master craftsman and artist, with skills unmatched by all the masters on earth combined. There's diversity in the church. One of the biggest blessings is that Christians aren't called to be little robots and be exactly the same. We're created in His image, gifted and talented individually and called to fill a plan that He has designed for each one of us as individuals. Instead of bickering and fighting over issues such as music styles, dress, and the like, we should be rejoicing that God's Word is reaching different people with different needs. Some like very ritualistic "high church", for others that's very uncomfortable. Some like contemporary music, others don't like music at all. Some wouldn't dance if their lives depended on it, others can't sit still. As long as the truth is being proclaimed and people are drawn to Christ, we should celebrate. We're busy fighting like spoiled children over methods, when it's the message that counts. God didn't create you or I as the center of the universe. It's silly to think that everyone must want to do things the same way as you or I do. No it's worse than silly, it's sheer arrogance. Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 NIV The osprey and the yellowlegs fish differently. The same is true for ministries. If it doesn't compromise the truth of Scripture and the need for Jesus, I'm all for it, even when it doesn't suit my personal tastes. If Christ is truly the center I don't care if they're rolling in the aisles or sitting as the frozen chosen, it all glorifies God. Until next time, remember we're all called to be fishers of men. Fish using the gifts God gave you and don't worry that it's not the same way someone else is fishing. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are part of a chosen nation. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 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 stayed away from the church and Christians because you don't want to be "like them". The church is a very diverse organism and each member is different. Becoming a Christian doesn't force you to be like anyone else, it simply allows you to become all that God has planned for YOU to be. Will you give your life over to Him 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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