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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #920 September 29, 2003 Shhh! Stop what you're doing other than reading this issue of Gleanings. What do you hear? If there's a noise, silence it. Turn off the washer, turn off the stereo and hide the wall clock under a pillow. What do you hear now? If there's a noise, quiet it. If the only noise is the computer, print this off to read it then shut the computer down. What do you hear now? Nothing I hope. Keep quieting things down until you've eliminated every sound you can control. How does the silence make you feel? Some will find it very relaxing. Some of you will find it very unnerving. For some of you, it might be the first time you've heard silence in a long time. Even though there is silence, you're not alone. God is there even in the silence. Sometimes when we pray, we hear silence. We wonder if God is still there and still listening. Even when the heavens seem absolutely quiet to us, God is still in control and He's still listening. He hasn't stopped working in our lives just because we don't hear Him. King David knew what it felt like to cry out to God and not hear an answer. Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God. Psalm 69:1-3 NIV He also understood that God was there and working despite the silence. I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me. I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs. The poor will see and be glad-- you who seek God, may your hearts live! The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people. Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them, for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it; the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there. Psalm 69:29-36 NIV Sometimes, the quiet is the only place to hear God's voice The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12 NIV Shhh! There's no need to fear the quiet. God is there even in the stillness. Until next time, may you rejoice at the work of the Lord when you hear and see Him and even when you don't. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are never forgotten by God. See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. Isaiah 49:16 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 you've never given you life over to God because you "haven't heard Him." His presence in the world in undeniable. He's here and He wants you to know His love, peace, joy, hope, forgiveness and eternal life. All you have to do is reach out and accept His offer. If you want to know how to do that simply email us and we'll send you some Bible verses that will explain it to you. 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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