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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #921 September 30, 2003 Young Love It was cool last night at sunset, the temperature was dropping rapidly towards the freezing mark. It was still a beautiful evening and Genni the wonder dog was thoroughly enjoying her walk around the lake. The rays of the setting sun painted pictures on the mirror like surface of the lake. A tiny sliver of the moon was visible on the horizon. There was no doubt that autumn was in the air, but it was still nice to be out. We had a bit of a special treat. A red-winged blackbird serenaded us from out by the island. There haven't been many of them around this year and I had thought they had already flocked up and flown south. The one side of the lake was a bee hive of activity. People were coming and going for hockey practice. A boy's lacrosse team was doing their warm ups outside. The coach was pushing them hard and there was a herd of running, jumping, sweating boys running around in circles. The other side of the lake was a real contrast. All was quiet and still. There was hardly a person to be seen. A young couple sat and a picnic table and stared deeply into one another's eye, oblivious to the world around them. They were obviously in the throes of young love. There's nothing wrong with young love, but it either moves into a deeper more committed love or the "chemistry" fades and you move on to another "love". It happens with people and their faith. They met Jesus Christ for the first time and they fall head over heels in love with Him. He's the center of their life for a brief period of time. Then one of three things happens, we move on to another passing fad, we grow cold and complacent or we begin to grow into a deeper, more mature, more meaningful relationship with Him. Scriptures have some strong words of rebuke for those who fall in love and then fall away. "To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands: I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Revelation 2:1-7 NIV The Ephesian church fell deeply in love with Jesus. Then they got so busy doing churchy things they forgot all about their relationship with Him. He didn't die on the cross so we could do churchy things in His name. He died so we could have an eternal relationship with Him and be vessels of light to show others His love. What's your love affair with Jesus like lately? Until next time may the fire in your heart for the Risen Lord burn hot and bright. Be blessed Hallelu Yah (Praise God)! Kevin YOU ARE Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are a living stone in a spiritual house. As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him-- you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5 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 A personal relationship with Jesus Christ can be the most exciting love affair you ever experience and it's for all eternity. God is waiting for you with His arms open. He even died on a cross for you to make that relationship possible. Will you open your heart up 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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