Issue 1291 – Family – November 7, 2023

Yesterday, we took a five-hour (return trip) out to beautiful  Horseshoe Bay, not far outside of Vancouver. It’s only about 90km, but with highway construction and heavy rains, it takes a while.

We drove out to have lunch with our eldest son, Kris. He flew into Vancouver and was headed to a denominational conference in Whistler for a few days. On Thursday, he flies back to Ontario for a short turnaround and then off to Southeast Asia to do some teaching for a group of pastors.

It was great to catch up, even for a short time and get brought up to speed on what’s happening with his family. Since he lives halfway across the country, the opportunities aren’t frequent.

Kathy and I have been richly blessed by the Lord. Not only did He draw us to Him, but our sons, their wives and children also know the Lord.

Family by blood is an extraordinary blessing. Non-related family by THE BLOOD (i.e. other believers) is also a blessing. Family by both is “a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, poured into your lap.”

Most of my extended family (by blood and marriage) do not know Jesus. As many of you know from experience, that is painful. Some of them are actively hostile to anything to do with the faith. Others simply aren’t interested.

For believers, there is nothing short of being with Jesus that we desire more than to see our loved ones come to Christ.

We hold them up in prayer and, where possible, share the truth. In reality, we don’t often get to speak of our faith. We can simply live it out to the best of our ability and love them. At times, loving them is no easy task, particularly if you are the only believer. The family will often ostracize the believer and their “religion.” 

Still, we can hold fast to the faithfulness and sovereignty of God. My father-in-law came to faith on his deathbed. I don’t know if my father did, but there was a tremendous softening of his heart in his latter days, and I know he had heard the truth, so I remain hopeful. I will find out eventually.

I look back at my own life and recognize that it is only by His grace that I was saved. I am sure many people would have listed me among the least likely to become a Christian. I stand on the truth that if God could redeem me, no one is outside His reach.

… that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:15-17

…because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame. Romans 9:9-11

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

They, too, can be saved by His grace and mercy.

Thank God for your redemption and the redemption of family members who know Him. Pray expectantly for those family members who do not yet know Jesus.

Praise His holy name.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

__________________________________________ 

Please like and share this post with friends and your circle of influence. Also, feel free to comment. 

Did you know that we have an email version? It has the same great content but in a different format. Subscribe today https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1 

______________________________ 

All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 KF “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV). 

___________________________________________

#love #peace #hope #Gleanings #theWord #devotional #gospel#Christian #hope #encouragement #Biblestudy #faith #dailyBible #verseoftheday #grace #KevinCorbin #god #life #Jesus #father #son #HolySpirit #grace #mercy #hope

#family #HorseshoeBay