Author: Kevin Corbin

I snapped this photo of a rock in the harbor at Blaine,  Washington. It is nothing spectacular; when I looked at it, I looked like a mouse to me.

Of course, I know it isn’t a real mouse, but looking at it reminded me that things are not always as they appear.

Just because something sounds biblical or has a Bible verse attached doesn’t make it true. I’m not saying the Bible is untrue. I believe the entire Bible is God-inspired and entirely trustworthy.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

People can misuse Scripture intentionally to mislead. They can also misunderstand what the Scriptures teach and unknowingly teach error. I’m certain we have all done that on occasion to one degree or another.

We’ve given someone a “word of encouragement” that doesn’t mean what we think it does. We interpret a passage to support what we want it to mean, rather than what it teaches. We “claim a promise” that isn’t a promise to us or even a promise at all.

A common example is “Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.” We claim this “promise” from God when our children go astray. This quote is a proverb (Proverbs 22:6), not a promise. A proverb is a general truism, not a guarantee.

When a child or loved one strays, we must pray for them. We know God is loving, merciful, sovereign, and answers prayers. Still, we don’t know His plan or His timing. God can, and often does, restore those who have wandered away.

Scripture can never mean what it was not intended to mean. We can jump through all sorts of hermeneutical hoops to make it seem to mean something else, but it’s still only going to mean what God intended.

His Word is trustworthy. God never lies, nor does He fail to keep His promises. We need to read and study the Word in context and be sure to understand what it meant to the original audience. The Scriptures were written for us, not to us.

Trust in His Word and His character. He loves enough to send His Son to die on our Behalf and His Spirit to indwell us.

Hold fast to the truth.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

__________________________________________ 

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 offers the same great content but in a different format. This is ideal for when you don’t want to check your Facebook or share with friends who don’t use Facebook. 

Subscribe today 

___________________________________________ 

All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

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

I stood on the lakeshore watching a muskrat contentedly swim along, either oblivious to or ignoring me. As he swam by, a nonsense children’s song from my childhood flashed through my mind. “Fat, fat, you water rat. Moby Dick your mother was a whale.”

It didn’t mean anything; it was simply fun to sing. Nonsense rhymes and songs often make me smile, perhaps it’s my inner child.

Curious about the origins of the song, I did some searching online, and it seems to have its roots in a street song from the early 1900s.

As the song echoed in my brain, I was reminded of an account from Scripture.

Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear let him hear.“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates,“‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds. Matthew 11:11-19

Jesus is rebuking the Pharisees for their hard hearts. They have made up their minds about John and Jesus, and no amount of proof will satisfy them. Like petulant children, they did not dance with joy or mourn.

Sometimes, as Christians, we can act that way about the church or our local assembly in particular. I’m sure we all know people who complain about everything on a Sunday morning.

For them, there is always something wrong with the preacher, the sermon, the music, the brand of coffee. No one greeted them at the door, or perhaps someone did. It’s the wrong Bible translation. The congregants are too formal or irreverent. The programs aren’t what they should be. I’m sure you have heard all these and more.

Now, to be sure, not everything is perfect in any local assembly. Everyone can have a grumpy, off day.

These constant complainers, who are never satisfied, have a heart problem. They can be frustrating and cause divisions in the church.

Such people need our prayers. We also need to pray for our own hearts, that we love these unhappy people and not let their lack of joy rob us of ours.

We have the ultimate reason for joy in Jesus. Let’s not squander it on petty inconveniences or with cold, hard hearts.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

__________________________________________ 

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 offers the same great content but in a different format. This is ideal for when you don’t want to check your Facebook or share with friends who don’t use Facebook. 

Subscribe today 

___________________________________________ 

All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

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

The results are in, and our Federal election is over, except for  the final tally. The results show a deep divide in our nation with two differing world views. Some are celebrating and others are mourning the results.

The votes have been cast, and we all must live with the results. It was the nastiest election I have seen in Canada, with great anger on both sides of the political spectrum.

How do we move forward? How then shall we live?

We start by remembering that God is in control of all things. He is still on the throne, whether you love or hate the results. Our situation has changed (for the better or worse, depending on your perspective), but God has not.

We stand for Christ.

We are His ambassadors.

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

We strive to live in peace.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all Romans 12:18

We pray for our leaders, even the ones we disagree with.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Our nation is divided, and many are frightened and angry. Those of us who know Jesus can hold fast.

We live so that the world sees the light of Jesus. Let’s use this opportunity to show the world the truth.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word – Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

__________________________________________ 

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 offers the same great content but in a different format. This is ideal for when you don’t want to check your Facebook or share with friends who don’t use Facebook. 

Subscribe today 

___________________________________________ 

All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

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

Public Service Announcement: To my friends in Canada. If  you have not yet cast your ballot in the Federal Election, go vote today.

___________________________________________________

Today’s image may be familiar to you if we are friends on Facebook, as I posted it on Saturday. Kathy and I were out shopping for several hours. I looked down and realized that I was wearing mismatched footwear. I had on two different black sandals.

I’m sure something similarly embarrassing has happened to all of us. I posted it to give my friends a good-natured smile at my expense.

It did get me thinking about the subject of mismatching.

Our local assembly ranges in age from newborns to nearly 100. There are people from cultures around the globe who speak many different languages as their first tongue. We are single, married, widowed, and divorced. There are professionals, blue-collar workers, people looking for work, and retired folks. 

There are pacifists and military veterans. Others are students or teachers. Some people are very well off, and others cannot make ends meet.

We span the political spectrum and have a wide range of theologies. In short, we are a mismatched group of people.

The one thing that holds us together is our love for Jesus. That crosses every other demarcation line. There are people I see weekly and have grown to love that I would never have met anywhere but the church.

Christ’s love wasn’t just something for the Jews, although some tried to make it into that. It isn’t for a particular culture or caste. It’s for every tribe and tongue.

The Lord loves His people regardless of the boxes, tribes, or categories we used to sort them.

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” Revelation 7:9-17

His gift is open to all. He paid our penalty and filled us with the Spirit. He has given us the Word to teach us. He has given followers spiritual gifts to edify His church.

Give thanks that He has called so many different people together in His name. Give thanks that He has included you and me among them.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

__________________________________________ 

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 offers the same great content but in a different format. This is ideal for when you don’t want to check your Facebook or share with friends who don’t use Facebook. 

Subscribe today 

___________________________________________ 

All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

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

I’ve written about this subject before, but it seems timely to do  so again. Our world is in turmoil.

Our nation is in the throes of what may be the most significant election in a long time. Two very different world views are running neck and neck, and each side truly believes the opposition will be the doom of Canada.

Many voters share that view. Early voting is at record-high levels. People are afraid. The rhetoric is bordering on hateful, and people who were once friends are now enemies.

Will our economy crash totally? Will our nation survive? Will several of the provinces declare independence and separate from our country? There are similar fears south of our borders.

While each of us has a preferred outcome for the election, we need to remember the words of the Psalmist.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts.The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Come, behold the works of the Lord, how he has brought desolations on the earth.He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire.“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah Psalm 46

God remains in charge regardless of the election’s outcome or the troubles that prevail. All circumstances are under his purview, and nothing will happen outside of His plans.

In the interim, we live in an increasingly hostile environment. We need to be like Daniel in Babylon. We must pray and hold fast to our faith.

Elections come and go. Nations rise and fall. Times of prosperity and poverty wax and wane.

Through it all, our all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-present, loving God remains steadfast and in control.

Vote your conscience. Pray for our leaders and hold fast to the Lord.

Whatever the outcome and fallout of the election, God has our backs.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

__________________________________________ 

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 offers the same great content but in a different format. This is ideal for when you don’t want to check your Facebook or share with friends who don’t use Facebook. 

Subscribe today 

___________________________________________ 

All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

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

I stumbled out of bed for a few minutes around 4:30 this morning. Although the sun didn’t officially rise until 6:59, it was already getting light out. I opened the door and listened for a while. As expected, I heard the wonderful sound of birds singing. It was an early morning serenade.

The birds love greeting the day, or so it seems. Yet, there is more happening than the birds visiting. Bird calls travel further early in the morning because of differences in barometric pressure. 

Some studies have also shown that many plants begin photosynthesis up to 30 minutes earlier if they hear bird calls. I don’t know how plants “hear” such things, but the result benefits both birds and plants. Earlier photosynthesis means earlier flowering, flower opening, and increased production. It is similar to the response to plants growing with classical music playing.

I am always amazed at how our Creator intricately designed the systems of life. The details are often so much more complex than we see on casual observation. The systems are far too sophisticated to have randomly evolved “by chance.”

Everyone and everything in creation is linked together in some fashion. Each impacts the other.

The entirety of the complex systems the Lord designed eagerly awaits God’s restoration of all things. Our very home planet is harmed by the sin of mankind.

Paul writes,

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. Romans 8:18-22

That knowledge shouldn’t turn us into Earth worshippers, but help us remember to be good stewards. It should also help compel us to work to see God’s kingdom come in full

Paul goes on to say,

And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

When you hear a bird sing or see a flower blooming, may it remind you of the God we serve and help steer us on the path of becoming more like Him.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

__________________________________________ 

Subscribe today 

Find us on Facebook

Find us on Instagram

Visit our Homepage

Find us on Pinterest

___________________________________________ 

All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

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

Time is fascinating, or perhaps it is more correct to say  our perception of time amazes me. It seems to stretch or contract at will.

I can remember a vehicle accident in the early 90s. A woman pulled out from a stop sign and tried to cross three lanes of traffic in front of me. Perhaps a few seconds elapsed between her stepping on the gas, my braking, and the impact. I remember the event as if it happened yesterday, and the whole thing seemed to stretch for many minutes.

My high school friends are all nearing 70 now, but I remember them as teenagers. I have ministered to children who have children of their own.

When I was younger, it felt like I had all the time in the world. In my early career days, it was on the go non-stop, and the world was a blur. Now that I have retired and struggle with health issues, I sometimes wonder how much I have left. Will I see my grandchildren married? Will I ever meet my great-grandchildren? Only the Lord knows, and He isn’t telling.

Don’t misunderstand; I am not regretting older. I am not planning on shuffling off this mortal coil any time soon. I wouldn’t go back and redo it all even if I could. Certainly, I could correct some mistakes, but I’d just make others.

I have no desire to be 18, 30, 40, or even 50 again. God has been good to me and always will be. When it comes my time, I know where I will be.

None of us can recapture yesterday. None of us can capture tomorrow. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow never comes. A little cliche sounding? Perhaps, but true. We only have today to live.

The world stretches out a long way behind us, an indeterminate period ahead of us. We have remembrances and hopes, and all can look forward to eternity in some place, either in heaven or hell. 

Whether the days seem to last forever or blow by too quickly, we get one shot at this life, and this is it.

It is no wonder that Solomon could say 

I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind. Ecclesiastes 1:14

The days come and go, and we often blow about like dust in the wind.

Jesus told a parable,

…”The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”‘

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:16-21

His point wasn’t that we aren’t to plan for the future or enjoy the fruits of our labour. We have limited days, which are best filled with our eyes on God.

Looking back on our lives from eternity, we will see what we accomplished that blew away like dust and what endured.

May the King use what you do today for his eternal glory. May it not blow away.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

__________________________________________ 

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 offers the same great content but in a different format. This is ideal for when you don’t want to check your Facebook or share with friends who don’t use Facebook. 

Subscribe today 

___________________________________________ 

All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

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

I pass by a beautiful weeping willow tree while driving Kathy to work. I want to take a photo of it, but it’s beside a busy road with no parking in my lane. As I pass, I think I’ll stop on the return trip, where there is some parking, but I either forgot or have driven past it before I realize it. So this morning, you get a generic weeping willow tree from another time.

The rain running off the curving branches resembles tears, hence the common name “weeping” willow. The scientific name for these beautiful trees is “Salix babylonica.” They were named by someone who thought they were the willows of Babylon mentioned in the Bible.

Psalm 137 is a psalm of lament, as the people mourn their captivity in Babylon and remember their home.

By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept,
when we remembered Zion.On the willows there we hung up our lyres.For there our captors required of us songs,
and our tormentors, mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!Let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if I do not set Jerusalem
above my highest joy! Psalm 137:1-6

Even believers have times of lament in their lives. We lament the loss of a loved one, the state of the world, the depth of our sin, and more.

The disciples lamented over the death of Christ on the cross. All their hopes and dreams seemed to have been shattered. They had given up their regular lives and now seemed to have been proved fools.

When we look at the crucifixion, we see Christ resurrected, ascended, and triumphant. The original disciples saw none of that, even though He told them it must happen.

I don’t think we grieve His death nearly as much as they did. I believe that if we had watched the Lord die in such a horrific way, we might have a better understanding of the price of our sin.

On Friday, when we commemorate the Lord’s death, try to forget about His victory for a moment. Put yourself in the place of the disciples as best you can.

May you come to understand the magnitude of our sin and the Lord’s grace, mercy, and love.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

__________________________________________ 

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 offers the same great content but in a different format. This is ideal for when you don’t want to check your Facebook or share with friends who don’t use Facebook. 

Subscribe today 

___________________________________________ 

All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2025 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin, Gleanings From The Word.

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