Author: Kevin Corbin

I love to sing. The truth is, though, that I am one of those people who couldn’t carry a tune in the metaphorical bucket. I’m like the crow cawing amongst the songbirds.

My singing voice was once compared to a bear in work boots walking in a gravel pit. I’m not sure exactly what that would sound like, but I know it wasn’t a compliment.

At “the cowboy church,” the band and I had an agreement. They wouldn’t preach, and I wouldn’t sing up front.

Yet, we are called to rejoice, to sing the Lord’s praises.

Oh, sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. Psalm 98:1-2

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Psalm 98:4

I’m okay with my lack of musical ability because I know God gifts each of us in different ways. He’s gifted me in writing, teaching, and preaching (forgive me if that sounds boastful; it’s not meant to be; all the glory belongs to Him.)

I sing frequently when I’m by myself. I sing when I’m in a large crowd of people who are also singing. Ask me to lead in singing, and I panic. I can and have done it and will do it again whenever I need to, but it feels strange. 

When it happens, I remember the Psalm 98 verses and stand on it.

In contrast, I have friends who have simply delightful voices. They can sing virtually anything and make it pleasing to my ear. I love to hear them sing praises to the Lord.

I have other gifted friends with strong, beautiful voices and the ability to play virtually any instrument they put their hands on. I, however, have a hard time playing the radio.

The body of Christ has many incredibly gifted musicians and singers. Whatever genre of music suits your personal taste, there are people who can use that genre to praise the Lord in incredible ways.

As wonderful as their songs may be, there is a song that is even more beautiful. We find out about it in an obscure little verse hiding in the works of one of the minor prophets.

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. The sorrows for the appointed feasts I will remove from you; they are a burden and a reproach to you. Zephaniah 3:17-18

Imagine that. The Lord God Himself, Jehovah-Elohim, rejoices in singing over you and me. What beautiful music it must be when He sings. His voice is powerful enough to speak the world into existence, and the sound of his rejoicing and singing must be joyful beyond measure.

If you ever doubted God’s love for you, reread those verses. He not only sings, but He rejoices over YOU by singing. You are a blessing to God. He sings with joy because of you.

Until next time, I pray you get a glimpse of how much He truly loves you.

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

KevinZephaniah 3

minor prophets

Psalm 98

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

__________________________________________ 

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 

For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

© 2024 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

The sound of the alarm going off this morning  reminded me of a morning many years ago. That morning, too, started with the sound of the alarm.

I was a little tired, so I hit the snooze button. And again. Now, I was running a few minutes behind, but things were still manageable. I spilled the coffee as I filled the pot. Another minute gone. So it went. There were more annoyances here and there, but I managed to get ready. 

I headed for the doors. Darn! Where were my keys? I searched frantically, overturning everything in my wake, and finally found them. Now, I was really late and stressed, too.

I stepped out the door to find snow. I had to brush and scrape the car off. Where was the scraper? Another few minutes lost. Finally, I was on the road. 

Red light at the first intersection and the second. By now, my stress levels were getting high, and I was mumbling very unchristian and unking words at traffic lights and crazy drivers.

I pulled into the parking lot just in time for the day, but I was stressed and grouchy. My entire day was off-kilter.

Can anyone relate?

Jesus told a parable about being late. It’s well worth reading.

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. Matthew 25:1-13

He is coming back. That won’t be the time to be scrambling and running later. Are you ready?

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)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

__________________________________________ 

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 

For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

___________________________________________ 

© 2024 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

The big old porcupine waddled from the road’s edge down into the  ditch. I was surprised because the only porcupines I ever see on or near the road are dead ones or the ones you are about to run over. I do not recall seeing one that had crossed the road.

Immediately, all the corny jokes ran through my mind. “Why did the porcupine cross the road?” I will not bother to share them with you; you have undoubtedly heard them all as chicken, gopher, or turtle jokes.

Porcupines (Old Porky) are fascinating creatures and are relatively common throughout much of North America. Some of my reading tells me they have an average of 30,000 quills. I do not know who counted them, but there is a lot of potential for sticking to things.

Porcupines are herbaceous, but they sometimes get in trouble around people because they do like a little salt in their diet. That means they are apt to chew on anything that has had sweat on it. Saddles, axe handles, blankets, and the like have fallen prey to Old Porky’s taste for salty things.

You do not often see them in water, but porcupines are great swimmers. All those hollow quills give them extra buoyancy, so a little pond or stream is no barrier to a porcupine with an eye for the vegetation on the other bank.

Old Porky is a slow-moving creature that is near-sighted. That makes them easy to approach. You simply have to ensure you are not within reach of their tail. One swat of that tail can leave you with a hand full or leg full of nasty barbs. 

Contrary to popular legend, they do not shoot their quills, but their tails can move surprisingly quickly. Many dogs or cats have learned the hard way that porcupines might be slow, but they prefer to avoid being bothered.

Some people think porcupines are stupid because they are slow and nearsighted. Not so. They have excellent memories, and I have been told they can be trained to do tricks.

I think that people often view God as being like Old Porky. They assume He is near-sighted and cannot see their sin or that He is not very bright and accepts all the lies and rationalizations they use to justify their sin.

People also seem to think that God is slow in coming, just like Old Porky moves slowly. Or they seem to believe that He is never coming back because He’s lying out there dead alongside the road somewhere.

Don’t you believe it.

God is not blind. God is not dumb. God is not dead. Jesus is coming back. He is simply awaiting the perfect moment.

First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this `coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 2 Peter 3:3-13

Until next time, we can rejoice that He is alive, sees all and He is coming back for us.

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)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

__________________________________________ 

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 

For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

___________________________________________ 

© 2024 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

On our drive to church, we pass by several wooded  parks. Periodically, we get a good whiff of skunk as we drive by. Some person or animal has disturbed the pretty “little striped kitties” and reaped the rewards.

As I got a scent of one the other day, my mind drifted back more than twenty years.

Our eldest son Kris worked at a Christian camp/retreat center during his summer break from Bible College. Part of his job was catching skunks. The camp seems to attract baby skunks, and campers and skunks are not a good combination.

Kris trapped the young skunks and moved them to a central holding facility, where they were later disposed of. He caught the skunks using a small bucket attached to a ten-foot two-by-four. The small bucket kept them from raising their tails and spraying, and the two-by-four allowed him to get close enough to place a bucket over them without frightening them too much.

To hold the skunk in place, a piece of stiff cardboard is slid underneath the bucket to act as a bottom. Then, the race is on. Get the skunk to the holding facility without dropping the cardboard or the bucket and releasing an angry skunk with rank malodorous consequences.  I don’t recall him having any slips.

Smelling the skunk on the way to church made me glad that I was not the one to be doing the skunk run at camp. It also got me thinking.

In a way, all our secret sins are like skunks in a bucket. We keep them tucked away, hoping that we do not let the bucket or cardboard fall and the consequences of the sin escape. We know that if the sins escape, it will be about as pleasant as an angry skunk.

We need to take those sins before God with a repentant heart and throw ourselves on His mercy. There is no other way to get rid of them. He knows that we carry them; they are only a secret in our minds.

God sees all things, and all things will be made known.

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:11-15

If all was revealed today, what would you smell like?

Until next time, rejoice that God not only knows all, but that He is willing to forgive all who choose His Son.

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)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

__________________________________________ 

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 

For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

___________________________________________ 

(c)2024 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

The university library was massive.  It had shelves of books on virtually every imaginable topic (and many that I had never conceived of) from every possible perspective. A person could read there for their entire lifetime and never even make a dent in the total number of books.

Fortunately, I was interested in reading only some of the topics. Some areas held no interest for me whatsoever, and I don’t even have the expertise to decipher or understand others. For example, I’ve never been able to grasp the fundamental concepts behind simple differential/integral calculus, so any book on that topic or any topic that uses that knowledge as a foundation would be beyond me. 

The foreign language section would be beyond my grasp. I took some French in high school and university, but to be generous, it’s rusty. I can make out the occasional phrase in Latin, German, Italian, Spanish, and a handful of other languages. Still, I am not fluent in any of them. I can say I don’t “speak the language” in French, German, Italian,  and Spanish.

I headed towards the seminary section of the library, looking for the topics I was interested in researching. Again, there was a bewildering array of books. For example, there were hundreds of biographies on Jesus (and I know they only have a sampling), some of which start with the belief that the Bible is true (as do I) and others that believe that there is no truth in the Bible at all. Theological perspectives from the extreme liberal to the middle of the road and onto the ultra-conservative were available on many topics.

The topic of God, the claims of Jesus, and the path to salvation are some of the most vital issues of all. It’s no wonder so many books have been written on these subjects.

Some people look at all those books and think, “Why should I read the Bible?” If the “experts” can’t agree, why should I even try? Some denominations or congregations even try to maintain control by encouraging this point of view.

The Bible is an incredible book. It contains truths that are so simple that a young child can understand them. It contains truths so vast that theologians have been arguing for thousands of years over the interpretations. If you are a believer, you have a built-in guide to help you understand the truth (Holy Spirit). No matter how much you read, you will never truly understand Scripture if you’re not a believer. 

Yet, I know of many cases where people who weren’t believers but had open, honest, searching hearts asked God to reveal Himself to them when they read the Word, and He did.

I have thousands of hours of Bible reading and study under my belt. I have thousands of hours of readings commentaries, dictionaries and other books about the Bible. I still have only begun to tap into the wealth of knowledge the Bible contains. There is more wisdom and truth in the Bible than in all the books in the university library for the person who will earnestly seek it.

I’ll never know it all, but with a bit of reading, anyone can sit down and learn through the Bible that Jesus loves them and will save them if they only ask. The Bible will teach you what God is like and what He wants from us. It will teach you, rebuke you, correct you, and embrace you if you only open the covers and begin reading it.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:7

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

Not sure where to begin reading your Bible? There are many plans available for daily Bible reading. Here’s one I recommend to people

Read the Gospel of John through two or three times

Read the four gospels through twice. By this point you’ll have a good idea of who Jesus is.

Read the New Testament through twice. You’ll have a good basic knowledge.

Follow this by reading all of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation.

Repeat…Repeat… Repeat

Reading twenty minutes daily will enable you to read through the Bible in a year. Reading a book a day will get you through cover to cover in 66 days.

Don’t worry that you don’t understand it all at once—no one does. You will find, though, that you gain new wisdom and insights every time you do. 

The more time you spend in the Word, the more you will realize its importance and the more you will want to do it. Don’t be discouraged; it’s often hard to form new habits. If you slip, just pick yourself up again and keep on going.

Until next time, don’t be intimidated. Read the Bible. God had written a wonderful love letter to you within the pages of that book. He’s waiting for you to read it.

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)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

__________________________________________ 

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 

For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

___________________________________________ 

(c)2024 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

I recently watched a home improvement reel online,  which made me remember a minor project I had done years ago. I had to adjust the striker plate hole on a door, a two-minute task.

I knew where my chisels were. Sure enough, right in the tool chest drawer, all except the one I needed. After twenty minutes of searching, I found where it had fallen off a shelf. Great! Problem solved.

Unfortunately, not so fast. The blade’s fall onto the concrete caused a big divot. It was large enough to have to be ground out and then resharpened, which took about an hour.

At last, I was ready to fix the door. It took about two minutes. Five years of procrastination, an hour and a half to find and prepare the tools, All that for a two-minute job.

There are many parallels to my faith walk. Although I had heard the gospel, I didn’t come to Christ until my thirties. Once I recognized the need, coming to him was relatively simple.

I was forgiven at that moment, but then the real work began. I needed to be reground and reshaped into his image, and that is an ongoing process.

I had a lot of lousy thinking to overcome. I had much to learn about Jesus … the Spirit … and the Father. I had to begin to read the Bible and listen to sermons. I had to start to put what I was learning into practice.

I had to learn to love and forgive others. I had to learn to trust in Jesus to do what He promised. I had to endure rejection from most of my extended family because of my newfound faith.

When I tried to put what I was learning into practice, I often found that my blade was still pretty dull and needed honing. Sometimes, I was too aggressive and zealous in my approach to people, and sometimes, I was too passive. Sometimes, I tried to change things under my own power, not His. My heart was often right, but I did or said the wrong thing.

Yet, He continued to work despite the foibles and follies. He never gave up on me. At times, I even saw victory. The process continues today.

Sometimes, big divots need to be removed, and it can hurt. Other times, it’s just a gentle feathering touch on the blade. Still, other times, we are amazed to see how God works through us despite our dullness.

The Bible uses different metaphors, but it emphasizes the need to remain close to Jesus and the ongoing shaping and refining.

We start the process by accepting Jesus and begin the lifelong journey of becoming like him.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this, you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9

I don’t know where you are in your faith walk. Maybe you are in the procrastination phase and putting off trusting Jesus. Please know that salvation is a time-limited offer. None of us knows the hour of our death or the hour of His return. When that happens, it is too late.

Maybe you are being pruned, refined, and sharpened. To some degree, we all remain there until we go to be with the Lord. It’s not always a pleasant process, but it is a worthwhile journey, and there are many times of great joy and gratitude that come with the grinding and shaping.

Eventually, all those who are His will be with Him for eternity, and the job will be completed. We will be all He has created us to be. We will be prepared for whatever blessings and tasks He has uniquely crafted us to do with/for Him in glory. That will be an indescribable joy.

Until next time, rejoice in the reshaping because what He has planned for us is beyond our greatest expectations.

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)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

__________________________________________ 

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 

For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

___________________________________________ 

(c)2024 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

 I moved from inside the aircraft cabin to the little step under the wing with great fear. It was my first jump from a plane, and while I had great confidence in my parachute, I still had some small nagging doubts.

Then came the moment I had to let go. By then, my heart was pounding so loudly that I was sure they could hear it in the little Cessna I had just stepped out of. The jump went without major incident. The next time required a trip to the emergency room, but that’s a story for another day.

Fear has many negative connotations in today’s world, and there are undoubtedly many unhealthy fears. Yet fear itself can be a gift from God.

Physiologically, fear can start the body’s fight-or-flight reflex. This change in physiology can make us stronger and faster than we ever thought possible, all in a split second as the body automatically prepares to defend itself from danger. If you’ve ever been in a situation where that reflex was needed, you know it was a gift from God.

Because of the negative connotations fear has and the incomplete picture of God that people hold, there are passages in the Bible that they struggle with. These passages tell us to fear God. Some random examples:

Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the rules—that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son’s son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long.Deuteronomy 6:1-2 

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.Acts 9:31 

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 2 Corinthians 5:11 

Fear God? What’s up with that? Doesn’t God love us? Isn’t God our Father? I hear those kinds of questions often.

YES! FEAR GOD! If you don’t know Him, you must fear His wrath and the consequences of your sin. The thought of eternal damnation ought to scare you. If it doesn’t, you need to shake your head. This kind of fear can be a gift from God as well. It ought to drive you into His arms, crying out for mercy. If it does, you’ll have salvation, which will be wonderful.

Those of us who know Him should also fear Him, but it’s not the same. When you check out the dictionary, you’ll find that to fear also means to have deep and reverential awe of Him. Yes, He’s our Father, but He also created and controls everything in the universe. He brings life. That kind of awesome power deserves respect and awe.

When it comes to fear, rejoice. Fear of danger produces a healthy bodily response. God will drive out unhealthy fear. Fear of His wrath sends us to His mercy. Knowing Him creates a healthy fear. 

Ironically, fear is nothing to be afraid of.

Until next time, may you know the deep reverence and awe from knowing God the Father.

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)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

__________________________________________ 

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 

For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

___________________________________________ 

(c)2024 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

Last night, the Corbin household celebrated the safe return of Mutima, the Bernese Mountain Dog.

We were pet-sitting for our son and his family last weekend. On Friday night, we put the pets to bed, but when we awoke on Saturday, Mutima was missing. Our hearts sank as frantic searching revealed no clues.

The search eventually expanded. His absence was posted on social media, and one neighborhood social media site said it was the most commented-on post in years.

Hundreds of posters were put up. Neighborhoods were canvassed door to door, and more people than I can count donated hours searching for her. Every dog walker and jogger in the area was keeping their eyes open. People searched the parks and woods with thermal imaging gear and drones. Hundreds of people were praying.

Several times, she was spotted alive and well, then disappeared again. The outpouring of support from friends, family, and even random strangers was heartwarming.

Last night, she was spotted holed up in a little den in the woods on the side of a nearby mountain and safely returned home. She had been found at last. We are glad to see the end of a long-feeling ordeal.

It got me thinking of the faithfulness of God.

Jesus said,

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:1-7

God scours the highways and byways, the fields, forests and hedgerows, mountain tops, and valleys in search of the lost. His eye sees places no human eye could ever see, and He calls the lost faithfully.

No search in the world can ever compare to God’s desire to bring us to salvation.

When one of us comes to Him, all heaven rejoices.

I am so glad that Mutima was returned safe and sound, but I will eternally rejoice and be grateful for the Lord’s faithfulness.

Praise His unwaveringly faithful name.

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)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

__________________________________________ 

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(c)2024 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

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1355 – Lost – January 27, 2024

Issue 1232 – Working Like A Dog – August 26, 2023

The drivers in Abbotsford are often incredibly  aggressive. They tend to drive too fast, follow too closely, and not use their signals. If you happen to drive the speed limit, you will annoy plenty of people. Often, a lot of horn honking, yelling, and hand gestures are involved.

I know there are plenty of exceptions, but when you drive, you are almost taking your life into your own hands. I’m sure our community is not alone in this phenomenon, which seems to be getting worse all the time.

I frequently have to remember a mantra a friend in our community group uses when driving, “Grace and Space.” It would help if you gave other drivers both. When I am driving, I often repeat that mantra to myself.

We need it in the church as well. You likely know the well-meaning people in your local assembly who walk up to people they barely know and attempt to correct their appearance or lifestyle loudly. It makes me cringe when I see it.

It is even worse when they do it in the community to random strangers.

I will confess that they are sometimes bang on the money with their criticism. Yet, I can almost guarantee that the “advice” will likely be ignored or worse.

We are not called to be the Holy Spirit for others. Yes, there is a time and place for correction or church discipline, but this behavior typically is neither. 

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. Matthew 7:1-6

We need the grace to forgive, the wisdom to know when to speak, and the space to build relationships.

We cannot expect non-believers to live like Christians. Even Christians need help living as they should. Without the grace of Jesus, we’d be sunk.

I know I’m a work in progress, and much needs repair. You wouldn’t have to look hard to find something to criticize. I also know that God will finish what He starts, so I’ll get there according to His timing—which may not be according to my or your timing.

Please give other people the grace you would like to receive.

Let’s be sure the Spirit is prompting us before we begin to critique others. 

Grace and space, my friends. Grace and space.

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)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

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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 

For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

___________________________________________ 

(c)2024 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

It had been a steep hike down into the valley. At the  bottom, a stream blocked our way to the tiny Southeast Asian village. The water was cold, and the current strong. 

It was too wide for even our group’s youngest and most athletic to jump safely. There is no way that those of us who were less than that young and athletic would ever have made the jump, at least not without getting very wet in the middle of the stream.

There were two spots where a trail of rocks made it appear relatively easy to cross, and several of us made a go of it. A couple of us got across (including me, which surprised me. I usually managed to get wet feet in a situation like that), but several of us got wet feet or fell in. 

About that time, someone from the village saw that we had arrived and brought out a long board that they laid across the stones and allowed the rest of the group to cross on.

Apparently, they just put out the bridge when they knew someone was coming. When no one was coming, they brought it in to keep unwanted visitors out and the bridge from washing away when the seasonal rains raised the river level. Since we arrived a little early, the “bridge” hadn’t been set out yet.

A simple bridge made a huge difference.

Christians are called to be bridge builders.

We are to tell others about Jesus to aid in bridging the gap between them and Jesus. Holy Spirit does the work of conversion; we simply help lay down the bridge timbers by sharing the truth and the way we live our lives.

We are to build bridges of peace and reconciliation. We are to build bridges of love. We are to build bridges into a hostile world and self-centered culture in order that people might find the truth.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 10:34-35

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 5:20-21

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?[And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:13-15

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

Preaching is more than standing behind the pulpit declaring the truth. All of us are preachers. We proclaim Jesus by the way we treat others and the way we live our lives. 

When our witness is loving and consistent, we preach well. We are poor preachers when we are less than loving or no different than the world.

We build bridges to a hurting world when we preach, either by word or deed. Some bridges are safe and inviting and some cause people to look toward alternate routes.

Until next time, what kind of bridges are you building?

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)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

__________________________________________ 

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 

For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

___________________________________________ 

(c)2024 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.