Category: love

  • Showers of Mercy and Grace

    pussy willows

    Over the past few days, we have been blessed to have temperatures well above seasonal norms. Things are budding out everywhere. In protected areas, spring bulbs are blooming. Pussy willows are making a strong appearance.

    Starting today and for the next week, the forecast is rain. Normal temperatures, no frost in sight, but rain. Some days, non-stop rain, others off and on, and finally, occasional showers.

    I confess I found myself mumbling about the change when I read the forecast. As thought occurred to me, “How did you think all that new growth is going to get watered?”

    In the sermon on the Mount, Jesus used rain as a metaphor for His love and grace.

     “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48 ESV

    He pours his love and grace out even on those who hate him. The Lord doesn’t hate sinners. He loves us all and blesses us all more than we deserve. It’s simply that sin cannot be in the full presence of a holy god, so those who reject His mercy suffer the consequences.

    When the rain comes and when the sun shines, it can remind us of the vastness of His grace and mercy. It reminds us that He’s raining mercy, or in the lyrics of a popular song, there are “showers of mercy and grace, falling on every face.”

    I don’t know what storms you face today (literal or metaphorical). I don’t know whether you have sun, rain, or snow in your forecast. I do know that God loves you and wants to bless you.

    If you know Him already, rejoice that He cared enough to save you. If you don’t yet know Him, set aside your pride and run to His open arms.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

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  • Our eternal inheritance in Jesus – an unbreakable promise

    God's promise of an eternal inheritance with Jesus

    I have been spending some time in the Epistles of Peter of late.   They are short but profound letters. Peter’s writings are often overlooked due to the sheer volume of Paul’s writings. Yet, his words are equally as inspired.

    I can relate to Peter. He loved the Lord deeply, but in his zeal often got things wrong. He even sinned and denied the Lord, not once, but thrice. Yet, Jesus loved Him deeply and forgave him for every mistake and blunder. I need that kind of God.

    This morning I was meditating on the opening verse of 1 Peter, wher he speaks on our eternal inheritance.

    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. 1 Peter 1:3-5

    Those three verses are jam-packed with theology and encouragement. There are at least three full sermons in those verses, and I don’t have the time or space to do that. Instead, let me offer some brief thoughts and suggest you have a reread of First and Second Peter.

    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  – simply phrased, Praise God. He deserves it.

    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. It is His election and sacrifice that bring us to rebirth, forgiveness, and reconciliation with God.

    … to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, – What is that inheritance? Eternal reconciliation to God, forever more. To live with Him forever in heaven. It will never fail or fade away. It is pure and holy. Free from the presence, practice, and penalty of sin. To become all He created us to be in union with all the saints and believers throughout all time.

    … who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. The power of God and faith securely hold us. Even our faith is a gift from Him. Our salvation is wholly of the Lord who holds it for us.

    The fullness of His mercy, grace, and power, and the extent of our transformation will be revealed in glory with Him. That’s something to look forward to. It’s an unbreakable promise of our eternal inheritance.

    Praise the God who loves you more than you can fathom, forgives a sin debt so great you can never repay it, and holds a future better than anything you can imagine. He is worthy of all honor, glory, and praise.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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    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, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

    From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.

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