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Gleanings From The Word

Category: love

  • Hope and biblical love

    Hope and biblical love

    During the sermon this Sunday at our local assembly, the pastor used a phrase, “The hope behind the help.” He was, of course, referring to the hope that Jesus brings when we love others. I’m not sure if it was something original to him or if he borrowed it from someone else, but it struck me as profound.

    Why do we love?

    We love because he first loved us. John 4:1-19

    By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35

    Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-30

    Love isn’t a warm, fuzzy feeling that comes and goes, at least not the type of the biblical ove Jesus speaks of here.

    This biblical ove is a conscious decision to love even if it’s not reciprocated. We love and serve our neighbors not to get something out of it, nor as a project. We love them because God loved us even when we were incapable of loving Him.

    He loved us when we were his blasphemous, rebellious enemies. He loves even those who will ultimately reject Him, although they will never be His children.

    We love and help our neighbors because we have experienced unconditional love. We love because love brings hope, and everyone needs true hope.

    His love isn’t something that will waiver and fade. It isn’t something that will lead to disappointment. He is the hope that motivates, loves, helps, and transforms.

    Let’s proclaim him boldly.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

    Unintended Results – Love your neighbor

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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.

    # Right Belief Must Become Right Living
  • Are They/Them our real enemies

    Are They/Them our real enemies

    faceless crowd

    I watched the news with increasing irritation. “They” were at it  again. You know “them”, the ones who seem bent on destroying and nation and ridiculing everything we believe in.

    I could feel my blood pressure rising and I began to have decidedly un-Christian thoughts. I could feel a full blown rant coming on.

    Does that sound familiar? It happens to most of us at times. No matter what side of the political or religious spectrum you are on, there are always “those people” who seem to be out to undermine us.

    “They” make us angry. We stop seeing “them” as people and begin to classify them into inhuman groups.

    We forget that most of them are sincere in wanting the make the world a better place, even though we differ on what that looks like. We forget that God loves them too.

    It’s one of the reasons we are told to put on the Armor of God.

    Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. Ephesians 6:10-18a ESV

    The enemy is a master of division. He divides us into camps which makes it easier for us to hate rather than love.

    When we find ourselves with those feelings we need to remember that we are all created in God’s image and that He loves us so much He died for us, regardless of our position on issues.

    We need Him to transform our hearts.

    Lord teach us to Lord when it is so easy to hate. Teach us to put on the armor and live as you commanded.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

    Love Your Enemies
    # Right Belief Must Become Right Living