Gleanings From The Word

Category: Christian Living

  • A Feeder for All: One Body, One Spirit — A Devotional

    A Feeder for All: One Body, One Spirit — A Devotional

    three birds sitting 9n a plant pot

    Just outside our front door, a bird feeder hangs. I’ve identified  two dozen (or more) bird species that use it regularly. Underneath that feeder, on a disused water feature that looks like a log, sits a green plant pot.

    That pot once held a plant. Seeds from the hanging feeder regularly fall into the pot, and now it’s used as another feeder. The soil level is low enough that the birds can duck beneath the pot rim and hide while they eat.

    While any of the birds might stop there, it’s most popular with the smaller birds and more timid species. It’s fun to watch them periodically peek their heads up to check that things are still safe, then disappear again.

    It’s not uncommon to see three or four little birds in it, or sitting on the edge at any given moment. There are two species in today’s image. (My apologies, the picture is a little fuzzy. My camera phone isn’t great for that sort of work.)

    That feeder reminds me of the call of the gospel. It’s for everyone, but has special attractiveness to the timid and broken. It goes out to people of all cultures and ignores barriers such as education, wealth, skin tone, gender, and economic status.

    That call goes out, and when it is answered, the church becomes a place where believers of every sort are unified under the Spirit. 

    One true church, regardless of labels, practice, or language. One body, one Spirit.

    One true church despite doctrinal differences.

    The same Spirit who called “those” people, called you and me. The same Jesus who died for “them” died for us. The same Father oversees it all.

    For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 1  Corinthians 12:12-13

    That person you’ve never met, from some place you will never go, who speaks a different language and dresses differently, can be your brother or sister in Christ. What an incredible thought.

    What a marvelous moment it will be when all of us, one body one spirit ,regardless of tongue or tribe, celebrate in worship together. I can hardly wait.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    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

    ___________________________________________ 

    Looking for a Good Church?

    Some thoughts on finding a good church

    Find a good church

    Live in Abbotsford? There are many good churches. This is where I attend.

    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.

  • Advent Anticipation – Christmas is coming

    Advent Anticipation – Christmas is coming

    advent candles

    Time seems to be flying by of late. Many of the neighbors have  their Christmas decorations and lights up already. There are even some who have had their trees up for a couple of weeks now.

    This coming Sunday marks the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is celebrated on the first four Sundays leading up to Christmas. We anticipate our remembrance of the birth of Jesus. It feels strange to be looking forward to celebrating something that has already happened.

    Yet, it gives us an opportunity in the busyness of life to pause and remember what truly matters.

    The story of Jesus’ birth is a winsome narrative. After all, who doesn’t like the account of the poor infant born in a manger while angels and shepherds celebrate? 

    “And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” Luke 2:10-11

    Yet it’s really mid-story. His coming was planned before God created the world, because He knew we would sin and need rescuing.

    It was foretold in the prophets. On top of all the prophecies that there would be a Savior and His coming, there are at least seven fully fulfilled prophecies about His birth alone.

    “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

    His birth required a sacrifice from Jesus. He set aside all the rights that were owed to Him to come into Mary’s womb and be born on that dark night. He was born to die for us.

    Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:5-7

    In remembering His birth, we can celebrate our freedom in Christ. Without His coming, you and I would be lost forever in our sin, doomed by our sin nature and our own sin.

    We can also celebrate our ongoing transformation. We are born again, being conformed into His image, and He will complete His work in us.

    Advent also serves as a clarion call to the world. Jesus has come and is coming again. Get right with Jesus today. In those four weeks, many nominal and adrift Christians come to the service to hear the news afresh. Many seekers will stop by as well. Seeds are planted and watered.

    I used to joke about what I called “playoff Christians”, those who come for Christmas and Easter. I was so wrong. I’m learning to recognize what grace God offers by calling them in, and I am thankful they respond.

    Studies have shown that people are most responsive to invitations to church at Christmas and Easter. Let’s make full use of that and invite people.

    Invite friends who have drifted from the faith, neighbors, casual acquaintances, and total strangers to celebrate the Advent and Christmas miracles with us. Let’s pray for them that their hearts may be opened.

    Who knows? Some of them might even come.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

    On the seasonal theme

    Please like and share this post with your friends and those in your circle of influence. Feel free to comment.

    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, “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.

    Every Member Is Necessary — 1 Corinthians 12
  • The things we value most will be left behind – We gain everything

    The things we value most will be left behind – We gain everything

    row of rusty pickups

    The farmyard had many rusty old trucks. It seems likely the owner was a collector (or perhaps ‘accumulator’ would be a better term), as they had rows of them.

    There were a few cars, but I mainly noticed pickup trucks. There were a lot of them from the fifties and sixties. There was even the odd one from the 40s or earlier. 

    These trucks were, at one point, the pride and joy of their owners. They had that new vehicle smell that so many people find appealing. They were bright and shiny, freshly painted, and certainly wouldn’t have been cheap to buy.

    Over the years, the paint faded, the bodies got dinged and dented, and the new-car smell gave way to the smell of the owner’s lifestyle. Eventually, they broke down or wore out and were just left in the field to rust.

    Eventually, they will rust away into nothingness. The elements gradually eat away the steel until nothing remains.

    Now I understand the need for a vehicle, and I know that they usually reach a point where they are no longer worth repairing. Seeing so many of their rusted old bodies, though, made me think about the Lord’s coming. Our possessions will be left behind.

    He’s coming again for His people.

    “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. Daniel 7:13-14 

    The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:63-64

    Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. Revelation 1:7

    All the “things” we value so highly, all the accomplishments we’re so proud of, all the “stuff” and accolades we’ve accumulated, will at that moment become even less valuable than those rusted old hulks sitting in the field. It will be left behind, exchanged for something far more valuable.

    Where are your priorities? Are the things that will be left behind when you die, or He comes again first in your life? Or have you accumulated treasures in heaven that won’t rust away and won’t be left behind when you go?

    Until next time, may your focus be on the things of His kingdom.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

    Our earthly treasures will be left behind but we will go to glory

    __________________________________________ 

    Please like and share this post with your friends and those in your circle of influence. Feel free to comment.

    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, “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.

    The Gospel – the best news you will ever hear
  • Life – God has his hand on believers’ lives

    Life – God has his hand on believers’ lives

    salmon eggs - Stonet Creek November 2025

    Yesterday, I was too slow registering for my Aquafit class, and didn’t get in. The class size is limited and fills within a minute of the registration opening for the day.

    With no class to attend, I  opted for a walk along Stony Creek. It was not much past sunrise and cloudy, so I didn’t take many photos.

    The salmon run is on, and one of the first things I saw was the carcasses of dead salmon lining the banks of the creek. I wondered if I was too late to see any live ones.

    With careful watching, I did see a fair number of living salmon and some trout as well. They were hiding under root balls and undercut banks, gathering strength for the next part of the journey upstream. https://www.facebook.com/reel/857922200042646

    I also managed to get a view of some salmon eggs. Once the eggs are laid and fertilized, the parents die, leaving their bodies to feed scavengers.

    It got me thinking of life. We’re born, live our lives, and die. Of course, humans have an afterlife, something the Bible doesn’t talk about for animals. You can insert your own theology at that point.

    Sometimes our journey from womb to tomb seems to stretch on forever. Other times, it races by in a blur. At times, we are oblivious to the passage of time, while at others we are acutely aware of every passing second.

    We pass through our lives quickly, unable to fully process everything we have seen, heard, and done. Much of it we can’t even remember. Yet, our omnibenevolent (infinitely, all good) God sees and knows every detail. Nothing escapes Him. God has His hand on believers’ lives.

    He knows us before we are born, and He cares about every moment of our lives.

    For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:13-16

    “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:25-34

    Believers never walk alone. He knows us and cares for us beyond measure. He is there before we enter the world, through our lives, and even after physical death takes us.

    Wherever you are in the journey of life, if you have Jesus, know He will carry you through. We know that God has His hand on believers’ lives.

    Take heart and praise His holy name.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

    Thorns – God’s grace is sufficient

    __________________________________________ 

    Please like and share this post with your friends and those in your circle of influence. Feel free to comment.

    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, “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.

    # Right Belief Must Become Right Living
  • Last Leaves – Feeling alone, but never alone.

    Last Leaves – Feeling alone, but never alone.

    tree with most of the leaves already fallen on a foggy morning

    Driving home from the pool yesterday, the lyrics “all the leaves  are brown, and the sky is grey” were going through my head.

    The sky was grey yesterday, and it rained off and on all day. The leaves aren’t all grey, but most trees have shed them all. A few lonely leaves are holding on for dear life, but every little gust of wind shakes some more of them off the tree.

    Sometimes, we feel like those remaining leaves. We think that we’re the last faithful Christians left. That thought might apply to our own faith walk or our denomination/affiliation compared to others.

    It feels that no one else wants to do the work; finding volunteers is like searching for hen’s teeth or frog hairs. You can’t find anyone to study the Scriptures or pray with.  The weight of the gospel message rests fully on our shoulders, and we fear that God’s work won’t get done if we don’t do it.

    Of course, that’s wrong thinking, and we’re not the first people in the world to have those thoughts. We are never alone.

    In 1 Kings, we see God work incredible miracles through Elijah, but he feels alone. I recommend reading 1 Kings 18-19 to get the full story, but I want to hit on a few relevant verses.

    Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men.” 1 Kings 18:22

    God works in miraculous ways to defeat all the priests of Baal, which angers Jezebel, the Queen, so Elijah runs away into the desert to hide.

    While in the desert, he hears the still small voice of God and complains.

    He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 1 Kings 19:14

    The Lord responds by giving Elijah a task to anoint a new king over Israel and reminds him that,

    Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him. 1 Kings 19:18

    That 7,000 might be a literal number, but it’s more likely to refer to many more believers than Elijah can comprehend. Seven is the number of completeness, and 1,000 often suggests large numbers. Either way, Elijah is far from alone in doing God’s work.

    We are never the only ones, no matter how we feel. God’s church is larger than we ever imagine. Things are happening that we may never see. We are never alone.

    God’s tasks will get accomplished with us, despite us, or through us. We are accountable to God for our own obedience, not the obedience of others.

    He is the one with power and makes things happen.

    Joyfully do what God calls you to and let Him worry about what others are, or are not doing. He’s got it covered.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

    __________________________________________ 

    Please like and share this post with your friends and those in your circle of influence. Feel free to comment.

    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, “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.

    Tribulation Produces Perseverance
  • Never out of control – the power of God’s consuming fire

    Never out of control – the power of God’s consuming fire

    night time campfire

    There’s something comforting about a nice campfire. It’s warm, it makes me feel safe, and I love to watch the different colors of the flames. Yet out-of-control fires can be terrifying.

    I’ve seen the aftermath of fires, I’ve watched buildings burn, fought grass fires that threatened to get out of control, and seen the night sky lit up by dangerously close forest fires. I’ve even known the horror of seeing a person on fire. None of those brought me the comfort of my little campfire.

    Fire is a strange beast. It has been one of man’s greatest helpers, providing heat, light, enabling the forging of metal and steam power, but it can kill and destroy without warning if we’re not careful.

    Some people are fascinated by fire. Others are terrified by it. I understand both perspectives as I’ve been in both places.

    Our God is like a fire, but never out of control. He can be terrifying to those who will face His wrath and comforting to those who know His love and forgiveness. God’s wrath is not like that of an angry, spiteful, spoiled child out of control. 

    His anger is the righteous anger of a Holy God, directed at those who rebel against Him and reject His offer of love and forgiveness. He is patient in exercising His wrath, or we all would have been destroyed long ago. Both His love and His wrath burn with incredible intensity.

    Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28-29 

    We should never be fooled into thinking that God is always like our pleasant little campfire. He’s also the power of the raging forest fire, all the burning suns put together, and more, never out of control. His wrath will come for those who don’t believe. His wrath was for us as well until we came to know Him.

    The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:35-36 

    No one is born a Christian. We all become one by conversion. We move from death to life as a result of Christ’s sacrifice. We’ve been saved from the wrath of God by the grace of God. That knowledge should create in us a burning desire, an internal, eternal fire to share the truth with other people. It compels us to tell others to save them from the wrath that will come.

    And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Jude 1:22-23 

    Until next time, may you be a burning torch of light and rescue in a dark, hurting, and ultimately doomed world. Let your fire for Christ burn brightly so that all can have the opportunity to be saved from the wrath.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

    Never out of control – the power of God’s consuming fire

    Please like and share this post with your friends and those in your circle of influence. Feel free to comment.

    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, “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.

    The Gospel – the best news you will ever hear
  • Unintended Results – Love your neighbor

    Unintended Results – Love your neighbor

    Genni the wonder dog

    I was looking through my photos recently and came across one  of Genni the Wonder Dog. She used to feature prominently in the first incarnation of Gleanings (started in January 2001 – ended about 2011).

    Genni was a cute puppy when she chose me outside the SPCA. A fellow was dropping off an unplanned litter, and we asked to see them. The neighbor’s dog had managed to get together with his purebred border collie. O picked one up and Genni immediately adopted me.

    I remembered a time she had damaged some knee ligaments in one of her back legs and had been busy recovering and doing very little walking. After a few days of resting, I took her outside for a gentle stroll.

    The instant we got outside, she went up on her hind legs and hit the end of the lead hard. She just kept pulling. It took a moment for me to realize that she had seen a rabbit on the lawn, and the rabbit was now making a beeline for the park across the street. 

    We managed to walk maybe 20-30 yards before she had to sit down and rest her knee.I ended up carrying her partway back. I’m sure that was a sight. This dog with a full-sized Border Collie body (but Basset Hound length legs) cuddled safely in my arms as I walked home. I wondered who the smart one really was.

    What had started as a nice therapeutic stretch ended up with her crippled back up again. It would be a few days before we could give it another try.

    Sometimes in life, the best-intentioned plans don’t work out as we think they should. We try to make amends in a damaged relationship, and it just causes more hurt. We try to explain, but it only makes things worse.

    You try to help someone, and they take advantage of you or your generosity. You help someone else with a project, and they get the promotion you deserved. You do the right things for the right motives, and it just backfires.

    Sometimes we wonder if it’s even worthwhile trying.

    The Bible tells us that it’s part of our job to love our neighbor even when it’s not appreciated or rejected outright.

    “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 

    As a believer, you are required to do your part, which is to love even the unlovable. You’re not responsible for how they respond. That part is up to God to deal with.

    Even a non-believer finds it easy to love or give when it’s appreciated. It’s when things don’t go as we think they should that the rubber hits the road. Do you still love and give, even when there’s nothing in it for you except heartbreak? Do you love your neighbor?

    Obedience isn’t always easy, but in the long run, it’s the most important thing next to the decision to accept Jesus Christ.

    Until next time, may you love your neighbor even when the walking gets tough.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

    Hope and biblical love

    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, “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
  • Childlike faith – not childish

    Childlike faith – not childish

    I was walking Misty Mountain of Valley Hideaway (more  commonly known as Misty), our border collie, around the neighborhood.

    We encountered a mom and daughter out for a walk. The daughter was a toddler, barely able to walk, but she wanted to pet the “big doggie.” 

    With Mom’s permission, I knelt beside Misty, holding her tightly by the collar. The girl was a little shy, even though her mom told us that she had two dogs of her own at home. 

    She came a little closer, then she pulled up close to my friend, knowing that he would protect her from the “big doggie”. She worked up a little more nerve and moved up close to me for protection, but stayed away from Misty. When she was comfortable that we would protect her, she slowly reached out and gave the big doggie a pet.

    She didn’t know us, but she had faith that we would protect her.

    That’s the kind of faith we are called to have in God. A faith that trusts even when we don’t understand everything that’s happening.

    At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:1-4

    A childlike faith, not childish faith. We have the Bible, and we have intellect. We can reason, study, and learn more about Him. There is a wealth of great Christian material out there to read, to listen to, and to watch, which can help us grow in our understanding. We can be childlike in our trust and mature in our understanding and practices.

    It’s a balance. We don’t need to understand everything to accept His love. If we waited until we fully understood everything about God before trusting Him, it would never happen. We’ll never fully understand Him, after all He’s God and we’re not, nor will we ever be.

    If we waited until we understood fully every detail of the Bible and all its implications before we trusted Him, we would never get there. Most of the Bible can be readily understood by you and me, but there are parts where godly men and women of great wisdom, intellect, and training can’t agree, or fully understand. There are areas of prophecy that no one will understand fully until after they happen.

    At the same time, once we know Him, we are called to a deeper relationship with Him, and that comes from spending time with Him in prayer, study, and obedience.

    Until next time, may you trust Him as a child does, but grow deeper and more mature in that relationship every day. Childlike, not childish. May your faith walk be childlike not childish.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

    Childlike, not childish, faith.

    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, “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.

    The Gospel – the best news you will ever hear
  • Do you identify as Christian or by brand name?

    Do you identify as Christian or by brand name?

    Do you identify as a follower of Jesus or by brand name

    Everywhere you look, someone is wearing or showing their brand l

    We wear advertising logos. I have a hard time with that. Shouldn’t they be paying me to advertise for them, instead of having me pay extra for the “right” to advertise for them? 

    Perhaps all of us who don’t fit the target audience of a given brand should lobby them to pay us not to wear their clothing or use their products. But I digress.

    As Christians, we often wear our particular brands. We identify ourselves based on the denomination we belong to. If your favorite brand isn’t listed on the graphic, it’s only because there wasn’t room to list the more than 4000 denominations in North America.

    When asked about our religion, we’ll say things like “Oh, I’m a (fill in the blank with the denomination or affiliation you belong to).”

    That’s a double problem. Firstly, Christianity isn’t about religion. It’s about relationships, specifically the personal relationship between an individual and Jesus Christ. It has nothing to do with “religion” except as a secondary thing. It’s faith that matters.

    Christ had some harsh words for those who put their traditions above His Word.

    And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ Mark 7:6-8

    Secondly, no matter what you think of denominations, there is only one church. Your denominational leaders are wrong if they teach that their expression of the Christian faith is the only way. 

    Jesus is the only way. He’s the only name by which we’re saved. Salvation doesn’t come from belonging to a specific denomination of stream of theology,

    For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Romans12:4-5

    And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among menby which we must be saved.”Acts 4:12 

    In case you’ve never been told, there will be believers from other denominations in heaven. Yours won’t be the only one. There will be people in heaven who will shock you. The only requirement to get in is faith-based, repentant acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior.  The breadth of the church exceeds yor theological priorities and brand name.

    We’ll be astounded by who will be there and who won’t.

    If you must wear a “brand name”, wear the name of a follower of Jesus Christ. Declare it when asked. Wear it so that it shows in your dealings with others. Wear it in all you do so that people know you are His even before they ask.

    Until next time may the brand that people see in your life be “sinner saved by the grace of the Living God.”

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

    What Brand Name Is Your Faith?

    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, “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.

    Every Member Is Necessary — 1 Corinthians 12
  • Unpleasant Endings – the hard questions about hell

    Unpleasant Endings – the hard questions about hell

    I was sitting in a coffee shop discussing some questions a friend  had about Christianity.

    He asked me, “Do you believe in a real place called hell?”

    I answered that Jesus certainly believed it, and that was good enough for me. We discussed some of the verses in which Jesus spoke about hell.

    But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brotherwill be liable to judgment; whoever insultshis brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. Matthew 5:22

    And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell Matthew 10:28 

    There are many more verses on the subject.

    Then my friend asked the question that was really on his mind, “How can a good and loving God send people to hell?”

    It’s a fair question and one that many people struggle with.

    The first thing to think about is that hell was never designed for people. It was designed for Satan and the angels that chose to follow him in His rebellion and outright war against God.

    Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41 

    Secondly, God never “sends” anyone to hell. People get there based on their own choice to rebel against God, as did Satan and the demons.

    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. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God…  John 3:16-18 

    God created us in His own image and He loves us so much that He sent Jesus to die on our behalf so we could avoid the torment of hell. He takes no pleasure in our suffering. Scripture tells us that He would much rather we turn to Him and be set free.

    I don’t know what you picture hell to be like. Jesus certainly didn’t think of it as a “party place” where we could hang out and indulge our favorite sins. I’m not sure if the fires are real or metaphorical. I’m not particularly fond of either, to be honest; neither one has any appeal for me to spend eternity in. 

    An eternity of separation from God is an unpleasant ending to this life that I wish to avoid.

    I don’t know the exact physical location of hell. Nor will I ever because I’ve given my life to Christ. To be honest, I have no desire to go there, even for a visit or to see where it is.

    According to Jesus (and in my mind, there is no better source), hell is real; hell is eternal; and hell can be avoided. All it takes is heartfelt repentance, belief in Christ, and surrendering Lordship of our lives to Him.

    Until next time, rejoice that God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to keep us out of the fiery pit for all of eternity.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

    The Hot Seat – Hell is real

    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, “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.

    General Revelation: Why No One Can Claim They Didn’t Know
    The Gospel – the best news you will ever hear