Gleanings From The Word

Category: Christian Living

The True Miracle Cure – The Gospel

I’ve been down with a bit of a bug since late last week. Mot enough to be really sick, just enough to feel tired, miserable, and sorry for myself. I’ve mostly isolated myself to keep from sharing it with others. I’m sure it will run its course in a few days. In the meantime, I’ll stay housebound. Now, the funny thing about being under the weather is that immediately, well-intentioned and compassionate people have the cure. We all know that one miracle cure.

Use these essential oils. Take this herb. Smoke this wildflower. Try the newest wonder drug. Kiss a toad whose mother was conceived under an oak tree during a full moon. Some of these wonder cures may even work, in some circumstances, for some people., and I always appreciate the caring behind the suggestion.

I’m reminded of the words of Charles Dudley Warner from “My Summer in a Garden.” “This soothing syrup is said to contain no opium or anything that could possibly injure the tenderest infant. It is recommended for children of all ages. It is sure death to worms. It allays irritation, assists digestion, and cures wind colic. It regulates the function and promotes natural, healthy sleep. It is pleasant to take and is perfectly harmless. It is good for everything, and it does nothing, – and is good for that too.”

Sometimes we treat Jesus as the miracle cure all. Yes, all things are possible with Christ and prayer, but that doesn’t mean we always get what we want, when we want it. Sometimes His plan includes some suffering, persecution, and trials. Please note I don’t consider the bug to be either suffering or a true trial, even if it’s inconvenient.

To paraphrase an old thought, God is not committed to your immediate comfort, but to your eternal conformity to Christ — and that conformity is your truest happiness. It isn’t that He doesn’t want us to be “happy” or “healthy,” it’s just that His benchmarks are much higher than ours. He can and does heal. He can alleviate every form of suffering. Sometimes that’s not what is best for us.

What is it that God desires? We are set apart for Christ, to become like Him.

“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:29

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18

He wants us to be like Jesus. What an incredible thought. We will never be God but we can be Jesus-like in mind, heart, and character. Now that makes me happy despite feeling sorry for myself over this bug. He is our literal miracle cure.

Hold fast, my dear friends. Everything you are going through has a purpose and God will complete His work in you.

Be blessed

Kevin

Stormy Seas – Calming the storm

The Gospel – the best news you will ever hear

The True Miracle Cure – The Gospel

A long but vitally important list

10 February 2026
Murder – death of Jesus for our sake

Today, I saw a murder of crows in the tree. In case you don’t know, a murder is the formal name for a gathering of crows.

Seeing the crows brought murder to mind. I started to think about all the murder mysteries I have watched and read over the years. They all had something in common, besides the body. In all of them, as far as I can remember, the victim was unable to prevent his own murder.

There is one murder, however, that I know of, where the victim willingly submitted to being murdered for a greater cause. I’m Speaking of course, of the murder of Jesus, planned by the Jewish leaders, and carried out by the Roman rulers.

The Jewish leaders perceived Jesus as a threat, and when they could not discredit him, they planned to kill him. They used Pontius Pilate to have him crucified, a most ignominious death.

Let’s set the scene, before Jesus was taken to Pilate, one of his disciples betrays him and shows up at the Garden of Gethsemane with troops to arrest him

Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?”At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to capture me? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not seize me. But all this has taken place that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him and fled. Matthew 26:50-56 ESV

Jesus willingly goes with them and submits to being convicted in a kangaroo court on completely fabricated charges. He is mocked, rejected, tortured, and eventually killed on the cross.

Why would the God of the universe permit himself such indignities? Because he loves us. He humbled himself, set aside his rights, and came to earth to die.

“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Philippians 2:8 ESV

If that thought doesn’t amaze you, you need to stop and think about what he has done for you.

Praise God for all his mercies.

Be blessed

Kevin

For the Birds – God’s provision

The Gospel – the best news you will ever hear

3 February 2026
Complaining? Turn it to praise.

We live in Abbotsford, BC, in the Lower Mainland. That means rainy winters, and it’s raining this morning. A few people at church yesterday (including me) were complaining about how wet the weather had been. So, I set myself on a quest to find out how much rain we had so far this year. Okay, not really a quest per se; I went online and looked.

In January, we had 178mm (7 inches) of rain. That’s enough to fill 1.5 average Vancouver umbrellas. That’s a lot of moisture, but…

The average rainfall for Abbotsford in January is 200 mm, so it has actually been drier than average. I guess we had no real reason to complain. Then I remember where we used to live and converted the rain to snowfall, about 5 inches. That’s enough to bring the Lower Mainland to a full stop if it fell at once, and it’s hardly noticeable in many places.

Either way, there was no reason for complaining. It amazes me how often we can fall into complaining, even over first-world problems. There is something in the fallen human condition that seems determined to look at the world through darkened lenses and tell one another how bad things are.

It’s nothing new. The Israelites in the wilderness complained about hunger. The Lord visibly and miraculously provided their daily bread. They still found reason to complain and wanted to go back to slavery in Egypt. We are fickle people.

Compare that to the way the Bible tells us we ought to be.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5-18 ESV

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 ESV

“The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised” Job 1:21 ESV

We often forget or fail to notice the many things we have to be grateful for. Some people keep a gratitude journal, where, at the end of the day, they note all the blessings, large and small, for that day. Others post an image of something they are grateful for on their social media page daily.

There are many things to be grateful for. Even our street people have better living conditions than many people in the world. By and large, North Americans are still wealthier than the majority of people worldwide and across generations.

If we are believers, our sins are forgiven, and we are reconciled to God. We are the recipients of His love and mercy. He walks with us in all our trials. The Spirit can intercede for us and more.

It’s time to take some time and reflect on our blessings. As the old song says, “Count your blessings. Name them one by one. Count your many blessings and see what God has done.”

Instead of being people who complain, let’s remember how blessed we are, despite our circumstances, and praise God.

Be blessed

Kevin

Grateful in every situation

Some thoughts on finding a good church

Find a good church

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

Rebound Stronger – How trials build unshakeable faith

2 February 2026
Are you truly alive

Yesterday, I drove past a common and sad sight. The corpse of a black squirrel lay in the gutter beside the road. It looked so small and pathetic. There was no mistaking that it was no longer alive.

I had seen that squirrel just the day before; it was sleek, bushy, and full of life. I guess it’s a habit of running across the street in front of traffic that brought the inevitable conclusion.

When people pass away, they have that same look of death. There is no vibrancy, no animation, and no spirit. YOu can see they are no longer alive. We expect that.

What we often fail to recognize are the walking dead among us. I don’t mean zombies. I’m talking about those who are still dead in their sins. They look alive and can be animated and fun.  Yet, they are dead in the spirit, wilfully blind and destined for a fate I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.

Contrast that to believers. We face the same trials and struggles. We still have problems, and our lives didn’t somehow magically become perfect. Yet there is an inner joy that circumstances can’t take away. We have a promise of everlasting life with the Lord.

Only Believers have true life. That’s a harsh fact. It means that most of the people we encounter every day are spiritually dead. That’s an uncomfortable truth we don’t like to think about.

Yet, there is good news. Those of us who are truly alive have a message of hope to bring to the world of those lost in darkness and without hope. We bring the gospel.

The very word gospel is from an Old English word, God’s spell, meaning good news or blessing. It derives from the Greek euangelion, meaning “good news.”  The four gospels aren’t called gospels by mistake; they bring us the good news of Jesus.

What is this gospel? It appears in many forms, fully and partially formed in the Scriptures.  We know that all of us are sinners and fall short of the glory of God. We know that we must be born again by faith. Paul gives us assurance that accompanies those thoughts.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 ESV

He died for our sins, died, and was resurrected. He is alive today. It’s not a wish, it’s a historical event and a promise rolled into one. That’s astoundingly good news.

God has given us the privilege of taking this euangelion to the world. He’s responsible for the result; our job is simply to live and proclaim the truth.

Will we?

Jesus, the one who came and paid the penalty for our sins, is real and alive.

Be blessed

Kevin

The Walking Dead

The Gospel – the best news you will ever hear

30 January 2026
Awe – How was worship today at your local church?

Today’s image is Moraine Lake in Alberta. The sight always stops me in my tracks and leaves me in awe. How much more can I be in awe of God? Thinking of awe led to this morning’s Gleanings.

Have you ever done this? I confess that I have, and too often. You’ve just attended the Sunday service at your local church, and before you’re out the door, you’re complaining. That was boring. The service was too short/long. The music wasn’t the right volume/genre, and the songs were too old/new.

Maybe it was, “Did you see what Mrs. Smith was wearing? Or, perhaps, “Did you see that teenager who wore his hat in the service or had that rude t-shirt?” How about “Did you see who was ushering. How can they even show their face in the church?’

The pastor spoke too long, I didn’t like the prayer time, that baby kept fussing, the list goes on and on.

Perhaps we were focused on the wrong things. Any one of those comments might be accurate (or not), but we’ve missed the point of “going to church.”

The Sunday service (or whatever day yours happens to be) is a time to gather in godly fellowship with other believers, to meet with the one true God and worship Him corporately. We do that through serving, teaching, singing, giving, fellowship, and loving others.

When we go to meet with God, our focus changes. I believe it was RC Sproule who once said, “People in awe never complain that church is boring.”

Whenever we read of people in the bible encountering God, awe is a common factor.

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” Revelation 4:8 ESV

“I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth.” Job 40:4 ESV

“If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore, you are feared” Psalm 130:3-4 ESV

Now, I’ll be the first to admit that not every Sunday service causes us to fall on our faces in awe of God. Still, if our focus and desire are to meet with the living God through the message of the Word, the singing, and true fellowship, He will meet us there.

Our hearts and minds will be transformed.

If you’re not happy with your local church, perhaps the first thing you ought to do is check your own heart. Maybe something about the format isn’t to your liking, but was God present? Is the congregation being transformed into the image of God?

The local church, with all its warts and flaws, all the people still in progress, and all its problems, is still the bride of Christ. We need to learn to love her as much as we do Him.

Wherever you worship this Sunday, set aside everything else and seek His face with joy and awe.

Be blessed

Kevin

Do Not Forsake Meeting Together

Every Member Is Necessary — 1 Corinthians 12

Some thoughts on finding a good church

Find a good church

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

Crowns of glory

29 January 2026
Determined – thoughts on the state of the world

This is Jasper, a border collie-maremma cross. His temperament is by far more maremma than collie. he is very determined. He lived with us when we had the acreage, but when we moved to the city, he and Misty, the border collie, moved to a friend’s farm, where they live happily today.

Border collies are hyperactive herding dogs that seem to have to work to live. Maremmas are livestock guard dogs that are content to lie on a raised area, surveying their kingdom and flock with regal authority until danger arises. Then watch out.

Jasper is a master at regally surveying his domain until danger arises. Unless there’s a squirrel. A squirrel throws a switch in his brain, and he just must get them. Then he thinks he’s a hunting dog crossed with a beaver.

You can see from the picture that he has a squirrel treed and is determined to bring it down. Yes, he gets so excited that he gnaws the tree.

That’s determination…or madness.

There’s a lot of that sort of determination come madness in the world. The world is determined to dethrone God and do whatever it wants. That’s bad enough, but they want everyone else to celebrate the insanity.

What is evil is now considered normal, even virtuous, by many.

The Bible has some thoughts on that subject. The prophet Isiah was inspired by God to write on the subject 2800 years ago.

Woe to those who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood, who draw sin as with cart ropes, who say: “Let him be quick, let him speed his work that we may see it; let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw near, and let it come, that we may know it!” Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight! Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine, and valiant men in mixing strong drink, who acquit the guilty for a bribe, and deprive the innocent of his right! Isaiah 5:18-23

Paul opened his epistle to the church in Rome by talking on the subject (it’s worth taking a moment to read Romans 1 in full).

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Romans 1:20-23

Such people are under the wrath of God. Still, there is hope they will see the light and turn back before it’s too late.

Our job isn’t to hate or judge these people; it’s to love them. Loving them doesn’t mean that we accept or follow their view, but it does mean that we pray for them, meet their needs when we can, and treat them as our neighbours.

We, too, were lost in our sin and enemies of God at one point, and in His mercy, He reached down and saved us. Let’s pray He does the same even for those we might consider our enemies.

Be blessed

Kevin

General Revelation: Why No One Can Claim They Didn’t Know

The Gospel – the best news you will ever hear

Going Squirrelly? It’s time to be still and know

Life Squirrelly? Make time for solitude and prayer

28 January 2026
Crowns of glory

I like to watch water drip and form perfect little crowns as it impacts the surface beneath it. I’ve never quite managed to get the photo of that event I wanted, so this morning I’m using someone else’s shot to illustrate it (I couldn’t track down the photographer’s contact info, so I couldn’t give them credit).

What can I say? Some people say small things amuse small minds, but personally, I think we simply become blasé and ambivalent about much of what we see about us. We look and see, but we never truly see.

The physics involved in creating the drop aside, I think that it is quite a spectacular event every time it happens. We tend to overlook it because it is small and common, but every one of those marvelous crowns is unique and really something to behold. It happens so fast that it is very difficult to appreciate without the aid of a photograph, but it is majestic, nonetheless. None of the crowns worn by any king or queen has the same beauty as that of a simple raindrop or the drip of atap.

That’s kind of humbling in a way. God dresses the everyday raindrop in a crown of splendor that surpasses the crown jewels of any monarch that ever lived. We are surrounded by infinite beauty created by God that we simply never take the time to notice.

The crown of the raindrop, the puff of a dandelion, the curve of a mouse’s whiskers, and more escape our gaze, yet they surround us.

When I am trout fishing, the flash of a rainbow as a trout leaps out of the water should take my breath away, but I often miss it in the excitement.

Such things are not seen with our busy eyes. They require us to be still and truly look at our surroundings. When we do that, we can sample a taste of the glories of God.

These things are to be appreciated, but not worshipped; after all, we worship the creator, not the created. Yet they can draw us ever closer to Him.

We are called to pause and think on Him.

Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him, and he will act.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
    and your justice as the noonday.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
    fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way,
    over the man who carries out evil devices! Psalm 37:5-7

“Be still, and know that I am God.
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10

I can hardly wait until glory, when we will be able to truly appreciate all He has created without the veil of sin on our eyes. When we can do that, I think we will be much more able to give Father the praise and glory due His name.

When was the last time you stopped and were still? I mean, truly still with no background music, no cell phone, just you and God and the wonders of His creation. When was the last time you paused to look at the wonders of His handiwork?

If you are like most of us, it has been too long. Take some time today and just look for the crown jewels our Lord has put in your path.

Be blessed

Kevin

Going Squirrelly? It’s time to be still and know

26 January 2026
Those Darn Rats

Our neighborhood is located directly below a large hill that has several acres of brush and grasslands; immediately beyond the hill used to be a farm. For many decades, it was a prime habitat for rabbits, deer, raccoons, birds, and, of course, rats and mice.

When clearing started on the farm, we saw less wildlife; that’s to be expected. Now they are cleaning up the hillside for a future park, and the rodents have no place left to live. Our neighborhood is having a minor rat epidemic, and people are doing their bit to eliminate the problem.

Now, I don’t have a fundamental issue with rats. They’re kind of cute, inquisitive, and smart. They can even be friendly to a degree, and I’m told they make great pets. I do, however, understand that they can cause a lot of damage and can often cause health issues, so it’s undesirable to have lots of them around. That means they must go. I found myself wishing for a mythical pied piper to lead them away (without taking the children later). We’ll get them in time.

The rats sneaking in remind me of the way false prophets can creep into a church. They typically come in innocuously enough, but soon the poison can spread through the entire congregation, causing incredible damage.

It isn’t a new problem

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. 2 Peter 2:1-3

Now, not everyone who comes into the church who has wrong thinking is a false prophet with a dangerous agenda. Many can be corrected with sound teaching and/or church discipline. True false prophets need to be found out and removed from fellowship.

The pastor, the under shepherd of God, acts as a sheepdog to help keep the bad ones at bay.

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. Titus 1:9

The pastor can’t be everywhere at once or hear every conversation, so the sheep must also learn to be vigilant.

How do we know who a false prophet is? By knowing the truth ourselves. That comes through regular bible reading and study, listening to grounded preaching, and learning good theology ourselves.

We must do our bit to be aware and discerning. Let us be diligent to ensure we know the truth.

Be blessed

Kevin

Read the Word. Read the Word. Read the Word.

Coffee shop talk and false churches.

23 January 2026
Pressed but Still standing

This is an old-fashioned, two-station cider press that someone took the time to lovingly restore. The first station is a grinder that breaks the fruit into smaller pieces, so you don’t have to crush it whole. The fruit is then dumped into the press, where pressure is increased to squeeze out all the juice. It’s a labor-intensive, but ingenious system.

There have been times in life when I felt like I was going through that system. The worries and trials of life seemed to batter me and break me down. Then the pressures threaten to squeeze the very life out of me.

Back in the early 1990’s, Kathy and I both sustained traumatic brain injuries within a few months of each other in separate motor vehicle accidents. We were both off work and struggling with everything. Our marriage became rocky as we navigated major changes. We fought to get the long-term disability benefits, leaving us incomeless for an extended period. We used up all our savings and investments, and our home was on the verge of foreclosure. Our friends were mostly from work and soon evaporated as their worlds moved on, leaving us friendless and without a support system. We were not yet believers, so there was a church community to lean on. At one point, I was seriously contemplating suicide.

Life went on. We survived and came out the other side changed but very different. In our case, we came to faith over time, and that faith has sustained us. Looking back, I cannot see a way we would have made it without Christ. At the very least, I believe our marriage would have ended, and our prospects would have been dismal.

Even as believers, we can have times when we feel as if we’re going through that cider press.

The apostle Paul understood that truth.

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. 2 Corinthians 4:8-12 ESV

But he had words of hope and promise.

Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:9-16 ESV

Our struggles may appear overwhelming and times hard, but this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal

My friends, we might be crushed and persecuted, but never destroyed. Hold fast.

Be blessed

Kevin

Tribulation Produces Perseverance

Rebound Stronger – How trials build unshakeable faith

21 January 2026
Issue 1889 – Safe in the arms of God.

Safe!

Safe! What a wonderful call for any baseball base runner to hear an umpire call. It’s also good for the rest of us to know we are safe in a tumultuous world that seems to have lost its mind. Christians are safe in the arms of God.

Don’t misunderstand. We are not exempt from trials, tribulations, illness, crime, poor choices, physical harm, economic downturns, or natural disasters. We’re not safe from persecution, or temptation, or relational ills. All of those are part and parcel of living in a fallen, son-filled world.

What are we safe from? In the words of the hymn “Before the Throne of God Above” …

Before the throne of God above. I have a strong and perfect plea. A great High Priest whose name is love, who ever lives and pleads for me. My name is graven on his hands, my name is written on his heart. I know that while in Heav’n he stands no tongue can bid me thence depart.

Every element of our salvation is our God. He calls us and gives us the faith and courage to receive Him. He dies to pay the cost of our sin, and He dwells within us to make us more like him.

Once we are His, we are His forever. Safe in the arms of God. We can’t mess up so badly that we fall completely from Grace. We may face consequences and discipline, but never rejection. Nothing can tear us away from him, or as the song says, “none can bid me hence depart”.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:28 ESV

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 ESV

Some will say that gives us freedom to sin. Paul clearly tells us that isn’t the case.

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means Romans 6:14-15 ESV

We need to understand that we are secure in Christ. That knowledge should help us understand how deep His love and mercy for us is. That understanding leads us to love Him more and to desire to please Him. That desire makes it harder for us to sin and easier to repent.

My friends, as believers, you are safe in the arms of God. Now live in that wonderful news.

Be blessed

Kevin

The Gospel – the best news you will ever hear

Scrub Jays – Refugees from the fires

19 January 2026