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Gleanings From The Word

Category: Grace

  • Don’t forget it is God in the drivers seat not us

    Don’t forget it is God in the drivers seat not us

    team of horses in snow

    Welcome to 2026, the beginning of the second quarter of the 21st century. That sounds like some futuristic time to me, not Monday morning. 

    My friend Lloyd is a cowboy and an old-fashioned teamster. That means he spends part of the year at Lake Louise taking people for horse-drawn sleigh rides (the photo today is one of his). He loves it.  I’m sure he feels the joy I used to feel back in the days when I drove dog teams on winter trails.

    Most of us love being in the driver’s seat. We like to have control over where we are going and how we get there. That’s true for a lot of things besides horses, dogs, and automobiles.

    We want to be in control of our lives, God’s in charge of our own little world. Now, we might not be so brazen as to phrase it that way, but it’s in our hearts. We like to ignore the truth that its God in the Driver’s seat.

    That desire to be like God was what caused humanity to stumble in the Garden of Eden. Eve and Adam ate the fruit (not, probably not an apple) because they didn’t trust God enough to listen to Him.

    It’s why the Bible says things like,

    Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8 ESV

    and

    The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9 ESV

    We’re broken people living in a fallen world. All the manmade wisdom, tools, and technology can’t rescue us and redeem us. That’s why we needed a savior to set us free.

    None of the false religions can free us. The atheists and humanists can’t do it. The trans-humanists with their vision of humanity integrated with machines won’t accomplish it. The people calling for the abolition of humanity as the cure for the world’s ills (a strange and self-destructive ideology) won’t save the planet.

    We must put God in the driver’s seat. God isn’t our co-pilot; He is the divine architect and master of everything. He has the plan to redeem creation and all His children and the power to do it.

    As we move forward into this new part of the century, let’s endeavor to put Him back in the driver’s seat, on the throne of our lives and allow Him free rein to conform us into the likeness of His Son.

    May Jesus reign. May His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

    Praise His name.

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

    Some suggested reading

    Perseverance – a Christian virtue

    The gospel – the best news you will ever hear

    Some things’ are not as they appear

    Tribulation produces perseverance

  • Well Done Good and Faithful Servant

    Well Done Good and Faithful Servant

    Time is flying by, and that has me in a reflective mood this  morning.

    In three days, the days will be getting longer again. In seven, it’s Christmas already. In fourteen days, we will be in 2026.

    I remember being in high school and thinking how far away the turn of the century was. Now I hear kids talking about events of “the late 20th century,” and I realize I’m not even vintage anymore. I’m an antique.

    At a celebration for my parents’ 25th wedding anniversary, I remember thinking what a long time it had been since they were married. Now, in just over a year, Kathy and I will hit our 50th.

    Where did it all go? What was it all for? A lot of it was probably wasted, still. I hope that some of the time over the past 67 Christmases (68, in a week) will have been of eternal value.

    I still think of myself as a “new” believer, but in retrospect, I have been a believer for over three decades. Not all of that time was used wisely.

    Fortunately, the Lord loves me and forgives my shortcomings. No one has missed salvation because of anything I did or didn’t do.

    In Matthew 23, we read the parable of the talents. The master gives three men responsibility; two are faithful, and one is not.

    To the faithful servants, the master says, 

    “…‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’” Matthew 23:21, 23

    I long to hear those words.

    Don’t get me wrong, I’m delighted that despite everything, I will be allowed into the Master’s presence by His grace and mercy. That gift was granted to me by faith (and even the faith itself was a gift).

    I sometimes joke that I will be at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, but only to bus the tables. Yet, even that is far more than this sinful man deserves. I pray that you too will hear the words well done good and faithful servant.

    I know His love, patience, grace, mercy, and faithfulness are real. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind about that. 

    Yet, I cannot even begin to fathom the depths of those things. I’m grateful for them, even if I don’t fully comprehend.

    As we think of that helpless babe in a manger over the coming week, let’s take time to reflect on who He is and what He has done for us.

    He is the reason for and the joy of the season.

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

    Some thoughts on living the Christian life

    Is it right belief or right living?

    Read the Word – that’s where you find the truth

    Called to right living