This is far from the clearest photo in the world, but here I am, ready for my first day of school. Yes, they had schools and even cameras back then. My mother took it out of the apartment building window.

I’m looking pretty dapper in my little uniform and carrying my lunch bag. My companion was a slightly older friend who lived in the same building and attended the same school, but I don’t recall her name. I remember her nickname, but it wasn’t flattering.

The school was on a military base in Germany, where my father was posted during his career in the Canadian Armed Forces. I have a few school memories but don’t remember the first day. I suspect that I was terrified.

I might have been nervous about going to school for the first time, but the truth is I love learning. Other than a few years in high school, I have loved school. I have been upgrading my education since leaving high school.

I love the first day of school. You get all new supplies, new classes, and meet new people. You also get exciting new syllabi (or syllabuses, if you prefer) to read. Yes, I read them because they tell you much about what to expect and are quite helpful.

Even when I am not in school, I love to learn. I suppose I am a bit of a geek. When the instructor asked a question, I was often the annoying student who jumped up and down and said, “I know, I know.” I didn’t do that to show off. I wanted to share what I had learned, and my high school friends may never have seen that side of me.

Every day is an opportunity to learn with the Lord. Our first day is the day of our conversion. We are born again and given a fresh start. We are babies in the faith.

From there, every day is the next first day in our journey with the Lord, which will last forever—a new day to experience His mercy and learn about Him.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

A new day to walk afresh with Him.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1-2

I confess that I look forward to the most incredible first day of them all, after the day I became a Christian. On that day, I shall see my Lord and Savior face to face for the first time.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8

They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. Revelation 22:4

There are many books out there where people claim to have been to heaven and returned. Yet none I know of talks about meeting the Lord; it is always family and friends.

Of course, I look forward to seeing my family and friends. Yet, first and foremost, I long to see the one who gave His life that I might live.

He knew me before anything existed outside Himself. He loved me when I was an unlovable rebel and mocked Him. He is an even bigger fan than my mom, and that’s hard to beat.

On my first day in glory, I will see His face. What a moment that will be.

I look forward to seeing you there, but after I meet Him.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

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

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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, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV). 

I snapped this photo of a rock in the harbor at Blaine,  Washington. It is nothing spectacular; when I looked at it, I looked like a mouse to me.

Of course, I know it isn’t a real mouse, but looking at it reminded me that things are not always as they appear.

Just because something sounds biblical or has a Bible verse attached doesn’t make it true. I’m not saying the Bible is untrue. I believe the entire Bible is God-inspired and entirely trustworthy.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

People can misuse Scripture intentionally to mislead. They can also misunderstand what the Scriptures teach and unknowingly teach error. I’m certain we have all done that on occasion to one degree or another.

We’ve given someone a “word of encouragement” that doesn’t mean what we think it does. We interpret a passage to support what we want it to mean, rather than what it teaches. We “claim a promise” that isn’t a promise to us or even a promise at all.

A common example is “Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.” We claim this “promise” from God when our children go astray. This quote is a proverb (Proverbs 22:6), not a promise. A proverb is a general truism, not a guarantee.

When a child or loved one strays, we must pray for them. We know God is loving, merciful, sovereign, and answers prayers. Still, we don’t know His plan or His timing. God can, and often does, restore those who have wandered away.

Scripture can never mean what it was not intended to mean. We can jump through all sorts of hermeneutical hoops to make it seem to mean something else, but it’s still only going to mean what God intended.

His Word is trustworthy. God never lies, nor does He fail to keep His promises. We need to read and study the Word in context and be sure to understand what it meant to the original audience. The Scriptures were written for us, not to us.

Trust in His Word and His character. He loves enough to send His Son to die on our Behalf and His Spirit to indwell us.

Hold fast to the truth.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

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

__________________________________________ 

Please like and share this post with friends and your circle of influence. Also, feel free to comment.

Did you know that we have an email version? It offers the same great content but in a different format. This is ideal for when you don’t want to check your Facebook or share with friends who don’t use Facebook. 

Subscribe today 

___________________________________________ 

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, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).