Yesterday, Kathy and I took a stroll at Campbell  Valley Park in Langley. Although it was cool, cloudy, and drizzly, the walk was a refreshing blessing. We met a few people on the trail, but weekdays are always less busy than nice weekends.

Water levels were up quite a bit from the last time we visited, but not nearly to peak levels. As always, a few mallards were hanging around, primarily drakes. For whatever reason, the drakes outnumber the hens here by about 5 to 1 or more.

We enjoyed the company of a few squirrels, dozens of chickadees, some spotted towhees, and various sparrow and sparrow-type birds. The chickadees followed us, stopping when we did and often coming within a foot or less of us.

Chickadees are one of my favorite birds. They are cute and very friendly. Their song is lighthearted, and they always seem happy little birds. A chickadee always brings a smile to my face.

I always find my mind clearer after spending time in the woods. The woods calm my heart and spirit and allow me to focus. Often, when walking in the woods, hunting, or fishing, I feel God’s presence the most clearly.

That’s one reason many people end up worshipping nature. Their experience fools them into thinking that nature is God, a dangerous mistake.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 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. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. Romans 1:18-25

God created everything around us for two reasons. Firstly, it testifies to His worthiness and power, giving Him glory. Secondly, it acts as an undeniable signpost that points humanity towards Him.

The world around us, the world of “nature,” is a gift to us and also a responsibility. God calls us to be stewards of it all. It’s made for our use, but careful use. Too often, we have exploited our home for short-sighted gain.

The natural world surrounds us. Enjoy it. Steward it well. Give glory to God.

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

__________________________________________ 

Did you know that we have an email version? It has the same great content but in a different format.

Subscribe today: https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1 

For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

© 2024 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.

We have a gas fireplace in our living room, similar to the one in the photo. I was sitting in my recliner very early this morning, watching the flames and thinking.

Some of my thoughts were possibly profound, but most were of the “look at the pretty flames” variety or I wish I could sleep.

At one point, I was thinking about sin. Nothing can burn you as quickly as sin.

Sin is an unpopular topic in today’s world. We like to think that we are victims and somehow not responsible for our actions and want to blame others. Here are a few random examples, 

I have a terrible temper because I have red hair.

I am miserable with others because someone treated me unkindly.

I took that because I needed it, and you didn’t.

Justify and blame. It’s been that way since God confronted Adam and Eve in the Garden. Adam blamed Eve, but he was really blaming God. Eve blamed the serpent. The formula has stayed the same since then.

Let’s look at what the Bible says about sin.

We all do it.

…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Romans 3:23

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. … If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:8,10

It isn’t God’s fault.

In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. Job 11:22

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone. James 1:13

Sin is never instantaneous. It grows in us until it gives birth.

…but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:14-15

It brings death and separation from God.

For the wages of sin is death. Romans 6:23a

Even believers will wrestle with it.Romans 9

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. Romans 7:15-20

There is much more that I could say, but that is plenty to chew on for now. I confess I have sinned far too often, blamed others, and even blamed God at times. I am grateful for His faithfulness when I have been unfaithful.

Because of sin, the world is lost in chaos. If left to its own devices, it is doomed, as is every person.

God is perfectly holy and cannot abide sin in any form. His very nature separates Him from any form of evil.

However, there is good news for sinners (that means everyone.)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

That is the reason for the Christmas miracle. Jesus humbled himself to come as a person and pay the penalty for sin on our behalf. God hates our sin, but He loves us despite our sin.

The Lord cleans up our mess if we only trust and submit to Jesus by faith. No other faith, religion, worldview, or philosophy promises anything like that.

To reject His testimony and gift is to drift further into sin because God promises us redemption if we believe and He does not lie.

When you stop to think of the Christ child in a manger, pause and reflect on why He had to come; then give him praise and glory.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

__________________________________________ 

Did you know that we have an email version? It has the same great content but in a different format.

Subscribe today: https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/gleanings-1 

For an archive of many back issues, visit our website at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com.

© 2024 Gleanings From the Word, K.F. “Kevin” Corbin. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.