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A flower basket hangs by our patio. Once the weather warms , we will fill it with brightly colored annual flowers for the season.

The basket shows lots of life this spring, even though we haven’t planted anything yet. That’s because the birds often sit there when visiting the feeder and regularly drop seeds.

This morning, tiny dewdrops were hanging off the ends of the plants, sparking in the sun. I’m sorry for the quality of the image, but my phone camera is far from the best.

Seeing the dew drops reminded me of Psalm 133, one of the Psalms of Ascent. They are so named because of the phrase appearing before each psalm in Psalms 120-134. According to one source, “Each is called “a song of ascent” at the beginning of the psalm. The Hebrew term is maʿalot, which means “going up.”

Psalm 120: God’s presence during distress

Psalm 121: Joyful praise to the Lord

Psalm 122: Prayer for Jerusalem

Psalm 123: Patience for God’s mercy

Psalm 124: Help comes from the Lord

Psalm 125: Prayer for God’s blessing upon His people

Psalm 126: The Lord has done great things

Psalm 127: God’s blessing on man’s efforts

Psalm 128: Joy for those who follow God’s ways

Psalm 129: A cry for help to the Lord

Psalm 130: A prayer of repentance

Psalm 131: Surrender as a child to the Lord

Psalm 132: God’s sovereign plan for His people

Psalm 133: Praise of brotherly fellowship and unity

Psalm 134: Praise to God in His temple

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes!It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore. Psalm 133

The psalm speaks of brotherly unity and being with the Lord forever. Believers have an even deeper unity. We are brothers and sisters because we have been adopted into God’s family.

We have an even stronger unity because the same Holy Spirit lives in all believers. Our eternal destinies are tied together by Christ and sealed by the Spirit.

That, my friends, is a reason to sing. All believers are family and connected. All believers will be in glory with God.

Next time you see a dew drop, praise god for how He has connected us all.

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). 

This morning, during my pre-Easter reading, I looked at the  account of Jesus’s crucifixion. Specifically, I was reading the account of the two thieves who were crucified alongside Him.

It’s a story with several huge contrasts. Firstly. the two criminals were guilty of the crimes that led to their deaths and knew it. In contrast, Jesus was innocent of everything they convicted Him of. Secondly, we see one of the guilty pair openly mock Jesus while the other recognizes who Jesus is and turns to HIm.

One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Luke 23:39-42

We’ve heard it before, so Jesus’ answer has lost some of its impact. Yet, it really is stunning.

And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23

The thief has done nothing of merit. He has no good works to cling to. Yet, he recognizes his own wretched state, understood who Jesus is, and threw himself into Jesus’ mercy. Yet, that’s all that he needed to do.

Jesus willingly submitted to rejection, humiliation, torture, mocking, and death to set us free.

No one can come to Christ after they have died, but there is always hope that in the moment of those final breaths, they will understand and be saved. 

I don’t know who will be in paradise when I get there. There will be many horrid sinners who came to Him at the last possible moment. Many “good” people who rejected Him until it was too late will be absent.

When I was pastoring, I did funerals of believers and non-believers alike. If I wasn’t certain of their final destination, I always held forth the promise and real hope that before it was too late, they, like the thief, understood the truth and appealed to Jesus.

If you know Jesus, keep praying for your unsaved friends, family, and loved ones until they have passed on. Jesus can work miracles.

If you don’t yet know Him, seek Him and turn to Him now. You may not have an opportunity later.

Your salvation isn’t about how good or bad you are. It isn’t about weighing your good deeds against your bad. It’s about the love of Jesus and trusting Him.

I pray that you and yours find Him and that we will see each other in Paradise.

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). 

The magnolia trees are in full bloom. Actually, they are nearing  the end of their blooming season.

I typically think of magnolias as “tulip” trees because their blooms remind me of tulips, but I have learned that the tulip tree is another species altogether.

Whatever they are called, they certainly make for fantastic floral displays in the spring. Here in the Lower Mainland, they are grown in large numbers, so you can drive down entire streets full of them. It is a beautiful sight.

Magnolias are not winter-hardy trees. I don’t recall ever seeing one in Northern BC or the prairies. There are many varieties ranging from near dwarfs to massive specimens over 100 feet tall.

The magnolia blooming season is short, lasting only a few weeks in the spring. Afterward, it fades into the realm of being “just another tree” on someone’s lawn. I hardly even give them a glance when driving by.

We don’t pay attention, not thinking the tree must put in another full year of growing to put in net spring’s blooms.

It can be that way in our relationship with God. We notice if He is working in some spectacular way, forgetting that He is at work in us every moment of every day. Many times, a great deal of work comes into play behind the scenes to make it happen.

Many people I know consider their conversion experience to be some decision made instantaneously. They forget that God orchestrated things behind the scenes their entire lives until that moment. 

He knew what you would have to go through and how many times you would need to hear the gospel before you would bend your knee. He put people in place to pray for you, sometimes for many years before you truly hear and respond.

We can get frustrated, waiting for our friends and loved ones to have that magnolia bloom moment and accept Christ. We cannot give up on them. God knows His elect and will not abandon moving heaven and earth until they are all sealed with His Spirit.

The Lord hears our prayers.

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9

Hold steady. Continue to pray, to love others, and to share the gospel. God is faithful even when we feel we can endure no more. He is working behind the scenes, even when the results are not apparent to us yet.

Hold fast and be encouraged. God is working on a more beautiful harvest than a street full of magnolias.

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). 

One of the things I enjoy about living in Abbotsford is that  we have mountains on three sides of us. From almost anywhere in the community, I can see mountains.

Some people find mountains boring because “they never change,” but I think they need to open their eyes. I find them fascinating. The view of the mountains constantly changes with the season and even moment by moment. Differing weather patterns highlight or hide vistas, and the changing light of day changes their color.

The dominant mountain view is Mount Baker, which is to the southeast of us in Washington State. Sometimes, when the weather is right, you can even see the steam coming from a vent on this glacier-covered volcano.

When I looked at it yesterday, a familiar bible passage came to mind.

Therefore my people shall know my name. Therefore in that day they shall know that it is I who speak; here I am.” How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” 

Isaiah 52:6-7

The idea of beautiful feet might seem strange today, but it made a lot of sense in the days of watchmen in towers. The watchman could see a messenger running towards them from a great distance. I can imagine one racing towards the king’s palace, running full out, feet flying, eagerly looking forward to telling of victory on the battlefield or other good news. What an incredible sight indeed.

Isaiah goes on to share the prophecy about the good news of the Messiah to come.

The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice; together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the Lord to Zion. Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. Behold, my servant shall act wisely; he shall be high and lifted up, and shall be exalted. As many were astonished at you—his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance, and his form beyond that of the children of mankind—so shall he sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths because of him, for that which has not been told them they see, and that which they have not heard they understand. Isaiah 52:7-15

There is no more powerful message, no greater news to those who would hear that Jesus has come to set us free. In Isaiah’s day, the Messiah had yet to appear but was promised by God, who cannot lie. Today we know that the Christ has been, died, resurrected and ascended into heaven. We are saved and waiting for His return.

What wonderful news, indeed.

May you be the one with beautiful feet to tell someone about the Lord who will redeem them if they trust in Him by faith.

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). 

It’s wet here. It rained heavily all day yesterday and is raining  again this morning. The forecast is rain every day until Saturday.

That’s not unusual. Given where we live on the Lower Mainland. I was surprised when I looked at the forecast, though. It showed 50 meters of rain was forecast. Although it was an obvious typo and should have read mm, it did catch my attention.

Fifty meters of rain, that’s about 165 feet. We’re talking about a flood of biblical proportions. I envisioned animals pairing up and heading for Israel.

Fortunately, while we may have some minor flooding locally, it’s not going to be at the point where we should be boarding the Ark.

The account of that flood demonstrates God’s wrath against sin, but it also clearly shows His mercy. I don’t doubt that the sin of the world today approaches or even exceeds that of Noah’s day. Fortunately for us, God promised never to destroy the world in that way again.

It is only by his grace and patience that the world isn’t destroyed and humanity isn’t wiped out as we speak. God would be just and fair to destroy it all because of His rebellion. Many people recognize the evil of the world and the fact that we are not destroyed as “proof” that the Lord does not exist. Peter directly addresses this thinking.

This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:1-9 

I’m grateful for His patience. Part of me wants to cry out, “Come now. LORD!” but then I think of those unsaved, and I want Him to delay. He isn’t worried about what I think the right moment will be. He knows it. Frankly, I’m glad He has to make the call rather than you or me.

How do we live as we wait?

We live each moment to the best of our abilities in service to Him. When we fall, we repent quickly and turn back to Him. We strive to tell others about Him at every opportunity.

Let’s see our eyes and the Lord and serve with grateful hearts.

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.

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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). 

Yesterday was a great day at our local assembly. Three of our  youth gave their testimonies and were baptized. It’s always uplifting when someone comes to faith or publicly acknowledges it through the obedient step of baptism. It’s a reminder that God is still at work in people’s lives.

There were some other God moments that I will not share either because without the whole backstory, they wouldn’t make sense, or I don’t have permission to share.

There is a stereotype out there that God is an angry, vengeful being, ever ready to stomp on people with a giant Monty-Pythonish foot from heaven. A thought that he is God who is without joy or compassion and delights in people’s hardships.

It is true that God does get angry when His laws are broken. When we sin, we rebel against Him and hurt others made in His image. Still, He offers the hope of forgiveness to the vilest of sinners and rankest of blasphemers. Dishing out punishment does not bring the Lord joy, but he cannot be righteous without justice and wrath.

When he looked down on our local assembly on Sunday, there were plenty of sinners to be wrathful against. Hopefully, most of those gathered were redeemed sinner, free from His wrath but subject to His discipline.

I have no doubt that despite our weaknesses, He was smiling. All of heaven rejoices when a sinner is saved or we walk in obedience.

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Luke 15:1-7

As we rejoiced in our seats, the heavenly host and the Lord Himself rejoiced with us.

The formerly lost young people affirmed being found, and God was glorified. What a moment.

Praise God for His grace and mercy. Rejoice in the things that bring Him glory.

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 had never seen a whitetail buck that big. He was a large, well-muscled animal with an atypical rack, much larger than the buck in this photo.

Even though it was hunting season, he proudly strutted from the tree line across the field. He rattled his rack against a tree and snorted loudly several times before entering the clearing.

He was big and knew he was a prime catch for all the ladies. The buck seemed intent on making an entrance and impressing the couple of does I knew were in the area.

He knew I was there. I was upwind of him, and he stopped to catch the scents on the wind before he left the trees. He was more interested in the does than he was afraid of me.

Fortunately for him, I wasn’t hunting. I was only passing through on my way to go fishing. This time, his hormonal focus and pride didn’t cost him his life!

Pride is a dangerous thing. I’m not speaking of the sense of accomplishment from a job well done. I’m talking about self-focused, rebellious pride.

Pride is at the heart of all sin. It makes us want to be gods, covet, and rebel. Pride keeps many from accepting the good news of Jesus Christ. They’re too proud to think they must humble themselves and surrender to Him.

It’s pride that makes us think we can get by on self-righteousness. Jesus had some harsh words about self-righteousness and religious pride.

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14

Sometimes, we might want to say, “That’s not fair, Lord!”  After all, this Pharisee kept all the rules, and the tax collector was a traitor, a corrupt official, and a sinner.

Yet, the Pharisee was confident of His own righteousness and pride. He proudly stood front row, centre proclaiming to God how good he himself was. That never cuts it with God. He knows our hearts.

The tax collector was repentant and threw himself on God’s mercy. He stood off from the temple at a distance, too ashamed to even enter into it or to even look in God’s direction. He knew that on his own merit, there was no hope. God loves a penitent sinner.

Too often, although I know better, I have a lot of the pharisee in me. I think that somehow, my feeble efforts will impress God and forget that I am saved only by His grace. I know I am not alone in that.

What are you counting on for your salvation? Are you counting on external religion and self-righteousness? If so, you will be disappointed on Judgment Day. Or are you humbly depending on having submitted yourself to Christ? In that case, Jesus has secured your eternity with him.

Until next time, may you put aside the stumbling block of pride and walk in humility with Father.

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 was perusing some back issues of Gleanings this morning and  realized I started writing this series just over five years ago, in March 2020. The first Gleanings series ran over 10 years (I don’t have the dates handy). That means I have written more than 15 years’ worth of daily devotions.

During that time, some devotionals were deeply profound, others were silly, and others were awful. A few readers from the first year still subscribe. I have never met them in person, but through our correspondence over the years, I have come to think of them as dear friends.

Our lives have been full of ups and downs, trials and victories, and life’s usual struggles. We have held to the one thing we have in common: our unity in the Spirit. I am looking forward to meeting those friends one day in glory.

One of the amazing things about being a Christian is our connection to people of all ages around the globe. Through the Spirit, we are connected to people from every era in history, including people who have yet to be born.

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 12:13

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call. Ephesians 4:4

Now, as much as I am looking forward to seeing them in person, I am looking forward to seeing someone else even more. I want to meet the one who loved me enough to die for me.

Jesus gave up His life to redeem me, knowing I was a sinner from birth. He knew I would rebel and sin even as a believer. I have no claim of merit to redeem me. I will be there through faith and His grace. Even the faith is a gift from Him.

In the words of the popular praise song “I can only imagine”,

I can only imagine what it will be like

When I walk by Your side

I can only imagine what my eyes will see

When Your face is before me

I can only imagine, yeah

Surrounded by Your glory

What will my heart feel?

Will I dance for You, Jesus

Or in awe of You be still?

Will I stand in Your presence

Or to my knees will I fall?

Will I sing hallelujah?

Will I be able to speak at all?

To be honest, I can’t even really imagine it, but I yearn for that moment.

I look forward to seeing you there too, and I know you’ll forgive me if I spend some time with my Lord and Savior first.

What a day that will be.

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.

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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).