Gleanings From The Word

Tag: daily devotional

  • Resolve to be more Christ like

    Resolve to be more Christ like

    Hapy new year 2026

    With New Year’s Eve being tomorrow and the end of the holiday  and weekend, we will return on Monday, January 5.

    Yesterday, I touched on the celebration of the New Year and looked forward to what was to come. If you missed it, you can see it at https://gleaningsfromtheword.com/?p=3837

    It got me thinking about New Year’s resolutions. People have been making them for about 4000 years. The ancient Babylonians made the earliest known resolutions during a festival called Akitu, held in March (their new year). They resolved to repay their debts and return borrowed items in hopes of gaining the gods’ favor.

    By the fourth century AD, Christians were making resolutions that were more spiritual and reflective. Christians used the new year for self-examination, repentance, and renewal. Watch Night services encouraged believers to reflect on past mistakes and future improvement.

    Even today, many people make resolutions to change their behavior in the coming year. We’re not very good at keeping those resolutions, spiritual or otherwise. Statistics show that 80% of resolutions don’t last until the end of the first month, and only about 8% survive the year.

    We want to make changes solely out of sheer willpower. Yet, our flesh and wills are weak.

    What if we resolve to be more Christ like? How can we do it?

    We redevote ourselves to Him.

    I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

    We can resolve to pray more, love more, read the Bible more, fast, give more, serve, or do whatever we think will make us more like Jesus. The way will look different for all of us, although there will be common elements.

    It’s still going to be a day-by-day, moment-by-moment, and decision-by-decision process to do that. We’re going to fail many times. We have to keep working at it. 

    One source puts it this way, “Becoming more Christ like is the desire of every believer, and it is encouraging to know that God has the same desire for us. In fact, the Bible says that God “predestined [believers] to be conformed to the likeness of his Son” (Romans 8:29). Making us Christlike is God’s work, and He will see it through to the end (Philippians 1:6).”

    It is an impossible task on our own, but with the Holy Spirit, it will happen.

    It’s not something that will change overnight; the journey of sanctification (being made holy) is lifelong. We need to stay the course, repenting and turning back when we fall down.

    His goal is to make us more like Jesus. Let’s allow Him to work in us so that the task becomes easier.

    Celebrate the little victories. Turn back from the failures and trust.

    God will have His way. The changes may be incremental, but the results over time will be huge. We can say, “I’m not yet where I want to be, but by His grace I’m not where I used to be.”

    May God richly bless you and may you resemble Jesus more each passing day. Happy New Year, my friends. May you become more Christ like.

    Praise His name.

    Be blessed, 

    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, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

    From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.

    # Right Belief Must Become Right Living
  • Jesus never changes – let’s celebrate that truth!

    Jesus never changes – let’s celebrate that truth!

    fireworks

    The Advent and Christmas seasons are over (unless you belong  to an Orthodox Church, in which case you’ll be in the thick of things and celebrate Christmas on January 7). We have a few days until we ramp up for the New Year’s celebration.

    When I was a child, I could hardly wait until I was old enough to stay up until midnight and celebrate the midnight hour. Then, for many years, it was New Year’s Eve parties. For a few years at “the cowboy church,” we did a New Year’s Eve gathering and started the New Year with communion at midnight.

    Now, most years, the New Year slides in while I’m fast asleep.

    I can remember when the 21st century seemed a distant future. In a few days, we will already be a quarter of the way through it. The time flies.

    The new year arrives, and the world trudges along in chaos and conflict. Some days it seems that evil is winning, and the times are getting darker. It might feel as if the church has lost its power.

    The truth is, though, that God and His plan have not changed. He is still on the throne, and His will shall be done. We cane celebrate that truth.

    Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

    There is nothing that will happen without His foreknowledge, and nothing can change His plans.

    The enemy will rage in the new year. The mockers will still mock, and the scoffers will still scoff. Sin will abound, even within the church, because the world is a fallen place. Blasphemers will still blaspheme. Leaders will come and go, and we will all face disappointments.

    The world has gone insane. It celebrates darkness and denies even fundamental truths. We wonder, “How crazy will it get?”

    Yet the Kingdom is here at least in part and has been growing like a mustard seed since the death and resurrection of Jesus. There are more Christians alive today than at any other point in history.

    From a small band of believers, most of whom fled and hid at His death, to a worldwide movement numbering in the billions, the church grows. Even if the majority of those who claim Christianity aren’t truly believers, their numbers are staggering.

    Whatever the coming years throw at us, God already has a plan to deal with it. He will use His church to bring light to a dark and hurting world. Let’s celebrate that.

    As we near the New Year, we know the truth that the baby born in a manger grew up and gave His life for us. He rose again, defeating death and the grave, and is returning.

    That’s good news any day of the year and worth celebrating.

    Praise His name.

    Be blessed, 

    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, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

    From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.

    Live the Christian life to the fullest

    # Right Belief Must Become Right Living
  • Silent Night – Only it wasn’t – the heaven’s rejoiced

    Silent Night – Only it wasn’t – the heaven’s rejoiced

    There will be no Gleanings over the next few days. We’ll return on  December 27th. There are hundreds of back issues on our website https://gleaningsfromtheword.com if you want a devotional during that time.

    One of my favorite Christmas Carols is “Silent Night.” 

    Silent night, holy night!

    All is calm, All is bright

    Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child

    Holy Infant so Tender and mild,

    Sleep in heavenly peace,

    Sleep in heavenly peace.

    Silent night, holy night!

    Shepherds quake at the sight!

    Glories stream from heaven afar;

    Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!

    Christ the Savior is born!

    Christ the Savior is born!

    Silent night, holy night!

    Wondrous star, lend thy light!

    With the angels let us sing

    Alleluia to our King!

    Christ the Savior is here,

    Jesus the Savior is here!

    Silent night, Holy night!

    Son of God, love’s pure light

    Radiant beams from Thy holy face,

    With the dawn of redeeming grace,

    Jesus Lord at thy birth;

    Jesus Lord at thy birth.

    It’s beautifully simple, a classic favorite. The tune portrays a serene, quiet scene on the night of Jesus’ birth.

    The problem is that night would have been anything but quiet. Here’s what the Bible has to say…

    And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn Luke 2:4-7 ESV

    Mary gives birth, something that doesn’t happen quietly. The child is laid in a manger, so there were animals, most of whom would likely have been disturbed by what was going on around them. Again, highly unlikely to be quiet.

    And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12 ESV

    That caused the shepherds to fear, and likely the sheep as well. Once again, no quiet.

    And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!

    When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Luke 2:13-20 ESV

    The heavenly host appears, speaking into the night. The heaven’s rejoiced

    The shepherds excitedly go into town to see the child and tell everyone what they saw. The shepherds may have even taken their flocks with them (the Bible doesn’t tell us what they did with them). If so, the noise and commotion would have been even greater.

    The community would have been abuzz with excitement. The heaven’s rejoiced

    A holy night? Absolutely.

    Christ the Savior is born? Without question.

    Something to celebrate? Unquestionable so.

    Silent? Maybe for a moment here and there, but mostly, not.

    Let’s celebrate the King’s coming with singing and praise like the shepherds, angels, and heavenly host.

    Merry Christmas to you all. May the Lord bless you afresh with an understanding of His incarnation and great love for you.

    Praise God for His love gift.

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

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  • Enter through the narrow gate – know the truth

    Enter through the narrow gate – know the truth

    As we turned the bend, the path suddenly narrowed. A giant  cedar and a smaller maple formed a gate of sorts. I had to stop and take a photo.

    As I stood, several thoughts ran through my brain. First were Jesus’ words, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13-14

    His meaning was clear, as the only path to salvation, many will opt for other “ways”, none of which have the power to save. While glory will hold untold numbers of people, it will still only have a remnant of those that God opened the door for.

    Then my thoughts drifted to a magical realm. If you step past the tree gate, everything changes. On the other side are wondrous new things and beings. The gate may appear in an upcoming children’s story.

    There is also a sense that the idea holds true in the spiritual realm. We enter through the narrow gate and, as believers, are given the Spirit. We begin to be transformed into the image of Christ. We have entered the kingdom of God, albeit not in its fullness.

    We cannot see all that is to come, but we know it will be marvelous.

    But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 1 Corinthians 2:7-10

    For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

    Believers have passed through the doorway from Spiritual death to life. We will pass through the doorway into physical death to be resurrected to be with Him in a place too incredible to describe, and too marvelous to comprehend fully… yet.

    Believers have nothing to fear from death. Non-believers have much to fear. If you have not yet done so, I encourage you to seek and take the narrow path with Jesus.

    Praise God for His love gift.

    Be blessed, 

    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, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

    From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.

  • Christmas Carol – Saved but not by a trio of ghosts

    Christmas Carol – Saved but not by a trio of ghosts

    first edition cover of Dickens Christmas Carol

    On this day in 1843, Charles Dickens’ now classic “A Christmas Carol was first published.  Our image today shows the cover of that edition. It was incredibly popular and sold out by Christmas. By the end of 1844, 14 editions had been published, each selling out.

    The story was so popular that in 1849, he began public readings of A Christmas Carol, which proved so successful that he undertook 127 further performances until he died in 1870.

    While set at Christmas time, the novella was meant as a social commentary on the world of Victorian London. He couldn’t have known that it would still be a widespread influence 182 years later.

    There have been 80-100 English-language movies or television shows that are based on or adapted from this story. No official count is kept. Still, some industry officials say it is likely the most used script in the business.

    While not overtly Christian in any form, it is filled with Christian themes of love, generosity, and redemption. There is a worldly sense in which Scrooge was saved by the ghosts. Those were messages that needed to be heard in Victorian England just as much as now.

    All of us were self-centered versions of Ebenezer Scrooge before we became believers. Our sin may have been different than His, but we still were stuck in a place we couldn’t get free of.

    Our salvation didn’t come in the form of the ghost of a dead partner, followed by the ghosts of Christmas, Past, Present, and Yet To Come.

    We need more than the ghosts of a Christmas Carol. We need Jesus.

    Our call to the cross didn’t come from fictional ghosts, but from the Holy Spirit pursuing us. Our deliverance came in the form of God made flesh and dying for our sins. It was a gift of grace and mercy.

    For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

    That gift was given out of love.

    Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 4:1-2

    For believers, our lives to come will be ones of celebration and peace.  Even in our struggles in the meantime, He walks with us. Non-believers will realize that Jacob Marley got off easily, compared to eternal separation from God.

    Praise God for His love gift.

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

    You might also enjoy

    Silent Night – Only it wasn’t – the heaven’s rejoiced

    __________________________________________ 

    Subscribe today 

    Find us on Facebook

    Find us on Instagram

    Visit our Homepage

    Find us on Pinterest

    ___________________________________________ 

    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, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

    From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.

    Christmas spirits aside, how are we truly saved?

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  • 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. 

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    Subscribe today 

    Find us on Facebook

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    Visit our Homepage

    Find us on Pinterest

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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, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

    From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.

    Some thoughts on living the Christian life

    # Right Belief Must Become Right Living

  • A long but vitally important list

    Most of us have our Christmas wish lists. Santa Claus has his  naughty and nice list, but the Bible has its own lists.

    The Gospel of Matthew starts in what might seem, to some, a weird and/or boring place. We often skip reading it.

    The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram,and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David the king. 

    And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph,and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos,and Amos the father of Josiah, and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

    And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel,and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ.

    So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. Matthew 1:1:17 ESV

    For most people, this long, painful list of names seems irrelevant, so why would Matthew start there?

    The primary reason was to show Jesus’ lineage through His earthly father, confirming prophecy about the Messiah.

    There is also a sense in which Matthew wanted us to see the fullness and inclusiveness of Jesus.

    There are kings and great leaders listed… David, Abraham, and more. Peasants and royalty make the cut. Saints and sinners show up. Jew and gentile are on the list.

    There are women on the list, which is uncommon in the ancient world.

    Some of the names are well-known, others are almost totally obscure.

    One commentator observes, “Some observe what a mixture there was of good and bad in the succession of these kings;… wicked Roboam begat wicked Abia; wicked Abia begat good Asa; good Asa begat good Josaphat; good Josaphat begat wicked Joram. Grace does not run in the blood, neither does reigning sin. God’s grace is his own, and he gives or withholds it as he pleases.”

    The lineage of Jesus includes a good sampling of people, which is apt as He can to redeem all people regardless of gender, nationality, cultural background, social standing, or sin.

    He came for you, me, and our neighbor. He came for that person we hate (although we shouldn’t) and that family member we are desperate to see saved. 

    Jesus keeps a list called the Lamb’s Book of Life. Through faith in Him, we can get our names on that list.

    That’s the miracle we celebrate this time of year. The child was born to love the unlovable and save the unworthy (that includes us)

    Let heaven and earth rejoice.

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

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  • Who were the heavenly host on the first Christmas

    Who were the heavenly host on the first Christmas

    Recently, at our community group, we were discussing the  Advent story in Luke 2, in particular the angelic appearance to the shepherds out in the field near Bethlehem.

    And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”  Luke 2:8-15

    Who or what was this heavenly host that appeared with the angel? They are the army of God.

    One source says this, “The heavenly hosts are angels who dwell in the presence of God. The heavenly host is described as a multitude or army of angels serving God, though the term can also include fallen angels, as seen in 1 Kings 22:19–22. The heavenly host appears at the announcement of Jesus’ birth, where a multitude of angels praise God (Luke 2:13 14). Believers are promised that they will one day dwell with these heavenly hosts in God’s kingdom (Hebrews 12:22–24)…”

    As a group, we chatted about what that scene might have looked like and considered some Old Testament passages.

    Were the hosts dressed as a conventional army of the day? Were they garbed in light? Did they wear anything at all? Were they like the strange beings seen in Ezekiel’s Vision or some of the parts of Revelation? Did they have wings?

    It was pure speculation, because the Bible doesn’t tell us. In at least one passage, a member of the host looked human.

    When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. Joshua 5:13-15

    Whatever they look like, just as they announced the first coming of Jesus, they will accompany Him on His return.

    And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. Revelation 19:14

    The host of Heaven announced His return, and they are returning with the Lord as a conquering army. Are you ready?

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

    Also a Christmas theme

    Christmas Carol – Saved but not by a trio of ghosts

    __________________________________________ 

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    Waiting – A Teen Runaway Reminds Me of Mary
  • Flood Waters – Perseverance in times of trial

    Flood Waters – Perseverance in times of trial

    abbotsford flooding Dec 11, 2025

    I live in Abbotsford, BC (the Lower Mainland,) and about a  5-minute drive from the US Border. We’ve been under an atmospheric river for some days, with more to come. (Image is not mine, credit to the photographer)

    The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration defines atmospheric rivers as “… relatively long, narrow regions in the atmosphere – like rivers in the sky – that transport most of the water vapor outside of the tropics. While atmospheric rivers can vary greatly in size and strength, the average atmospheric river carries an amount of water vapor roughly equivalent to the average flow of water at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Exceptionally strong atmospheric rivers can transport up to 15 times that amount. .…) When the atmospheric rivers make landfall, they often release this water vapor in the form of rain or snow.

    That means it’s been raining cats and dogs (and horses and cows and who knows what all else). The area has been experiencing flooding. Every route into the interior of the province is closed due to flood, rockslides, or mudslides. Washington State, to the immediate south of us, is having an even worse time.

    We’re in no danger. For the flooding to reach us where we live, I’d expect the neighbor to be building a huge boat and to see unclean animals coming by in pairs and clean ones in sevens. Still, it’s inconvenient for us and devastating for many, some of whom are still recovering from the 2021 flooding.

    Floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, forest fires, hurricanes, storms, and other natural disasters are a simple fact of life in a fallen world. They have come about as a consequence of the sin of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:17-19, 5:29).

    Like us, creation waits for the final culmination of all things when our Lord returns.

    For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:18-25

    There is a promised time when such things shall be no more. All will be set right, and we will be with God forever. The curse will be lifted, and creation will no longer groan in agony.

    Hold fast, my dear friends. His return is imminent, and all will be restored. We can’t predict the timing, for only the Father knows, but we can rest assured that He will keep His promises.

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

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    An Atmospheric River – Thoughts on the biblical flood

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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, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

    From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.

    Some thoughts on the Christian Life

    # Right Belief Must Become Right Living
  • River Rescue – thoughts on the gospel

    River Rescue – thoughts on the gospel

    Search and Rescue team doing river rescue

    The news headline read “Missing Fisherman Found After Six  Days.” 

    The story went on to tell of a fisherman who had fallen into a deep ravine, broken his arm and his legs, and survived on insects and water until another hiker heard his cries for help.

    “I made some big mistakes,” he told the reporters. “First off, I did not tell anyone where I was going or when I would be back. That meant no one knew that I was missing or where to even begin looking for me if they did.”

    “The other big mistake was trying to get down to the river, where I did. I knew the ravine walls were steep, but the fishing looked so good down there that I just had to try. I hadn’t gone down more than about ten feet from the top when I knew I was in trouble, but there was no way to get back up.”

    “I lost my balance and fell. I bounced off a couple of big trees and some rocks. The next thing I knew I was coming to down by the river’s edge. After a few days, I was starting to give up hope, but then I heard someone singing up top and called for help. Thank God he heard me and went for the rescue people.”

    The fisherman was lucky. He got out of the mess alive, but he will carry the scars all the days of his life.

    We are not all that different. The temptation of sin draws us into places we know we should not be, and suddenly we find ourselves unable (or unwilling) to turn back and plummet down until we hit bottom. 

    We hurt ourselves and others along the way, leaving physical, emotional, and spiritual scars in our wake. Broken marriages, ruined businesses, addictions, and other devastating consequences of our poor choices haunt us.

    When we accept Christ, we are forgiven and become new creations.

    Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.2 Corinthians 5:17-19

    Sometimes, even though we are made new, we carry the scars of the old life. We may have been forgiven the eternal consequences of our sin, but that does not give us an automatic “Get out of jail free” card for this life.

    Even after we become believers, we can still fall prey to temptation and make poor choices. God will rescue us, but there may be fresh and permanent scars to remind us of our folly or to warn others against making the same mistake.

    Until next time, when you hear temptation calling, walk away. The bottom can be a long way down, and the landing can be very painful.

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

    You might enjoy

    Gospel of Grace – Free in Christ

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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, “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

    From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.

    Further thought os the gospel

    The Gospel – the best news you will ever hear
    When You’re Drowning in Sin, Call on Your Heavenly Lifeguard