Gleanings From The Word

Tag: daily devotional

  • What is the church? The hands and feet of Jesus.

    What is the church? The hands and feet of Jesus.

    If you ask people, “What is the church?” they will most likely tell you about a building somewhere nearby. They might even know the name or the denominational (or non-denominational) affiliation of the building.

    Some people might be familiar with the service times or some of the better-known programs the church offers.

    If there is more than one, they will likely know something about the differences and have a preference. They might have questions about why there are two or three churches within several blocks of one another. It’s a valid question.

    There is a sense in which those answers are correct because we often talk about going to church, i.e., the place we gather for corporate worship.

    So,, what is the church?

    Someone once wrote (I can’t find a source), “Church people and God’s people are not the same thing. Church people go to church. God’s people are the church.” We are the hands and feet of Jesus.

    That’s a huge difference. The church visible, are all those who attend a church or claim an affiliation with a church, and all the buildings, programs, and baggage that entails. They may or may not be Christians.

    The church invisible is the true body of Christ, all believers in every culture through all of time. The word “church” is a translation of the Greek word ekklesia, which means “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The root meaning of church is not a building, but people.

    Paul makes it clear that the church and the meeting place are not the same thing. “Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.” Romans 16:5

    As believers, we are the church. 

    And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Ephesians 1:22-23

    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

    When we start to think things like “the church ought to do something about that” or “someone from the church ought to,” it’s time to look inside ourselves. Are we being prompted by the Spirit to do something?

    If that something is too large for one person to tackle, we could join with others to get it done.

    The church isn’t a building. The church certainly isn’t perfect, after all, it is comprised of redeemed sinners in the process of being more Christ-like.

    Still, it’s the avenue Jesus chose to bring His message of help and hope to the world.

    There is a very real purpose to the church. We are the hands and feet of Jesus, guided by the Word and the indwelling Spirit to do His work.

    What an incredible responsibility! What an incredible privilege! We do what we can do, and the Lord does the rest.

    My friends, let us boldly BE the church.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

    You might find this interesting

    The Church has a blessed future
    Finding a Good Church
    Every Member Is Necessary — 1 Corinthians 12

    ___________________________________________ 

    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.

    Some thoughts on finding a good church

    Find a good church

    Live in Abbotsford? There are many good churches. This is where I attend.

  • Christ uses ordinary people and ordinary days

    Christ uses ordinary people and ordinary days

    mug of coffee

    My brain is foggy this morning, so I have opted to pull a back  issue out of the archives. This issue originally appeared in September 2005.

    The house is quiet. The only sounds are the buzz of my laptop’s power supply and the dripping/gurgling of the coffee pot. My eldest son, Kris, was off to his full-time job before I awoke. He works both a full-time and a part-time job at the moment. Kathy is awakening for work, and soon Kyle will be getting up for school.

    Tigger the cat came by my office for a quick visit, then went back to bed. Genni the wonder dog is sitting expectantly beside me. She shared my bagel and cream cheese and is hoping in vain that there might be more.

    Brief intermission in the narration as Kevin goes to get his morning cup of coffee.

    It’s a good cup. Sometimes in the morning, I’m not the best at counting the number of scoops so that the first taste can be an adventure. I must have measured right today.

    So what? 

    Well, the subtitle of this daily devotional is “Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life.” You just caught a snapshot from our very ordinary lives. We’re ordinary, everyday people having an ordinary day. We’re just “plain folk”. Some would even say we’re boring, but I prefer the term “content”.

    The good news is that God works through very ordinary people in everyday life.

    Moses was an aging shepherd with a warrant out for his arrest for murder. Abraham was an aging businessman. Gideon worked secretly in the family winepress out of fear. David tended sheep. The disciples were an odd combination of blue-collar workers, petty criminals, and zealots.

    It’s the power of our righteous and holy God who transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.

    The all powerful God of creation could have accomplished His goals in any way He wished. Yet He chose to give us the blessing of participating with Him. He’s given you and me, ordinary people, the task of sharing His love with the world. He’s made us to be salt and light to a dark world.

    “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16 NIV

    That means that while our lives may be ordinary and while the world may think we’re ordinary, we’re truly extraordinary people. Not because of who we are but because we’ve allowed a holy God to accomplish His work through us. 

    You are an instrument of peace, love, joy, and transformation. Absolutely nothing short of God Himself could be less ordinary.

    The flip side of the coin is that we never know what ordinary people are being used in extraordinary ways by God. That behooves us (I know behooves is a dated word, but I love the sound of it) to treat all people as if they were special in the eyes of God. We have no reason not to do so.

    Until next time, I pray you get a grasp of how truly extraordinary and how valuable you are for all eternity when Jesus works through you, and may you learn to see all people as He sees them.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    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.

    Every Member Is Necessary — 1 Corinthians 12
  • The Fallout – the Bethlehem massacre

    The Fallout – the Bethlehem massacre

    In the last of our three-part series about the wise men who visited  Christ, we look at the fallout from their visit.’ the massacre of Bethlehem.

    Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” Matthew 2:16-18

    Herod the Great, ruler of the Kingdom of Judea, has been praised for his building projects (including rebuilding the temple), but also known for his rule by tyranny and violence.

    It would not have been out of character for him to slaughter a few Jewish children if he thought one of them might be a threat to his rule. The event isn’t recorded outside the Bible, but the slaughter of perhaps a few dozen children in those days wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. It wouldn’t likely have been significant enough to record.

    It wasn’t a surprise to God. God knew that during the Bethlehem massacre, innocent lives would be taken in response to the birth of Jesus. He warned of it centuries before it happened. I have no doubt those innocents are safely with Jesus now.

    The slaughter shows us the great lengths the enemy will go to in keeping Jesus from His rightful place. He may have influenced Herod, or Herod’s own insecurities and nature may have led to this tragedy with no outside influence.

    The evil in our hearts knows no bounds. We are repulsed by the thought of the slaughter of the innocents, but perhaps in Herod’s place, we might have done the same thing.

    This tragic event reminds us that evil cannot win. Christ triumphed even over death and the grave. Through Him, we can have reconciliation to the Father.

    That’s worth rejoicing for.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

    You might like

    At the Stable – A Chistmas story

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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.

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  • Christmas – Kings or Wise men?

    Christmas – Kings or Wise men?

    drawing of the magi

    With Christmas drawing near, much of my Bible reading and  meditation has focused on the incarnation of Jesus and the events surrounding it. This morning, I was in Matthew 2, “The Visit of the Wise Men.” It’s a passage that fulfills prophecy and is prophetic in itself, but is often misunderstood. We need to actually do some Bible reading and look at context.

    There is far too much to cover in detail in one Gleanings, so for this morning allow me to touch on one key point.

    How many kings were there? None. Let’s read the first few verses.

    Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Matthew 2:1-3

    The text says “wise men”. In Greek, it is μάγοι, which refers to wizards, magicians, and astrologers or astronomers. These were learned men from the east, most likely from Persia, who studied the works of other religions and were familiar with the Jewish prophecies from Daniel’s time in Babylon.

    The text tells us who they were and why they had come. Yet there is no indication of their number. It’s often assumed that because three gifts are recorded in Scripture (gold, frankincense, myrrh), there were three visitors.

    Church tradition varies regarding the number, ranging from 2 to more than 20. Some traditions even have names for the Magi, although none appear in the text.

    It’s doubtful that these wise men from Persia travelled alone. They would have come in a caravan that included attendants, apprentices, armed guards, and more.

    Some sources suggest that since the Magi were high officials in the court of Babylon, the caravan could have been as many as 1,000 men and 100 camels. That’s possible, but it seems overstated to me; even if there were three magi, there would have been support, and I can’t envision a caravan of less than a few dozen.

    Indeed, the caravan was large enough to cause concern among the residents of Jerusalem. Three lone scholars wouldn’t have been noticed, let alone granted access to King Herod. The party must have been large enough to warrant notice.

    Whatever their number, they came seeking the Christ child and knew of the star. Their arrival confirms a prophecy of old.

    I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth. Numbers 24:17

    The Magi may have been looking specifically for that star based on a prophecy in Daniel about the timing of Christ’s coming..

    “Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place. Daniel 9:24

    Whatever the number of Magi who came, they confirm the good news of Jesus’ birth. He set aside the privileges due Him and stepped into the material world as an infant. He came to die for us.

    Let’s remember Him this season and every day.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

    Silent Night – Only it wasn’t – the heaven’s rejoiced
  • Small Blessings – Ordinary Life

    Small Blessings – Ordinary Life

    Audi key fob

    Someone once said that God must like ordinary things because  He made so many of them. There is some truth in that statement.

    It falls apart when we realize there are no “ordinary” things. Everything that exists in the material world is there because of the will of our omnipotent God. 

    We often look for God in the big things. While He does incredible miracles in the big stuff, you can frequently see His loving hand in the everyday things.

    Recently, the key fob for my car died. I tried replacing the battery several times to no avail. I called the dealer and was quoted $950 + tax to replace it. Ouch, that’s a thousand bucks I didn’t budget for.

    I tried local locksmiths. None of them could do a European fob, but I did get a recommendation for a mobile locksmith. I called the fellow and was quoted $550. Still ridiculously expensive, but my only option.

    He arrived and took the fob apart. I had been replacing it with the wrong battery. Those round button-type batteries come in varying thicknesses, and the ones I used were too thin. Cost $80 for the service call plus a battery.

    He could have just agreed the fob was dead, and I would have paid the $550 without question. God had sent a locksmith with integrity. Still costly for a simple mistake, but I gladly paid.

    Big blessing in ordinary life. When I shared that story with our community group a couple of weeks ago, many people also shared stories of big blessings in ordinary life.

    We might see a “big” miracle once or twice in our lifetime, but the small blessings come every day. Look for them. Celebrate them. Praise God for them.

    Small blessings happen even in tough times. Watching for them can make us grateful.

    Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever… Psalm 136:1-3

    Give thanks even for the small blessing and praise His name.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

    __________________________________________ 

    Please like and share this with your friends and those in your circle of influence.

    Subscribe today 

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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
  • A Feeder for All: One Body, One Spirit — A Devotional

    A Feeder for All: One Body, One Spirit — A Devotional

    three birds sitting 9n a plant pot

    Just outside our front door, a bird feeder hangs. I’ve identified  two dozen (or more) bird species that use it regularly. Underneath that feeder, on a disused water feature that looks like a log, sits a green plant pot.

    That pot once held a plant. Seeds from the hanging feeder regularly fall into the pot, and now it’s used as another feeder. The soil level is low enough that the birds can duck beneath the pot rim and hide while they eat.

    While any of the birds might stop there, it’s most popular with the smaller birds and more timid species. It’s fun to watch them periodically peek their heads up to check that things are still safe, then disappear again.

    It’s not uncommon to see three or four little birds in it, or sitting on the edge at any given moment. There are two species in today’s image. (My apologies, the picture is a little fuzzy. My camera phone isn’t great for that sort of work.)

    That feeder reminds me of the call of the gospel. It’s for everyone, but has special attractiveness to the timid and broken. It goes out to people of all cultures and ignores barriers such as education, wealth, skin tone, gender, and economic status.

    That call goes out, and when it is answered, the church becomes a place where believers of every sort are unified under the Spirit. 

    One true church, regardless of labels, practice, or language. One body, one Spirit.

    One true church despite doctrinal differences.

    The same Spirit who called “those” people, called you and me. The same Jesus who died for “them” died for us. The same Father oversees it all.

    For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 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 12:12-13

    That person you’ve never met, from some place you will never go, who speaks a different language and dresses differently, can be your brother or sister in Christ. What an incredible thought.

    What a marvelous moment it will be when all of us, one body one spirit ,regardless of tongue or tribe, celebrate in worship together. I can hardly wait.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

    Subscribe today 

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    ___________________________________________ 

    Looking for a Good Church?

    Some thoughts on finding a good church

    Find a good church

    Live in Abbotsford? There are many good churches. This is where I attend.

    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.

  • Advent Anticipation – Christmas is coming

    Advent Anticipation – Christmas is coming

    advent candles

    Time seems to be flying by of late. Many of the neighbors have  their Christmas decorations and lights up already. There are even some who have had their trees up for a couple of weeks now.

    This coming Sunday marks the first Sunday of Advent. Advent is celebrated on the first four Sundays leading up to Christmas. We anticipate our remembrance of the birth of Jesus. It feels strange to be looking forward to celebrating something that has already happened.

    Yet, it gives us an opportunity in the busyness of life to pause and remember what truly matters.

    The story of Jesus’ birth is a winsome narrative. After all, who doesn’t like the account of the poor infant born in a manger while angels and shepherds celebrate? 

    “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.’” Luke 2:10-11

    Yet it’s really mid-story. His coming was planned before God created the world, because He knew we would sin and need rescuing.

    It was foretold in the prophets. On top of all the prophecies that there would be a Savior and His coming, there are at least seven fully fulfilled prophecies about His birth alone.

    “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

    His birth required a sacrifice from Jesus. He set aside all the rights that were owed to Him to come into Mary’s womb and be born on that dark night. He was born to die for us.

    Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:5-7

    In remembering His birth, we can celebrate our freedom in Christ. Without His coming, you and I would be lost forever in our sin, doomed by our sin nature and our own sin.

    We can also celebrate our ongoing transformation. We are born again, being conformed into His image, and He will complete His work in us.

    Advent also serves as a clarion call to the world. Jesus has come and is coming again. Get right with Jesus today. In those four weeks, many nominal and adrift Christians come to the service to hear the news afresh. Many seekers will stop by as well. Seeds are planted and watered.

    I used to joke about what I called “playoff Christians”, those who come for Christmas and Easter. I was so wrong. I’m learning to recognize what grace God offers by calling them in, and I am thankful they respond.

    Studies have shown that people are most responsive to invitations to church at Christmas and Easter. Let’s make full use of that and invite people.

    Invite friends who have drifted from the faith, neighbors, casual acquaintances, and total strangers to celebrate the Advent and Christmas miracles with us. Let’s pray for them that their hearts may be opened.

    Who knows? Some of them might even come.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

    On the seasonal theme

    Please like and share this post with your friends and those in your circle of influence. 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, “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.

    Every Member Is Necessary — 1 Corinthians 12
  • The things we value most will be left behind – We gain everything

    The things we value most will be left behind – We gain everything

    row of rusty pickups

    The farmyard had many rusty old trucks. It seems likely the owner was a collector (or perhaps ‘accumulator’ would be a better term), as they had rows of them.

    There were a few cars, but I mainly noticed pickup trucks. There were a lot of them from the fifties and sixties. There was even the odd one from the 40s or earlier. 

    These trucks were, at one point, the pride and joy of their owners. They had that new vehicle smell that so many people find appealing. They were bright and shiny, freshly painted, and certainly wouldn’t have been cheap to buy.

    Over the years, the paint faded, the bodies got dinged and dented, and the new-car smell gave way to the smell of the owner’s lifestyle. Eventually, they broke down or wore out and were just left in the field to rust.

    Eventually, they will rust away into nothingness. The elements gradually eat away the steel until nothing remains.

    Now I understand the need for a vehicle, and I know that they usually reach a point where they are no longer worth repairing. Seeing so many of their rusted old bodies, though, made me think about the Lord’s coming. Our possessions will be left behind.

    He’s coming again for His people.

    “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. Daniel 7:13-14 

    The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” But Jesus remained silent. And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:63-64

    Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. Revelation 1:7

    All the “things” we value so highly, all the accomplishments we’re so proud of, all the “stuff” and accolades we’ve accumulated, will at that moment become even less valuable than those rusted old hulks sitting in the field. It will be left behind, exchanged for something far more valuable.

    Where are your priorities? Are the things that will be left behind when you die, or He comes again first in your life? Or have you accumulated treasures in heaven that won’t rust away and won’t be left behind when you go?

    Until next time, may your focus be on the things of His kingdom.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

    Our earthly treasures will be left behind but we will go to glory

    __________________________________________ 

    Please like and share this post with your friends and those in your circle of influence. 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, “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.

    The Gospel – the best news you will ever hear
  • Life – God has his hand on believers’ lives

    Life – God has his hand on believers’ lives

    salmon eggs - Stonet Creek November 2025

    Yesterday, I was too slow registering for my Aquafit class, and didn’t get in. The class size is limited and fills within a minute of the registration opening for the day.

    With no class to attend, I  opted for a walk along Stony Creek. It was not much past sunrise and cloudy, so I didn’t take many photos.

    The salmon run is on, and one of the first things I saw was the carcasses of dead salmon lining the banks of the creek. I wondered if I was too late to see any live ones.

    With careful watching, I did see a fair number of living salmon and some trout as well. They were hiding under root balls and undercut banks, gathering strength for the next part of the journey upstream. https://www.facebook.com/reel/857922200042646

    I also managed to get a view of some salmon eggs. Once the eggs are laid and fertilized, the parents die, leaving their bodies to feed scavengers.

    It got me thinking of life. We’re born, live our lives, and die. Of course, humans have an afterlife, something the Bible doesn’t talk about for animals. You can insert your own theology at that point.

    Sometimes our journey from womb to tomb seems to stretch on forever. Other times, it races by in a blur. At times, we are oblivious to the passage of time, while at others we are acutely aware of every passing second.

    We pass through our lives quickly, unable to fully process everything we have seen, heard, and done. Much of it we can’t even remember. Yet, our omnibenevolent (infinitely, all good) God sees and knows every detail. Nothing escapes Him. God has His hand on believers’ lives.

    He knows us before we are born, and He cares about every moment of our lives.

    For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:13-16

    “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:25-34

    Believers never walk alone. He knows us and cares for us beyond measure. He is there before we enter the world, through our lives, and even after physical death takes us.

    Wherever you are in the journey of life, if you have Jesus, know He will carry you through. We know that God has His hand on believers’ lives.

    Take heart and praise His holy name.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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

    Thorns – God’s grace is sufficient

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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.

    # Right Belief Must Become Right Living
  • Last Leaves – Feeling alone, but never alone.

    Last Leaves – Feeling alone, but never alone.

    tree with most of the leaves already fallen on a foggy morning

    Driving home from the pool yesterday, the lyrics “all the leaves  are brown, and the sky is grey” were going through my head.

    The sky was grey yesterday, and it rained off and on all day. The leaves aren’t all grey, but most trees have shed them all. A few lonely leaves are holding on for dear life, but every little gust of wind shakes some more of them off the tree.

    Sometimes, we feel like those remaining leaves. We think that we’re the last faithful Christians left. That thought might apply to our own faith walk or our denomination/affiliation compared to others.

    It feels that no one else wants to do the work; finding volunteers is like searching for hen’s teeth or frog hairs. You can’t find anyone to study the Scriptures or pray with.  The weight of the gospel message rests fully on our shoulders, and we fear that God’s work won’t get done if we don’t do it.

    Of course, that’s wrong thinking, and we’re not the first people in the world to have those thoughts. We are never alone.

    In 1 Kings, we see God work incredible miracles through Elijah, but he feels alone. I recommend reading 1 Kings 18-19 to get the full story, but I want to hit on a few relevant verses.

    Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men.” 1 Kings 18:22

    God works in miraculous ways to defeat all the priests of Baal, which angers Jezebel, the Queen, so Elijah runs away into the desert to hide.

    While in the desert, he hears the still small voice of God and complains.

    He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 1 Kings 19:14

    The Lord responds by giving Elijah a task to anoint a new king over Israel and reminds him that,

    Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him. 1 Kings 19:18

    That 7,000 might be a literal number, but it’s more likely to refer to many more believers than Elijah can comprehend. Seven is the number of completeness, and 1,000 often suggests large numbers. Either way, Elijah is far from alone in doing God’s work.

    We are never the only ones, no matter how we feel. God’s church is larger than we ever imagine. Things are happening that we may never see. We are never alone.

    God’s tasks will get accomplished with us, despite us, or through us. We are accountable to God for our own obedience, not the obedience of others.

    He is the one with power and makes things happen.

    Joyfully do what God calls you to and let Him worry about what others are, or are not doing. He’s got it covered.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    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.

    Tribulation Produces Perseverance