Gleanings From The Word

Tag: daily devotional

Never out of control – the power of God’s consuming fire

There’s something comforting about a nice campfire. It’s warm, it makes me feel safe, and I love to watch the different colors of the flames. Yet out-of-control fires can be terrifying.

I’ve seen the aftermath of fires, I’ve watched buildings burn, fought grass fires that threatened to get out of control, and seen the night sky lit up by dangerously close forest fires. I’ve even known the horror of seeing a person on fire. None of those brought me the comfort of my little campfire.

Fire is a strange beast. It has been one of man’s greatest helpers, providing heat, light, enabling the forging of metal and steam power, but it can kill and destroy without warning if we’re not careful.

Some people are fascinated by fire. Others are terrified by it. I understand both perspectives as I’ve been in both places.

Our God is like a fire, but never out of control. He can be terrifying to those who will face His wrath and comforting to those who know His love and forgiveness. God’s wrath is not like that of an angry, spiteful, spoiled child out of control.

His anger is the righteous anger of a Holy God, directed at those who rebel against Him and reject His offer of love and forgiveness. He is patient in exercising His wrath, or we all would have been destroyed long ago. Both His love and His wrath burn with incredible intensity.

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28-29

We should never be fooled into thinking that God is always like our pleasant little campfire. He’s also the power of the raging forest fire, all the burning suns put together, and more, never out of control. His wrath will come for those who don’t believe. His wrath was for us as well until we came to know Him.

The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:35-36

No one is born a Christian. We all become one by conversion. We move from death to life as a result of Christ’s sacrifice. We’ve been saved from the wrath of God by the grace of God. That knowledge should create in us a burning desire, an internal, eternal fire to share the truth with other people. It compels us to tell others to save them from the wrath that will come.

And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Jude 1:22-23

Until next time, may you be a burning torch of light and rescue in a dark, hurting, and ultimately doomed world. Let your fire for Christ burn brightly so that all can have the opportunity to be saved from the wrath.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed,

Kevin

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

Never out of control – the power of God’s consuming fire

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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

24 November 2025
A new movie reminds us of the depravity of the human heart

Last night, Kathy and I drove out to Chilliwack to watch the movie #Nuremberg (it wasn’t playing here in town). It was an extremely well-done historical film, but not for the squeamish or faint of heart; there are some very disturbing scenes. It was very thought-provoking and sobering.

Without giving away too many spoilers, the movie surrounds Army Psychiatrist Douglas Kelly as he works with Nazi War Criminals, in particular Hermann Wilhelm Göring (the #2 man in the Nazi party). Kelly struggles to find the cause of evil and realizes something profound.

The evil that was the Nazi party is in all of us.

Yes, those on trial were war criminals responsible for heinous acts. Yet they are not alone; such things have existed since early in human history, not long after the fall. They may happen on a large or small scale, but they still occur. The depravity of the human heart runs deep

As we talked about the movie on the way home, Kathy and I agreed that, as the old saying goes, “there but for the grace of God go I.”

In the words of Jeremiah the prophet, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9

In our broken human nature, we are all capable of great evil. Only God’s restraint, even on non-believers, keeps us all from descending further into the abyss of darkness.

If God were to withdraw His restraints, we cannot even imagine the depravity and evil ordinary people are capable of. One only needs to look at the world today to see that truth.

Our hearts deceive us. We deny and excuse our sin. We even lie to ourselves about how good we are. Most of us think more highly of ourselves than we ought. It’s why Paul says, “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” Romans 12:3

The bible makes a startling revelation. “And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” Mark 10:18

We’re not good people. Our only hope is our Redeemer. He reconciles us to God, and His Spirit indwells the Christian. Even at that, the battle between our flesh and spirit rages in us. The only cure for the depravity of the human heart is the gospel.

We have the promise that all will be made well. We might battle our own nature, but the Spirit fights beside us.

As believers, we have the duty to take the hope of the gospel into the world. It is the only true hope that can set dark, depraved and hurting people free.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed,

Kevin

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

Human Nature – Our Fallen State

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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

21 November 2025
Childlike faith – not childish

I was walking Misty Mountain of Valley Hideaway (more commonly known as Misty), our border collie, around the neighborhood.

We encountered a mom and daughter out for a walk. The daughter was a toddler, barely able to walk, but she wanted to pet the “big doggie.”

With Mom’s permission, I knelt beside Misty, holding her tightly by the collar. The girl was a little shy, even though her mom told us that she had two dogs of her own at home.

She came a little closer, then she pulled up close to my friend, knowing that he would protect her from the “big doggie”. She worked up a little more nerve and moved up close to me for protection, but stayed away from Misty. When she was comfortable that we would protect her, she slowly reached out and gave the big doggie a pet.

She didn’t know us, but she had faith that we would protect her.

That’s the kind of faith we are called to have in God. A faith that trusts even when we don’t understand everything that’s happening.

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:1-4

A childlike faith, not childish faith. We have the Bible, and we have intellect. We can reason, study, and learn more about Him. There is a wealth of great Christian material out there to read, to listen to, and to watch, which can help us grow in our understanding. We can be childlike in our trust and mature in our understanding and practices.

It’s a balance. We don’t need to understand everything to accept His love. If we waited until we fully understood everything about God before trusting Him, it would never happen. We’ll never fully understand Him, after all He’s God and we’re not, nor will we ever be.

If we waited until we understood fully every detail of the Bible and all its implications before we trusted Him, we would never get there. Most of the Bible can be readily understood by you and me, but there are parts where godly men and women of great wisdom, intellect, and training can’t agree, or fully understand. There are areas of prophecy that no one will understand fully until after they happen.

At the same time, once we know Him, we are called to a deeper relationship with Him, and that comes from spending time with Him in prayer, study, and obedience.

Until next time, may you trust Him as a child does, but grow deeper and more mature in that relationship every day. Childlike, not childish. May your faith walk be childlike not childish.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed,

Kevin

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

Childlike, not childish, faith.

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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

19 November 2025
Do you identify as Christian or by brand name?

Everywhere you look, someone is wearing or showing their brand l

We wear advertising logos. I have a hard time with that. Shouldn’t they be paying me to advertise for them, instead of having me pay extra for the “right” to advertise for them?

Perhaps all of us who don’t fit the target audience of a given brand should lobby them to pay us not to wear their clothing or use their products. But I digress.

As Christians, we often wear our particular brands. We identify ourselves based on the denomination we belong to. If your favorite brand isn’t listed on the graphic, it’s only because there wasn’t room to list the more than 4000 denominations in North America.

When asked about our religion, we’ll say things like “Oh, I’m a (fill in the blank with the denomination or affiliation you belong to).”

That’s a double problem. Firstly, Christianity isn’t about religion. It’s about relationships, specifically the personal relationship between an individual and Jesus Christ. It has nothing to do with “religion” except as a secondary thing. It’s faith that matters.

Christ had some harsh words for those who put their traditions above His Word.

And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ Mark 7:6-8

Secondly, no matter what you think of denominations, there is only one church. Your denominational leaders are wrong if they teach that their expression of the Christian faith is the only way.

Jesus is the only way. He’s the only name by which we’re saved. Salvation doesn’t come from belonging to a specific denomination of stream of theology,

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Romans12:4-5

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among menby which we must be saved.”Acts 4:12

In case you’ve never been told, there will be believers from other denominations in heaven. Yours won’t be the only one. There will be people in heaven who will shock you. The only requirement to get in is faith-based, repentant acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior. The breadth of the church exceeds yor theological priorities and brand name.

We’ll be astounded by who will be there and who won’t.

If you must wear a “brand name”, wear the name of a follower of Jesus Christ. Declare it when asked. Wear it so that it shows in your dealings with others. Wear it in all you do so that people know you are His even before they ask.

Until next time may the brand that people see in your life be “sinner saved by the grace of the Living God.”

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed,

Kevin

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

What Brand Name Is Your Faith?

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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

18 November 2025
Unpleasant Endings – the hard questions about hell

I was sitting in a coffee shop discussing some questions a friend had about Christianity.

He asked me, “Do you believe in a real place called hell?”

I answered that Jesus certainly believed it, and that was good enough for me. We discussed some of the verses in which Jesus spoke about hell.

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brotherwill be liable to judgment; whoever insultshis brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. Matthew 5:22

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell Matthew 10:28

There are many more verses on the subject.

Then my friend asked the question that was really on his mind, “How can a good and loving God send people to hell?”

It’s a fair question and one that many people struggle with.

The first thing to think about is that hell was never designed for people. It was designed for Satan and the angels that chose to follow him in His rebellion and outright war against God.

Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41

Secondly, God never “sends” anyone to hell. People get there based on their own choice to rebel against God, as did Satan and the demons.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God… John 3:16-18

God created us in His own image and He loves us so much that He sent Jesus to die on our behalf so we could avoid the torment of hell. He takes no pleasure in our suffering. Scripture tells us that He would much rather we turn to Him and be set free.

I don’t know what you picture hell to be like. Jesus certainly didn’t think of it as a “party place” where we could hang out and indulge our favorite sins. I’m not sure if the fires are real or metaphorical. I’m not particularly fond of either, to be honest; neither one has any appeal for me to spend eternity in.

An eternity of separation from God is an unpleasant ending to this life that I wish to avoid.

I don’t know the exact physical location of hell. Nor will I ever because I’ve given my life to Christ. To be honest, I have no desire to go there, even for a visit or to see where it is.

According to Jesus (and in my mind, there is no better source), hell is real; hell is eternal; and hell can be avoided. All it takes is heartfelt repentance, belief in Christ, and surrendering Lordship of our lives to Him.

Until next time, rejoice that God loves us so much that He sent Jesus to keep us out of the fiery pit for all of eternity.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed,

Kevin

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

The Hot Seat – Hell is real

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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.

General Revelation: Why No One Can Claim They Didn’t Know

The Gospel – the best news you will ever hear

17 November 2025
Our eternal inheritance in Jesus – an unbreakable promise

I have been spending some time in the Epistles of Peter of late. They are short but profound letters. Peter’s writings are often overlooked due to the sheer volume of Paul’s writings. Yet, his words are equally as inspired.

I can relate to Peter. He loved the Lord deeply, but in his zeal often got things wrong. He even sinned and denied the Lord, not once, but thrice. Yet, Jesus loved Him deeply and forgave him for every mistake and blunder. I need that kind of God.

This morning I was meditating on the opening verse of 1 Peter, wher he speaks on our eternal inheritance.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5

Those three verses are jam-packed with theology and encouragement. There are at least three full sermons in those verses, and I don’t have the time or space to do that. Instead, let me offer some brief thoughts and suggest you have a reread of First and Second Peter.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! – simply phrased, Praise God. He deserves it.

According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is His election and sacrifice that bring us to rebirth, forgiveness, and reconciliation with God.

… to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, – What is that inheritance? Eternal reconciliation to God, forever more. To live with Him forever in heaven. It will never fail or fade away. It is pure and holy. Free from the presence, practice, and penalty of sin. To become all He created us to be in union with all the saints and believers throughout all time.

… who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. The power of God and faith securely hold us. Even our faith is a gift from Him. Our salvation is wholly of the Lord who holds it for us.

The fullness of His mercy, grace, and power, and the extent of our transformation will be revealed in glory with Him. That’s something to look forward to. It’s an unbreakable promise of our eternal inheritance.

Praise the God who loves you more than you can fathom, forgives a sin debt so great you can never repay it, and holds a future better than anything you can imagine. He is worthy of all honor, glory, and praise.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed,

Kevin

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

God’s Incredible Promise to You

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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

General Revelation: Why No One Can Claim They Didn’t Know

14 November 2025
Our Quest – A holy calling

Our old friend, the sun, is experiencing a massive gravitational/magnetic storm. That means the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, are putting on brilliant displays.

Yesterday evening, my social media pages were awash with pictures of the lights. That included people from Northern Canada, where the borealis is a common sight, to Northern Florida, where they have never been seen before. Today’s image is from a friend in Colorado.

Many of the lights were pink. Pink is an uncommon color that is only visible during periods of highly intense activity. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen pink, where I have seen the blues and greens perhaps thousands of times.

Kathy and I spontaneously got out of our comfy evening spots, jumped in the car, and went on a quest to see them. Unfortunately, between the urban light pollution and cloud cover, we struck out. Still, it was nice to take a nighttime drive.

Non-believers are on a quest to find something to fill the void in their lives. They try many things, including material goods, power, substance abuse, sex, and other religions. All of those will fail them. Their only hope is to turn to Jesus.

Believers are on a quest as well. It is a two-fronted quest. We strive to be more like Jesus, and we take the gospel into a world of lost and hurting people. We will never fully fulfill either in our lifetime, but God is on the throne. He will bring all that are His to himself. We will have finished our journey to become all He created us to be once we reach glory.

That doesn’t mean that our quest is futile. Every person who comes to Christ causes a celebration in heaven.

In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10

Similarly, God is pleased and glorified when we grow more like the Son.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” – James 1:22

“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.” – 1 John 5:3

“If you love me, keep my commands.” – John 14:15

Our quest is challenging. We may have disappointments along the way, but through Him we have the victory.

Press on, dear friends, press on.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed,

Kevin

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

The Calling

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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

# Right Belief Must Become Right Living

12 November 2025
Lest We Forget – Remembrance Day Thoughts

Tomorrow is Remembrance Day (Veterans Day in the US, Armistice Day in some other nations), so there will be no Gleanings. We remember lest we forget. The cost of forgetting is too high.

Remembrance Day is a time to stop and remember all those who have shed their lives in the various wars fought to keep our world free from tyranny. Our lives in some ways are dependent upon those who sacrificed theirs. Even the veterans who returned physically unharmed carry their own scars.

Even those veterans currently serving, and those who never saw a day’s conflict, are unsung heroes. They signed a blank check to King and County, willing to give their lives for the sake of others, if need be.

Today, I salute you all. Thank you for your service. We remember this Remembrance Day and forever.

War is a horrible thing. In some ways, it can bring out the very best in people, but more often, it reveals the most vile and evil aspects of our nature. War is a consequence of living in a fallen world where someone believes that their wants or perceived needs trumps those of others.

Like poverty and injustice, conflicts and wars have been around since the earliest days of humanity and will continue in some form until the culmination of all things.

Jesus warns us of these things but reminds us that He will return.

As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. Matthew 24:1-8

It is futile, as many have tried to do, claiming that any particular war or conflict is “The one” that signals the Second Coming. He told us that no one knows except the Father.

What we can know, though, in the midst of any circumstance, including poverty, injustice, oppression, persecution, conflict, and war, is that God is still on the throne and His church is called to love and serve.

Whatever you are facing right now, whatever may lie on the near and far horizon, Believers have Jesus. The world can strip us of everything else, but it can never separate us from Him.

Many have died in the service of their nation and are worthy of remembrance. Jesus died for all of humanity, so that all who came to Him would be restored to the Father.

As we remember, lest we forget, let us also remember what He did for us.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed,

Kevin

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

A different type of remembrance

What’s good about Good Friday?

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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

10 November 2025
Seasonal Changes – every season has a purpose

Just a quick heads up, there won’t be Gleanings tomorrow or Thursday. I have early appointments in nearby cities both days, with plenty of driving to get there. I’ll be back on Friday.

We’re in the midst of changing seasons. I had to scrape some ice off the car windows this morning. The days still feel very autumnal, but nighttime temperatures are dropping.

Now, admittedly, living in the Lower Mainland of BC, I have no cause to ever complain about winter, at least not when I compare it to some of the places I have lived.

The leaves are mostly turned now, and a few of the trees are already bare. Yet, the lawn is still green, and some of the hardy backyard flowers are still in bloom.

The changing of the leaves has me pondering. Do the leaves turn color, or do they return to their natural color as the chlorophyll leaves them? I don’t suppose it really matters, but I do think about things like that.

Just as there are seasons in the weather, there are changing seasons in our lives. There are seasons of life, including marital status, occupation, health, location, and many more.

We can experience seasons of joy or sorrow, laughter or mourning. We might be overwhelmed or bored. There are seasons of rest or busyness.

Seasons can be a few days or last decades. Changes in life are inevitable.

We can rejoice, though, that regardless of the season, God is in control.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1

He has ordained our seasons and the purpose of each of them.

We might not understand, and we might not enjoy the season we are going through, but we can trust in Him.

In that trust, we can rejoice.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Trust God through all the changing seaons of life. Rejoice in the good times, in the hard times, and in the waiting.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed,

Kevin

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

God ordained seasons

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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

4 November 2025
Hope and biblical love

During the sermon this Sunday at our local assembly, the pastor used a phrase, “The hope behind the help.” He was, of course, referring to the hope that Jesus brings when we love others. I’m not sure if it was something original to him or if he borrowed it from someone else, but it struck me as profound.

Why do we love?

We love because he first loved us. John 4:1-19

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35

Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-30

Love isn’t a warm, fuzzy feeling that comes and goes, at least not the type of the biblical ove Jesus speaks of here.

This biblical ove is a conscious decision to love even if it’s not reciprocated. We love and serve our neighbors not to get something out of it, nor as a project. We love them because God loved us even when we were incapable of loving Him.

He loved us when we were his blasphemous, rebellious enemies. He loves even those who will ultimately reject Him, although they will never be His children.

We love and help our neighbors because we have experienced unconditional love. We love because love brings hope, and everyone needs true hope.

His love isn’t something that will waiver and fade. It isn’t something that will lead to disappointment. He is the hope that motivates, loves, helps, and transforms.

Let’s proclaim him boldly.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

Be blessed,

Kevin

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

Unintended Results – Love your neighbor

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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

4 November 2025