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Gleanings From The Word

Tag: Kevin Corbin

  • Circles

    Circles

    Yesterday, Kathy and I took two of our granddaughters to Castle Fun Park (a local amusement park). One of the highlights for them was the go-carts, going around in circles (okay, not exactly circles. More of a circuit) in carts driven by lawn mower-sized engines.

    I remember the thrill of that when I was a youngster. Getting to drive and racing around at what seemed like great speed. Trying to pass others or avoid getting passed. I could hardly wait to grow up and drive my own car, and I was convinced I knew everything about driving. Of course, I really knew nothing.

    Life is a lot like that. We get busy going around in circles, we’re busy, and think we know far more than we do. We spin our wheels, going nowhere and accomplishing very little, if anything.

    It’s a tool the enemy, and our own fleshly nature use to keep us from growing in our faith walk and doing what god wants us to do. We get caught in empty activity, or struggling with what we think is urgent rather than important. We waste time, money, and energy pursuing things that don’t matter but seem just around the next bend.

    If we’re honest with ourselves, we all waste a lot of time. Much of it may even be on things that are good, but not the best use of our time. I confess that I’m that way far too often.

    We’re called to follow Jesus with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength. That takes focus and intentionality.

    Paul exhorts us to:

    Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-8

    Stop running in circles chasing things that never satisfy. Take some time to intentionally follow Paul’s exhortation. Allow your heart, mind, soul, and strength to be focused on the things of God.

    That plan comes with blessings.

    Be blessed

    Kevin

    Impossible Task
    # Right Belief Must Become Right Living
    Every Member Is Necessary — 1 Corinthians 12

  • Fruit of the Spirit

    produce department - fruit

    As I walked through the produce section of a grocery store recently, I was struck by the huge variety of fruit and berries. Numerous varieties of apples, oranges, and other citrus fruits, strawberries, bananas, melons, grapes, and more. There were also fruits that people consider vegetables, like tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and others. If I had been in a green grocer’s, the variety would have been far larger.

    We’re all familiar with fruit of some kind, even if we mislabel it. The same was true in biblical times; it’s no wonder the Bible refers to the fruit of the Spirit. Almost every Christian is familiar with the famous fruit of the Spirit passage

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

    There are also many other passages that speak of this fruit directly or point towards it. Some of them you might be as familiar with. John 15:5, Mathew 7:16-17, Ephesians 5:9, Colossians 1:10, Philippians 1:11, James 3:18, Romans 8:5-6.

    It’s abundantly clear that spiritual fruit is important, but did you ever stop to wonder why?

    Physical fruit isn’t for the benefit of the plant. It grows to provide a source of replacement plants and to benefit those who eat it. It’s the same with the fruit of the Spirit. As we grow more Christlike, the changes in our lives benefits those around us and glorifies God.

    When we are more patient, loving, and self-controlled, we are a greater blessing to those around us. In the process we become better people more like the design God has for us. The fruit of the Spirit is a double blessing.

    May you grow plentiful, healthy fruit that the world will be blessed in the name of Jesus.

    That’s astounding when you think of it. God wants to grow and mature you and me to be a blessing to others. The fruit of the Spirit we develop glorifies God.

    Kevin

    There Is No Fruit of the Spirit without Holy Spirit

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    Every Member Is Necessary — 1 Corinthians 12

    Looking for a 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.