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Gleanings From The Word

Tag: Kevin Corbin

  • Are They/Them our real enemies

    Are They/Them our real enemies

    faceless crowd

    I watched the news with increasing irritation. “They” were at it  again. You know “them”, the ones who seem bent on destroying and nation and ridiculing everything we believe in.

    I could feel my blood pressure rising and I began to have decidedly un-Christian thoughts. I could feel a full blown rant coming on.

    Does that sound familiar? It happens to most of us at times. No matter what side of the political or religious spectrum you are on, there are always “those people” who seem to be out to undermine us.

    “They” make us angry. We stop seeing “them” as people and begin to classify them into inhuman groups.

    We forget that most of them are sincere in wanting the make the world a better place, even though we differ on what that looks like. We forget that God loves them too.

    It’s one of the reasons we are told to put on the Armor of God.

    Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. Ephesians 6:10-18a ESV

    The enemy is a master of division. He divides us into camps which makes it easier for us to hate rather than love.

    When we find ourselves with those feelings we need to remember that we are all created in God’s image and that He loves us so much He died for us, regardless of our position on issues.

    We need Him to transform our hearts.

    Lord teach us to Lord when it is so easy to hate. Teach us to put on the armor and live as you commanded.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

    Love Your Enemies
    # Right Belief Must Become Right Living
  • Scrub Jays – Refugees from the fires

    Scrub Jays – Refugees from the fires

    California Scrub Jay

    Yesterday I was treated to the sight of a pair of California scrub jays at our little backyard feeder. They are a rare sight in these parts, although since the California wildfires of a few years ago, they are somewhat more common.

    While on our mini vacation, we spoke to a couple from Northern Alberta. A mountain sheep has been seen in their area. The sheep are typically found in the Jasper area, but were driven out by wildfires. Now they are attempting to make a home hundreds of miles from their home.

    The jays and the mountain sheep (and I’m sure many other species) refugees who fled a disaster, looking for a safe harbor. They are doing their best to make a way in an unfamiliar and, in many ways, hostile environment.

    There is a sense in which all Christians are refugees as well. We grow up in a fallen world that is hostile to the Christian worldview. When we do become believers, our citizenship becomes that of heaven, and instead of being enemies of God, we become enemies to the world.

    The once familiar is now strange. The former close friend now rejects and ridicules us. Things we once thought nothing of now cause us discomfort.

    Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 1 Peter 2:11 ESV

    If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 15:19 ESV

    We might be strangers, sojourners, even refugees in this world, but our home is secure.

    In the interim, we have the Word to strengthen us. We have other believers to walk with. Most importantly, we have the Spirit within us to guide us and testify to our status as children of God and coheirs with Christ. The Spirit is our passport into the kingdom, both here and forever in glory.

    Hold fast, my friends. The wandering time may seem long and hard at times, but we have victory in Him.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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