Wheat field Banner

Gleanings From The Word

Tag: Kevin Corbin

  • A Prescription For Blessing

    A Prescription For Blessing

    Prescription pad from Dr Jesus - Prescription for blessing

    I’ve never met a person who didn’t want to be blessed in one  way or another. Did you know that there is a clear-cut prescription for how to be blessed in the Bible?

    You are likely familiar with the Beatitudes (the blessed be’s) found in Matthew 5:3-12 in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. That’s a summary of sorts of what the Bible teaches about being blessed. The Bible has a lot more to say on the subject.

    Now, we need to be careful when speaking of blessing, as the term is often misused. There is a form of pseudo-Christianity out there that teaches God wants you to have whatever you want in this life. That’s a heretical lie. God is more concerned about our holiness than our temporary earthly happiness.

    To be blessed is to find peace, hope, and joy in the Lord regardless of what is happening in our earthly circumstances.

    Here is a sampling of what the Bible teaches about finding your blessing.

    And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 28:1-2

    Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. Jeremiah 17:7

    Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
    nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.     Psalm 1:1

    Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

    How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord. Psalm 119:1

    I could carry on and list dozens of verses. From Genesis to Revelation, the Word speaks of the blessing of the Lord resting on those who are His.

    Jesus is the prescription for blessing. His way is narrow and not always easy, but it is the only pathway to true hope, peace, love, joy, and blessing.

    Turn to Him. Know Him. Trust Him. Put Him first and follow Him.

    Hallelu Yah,

    Be blessed,

    Kevin

    You Might Also Like

    Small blessings

    A walk through the beatitudes

    The best news

  • Beautiful Roses

    Beautiful Roses

    A prolific bloom of roses

    These blooms are on a miniature rose bush in our backyard. It was given to us as a gift by visiting friends some years ago. We eventually moved it outside. 

    It has been moved several times, and almost died at least twice, but it keeps on growing and blooming. It is a hardy plant.

    When I took the photo yesterday, my mind wandered back many years, to a time when I was working in a bank. 

    I walked into the florist to pick up some flowers as a gift. As I stood paying for my purchase, I noticed some roses tossed into the trash can.

    I inquired about them and was informed that they had been damaged in shipping, with the outer petals frozen. They looked fine to me, and I persuaded the florist to give them to me.

    I took the roses to my office, placed them in a vase, and set them in the sunny window. They opened over the course of the next few days. The outer petals turned black, but the rest of each rose was beautiful and fragrant.

    To me, the dark outer petals framed the beautiful inner beauty of the roses. I don’t recall ever seeing roses that beautiful before or since.

    That is how the Lord sometimes sees us. We have been damaged on the outside through circumstance or bad choices, and the world seems ready to discard us.

    He rescues us and places us in a warm and safe spot. We bloom under His care. Our past imperfections provide a beautiful frame to show off our newly revealed beauty.

    His love, forgiveness, and acceptance let us bloom to our best. We slowly open and become more and more like Him.

     Paul alludes to this idea as he speaks of our becoming like Christ and God’s promise to finish His work in us.

    I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:3-11 ESV

    Until next time, may the Love of Jesus fill you with joy and allow you to blossom and become all God has created you to be.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

    What’s your favorite book of the Bible?
    A Lesson From the Lilies – no need to worry
    In Bloom – In God’s perfect timing