October 2023 | TFRC | The Faith Resource Community

10/17/23 Are You Doing or Becoming?

Most men are doers! We take pride in our accomplishments because society has trained us to do so. Our dads were taught to do, and passed that mentality on to us just as their dads did.

In Christ, however, the Holy Spirit is teaching us to become like Jesus. Anybody can do. Few can completely change who they are and become something else. That can only be done by the power of the Holy Spirit, Who changes our very nature. He will only do it if we submit to His hand upon us.

Doing for the Lord is easy. All we have to do is serve someone or some cause in our spare time. Most of the church delights in doing for the Lord, thinking that’s where His heart is. Sometimes with great zeal they take on what they feel may be a passion of God’s heart. Their activity may have some merit; but if their zeal gets in the way of their becoming like Jesus, they’re wrong.

Becoming like Jesus takes many quiet times of waiting on God. It takes many times of denying the urge to do something, even something good, to sit in His presence. To find His heart changes you. That’s why the enemy delights in keeping us so busy that we have little time to wait on God and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to our inner being, changing it to look more and more like Jesus. Only the laying down of our urges, the putting to death our flesh, transforms us into His likeness. Waiting quietly before the Lord makes us becomers.

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

10/16/23 In It Together

“You need not be afraid of any assignment I give to you. I will equip you; then I will call you. You need to understand, however, that you will need Me to accomplish your task. I plan it that way. As important as anything is that I call you to do, it is more important that We do it together. Any time you attempt to function independently of Me, you will miss the eternal value of what you are to do. Things may look successful, but much has been lost by your pride. Submit to Me for what is needed as My ambassador. Do only what I ask you to do. Seek My heart to find out how to do it. Need Me. I will be there for you. Eternal values will be the result of Our working together.”

Matt.16:19 AMP

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind (declare to be improper and unlawful) on earth must be whatever is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose (declare lawful) on earth must be what is already loosed in heaven.

John 4:34 NIV

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”

John 5:19-20 NIV

19) Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

20) For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does.”

John 14:12 NIV “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”

Jesus and His Father functioned as One. Because they were One in the Spirit, they could flow in unity. That may sound trite, but it is very important.

An eternal job needed to be accomplished. Directed power from heaven was used to accomplish that task through Jesus. There was no separation, no individuality, no hidden agenda of any kind in Jesus. His heart was the same as His Father’s. His motives were the same. The eternal work was accomplished.

Now we are asked to do the same. We are to seek our Father to find His will and then find His way to accomplish anything we are called upon to do. So many of us attempt to do our will our way and then wonder why nothing works.

Teach me Your ways, Lord,

Jim Corbett

10/16/23 Be a Servant Leader

There is no greater example of the character of Christ being displayed than one who serves another. In the family dynamic, nothing speaks louder than example, especially examples of service. Even the hardest of hearts notices someone walking the walk of Christ-like behavior instead of simply talking the talk.

Bottom line, Father God is looking for a marriage that is the example of Christ and His church, and children who overcome the world just as Jesus did. As a father, there is no better way to tell them of His ways than by showing them how He lived and what He stood for. Your walk of servanthood leads them to His life.

It might be wise to define servanthood. A servant isn’t someone who displays whimsical attitudes and selfish, uncaring actions. A servant holds a heart position of loving someone more than himself and his own desires. It means living for the best interests of those around him. It means having the inner strength to deny self for the good of another. It is overcoming the world in the strength of Jesus by walking in the kingdom of heaven on this earth with Christ as your only guide. A true servant is a powerful leader under the complete control of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was the best servant leader Who ever lived. Will you allow Him to live His life through you?

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

10/14/23 You Have a Purpose

“I would like to remind you of some things of great importance. I’m sure that you know what I’m about to tell you; but in this season, it would be good for you to place them a little closer to your heart. I love you. I have provided a way, through Jesus, for you to be free forever. You will never be separated from Me again because of what He has done for you. Your relationship with Me has been reconciled forever. I am always for you and never against you. My Holy Spirit is available to you for comfort, encouragement, and guidance in whatever you do. I have also provided you with each other. You have an eternal family. As wonderful as that is for your future, some of them are near you right now, all over your world. You will never be alone. Wherever you go, if you are ever in need, you can count on your family to be there for you. You have a God and a family who love you. You also have been given the honor of loving back.

"As your world grows darker, you will be a brighter light because of this love for Me and for your family. You will also be safer because We are together. In addition to all of that, you have a purpose. I have crafted you Myself. If you seek Me, you will see the value that you are to Me; and you will also see the reason why you were born. Remember often: You have a God who loves you. You have a bright family in a dark world. You have a purpose for being born. It is important to Me that you be thankful for what I have done.”

John 13:34-35 AMP

34) I give you a new commandment that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another.

35) By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].

John 16:7 AMP

However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you].

Col. 1:20 AMP

And God purposed that through (by the service, the intervention of Him [the Son] all things should be completely reconciled back to Himself, whether on earth or in heaven, as through Him, [the Father] made peace by means of the blood of His cross.

Phil. 2:2 AMP

Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention.

As I was writing this message, many thoughts came to me. Most importantly is the obvious - what our loving Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit have done and are doing.

What also came to mind is something that I find I have not considered of enough importance: God’s gift of family. Seeing the seasons as a watchman, my ministry is to encourage the body of Christ to draw closer to the Lord. To do that, the Lord reveals areas of danger and things that are out-of-line. Often, I have to go to Him for refreshing after seeing these things. It is difficult not to become discouraged at these times.

What has come to me this morning is a renewed wonder of what is my high honor and great privilege. I have a loving family in Christ. That thought has often been placed somewhere behind mission, covered by the urgency of the times. Because of my zeal, I realize that I am often not as grateful as I should be for this privilege. How foolish!

Because we are in faith outreach, the only way we have been able to move forward over the years is because of the love of this Christ-like family. I am humbled by the love we receive - and very, very grateful. Thank you, Father!

In the upcoming season, let’s all remember and pray that our Lord will continue to remind each of us how much we need to be grateful for His abundant love, no matter what is happening all around us. God has given much. What has clouded your ability to remember how much?

Getting back to the basics of my Father’s heart,

Jim Corbett

10/14/23 Journaling

I know that journaling may seem like a topic unrelated to raising up a child or restoring a marriage; but in reality, they work hand in hand because journaling only comes from quietly waiting on God. That kind of quiet – far from the din of everything we do as men - is so very important in receiving what is needed to overcome the challenges of marriage and child raising. Journaling those moments and reviewing what the Lord gives you can make an incredible difference over time.

In my research, I have found very few men who journal their quiet time with the Lord. Most say they simply don’t have the time, or that they don’t spend enough time with Him to require journaling. What an incredible indictment! That attitude is a perfect spawning ground for mediocre marriages and wayward children.

Think of this; sitting quietly with the Lord and allowing Him to minister to your spirit, give you insights into your challenges, and present you with answers and direction for your concerns. Then think about how important it would be for you to jot down all that He gives you. Now think about how important those notes and encouragements would be if you could refer to them weeks, months, or even years later. With journaling, you have unparalleled wealth at your fingertips whenever you need it. Journaling also allows you to remember His faithfulness in times past whenever you encounter a new challenge. It’s like treasure hidden away for a later date. Got a pen?

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

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