“Fewer than you know are really following Me with all of their hearts. Most of My church is busy with their own agenda and calling it My plan. They are going about their own business and finding that they have little power in their lives because I am not where they are. You need to stop today and make sure that you are exactly where I want you to be, no matter how humble your circumstances may appear to others. Let nothing but My Word and My personal confirmation to your heart influence your decision.
“Settle it once and for all that I have called you to where you are before you move again. When you move, confident that you are in My perfect will, nothing will be able to hinder you or sway you. You will not be influenced by pressure, doubt, or any changing circumstance. You will be grounded in the knowledge that I have called you. Circumstances and situations may come and go, but you will remain steadfast and secure, knowing that I am with you right where you are.”
Hebrews 12:12-13 NLB
12) “So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs.
13) Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong.”
Someone once told me that true ministry is a whole bunch of ordinary days full of ordinary decisions, some producing extraordinary results. After many years of full-time ministry, I fully concur.
In carefully studying the events and decisions that led Paul on the path to prison, I marvel at God’s plan and preparation that unfolds with supernatural rhythm and purpose. Zealot Saul - humbled, shaken, shown truth, chastised, threatened, steadfast, determined, led to prison by love. Hindsight shows the fingerprints of God all over his daily travels and his imprisonment.
In that day, some thought he was insane. Some understood. Most had little comprehension of the incredible anointing that was on his life, thinking that imprisonment was the end of his ministry.
Carnal, success-oriented thinking clouds most of the real work of God. In a backslidden church, the foolish clamor of frothing preachers, who emotionally charge audiences and open pocketbooks, resembles an anointing. To the undiscerning, what looks like power and God’s presence is always accompanied by “feel good” situations and “bottom line” credibility. Rarely, however, is any real kingdom work accomplished from this kind of theatrics.
Like Paul, most of the real work of the Lord is accomplished in the trenches by unnamed, unheralded lovers of God and others, who simply follow the leading of their beloved Lord. Some follow that leading right into incredible poverty, others to prison, still others to unheard of conditions in foreign places. God is with them; most of the church is not. If you look up from your daily toil only to observe that you are not fully understood and accepted by those around you because of your zeal for the Lord and His work, you are more than likely in the company of the many “Pauls” who have gone before you - those highly favored of God and mostly ignored by man.
Take me to Your places with You, Lord,
Jim Corbett
