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12/29/21 Be a Holy Representative

Our Father is asking His husbands and fathers to be His holy representatives. He is calling families to be the example of the bride of Christ and His church.

I wonder how many of us really believe that our families mean so much to Him? How many of us have thought that how our marriage and family look to others is important as a representation of God's plan?

When was the last time, you, as a father, studied your family and asked the Lord how you can better provide fertile ground for your wife and children to become all they can be in Christ? How much does it mean to you that they’re telling others who Jesus is simply by their actions, and those actions reflect on you and your relationship with Christ?

As a man, you have been given a stewardship of your family. How far are you willing to go with God so that you have the tools to guide and direct those He has given you into a deep relationship with Him? Isn't it time that you become all you can be so that they have the freedom to do the same?

Let's talk more!

Jim Corbett

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12/28/21 Time to Look in the Mirror

“If you overcome your pride and acknowledge your sin, come to Me as your only source of help, seek My Face for Who I am, not for what I can do for you, and change your lifestyle of offending Me—choosing My ways instead of your ways—I will do mighty things in your midst. I will hear your prayers. I will forgive your sin of rebellion. I will even bring those around you to Me, so that they might be saved. That is not a formula. That is a promise.”

2 Chr. 7:14 NIV

“…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

 

This verse has been used as a rallying cry to condemn the actions of those who don’t know Jesus. It has been used as a reason to carry banners, point fingers, and break the law - all for the purposes of being a moral watchdog, proclaiming personal righteousness, and condemning anyone other than us as horrible sinners.

It amazes me that there is not one word in the verse that points at anything other than the sin of those who claim to know the Lord as the reason that a land is out of order, or that God’s hand of help has been hindered. God points to the sin of His people, those who claim to know Him, as the reason that darkness has become prevalent.

God calls for His people to change before He will move in a land. We would rather point at others and their sin to sell a need or rally for a cause. It makes us feel better and overshadows our need to change.  It also closets the character of Jesus that is supposed to be in us, allowing the darkness to increase. Just look around.

Forgive us, Lord,

Jim Corbett

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12/28/21 Closest to God’s Heart

Because our Lord knew that all kings, priests, government officials, teachers, evangelists, etc. would come from the nuclear family, it is an institution that remains closest to His heart to this day. In God's eyes, the family that's in line with God's Word is an impenetrable fortress against all of the world's challenges, a safe place for wives to thrive and children to prosper; and a place for His Word to gestate and then be distributed throughout the nations.

God placed man in the most important position He has ever created - head of the nuclear family. He has also created the second most important office of a helpmate, his wife. His design for their partnership is to develop offspring who learn His ways through parents who are spiritually in order; learning from God through an intimate relationship with each other and with Him, one that mirrors the life of Christ, thereby creating significant legacies and overcoming lives that honor Him. Is it any wonder that the enemy has done everything to minimize, distort, and destroy the spiritual importance of God's plan, especially by weakening or distracting men, and minimizing their offices of husband and father?

As a man, how do you fare in providing fertile soil for your wife to become all that she can be in Christ? When you stand before God and present her and your children to Him, how spiritually significant will their lives be because of your guidance and direction? Is now the time to possibly reconsider your priorities so you please God with your stewardship of them?

Let's talk more!

Jim Corbett

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12/27/21 Who Are We Really?

“If I asked you to sell all your possessions, give the proceeds to the poor, and come and follow Jesus, would you really do it? Even though you may believe in your heart that you would and know that the heart of Jesus is in you to do so, you would need to repent of your selfishness. You still own much of what you say that you have given away in your heart. It still owns you! You must do something about that while you still can.

"I am not telling you to give everything away. The things you have are simply a benchmark of your maturity in Christ. I am, however, asking you to notice where you really are with Me. How much of your life and loves are really under the Lordship of Jesus? You may be really surprised to find out.”

Matt.16:22-23 NIV

22) Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

23) Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Out of my sight, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

 

I find so much compassion and love in this message. Read it again from the perspective of a loving Father, who is giving an honest appraisal to His child regarding the condition of his or her heart. See it from a concerned Father’s perspective, who has lovingly studied His child, all with the child’s best interests at heart.

If we study the Scriptures, we see that Jesus exposed the things that people really served, even though they either believed that they were doing right or they were performing selfish actions masked as service to God. His directness offended some, challenged others, and became cold drinks of water to the thirsty soul. Truth always is that way. It gets to the core of things.

I believe that our Lord wants us to get truthful with our own hearts. Who are we really? What must change so that we can return to the road of truth? Are we willing to acknowledge our need, so that we can approach Him for help?

Help me, Lord,

Jim Corbett

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12/27/21 Men as Teachers

As we accept our ordained offices of husband and father, we become teachers of those who steward. That doesn’t by any means imply that we are the only ones imparting knowledge to others. It does, however, mean a higher accountability to God. In reality, those who call themselves followers of Jesus teach others by the life they live.

God holds those who teach others to a higher standard because of the incredible value He places on His Word. We present His Word by what we say and do. In His eyes, He is calling us to get it right. Because He holds His Word and the work He has done for all mankind so close to His heart, He asks us to do the same.

Men, it’s time to understand our accountability and the impact our offices hold. Our children should see a little more of Who God is because of our words and actions. Our lives mean something to them. The world sees the relationship between Christ and the church through our marriages. Are we exhibiting something dead and lifeless, or are we showing them a vibrancy that is worth looking into?

Whether you know it or not and whether you like it or not, you’re a teacher. Your portion is to first learn from God, the cross, and the Word. Then you’re to present what you’ve learned every day to everyone you meet. Are you bringing them a bright, wonderful picture of Who Jesus is, or are others seeing a dull, powerless God through what you’re teaching them by your words and actions?

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

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