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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

12/27/2021 Can This Be?

In a stable in a city - where perfect lambs for sacrifice were laid in a manger and wrapped in swaddling clothes so they wouldn’t thrash around and bruise themselves - the shepherds, who were called from their fields, saw a little baby in place of the lamb. Could it be that God had called these uneducated people to witness the most wonderful event in the history of mankind so they could recognize the impact of what He had done?

The perfect Lamb, the perfect sacrifice left His throne in heaven and became visible to those who were willing to see. In that time, however, most did not see. Most simply went about their business, ignorant of the time and season they had the privilege of living in.

Centuries have been filled with people who have seen and those who haven’t. These centuries of God’s plan for all mankind began in a stable, was confirmed at the cross, and fulfilled at the resurrection of that perfect sacrificial Lamb. As they are now rapidly rushing to their conclusion, will it be the same?

We know those blinded by the world cannot see the amazing season we live in, but will those who claim they see welcome the amazing times we live in as the completion of God’s wonderful plan? Will they see the impossible be made possible once again as the shepherds did?

Our Father in heaven has called us to experience the privilege of anticipating and even seeing the culmination of His plan fulfilled right before our eyes this very day. As we celebrated His birth, let’s open our eyes to the probability of truly seeing Him again, not in a lowly stable in the quiet of the morning; but in the clouds, accompanied by trumpets announcing His arrival as the glorified King of kings this time.

May you be blessed with anticipation,

Jim, Merry, and Jubilee Corbett

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12/24/21 Who More Important than What

“Some of you are so busy looking for My will for your life that you miss what I have planned for you. My plan for you is to fellowship with Me. As We talk, you will know My heart and your place in what I am doing. You miss so much when you miss My reasons for getting together. Make Our time together your priority, and you will never be uncertain as to where I desire to apply My life through you.”

Eph. 3:14-19 AMP

14) For this reason [seeing the greatness of this plan by which you are built together in Christ], I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15) For Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name].

16) May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].

17) May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love.

18) That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];

19) [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!

 

When my daughter Jubilee was just old enough to walk, she and I headed for a tool barn on our property.  We started walking and I remember being very frustrated with her as she picked up little stones, smelled pretty flowers, and pointed to “the birdies.” I remember turning to her, urging her to walk faster, when the Lord spoke to my heart. He impressed upon me that my daughter was going for a walk with me, while I was just heading for the barn. I was so intent on the destiny that I missed the privilege of being with her.

So often it is the same with our relationship with our Lord. We become so busy “getting there,” that we even use our time with Him only to find answers, rather than experience the wondrous fellowship to which we have been invited. How foolish!

Teach me to go for quiet walks with You, Lord,

Jim Corbett

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12/24/21 Looking in All the Wrong Places

God’s plan for life is most successful when people function within the confines of a powerful family. He’s designed the family for safety, love, nurturing, protection, and a myriad of other positive influences. Most of all, the offices of husband and father are meant to show God’s character and love to the family through the power of the Holy Spirit. Is it any wonder the enemy of God does all he can to destroy the family as God planned it?

Satan loves it when family members seek out other avenues for meeting the needs that should be met by the family unit. Disruption in the family unit - especially the loss of a father’s positive, Christ-like influence – produces broken and fractured people. It leaves family members pursuing other avenues to fill the void that should’ve been filled through God’s heart being alive and well in the entire family unit. (I’m not referring to a family where the father has passed away. The Lord steps in to complete the family in that situation.)

Dads, look around! What has the enemy done to replace your Christ-like influence within your family? What has held your family captive and minimized its effectiveness in impacting a world that has no answers? What siren songs do your wife or children choose to answer because you’ve failed to be who you’re supposed to be in Christ? Maybe you’ve been deceived into thinking your family isn’t so bad. Or maybe you believe it’s too far gone. Either way, once the Lord shows you what worldly influences have infiltrated your family, what are you going to do about it?

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

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