Author: Jim Corbett

From the book, Manna Moments, by Jim and Merry Corbett

If you were going to go into battle and your enemy - numbered in the hundreds of thousands - stood before you in full battle array, what would you do?  What if, for some unknown reason, you had always thought that on the day of battle you would have to face such overpowering forces all alone? In your mind, from as far back as you could remember, you pictured yourself standing on this vast battlefield with nothing but whatever puny weapons you had in hand. Because the scene was played over and over for so many years, you had long ago given up any hope of victory. You knew that when the time would come, you were as good as defeated. It was simply a matter of going through the formality of losing big-time.

What if, however, when the actual day approached and you’re standing there with the raging enemy before you just as you had pictured it, someone from outside of your frame of reference approached you with a big smile and a hearty handshake. Delighted that he had arrived in time, he told you to turn around and see what they had brought to help you. As you did, you saw a much larger, immensely better-equipped army, ready and poised for battle in your stead. What would you do? Would you turn down the assistance? Would you fight with them, knowing that you personally would probably get hurt or killed?  Or would you graciously step aside and let them fight for you?

As obvious as the answer is, most of us have not made the right choice since we have met our Lord. We still take on the adversary, asking for whatever help that might be available, when we’re not even supposed to be in the battle. We have really missed what Jesus has done for us.

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Jim Corbett

From The Overcoming Life by Jim and Merry Corbett

Oftentimes we choose to serve God rather than get to know Him because it is easier to focus on and control what we do than it is to focus on becoming who God desires us to be. The Lord’s main concern centers on us reflecting the character of Christ, and the only way that occurs is by spending time in His presence. Interestingly enough, it’s also the only way to truly serve Him, because how do we really know what He desires us to do if we do not wait in His presence to find out?

Remember, even Satan would be pleased to have you busy with good things if it stops you from becoming intimately acquainted with the Lord and walking in the real power that comes through surrender and obedience.

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Jim Corbett

From the book, The Father Factor, by Jim and Merry Corbett

Chris stared at the needle tracks in his arm, a constant reminder of the choices he had made to bring himself to this point in his life. Once a successful businessman on his way to the top with a loving wife and family, he could only lament over the turns his life had taken because of his addictions. How could he have fallen so far? How could his needs mean more to him than those he once loved and who once loved him?

He had to make a choice, or he was going to die as one more hapless vagrant in some garbage-strewn alley. He had to choose either life or death. He knew it and he knew how difficult the road back would be. Picking up the filthy needle, he inserted it in his arm once again. As the drug flowed through his body, he resolved that maybe he would choose to love his wife more than his habit tomorrow. Maybe he could help his kids tomorrow. Maybe … Chris rolled into a smelly corner near a large dumpster and passed out.

Across town, Jerry turned the corner and drove into the parking lot of his club. Late for his meeting, he had shaken off the pleading look in his son’s eyes that said, “Please, Daddy, stay here with Mommy and me.” Business once again called. It was going to be one more late night, one more closed deal that allowed him to live the way he wanted. “Success has its price,” he thought to himself. Anyway, to change direction in life now would be almost impossible. He was way too far down the corporate road to give his family the amount of personal time with him they seemed to need.

Maybe one day his wife and family would realize that he was doing this all for them. It was a time in life to set them up, so they wouldn’t have to grow up in poverty as he did. They needed to realize that. He was sure that God knew that.

“Why don’t I have peace in my heart, Lord? Why can’t I shake off the look that Tommy gave me? Why do I feel so bad when I’m doing so much for them?”

As he locked his car and headed for the club entrance, Jerry resolved to spend more time at home tomorrow. Tomorrow he would give some special time to his wife, Susan. Tomorrow, he would really focus on her insistent need to be with him and make some changes that he knew were necessary to be the husband and father she and Tommy wanted. Oh wait, tomorrow was that conference in Detroit …

Whatever vehicle Satan uses to hinder the work of God, whether dismal failure, monumental success, or anything in between, the results are always the same - an insignificant life standing before Father God one day. His entrapment is so diabolical that the road back is impossible to embrace without God’s involvement and intervention.

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Jim Corbett