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1/22/21 For Your Good

“As I take you to places that refine you, you must know that I have not forgotten you, even though it may seem as if you are alone. How you respond during these trying times determines how long you must remain there. Squirming and complaining shows your immaturity. Attitudes of defiance or anger show how much work needs to be done in your heart. Lack of faith in Me should drive you to study My Word.

"Times of refinement are for your good. They allow you to see how far you really are from the way you should be if you are a follower of Jesus. They show you your self-focus. They reveal benchmarks of your spiritual life. During these times, repent of any areas that are out of line with My Word. Stop complaining and grow up! I am making you more like Jesus! You should be rejoicing about My love for you, not complaining about the fires that refine you.”

2 Cor. 7:10 NIV

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

Eph 4:12-13 AMP

12) His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church),

13 [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ and the completeness found in Him.

Hebrews 12:2 NIV 

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…

James 1:2-4 NIV

2) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

3) because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

4) Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 4: 8-10 AMP

8) Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].

9) [As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins].

10) Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].

I Peter 4:12 AMP

Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality, as though something strange (unusual and alien to you and your position) were befalling you.

Rev. 3:19 AMP

Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude].

Show me Your perspective on everything, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/22/21 Easier to Do

As men, it’s easier to try to do something about all the brush fires we ignite with our spiritual ignorance than it is to become everything we’re called to be in Christ. Making something happen is far easier than waiting on God to direct our steps and completely oversee our lives, which allows us to avoid the many pitfalls the enemy has planned against our families.

Doing stuff to make things better in our own strength means we’ve unknowingly decided to make ourselves vulnerable to the traps set by the enemy against our families. It means we’ve reduced the outcome of our lives to the limitations of our own carnal thinking and insufficient power. It means we’ve offered the enemy an opportunity to attempt to override the plans God has for us and our families.  It means we’re in the world and of the world; and, therefore, incapable of winning any spiritual war waged against us. It means we’ve taken the well-traveled, easier road and chosen to walk in spiritual weakness.

On the other hand, becoming a true man of God and a mighty warrior means we’ve overcome and discarded the ways of the world. We’ve ceased to function in the realm of the enemy and have planted our flag in the kingdom of God by submitting to its guidelines in our lives. It means we’ve crucified the flesh, having gladly died to its demands and becoming fully submitted to the Lordship of Jesus over every area of our lives and the lives of our families. It means we’ve accepted God’s invitation into His throne room, which He can make our war room where nothing harmful prevails over us or those we love. Would you like to live there?

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

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1/21/21 God’s Word

“You can rely on My Word. It is always true. He is always Truth. I am always Faithful.”

Psalm 111:2 NIV

Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.

Ephesians 3:14-19 NLT

14) When I think of the wisdom and scope of God’s plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,

15) the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.

16) I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.

17) And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love.

18) And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.

19) May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

 

Few of us realize the wealth that we have because of the integrity of God. As the world reels in deception upon deception, attempting to form some semblance of order in which they can live, we have the Word of God - absolute, reliable Truth.

Thank You, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/21/21 Action or Reaction

Are you a man of action, or do you find yourself reacting to challenges that could have been avoided if you had engaged sooner? Preemptive prayer is an action that helps to create a smooth path for families to travel.

As I look around, I see so many marriages that appear to be on the verge of failing, or at best, things have dimmed over the years. I see children who’ve been overcome by the world, unaware of the bondage they’re in.  I also see husbands and fathers who’ve either given up long ago or are hopelessly looking for ways to get their families out of the mess they’re in. All they can do is react to the next emergency their family faces. They live the life of a blind guide, putting out fire after fire, while attempting to maintain some semblance of a Christian family.

I also notice the families of a praying husband and father. Sure, they have challenges; but what’s not seen is all of the enemy’s plans that have been destroyed long before they could take effect. What’s not seen is the aggressive posture the man of God has taken on behalf of those he stewards. What’s not seen is the “hands off my family” notice that’s been given to the enemy. What’s not seen is the supernatural hedge built around the family of the mighty man of prayerful action on their behalf. That man is you!

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

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1/20/21 The Best You Can Do

“When I look upon your life, there is nothing but mercy and compassion in My heart. I realize how far you have to go to understand and walk in what I have provided for you. I also realize how far We have come together. I see that you are doing the best that you can do and will continue to do so from now on. Even when you fall in deep sin, throw away your friends, judge others, gossip, hate, and little resemble Jesus to the world, it is sin, yes; but it is the best that you can do. As you grow up, you will be able to do better. Because that is fully understood, My heart is always for you and never against you. Keep doing your best. Give others the freedom to do the same, and We will walk together as you mature in Me. I love you. You love others. It is My way.”

Luke 23:34 NIV

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”

Heb. 13:20-21 AMP

20) Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament),

21) Strengthen (complete, perfect) and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages). Amen (so be it).

 

Those words from Luke 23 were said as Jesus looked down from the cross at those who had just crucified Him. They were said to the soldier who probably still had the hammer in his hands, the once filthy leper who Jesus had touched, the young man who was possibly still being fed by the loaves and fishes incident several months ago; and many other jeering, spitting, and cursing people.

I am convinced that He was saying, “Father, I know that every one of them is doing the best that he or she knows how to do. I am glad to do this for them. I know that You are, also. Let’s forgive them over and over until they can see things better. One day, when Our love overcomes their ignorance and hate, they will need what We have. I gladly forgive them and I know that you do, too.”

Once, after Merry and I had just been “sucker punched” almost to the point of giving up, the Lord whispered to us: “They did the best that they could.” He was saying, “They had jealousy, so they had to try to destroy you so they could survive. They were so broken, that you were a threat to them. They were full of pride, so you seemingly stole some of their parade. You need to forgive them and understand that in their immaturity, they did the best that they could.”

The concept of everyone doing the very best that they know how to do, even the worst of sinners, allows us to understand the mercy that Jesus had on the cross a little bit better.

While I’m doing my best, please heal those whom I might hurt,

Jim Corbett

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