After seeing the whole world change almost overnight recently, those words "maybe tomorrow" take on a whole new meaning. There may not be a tomorrow that allows us to do whatever we're putting off today. I'm convinced the Lord is putting into place all that He said He would, and maybe that day is tomorrow.
What do you need to do to be ready for tomorrow, whatever tomorrow brings? What do you need to do if tomorrow won't allow you to do it for whatever reason? Maybe you need to do it right now!
A while ago I was faced with an opportunity to see how much I lacked faith and really needed God if things were going to work out. As a husband and father, the weight of my responsibility was somewhat overwhelming. We had packed everything we owned in a small truck and our van, given away what we were told to share, and spent most of what we had at the time for necessities. What little I had, I knew that my faith was being tested. I felt like a rubber band that had been stretched to its limit.
I had read somewhere that faith combined with sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit fills hands that were formerly empty. Well, my hands felt really, really empty. My faith felt like a single drop of water on its way to attempting to put out a raging fire. So we went - not in a bright powerful way, but just one foot after another, one mile after another until we reached a temporary destination.
A little while later, someone mentioned a phrase that really spoke to my heart. He said something like, “Faith is simply getting in the car and going when you are told.” Boy, did that hit home! I felt that phrase applied directly to me. “Just get in the car.” That’s faith!
Men, if you are attempting to be a monument of faith to your family, you may be imparting the wrong message to them. Maybe it’s time to trust in the faithfulness of God instead of your ability to have faith for any situation. Maybe it’s time to simply “get in the car” and trust God to do what He has told you He would do. God is faithful. You are His greatly loved child. He desires to walk with you even more than you desire to walk with Him every moment. Why not trust Him to be Who He says He is?
Let’s talk more!
Jim Corbett
“I am calling you back to first love. That means a one and only love. That means a priority love. It also means that you love only what I love, just as Jesus does. There can be no other loves ahead of your love for Me and My Word, if you say that you are a follower of Jesus. If you are Mine through Him, you have His heart. You have His priorities. You should be caring only about the things He cares about and what I care about.
"Why do you serve so many loves? Who has deceived you into thinking that you can love anything of the world and still be in line with My desires for your life? You are like an unfaithful bride, looking to find other more fulfilling partners just before your wedding day. Repent now! Turn completely to Me. I will share My best only with those who desire all of Me, those who have surrendered themselves fully to Me.”
Isaiah 43:21 NIV
the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.
Zechariah 7:13 NIV
“‘When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,’
says the Lord Almighty.”
Joshua 7:13 AMP
Up, sanctify (set apart for a holy purpose) the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the Lord, the God of Israel; There are accursed things in the midst of you, O Israel, you can not stand before your enemies until you take away from among you the things devoted [to destruction].
Amos 5:4b AMP
…Seek Me [inquire for and of Me and require Me as you require food] and you shall live!
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].
Rev 2:2-5 NIV
2) “I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.
3) You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4) Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.
5) Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.”
The person who is pure in heart sees God in every encounter and every situation, because he has a pure heart for God. He also continually sees others as God sees them. The pure heart knows that God does everything out of love and understands that anything done in the flesh is opposed to God and embraces God’s desire to remove it.
The pure heart willingly trades his legal rights for the higher calling of submission, repentance, and forgiveness; and will do whatever God asks, no matter what the cost, simply because God is pleased. The pure in heart no longer listens to any dictates of the flesh, so God is able to use him in any way that He chooses. He is subject to God’s higher laws, and obeys only what God has determined to be true. He sees God’s truths. Pleasing God is the highest calling to the pure in heart.
I choose to love only You, Lord. Create first love for You in me,
Jim Corbett
I know a man who doesn’t consider himself rich, and I suppose he isn’t by the world’s standards. This man works hard each day at a physically demanding job to support his family. Even though his days are long, I doubt there is much money left at the end of the month for anything other than the essentials.
But, oh my! You should see the light that shines from his family. His wife has a joy that spreads to everyone she sees. She is a companion and fellow servant, and a guardian of virtue and instructor in the things of God to her daughters. She is a true helpmate to her husband.
And his five daughters! Wow! Not too long ago, I had the privilege of observing them standing in a circle with my daughter, just talking, laughing, and being themselves. Their brightness, joy, open-hearted love, and all-around beauty was a sight to behold. Each of them is an incredible example of the integrity won at the cross. Each of them is a woman of virtue and an incredible example to anyone of their generation. They are truly a wonderful legacy for their father and mother.
As far as I’m concerned, this man is one of the wealthiest men I know. I’m convinced that one day he will stand before the Lord and hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” because of the atmosphere he’s created for his family to prosper in Christ. He set the pace for all of them to overcome the world, just as Jesus did. In this case, true wealth is not found in silver or gold, or in how much “stuff” they have. It’s found in six lives living each day to bring honor and glory to the Lord. This man is rich beyond measure!
Let’s talk more!
Jim Corbett
“Few of you realize how you are supposed to live your lives. You have been given Jesus to show you the way for you to prosper. When He overcame death, He destroyed every stronghold that has any power over you. He demolished your enemies and provided the proper tools for you to live in absolute prosperity as I see prosperity. You have the means to tread on every demonic power, so that nothing can in any way harm you.
"Walk in the freedom that has been provided for you. Nothing has changed; Jesus still provides the same safety for you. Draw upon His power. Submit to His work. Find the situations around you that concern Him and allow His life to flow through you. See that eternal wealth demolish whatever comes against you over and over again, any time you need it. Your job is to praise Him in the midst of whatever He is doing for you.”
Matthew 5:38-48 NIV
38) “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’
39) But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40) And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
41) If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
42) Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
43) “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
44) But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45) that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteousness.
46) If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
47) And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
48) Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 11:12 KJV
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
2 Cor. 10:3-5 NIV
3) For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.
4) The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
5) We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
The most violent act in the history of mankind was the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we think of His death, we usually think of the way in which the soldiers made hamburger out of His flesh and hung Him on a cross. When we think of His resurrection, we think of the tomb and the stone that was rolled away. We have these holy card pictures of a white-robed man with sparkle dust all around Him, who emerges from the burial chamber with His arms in the air. The world says “big deal,” and people continue on their way without breaking stride.
The violence that occurred on the actual battlefield - the heavenly realms - was beyond our most active imaginations. Every demonic force executed their pent up vengeance on the One who they knew was God. It was their opportunity to release their sadistic hatred for what had been done to them in the eternal past. They were seizing their unbelievable opportunity to inflict horror on the One they hated most, knowing that their counterparts, the angels, had turned their backs while they gleefully took their turns.
When God the Father said “enough,” every demonic stronghold was shattered by the Word as it enforced its eternal authority throughout every region of heaven. Unfathomable havoc was implemented against every rebellion that ever existed. The demonic realm suffered a deathblow over any power they once had. It was violence personified.
All powers in that dark realm are still under the Lordship of Jesus. Whenever He is called upon to be the Truth in that world of lies on our behalf, the battle is already won. There is no struggle. There are no options for our enemies. It is finished! Praise His Holy Name!
Always calling on You, Jesus,
Jim Corbett
