Author: Jim Corbett

“I would like you to peruse everything that you call your own and see if you would really give it away if I asked you to do so. Where does My ownership stop? If there is a time that it does stop in your life, what is your interpretation of “Lordship” and “Master”? Where do you draw the line when it comes to stewardship of My wealth and cross into personal ownership? If I asked you to give away everything, would you do it; or is that kind of request outside of My jurisdiction?

"How can you say that I own your life if I really don’t own every relationship, every moment, and every item in your life? Search My Word and see if you can find your license to claim anything as your own if you’ve given your life to Me. Jesus owned nothing, including His life, as an example to each of those who were to come after Him. His waiting bride is in training to do the same.”

Acts 4:29-35 NIV

29) “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.

30) Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

31) After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

32) All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.

33) With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.

34) There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales

35) and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.”

The above verses fascinate me as much as any verses in the Bible. They occur as a fledgling church moved in a society that was reeling from the most incredible event in history - the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Just after the Holy Spirit empowered them, the church formed patterns for others to follow. As stated above, when in peril, they asked for boldness to proclaim Jesus, not deliverance from the danger. It was too early for the different interpretations of what had happened to pollute them, so they had one heart and one mind. Their risen Master owned nothing and gave everything. It was natural to do the same, not even counting the cost.

Isn’t it fascinating that those who probably walked with Jesus acted very much like He did, once they were strengthened to do so? It seems that as more time elapses - and the further we, as believers, get from the actual resurrection day - the more room for personal interpretation of how Jesus lived is involved in the way that we choose to represent Him. It is also fascinating that we seem to be less powerful in everything we do as that occurs.

At present, we, the church, have become so much like the world in most of what we do, that our impact on the world is far less noticeable. We almost fit comfortably in a society that hates Who we are supposed to represent. Sort of makes you want to go “Hmmmm!”

Change my heart, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“In the quiet place of intimacy with Me can be found all that is needed for you to be complete. When all the distractions that the world calls prosperity have been stripped away, you, My child, will find true prosperity. What the wisest scholar could not grasp about the true meaning of life will be comprehended fully by the youngest child who is truly Mine. At that time, My people will understand My Son's heart as He was led to the cross. They will understand the kind of love He had for those who cursed Him. At that time, only what is truly important will be worth knowing. All else will pass away as so much rubbish. My people will prosper as I see prosperity.”

Phil. 3:10-11 AMP

10) [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted, with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]

11) That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].

This scripture has brought me so much life! In the many times that I have studied it, I have learned something each time. I believe that the operative thought our Father would impart here is "freedom."

Paul is giving us the key to Christ’s kind of freedom in every circumstance. This is not a "What can You do for me, God?" kind of Christianity. It is an "I realize that I have been bought with a price; I will gladly do what is necessary to serve You properly, Lord" kind of love. It is the kind of wealth that allows us to joyfully overcome everything the world has to offer.

People who are in this for their good rather than the Lord’s purposes will think you've gone stark raving mad if you pursue this kind of life. Then again, the world’s way of thinking could never understand God's kind of freedoms. Understand also that every trial you incur will really be a gift given to you to make you more like Jesus. It's also God's way. That means that even those who would come against you are really helping you in your quest. What an incredible God!

Wanting more,

Jim Corbett