3/18/20 What’s Going On?

A while ago, my family and I had the opportunity of having the Lord seemingly remove just about everything from us for about two-and-a-half years - friendships, finances, ministry. Sometimes it felt as if even His presence had left us. What were we going to do with that? We'd be the first to say that we spent a lot of the time simply surviving. If I could go back, that would be something I would like to have changed.

What impression did we make on those around us? It's hard to say because hardly anyone seemed to really want to talk about it. It probably didn't make any sense to most, and those that decided they "knew" what God was doing with us walked away. I don't think the world found our circumstances so strange, but the church did. (Isn't that interesting?)

Being relieved of most everything you're used to gives you the opportunity to ask yourself some valid questions. What is my picture of God, and is it accurate? What is suffering and how does God use it with those who are His? The point I'm coming to is that we, as a body of believers, need to have an accurate picture of God and an accurate view on His working in our lives, especially if we're going to share them with others. Being "blessed" continually is not an indicator that all is well, just as suffering is not necessarily an indicator that you're out of God's will.

The life of the believer here on earth is a totally submissive crucified life. God knows what it will take to accomplish that in each of us. Do we blow it along the way? Yes. God has taken that into account in His dealings with us. Keep going. God is in the business of putting an accurate picture of Himself in your life, not only for your sake, but for the sake of others. And isn't that an answer to your prayers?

"Lord, please don't take me out of the refiner's fire until Your goals are accomplished." That's hard to pray, but so rewarding!

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

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3/18/20 Love Deeper

       “It’s time to take cover in Me. There is a season soon ahead that will confuse the world and destroy the puny strength of many who trust in themselves and what they have. In the near future, true strength will only be found in your relationship with Me. It will be the only thing that you can rely upon completely. All other relationships will be shown for what they really are.

       "Many who call you friend this day will turn their backs on you because of Whom you represent. They will hate Me; they will hate My Son for taking away their right to remain in their folly. My truth will cause them to make choices that they have no intention of making. They would rather perish in their false beliefs than embrace the One I require them to embrace to be safe for eternity. Because you represent that truth by serving My Son, you will be blamed for everything that inhibits their destructive agenda. Even though you represent love, you will be accused of hating.

       "Remember to love deeper during those times. It will bring forth rage from those who really have hate as their motive. That hatred is not really against you; it is against Me. I will be strong for you. I will empower you to love through Me. When everything in your flesh demands satisfaction, I will show My strength of submission. The enemy has no tools to combat someone who freely gives away what others want to steal. Jesus gave away His life. It foiled the power of the enemy then; the same kind of submission to My ways will foil the intentions of your enemies now. Come under the protective power of My kind of love. It will be your place of safety.”

John 10:17-18 NIV

17) “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life – only to take it up again.

18) No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.”

1 John 2:6 AMP

Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself.

1 John 4:18 NIV

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The man who fears is not made perfect in love.

 

Any fears that we have come from ownership of some kind. If we claim ownership of our possessions, we are always fearful that they might be taken from us. It is the same with our reputation, position, and even life itself. Whatever we hang on to can be forcefully taken from us. Whatever we willingly give away can never be taken from us. There is no fear of loss, so we are free to love as Jesus did.

Jesus owned nothing. He functioned in perfect love. He gave away His position in heaven to become a servant of those He created. While living with those whom He had created, He counted Himself less than they were, never fought for His reputation, never cared what anyone - other than His Father - thought of Him; and willingly gave His life for the good of others. His love was so perfect that no one could overcome Him. The enemy was soundly defeated because he did not even know how to fight that kind of war.

Satan loves contention, thrives on strife, and wins every battle when the participants demand their rights or claim ownership of anything fought for. The outcome of that kind of battle has no winners except him.

As Christians, we have lost our ability to overcome the moment we walk in any way other than the way that Jesus walked. Soon, battles for position will rage all around us. Wars for rights will be everywhere we go. The world will be full of strife and contentions, demanding control.

During those times, perfect love will be the only safe way to function, if we are to show others the life that Jesus lived. Words, strengths, position, and possessions will all fall away and fail. Perfect love will overcome. It will be God’s place of safety for us.

Needing to learn God’s kind of love,

Jim Corbett

3/17/20 Absentee Ballots

Are you sending absentee ballots to your wife and children? Do you love them from afar because you are too busy to spend the proper time with them so they can know a Christ-like husband and father? If you are, your priorities are out of order, no matter what’s getting in the way of an intimate spiritual relationship with your family. Every moment you take away from being with them is a moment for the enemy to gain a foot hold, so you’d better make sure you’re doing something more important than being with your family. Your offices of husband and father hold the power to guide and protect those you steward. They prosper when you are obedient to God and do only what He asks you to do. Providing for your family is necessary. Neglecting your godly commitments to your wife and children for the sake of more money, more personal esteem, or more success than you require is out of order. It’s out of line with the way your Lord wants you to spend your time. You may think you are becoming more successful, but I challenge you to ask the Lord how He sees the value of your time spent. Your family is counting on you! Let’s talk more! Jim Corbett
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3/17/20 Prospering in Perilous Times

       “Honor My Name! Honor the Name of My Son Jesus. Honor My Holy Spirit. Become an advocate for Who We are and what Jesus has done. Dedicate all your waking moments to furthering My plans and you will have found the secret to a joyous life. The world looks for answers as to why they have been born. You have found it in Jesus. He is the answer!”

John 4:34 NIV

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work.”

1 John 2:6 AMP

Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself.

 

Merry and I are convinced that perilous times are on the horizon. Biblical times and seasons that parallel the kinds of seasons that are labeled as the “Biblical end times” are unfolding right before our eyes. Soon, the world and most of the unresponsive church will be walking around in a fearful stupor because of the unprecedented anguish that will start to consume them. Only those who heed the call of God that is being heralded now will be prepared for what is ahead.

To live victoriously during these next years, you must renew your relationship with Jesus. You must shake off all of the traditions, dogma, and habits that hinder you from living the full, exuberant life of Jesus in your ordained sphere of influence. Do not be afraid to be different from those who also call themselves Christians. If they are not moving closer to Jesus with a passion as their only reason for breathing, find new friends who are.

When peril comes, most of those who call themselves Christians will “hunker down” in an attempt to be safe; but they’ll be powerless to protect themselves. In a time when the Jesus they have said that they serve is needed most, they will not know how to call on Him or even know who He really is. Therefore, they will hide in fear, thinking that they will find a place of safety. Wherever they go, it will be a tomb for them spiritually speaking.

The only place of safety is to be solely and completely locked up in Jesus Christ, living His passionate life. In times of peril, His overcoming presence will not be with the cowering masses. He will be displayed in all of His radiant glory through those who take the time this very day, perhaps this very moment, to surrender fully to Him and His ways. He will be with those who use their every breath of life for His benefit and the benefit of those who need to see Jesus.

As the Holy Spirit changes you, you will be acquiring the tools you need to not only overcome perilous times, but to prosper during them through the power of the Holy Spirit. You will move in anointed power to represent the Lord.

I choose to honor You, Lord,

Jim Corbett

3/16/20 Higher Fences

Fathers, if you continually find yourself putting more restrictions on your children and applying stronger consequences to help them comply with what you feel is best, you’re doing something wrong. You can build higher and higher fences all you want as they continue to grow, but one day they’ll find a way over the fence into total rebellion.

Somehow, your children have been taught compliance under your stewardship. They get in line to avoid the consequences you set in place, but their hearts are wandering or maybe empty. Perhaps it’s time for you to get on your face before God and repent of your ways. Are you also walking in compliance before God, doing things to avoid consequences, rather than doing them because you love Him and want to please Him with your obedience? Is this somehow being communicated to your children and they’re just following your lead?

Fear not. As you spend time with God and your love for Him grows deeper, you will learn to walk in Christ-like obedience. Then you will be able to love and nurture your children into walking in genuine obedience through the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God will accomplish in them what the laws you’ve established can never do.

If it seems too late and your children are walking in full-fledged rebellion against you and God, your only recourse is to pray and intercede until they find freedom in Christ. They’re in rebellion in part because your priorities and/or methods have been out of order. Do you care enough to do what is necessary to help them? They need you!

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

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