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3/12/20 Time to Step Out

        “Few of you are ready to be inconvenienced. Few of you are willing to go the extra mile for those who cannot return the favor. You need to change that. It is a heart position that denies who Jesus is. It is a posture that identifies with the world’s system, not Mine.

        "Most of you need to practice stepping out from your comfort zones. You need to purposely place yourselves in positions where you appear as someone greater than who you really are to others. Go beyond your small world and reach into the world of My presence. I will meet you there. It is like building up your muscles. Once you start to exercise them, they become stronger and can do more.

        "Build your heart that way. Practice loving deeper. Begin to care for someone who has little ability to care back for you. Get uncomfortably open with your love. Extend your love beyond the reasonable and into the realm of the unashamed. It is the antithesis of what is happening in the world. You will stand apart. You will be taken advantage of. Your personal zones may be inconvenienced. You may be laughed at after you have spent yourself, scorned when you exhaust your resources for the sake of others; and chastised when you display unabashed acceptance to the unacceptable. It will be fun.

        "I love to accompany you to those kinds of vibrant displays of the heart of Jesus. I love to fill empty, outstretched hands with miracles. I love to find ways for those who have no ways. I love it when you, My chosen ones, show others Jesus rather than simply talk about Him. Go find where He may be found, instead of continually calling Him to where you are. We will rejoice together in the vibrant world of loving service.”

I Sam. 16:7b AMP

For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

Matt. 22:37-39 AMP

37) And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect).

38) This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment.

39) And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself.

John 15:13 NIV

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”

 

Jesus left His heavenly home, was persecuted, whipped; and then died on the cross while others laughed at Him, so that we - who say that we are His followers - could remain comfortable in our own little worlds, store up riches for ourselves, and demand more from God. I don’t think so!!!

May I be like You, Jesus,

Jim Corbett

3/11/20 He Never Changes

As the fabric of our society as we know it breaks down, the Word of God and His principles remain the same. He never changes. His standards apply no matter what society might say. As the world adopts movable standards and a sliding scale of morality, God’s ways are steadfast and reliable.

As a husband and father, you can rely on God’s ways to guide you in nurturing your marriage and raising your children. You’ve been given a clear mandate on how to act, no matter what the world around you declares right or wrong. You’ve been given sure footing on a slippery slide of relative values and shifting priorities for living.

Soon the ways of God will appear archaic. The foolish will see them as foolish and old-fashioned, demanding that you follow their up-to-date example. Be very careful where you seek truth during those times. Moving in the direction of the world may appear right for the moment, but that’s not where God is. It’s not the criteria He uses to judge your life. He uses His Word and His immovable standards. On the day you meet Him face-to-face, it will be best to have used His standards for your family during your time on earth.

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

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3/11/20 Unexpected Opportunities

       “Be grateful for those who have helped you in the past. Rejoice over how I have provided for you. Give to others with selfless abandon. Speak life-giving words into those around you. Deeply love everyone that is near you. Bless your mate. Bless your children. Bless your parents. Bless your friends. Make a practice of rejoicing in My love for you. I will bless you.”

Psalm 111:2 NIV

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

Isaiah 40:1 NIV

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

 

My family and I were walking into a restaurant in South Florida early one evening. We were just in front of a young man who we found out later worked there. As we were walking into the building with this man right behind us, the Lord told me to turn around and bless him. The thought gave me cause to hesitate a moment because this man did not look friendly and carried a street presence that usually signifies a gang association.

When I turned around, the man stopped with surprise. Before he could do anything, the Lord directed me to put my hand on his chest and speak wealth into his spirit. I was directed to tell him that he was valuable, that God had a plan for his life; and that Jesus loved him. He was so surprised and taken aback that all he could say was a weak “thank you.” When he did, his head was down and he looked like a little child. I believe that few people, if any one at all, had ever affirmed his worth to him.

For the time we were at the restaurant, we observed him glancing at us with a questioning look every time he had the opportunity while he did his work. I think that he will remember that moment for the rest of his life. Such a small thing to do, but such a major event in someone’s life.

Show me how to bless others, Lord,

Jim Corbett

3/10/20 Just Love ‘Em

As a daddy, you have the privilege of loving your children right into the kingdom of heaven! You have the opportunity to forgive them for any time they’ve offended you, and be there for them when they fail and fall. You have the honor of sticking up for them when others decide to separate from them for whatever reason, and the joy of being their guide, counselor, father, and friend.

In today’s society, there are few opportunities to have really close lifetime friends. Other than Jesus, who promises to stick closer to us than a brother? Most of today’s youth rarely find that kind of companionship. You can be that person they can count on to love them no matter what, even if they don’t want it or ask for it.

No one can stop you from loving them. No one can stop you from praying for them. No one can hinder you from holding them in your spirit before the Lord until they can walk in the way God has planned for them to walk. You, as a father, have the privilege of watching them grow and blessing them at every turn.

So let’s get on with it! Put aside anything that may separate you from your children. Stop being a watchdog and become a devoted father/advocate. Love them even if you can’t tell them. Hold them before the Lord even if you can’t hold them in person because of the past. Become the father God intends you to be. God loves them; so should you! What happens next is up to Him.

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

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3/10/20 Choose Your Camp Wisely

        “For many years now, I have been telling you to prepare for the final fulfillment of My Word. Some of you have responded to My heralding with absolute abandon. You have seen the signs all around you that confirm what I have been telling you, and you have initiated whatever changes were needed to respond to My wooing. Life as you knew it has fallen away in your heart, and your only reason for existing is to be totally prepared and part of those who will usher in the coming of My Son. Even though things seem to take longer than expected, you remain faithful to what you know to be true in your heart.

        "Others of you are just now responding to the events all around you. You are applying what is very evident before you because you see its application to My Word and are beginning to adjust your priorities. Things are changing so fast that their implications have become very clear. Soon, you will move with zeal in the direction of holiness because you will finally know that what once was in your world can never be again. You see it and are making proper decisions to apply your lives to what is happening. You have determined to be ready and will soon sell out completely to what you know to be truth.

        "The remainder of My church does not, as of this time, understand where their priorities should be. They are still attempting to find only solace in Me for their personal needs, rather than responding to the Holy Spirit’s call to holiness. Their eyes are only on themselves and their desires for their kind of abundant life.

        "My caution to them is to wake from your slumber. Shake loose from anything that hinders you from choosing holiness as your only desire. Exchange your old life for My new life in Jesus. There is still time, but do not wait too long.”

Isaiah 48:3 NIV

“I foretold the former things long ago, my mouth announced them and I made them known; then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.”

 

The Lord always warns His people of what He is doing to accomplish His will and fulfill His plans. Throughout history, it seems that there have been several responses to what the Lord is saying at any given time. Basically, I see that these responses come in three seasons or waves.

I have observed that there are those who are very responsive to the slightest movement in the heavenlies. Their ears are so tuned to the heart of the Lord that He has a mouthpiece to herald His heart to begin to stir His people. This heralding begins at a time when there is little or no evidence of the heralding being needed. Usually, most do not hear what is being said; and these few are labeled as fanatics. Because of their great love for their Lord, however, they quietly press on, holding what they have been told in prayer and sharing only with those who have ears to hear.

I believe that the next group responds to concrete evidence and its application to the Word. Their great love for the Lord motivates them to be very sensitive to their world and its biblical application. Wanting to accomplish the Lord’s will, they recognize the times and seasons as they happen, and respond in kind. They implement on a large scale what the first group has been saying for a long time. Generally, it seems that this group hears what the Lord is saying in time to respond and move with Him to accomplish His will.

The third group usually submits to any movement of God only through great pressure. When things become too difficult for them to handle, they seek God’s help in solving their needs; and therefore do not move from their comfort zones unless it is absolutely necessary. They are only moved by what is best for them and usually miss much of what the Lord is really saying until it’s too late. When what was being proclaimed for a long time does come to pass, this group is usually scurrying to do just enough to get in on what is happening. Usually, it seems that they miss out completely.

Wanting to hear and respond quickly,

Jim Corbett

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