In the last days, the Bible says men's hearts will fail them for fear. It also says men will cry out to the mountains and rocks to fall on them and hide them from the face of Almighty God.
In those times, it is said that whatever has been your god will be that which is used to destroy you. If you have served pride all your life, then the pride that will not allow you to bend your knee to Jesus will destroy you. If hatred and anger are your gods, then cursing God Himself for the distress He is allowing will be a natural outflow from that kind of heart, etc., etc.
It is amazing to me how people interpret strong warnings about the end times, which I believe are just around the corner. Instead of accepting and heeding them as the love warnings they are, people tire of them and continue to serve the gods they have served throughout their lives. It's almost as if a purposeful challenge is being sent back to God - a challenge for Him to actually prove that the things He promised in His Word will happen. No one can conceive that a loving God would actually allow these things to occur.
Believe God. Please, believe God. His endtime scenario is a portrayal of real people very much like you and me, and they didn't heed the strong warnings that were given a short time before the end. They were strong warnings very much like those we hear today, in times very much like these, to people very much like us.
What changes do you need to make so your family is prepared for the challenges that are on the horizon? How willing are you to make them?
Let's talk more!
Jim Corbett
Author: Jim Corbett
Jim is an author, heart revival coach, teacher, and public speaker. His heart and mission is to bring people to an understanding of the times and seasons and lead them to be all they can be in Christ and know the thrill of Jesus as their Lord.
Merry is a co-author, editor, pianist, and worship leader. Her heart mission is to encourage believers in discovering the wonder and truth available in the opportunity presented to everyone because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Together with their daughter Jubilee Faith, they are the founders of The 101 Group. A back to basics spiritual investment company that equips the body of Christ to effectively serve the Lord through written and spoken word, personal publications, music, daily devotionals, concert venues, and MASH icu, a comprehensive program for men.
2/19/20 Ready for Another Season
- by Jim Corbett
"To those of you who have been in My refiner's fire, remain steadfast just a while longer. I am moving you to another season soon. In the time you are to remain under My hand of vigorous training, learn the deep lessons I am teaching you.
"Rest in My presence. I will show you My heart as We spend quality time together. When this season is over, you will understand why you needed the skills I have given you. Others will benefit from your learned obedience. I will be glorified in your life as I send you forth. Be patient! I am with you. I will soon be able to trust you."
Deut. 1:6 NIV
The Lord our God said to us at Horeb, "You have stayed long enough at this mountain."
2 Chr. 16:9 NIV
"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him..."
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.
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."
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].
In the book of Amos, it talks of two not being able to walk together unless they are agreed. How can we expect Jesus to overlook the filth of the world's attitudes that are still in us, when He died so that they might be eliminated? We are, in fact, saying that His suffering and death are of no consequence, if we refuse to allow lofty attitudes to be removed from our lives.
It is time that we all acknowledge our need of God's mercy. It is also time that we understand that He is showing us our need; so that we, in turn, will function in His mercy towards everyone, as He has. He is being merciful at this very moment as we see who we are not.
To withhold mercy would, once again, show a wrong heart motive - one of consuming God's mercy while showing none. It is one of the most selfish of acts, most unlike the One whom we say we represent and for whom we are waiting, so that He might take us with Him because we are supposedly like Him.
The merciless heart is very much like that of the foolish virgins in Matthew 25. They came, not for the good of the master who was to arrive, but for their own good. They are also the ones pounding on the door after it had been closed and locked. Quite a sobering thought!
Eliminate whatever You are after in me, Lord,
Jim Corbett
2/18/20 The Greeter
- by Jim Corbett
There is a familiar story about an individual who belonged to a small church. Several years previously, he experienced a dramatic conversion to Jesus Christ and had followed Him diligently ever since.
One day, he enthusiastically approached the pastor to inquire how he might best serve in the fledgling congregation. The only open position was that of a greeter, which he joyfully accepted.
Every Sunday without fail for many years, this man greeted everyone who came to the church for services. The congregation grew, due in part to the hearty, loving welcome people received as visitors. This man's ministry made a difference at this church.
After a time, the man - now in charge of many greeters - grew disillusioned with his position, and wanted what he considered a more important position in the church. When he was asked to remain as the head greeter, he felt the church did not really appreciate him, so he left. Eventually he became more disillusioned, and fell away from the Lord.
The first love qualities of service, unashamed love, and child-like enthusiasm are the qualities of Jesus. When we lose them, we lose real life. Are you comfortable with being a servant to your wife? Do you consider it a privilege that you are supposed to care more about the significance of your children's lives than your own vision? If your answer is "no" on either question, you might want to take it up with the Lord!
Let's talk more!
Jim Corbett
2/18/20 The Larger Picture
- by Jim Corbett
"Be careful that you don't become complacent during times of ease and comfort. It is important that you seize these times to refocus and readjust, making sure that you have not moved from My calling during the times of pressure. Come close to Me. I will refresh your heart. I will comfort your spirit and give you strength to continue on. I will adjust your perspective and clear your vision.
"When you are involved in a battle, it is easy to place emphasis on winning the battle, rather than seeing the larger picture of My overall plan. It is easy to limit Me when there is peril. It is in times of rest that you will be reminded of My motives and My reasons for your life.
"You are of great value to Me. Never even entertain the idea that I have forgotten you or have not noticed your situation. I am always with you. Whether you stand in the midst of great peril, or rest by a quiet stream, I am with you. That is My way."
Pr. 3:5-6 AMP
5) Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
6) In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.
Isa. 30:15, 18 AMP
15) For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength. But you would not,
18) And therefore the Lord [earnestly] waits [expecting, looking, and longing] to be gracious to you; and therefore He lifts Himself up, that He may have mercy on you and show loving-kindness to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are all those who [earnestly] wait for Him, who expect and look and long for Him, [for His victory, His favor, His love, His peace, His joy, and His matchless, unbroken companionship]!
Isa. 40:31 AMP
But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.
Matt. 10:29-31 AMP
29) Are not two little sparrows sold for a penny? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's leave (consent) and notice.
30) But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31) Fear not, then; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Heb. 13:5b AMP
... for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]
Once we submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, every moment of every day is His. We have been purchased. Our lives are owned by another. No longer our own, our lives are to be in full submission to our Lord.
The plan of God is that no one should perish. Through us, He continually brings the knowledge of Christ to everyone we meet, so that they might see and embrace Him. We represent Him whether in difficult times or in times of ease and comfort.
When we go through difficult times, it is easy to focus on removing ourselves from the pressures that accompany them. We can become self-focused, attempting to be delivered. The best interests of God and others can be placed on a shelf, far behind our own needs during these times. We all have a tendency to forget that this life is not all about us, but about God and His plans.
In times of rest, our Father can bring us back to His perspectives, if we allow Him to do so. He can again show us the reality of why we have been bought and what our purpose on this earth is, while reminding us of the wonder of what is in store for us because of what Jesus has done. Our life in Christ becomes clear again.
Draw me to You, Lord,
Jim Corbett
2/17/20 Corrections of Love
- by Jim Corbett
As God continues to reveal your shortcomings, be of good cheer! God is doing the wonderful work in you that He promised so you can fulfill your roles as husband and father. A while back, you didn't even know those things were part of you, did you?
I used to see everything I wasn't as a totally negative experience - probably my pride as much as anything else. Now, as the Lord gives me continual reminders of just exactly who I am and how far I have to go to be like Jesus, I am more able to give myself over to Him, knowing only He can change me and that He wholeheartedly desires to do so. My appreciation of Him has increased as He also builds the faith in me to believe that He really is Who He says He is.
What chance would my family have if I chose not to respond to the changes the Holy Spirit is always ready to do in me? Where would we be if God never exposed me for who I really am? Probably sitting comfortably in some church pew with no clue as to the rude awakening in store for me down the road. Have you seen any shortcomings lately?
Let's talk more!
Jim Corbett