Category: From Our Fathers Heart

“You must become devoted to Me and My Word. In fact, I want your whole life to be considered a devoted thing, something having no life of its own, but existing only through and for Jesus. Build up a resistance to criticism as you sell out. Harden your heart to the sirens of the world. Soften it to every beat of His heart. Walk only where you are invited to walk with Me. Avoid anything that resembles the world.

“As you distance yourself from those things that desire to sway you away from a devoted life, you will find the true peace and happiness that comes from an honest, upright relationship with Me. You will experience unparalleled joy that is not contingent upon your circumstances and situations. You will have overcome the world and its ways. You will finally have peace, the kind of peace that I have always intended for you to have.”

Gal. 2:20a NIV

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.

Gal. 5:24 AMP

And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.

Gal. 6:14 NIV

May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

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].

 

Paul’s devotion to the Gospel is heartwarming. As you study the verses in Philippians 3 above, try to see through the words and into the heart of this devoted man of God. There was no compromise for him. He was completely sold out to the desire of knowing his Master and Savior.  He wanted to know his Lord intimately. He wanted to understand exactly what had occurred at the cross and the resurrection.  He wanted to benefit from the power of the risen Christ, not for his own good; but for the sake of being changed into the image of his Lord. He wanted it all for the sake of the Gospel.

This relationship with Jesus is much more than going to church, giving to missions, praying, and talking about the things of God. It is a road trip to the complete death of our flesh. It is also an incredible journey to knowing our Lord and Savior intimately, if we choose to sell out completely to Him.

I believe that most of the church functions on the perimeter of the kind of relationship that Father God intends for us. Most of us do only as much as it takes to know that we are “safe” and on our way to heaven, when there is so much more available if we would only sell out completely. The thought of compromise never entered into Paul’s heart and mind when it came to His relationship with Jesus.  It shouldn’t enter into ours either.

Remove compromise from my life, Lord,

 Jim Corbett

“Do you know that when you truly find Me in your heart, you will find Me everywhere? Maybe you have forgotten this basic truth. When I am the reason and focus of all that you do, there is really no room for fear, confusion, doubt, anxiousness, or any other emotion that would hinder you from seeing My presence on everything in your world. Remember the first love time when Jesus was your everything? Remember the brightness of love that you felt? Recall how you felt about your needs and fears. In fact, try to recall anything that could move you to distraction. There wasn’t anything, was there? That kind of insight and freedom is the heritage of anyone who allows Me to totally consume his heart through the cross.

“Circumstances, situations, peril of any kind - even death - have no hold on you nor bearing on your decisions and actions. Obedience and continuous fellowship with Me allow you to rise above everything that would normally hamstring you and immobilize your life. I planned it that way. I am your safety. You have been made to dwell with Me in all that you do. When you leave My presence, you become fair game for the enemy of your soul.

We “Observe your life. Determine to recognize any areas that you have allowed to become independent of Me. Those areas will one day cause you great harm. Bring them back under My Lordship. When you do, you will have postured yourself to flow with Me in absolute freedom, rising above your carnal limitations. You will be able to see everything from My perspective. From here, there is nothing that can hinder us in anything We decide to do together. I have created everything and everything submits to My hand. When you dwell with Me, you will thoroughly understand that.”

Amos 4:13 NIT

He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals his thoughts to man, he who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth –  the Lord God Almighty is his name.

Acts 4:29-31 AMP

29) And now, Lord, observe their threats and grant to Your bond servants [full freedom] to declare Your message fearlessly,

30) While You stretch out Your hand to cure and to perform signs and wonders through the authority and by the power of the name of Your holy Child and Servant Jesus.

31) And when they had prayed, the place in which they were assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they continued to speak the Word of God with freedom and boldness and courage.

 

If God is not who He says He is, we are all in a whole lot of trouble. If, however, He is all that He is shown to be in His Word, we are the most privileged beings ever created by His hand. We have the astounding heritage of receiving unlimited interaction and fellowship with Him. From the safety of His presence, we have been formed to hold His presence wherever we go and in whatever we do. If we choose to accept it, we are untouchable by anything because of His indwelling in us.

One of the hazards of having a calling as a watchman is the awareness of the world around me and its function in accordance with the Word of God. Continual in-depth study of the times and seasons and their implications brings the biblical consequences of items in the daily news clear and up close.

As important as that is, there are hazardous possibilities that accompany that kind of mission. It is very easy to get my eyes off of the Lord and focus on the very apparent dangers that are unfolding every day, especially in this end-time season.

Without the power of the Lord to continually pull me back to His Word - and the reason, comfort, and freedom that it imparts, bringing His presence and purpose back in focus - I would remain locked in a continual state of fear, which would discolor everything I do. Too often, I am distracted for too long, fluctuating back and forth from freedom to fear when some issue is highlighted by the Lord. It is not a lack of faith in my God whom I know is faithful; it is a misdirection of focus because of the overwhelming responsibility that I feel. Only as my Lord directs me back to Himself and His Word can I break loose, and once again flow completely in His freedom, knowing that in Him there is no fear and no urgency other than His urgency to bring souls into the kingdom.

Needing to “tuck in” every moment,

Jim Corbett

“Today I call you to a quiet place in Me. I ask you to find the time to set aside all the typical treasures that hold your attention and rethink your priorities. I ask you to allow Me to remind you who you are because of your relationship with Jesus. It is also important to confirm what your calling is and how far you have deviated from the very specific goal that I have for you. You need to make an accounting of your life, so that you are ready when I call you.

“Make no mistake, I will call you. Most of the world and most of My church are being positioned for a true falling away. They are being drawn to a way of thinking that controls their every move. Soon, they will not be able to awaken from their stupor and will need to be pulled from the bondage they are in. You will need to have everything in order, so that you remain with Me when others leave. Come now. I will show you what is out of order. We will make things right together.”

Matt. 6:31-33 NIV 

31) “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

32) For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

33) But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

II Thess. 1:11 NIV 

With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.

II Pe.1:5-11 NIV 

5) For this reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;

6) and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;

7) and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

8) For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9) But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

10) Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,

11) and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

There is great expectancy in the air for those who are listening to God. Something is about to happen that supersedes the ebb and flow of everyday living. There is a quiet wooing being heard only by those who have turned their ears, attentive to the intimate words of Father God.

At present, the call is out for honest, complete preparation; a re-examination of every motive, goal, and priority, which will result in a fullness of commitment. Soon it will be time to implement. God is preparing a people who are poised and ready for what is ahead - a people capable and trustworthy to carry the Gospel to the starving and confused.

Let me not grow weary in this time, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“I ask you, My children, to guard your hearts. The enemy of your soul is taking great pains to destroy My people with confusion and compromise. Be careful to whom you listen. What is the fruit of their lives? What is the treasure of their hearts? Are they pursuing Me as their only ambition? Where do you seek wisdom? When you seek counsel, seek wise counsel. Make sure that the counsel you seek spends enough time in My Word and with Me to hear My heart, rather than the logic of the world.

“How can wisdom come from carnal ideas? How can wealth come from a bankrupt spirit? Guard the hearts and minds of your children. Make sure that you are a covering over what they see and to whom they listen. Protect their tender minds with My Word. Instill the goal of holiness in them. I have given them to you so that they will be safe.

“In this day, be on guard for those who call themselves by My Name but follow the ways of the world. The tactic of the enemy is to befriend you with foolish sheep who have nothing holy to offer you. They are most dangerous. They have long ago turned their backs on My kind of road to travel and have decided to go their own way. They have quieted My voice for so long that they can no longer hear. Why would you listen to their counsel? Do not open your heart to them nor give your children to their care. Now is the time for discernment. Be careful what you are hearing. Be careful of who is saying it.”

Prov. 22:6 AMP

Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Mark 4:24 AMP

And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you…

 

The Lord has often shown me my responsibility as a father. Over the years, He has made it clear to me that His hand is on my daughter, and that He considers her heart and life very special. Before she was born, Merry and I knew that He had plans for her life. We’ve taken great measures to guard her heart. She’s a wonderful daughter.

That being said, we noticed one day when she was about eight, she had begun to act differently. Merry and I sensed a spirit of rebellion, far more evident than the normal actions of a strong-willed child. Because we both sensed it at approximately the same time, we began to pray. The words “rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft” (1 Sam. 15:23) kept coming to my mind.

As we traced our actions over the days previous to our awareness, we remembered that she had stayed overnight at the house of a Christian friend. When we asked questions about some of the activities that transpired, my daughter could come up with little that would give us caution. In the course of conversation, however, she said that she didn’t like the idea that the family was watching a Harry Potter movie - a movie about witchcraft - in the other room while she and her friend played in the bedroom. My wife and I looked at each other in amazement. How could that go on in a Christian household?

We thought that we had done our homework as parents. Obviously, the Lord was calling us to a better stewardship. Because someone “talks the talk” doesn’t mean that they can be trusted. I know that it is important to give mercy and grace to those who have not yet found out the dangers of flirting with the world, but it is also very important to be wise and not fall into harm’s way. From then on, we were much more careful about where we allow our daughter to spend time, especially overnight. She simply is too valuable to be exposed to the rubbish of the world whenever it can be averted.

By the way, we prayed, and the joy, peace, and love came back into our household. Our daughter even said that she felt clean again. She could tell that she felt different after being there but didn’t know what to do about it. Prayer works!

Needing to see clearly and trust Jesus,

Jim Corbett

“If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? I sometimes hear you ask that nebulous question of each other and then inwardly assess your lives. Being comforted by your personal judgment and impressed with the number of bibles you own, you peacefully fall asleep, confident that you are a stellar example of My Son’s character before people and worthy to call yourselves by His Name. Let’s just suppose that I am the One who will determine if you represent Him properly. By the way, I am!

“Let Me pose some of the easier questions to you to use as plumb lines in assessing your life. Do you hold anything as your own? Have you recently wept bitterly for anyone because you knew that he was not saved, and resolved to devote your life to his salvation, no matter what the cost? Have you thrown a “pittance” to My workers, keeping an abundance for yourself because you “earned” it? Do you only crave to do My perfect will? If someone were to beat you within an inch of your life, take everything that you have, destroy your family and then mock your name to your friends, would you love him? Better still, would your love for him increase? Would you fall on your face in gratitude to Me for allowing you to be privy to his sin for the single task of holding it before Me, that I would not hold it against him? Would you give everything you own, even your very life, for the soul of someone who hates you?

“The One Whom you say you represent did! If you didn’t do so well with these elementary questions, there is still time. I will help you if that’s what you want Me to do.”

Luke 23:33-34 NIV

33) When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left.

34) Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

I Cor. 3:11-15 AMP

11) For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

12) But if anyone builds upon the Foundation, whether it be with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,

13) The work of each [one] will become [plainly, openly] known (shown for what it is); for the day [of Christ] will disclose and declare it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test and critically appraise the character and worth of the work each person has done.

14) If the work which any person has built on this Foundation [any product of his efforts whatever] survives [this test], he will get his reward.

15) But if any person’s work is burned up [under the test], he will suffer the loss [of it all, losing his reward], though he himself will be saved, but only as [one who has passed] through fire.

I John 2:5-6 AMP

5) But he who keeps (treasures) His Word [who bears in mind His precepts, who observes His message in its entirety], truly in him has the love of and for God been perfected (completed, reached maturity). By this we may perceive (know, recognize, and be sure) that we are in Him:

6) 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.

 

We are a fascinating group of people, those of us who call ourselves by our Redeemer’s Name. Not only do we judge others by their actions and judge ourselves by our intentions; we feel that God is going to do the same. Somehow, we have come to believe that we are going to be graded on a curve rather than by the Word when we stand before the Lord and are given crowns to lay at His feet.

Our lives, if held before the intense light of the Holy Spirit, need some tailoring, to say the least. We judge everyone, condemn the lost, lie to others, lie to God, hoard His wealth, hold grudges, harbor unforgiveness, care only for ourselves, overlook our sins; and then say that we represent the character of Jesus. Not very credible criteria for a defense of our actions.

I know that we are relying on grace and mercy, but what about the reputation of our Lord? What about His feelings? What about His desires about how we are to act? If Jesus is really our Lord, shouldn’t His wishes and examples for living be a little more important to us? I believe that His Father thinks so!

Needing to use the Word as my plumb line and consider the cares of my Lord,

Jim Corbett