“Compare your petitions to Me with those who have gone before you! Include those who were passionate to bring glory to Jesus on their way to the arena that was filled with waiting lions and jeering crowds. Examine your heart and your needs to see if your requests have value in the light of eternity. How much of what you request from Me is for the well-being of others? How much is for your comfort, rather than for your desire to go deeper with Me no matter what the cost?

"Is there ever a time that you come to Me wanting nothing for yourself? Have you ever had only My plans in mind and seek Me to implement them in My power? Have you ever sought Me for the power to defend My reputation and the reputation of Jesus? Have you ever wept for how most of the church offends Me with their weak religion and carnal presentation of My cherished Word? Have you ever waited in My presence until you knew for sure what the desires of My heart were? Do you think that maybe it’s time for you to grow up? I do!”

Exodus 33:13a NIV

“If I have found favor in your eyes, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.”

Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

8) “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.

9) “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

In our pride and selfishness, we miss so much of what the Lord really has for us. We whine and squirm throughout most of the trials that have been sent our way to purify us, missing the point for them. Our attentions are so self-focused that the Lord can rarely use us to implement what is on His heart for those in our little world.

I am convinced that if ever the Lord would show us the comparison of our lives to the passionate life that He intends for us, we would be amazed and ashamed as to how far off course we are most of the time as we move in concert with our own needs, rather than in His desires for us.

Forgive me, Lord! Change my heart,

Jim Corbett