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12/09/23 Rejecting an Offer

A poverty stricken man had to travel to his job, which was located in a distant city. Because he was so poor and it was the only job he could find, he had to make the trip there and back each day in an old, barely running rust bucket of a car. His livelihood depended on that car. It was the only means for him to get there, even though it often broke down, causing him often to almost lose his employment.

So every morning long before anyone else was even up, the man packed all that he would need for the trip, and took off down the road in a cloud of smoke that would obscure him from sight the further he would go. Late at night, he would return exhausted, only to have to do the needed repairs on the car so that he could make the trip the next day.

One day, as the man pulled over on the side of the road to make some repairs so that he could continue on his journey, a kindly man in tattered clothes walked up to him, seemingly from nowhere. "I've been watchin' ya make this trip every day. Been lookin' at ya from my porch over there," he said, pointing to a run-down shack just off the highway behind some trees. "I feel sorry for ya with this no-luck car that ya got, so I'd like to help ya," he continued. "In that barn over there," he turned and pointed to a barn that looked even worse than the house, "I got me this limo. It's yours if ya want it cuz I don't use it no more. I'll even drive ya wherever ya gotta go if ya want me to. Got nothin' better to do."

"Get away from me, old man," the traveler spat with impatience. "I have enough trouble without someone like you making promises that you can't keep." With that, he returned to the well-worn muffler to reattach it.

The next day from his front porch, the kindly man sat and watched as the beat up jalopy hobbled its way down the road again. Shaking his head in sorrow for the embittered traveler, he headed toward the barn to polish the new limo he had inherited, wondering how he might use it to help someone that day.

How often do we, as husbands and fathers, respond in the same way to God’s offer to be in charge of every situation we face?

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

12/08/23 Designed Moments

“Treasure every moment I give you. I have created them with My own hand. I have made them especially for you until We are joined forever. Seek Me as to what you are to do. Seek Me, so that you can know your purpose for living. I will show you what I plan to accomplish through you. There is purpose in it all. Waste no moments. They are Mine. Use them as I have designed you to use them.”

Matt.7:13-14 NIV

13) “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

14) But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Col. 4:5-6 AMP

5) Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity.

6) Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you].

Those who are aware of the times and seasons in which we live are divided into two groups. One group is preparing with moderate zeal because they understand how wonderful it would be to be part of what might soon take place. They are flowing in their usual “this is gonna be good for me” attitude and believe that it will be adequate for whatever happens, whenever it happens.

The other group, those of you who have chosen to live as Jesus lived, have heard the same call, only you have learned from intimate times with the Father that compromise is not part of the character of Jesus. You know that the kind of heart that finds satisfaction in anything other than the Father’s will is in no way similar to Jesus’ heart.

You have learned that it is important to the Father that Jesus recognize Himself in those who are waiting and/or working for Him. You know that responding to the present call to intimacy is important to God and are willing to do so for no other reason than to glorify the Father and please Jesus. You know that falling in love with Jesus, a vital and often missing part in the fulfillment of God’s plan, is necessary and you desire to do what it takes to go there.

Make my days count, Lord,

Jim Corbett

12/08/23 New Game Plan

As important as game plans are, the wise person considers other options when the plan in use no longer works. He will rethink the game to see if it has changed. If it has, for whatever reason, he will modify his plans to overcome the change and win.

How is your marriage and family game plan working? Have you analyzed your strategies in light of the changes that are happening throughout the world? Is the game plan you’ve been using going to allow you, your marriage, and your family to succeed when others around you fail?

God knows the end from the beginning. He knows how to win. He knows what it will take for you to walk in His wisdom and power to win any game at any time. He is waiting for you to come to Him with the challenges you face. He delights in the fact that you seek Him.

Go over your family game plan with God. Ask Him if changes are needed for you and your family to overcome the world, as it reels out of control and changes the game. Find His answers and walk in His Holy Spirit, guiding others to do the same. By His side and undergirded with His love, you will win!

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

12/07/23 A Sealed Heart

“Have you noticed that I care little about the reputation or acceptance of those whom I use mightily? Have you also noticed that people who look for fame of any kind, even in very small circles, are eventually set aside, their ministry nullified? They may seem as if they are prospering for a while, even a long while; but their effectiveness is minimal compared to what it could be if their hearts were fully surrendered to Me. I am building surrendered vessels with servant hearts to accomplish My plan. The visible leaders, those who have vied for position and recognition, will be surprised to see whom I choose to equip with My power and My presence. My work is being done in the secret places of your heart. It is being refined in the submitted heart, not the one that craves attention.

"My Holy Spirit is working in the deep parts of My true servants. You are being refined in the fire of adversity over and over. Some of you have almost given up and given in, because of the intensity of the trials that you have gone through. Sometimes, it has felt that I have forgotten about you, and even left you. Nothing could be further from the truth. You are My precious, refined representatives. You are the ones that are being purified. You are the ones that are becoming dead to this world and alive to Jesus. I will soon be able to trust you. Have you noticed recently how little it takes to move you? You hear Me whisper and respond naturally. Have you noticed that you are becoming less and less enchanted with fame, position, or worldly trappings? That is some of the completed work that I have done in you.

"I am now going to take you to a depth of relationship with Me that you never thought possible. I am going to seal your heart and weld it to Mine. This quiet work will be accomplished in secret places so that I will have your full attention, so that you will not be distracted by the worldly influences within My church. You will be separated and taught at My hand from My heart. Discard traditions and meet with Me in the secret place to find truth. Soon, the pain of training will be replaced by the wonder of My presence. People will notice you, but you will not be swayed by their adulation. Soon, you would rather die than take any part of My glory. I will be able to trust you with much.”

John 14:12-14 AMP

12) I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do: and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.

13) And I will do [I Myself will grant] whatever you ask in My Name [as representing all that I AM], so that the Father may be glorified and extolled in (through) the Son.

14) [Yes] I will grant [I Myself will do for you] whatever you ask in My Name [as representing all that I AM].

Gal.2:20 AMP

I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

A quiet power is being created within the true church of Jesus Christ. It is the fully released power of the Holy Spirit that is equipping the bride of Christ.

Before Jesus left, He said that we, (I believe that He was talking to all who truly love Him,) would do greater works than even He did. Looking historically, I don’t see that these greater works are the antics being done in certain “healing, prophetic, power, or miracle meetings,” where some well-known - or wannabe known - preacher, fully aware of the camera position, shares His anointing with Jesus. (Yes, I meant to say it that way.) That foolishness has little to do with what Jesus was talking about.

What is called power in today’s popular church circles is often choreographed showmanship or contrived manipulation, void of the character of Jesus. Please understand that I’m not talking about the honest moves of God that do follow the Word preached. I’m talking about the honor-grabbing, well-oiled salespeople who have Jesus and miracles as their product.

I am convinced that the greater works that Jesus was talking about happen mostly in no-name, unassuming places through honest hearts that most of us never hear about, such as the arenas all across the blood-soaked Roman Empire. As most of our New Testament was fostered by Paul’s isolation in a dank prison cell, the real work of the Lord is being done privately and without the fanfare that is normally associated with today’s ministries. Jesus escaped from the limelight as often as He could do so and still accomplish His Father’s will.

In the near future, I believe that the Lord will be using those who quietly and systematically represent Jesus every moment of their lives. Absolute obedience will be so natural that miracles, salvations, healings, and events only the Lord can develop will be everyday occurrences in the lives of those who are being trained at present.

Imagine the time when some of us raise someone from the dead in a shopping center and escape before anyone knows who was used by the Lord to do it. Consider the wonder when observers testify of the Name of Jesus being used by “this person who is no longer in the vicinity.” What about the time when we can once again gladly lay our lives down for the glory of God and have no desire that anyone even know about it?

I crave the day that our hearts are pure enough to flee from any form of flattery or the desire for any portion of God’s glory. That is the day that our Lord will be able to trust us with even “greater things” once again.

My Lord, stop the foolishness in my life,

Jim Corbett

12/07/23 Above the Crowd

Lives that are significant to God are always found when we choose to walk above the fears, habits, social norms, and dictates of the crowd. That kind of life is acquired by spending time in the presence of God - learning His ways, enjoying His companionship, and allowing Him to impart His life to you.

The “I do nothing of Myself” lifestyle of Jesus seems impossible to live at first, until we find that lifestyle to be the safest, most productive avenue we’ve ever known. To lay down our own will and strength and do the Father’s will in His strength is a road map to experiencing the most profound kind of success because it is eternal.

As a husband and father, your job is to find a way to guide those in your care to a walk above the crowd and its bondages. You have the privilege of accessing the wisdom of God to accomplish your task. Jesus certainly walked above the crowd. Because of the cross, you have that same capability if you go to the true source of power and life as He did. If you choose His ways, the world can’t really touch you and yours, because they can’t reach as high as you are living. They’re not capable of breathing the air that you and your family breathe above the crowd with Him.

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

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