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5/12/23 The Bad Guys

As men, we are taught to hold on to our own safety and make sure no one takes our stuff. Some time ago, the Lord startled me while I was in one of those quiet-almost-sleepy-could-really-be-dozing kind of prayer times. His voice was quiet and full of love. He said, "I want you to know that I love your most aggressive enemies as much as I love you. There is no one on the face of this earth that I wish would perish. I want you to pray for all those who hate Me. In fact, I want you to pray for anyone who will hate My children. Pray that they will be able to share My love."

Then things got personally serious. "I want you to pray for those who will kill you. I don't mean that someone is going to do that, necessarily; but I want you to have the heart that would care about their salvation more than you care about your own life." By now, I was awake. Pray for someone who hated me enough to kill me! Love others - even the bad guys?

The Lord then reminded me of His actions on the cross. He had words of forgiveness for those who were spitting on Him and an attitude of great love for those who drove the nails in His hands. He told me to do the same with anyone who came against me. It was enough to remind me this life is not centered around my well-being. What a novel thought!

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

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5/11/23 Is It Worth It?

“If Jesus would return today, where would you stand? Do you think that you would go with Him, or would you be left behind? Let me ask you some questions? Is the priority of every moment of your life to submit to Him in every way, so that He comes back for an unblemished bride, without spot or wrinkle? Is looking for His return the most important thing in your life? Are you preparing for Him so that He is pleased, or so that you can go?

"Unfortunately, many in My church are filling their days by padding their comfort areas, instead of preparing for His return. You need to make sure that whatever you have in your hand is worth the price that you have placed on it. It may be far more expensive than you could possibly have guessed.”

Matthew 25:1-13 NIV

(1) “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

(2) Five of them were foolish and five were wise.

(3) The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.

(4) The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.

(5) The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

(6) “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

(7) “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.

(8) The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

(9) “ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you.  Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

(10) “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet.  And the door was shut.

(11) “Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’

(12) “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’

(13) “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

 

Many of us have become so involved in the things of this earth that we have forgotten what is of true value. I know of people who are very afraid of losing what they have, meaning material possessions. That is a fear that is very well-founded and guaranteed to come true. To place our confidence in anything that is not considered eternally valuable by the Lord is pure foolishness.

Anyone who is the least bit aware of the promised events that will take place in the season called the end times need only look around. Many changes in our lives could happen swiftly, leaving little or no time to prepare for them. I believe it would be wise to readjust our priorities if they are not in line with our Lord’s priorities.

Teach me what is of value to You, Lord,

Jim Corbett

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5/11/23 Easier to Do

As men, it’s easier to try to do something about all the brush fires we ignite with our spiritual ignorance than it is to become everything we’re called to be in Christ. Making something happen is far easier than waiting on God to direct our steps and completely oversee our lives, which allows us to avoid the many pitfalls the enemy has planned against our families.

Doing stuff to make things better in our own strength means we’ve unknowingly decided to make ourselves vulnerable to the traps set by the enemy against our families. It means we’ve reduced the outcome of our lives to the limitations of our own carnal thinking and insufficient power. It means we’ve offered the enemy an opportunity to attempt to override the plans God has for us and our families.  It means we’re in the world and of the world; and, therefore, incapable of winning any spiritual war waged against us. It means we’ve taken the well-traveled, easier road and chosen to walk in spiritual weakness.

On the other hand, becoming a true man of God and a mighty warrior means we’ve overcome and discarded the ways of the world. We’ve ceased to function in the realm of the enemy and have planted our flag in the kingdom of God by submitting to its guidelines in our lives. It means we’ve crucified the flesh, having gladly died to its demands and becoming fully submitted to the Lordship of Jesus over every area of our lives and the lives of our families. It means we’ve accepted God’s invitation into His throne room, which He can make our war room where nothing harmful prevails over us or those we love. Would you like to live there?

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

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5/10/23 Flowing in What We Love to Do

“Some of you have grown weary in My calling on your life. Some of you are still searching to find what that calling is. Soon, all of you will be needed to function in your gifts so that My work will be completed around you. To those of you who do not know specifically what your calling is, you need to rest in the fact that I know where you are at present; but understand that I have a specific mission for you. Search My heart. While you are waiting for specifics, function in love. Do not contrive some form of service in an attempt to please Me. Do not follow the fools who tell you to practice becoming someone I have not called you to be. Love Me; love people. Serve others at prayerful interludes. Above all, be at peace and seek My will. If you do these things, you will begin to flow in My anointing for you. It will come naturally, rather than contrived for My benefit or the benefit of others.

"Those of you to whom I have given a specific calling, do what it takes to develop that calling. Begin now if you are not already functioning in it. You do not want to waste another moment procrastinating or waiting for more signs from Me. I have shown you who you are. Function in what you love to do for the benefit of others, even if it doesn’t fit the mold that others attempt to place you in. That is more than likely My plan for your life. Make sure that what you do is in line with My Word and move forward. I will meet you to confirm your direction. If you are already moving with Me, seek Me to see if I intend to modify or amplify your mission in any way. I will continually be there for you as you walk with Me through the trials that are meant to refine you and expose your heart for service.

"Shake off any weariness. It is not of Me. Allow Me to show you how to let Me carry the weight of your anointing. Trust in Me with all your heart, and I will walk with you to complete your life’s work. I love you. Let’s have fun together as We love each other and those around us!”

Isa 30:20-21 AMP 

20) And though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide Himself any more, but your eyes will constantly behold your Teacher.

21) And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left.

John 20:21 NIV

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

2 Ti 1:6 NIV

For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

 

So often, the urgent smothers the important in our lives. What most of us tend to forget is that one day all the urgencies of today will fall away. That is not the time to discover that you’ve missed God’s calling on your life because you didn’t spend the time with Him to find out what He considered important for your life.

In trying to discover God’s calling on our lives, many function in busy work instead of God’s work. We stir up a lot of dust and have a modicum of success; but never really know if we are where He wants us to be. We may be involved in good things, but are they part of our specific calling?

On the other hand, some of us have determined in our own minds what our mission is and we’re waiting for the Lord to get in line with our wishes. That is never going to happen. More than likely, He has been dealing with our pride all along. Once that is recognized, He will be able to move us where we are intended to be.

Serving God is simply flowing in what we love to do if we have cultivated a life of waiting on God and His Word. As we spend time with Him, for His sake, He places desires in our hearts and then He fulfills them naturally and peacefully through us. There is no mystery to God’s anointing. It is present when we are in His will.

Be assured, God has a plan for your life. All of it is based on His love flowing through you to others. As you love as He loves, and care as He cares, you will thrive in your calling. Ministry will be happening.

Wanting only what my Father wants for my life,

Jim Corbett

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5/10/23 Action or Reaction?

Are you a man of action, or do you find yourself reacting to challenges that could have been avoided if you had engaged sooner? Preemptive prayer is an action that helps to create a smooth path for families to travel.

As I look around, I see so many marriages that appear to be on the verge of failing, or at best, things have dimmed over the years. I see children who’ve been overcome by the world, unaware of the bondage they’re in.  I also see husbands and fathers who’ve either given up long ago or are hopelessly looking for ways to get their families out of the mess they’re in. All they can do is react to the next emergency their family faces. They live the life of a blind guide, putting out fire after fire, while attempting to maintain some semblance of a Christian family.

I also notice the families of a praying husband and father. Sure, they have challenges; but what’s not seen is all of the enemy’s plans that have been destroyed long before they could take effect. What’s not seen is the aggressive posture the man of God has taken on behalf of those he stewards. What’s not seen is the “hands off my family” notice that’s been given to the enemy. What’s not seen is the supernatural hedge built around the family of the mighty man of prayerful action on their behalf. That man is you!

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

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