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2/19/22 Your Privilege

Men, do you remember those cute little things that you loved when you first met your wife that now drive you nuts? Remember when you were so much in love that she could do nothing wrong? Remember when all your conversations about her were glittering with accolades and glowing with wondrous praises? Has anything changed?

If things have become complacent in your marriage, you now quietly put up with those quirks, and you have few glorious praises about your wife before others because the glow of her wealth has worn off, she is not wrong - you are. If you minimize her in any way because she has flaws in your eyes, you don’t understand your office as a husband.

Here is your privilege, men! You are the only one in this world chosen by God to observe the imperfections of your wife. You are the only one in this world whom He trusts to prayerfully hold those imperfections before Him, so that she might become more like Jesus. He trusts you to never share them with others. God observes your wife as righteous and on her way to holiness. He observes her through the blood of Jesus. He is focused more on who she will become rather than on what she is not.

Satan loves it when married couples pick each other apart by bringing up each other’s flaws. Unwise couples fall for his plan, and minimize the impact their marriage could have in the world. Wise men and women understand that the limitations they have the privilege of seeing in their spouse are wonderful opportunities to hold that person before the Lord for his or her best interest. It is one of the highest privileges given in marriage. How are you doing with that?

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

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2/18/22 Extraordinary Ways

“Are you willing to carry the weight of the needs of others? Do you really care about your friends to the point that you are willing to do without so that they might prosper? What about those who offend or actually hate you? Will you pour out your life in some way that they might spend time with Me for eternity? Jesus did!”

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.”

Matthew 11:12 KJV

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Matthew 16:22-23 NIV

22) Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

23) Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

Matthew 16:24-25 AMP

24) Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also].

25) For whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [life everlasting].

 

The above verses seem to be unlikely candidates to use when talking about blessing someone. They are, however, very appropriate when you consider where our real battles lie. In the spiritual realm, the most violent spiritual actions take place in the dark kingdoms whenever someone lives out the character of Jesus.

Jesus destroyed the death grip of selfishness, independence, and the rebellion against God’s ways by giving up everything He owned, even His own life. The Christ-like character traits of obedience, servanthood, selflessness, submission, and a love for others greater than a love for ourselves are in opposition to the rebellious nature that separated us from God in the Garden of Eden. Abiding in Christ means walking with the same heart motives He has. As you walk in His kind of love, you are violently and aggressively opposing the dark realms of the spirit and continually advancing the work of the cross through the power of Jesus.

Your ways are extraordinary, Lord,

Jim Corbett

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2/18/22 What Does Your Wife Need?

As a husband, your position is one of service, never dominance. If you really understand Ephesians 5, you will see that you are to lay down your life for your wife in the same way that Jesus laid down His life for you. He gave Himself up for you. In God’s eyes, loving your wife as Christ loved the church is the only reason you are to leave your father and mother and be married.

With that in mind, what does your wife need?  I don’t mean what does she want, but what does she need to help her become everything she is supposed to be in Christ? What kind of fertile soil are you providing for her to prosper spiritually?

Your marriage relationship is to be an example of the relationship Christ has with the church. The world is supposed to see Jesus through how they perceive your interaction with your wife. How is that working for you? How do your actions toward your wife - caring for her spiritual life, placing her before yourself, communication to others about her - reflect the character of Jesus in front of others?

In general, men, the family is out of order in this world, mostly because men don’t comprehend the impact of their actions toward their wives. You as a man need to understand the spiritual implications of your husband to wife interactions. You need to know that interaction not only affects your whole family, it affects how those who are watching you see Jesus.  Your continual awareness of your wife’s needs is one of God’s ways of you fulfilling your offices of husband and father in His eyes. He considers it good stuff! Do you?

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

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2/17/22 God Loves to Intervene

“I want to be your only confidence in times of trouble. You need to work with Me towards that end. Do you have any comprehension of how much I love to intervene in your life when you are in peril? I train your heart if you are willing, prepare your spirit, and strengthen your resolve long before there is any sign of trouble, so that you are ready when it comes. Then I am readily available to you to see you through it.

"Most of My children come to Me when trouble comes their way. For some it is the only time I can get their attention. They come, however, to have Me deliver them, not to help them walk through the circumstance. They miss so much when this happens. They miss all the work that I am doing in them, work deep within their inner being, to strengthen them for future perilous times. They miss the joy of seeing My plan unfold, because they are focusing on the circumstances and are blinded to My hand of power on their behalf.

"You, however, have been in training to know better. Walk in what you know at present and receive more of Me as trials come. Begin to rejoice in My deliverance, enjoy each step, and take pleasure as you see My way of bringing you through. Give Me time to work. Give My plan time to unfold. Watch as I eliminate the persons who persecute you. Marvel at how events come into play that fulfill My desired outcome. I have brought you through battles so many times already that by now you should almost enjoy the challenges presented, just so you can observe how I am going to prosper you this time.

"Rest in Me. Take comfort in My promises. Relax in My love for you. As the battle rages, you come with Me to a high place. I will show you the wonders of the places in which I dwell. I will give you rich nourishment, even while those who hate you flounder in their folly against you. Come with Me. I will show you My hand in action. I love you.”

Psalm 20:6-8 NIV

6) Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He answers him from His holy heaven with the saving power of His right hand.

7) Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the Name of the Lord our God.

8) They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.

 

It is amazing to see the hand of our Father at work as He frustrates the plans of those who come against us. It’s interesting to see the silly gyrations, controlling manipulations, and empty threats if you have found that place of safety in Him. All that happens holds only empty threats that become evident when observed from the lap of the Father.

In the many years that I have had the privilege of walking with my Lord, I have had countless opportunities of seeing His delivering hand.  After having been in so many battles, one would think that an image of strength similar to the “Rambo” character would emerge. Those who battle in their own strength take great pride in that kind of image. It only shows their ignorance of the Word and need for self-glorification.

True children of the Lord are very familiar with the path to the lap of Father God. They understand the power of His weapons and the wisdom of His plans. They have found that it is much more productive to allow the Lord to wage any war that might come against them, rather than attempt to quench the onslaught themselves, frantically calling for help while feverishly at work. The track record of the Lord immediately comes to the mind of those who have learned this lesson.

The view of any battle observed from our Father’s presence is a wonder to behold. The counsel of His heart overshadows every threat, the sound of His voice rings above the din, and the freedom of His love annihilates any foe. It is the only place for a child of Father God to rest as the battle rages.

Take my hand, Father,

Jim Corbett

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2/17/22 Leading Others to a Loving God

This relationship with God is all about love. While involved in the tangles of the jungle of this world, we so often forget why we serve God. Tasks and demands in this life tend to become priorities. Obligations and responsibilities of marriage and fatherhood sometimes become overwhelming.  All of this can cloud the main reason we serve God. That cloud can make us ineffective in leading others to Him.

Let’s remember so that we can tell others. Jesus chose to die because of His great love. God made that covenant with us because of His great love.  We can love others because we have the confidence that we are loved with an unquenchable, reliable love. God’s love will never let us go or forsake us. He will always be there for us no matter how many times we violate His love or our commitment to Him.

If you lead those around you in love as a husband and father, you will see incredible results with your efforts to show them Jesus. If you love others even with a modicum of the love that has been given to you, many will be unable to resist the One Who has placed that love in you.  It costs you nothing; give it a shot!

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

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