Tag: Bible

“There are those in this world who can hate much deeper than you are able to love. That is very important to know, because your ability to love is the only antidote for their hate. I have planned it that way. Any war, conflict, or separation is caused by a lack of love. It may appear on the outside as a situation of attempting to prove who is right or wrong. It may seem necessary to protect rights or territory, or separate the good from the bad; but the bottom line is always a lack of love displayed toward one another.

"You must grow in love—not the foolish, milquetoast emotion, but the kind of love displayed on the cross. Love enough to consider nothing as your own. Love with a passion. Consider the hatred of your enemy as weakness, not strength, for that is what it is. It is an absence of My strength and My presence when anyone hates, no matter how it is disguised. Most wars are implemented as just causes and presented as important, because they attach My Name to them. It is the foolish, blind heart that initiates conflict in My Name. I am never with them. They are simply using Me to cover up their real agenda of hatred and confusion. I am not at war with anyone; I have already won.

"In the coming times, you will see My plan for your world played out and implemented by those who do not understand what real love is. I am using their hatred to cause everything to fall in place. You will have choices to make because you are Mine. You can be part of the conflict, or you can be part of My solution for the hating heart. Your best weapon during the coming times is My kind of love. Study it. Practice it. Look to Jesus and His life. He showed you how to win any war.”

Exodus 33:13-16 NIV

13) “If I have found favor in your eyes, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

14) The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

15) Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.

16) How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

Eph. 5:1-2 AMP

1) THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].

2) And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.

I Peter 4:8 AMP

Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].

 

So often, when we get caught up in the emotion of a situation, season, or cause, we become blind to God’s perspective and fail to practice His kind of love. Have you ever really questioned how the early followers of Christ could freely give away all their possessions, be at peace when imprisoned, and die in the arenas praising God? Have you ever compared their kind of strength to our puny kind of life, as we say that we are “in Christ”? The answer is simple. They understood what love really is; we do not!

We willingly hate our brothers or sisters in Christ if they offend our pride, our rights, or our established territory. We will throw away family or friends for the sake of our own gain, caring little that we have stepped far beyond the limits of the character of Christ in doing so. We will hate anyone who hates us, justifying our doing so by telling ourselves that our side is right, and thinking that God is with us when He is not with anyone who hoards or hates.

Soon, every one of us will be tested for who we really are. Those of us who have been playing games with God to suit our own needs will be exposed. How will we fare? Will we look like Jesus during those tests, or just like those who hate us, while using His Name to justify the hatred in our own hearts?

Help me, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“Jesus is Lord! That is an unbreakable, immovable law, established in the heavenlies forever. It is a pivotal truth that is counted on by all the systems I have established. Nothing moves anywhere without relying upon that promise and the implementation of that established fact.

"In your world, the word “Lord” has been diluted to the extent that few really understand its meaning. It has almost become a phrase used flippantly within My church, casting aside the immense power associated within its meaning. One simple demonstration. I ask you to say out loud that “Jesus is Lord” when you first come to Me. All heaven is poised to welcome you—someone who is completely transformed from one who is unable to come near Me because of your fallen nature into the perfect character of Jesus—the moment you say the words from your heart. Think of it. Your eternal well-being is dependent upon the power of the truth of His Lordship and is implemented simply by saying heartfelt words.

"That is only the beginning. The truth of His Lordship implements order and establishes truth for everything that exists. Allow Me to reveal the Lordship of Jesus into every fiber of your being. Allow Me to show you the fullness of that truth. Allow Me to bring you into a working knowledge of the impact that such wisdom has. You will enter into the realm of heavenly truth that is greater than you have ever imagined as you move in it. You will see who you really are, and the immeasurable wealth of really knowing the wonder of Who you are following.”

Romans 10:9-10  NIV

9) That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10) For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

 

I tremble as I attempt to comment upon the truth of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I’m sure that I have not begun to understand the depth of this topic. I can, however, pass on to you my firsthand knowledge of what I’m sure is an infinitesimal portion of its immeasurable wealth and power. (Please don’t flood me with personal doctrinal issues. That is not the point of this demonstration.)

Over the many years that I have been in ministry, I have been called upon to give counsel to many hurting Christians. In the beginning of this journey, I would find myself addressing the myriad of problems presented, a direction that seemed logical and proper. I found out, however, that few lasting changes occurred—no matter how much I talked, used scripture, and prayed. There may have been temporary changes because the Word was implemented, but lasting changes eluded me over and over again.

In one of these sessions with someone, who had been a Christian for many years but had little or no fruit to show for it, the Lord prompted me to ask the question, “Is Jesus your Lord?” The question seemed ridiculous at the time, as this person traveled to almost every church service, stood in every prayer line, and attended almost every available Bible study. She even took offense when I asked. Her response, however, made me dig deeper. She said, almost defiantly, “I’ve been following Him for many years.”

I didn’t understand the importance of that question until the Holy Spirit had me begin to pray for her. In subsequent meetings, He had me reveal the truth of the meaning of Lordship to her through the Word, and the need for her to submit to the Lordship of Jesus in her life. One eventful day, as the Holy Spirit graciously moved on her, she tearfully surrendered, and made Jesus Lord over every fiber of her being. From that moment on, she was completely changed. Her problems faded, and her life became an example of the testimony of the wonderful work of the cross and its power. She eventually became a spiritual leader, full of the hope in the Word and a demonstration of the fullness of the life available to all believers.

Over the years, I have seen this same demonstration countless times. Our enemy has had the church, in general, invite people to “altar calls” that allow them to be forgiven for their sins. People delightfully respond to these calls to be forgiven, but never address the issue of Lordship. The idea of forgiveness is incredibly inviting, but the issue of full submission—making another the Lord over your life—takes a depth of commitment that few new believers are made aware of.

When the emotional high of being forgiven wears off, the “saved” person usually flounders around the perimeter of some church until they fall through the cracks, confused and hurting. A worse scenario is when they meld into a cold, dead, religious environment, making little eternal difference, and helping to reproduce their frozen spiritual lives in their “converts.”

In days past, a “tarrying” bench was placed in front of some churches. When the conviction of the Holy Spirit came upon people, they moved to that bench to deal with the issue of Lordship once and for all. Sometimes it would take hours or even days, but when the individuals moved from that place of commitment, they understood that they had given every aspect of their lives to the One Who is Lord. They were no longer their own. From the single moment of full submission, it showed through them to everyone that crossed their paths.

You are my Lord, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“As We are becoming closer, there are several necessary steps you must take so that you might move more freely with Me. To begin with, I want you to make a list of everyone who has offended you or caused you harm to the point where you cannot let it go, or who is still controlling your emotions in any way by their former or present actions. I want you to tell Me everyone against whom you are holding a grudge or have any unforgiveness for in your heart. You are sinning against Me by holding their offenses against them.

"Present your sin to Me. You need to forgive them. I will hold you close as you do this, so do not be afraid. Next, in your time, we will deal with them. As you bring them to Me, I will heal your wounds and place forgiveness in your heart toward the offender. This could take time, so allow Me to give you power to make every presentation. Hold on to My love and have no fear. What has held you in bondage for so long will finally be removed. You will be set free.

"Here is something that you need to know. Unforgiveness is bondage. You are the one who is held immobilized when you hold anything against another. You may think that you are in control of the other person when you hold his offense against him, but the reverse is always true. You live daily with what he may have forgotten long ago, so you are the only one affected by your dark heart. Determine to forgive now. It is one of the first steps to freedom and it releases My power to work through you.”

Matthew 6:14-15 NIV

14) “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

15) But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

 

Some of the most miserable people I have ever seen are those who will not forgive offenses. Look at the nations, the countries, and the rivalries of the world. Forgiveness, even from one of the parties, would end confrontations.

Few of us realize that we are the only ones hurt when we hold any offense against the offender. A person full of unforgiveness is often difficult to be with, needs to be in control; and is more than likely overly-sensitive in other areas. His life gets out of order until the sin is dealt with. It is the “one sin judging another sin” foolishness that brings us difficulties and separates us from God. Our sin can even make us sick.

Someone once said, “Forgiveness is the ardent desire to bear the consequences of another person’s sin.” Jesus’ death and resurrection was the epitome of forgiveness. Even from the cross, He loved. When He forgave, He overcame.

If we look at unforgiveness as sin—a sin that is covered by the cross—we can deal with it just like any other sin, and go to God for His forgiveness. Then we will be set free.

Make my list for me, Lord; and show me if I am sinning against another,

Jim Corbett