“Have you noticed that many more of you are confirming My teachings one to another? That shouldn’t surprise you. As you draw close to Me, My voice becomes clearer; My heart becomes more visible. I am proclaiming My heart to those who have decided to set aside the things of the world and focus on My desires. You will hear what I have to say from several different sources in different ways, but by the same Holy Spirit. It is My way of allowing you to walk in confidence. It is also a way for you to see those who are part of My plan in these days.
"The gap between those members of My body who are preparing for themselves, and those who are preparing for the fulfillment of My plans will be ever-widening as time passes. You must discern who is hearing from Me and who is closing their ears to My heart. You will need to know who is moving with Me, so that you and they can walk together. It is important to love every brother and sister, but it is also important to know who is walking in the same direction as you are.
"Find those of like heart and align yourselves with them. Grow with them. Seek Me with them. Submit yourselves to an accountability that takes the form of service to them. When it is paramount that you trust others for your safety, you will know who they are. You will already be walking with them. Best friends do not violate a trust.”
Ps. 94:11-13a AMP
11) The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are vain (empty and futile—only a breath).
12) Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whom You discipline and instruct, O Lord, and teach out of your law.
13a) That you may give him power to keep himself calm in the days of adversity…
Prov. 16:1-3 AMP
1) THE PLANS of the mind and orderly thinking belong to man, but from the Lord comes the [wise] answer of the tongue.
2) All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (the thoughts and intents of the heart).
3) Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.
Amos 3:3 NLB
“Can two walk together without agreeing on the direction?”
Acts 15:37-40 NIV
37) Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them,
38) but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.
39) They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,
40) but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
In a season when trustworthy friendships were very important for safety; but more importantly when the work required was at stake, Paul found little comfort in unity at the risk of his life or God’s purposes. He saw the fruit of Mark’s heart when the going got rough and made a call that caused sharp disagreement between himself and Barnabas.
In today’s church, there is an underlying fear of calling it like it really is. So many of us have been taught not to judge others, that we have even thrown wisdom and discernment out the door. It may not be a problem when all is peace and safety, but that kind of thinking is foolishness when perilous times require accountability.
We need to face the fact that some members of the body of Christ are in fellowship for their own best interests. They have not responded to the present heralding to draw close and be equipped for what lies ahead. When they will be needed, many will sell out to their fears and emotions, rather than to the quieted and unfamiliar voice of the Lord in their lives. They will not be trustworthy, because they will not be able to hear the Lord clearly. To walk with them will possibly cause harm when true alliances are needed.
God is calling each of us close to Him. He is preparing us for these closing hours of time and equipping those of us who are responding to His call. He will show us others who are responding to that same call and will allow us to see their true heart motives. Violations of our trust are clear indications of improper motives. We should love the person, but recognize the sign and trust God’s reasons for showing us his or her heart.
Many will not understand the decisions that we are being called to make and the choices that we must implement if we are to be obedient to our Lord. When absolute obedience is demanded, they will not know how to respond nor understand our peace and positive direction.
Today is the day to find those of like Spirit, those responding to the call of the Lord. Soon, a floundering, selfish heart will be seen for what it really is. It will be foolish and time consuming to deal with it when much more important work is being required of us.
Make me trustworthy, Lord,
Jim Corbett
