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12/31/20 What’s Going On?

A while ago, my family and I had the opportunity of having the Lord seemingly remove just about everything from us for about two-and-a-half years - friendships, finances, ministry. Sometimes it felt as if even His presence had left us. What were we going to do with that? We'd be the first to say that we spent a lot of the time simply surviving. If I could go back, that would be something I would like to have changed.

What impression did we make on those around us? It's hard to say because hardly anyone seemed to really want to talk about it. It probably didn't make any sense to most, and those that decided they "knew" what God was doing with us walked away. I don't think the world found our circumstances so strange, but the church did. (Isn't that interesting?)

Being relieved of most everything you're used to gives you the opportunity to ask yourself some valid questions. What is my picture of God, and is it accurate? What is suffering and how does God use it with those who are His? The point I'm coming to is that we, as a body of believers, need to have an accurate picture of God and an accurate view on His working in our lives, especially if we're going to share them with others. Being "blessed" continually is not an indicator that all is well, just as suffering is not necessarily an indicator that you're out of God's will.

The life of the believer here on earth is a totally submissive crucified life. God knows what it will take to accomplish that in each of us. Do we blow it along the way? Yes. God has taken that into account in His dealings with us. Keep going. God is in the business of putting an accurate picture of Himself in your life, not only for your sake, but for the sake of others. And isn't that an answer to your prayers?

"Lord, please don't take me out of the refiner's fire until Your goals are accomplished." That's hard to pray, but so rewarding!

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

12/30/20 Would You?

“Would you do what I asked you to do, if nobody thought it was worthwhile? Would you be satisfied if no one recognized your work for Me? How would you fare if everything you were called to do was never heralded, seemed to have no effect, and fell on deaf ears? Would you continue to do it simply because I asked you to do so? I need you to answer “yes” to these questions. If you can answer “yes,” I can use you. I need you to be a willing heart devoted to Me. I will determine what is truly successful. You simply be obedient.”

I Sam. 15:22 NIV

But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”

Rom. 9:21 NIV

Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?

1 Cor. 4:2 AMP

Moreover, it is [essentially] required of stewards that a man should be found faithful [proving himself worthy of trust].

Col. 3:23 AMP

Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,

In our world of logical, reasonable, and approved by the masses, there is little importance placed on simple obedience. In the time I have known the Lord, He has often asked me to take steps that seemed illogical to me. Often, I have not had enough faith or courage to be obedient. I’m sure that I have missed out on some pretty incredible things because of my fears.

Sometimes, I have done what I am sure He told me to do, and from all appearances, the steps I took seemed like dismal failures. Other times, I looked like a fool in the beginning, but eventually became part of a miracle that He had planned all along. Most of the time, there has been little fanfare because of my obedience. Usually, it’s mighty quiet when I do what I am asked to do, almost as if obedience on my part was expected. Hmmmm!

Could it be possible that the Lord’s ways are higher than mine? Could He know the beginning from the end and does not need to share that part of His wealth with me? Maybe He wants me to trust Him, no matter what the outcome is concerning what He calls me to do. Ya think?

Thank You for being faithful, Lord,

Jim Corbett

12/30/20 Absentee Ballots

Are you sending absentee ballots to your wife and children? Do you love them from afar because you are too busy to spend the proper time with them so they can know a Christ-like husband and father? If you are, your priorities are out of order, no matter what’s getting in the way of an intimate spiritual relationship with your family.

Every moment you take away from being with them is a moment for the enemy to gain a foot hold, so you’d better make sure you’re doing something more important than being with your family. Your offices of husband and father hold the power to guide and protect those you steward. They prosper when you are obedient to God and do only what He asks you to do.

Providing for your family is necessary. Neglecting your godly commitments to your wife and children for the sake of more money, more personal esteem, or more success than you require is out of order. It’s out of line with the way your Lord wants you to spend your time. You may think you are becoming more successful, but I challenge you to ask the Lord how He sees the value of your time spent. Your family is counting on you!

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

12/29/20 Where God Is

“On what do you spend your days focusing? What is the result of your toil in those areas? Do you know that if you can be distracted from focusing on the things that I have for you, you will be led down many trails that are not designed for you? They will harm Our relationship. You need to know the importance of delighting in My Word. You need to keep your heart away from the enemy’s playground where struggle and strife dwell. In My presence, peace reigns. There is no room for lies, deceit, and murder. There is no time for hatred of any kind. Come back to where I am. I am not where others have tried to take you. Come and wait with Me while I destroy anything that is not of Me in your life. We will talk. You will be at peace once again.”

Jeremiah 2:13 NIV

“My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken Me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.”

Amos 5:4b AMP

…Seek Me [inquire for and of Me and require Me as you require food] and you shall live!

Mark 4: 24 AMP

And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you – and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.

If you and I are going to truly follow Jesus, we must begin to become wise to the tactics of the enemy of our souls. His tactics are designed to destroy our fellowship with our Father God. You can be sure that as soon as you decide to draw close to the Lord, many distractions will break loose all around you to bring you off your Father’s lap and out of His Word. Although masked in many forms, every one of them has that singular purpose.

It really is time for the remnant church to wake up and realize what is happening. Begin to ask honest questions of the Lord. What are the things that are keeping me from You, Lord? Into what trap have I fallen? Who or what is in my life to destroy me?

Do what it takes to find truth. Get wise counsel. Consume the Word. Spend whatever time needed to seek the will of your Lord. This is not some religious game that has gray conclusions. Make sure that any answer you receive lines up with the Word and then stand. You are too valuable, and time is too short for you to continue to fall for the schemes of anything that keeps you away from the Truth. Truth has a name - His Name is Jesus!

Show me Truth, Lord,

Jim Corbett

12/29/20 Higher Fences

Fathers, if you continually find yourself putting more restrictions on your children and applying stronger consequences to help them comply with what you feel is best, you’re doing something wrong. You can build higher and higher fences all you want as they continue to grow, but one day they’ll find a way over the fence into total rebellion.

Somehow, your children have been taught compliance under your stewardship. They get in line to avoid the consequences you set in place, but their hearts are wandering or maybe empty. Perhaps it’s time for you to get on your face before God and repent of your ways. Are you also walking in compliance before God, doing things to avoid consequences, rather than doing them because you love Him and want to please Him with your obedience? Is this somehow being communicated to your children and they’re just following your lead?

Fear not. As you spend time with God and your love for Him grows deeper, you will learn to walk in Christ-like obedience. Then you will be able to love and nurture your children into walking in genuine obedience through the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God will accomplish in them what the laws you’ve established can never do.

If it seems too late and your children are walking in full-fledged rebellion against you and God, your only recourse is to pray and intercede until they find freedom in Christ. They’re in rebellion in part because your priorities and/or methods have been out of order. Do you care enough to do what is necessary to help them? They need you!

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

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