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1/23/21 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

1/22/21 For Your Good

“As I take you to places that refine you, you must know that I have not forgotten you, even though it may seem as if you are alone. How you respond during these trying times determines how long you must remain there. Squirming and complaining shows your immaturity. Attitudes of defiance or anger show how much work needs to be done in your heart. Lack of faith in Me should drive you to study My Word.

"Times of refinement are for your good. They allow you to see how far you really are from the way you should be if you are a follower of Jesus. They show you your self-focus. They reveal benchmarks of your spiritual life. During these times, repent of any areas that are out of line with My Word. Stop complaining and grow up! I am making you more like Jesus! You should be rejoicing about My love for you, not complaining about the fires that refine you.”

2 Cor. 7:10 NIV

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

Eph 4:12-13 AMP

12) His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church),

13 [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ and the completeness found in Him.

Hebrews 12:2 NIV

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…

James 1:2-4 NIV

2) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

3) because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

4) Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 4: 8-10 AMP

8) Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].

9) [As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins].

10) Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].

I Peter 4:12 AMP

Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality, as though something strange (unusual and alien to you and your position) were befalling you.

Rev. 3:19 AMP

Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude].

Show me Your perspective on everything, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/22/21 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

1/21/21 God’s Word

“You can rely on My Word. It is always true. He is always Truth. I am always Faithful.”

Psalm 111:2 NIV

Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.

Ephesians 3:14-19 NLT

14) When I think of the wisdom and scope of God’s plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,

15) the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.

16) I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.

17) And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love.

18) And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.

19) May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Few of us realize the wealth that we have because of the integrity of God. As the world reels in deception upon deception, attempting to form some semblance of order in which they can live, we have the Word of God - absolute, reliable Truth.

Thank You, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/21/21 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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