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1/16/23 The Turning Point

In all of our lives, there are decisions, milestones, intersections, and crossroads that determine direction for us and our families. They have either a positive or negative impact on those around us, depending on our spiritual maturity. As men, we are to guide the ones we steward with the wisdom we gain in fellowship with our Father and by the power of the Holy Spirit. The closer we are to the Lord and the more we listen to His counsel, the better our loved ones will fare.

In every life, there are at least two turning points, specific times when our life direction and our priorities change. The first is the decision to make Jesus the Lord over everything in our lives. That decision brings the most important relationship possible to our lives and sets us on a new and wonderful direction with God as our Father, Jesus as our Lord, and the Holy Spirit as our guide.

The second most important turning point is the one in which we determine in our hearts to walk in the kingdom of heaven with God in Christ while on this earth. That decision sets us on a course to overcome all the hazards and challenges the world has to offer. Although we have been made spiritual beings through submission to the Lordship of Christ, most of us walk with one foot in the world, listening and functioning in the atmosphere of flesh and blood, and one foot attempting to follow God. We are spiritual beings in a physical world, attempting to listen to both sides of every issue that arises.

This second turning point - the decision to follow only God, walk as Jesus walked on this earth, and listen only to His Father’s heart - sets us free. Although we remain in the world, when we choose to function in the kingdom of heaven’s spiritual atmosphere with its limitless power, eternal focus, and perfect direction for this life, nothing can touch us. We become immune to the hazards of this world, and embraced by everything God is and has done through the cross of Christ. We become spiritual beings who are focused on the spiritual world we belong in through the work of Jesus. Which kingdom do you choose?

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

1/14/23 God’s Real Church

“Passion and zeal are two elements that I choose for you to put back into your life with Me. I want you to set aside all distractions and focus on the specific calling that I have given you. Determine in your heart to follow My instructions carefully as I lead you through these final steps, leading to the coming of My Son. Build on what I have taught you, hone your defenses, polish your spiritual weapons, and rethink your commitment.

"Ten percent OF you is not enough to accomplish what I have planned FOR you. I am giving you new commands that will require you to step out of the well-worn patterns that have held My people in bondage for too long. If I prosper you, it is not so that you can build bigger and serve yourself more. It will be for you to place vast amounts of wealth into the hands of those who will reach people in powerful ways designed by Me.

"The old ways are limited, and some are hindered by self-serving interests. I am about to reach large amounts of people in a small amount of time. If I call you to minister, sell out to Me in a way that is beyond your ability. Cry out to Me for My ability. It is the only way to accomplish spiritual callings. If I call you to prayer, pray empowered by My Spirit and move in My presence. The times of tolerating My complacent church are over. Anyone who chooses to stay there will find himself walking in the flesh in an attempt to appear spiritual.

"To My real church, these efforts will appear comical, and you will separate yourself from them. To the world, they will appear as the foolishness they are. You who have ears to hear, join Me where I am now! Continue with Me where I am going. Move with Me or be left behind with the cold and the dead.”

Rev. 2:3-5 AMP

3) I know you are enduring patiently and are bearing up for My name’s sake, and you have not fainted or become exhausted or grown weary.

4) But I have this [one charge to make] against you: that you have left (abandoned) the love that you had at first [you have deserted Me, your first love].

5) Remember then from what heights you have fallen. Repent (change the inner man to meet God’s will) and do the works you did previously [when first you knew the Lord], or else I will visit you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you change your mind and repent.

Rev. 3:15 AMP

I know your [record of] works and what you are doing; you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot!

I don’t believe that many of us really understand our responsibility as Christians. We have lived under God’s grace for so long that complacency has set in and spiritual zeal is nowhere to be seen. Holiness is thought of as an unreachable goal, designed for the past saints of God, those who lived during Jesus’ time.

In most areas, our ignorance of God’s ways has gone beyond immaturity, past selfishness, and deep into dead-cold religion. We have the audacity of believing that only ten percent of anything we earn is God’s but claim that He is the One who has prospered us. We claim to praise Him in our services but fail to spend time with Him when we are alone. Love is one of the main elements of what we believe, but the simplicity of loving one another evades us. Most foolish of all, we submit to traditions and beliefs designed by empty preachers and cold denominations that have little to do with the heart of God. Holiness is not even a consideration for most of us.

I’m convinced that our Lord is just about through using and including those of us who have responded irresponsibly to being entrusted with His work. We - as stewards, leaders, preachers, and teachers - have failed to respond to the heart of God; and He is about to replace us with responsible servants if we don’t change. Time is too short, and the wooing is too clear for Him to wait much longer.

Needing to set aside what does not matter and embrace what is important to my Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/14/23 Are You Doing or Becoming?

Most men are doers! We take pride in our accomplishments because society has trained us to do so. Our dads were taught to do, and passed that mentality on to us just as their dads did.

In Christ, however, the Holy Spirit is teaching us to become like Jesus. Anybody can do. Few can completely change who they are and become something else. That can only be done by the power of the Holy Spirit, Who changes our very nature. He will only do it if we submit to His hand upon us.

Doing for the Lord is easy. All we have to do is serve someone or some cause in our spare time. Most of the church delights in doing for the Lord, thinking that’s where His heart is. Sometimes with great zeal they take on what they feel may be a passion of God’s heart. Their activity may have some merit; but if their zeal gets in the way of their becoming like Jesus, they’re wrong.

Becoming like Jesus takes many quiet times of waiting on God. It takes many times of denying the urge to do something, even something good, to sit in His presence. To find His heart changes you. That’s why the enemy delights in keeping us so busy that we have little time to wait on God and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to our inner being, changing it to look more and more like Jesus. Only the laying down of our urges, the putting to death our flesh, transforms us into His likeness. Waiting quietly before the Lord makes us becomers.

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

1/13/23 Needing God Desperately

“Practice My presence. Learn how to comfortably be with Me. Make Our time together a priority of your days. It is a formula for an intimacy that will be needed in the time to come. Those who really know Me will be the extension of My love in times when love is absent in the world. You will have answers when truth is rare. Come close to Me and hear My heart. Come close to Me and see My love. I will share Who I am with you and who I desire you to become. Jesus paved the way for you. Come to Me now!”

Ex. 33:14 NIV

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

2 Chr. 16:9 NIV

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him...”

Ps. 46:10 AMP

Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!

Ja. 4:8a AMP

Come close to God and He will come close to you.

Becoming comfortable in the presence of the Lord is a concept that is not often talked about, because few people are really comfortable being with Him. Most of us understand the concept of His place as God. Most of us understand that we have access to Him because of the blood of Jesus.

Few of us understand, however, that the blood of Jesus allows us to come to Him as part of our heritage. We have inherited the same access to Him that Jesus has because we come in His Name. In covenant, we can do that! Never will He deny us access to His heart. We are always welcome.

Maybe it’s time that we go to Him just because we can, rather than go to Him for things. Maybe just being with our Abba is the most important reason we should desire to be with Him. Maybe everything else will fall in place in our lives when we cherish our time with Him more than anything else we desire.

Make my heart Yours, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/13/23 Be a Servant Leader

There is no greater example of the character of Christ being displayed than one who serves another. In the family dynamic, nothing speaks louder than example, especially examples of service. Even the hardest of hearts notices someone walking the walk of Christ-like behavior instead of simply talking the talk.

Bottom line, Father God is looking for a marriage that is the example of Christ and His church, and children who overcome the world just as Jesus did. As a father, there is no better way to tell them of His ways than by showing them how He lived and what He stood for. Your walk of servanthood leads them to His life.

It might be wise to define servanthood. A servant isn’t someone who displays whimsical attitudes and selfish, uncaring actions. A servant holds a heart position of loving someone more than himself and his own desires. It means living for the best interests of those around him. It means having the inner strength to deny self for the good of another. It is overcoming the world in the strength of Jesus by walking in the kingdom of heaven on this earth with Christ as your only guide. A true servant is a powerful leader under the complete control of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was the best servant leader Who ever lived. Will you allow Him to live His life through you?

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

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