Tag: Christianity

“I love you. I know that you have heard that before as one of those trite encouragements; but when I say that I love you, it means more than you could possibly realize. My love is not limited by your understanding. Think about this so that you might grasp a small corner of understanding. I have created your planet so that you might have a place to live while My salvation plan is being worked out. Air is made so that you might be able to survive. That is just the very beginning.

"My thoughts are always toward you. There is never a time when you are not in my heart. There is never a moment when I am not focusing on your needs. My attention is continuously toward you for your good. The kind of love that you can perceive does not resemble the all-encompassing, never tiring devotion that I have for you. If you ever would like to experience what My love really is, just ask Me. I will pour My love toward you in a season that you need it most. You must be ready to receive it or else you would be overcome. I would love to show a little more of My love to you each time you ask for it. Ask Me and you will never be the same.”

Eph. 3:17-21 AMP

17) May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love,

18) That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];

19) [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself!

20) Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]—

21) To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).

 

So often we are told, “This walk with the Lord is not about us, it’s about Jesus and the plans of God.” That is very true. Every one of us should get our eyes off ourselves and focus on what God is doing. We should not misuse His mercy and grace. He is not a push button God to be used for our every whim. Salvation is about His plans and not ours.

Something wonderful, however, is also true. This life with the Lord is about us. Father God formed us. He breathed His own life into us. His mercy never gives up on us. Jesus embraced agony for us. We are the focus of every Word in the Bible.

You are so valuable to God that everything stated in His Word is about His noticing you and me and our need of Him. Everything we read about has been done and is being done, so that we can have freedom in Him. Everything is about a loving Father releasing Himself to us so that we can prosper.

To understand that we are at the center of His attention is almost too much to comprehend. To grasp that nothing we could ever do could stop Him from loving us with His God kind of love – the kind that never gives up on us, never condemns us, always is for us - is enough to boggle our minds.

During one of those times that I was overwhelmed with this “trying to be good, becoming like Jesus stuff,” He impressed on my mind a small glimpse of His love and mercy. He showed me that in His plans, He goads us to the perfection of Jesus; but it is not our job to even attempt to get there. It is His job to take us there. He desires to do it all. The only thing we can do is submit to His working, and even that is done by His power. In the process, He said that all He wanted is to be with us. Everything that Jesus did was so that we could once again be with Him, available to and capable of receiving His love and attention.

The thought of the Creator of everything noticing us, caring for us, embracing us, having mercy on us, perfecting us; and, above all, loving us forever is quite overwhelming. That love, however, is the very core of the gospel. It is the essence of the character of our God. It is motivation for the cross, and we are the privileged recipients. What an astounding, glorious Lord! What a wonderful freedom!

Needing to remember to bask in His love and embrace His favor along the journey,

Jim Corbett

“Have you forgotten that your life is a legacy? It really has purpose! Each day is ordained to have you fulfill My plan in your midst. Each moment has been given to you by My hand. Use them wisely. One day you will be held accountable for what you have been given.

"How have you used what was Mine? How have you given it back to Me? Was whatever I gave you returned to Me full of eternal purpose? Do you ask Me to bring My wealth to whatever you do so that your plans line up with My Word? You should, you know. Your life will line up with My Word if you do. That brings eternal purpose to your days. That becomes a worthwhile legacy!”

Proverbs 16:9 AMP 

A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.

Proverbs 20:24 AMP 

Man’s steps are ordered by the Lord…

Isaiah 30:21 NIV

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

8) “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.

9) “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Colossians 3:1-3 NIV  

1) Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

2) Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

3) For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

 

So often the cares of this life and our focus on our old sin nature obscure what our real life is and who we really are. We have been bought by God. We represent Him. His days have real purpose; so should ours. Keith Green summed everything up when he sang, “Make my life a prayer to You…”

Make every moment of my life a prayer to You, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“Do you find pleasure in serving Me? Do you delight in being with Me or do you come to Me only when you have need or because you feel obligated to do so? If so, you are missing so much! You have misunderstood why I have called you to Me. I have designed you to need Me as much as you need air to breathe. I have created Our relationship so that you can be fulfilled. I delight in being with you.

 "Because of the cross and the life and work of Jesus, you are welcome to come to Me any time, all the time. I want you to enjoy Our time together. I want you to miss these times and hurry to get back to Me when you find yourself busy with the things of your world.

"Isn’t it time that you had some real joy in your life, no matter what challenges you are facing? True joy comes from Our time together. Stop being robbed of the incredible life I have for you. Come to Me, knowing that I am eagerly anticipating Our time together.”

 Gen. 1:31 AMP 

And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it completely….

Proverbs 18:10 NIV

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

Matthew 19:14 NIV

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Mark 6:30-32 NIV 

30) The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught.

31) Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

32) So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.

 

The Holy Spirit is wooing the church of Jesus Christ to prepare as a bride would prepare for a coming wedding of hearts. Through trials, tribulations, and extreme challenges, He is posturing each of us to get our priorities straight. By leading us to the end of ourselves and placing a new hope in those who will listen, He is calling us to set aside all of the ways of the world and embrace the ways of Jesus as our only reason for living. In doing so, we will be prepared for His coming and able to overcome the hazards that are soon to come our way.

This call is a call to holiness - a pursuit oftentimes not considered attainable or even a necessary part of every Christian’s heart - which will initiate a bridal heart desire that will allow the Lord to live His passionate life through devoted, surrendered vessels. It can be one of the most exciting adventures of your life if your heart’s desire is to increasingly make room for more of the most priceless treasure ever given to anyone – Jesus Christ. As you respond to the heart of God and increasingly develop a posture of waiting for Jesus’ timely return, you will then guide others to His heart as more hear the same call.

Call me over and over until I understand, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“You have been given access to Me in the Name of Jesus. It is the only name that is powerful enough to accomplish that access. I send you to others in the Name of Jesus. It is the only name powerful enough to break down all the barriers that would hinder your representation of truth to them.

"Jesus! The single name that spans all time, the Name from eternity past to all of eternity future. Your world was changed by it. You even count down the time waiting for His return to you by events that He has established. Jesus - the Name that is above every name ever given. Jesus: whisper it, speak it, shout it from the rooftops, and weep in praise when it passes your lips. Jesus! Your Very Soon Coming King!”

Mark 9:41 AMP 

For I tell you truly, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to and bear the name of Christ will by no means fail to get his reward.

John 16:23 AMP

And when that time comes, you will ask nothing of Me [you will need to ask Me no questions]. I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that My Father will grant you whatever you ask in My Name [as presenting all that I AM].

Eph. 1:21 AMP

…Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come.

Phil. 2:9 AMP

Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name.

 

Our whole Bible is focused on one very precious Name and the single most important event in the history of all mankind. Jesus is the promised Messiah and Redeemer of all mankind from Genesis to Revelation. He is the highest Name above all names and the Eternal Lord. No other name is as important in all of eternity past and through all of eternity future. He is Jesus.

How privileged we are to be called by His Name, allowed to function in His Name, receive mercy and grace at the throne of the Father because of His blood and His Name; and be able to call upon His Name whenever needed. Think about it. The One who is far above every other name still knows us by name.

Thank You, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“My gifts to you sometimes come in the form of great trials and hardships.  I know that it is hard for you to see My love in difficult circumstances, but from the heavenly perspective it is the greatest kind of love. Look at it this way. I know what you are about to face in this life. I know where your weaknesses are, and I also know where you are vulnerable to attack. If I didn’t strengthen you in those areas, what kind of love would that be?  It would be no love at all, but very much like an uncaring friend.

"I am training you for My ministry of reconciliation. That is why you must submit to My training. Let Me assure you that I am hovering over you in the midst of each trial to make sure that it is not too much for you. It needs to be strong enough to change you, but it will not crush you. Rest assured that I am with you through it. I love 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].

II Cor. 5:17-19 AMP 

17) Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!

18 But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him].

19 It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but canceling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor).

 

If you haven’t been through any kind of trial or hardship before this, just keep walking with Jesus and you will experience them. It is part of God’s promise to us to train us for our ministry of restoring others to the Lord. Look at the lives of the prophets and apostles. Look at those who willingly gave up their lives for Jesus throughout the centuries. How do our trials compare to theirs?  Then again, how does our love for God and other people compare to theirs?

I am convinced that our ability to love others and to love God is directly related to the amount of forgiveness we have received and the amount of pressure that we submit to at the hand of God. Placing ourselves directly in a situation of desperately needing the Father eventually trains us to have the kind of faith and caring that is needed to touch our world. (Is God responsible for all of the evil things that happen to us and in the world? Of course not. There is an enemy of our soul that is in the business of discouraging us, trying to separate us from the love of God, and attempting to kill us.)

Maybe we need to really understand something, however. God is not in the business of making our lives comfortable. To believe that is a lie. (That lie has done more harm than almost anything in the body of Christ because to believe it allows us to embrace a self-centered, self -absorbed gospel.)

God is in the business of making sure that others do not perish.  His plan is to use us to bring that gospel to those who haven’t heard it. The problem is that you and I are not showing others what Jesus looks like, so He needs to change our character.

Few people will embrace the saving Gospel and come to Jesus because of our lives and our witness, if all we can offer them is empty words and fruitless lives. We need a Christ-like life for them to see who He is. That kind of life only comes through the pressure of trials and hardships. They are forming us to embrace those who hate us and those who need us.

Do what it takes to change me, Lord,

Jim Corbett