Tag: Christianity

“Have you engaged in the battle for souls? Are you sure? Most of those who believe that they are engaged with Me have deceived themselves. They believe they are doing all that they must do to walk with Me into the front lines, when they are really only on the sidelines of the war. If they ever did enter in, they would be instant casualties. They have not really submitted to the training necessary to be effective.

"Where do you stand? Have you submitted to My training? Are you fully engaged? Do you even know that there is a battle for souls raging at this moment? Those who are not with Me are really against Me.”

Joshua 7:13 AMP

Up, sanctify (set apart for a holy purpose) the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the Lord, the God of Israel; There are accursed things in the midst of you, O Israel, you can not stand before your enemies until you take away from among you the things devoted [to destruction].

Amos 8:11-12 AMP

11) Behold the days are coming, says the Lord God, when I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but [a famine] for hearing the words of the Lord.

12) And [the people] shall wander from sea to sea and from the north even to the east; they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord [inquiring for and requiring it as one requires food], but shall not find it.

Matthew 4:19 AMP

And He said to them, Come after Me [as disciples—letting Me be your Guide], follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men!

 

Have you ever met someone who is delusional about his own importance? I once sat across the table from a person who firmly believed that he had his life in order. He was even convinced that the life he lived was not only important to everyone around him, but that those around him were able to succeed only because of his valuable input. He was truly deceived. To magnify his delusion, he listened to no one about his ignorance. He was truly a blind guide, clueless as to his degree of deception.

From God’s perspective, how involved are you in His battle plan? He has a plan to use you and me in whatever way He chooses, so that everyone who decides to embrace Jesus can see Him in us before all things come to an end. He desires that none should perish.

How useful is your heart and your life in His plan? Are you deceived? Have you really submitted to His training and have you entered the war with every fiber of your being? Or have you deluded yourself into thinking that you are doing all that you can when you are really on the sidelines, not of much use to Him because of your worldly concerns and distractions.

Remove my delusions, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“Do you have any idea how much you take for granted? Has it occurred to you that what you have makes up the majority of who you are in your own mind? Picture the concept of losing everything. I don’t mean having a little chink in your routine, I mean losing everything that you use to remain in a position of strength and peace.

"What if tomorrow you lost your health, all your money, had no place to live, no hope to help yourself or your family in any way; and all those who claimed to be your friends walked in other directions. What if, instead of being able to use your resources to gain everything back, they all were gone and there was absolutely nothing you could do to help yourself – ever. Who would you be?”

Exodus 33:3-5 NIV

3) “Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.”

4) When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments.

5) For the Lord had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I might destroy you. Now take off your ornaments and I will decide what to do with you.’”

Psalm 51:10 AMP

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering and steadfast spirit within me.

Matthew 16:23 NIV 

Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Out of my sight Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

Luke 9:23-25 AMP

23) And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself [disown himself, forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, refuse and give up himself] and take up his cross daily and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also].

24) For whoever would preserve his life and save it will lose and destroy it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he will preserve and save it [from the penalty of eternal death].

25) For what does it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and ruins or forfeits (loses) himself?

 

An extended season the Lord once had Merry, Jubilee, and me in was one of bringing us almost to the point indicated in the Father’s Heart message above. We had to go without almost everything, received food from others; and lost any semblance of a reputation in the eyes of some. We were judged, condemned, told that we must be in deep sin; and rejected by those who had not heard the same thing that we had.

Even though many people were nourished by what the Lord chose to share through us during that time, we - at times - cared little about the fulfillment of the needs of others; we wanted our portion. Many times, “What’s in it for us?” was a thought that had to be cast aside as our needs became gigantic before us, and our “self-worth” diminished accordingly.

Often we found that our flesh was alive and well and following us wherever we went. Once the mask of exterior coverings had been removed, we squirmed, became fearful, despaired; and, at times, held anger in our hearts toward others – even God - as He walked us through our circumstances. We sometimes reacted like little children holding our breath during a trial, or wept at our loss of any honorable position; and even spent time attempting to prove to others that we still had value. Much repentance went on as these sins were exposed in us.

Over time, the incredible mercy of our Lord has allowed us to see past our false security in things, as He continues to make Himself our only hope - not due to any spiritual wealth on our part; but simply because all other options are disappearing. At the beginning of the realization of what our world was becoming because of where He has called us to go with Him, Jesus was Lord to us because there was nothing else that we could hang on to. Over time, He is becoming absolute Lord to us because He alone is worthy of our allegiance and trust. To have Him as our only source for anything, while we do what we have been told to do, has become more comfortable than hanging on to the fleeting things that gave hope in the past.

Our portion in the Lord now is teaching us that who we are is not found in what we have, what others think of us; and how we can use our own resources to maintain some sort of position, power, or safety. We are beginning to get the idea that who we really are is in Him alone.

Absolute Lordship means that we have no source or worth except in the Lord. We have begun to see that the real definition of Christianity is the thorough understanding of our desperate need of a Savior every day of our lives in Whom we are to place all of our trust.  I am sure that is where He wants all of us.

I don’t think I want to move from here until You are finished with me, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“Your prayers never fall on deaf ears. I always hear what you say, and I always consider your requests and petitions very important. How and when I answer those prayers is something that you need to fully understand. I take every option, physical and spiritual, into account. I consider the eternal consequences of what you are asking, and how it affects your personal growth and My eternal plan. In the proper moment, My kind of answer is implemented. In the meantime, I promise perfect peace to you if you trust Me. I promise that I am for you and never against what is best for you. Be confident that I hold you very close. Because you are Mine, I will do nothing to harm the eternal you.”

 Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV

11) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

12) Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

13) You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Phil. 4:6-7 AMP

6) Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests) with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.

7) And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison andmount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

 

Turning to God in our need is one of the most perfect forms of honor we can give Him. Joyously submitting to His plans is perfect obedience. Seeking His will in all things is true wisdom.

After so many years of fulfilled promises, answered prayers, and wonderful miracles, I find that I still carry burdens that I should never carry. They should be given to my Lord and placed in His care with confidence. I repent of my faithless times.

Create in me a clean, trusting heart, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“The season for your generation is almost at a close. I am about to fulfill what I have told you for thousands of years. You need to get serious with Me. Shake off all of those things in your world that hinder you from proclaiming My Word to those who are in need of hearing. Soon major events in My calendar will bring your attention to why you have been in training these many days. In your weariness, do not turn your eyes from My purposes for what is being accomplished in you. You have a part in what lies ahead. You are being trained for it. It is bigger than your small world. It is a piece of My world. Join hands. Join hearts with those who see as you do. Get ready; I am about to move!”

Gal. 6:9-10 AMP

9) And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.

10) So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [morally] to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God’s family with you, the believers].

Heb. 12:1-3 NIV

1) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

2) Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3) Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

 

It is so good to be reminded about the bigger picture. God is bringing His children home to Him, and then growing us up to do His work in these last days. He really wants us all to discover His purpose for us having been born. It is a fullness that is supposed to be a part of every believer and available for the asking. Once we find our place, everything fits perfectly. Even the strife and turmoil in the world is understood for what it is and why it must happen.

Remember what this life is really all about. Find proper reasons to do whatever you do. Seek the Lord as your priority. Rejoice that you are a part of His plan. Embrace the strengthening trials for His good. Allow Jesus to love you. Be free to love back. Soon He will be all that matters.

Show me truth, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“If I were to give an ideal profile of My true church, it would look like My Son, Jesus, with one exception. It would also be looking for My Son, Jesus. Jesus lived His life so that He would end up on the cross. Everything He did was for that one goal. His love, His devotion, His focus - all were heading to the point of His own death so that others would benefit. Your work may or may not cause your physical death; but your heart should be just as His was, heading toward the death of your flesh. That should be part of your purpose for living. I promise to help you with that. I love you too much for you to remain as you are. In the process of eliminating all fleshly desires from your life, I will also create a desire in you to look and hope for the return of Jesus for you.

"You have much to do with that desire being created in you. Some of you hope that He returns so that you can be removed from trial and tribulation. You will be very surprised when He returns for His bride. Others of you desire His return so that you will have your reward and can see My plan fulfilled for your good. Those of you who press in now so that He will return for a holy, loving bride - looking only for His desires to be fulfilled, longing only that He be delighted in you for His pleasure - will have your wish. You have the proper purpose for living. You have My heart. I desire that His joy is complete.

"I request that you crave for the same desire and cultivate a purposeful heart, one that is identical to His, while you have the chance. You will know Him as He is when He comes, for your hearts will beat as one. Become a study of Jesus now. Crave only for His heart. Live only for His glory. That pleases Me!”

 Matthew 25:1-13 NIV 

(1) “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

(2) Five of them were foolish and five were wise.

(3) The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.

(4) The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.

(5) The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

(6) “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

(7) “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.

(8) The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

(9) “ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you.  Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

(10) “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet.  And the door was shut.

(11) “Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’

(12) “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’

(13) “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

 

Over the years, I’ve asked many, many people who study the Word about the above verses. In my asking, I have found the answers to be as varied as there are denominations in this land. Some feel that these verses have little reference to the coming of Christ for His bride in the rapture. Some say there is no rapture, that the verses are simply a story to encourage us to be better people. Others say that it is a perfect picture of the church. A growing segment of serious believers see the ten virgins as a very small segment of the church; that the verses refer to only those who have the single purpose of looking and waiting for the bridegroom. Even among those who are looking for the Groom, only half of them enter the bridal chamber because the others are there for the wrong reasons.

The most compelling verse is verse thirteen where the Author, Jesus, turns the direction of the conversation from a narrative to a direct, applicable statement for the listener then and the reader now. He says, “You keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

To me, no matter how the previous verses are interpreted and what they mean, this last verse warns me not to slack off in my quest for more of the Lord in any way, at any time. I picture Him touching one in the audience on the shoulder, looking in his or her eyes and pouring forth vast amounts of unspoken love, calling for his or her heart to be one with His, making His joy complete.

All of the surrounding verses are in direct response to their question about His coming at the end of the age. All are clear indications that the walk with Christ is no shallow commitment. All call for a watchful posture, looking for the complete fulfillment of all things.

Lord, make my heart beat in unison with Yours,

Jim Corbett