Tag: Church

“In My economy, you are most prosperous when you own nothing with your heart and crave nothing but Me to fulfill your every desire. It is then that you are an empty vessel fit for My use. I can pour Myself into you and know that you will fill others with proper nourishment. It is a simple system. I fill you, then you empty yourself to others and come back to Me to fill you again. That is My kind of fun!”

2 Cor. 4:7 AMP

However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves.

 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...”

1 Cor. 4:2 AMP

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

2 Cor. 5:20a NIV

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.

2 Cor. 12:15 AMP

But I will most gladly spend [myself] and be utterly spent for your souls...

 

Have you ever thought of pouring yourself out for others as fun? How about owning nothing but the love of Jesus as your wealth? We just don’t get it, do we?

We observe three separate heart positions functioning in the church body today, all called “Christianity.” There is the infant heart, the growing heart, and the mature heart - one that symbolizes the bridal heart, or more simply, the kind of heart that Jesus has. You will need to know and understand these three distinctive heart positions, so that you can function properly with the Lord’s help as you encounter them – either in yourself or others.

The Infant Heart

The infant heart beats only for itself. All of the things that God does center around their needs in some way. The salvation process was for them alone. It was put in effect by God specifically for them, to make them safe after they die.

The Bible is simply a book of promises that they can call upon to relieve their hurts in time of need. God is perceived as this wonderful benefactor, who is waiting for their next need to occur, so that He can help them through it; and prayer is solely a channel by which they can make their needs known.

In essence, everything that God has done, is doing, and will do hinges upon the perception that mankind is at the center of it all; and they have somehow tapped into this incredible opportunity. So, God is all about them and for them alone. There is no need to go any further; it is enough, and it is very good.

You are so patient with us, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“Please don’t forget that everything that happens to you is part of the training to equip you for greater things. Remember how far you’ve come. Remember from where you came. Look how different you are now than when you first came to Jesus. There was a time when you couldn’t or wouldn’t embrace proper things. There was a time when you had no hope. Now you are part of My family. You belong. You are completely accepted. If you focus on the difficulties of your training, you will miss the wonders of what has and is being accomplished. Turn your eyes toward Jesus. Remember!”

Rom. 8:28 NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

2 Cor. 3:18 AMP

And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.

Heb. 12:2-3 NIV

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.

 

So often we get so caught up in the circumstances that surround us that we forget the wonders of those things that have accompanied us along the way of our lives. Remember first love? Remember the first time you discovered that Jesus was real? Remember the astounding relief of forgiveness? Remember the wonder of belonging, really belonging to your new loving Father? Remember how mundane the world was and the useless days that were spent pursuing nothing important?

Teach me to never forget, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“You need to turn your heart around. Instead of focusing on yourself, you need to invest in other people. That is the heart of Jesus. He cared nothing for Himself, even unto death. His life on this earth was purposeful in the pursuit of the well-being of others. You are to do the same. I place My children in your path so that you can turn your heart toward their best interest. Instead of caring that they become all that they can be in Me, you consume them upon yourself in any way that you can. Then you set them aside when they are of no further use to you. Where is the compassion of Jesus in your life? Turn your heart now. I need you to exhibit His love.”

Rom. 15:1-7 NIV

1) We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

2) Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.

3) For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”

4) For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

5) May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,

6) so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7) Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

 

The church of Jesus Christ is a motley gathering of former reprobates, unusual characters, and hard-hearted, self-serving former sinners—and those are our better characteristics. Father God, however, has chosen to call us His own. He has raised us out of the depths of our sin, and placed our face in the direction of wholeness. Why is it that, as soon as we have the ability to even see straight and breathe some fresh spiritual air, we become proud and self-serving in our salvation; instead of remembering how grateful we should be for it?

It’s really time to honor God by loving each other as Jesus loved us. Is not the highest form of praise the emulation of the One whom we are praising? Is not our praise to Him just empty words and spiritual gymnastics if we do not love our brother and sister the way that He loved us?

Change my heart, Lord,

Jim Corbett