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2/09/24 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

2/08/24 As God Intended

“I am a God of order and a God of completion. I will do everything that I have promised, and I will do it in the way that I have planned it. Everything will fall precisely as I intend it to fall. There will be no delays. There will be no changes. I have given you enough information to allow you to see that I mean what I say. I have also proven to you that I know what I am saying so that you can trust Me. Those of you who choose to come close enough to hear My heart will not be taken by surprise as the promised future unfolds. Remember My promises. Remember My purposes. Remember that My plan will follow what I have stated in My Word. I am not subject to the plans of mankind. They are subject to Me. Be a student of My Word. Spend time with Me. You will rejoice, others will grieve, as My plans unfold.”

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.”

Matthew 26:31 NIV

Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ ”

Matthew 26:53-54 NIV

53) “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?

54) But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

Most of the authorities of the world follow aimlessly after their own foolish notions. All the great thinkers, who are followed by mankind, have no knowledge of what is real if they do not follow after God and His Word. Nations have risen and have been defeated. Heralded rulers, along with those whom they have ruled, have come and gone for generation after generation. Most have cursed God and His ways; some have not. All have, however, even without knowing it, fallen in line with and fulfilled part of His promised plan.

This day, take account of the incredible God that you serve. Visit once again what has happened to you because you called upon Jesus as Lord of your life. Open the Word of God and review the immeasurable wealth that it contains with renewed awe. Remember the countless times your Father in heaven has been faithful to His Word in your life alone, not even counting all the centuries before you existed. Remember also that you have been bought with a price and that you are no longer your own.

You and I have a choice. We can honor our Lord by submitting to His perfect will for this day’s and every day’s activities, or we can fail to consider what He really has for us to participate in. Either way, His will is going to be accomplished. One way, we will reap the benefits of our obedience and honor our Lord. The other way, we become a hapless non-player, while still fulfilling a “non-God-glorifying” part in an astounding eternal program.

Teach me to seek You, Lord,

Jim Corbett

2/08/24 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

2/07/24 Be True to Your Calling

“I now ask you to walk freely in the anointing that I have given you. You must stir up the gifts and talents that you have, so that My church is recognized. My ambassadors, I call you into service. Prophets, come to My throne room to receive coals from My altar. The time is now for you to hear from Me. Do not follow the foolish teachings of man concerning your office. I demand My kind of integrity. You will be held accountable once again. Evangelists, take the torch of My Word and ignite the fire of love in the hearts that have been prepared by the seasons at hand. Share truth, not foolish doctrine. Give people My Son, Jesus.

Pastors, become the shepherds that you have been called to be. Shake off all the frivolous duties that encumber your calling and seek Me in a new way. Your people need you to give them fresh manna, not tired, predigested food from someone else because you are too busy to spend time with Me. Teachers, hold truth close to your heart. Cast aside traditions and teachings of man. They will no longer satisfy those of My children who hunger for truth. Teach only My Word. Teach from experience in My Word, not hearsay. Become a student of Me again, receive My presence, then go forth to feed My people. My children, listen closely. I need you to break free from the Sadducees and Pharisees.

Shake off the bondages of the street-corner servers of milk. Receive the heart-searing coals of repentance and holiness. Live the crucified life. Get rid of your flesh. Walk in the power of Jesus. Exchange your old life, your old ways, for My ways. Accept all that I have for you and give all that I give you to those who will hear. You have been called; now move in My power, not the traditional, empty power of those who haven’t spent enough time with Me to know what I have to say in the coming days. I am waiting for you!”

Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV

11) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

12) to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up

13) until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

John 20:21 NIV

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

As the world grows darker at an alarming rate, there is an increasing hunger for truth in those who are called and prepared to hear truth. People in the church of Jesus Christ are weary of foolish doctrines, lying prophets, showboat evangelists, and pastors who no longer have what is needed to help their flock.

The world, on the other hand, has cast aside most of the churches in their community. Any effectiveness that they once may have had has been nullified by hypocritical Christians and ignorant, cold messengers with nothing pertinent to say for their lives. Few Christians can show them Jesus because they themselves have not been with Jesus and His Word.

My wife, Merry, is an accomplished pianist. As a part of many groups, she would impart the joy she felt when each musician did his part and flowed with the other musicians. Even my tin ear could distinguish the difference between a good and a bad orchestra. Sometimes, however, I would be mesmerized, along with the others who were listening, as the Holy Spirit would take the offering of the musicians and anoint it, empower it, and use it to break hard hearts and cold pew sitters.

I’m convinced that the church of Jesus Christ should have that same effect on the world first and then on each other, as we function freely in our individual gifts, empowered by the Holy Spirit. There should be no one out-of-tune with the Master conductor. There should be no one who misses one beat of the Lord and His Word. Each - having studied, practiced, and received from the Lord - should flow with the others to produce a mesmerizing presentation to those who are listening. It’s time to present the biblical Jesus to those who need to see and hear Him.

Needing to seriously “tune up” the instrument that I have been given,

Jim Corbett

2/07/24 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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