Tag: Church

“Do you see how different things look when you focus on someone else as you go through a trial of your own? There is great power in the way that Jesus functioned. He was focused on My plans and your welfare, even during His darkest hour. Because of that, every attempt to destroy the work at hand was foiled. It is the secret to your success because it allows Me to accomplish what needs to be done without you hindering My work in any way.

“Listen to this. Whenever you are facing a trial of any kind, learn to divert your attention from the trial and focus on Me or on someone else, rather than the trial. I know that sounds simplistic, but it is the basis for perfect faith. I don’t mean that you are to avoid the trial, nor do I mean that you are to ignore it completely or make believe that it isn’t real. That would be denial and really quite foolish. Get the job done by lifting your needs to Me but then turn your prayers and offerings toward Me in praise or on behalf of someone else.

“Love as My Son loved. You will be amazed at the strength you receive to make the trial endurable. You will rejoice, even in your darkest hour, as I am allowed to place My forces against your trial with My mighty power. The battle is really Mine. The direction of your concentration exhibits and enacts faith that pleases Me and moves in My spiritual laws. Your actions, where you place your trust, either inhibit or enable that faith to accomplish its work.

“Never have faith in your faith. Your faith should be in Me. When you have faith to quietly trust Me enough to allow Me to work on your behalf, as you look to the best interests of others during your trial, no power can hinder My actions. Your trial is in My hands completely. That is where it should be.”

Luke 23:33b-34 AMP

33b) …they crucified Him, and [along with] the criminals, one on the right and one on the left.

34) And Jesus prayed, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.

Hebrews 12:2 NIV

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross…

 

I’m convinced that Jesus was thinking of us on the way to the cross. In fact, the whole reason that He left heaven and allowed Himself to be killed by those whom He had created was for the benefit of helpless mankind.

Through it all, He was showing us how to accomplish anything of eternal value. The formula is so simple, that we continually miss it. We are called to first, find out what the will of our Father in heaven is; and then trust Him to accomplish it for us while we continually walk with Him. Being hidden from the world in that truth is how to do it.

As we study the life of Jesus, we see that His focus was on His Father’s power and on our well-being. He endured everything for the joy of knowing that His actions would set us free. Even on the cross, He was concerned for those who had driven the nails in His hands and those whose actions caused the crucifixion of the Son of God.

Luke’s account of Jesus’ time on the cross depicts three statements. The first is for those who crucified Him. The second is for the thief next to Him. The third is a statement of completion to His Father. What astounding faith in what His Father was doing, and what an astounding lesson for us! He cared more for others than He cared for Himself. In His darkest hour, Jesus had the best interests of others on His mind. He loved so deeply that His passion for us overcame His pain.

Needing to focus on everyone but me,

Jim Corbett

“Do not become complacent! You must be diligent in your pursuit of Me, so that you will have sufficient tools for the times in your path. Your world is reeling in hatred of My ways. It is exploding from within. Soon many things will not resemble the way they are now. You must learn to sit in My presence, so that you become familiar with My ways. Learn to hear My heart and move immediately. Learn My wisdom. Learn of My love for you. It will fortify you when others spew their hatred. Adjust your priorities. Make time with Me the most important tool you have to overcome your world. Make it your most important resource. Make it your most fervent desire.”

Matthew 10:38-39 AMP

38) And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conforming wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also] is not worthy of Me.

39) Whoever finds his [lower] life will lose it [the higher life], and whoever loses his [lower] life on My account will find it [the higher life].

Matthew 19:29 AMP

And anyone and everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for My name’s sake will receive many [even a hundred] times more and will inherit eternal life.

 

The earth, in response to the Lord’s command, groaned and strained as if in childbirth, as a warning to those who had eyes to see or ears to hear.  Natural disasters such as unparalleled storms, earthquakes, and flooding would leave many helpless and without hope.  Manmade disasters such as fires, riots, rampant terrorism and unbridled crime made citizens demand something be done for the safety of the majority. Although all was, in His mercy, a fulfillment of God’s promises to reveal to mankind its helplessness without Him, and to allow those who would hear the opportunity to repent, many would scoff at the thought that He had a hand in it at all.  More police, more organization, more law, more money, would become the cry. Instead of turning to God, most would turn their backs on Him all the more, with ever hardening hearts.

Those who would respond to the call to holiness and to full submission would walk in intimate fellowship with their Savior.  If they chose to move selflessly and reverently with crucifixion power, they would see the wonder of God in their daily activities.  An irresistible wooing, except to the most hardened heart, would become visible to the church first, and then to the ripe fields ready to produce their crop in abundance.

 Open my eyes, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“At times, it will seem as if I am nowhere to be found. You will seem hemmed up in every direction and find that you have nowhere to go even if you could move. I have done this. I have you right where I want you. Sit still now and allow Me to talk to you. You are not out of My will. I am not finished with you. In fact, I am about to move you to a deeper walk and a more trustworthy position. Be still and know that I am your God. Tuck away with Me and I will impart Myself to you. Stop everything that you are doing if necessary, so that you can hear Me clearly. As you wait on Me, I will be found by you.”

Psalm 46:10 NIV

“Be still, and know that I am God…”

Psalm 62:5 AMP

My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him.

Psalm 139:5-10 NIV

5) You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.

6) Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

7) Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

8) If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

9) If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10) even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

 

Rarely do we understand the intense love that the Lord has for us. Jesus died so that we could meet with God. To not do so is truly foolish. The relationship that He has provided should be the very first concern that we address as we plan our lives. It should be monitored every moment to see if anything has usurped its priority position. Nothing should be allowed to intrude on this wondrous gift.

Make it my priority, Lord,

Jim Corbett