Tag: Devotional

“Because you are mature enough to understand, I wish to make something very clear to you. There is no you without Me. So many of My people have brought Me down to their level. I have become something they have added to their lives instead of their only source of life. Do not make that same mistake. Ponder what I’ve said until it becomes truth to your heart. It will change your life, increase your faith, and renew the proper sense of awe needed to trust Me fully once again.

"I gave the first breath to Adam. If I should turn My attention from you for a single moment, you would cease to exist. However, you don’t need to fear. Your days are planned by My desire and numbered by Me. No one and nothing will rob you of a single moment.

"Begin to see a larger picture of things. I spoke the universe into being. I formed you and I keep you. You will live by My will. It would be wise for you to live for My will.”

Psalm 46:10 NIV

“Be still and know that I am God...”

Psalm 150:1-6 AMP 

1) Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in the heavens of His power!

2) Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness!

3) Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp!

4) Praise Him with tambourine and [single or group] dance; praise Him with stringed and wind instruments or flutes!

5) Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with loud clashing cymbals!

6) Let everything that has breath and every breath of life praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Proverbs 20:24 AMP 

Man’s steps are ordered by the Lord….

Jeremiah 15:19 AMP 

Therefore thus says the Lord [to Jeremiah]: If you return [and give up this mistaken tone of  distrust and despair], then I will give you again a settled place of quiet and safety, and you will be My minister; and if you separate the precious from the vile [cleansing your own heart from unworthy and unwarranted suspicions concerning God’s faithfulness], you shall be My mouthpiece.

 

Most of our words about our Sovereign, Almighty God have lost their impact because of familiarity and loose usage. There is no question that the blood of Jesus has given us the right to call Him ABBA, but it never gave us the right to diminish Who He really is because of our pride. Because of His abounding mercy and grace, some of us have lost perspective and minimized Him as God in our eyes. Some have brought Him to the level of being made in our image, demanding that He serve our needs.

In this present time, there is an onslaught to destroy our faith. The best way that the enemy can destroy who we are, what has been done for us through Jesus, and the corresponding wonder of our relationship with Him is to diminish Who God really is in our eyes. We need to remember that this is the very same God Moses could not look upon because of His glory.

The “smaller” our God and Lord can be made to appear to us, the weaker He will seem. The weaker He seems, the less we will be in awe of Him. That is hazardous to our walk with Him; and, consequently, to our wonder of Him and trust in Him as God.

Remember; there is only One God. He is El Shaddai. He is more powerful than any need, greater than any foe; and worthy of all honor and glory. His will brought everything into being. He is God and there is no other. He held our first breath and owns our last. It is right to serve Him and live only for Him.

Never let me forget, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“Have you ever pictured the straight path that I have called you to travel? First of all, it is very narrow and strewn with rocks, pitfalls, and other obstacles that will make you stumble, if you don’t keep your eyes on Jesus. It is crowned in the center so that it slopes to each side where there are briars, entanglements, and multiple places where the unwary traveler could be stalled by hazards. Overhead, there is a canopy of foliage, which contains a mixture of nourishing and poisonous fruit and vegetables, its bounty sometimes hindering all light from brightening your path. This covering also conceals predators that are looking to devour anyone who is near the sides of the path and not in the very center. Off to the sides, there are winsome sirens, who call to hawk their wares and divert travelers to the side roads, which are smooth, wide, and very beautiful. These tangent paths are numerous and very tempting, filled with rest areas and refreshing places.

"Most of the time, it is very dark. Sometimes a blanket of dense fog covers the road, making visibility non-existent. The road is long, sometimes very steep, and often seemingly impossible—even to the most seasoned traveler. Anyone who decides to travel the road alone is sure to fall into the briars, become side-tracked by many of the beautiful tangents, or die from choosing wrong fruit.

"To each of you, My precious children, Jesus extends His nail-pierced hand. Keep your eyes on Him, never looking to the left or right, and place your feet only where He tells you to step. As you travel, He will tell you of the many wonders We have provided for you at the end of the path. You are very safe from the terrors that are waiting to harm you while you travel, and Jesus has any refreshment you will need.

"If you notice, the end of the path is approaching. Be sure to keep your eyes on Jesus. Most of the journey has passed, but there are a few dangerous steps ahead. The distractions will be more intense and the path will be steeper, but the hazards will not touch you if you continue to focus on Him. I am waiting to welcome you.”

 Ps. 27:11 AMP

Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain and even path because of my enemies [those who lie in wait for me].

Prov. 4:25-27 AMP

25) Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you.

26) Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright.

27) Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil.

Heb. 12:1-2a AMP

1) THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us.

2a) Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection].

 

I’m sure you’ve heard the story of the traveler who was walking on a very dark night in a mountainous area. He had traveled the road once, and was aware of the dangers and steep cliffs at every turn; so his steps were cautious, knowing that he could fall off the road if he should lose his footing.

At one very dangerous place, he did lose his footing and dropped over the edge of a cliff. Grabbing for anything he could, he snagged a branch that was protruding from the side of the sheer drop-off. There he hung in the black night, unable to see in any direction, hoping the branch would hold.

Throughout the long, cold night, he prayed fervently, hands straining to keep a grip, fingers weary beyond understanding. Periodically, the words, “Trust Me,” came to His heart. When they did, he felt the urge to let go of the branch, which he fought off for obvious reasons.

Morning light, however, revealed that he had grabbed a branch above a large ledge, just high enough above the ground to keep his feet about one foot from touching solid footing. He had hung there all night in fear, unaware that safety was close at hand.

I’m not quite sure how to equate this story with the word above, so you can fill in the blanks as they apply to your life. I do know, however, that our Father is faithful to protect us even though there is no sign of His hand anywhere in sight. I also know that Jesus has gone before us and is the provision for our journey. I guess that everything other than that is simply not worthy of notice.

Sometimes wearily hanging, when I should be letting go,

Jim Corbett

“You need to understand that there are many things you will not understand. As you mature, you will rest in the fact that I am your God. You will find peace where there seems to be no peace. Before you learned how to wait on Me, the season that you are going through now would have you striving and fearful. Because you can rest even when all things around you seem to be falling apart, I am free to move on your behalf. There is nothing that I need help with. You are powerless to do anything anyway. That is good. Now I will do what is necessary, so that My plan is accomplished. I have not left you. I am deeply involved in your life. Just trust Me.”

Psalm 3:1-6 AMP 

1) LORD, HOW they are increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me.

2) Many are saying of me, There is no help for him in God. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

3) But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

4) With my voice I cry to the Lord, and He hears and answers me out of His holy hill. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

5) I lay down and slept; I wakened again, for the Lord sustains me.

6) I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me round about.

Psalm 18:1-2 NIV 

1) I love you, O LORD, my strength.

2) The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield…

John 5:19-20a NIV 

19) Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

20a) For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does.”

 

Someone once said: “Christianity in its inception is about us, as we grow it becomes about others, in its maturity it is about God.”  Most of those who call themselves Christians have never left the first phase of their walk with the Lord. Everything centers around them and their welfare.

God is moving on His people so that we grow up. He wants us to fully understand that nothing matters except His will. When that truth is “owned” by us, even the direst circumstances can’t touch us for we know that our Lord is in them with us, accomplishing His will.

Today is a day that your Lord is in charge of your life, if you get your hands off of it. He will give you peace if you trust Him. He will orchestrate everything that needs to be touched if you let Him. He is your Lord. He takes that job very seriously!

Thank You for being in charge, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“Count the days. Mark the hours.  A wondrous time is at hand! I am about to implement what I have been heralding for some time. You, My chosen people, will soon be delivered from the portions of flesh that have been hindering you for so long. You are soon going to experience freedom from fear, lusts of the flesh, and all forbidden desires. Everything will not come at one time; but when you need My power, you will be amazed that your submission has allowed My presence to rise up within you to accomplish what is needed to glorify Me. You will be My workmanship, visible to an unbelieving world.

"The world has been allowed to see the weaknesses in My church. They have chosen to scorn, mock, and laugh. In some cases, their ridicule has been justified. Those who supposedly represent Me have done nothing but flaunt their own immaturity. Human strength, ability, and manipulation will no longer be allowed to replace My anointing. My Holy Spirit will direct those who have been trained to flow in obedience. To the world, an honest representation of Jesus will, once again, be made visible. They will see His life in you, My beautiful children. They will observe His kind of life, even in the most trying circumstances. You will show them who He really is by your every action, and they will be in awe of His majesty.

"I am building character and responsibility in you. Soon it will burst from every corner of your being. You will flow with Me as naturally as I have intended Our relationship to be all along. Those, who have eyes to see, will see; and come to Me because of you. Jesus will be seen, glorified, and embraced by the wise. That is the way it should be. Watch! Watch and be amazed concerning who you have become. You may not see it now; but when it is needed, My Spirit will rise within you for My glory. You will look like Jesus! He is worth seeing!”

Acts 4:29-33 AMP 

29) And now, Lord, observe their threats and grant to Your bond servants [full freedom] to declare Your message fearlessly,

30) While You stretch out Your hand to cure and to perform signs and wonders through the authority and by the power of the name of Your holy Child and Servant Jesus.

31) And when they had prayed, the place in which they were assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they continued to speak the Word of God with freedom and boldness and courage.

32) Now the company of believers was of one heart and soul, and not one of them claimed that anything which he possessed was [exclusively] his own, but everything they had was in common and for the use of all.

33) And with great strength and ability and power the apostles delivered their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace (loving-kindness and favor and goodwill) rested richly upon them all.

 

A company of believers—anointed, blessed, and sent forth with power and selfless love—found favor for the appointed season, and changed the world forever. What a heritage! So often, when the promised carving away of my flesh becomes the focus of my days, I begin to forget that there is a time when the purpose for my Lord’s work in me will become evident.

We have an appointment with destiny. You and I, as believers submitting to the hand of God on our lives, have an astounding purpose. We are to represent Jesus Christ—the Redeemer and Savior of the world—to the world. There is no higher calling, no greater privilege, no more worthy mission. We are truly blessed.

Help me to always remember what it’s all about, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“Few of you realize the spiritual hazards that you invite into your lives when you do not allow Me to direct your steps. If you did, you would never venture out on your own again. Do you not understand that everything that has been provided for you is for your good? Of course, there is the corresponding side of accomplishing My will, but obedience and full submission to Me and My will are also provisions for your safety and protection. Stepping outside of their covering is really very foolish. You have little ability to ward off all the forces that are determined to destroy you when you choose to go your own way without consulting Me and do what seems logical to you.

"I have recreated you to be able to function in the spiritual world. Would you not think it wise to learn from Me how to exist there? Allow me to direct your every step. If you cannot do it out of love for Me and a desire to honor My request for obedience at this time, begin by listening to Me and My Word so that things might go well with you.”

Jeremiah 2:13 NIV

“My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken Me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.”

Ephesians 6:1-3 NIV

1) Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

2) “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—

3) “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

 

Have you ever noticed how children feel that they know so much more than they really do? I often stand back and watch the struggle that ensues after hearing the words, “I can do it myself,” or “I know how to do it.”  As a parent, my heart wishes that they could avoid the failure that is about to occur; but at the same time, I know the value of the lesson learned when they fail. My desire to teach them the proper way of doing something is not because I want to be “boss.” It is because I have more knowledge of the situation. I have been there before.

In a much greater way, our Father in heaven, Who knows all things, has set guidelines for us to function in so that it will go well with us—especially in the spiritual realm, a realm we know little about. We, however, choose to tell Him that “we can do it ourselves.”  Then, like little children, we cry out to Him when we have completely messed up the situation. A little silly, don’t you think?

I can’t do it myself, Lord,

Jim Corbett