Tag: Devotional

“What is it going to take to break your heart and return to first love? What must I do to convince you that you live in very volatile times? How long before you begin to prepare in earnest for the return of Jesus? Do you see how your world is changing and could be unrecognizable in moments? Do you see how your planet is groaning as if in birth pains? What more do you need to get serious, really serious about your life with Me? Get your eyes off yourself and sell out to My plans. You are called for your specific generation. I have a plan for you. It’s time for you to really get on with it!”

Isaiah 28:9-10 TLB 

9) ”Who does Isaiah think he is,” the people say, “to speak to us like this! Are we little children, barely old enough to talk?

10) He tells us everything over and over again, a line at a time and in such simple words!”

Isaiah 42:25 AMP

Therefore He poured out upon [Israel] the fierceness of His anger and the strength of battle. And it set him on fire round about, yet he knew not [the lesson of repentance which the Assyrian conquest was intended to teach]; it burned him, but he did not lay it to heart.

Isaiah 48:3 NIV 

“I foretold the former things long ago, my mouth announced them and I made them known; then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.”

Jeremiah 12:5 AMP

[But the Lord rebukes Jeremiah’s impatience, saying] If you have raced with men on foot and they have tired you out, then how can you compete with horses? And if [you take to flight] in a land of peace where you feel secure, then what will you do [when you tread the tangled maze of jungle haunted by lions] in the swelling and flooding of the Jordan?

 

Let’s see! We have a holy God Who has been warning us to prepare at every turn. Our world is changing, groaning, and deteriorating minute by minute. We say that we know we are living in the end of the end times.  Why is it that we remain selfish, self-centered, and secretly hoping that what we know is about to occur will not happen, so that we can remain as we are a little longer? Why will we not respond to what we know is a herald of repentance and bridal heart preparation, calling for a radical life change? Why are we so foolish as to shake off all the warnings?

I sense that the Lord is about to do what it takes to refine this generation of His own. I’m afraid that most of us will be walking around wide-eyed and drooling at the mouth, the same as those who are called foolish, when it happens. Instead of being prepared vessels who are able to pour the life of Jesus into those who need, we will be needy ourselves, consuming from those prepared to represent Jesus to the lost. All because we will not hear now!

Help me hear and act, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“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

“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. Apostles, 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

“As you become more aware of the times and seasons in which you live, you will understand that you have been raised up for a time such as this. I realize that those words have been used over and over until they have lost their real meaning. I realize also that you have not really taken them to heart. You must do so now, or you will miss the real impact that I intend for your life. Each generation that I design is fitted for specific tasks to accomplish My overall plan. Yours is to usher in the return of My Son. Do you realize the impact of that statement? You are the generation that will see the culmination of My Word to you. You will walk out what others have longed to see.

"Many honest hearts who have gone before you have attempted to fit My timetable into their understanding. They have caused misunderstandings. Few of you now take seriously the kind of life dedication that I require to usher in the culmination of My Word and apply it to your lives. Few of you will take My requests to your heart. Few of you will be waiting only for Him as you go about your given missions. What you see before you will attempt to sway you from what you know is really happening. Do not be taken in by the loose usage of interpretations of what I have written. Do not misread what you see before you. Drop all of your preconceived notions of what I require of you this day. I advise you to plan for a wedding rather than a war. I suggest that you become a study of Jesus, so that you will be functioning in His image when He comes.

"Drop every one of your attachments to the world. Take your eyes off the things that hold your heart. Remove the blemishes from your garments. Your heart of preparation will be a testimony of His love to those who observe your radiant expectation. Rejoice with Me as you prepare. Rejoice with others as they realize the reason they have been born. The world around you has a carnal focus, even in My church. Allow your preparations to open their eyes. As you allow Me to implement My Word in your heart, those who can hear will listen to what My Holy Spirit is saying, and begin preparations themselves. Rejoice with Me as your light of love shines with a new brilliance in your world. Keep your heart in the direction of heavenly things. That’s where those who are aware of their promise are focusing. That’s where My focus is.”

Matt. 25:1-6 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 their 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!’”

Colossians 3:1-4 AMP 

1) If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [Ps. 110:1.]

2) And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.

3) For [as far as the world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.

4) When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory.

 

Those who saw Jesus raised from the dead and observed His return to heaven believed firmly that He would return to earth in their generation. They approached every task placed before them with one eye toward heaven and one ear listening for His call to them. Their lives were a brilliant light to those around them. Some were so blinded by it that they attempted to extinguish it. Others embraced it and carried it into their personal world.

There is a grave danger present today. We know too much. In fact, we know so much that we live our lives according to what we know, rather than what the Holy Spirit is saying to us.

This we know. Everything that needs to be accomplished for the coming of Jesus has been accomplished, or is very, very close to being accomplished. Most of us believe that He could come at any minute, basically because of what we hear from those who are a study of the Scriptures and also because of what we see happening around us.

This is what I believe the Holy Spirit is saying to those who have ears to hear. I believe that He is telling us to stop preparing for Jesus based on what we know. We are to begin preparing for Who we know.

In the Matthew account, I believe that there are two hearts represented. One heart was waiting because they knew that it was right to be there. They understood that because it was the appointed day for the wedding, the Groom would be coming soon. The other heart was there because they longed to be there with every fiber of their being. These were waiting with eager anticipation, longing to be with the One that they loved deeply.

There is also one heart that is represented by its absence. It is the heart that is oblivious to the wedding that is about to take place. These poor souls were more than likely out plowing their fields or conducting business somewhere. Their invitations were probably long forgotten under the other “things to prepare for” pile of papers on their desks.

Don’t want to miss this one,

Jim Corbett

“Joyfully follow the leading of My Holy Spirit. Move in concert with His desires. Delight yourself in Me and I will place desires in you that sometimes are illogical by the world’s standards. I will ask you to love deeper, give more, and worry less. I will join you with others who have the same heart that you have. You will walk together for no apparent reason other than it is My will for you to do so. Each of you will have a part in reaching My people for this end-time season. You will be helping hands to each other and to those to whom I send you. Invest in each other unashamedly. Love without reason other than I have called you to love as Jesus loved. Be My hands! Be My heart! Be the example of Jesus. He was not limited by the conventions of the day. He just loved until there was no more to give. Then He gave more. Now He continues to give, just because He can!”

Matthew 6:19-21 NIV

19) “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

20) But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

21) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 16:22-23 NIV

22) Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

23) 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.”

Matthew 16:24-25 AMP

24) Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also].

25) For whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [life everlasting].

 

The above verses make no sense to the world! In each one of them, the Lord shows us a way of living that is only for kingdom subjects, those aspiring to live as Jesus lived.

I love the verses in Matthew 16 above. Good ol’ Peter! Doing what would be the right thing to do if he was supposed to walk in logic and typical thinking. He could only see the carnal and how the normal person would love someone. He was limited to his earthly way of doing things.

God has given us heavenly, Holy Spirit ways to love, live, and walk out our portions in life. He has His own set of rules for us. He says that we should never limit our love to one another. He says that we should be joined with those to whom He sends us because we are called to work together. He says that there should be no limit to our service to Him and to them. We are to treasure the things He treasures.

In these end times, our Lord is joining together those who desire the deeper, more Christ-like way of living. He is asking us to function as Jesus functioned toward one another and toward those who need to know Him. He is placing us in positions where we can pour out the resources that He has given us – love, time, talents, comfort, finances, (the list is endless) - with joyous freedom as led by the Holy Spirit. There is no limit to His love toward us. He is asking us to live the same way toward others, no matter how silly or foolish it may appear to those who can only see with carnal eyes.

Teach me to love as You love, Lord,

Jim Corbett