Tag: Devotional

“When Adam fell, any possibility of you having a relationship with Me was destroyed until Jesus bought that right back for you. He destroyed anything that stood in the way of Our being together. You now have free access to Me for any need you might have because of the blood covenant that was made in your honor. Why, then, do you not come to spend time with Me? You come with your lists, your needs, and your desires. You come when you are afraid or need to be cleansed; and when you have run out of answers. You, however, rarely come simply to spend the kind of time together that was lost in the garden and gained back at the cross. Our relationship is why you were created in the first place. It is time for you to rethink your idea of what Our relationship is all about. From My side, it’s all about love. Why do you think Jesus spent His blood?”

Genesis 3:8 NIV

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

Luke 23:44-45 NIV

44) It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour,

45) for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two.

Ephesians 5:1-2 AMP

1) THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father].

2) And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.

Col. 1:20 AMP

And God purposed that through (by the service, the intervention of) Him  [the Son] all things should be completely reconciled back to Himself, whether on earth or in heaven, as through Him, [the Father] made peace by means of the blood of His cross.

 

How many times have you opened your heart up to someone only to have that person use you, abuse you, and then throw you away after he or she is done with you? Just think of the price that was paid for you to have access to the Creator of the world. How have you honored that privilege?

Forgive me, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“Treasure every moment I give you. I have created them with My own hand. I have made them especially for you until We are joined forever. Seek Me as to what you are to do. Seek Me, so that you can know your purpose for living. I will show you what I plan to accomplish through you. There is purpose in it all. Waste no moments. They are Mine. Use them as I have designed you to use them.”

Matt.7:13-14 NIV

13) “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

14) But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Col. 4:5-6  AMP 

5) Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity.

6) Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you].

 

Those who are aware of the times and seasons in which we live are divided into two groups. One group is preparing with moderate zeal because they understand how wonderful it would be to be part of what might soon take place. They are flowing in their usual “this is gonna be good for me” attitude and believe that it will be adequate for whatever happens, whenever it happens.

The other group, those of you who have chosen to live as Jesus lived, have heard the same call, only you have learned from intimate times with the Father that compromise is not part of the character of Jesus. You know that the kind of heart that finds satisfaction in anything other than the Father’s will is in no way similar to Jesus’ heart.

You have learned that it is important to the Father that Jesus recognize Himself in those who are waiting and/or working for Him. You know that responding to the present call to intimacy is important to God and are willing to do so for no other reason than to glorify the Father and please Jesus.  You know that falling in love with Jesus, a vital and often missing part in the fulfillment of God’s plan, is necessary and you desire to do what it takes to go there.

Make my days count, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“Have you noticed that I care little about the reputation or acceptance of those whom I use mightily? Have you also noticed that people who look for fame of any kind, even in very small circles, are eventually set aside, their ministry nullified? They may seem as if they are prospering for a while, even a long while; but their effectiveness is minimal compared to what it could be if their hearts were fully surrendered to Me. I am building surrendered vessels with servant hearts to accomplish My plan. The visible leaders, those who have vied for position and recognition, will be surprised to see whom I choose to equip with My power and My presence. My work is being done in the secret places of your heart. It is being refined in the submitted heart, not the one that craves attention.

"My Holy Spirit is working in the deep parts of My true servants. You are being refined in the fire of adversity over and over. Some of you have almost given up and given in, because of the intensity of the trials that you have gone through. Sometimes, it has felt that I have forgotten about you, and even left you. Nothing could be further from the truth. You are My precious, refined representatives. You are the ones that are being purified. You are the ones that are becoming dead to this world and alive to Jesus. I will soon be able to trust you. Have you noticed recently how little it takes to move you? You hear Me whisper and respond naturally. Have you noticed that you are becoming less and less enchanted with fame, position, or worldly trappings? That is some of the completed work that I have done in you.

"I am now going to take you to a depth of relationship with Me that you never thought possible. I am going to seal your heart and weld it to Mine. This quiet work will be accomplished in secret places so that I will have your full attention, so that you will not be distracted by the worldly influences within My church. You will be separated and taught at My hand from My heart. Discard traditions and meet with Me in the secret place to find truth. Soon, the pain of training will be replaced by the wonder of My presence. People will notice you, but you will not be swayed by their adulation. Soon, you would rather die than take any part of My glory. I will be able to trust you with much.”

John 14:12-14 AMP

12) I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do: and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.

13) And I will do [I Myself will grant] whatever you ask in My Name [as representing all that I AM], so that the Father may be glorified and extolled in (through) the Son.

14) [Yes] I will grant [I Myself will do for you] whatever you ask in My Name [as representing all that I AM].

Gal.2:20 AMP

I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

 

A quiet power is being created within the true church of Jesus Christ. It is the fully released power of the Holy Spirit that is equipping the bride of Christ.

Before Jesus left, He said that we, (I believe that He was talking to all who truly love Him,) would do greater works than even He did. Looking historically, I don’t see that these greater works are the antics being done in certain “healing, prophetic, power, or miracle meetings,” where some well-known - or wannabe known - preacher, fully aware of the camera position, shares His anointing with Jesus. (Yes, I meant to say it that way.) That foolishness has little to do with what Jesus was talking about.

What is called power in today’s popular church circles is often choreographed showmanship or contrived manipulation, void of the character of Jesus. Please understand that I’m not talking about the honest moves of God that do follow the Word preached. I’m talking about the honor-grabbing, well-oiled salespeople who have Jesus and miracles as their product.

I am convinced that the greater works that Jesus was talking about happen mostly in no-name, unassuming places through honest hearts that most of us never hear about, such as the arenas all across the blood-soaked Roman Empire. As most of our New Testament was fostered by Paul’s isolation in a dank prison cell, the real work of the Lord is being done privately and without the fanfare that is normally associated with today’s ministries. Jesus escaped from the limelight as often as He could do so and still accomplish His Father’s will.

In the near future, I believe that the Lord will be using those who quietly and systematically represent Jesus every moment of their lives. Absolute obedience will be so natural that miracles, salvations, healings, and events only the Lord can develop will be everyday occurrences in the lives of those who are being trained at present.

Imagine the time when some of us raise someone from the dead in a shopping center and escape before anyone knows who was used by the Lord to do it. Consider the wonder when observers testify of the Name of Jesus being used by “this person who is no longer in the vicinity.” What about the time when we can once again gladly lay our lives down for the glory of God and have no desire that anyone even know about it?

I crave the day that our hearts are pure enough to flee from any form of flattery or the desire for any portion of God’s glory. That is the day that our Lord will be able to trust us with even “greater things” once again.

My Lord, stop the foolishness in my life,

Jim Corbett

“You must watch your heart so that you never, never turn your back on My people, Israel. In the times and seasons that are fast approaching, there will be many confusing issues about borders and alliances and other things concerning Israel. It is all part of My end-time scenario being played out in your midst. You must guard your heart and never come against My people or side with anyone who does. Too often you, My children, forget that you are grafted into the vine by My Son. You are there only because of My grace toward you. You had as much to do with the crucifixion of My Son as those at whom you point fingers. This may be hard for you to accept in your pride, but I am using you at present to bring those I also love deeply close to Me.

"For you to forget your isolated heritage, raise yourself above, and believe that you have a corner on My love is foolish thinking and destined for failure. It will only lead to confusion and unwise actions, leading you to heart separation from Me. I will never change My Word. I have promises in My Word that I will fulfill. If you decide to follow prejudices that are derived from a fleshly heart, you will find yourself directly opposed to My heart. You do not want to go there. I am not there and you will be standing all alone with only your “wisdom” to protect you. Not a good place to be!”

 Rom. 11:24-26 AMP

24) For if you have been cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and against nature grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much easier will it be to graft these natural [branches] back on [the original parent stock of] their own olive tree.

25) Lest you be self-opinionated (wise in your own conceits), I do not want you to miss this hidden truth and mystery, brethren: a hardening (insensibility) has [temporarily] befallen a part of Israel [to last] until the full number of the ingathering of the Gentiles has come in.

26) And so all Israel will be saved. As it is written, The Deliverer will come to Zion, He will banish ungodliness from Jacob.

 

In a telephone conversation years ago, I was attempting to explain the attitudes of people driving on the road in the South Florida area. Included among several categories to explain the selfish attitudes, the words “rich Jew” came from my mouth as one example. I meant to describe a kind of person who went about his business with little care about anyone else. I don’t believe that I had ever thought in those terms before, and I am quite sure that they had never been said out loud. I certainly didn’t mean to say them, but I did. I didn’t know that any root of prejudice was in my heart, but it must have been there because it came out of my mouth.

Immediately, my Lord took issue with my astounding ignorance. He said to my heart very intently: “Watch your mouth and guard your heart. You do not know the spirit that you have sided with. It is part of the anti-Christ spirit that is in the world and will become more prevalent as the end times unfold.”

I understood very clearly that He meant business and was not pleased at how I would hold to such sin against His people - even though I didn’t know it, nor would I willingly ever want any harm to come to them, nor would I ever want to come against them. I thought that I had only love in my heart until then.

Over the next week, it was impossible for me to shake a feeling of emptiness, knowing that I had offended my Lord. I tried to repent over and over again, telling Him how sorry I was for the choice of words I had used, and the attitude that I unknowingly had. Only after I repented of my arrogance and pride, and acknowledged my “grafted in” status, did I see forgiveness. It was a much deeper issue with Him than a simple bad choice of words. It was a spirit that was sent by the enemy long ago to destroy the unity of the family of God, all of His family, which I had unknowingly accepted. (No wonder there has been such focus and such horrors done to the Jewish people over the centuries.  It is a sent spirit!)

In my time of repentance, the Lord brought to my remembrance a meeting that I had with a Jewish contractor long ago. He had heard that I’d given my life to Jesus. This was a man that I’d greatly respected even before I came to the Lord, so we had enough of a relationship to be able to talk freely. In the course of our conversation, he made a remarkable statement to me. It didn’t impact me then as much as it does now.

He said: “I suppose you will come against my people now, just like all the others have.”  He went on to tell of all the horrific examples of so-called Christians and their foolish actions, some right to his face. I saw the hurt and deep sorrow in his eyes while I was promising to never be part of that ignorance. After this week, I understand his hurt and our ignorance as Christians more fully.

Wanting to never, never hurt the heart of my Father in that way again,

Jim Corbett

“Look closely at those whom I have placed in your life. Pray to see why they are there. Some are there to expose who you really are. Others are there to represent who I am. Still others are there simply to bless you with what I have done in them. Nothing is by chance when you are part of My life. Make sure you begin to honor each moment that you have breath. Time is passing and you will miss much that I have for you if you only concentrate on your needs. Cherish everything. Enjoy the days that are yours. Make sure that when your time is complete, you have few regrets because of wasted moments, inordinate fears or broken relationships. You can never recoup what was planned through them once they have passed. Stop looking only for results. Enjoy Our trip together and with others that I give you. I designed it especially for you.”

 Eccl. 3:1 AMP

to everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven:

Ps. 90:12 AMP

So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom.

Romans 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 his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

3) For even Christ did not please himself, 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 endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

5) May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,

6) so that with one heart and mouth 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.”

 

I have the great honor of being an observer and sometimes, it seems, almost a participant in the lives of certain people who are experiencing a Christ-like, God-ordained life modification. They are going through challenges that are forming them into the image of Jesus. It is incredibly exciting to witness astounding growth, as they submit to heavy trials, joyful times, and everything in between.

What is most interesting, as I observe their lives, is how real it all is. They are the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the work of the cross, and the power of the resurrection from the tomb being worked out and fulfilled right before my eyes. As they are being formed, I am seeing how truthful the Word and its promises really are. How horrible it would be to have missed the opportunity by deciding not to get involved.

Thank You for every Christ–life experience,

Jim Corbett