Tag: Devotional

“Repentance is the only way to win My favor. There can be no intimate interaction between Us unless you maintain a humble, submissive heart. I have toppled kingdoms because of their pride in their own strength and resources. I have delayed My provision to them in time of need. I have used the unlikely, the underdog, the seemingly weak to destroy their pompous attitude and humble them for all the world to see. When they came to repentance, I restored My lifeline to them so that they once again could accomplish My work.

"For many years I have called you, My people, to repentance. I have asked you to humble yourself so that I can move freely through you. Instead of seeking Me with an open heart, allowing My Holy Spirit to expose every hidden sin, you have chosen to correct the wrongs that you see in those who do not know Me. You have attempted to change your world and call it My way of doing things. That is pride, and I am not with you in it. How much success have you had? How much closer has the world drawn to Me? If you are truthful, even with all your activity, things have gotten darker. You have also become weaker because you have been too busy to spend enough time with Me to gain My strength and hear My heart.     How long must I continue to call you before you hear Me? What will it take before you understand that My goal is your proud heart, not your zealous activities that look like My work. You need to wake up! You need to rediscover what I originally taught you. If you look back through the corridors of time, you will observe the religious activity and the prideful attitude of those who believed they were doing My work. In reality, they were very busy maintaining their own lordship immediately before I humbled them, whether they be nations or individuals. It will be like looking in a mirror. That should terrify you enough to bring you to repentance. You know what is coming next if you don’t! I will humble you.”

 2 Samuel 14:14 NIV

“God does not take away life, instead he devises ways so that a banished person may no longer remain estranged from him.”

2 Chronicles 7:13-14 NIV

13) “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people,

14) if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” ( Another translation reads, ”I will hear THEM from heaven…”)

 

In the time that I have been a follower of Jesus Christ, I have lived through the foolishness of the fist-waving, foot-stomping, devil-commanding, power-praying, finger-pointing, people-condemning, sign-carrying, bible-thumping, rights-demanding, holier-than-thou spectacle that some call Christianity. In a specific time of need, I have seen thousands of people attend rallies designed to unite themselves against the enemy.

One such rally even called in a “Christian minister” who called himself a maledictionist. He was called to bring curses down upon the particular enemy of that time. Thousands attended that meeting. It was shameful. All the world saw the foolishness done in the Name of Jesus to change our world.

What is so fascinating about almost all of these functions is that the 2 Chronicles 7:14 verse above is used as a rallying cry for their justification. It is held high as the definitive verse to show the righteousness of our battle, the sureness of our victory.

I have meditated long and hard on 2 Chronicles 7:14 and have come to the conclusion that it means exactly what is very clear the first time you read it. God was calling His people (Christians) to repent of their own sins if they wanted their land healed, not come against the wrongs in the land and those committing them. We are to represent the character of Jesus to them so that they might accept Him and turn from their wicked ways through His power.

That is not a very popular position to take. The usual immediate response when pointing to the verse and taking it word for word is, “You mean we are supposed to sit around and do nothing?” It is as if humbling ourselves, praying, seeking the face of God, and turning from our wicked, prideful, not needing God ways is far behind “rallying for a cause” on the fruitful works activities list. Seemingly, praying, repenting, and seeking God with all our hearts are considered inactivities, rather than the most honored activity of our Lord.

A good friend of mine said the Lord told him that we are at a crossroads, as a people and as a nation. I totally agree with him. I would suggest, however, that we have been there for some time. God, in His graciousness, has been calling us to intimacy through repentance for quite a while. He has used the incredible sin in our land to drive those who see it to their knees and remind us of our own desire to be independent of Him. He has also used it to show us that we would rather proclaim His promises, use His Words, and flaunt our heritage before those who are needing Jesus, than humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways, asking for forgiveness of our sins. That act alone testifies of the pride and independence that He is after in each of us.

Forgive me, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“Compare your petitions to Me with those who have gone before you! Include those who were passionate to bring glory to Jesus on their way to the arena that was filled with waiting lions and jeering crowds. Examine your heart and your needs to see if your requests have value in the light of eternity. How much of what you request from Me is for the well-being of others? How much is for your comfort, rather than for your desire to go deeper with Me no matter what the cost?

"Is there ever a time that you come to Me wanting nothing for yourself? Have you ever had only My plans in mind and seek Me to implement them in My power? Have you ever sought Me for the power to defend My reputation and the reputation of Jesus? Have you ever wept for how most of the church offends Me with their weak religion and carnal presentation of My cherished Word? Have you ever waited in My presence until you knew for sure what the desires of My heart were? Do you think that maybe it’s time for you to grow up? I do!”

Exodus 33:13a NIV

“If I have found favor in your eyes, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you.”

Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

8) “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.

9) “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

 

In our pride and selfishness, we miss so much of what the Lord really has for us. We whine and squirm throughout most of the trials that have been sent our way to purify us, missing the point for them. Our attentions are so self-focused that the Lord can rarely use us to implement what is on His heart for those in our little world.

I am convinced that if ever the Lord would show us the comparison of our lives to the passionate life that He intends for us, we would be amazed and ashamed as to how far off course we are most of the time as we move in concert with our own needs, rather than in His desires for us.

Forgive me, Lord! Change my heart,

Jim Corbett

“I notice that at times you have a heavy heart. I also notice that because you are My minister, people consider your countenance to be a lack of faith. It is expected by some that you must always remain joyful and happy or there is something wrong with your walk. You must not allow their immaturity concerning My Word to bring you to a point of questioning what I am doing in you during these times. You, My ministers, are those whom I can trust.

"I often place My burden for others and for this world on you to hold them before Me. It is My work being accomplished. It is My birthing process. During these times, you will feel some of the burden that I feel. If you do not understand what is happening, you will have a tendency to compare yourself with those who are always happy and think that there is something wrong with you. That is not the case, so be encouraged. Sometimes the burden will come unexpectedly and surprise you. Do not be alarmed, and do not be confused. You are at work for My kingdom. Bring these unspoken burdens before Me, even if you have little idea of what they are. I know. I have given them to you. When My desire has been accomplished, the burden will be lifted.

"During the time that you are carrying it for Me, the weight of it might be very heavy. It is not your lack of faith in Me; it is My great faith in you. You are trustworthy. Release everything to Me and I will support you while you are at work. I am with you. I am proud of you. Be encouraged; I love to trust you.”

 II Cor. 1:11 AMP 

While you also cooperate by your prayers for us [helping and laboring together with us]. Thus [the lips of] many persons [turned toward God will eventually] give thanks on our behalf for the grace (the blessing of deliverance) granted us at the request of the many who have prayed.

Gal. 6:2-3 AMP

2) Bear (endure, carry) one another’s burdens and troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete what is lacking [in your obedience to it].

3) For if any person thinks himself to be somebody [too important to condescend to shoulder another’s load] when he is nobody [of superiority except in his own estimation], he deceives and deludes and cheats himself.

Gal. 4:19 NIV

My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you...

 

This message isn’t for everyone in the church. It is for those of you who have felt the burden of God and had no idea what came over you. Until you understand that some of what you feel is God working with you for the sake of others, you will believe that there is something wrong with you. There will also be a myriad of others in the church who will be delighted to give their opinion confirming that. Don’t listen to them. They cannot see and they do not understand spiritual warfare.

Other than in the movies, have you ever seen someone at war of any kind giggling while they fought? Of course not! They were intense until the battle was over. There is a vast difference between walking in fear and walking in an acute awareness of the danger; but standing to overcome in the Lord’s strength.

If you constantly have no joy in the Lord, that is one thing. You need to get in the Word and understand who you are in Christ and what you have been promised because of what He has done for you. If, however, you understand your heritage, but find yourself weighty at times, you may be an intercessor in the service of the Lord at that very moment. That sudden feeling in your stomach might be the Lord wanting you to lift something up on His behalf. No one will understand. Do not try to explain it. Just go to work with a spirit of gratefulness and peace in your heart.

If you are a watchman, an intercessor, a prayer warrior, or in other services for the Lord, you are not to walk around prune-faced and morose as the Sadducees did to prove to others how spiritual they were. Walk in joy. In the same way, however, when in battle, don’t pretend that everything is perfect. Fight the fight. The world is getting darker. Those of you who see may be called upon often. It would be wise to avoid those who will not understand your situation during those times.

Can’t listen to others when working for my Daddy,

Jim Corbett

“Wait! Wait! Don’t move before I tell you to move. There are many obstacles and foundational items that need to be moved, modified, and created before all is in order. If you move in your own strength and wisdom, you will never receive all that I have for you. I am not in a hurry. Even when I have given you a time frame, you can rest assured that I will never be late with My provision. My timing is always perfect. If you are in My perfect will, I will most likely be asking you to take a step of faith before you see all the provisions that I have made for you.

"Remember this one thing. I delight in being your Provider far more than you delight in having a God who is aware of your every need and has promised to always be there for you. I rejoice as I see you reminded of My faithfulness when I fulfill those needs. I plan to do that for eternity. Why would I not do it now? Rest! Trust in Me. I will never fail you. In fact, wait until you see what I have planned for you.”

 Ps. 27:14 AMP 

Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.

Ps. 31:15 NIV

My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.

Ps. 37:3-5 AMP 

3) Trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) in the Lord and do good; so shall you dwell in the land and feed surely on His faithfulness, and truly you shall be fed.

4) Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.

5) Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.

Ps. 42:11 AMP

Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my countenance, and my God.

Ps.62:5 AMP 

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

 

I used to think that messages about how faithful our God is were unnecessary. We are supposed to know that if we’ve walked with Him for any length of time. Since then, however, the Lord has impressed upon My heart how important it is to talk about His faithfulness one to another. It builds up our confidence in the faithfulness of God. That awareness of His faithfulness is the backbone for everything we do as Christians.

Before any of us can begin to do exploits, witness, or see signs and wonders, we must first have an immovable truth in our hearts.  First, we must believe that He is God; and then, that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Without faith in all that transpired at Calvary, none of us could or would be able to share the wonders provided for us. Without faith that our Father will fulfill what He has promised those who embrace Jesus as Lord, none of us could have the wondrous assurance that we do of eternal life.

Rejoice out loud about a loving, faithful God. Proclaim the wonders of His love to each other and to every corner of your world. Never cease to remember His fulfilled promises, and expect Him to be there for future needs. He will be there. He promised.

Learning to remember and to sing praises out loud,

Jim Corbett

“You may have “this” because you are mature enough to handle it. I will do “that” for you, when you are ready for the responsibilities that come with it. I will do something else for you, when I see that you will use it wisely; however, there are some things I will not do because they would not be good for you at this time. I would not be able to hold your attention while you are being trained. Your requests to Me sometimes take time.

"Rest in Me while I teach you to be trustworthy. While I am removing obstacles, moving blockades, and changing you, become steadfast in My lessons. Become focused on what I am doing in you. When you are ready, I will move on your behalf. When you have My heart, I can trust you to properly value what you are given.”

Psalm 37:4 NIV

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Jas. 4:2-3 AMP

2) …You do not have, because you do not ask.

3) [Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives…

I John 3:22 AMP

And we receive from Him whatever we ask, because we [watchfully] obey His orders [observe His suggestions and injunctions, follow His plan for us] and [habitually] practice what is pleasing to Him.

 

In prayer, there is a connection between what God does and what you are to do. Prayer (communication with God) is the vehicle that Father God has established for us to navigate from the physical realm to the spiritual realm and back again to accomplish His will from heaven to earth in us and through us.

Through this communication and because of the work of Jesus, God brings Himself, His plans, and His very being into His established tabernacles – us. Within the communication, we present our requests for all that is necessary for us to become who we need to be. Our Father also communicates His will to us. It is true communication between the Creator and His creation, with Father God all the while fine tuning our encounters with Him through the Holy Spirit.

Our communication with God is a privilege. It is also one of God’s opportunities to change us while we are waiting for answers.

Make me what You need me to be, Lord,

Jim Corbett