Tag: Devotional

“When I call you to a specific task, I equip you. When a particularly difficult challenge comes your way, you need to know that corresponding heavenly power is available to you to complete the task at hand. All that you have been given because you are in Jesus is more than enough to overcome any onslaught of the enemy. Nothing can harm you. You, however, have a problem. Most of you are fighting battles that are not yours or have different ideas about what I am attempting to accomplish through you in a specific challenge. Because your immediate response is self-preservation and personal safety when difficulties come your way, you miss My purpose for the event taking place.

"You fight those I bring to you with anger. You separate yourself from those who offend you. You flee to a place that looks safe for you when you are afraid, instead of allowing Me to overcome the challenge right where you are. You need to stop seeing things around you with carnal eyes. You need to find out what I want done in every situation that comes your way. Look past what you see and allow Me to show you what is really transpiring. You will be amazed at how your life becomes a life of wonder and peace even in the midst of what appears as difficult times. Come to where I am. It is where you are born to be.”

Luke 10:19 KJV

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

John 4:34 NIV

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”

John 10:11-13  AMP

11) I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep.

12) But the hired servant (he who merely serves for wages) who is neither the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and runs away.  And the wolf chases and snatches them and scatters [the flock].

13) Now the hireling flees because he merely serves for wages and is not himself concerned about the sheep [cares nothing for them].

Acts 4:29-30 NIV

29) “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.

30) Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

 

When I was in basic training, one of the main reasons for everything that was done was to remove individuality and replace it with team effort. Even if only one person chose to be out-of-line with the program, everyone else paid the price for his rebellion.

In the spiritual realm, a high price has been paid for each of us to be enrolled in our Father’s troops. We have enlisted with Him so that His plans can be accomplished, not ours, whether we know it or not. Many people around us are paying a high price for our rebellion and ignorant behavior. More importantly, the desires of God are greatly hindered, because even though we are the vessels He chooses to use in any specific challenge, we choose to not get with His program and struggle to maintain ours.

Show me Your ways and forgive me for mine, Lord,

Jim Corbett

 

“The wonder of My Word is that it is universal. Its truths apply to all times and seasons. From the eternal past thru the eternal future, I have proclaimed what I will bring to pass. There is nothing that I have said that does not line up with My heart and My nature. Make sure that you understand what I have said before you base your life on loose and incorrect interpretations- those false ideas of men who use My Word for their gain. Study carefully so that you cannot be swayed by street corner prophets and siren songs that call for a life of ease and comfort. I have called you into being for the purpose of proclaiming the truth of My Word, not the lies of men’s hearts. Study what I have said. Know what I am saying. You are responsible to live My truth and bring it forth to others.”

Isaiah 2:22 AMP

Cease to trust in [weak, frail, and dying] man, whose breath is in his nostrils [for so short a time]; in what sense can he be counted as having intrinsic worth?

Isaiah 46:9-10 AMP 

9) [Earnestly] remember the former things, [which I did] of old; for I am God, and there is no one else; I am God, and there is none like Me.

10) Declaring the end and the result from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure and purpose.

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.”

Mark 4: 24 AMP

And He said to them, Be careful what you are hearing. The measure [of thought and study] you give [to the truth you hear] will be the measure [of virtue and knowledge] that comes back to you – and more [besides] will be given to you who hear.

Luke 12:19-21 NIV 

19) ‘And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ‘

20) “But God said to him, ’You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

21) “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”

1 John 2:6 AMP 

Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself.

 

Since the beginning of time as we know it, the truth of the Word of God has been distorted by the enemy of our souls to tickle the desires of the sinful hearts of those who desire to use that Word for their own comfort and gain. As the closing moments of the Lord’s timetable draw near, many voices are being raised up that proclaim peace, safety, and comfort for those who will listen, when the Lord is calling for a sacrificial life for those who are truly His.

The Word of God never changes. Its truths apply for all seasons, every generation, and all economic and social groups. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever and so is His Word. God has always called for absolute submission and surrender to Him.  Any teaching that does not exemplify the crucified life of Jesus as the pattern for us to live is a distortion of what the Word really says. It is dangerous to follow and will be frightening to justify when we stand face to face with Jesus.

Show me the truth of Your Word,

Jim Corbett

 

“I know that you know that My Holy Spirit dwells in you because of your commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I know that you know that you have access to Me at any time because of what has been done for you on the cross at Calvary. I know that you understand that I have given you authority to overcome any hindrance in your life, that My Word promises overwhelming power to tread on the power of the enemy of your soul. Why, then, are you so far from the example of the life of Jesus to your world? Why do you feel the need to strive for My presence? It is because of your priorities.

"You say that you put Me first in all that you do. You claim to have only My interests as the desire of your heart. You are deceiving yourself. You need to stop and ask Me to reveal the truth to you. Ask Me what your real desire is in all that you do, and then take the time to allow Me to reveal an answer. To continue on the path that you are on will keep you relatively powerless to affect your world. You will also continue to have little peace.

"There is so much more for you to experience in Me. There is so much more for you to do as I embrace your motives when they are pure. Come to Me now. I desire that you be all that you can be in Jesus. I desire for you to fulfill all that I have planned for you and have joy doing it. I desire to be able to be with you in all that you do, wherever you go, because it is My path for you. I love you! I am for you!”

Haggai 1:7-10 AMP

7) Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways (your previous and present conduct) and how you have fared.

8) Go up to the hill country and bring lumber and rebuild [My] house, and I will take pleasure in it and I will be glorified, says the Lord [by accepting it as done for My glory and by displaying My glory in it].

9) You looked for much [harvest], and behold, it came to little; and even when you brought that home, I blew it away. Why? says the Lord of hosts. Because of My house, which lies waste while you yourselves run each man to his own house [eager to build and adorn it].

10) Therefore the heavens above you [for your sake] withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its produce.

 

Revival of any kind begins in the heart. Proper motives and true spiritual work can be initiated only when under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and directed by the Holy Spirit.

So often many of us find ourselves struggling, striving, and pushing to find the peace and presence of the Lord in our lives. Maybe we need to read the Word more? Maybe we need to do more spiritual things? Maybe another night in church would do it? Maybe if I gave more?

God is looking for our hearts to display His heart. He is calling each of us to reveal His truth in all that we do. That truth comes from an honest relationship with Him, the kind provided for us at the cross. When we go to our Abba, our Father God, desiring only truth, our true motives for all that we do will be revealed, and our hearts will find peace when we repent of them if they are out of line with His Word.

Only Your truth, Lord,

Jim Corbett

 

“Have you learned your purpose in life? Have you spent enough time with Me to know why I have given you breath to breathe? There is a reason you have been born. I desire that you use what you have been given to further My kingdom. You are to touch people for Me. You are to tell them about Jesus. Show them who He is by the way you live. When you have breathed all the breaths I have given you, when your purpose for life has been fulfilled, I will bring you to Me. I will then show you the purpose for your eternal life with Me, because you have been faithful to My will for you.”

Psalm 25:12 NIV

Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.

Proverbs 16:9 AMP 

A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.

Haggai 1:7-10 AMP

7) Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways (your previous and present conduct) and how you have fared.

8) Go up to the hill country, and bring lumber and rebuild [My] house, and I will take pleasure in it and I will be glorified, says the Lord [by accepting it as done for My glory and by displaying My glory in it].

9) You looked for much [harvest], and behold, it came to little; and even when you brought that home, I blew it away. Why? says the Lord of hosts. Because of My house, which lies waste while you yourselves run each man to his own house [eager to build and adorn it].

10) Therefore the heavens above you [for your sake] withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its produce.

Matthew 4:19-20 NIV

19) “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

20) At once they left their nets and followed him.

 

So many people miss the wonder of why they have been born. In their ignorance, they fail to understand that every event, every situation - whether deemed a failure or a success - is an opportunity to further the kingdom of God through their lives.

God has a plan for each of us. Our lives are meaningful to Him. He wants each of us to matter in His plan for the world.

Have you found your destiny? Have you spent enough time with your Lord to realize your true purpose for living and then followed it with all of your heart? If not, why not?

Show me each step, Lord,

Jim Corbett

 

“I would like you to once again pursue your first love. Do you remember how wonderful Our times together were? I remember when I would reveal something to you and you would dig into My Word with an enthusiasm that I haven’t seen for a long time. You were in awe of everything I showed you. Remember how some of you used to be thrilled to show anyone the road to salvation and reconciliation with Me? There was no drudgery about Our relationship. There was no concern about hurting someone’s feeling or robbing them of their time. You had found the greatest thing you had ever known and bubbled with excitement over everyone you met. If you couldn’t reach them, you prayed for them. We really had fun together. What happened? Why have I become commonplace with some of you?

"I realize that for many of you, Our relationship has progressed into one of intimacy. I also realize that you are focusing on maturity, becoming holy for Me. I am very pleased with that and do consider it very important. I would ask you, however, to remember Our first love together. Holy people are not prune-faced. Someone intimately in love exudes joy and wonder. I understand your times of labor. I understand those times of death to your flesh. It is impossible to remain exuberant all the time. I understand. But what about those other times, times when We are just walking together?

"Allow Me to renew your joy. Let’s rejoice. Let’s enjoy each other. I love who you’re becoming, but I also love who you are at this very moment. As you prepare for what lies ahead, remember what is important now. Most important to Me is being with you. Let’s renew the wonder of Our relationship. Not only will it be fun for Us, but everyone will wonder what you are up to. Then you can tell them about Me, and smile while you are doing it. You can tell them about the incredible part!”

1 Corinthians 1:2-9 NIV

2) To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ – their Lord and ours:

3) Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4) I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.

5) For in him you have been enriched in every way – in all your speaking and in all your knowledge –

6) because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you.

7) Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

8) He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9) God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

Rev. 2:3-5 NIV 

3) “You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

4) Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.

5) Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first…”

 

Have you ever seen the glow of someone who is first in love with Jesus? They are electric with heavenly light, especially those who come from some kind of deep darkness. I remember sometimes avoiding some of them because they were so overwhelming in their love. Being with them, one had to set aside any feelings of embarrassment. They cared little about what anyone thought. They were in love, and they wanted the world to know about it.

Have you ever wondered where they went? What happened to them? What happened to the enthusiasm, the wonder, the belief in the Word and its power? What happened to the life of Jesus that was so evident in everything they did? Where did it go?

Before you think that I am pointing at anyone else, you need to know that I am looking in a mirror first. The Lord is convicting me about my life.

When I first got saved, I used to hang around with some fanatics because I was crazy in love with Jesus. Some other saved reprobates and I dared to believe what we read in the Bible and expected it to come true in our lives. Funny thing was that it often did!

We saw more incredible stuff - from miracles to healings to salvations to… you name it and it happened. We’d lay hands on anything that moved or stood still. Skin would grow over exposed bones, hearing would come back, and lives would be changed. Prayers were expected to be answered, and they were.

I remember when someone called me to pray over his used car business. He hadn’t sold a car in months. (They were really “tired iron.”) Foolishly, I spent about two hours “anointing” every one of them with oil. I really believed in my heart that they would sell, even though the sales people made fun of me from the showroom. The next day, I got a call from the man who initially called me to pray. He told me that he had sold the whole lot full of cars and his whole business that very morning. Right out of the blue, someone walked in off the street and made him an offer for all of it. We giggled at the wonder of God.

Gotta get back to that kind of wonder,

Jim Corbett