Tag: Devotional

“Shake yourself awake. Do whatever it takes to remove yourself from the lethargy that is infecting My church. Separate yourself from anyone who believes that “business as usual” is at the center of My heart. Those who claim to be in love with Me but deny the need to act with the passions of Jesus will be your stumbling block. They will attempt to douse your holy fire, ridicule your zeal, and downplay the need to sell out completely to Jesus. Shake loose from that kind of thinking. Run from that foolishness. It is another gospel. It is not at the center of My heart.

"Come close to Me. Find out what really concerns Me. Find out how I feel about what they are saying. Find My heart. It is far different from the cold, dead interpretation of My Word that is prevalent among those who call themselves by My Name. It does not resemble the self-centered heart of those who claim to be speaking for Me. I am on fire with love for those who still hate Me and My Word. I am zealous to perform My Word in them. That is the way I want you to be.”

2 Chr. 16:9 NIV

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him...”

Matthew 11:12 NIV 

“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”

Eph. 5:14-17 AMP

14) Therefore He says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light.

15) Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),

16) Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.

17) Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.

 

It seems that most in the church of Jesus Christ have lost their passion for the deep things of God. We have found our personal, somewhat comfortable place and are satisfied to be there.

We have a problem, however. That kind of life is not in God’s economy. We can be assured that our Lord will do whatever it takes to stir up our comfortable nests and remove us from any form of lethargy. If it hasn’t happened to you already, rest assured you will get your chance.

Our Father is looking for a holy people who are passionately in love with Jesus and devoted to carrying out the business with which He left us. He died so that we can live. We are now to lay our lives down, so that others might see Him.

Build Your passion in me, Lord,

Jim Corbett

 

“The foolish heart demands its own way and seeks its own will. It submits to nothing or no one, not even God. It is continually in the process of demanding that God perform in a fashion that is reasonable and understandable. It can never be satisfied because it is always attempting to satisfy self. It serves no one, but demands of everyone. It can see everything only from a carnal perspective. It says that there is no God over it. Far from the heart of God, it remains unusable in spiritual matters until it is changed by the power of the Holy Spirit and submits to the complete Lordship of Jesus.”

2 Chr. 16:9 NIV

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him...”

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

5) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

6) in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Isa. 58:11 NIV

The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

 

Taken from The Overcoming Life by Jim and Merry Corbett

The mature heart is a wonder to behold. This is the passionate heart of Jesus. It is also the bridal heart, prepared and waiting for Christ, the one that will overcome and even prosper during the perilous times ahead. As Jesus is one with the Father, the mature or bridal heart beats in unison with Them both.

This heart sees only the Father’s will as important, only the Father’s plans as worth addressing throughout life. The world, the cold church, and all else in the physical realm hold no audience with this heart. There is no purpose but God’s purpose, no plan but God’s plan, no future but God’s future. This heart is untouchable in its alliance with God. It is in total freedom in its chosen “slavery” to only the Father’s will.

This heart has put aside most of its elementary sins against God, those choices of the flesh that have carried over into the Christian walk, the choices of doing good things vs. going deeper and deeper with the Lord. It has set aside fleshly temptations and ponders over the things that concern Jesus. Improper spiritual choices, such as moving ahead on anything without waiting for everything to develop properly in the spiritual realm, cause this heart to understand its dishonor of God and bring it to repentance for its disobedience…

I want the heart of Jesus to be formed in me, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“Sometimes I allow you to know what I am doing; other times I require blind obedience. Either way, it is very important that you move when I tell you to move. Do not miss My will for you because of your lack of faith. Do not plan your days by what you see and hear and reason with your mind. You will miss what I am doing in your midst. You will be on the sidelines of My plans rather than being part of their impact. Move with Me. Listen for My heart. I will not be silent if you seek Me as your priority. Keep your eyes on Me as My plans unfold. Others may wander blindly; you will have sure steps.”

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.”

Esther 4:13-14 AMP

13) Then Mordecai told them to return this answer to Esther, Do not flatter yourself that you shall escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews.

14) For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance shall arise for the Jews from elsewhere, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion?

Psalm 25:12-14 NIV

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

13) He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land.

14) The Lord confides in those who fear Him; he makes his covenant known to them.

Proverbs 16:9 AMP

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

 

I am convinced that there is a God-ordained plan for each of our lives. If that really is true, would it not make sense to find out what that plan is? We may not see a pillar of fire or smoke to lead us in the direction that the Lord desires for us, but we do have access to God because of Jesus. We do have His Word, and the Holy Spirit to guide us.

Why would we choose to wander aimlessly, ending up with nothing to show for all our wasted days, when rich fruit could be harvested from our lives because we sought the Lord’s ways and followed them? Could it be that we would rather feel in control by planning our own steps and predicting the outcome with our skill and knowledge, rather than please God? Yikes!

Make me desire Your way, Lord,

Jim Corbett

 

“You have been wonderfully made to perform My calling on your life. You are not formed to do powerful accomplishments in the flesh; anyone can do that. You are created to accomplish mighty works in the Spirit, in places that sometimes only I can see and understand. You may never be appreciated by the world, so accept that and be comfortable with it, or you will never be at peace.

"In your associations, have you not found that the deeper spiritual walk is not attainable by anyone who thrives on having earthly accomplishments? Their need to succeed blinds them from placing value on what I call valuable. You can never be like them because I have called you to a higher purpose. I have called you to function in the heavenlies with Me.

"Over the years, I have trained you to release your worldly desires and crave My Spirit. It is a treasure that few can understand. I have set you free from the distractions that hinder you so that We can be together. I have invited you to learn at My hand, dwell in My peace, and be really comfortable only in My presence. I am forming you to take My presence to your world.”

I Corinthians1:23-29 NIV

23) but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

24) but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

25) For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

26) Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.

27) But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

28) He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are,

29) so that no one may boast before him.

1 Cor. 2:3-5 NIV 

3) I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.

4) My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,

5) so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

 

None of the world and few in the body of Christ really understand what the full spectrum of faith is. Of course it is “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Faith, however, is also allowing weaknesses and human frailties to be exposed in us so that the power of God is manifested and glorified. It is the assured equipping for service in spite of, more likely because of, our personal inabilities.

The first kind of faith is often used by those who tend to rely on their own strength and abilities as Christians to “stand strong” in every challenge and for every need. It caters to their inability or refusal to surrender fully to the total Lordship of God over their lives. They can control their world by using faith in their own faith.

The second kind of faith appears to be weakness to most who observe it. It is the kind of faith that is willing to express fears and cautions; being scared to death as Paul often was, but flowing in and accomplishing the will of God anyway. It is a depth of faith that is in full acknowledgment, surrender, and submission to the power of God, replacing any worth or wealth in self.  It is Paul’s kind of faith. It is Jesus’ kind of faith. He never relied on His own strength or abilities.

If you choose to walk in the second fully-submitted kind of faith, understand that you will be judged, condemned and scorned, especially by the “strong” in the church. You will be condemned for your “weakness” as you display your total submission to God’s strength for any accomplishment. Few will be able to separate your anointing from your frailties. God, however, will flow through you to those who are wise enough to bypass what is not evident in the flesh. They will give glory to the power of the Holy Spirit Who is at work. Your ripe fruit will feed many.

Wanting Jesus’ kind of weakness,

Jim Corbett

“I am always for you. Because of what Jesus has done for you, I will never turn My back on you, no matter how many times you fail to do what I ask of you. He established Our bond, an unbreakable bond. He established your new nature that desires to serve Me. He established Our relationship. Walk with Me. I will show you what real life is as your old life falls away. As We spend time together, you will cease attempting to be good before Me out of obligation. You will understand what real love is and desire that more than you desire to sin. It is the way of the cross. It is My way. I want it to be your way.”

Gen. 1:31 AMP

And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it completely….

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

5) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

6) in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Romans 5:17 NIV 

For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

 

The pursuit of Jesus usually begins for our good and pleasure. He meets our needs, brings us to salvation, and makes us feel good every time we go to Him. That’s good for us. There comes a time, however, that we understand the Father’s plan more clearly.

He shows us that this relationship is not only about us and our needs. He brings us to an increasing level of maturity. As we begin to understand His character better, we understand and move with His heart more often. As this action, response, action, response relationship continues, we gain more of His heart, and love more and more as He loves. We also begin to identify with His heart so closely that it becomes our heart.

The closer we get, we actually fall in love with His ways and move from admiration of Him to a love for Him. Getting to know Him and His ways leads to increasing love for Him, because we are changed more and more from being in His presence. Once we know Him, we act in a way that pleases Him because of the love for Him that has been placed in our hearts.

I submit to Your love, Lord,

Jim Corbett