Tag: Devotional

“The highest honor you can bestow on Jesus is to imitate Him in your daily life. He lived to make that visible. He died to make that possible. He now lives as a witness to the wonder of what has been accomplished.”

John 6:57 AMP 

Just as the living Father sent Me and I live by (through, because of) the Father, even so whoever continues to feed on Me [whoever takes Me for his food and is nourished by Me] shall [in his turn] live through and because of Me.

1 Cor. 11:1 NIV

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Ephesians 3:10-12 AMP

10) [The purpose is] that through the church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere.

11) This is in accordance with the terms of the eternal and timeless purpose which He has realized and carried into effect in [the person of] Christ Jesus our Lord.

12) In Whom, because of our faith in Him, we dare to have the boldness (courage and confidence) of free access (an unreserved approach to God with freedom and without fear).

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.

 

The life that we have been given is more wondrous than we can ever imagine. Immense heavenly resources were spent so that you and I can flow in the character of Jesus Christ for eternity through the power of the Holy Spirit. We are His because of Him. We remain His because He lives.

Thank You, Jesus!

Jim Corbett

“I miss the time We used to share together. You have become so busy paying attention to the things that seem so urgent that you have forgotten what is really important. In doing so, you are making those things more important than Our relationship. That grieves My heart. You have been reborn to have intimate fellowship with Me. Your new life allows you to participate with the eternal things of My heart.

“Why do you continue to place your priority on things that are passing away? Why do you feel that you can exist without the fellowship in which I have created you to participate? Make Me your priority. Even short, intimate moments together will modify your world immensely. Come to Me now. It is what I have formed you to do.”

John 5:19-20 NIV 

19) Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

20) For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does…”

Romans 8:5 AMP 

For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit.

 

Can you imagine the self-importance of taking for granted the opportunity of going into the presence of God? It took the bloodied body of Jesus Christ hanging on the cross to destroy the veil of separation between the Almighty, Living God and us. We are now invited to share things of importance heart to Heart. Sometimes we say, “No thanks.” Pretty scary, huh?

Break my prideful heart, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“I have given you a specific life to live. It is important to Me that you live it to the fullest. There are certain people only you will be able to reach. There are specific instances when you are to be a testimony to others. Every detail of your life is important to Me. Every instance that you encounter is part of who you are becoming. They all add up to who you really are in Me.

“At each point in your growth, I move people to you so that they can observe more of Jesus. Your experiences and growth help them to become who I want them to be. Consider every instance, every encounter, and every circumstance you face to be worthwhile. They are building blocks to your completion. Your life is for you to live as you choose. I choose for it to be developed into the character of Jesus. I ask you to do the same.”

Genesis 1:27-28a AMP 

27) So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him: male and female He created them.

28a) And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man] -

Psalm 51:10 AMP 

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering and steadfast spirit within me.

John 4:34 NIV 

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

Acts 21:13 AMP 

Then Paul replied, What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart like this? For I hold myself in readiness not only to be arrested and bound and imprisoned at Jerusalem, but also [even] to die for the name of the Lord Jesus.

 

We all need to look past our own little ideas about why we were born, and - just as importantly - why others were born. God really does not make mistakes. If we could see the orchestration of all of mankind, we would realize that everyone in every place on earth has a life given to him or her by the Lord. That life counts very much in His plan. Each one is specifically designed to accomplish a specific life task.

As followers of Christ, our lives have eternal consequences for the many other lives who have an encounter with us. We carry truth within us.

Show me how to live my life properly, Lord,

 Jim Corbett

“Do not become weary in what I have called you to do. Don’t give up because things seem to be going wrong. All is in order except your priorities. I am bringing everything into its proper place. You will have what is needed to finish your task. You will see why there seem to be delays when I unfold the reasons for them to you.

 “While you are waiting, let’s talk. Let’s spend some quality time together. Time with you is always more important to Me than anything you are doing, even My very important projects. Jesus gave His life so that We could be together. Make Our fellowship your priority. It was His. It is also Mine.”

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?”

Mark 15:37-38 AMP

37Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed out His life.

38) And the curtain [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

 

When things aren’t going according to my schedule, I sometimes feel that there must be an emergency meeting of the Trinity going on to discuss the urgency of my situation. Obviously, that is never true!

It is in those times that my Father reveals to me lessons about trust, Lordship, faith, and patience. He brings me back to the truth that He is the Lord over my life and I am not. He has everything under control, so I should stop attempting to control the days He has called me to live for Him. I also realize that I have not made my time with Him my priority. In His eyes, that will never do.

Forgive me, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“Obedience to My desires brings My presence in what I call you to do. Delighting to be obedient brings My heart. I value the difference between compliance out of duty and an excitement to see My will go forth. One accomplishes much; the other is why Jesus spent His life.

"It’s time for you to reexamine why you do what you are doing. My goal is that We walk together with the same heart. What is your purpose for waking and working? Why do you call upon Me in prayer? Turn aside from the elementary teachings of your youth. Long for My heart. Spend enough time with Me to know it. Crave to own it!”

Psalm 51:10 AMP

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering and steadfast spirit within me.

Isaiah 43:21 NIV   

-the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.

Amos 3:3 KJV

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

Matt. 25:1-12 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 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!’

7) Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.

8) The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

9) ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

10) But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11) Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’

12) But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’”

 

God is always after our hearts. So many of us walk in compliance, thinking that we are pleasing God. The Sadducees and the Pharisees became arrogant because of their self-righteousness. They fulfilled the law but lost the heart of God. In the same way, most of us do the right things, but miss God’s heart while doing them. It’s time to grow up for the good of our God and the reputation of Jesus.

I want to love Your ways, Lord,

Jim Corbett