Tag: Faith

“Where is your heart? To whom are you listening? What kind of plans are you making and why am I not at the center of them? Be encouraged. I am so pleased at the progress most of you are making toward absolute surrender to My will.

"I know that it seems as if nothing is changing in you, that you are never going to be who I want you to be. I also know and see much more than you can from your limited perspective. I see your surrendering heart. I see your desire to sometimes become all that I want you to be. I also see your frustration when you see how little you seem to have changed when you leave Me out of your plans. What little you see happening in you is not truth as I see it. 

"Most of you, who are on the threshold of greatness in My eyes, have never been really, really good at anything. You have walked through your lives with average gifts and talents, excelling in possibly one or two areas. Perfection in anything, however, seems to have eluded you. Again, be encouraged. Even though you can only see your lukewarm heart, your distracted goals, and your self-focus, I see your perfection through the work of the cross. I also see greatness in your future. I have the ability to look past who you are at present, to see who you are becoming, and also see who you will forever be.

"At present, through Jesus, you are perfect to Me. Soon you will function in greatness and excel at loving Me. Then you will become holy. I will have your whole heart. Your thoughts will be My thoughts. I will be the center of your very being.”

Hebrews 10:14 NIV

because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Hebrews 12:2 NIV 

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…

 

I love the prospect of excelling at loving Him.  The thought of never being really, really good at anything has haunted me most of my life. The possibility of being on the threshold of greatness in the eyes of my Lord is beyond my comprehension. The promise of holiness encourages me beyond belief.

Think of it. At present, we are perfect in God’s eyes because of the wonder of the cross and its work. Because we have embraced that sacrifice, we have entered into the covenant promise of being made holy. The process has begun and is being completed this very moment whether we feel it or not. Jesus is completing us. Boy! That takes a ton of weight off my back.

In these days, because of the times and seasons and the awareness of who I am not, I have found myself striving to do what Jesus is already doing in me. Somehow, I have attempted to do what is not my job to do. My job is to simply surrender to the process and have faith that the work is being done in me. I have the freedom to know that in my Father’s eyes, I am perfect right now. I am fully accepted by Him. I can also be confident that He has the ability to make me what He wants me to be.  In fact, because He has begun the process, anything that I do to try to stop it will be nullified. He will overcome my stupidity with His love.

Thank You, Jesus,

Jim Corbett

“Are you available to Me? Can I count on you to move when I ask you to move and do what I ask you to do? How rigid is your life? How entrenched are you? So many of My children think that they are available to do what I ask them to do, but they place restrictions on My hand because of their choices and responsibilities. Most are so in debt that they serve all of the other gods that own them. There is no question that I can and will use you where you are, but are you sure that you are where I have asked you to be? I ask you this question. Would you sell everything or give away everything that owns you, if I asked you to do so? Why not?”

Matthew 6:19-21 NIV

19) “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

20) But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

21) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Matthew 19:21 NIV 

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

 

Some time ago, Merry, Jubilee, and I went on what turned out to be a five-year mission trip. We were called to go on faith, having just enough to get where we were called to go. Then we waited on the Lord for His next provision. Many judged us for living that kind of life. I’m convinced we were called to live this way so that we could “own” the messages we’ve been given for today’s church.

During our travels, we met and associated with the full spectrum of God’s people - from those who had the very basics to those who had enough for several lifetimes and craved even more. One major lesson that we learned about today’s church is, that even though most say that they are willing to serve God, they are in bondage to what they own; and it actually owns them. Very, very few would be able to go where the Lord might call them to go because of the entanglements in their lives.

We have discovered that many, in fact, have been called at one time or another by the Lord, and have refused the call for a myriad of reasons - all centered around their inability to let go of what they really serve. I believe that there are going to be a lot of very surprised people on the day they face Jesus.

Loosen my grip, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“If these were the closing moments of time, how would you live your life? More than likely, you would do what it takes to make all of your relationships right. You would probably get in touch with those that you love and express how much they mean to you. Then you would deal with those who have offended you, forgiving everyone, and asking for forgiveness from those you have offended. I’m sure that Our relationship would also change. I would find you drawing closer to Me, making sure that everything in your life was in line with My Word and My desires for your life. You would take care of any hidden sin, any hint of discretion. Finally, you would prepare for Our meeting face to Face by devoting yourself completely to Me, surrendering your heart to be examined by My Word for the slightest trace of rebellion.

Once all of that is complete, you would probably begin to enjoy all the relationships that I have placed in your life to the fullest. You would love more, forgive more quickly, and serve everyone better, telling those who do not know Jesus of the wonder of His love. Each day would be an opportunity to smell the fragrance of the air, bask in the warmth of the sun, and walk in the wonder of My creation. Family would be more important than work. You would take the time to embrace the heart of your children, and fully appreciate the love of your life; ignoring the small stuff and reveling in the beautiful traits that won your heart in the first place. You would remember all the good times and forget all of the challenges.

Life, love, and laughter would become important once again. My child, these are the closing moments of time as I see them. Even if there were many years of My calendar left, how many more heartbeats do you have? I would suggest that you get on with it! I love you.”

Ephesians 1:3-8 NIV 

3) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

4) For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love

5) he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will

6) to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.

7) In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

8) that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

 

“Life” usually gets in the way of the really important stuff. Most of our days are spent doing what is necessary, fulfilling what is planned, and handling everything urgent so the pattern can be repeated tomorrow. We head for rest times exhausted, and emerge from them with little refreshment, falling back into the well-worn path of daily living with sighs of submission.

I have had the privilege of talking with people in their golden years, often hearing words of regret expressed when reflecting on their lives. Most wish that they had enjoyed and embraced each day with the wonder that it really is, rather than letting it pass, waiting for a better one to come.

Today is very special, no matter what it presents to you. You have the incredible privilege of walking through it with your Lord, and those whom He has placed in it with you. Honor Him, and love them with His love. Let no fear, bitterness, anger, or hate spoil another moment of the time that the Lord has given you. In the light of eternity, the times wasted on anything other than love and serving Him mean nothing. You and I have the very breath of the Lord in us. Let’s use every one of them to glorify His Name.

Needing to take time to be thankful for and enjoy what is important,

Jim Corbett