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11/24/21 Unconscious Advance

Often we forget that God is continually at work on our behalf and for the good of those we love. He has called us to the position of husband and father. He will equip us for the task if we seek Him for His power. He promises to never leave us or forsake us. He will continually advance His plan for our lives and the lives of those we love. There are no “off days” with respect to His hand on us accomplishing what He desires.

When the obligations of my offices overwhelm me, and my failures seem to far outnumber any semblance of success, I remember a comment made by a dear pastor who is now enjoying the Lord's company face-to-face.  He used to say, "There has never been an emergency meeting of the Trinity."  If we could only remember that every moment, maybe we could stop setting those meetings up down here because we see no evidence of change in us or our circumstances.

Is God  trustworthy  and all-powerful or not?  Of course He is! I guess that puts the ball back in our court. "Lord, give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart that has the ability to trust You completely!"

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

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11/23/21 Remain Faithful

“Do you live a life of truth? I’m not asking if your life makes sense to those who haven’t heard what you and I have discussed and judge you with their own ideas of what following Me means. I am asking you, are you listening to what I am saying to your heart and following Me in obedience? You see, I’m not really concerned if My cold church understands your life. Most of them have forgotten how to follow Me long ago. I am concerned though that you, those of you who are responding to My training, remain faithful.

"Are you doing what I ask you to do, no matter how it appears to others who cannot see? If you are, understand that you will make those who judge your life very uncomfortable. In fact, that is why I have placed you in their midst. They don’t know it yet, but I am exposing their lives through your life. I am using you to bring light to their sinful hearts and traditional beliefs that deny My sovereignty.

"Keep following Me. There will come a time when I will vindicate your life. I will move on your behalf and others will be amazed. Some will even come to repentance for judging you. I will forgive them. Others will go about the business of judging and condemning with their hearts. They will eventually get to a point where I cannot reach them. Pity them, but move on with Me.”

1 Cor. 4:2 AMP 

Moreover, it is [essentially] required of stewards that a man should be found faithful [proving himself worthy of trust].

I Peter 1:14-15 AMP 

14) [Live] as children of obedience [to God]; do not conform yourselves to the evil desires [that governed you] in your former ignorance [when you did not know the requirements of the Gospel].

15) But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living.

 

The Lord is shaking up His present-day church. He is separating those who will truly follow Him from those who will stop short of His will when it becomes uncomfortable for them.

If you have a heart to glorify God with your life and spend enough time with Him to hear His true heart, you will, at times, appear to be a fool to those around you. You will stand when others sit, move when others are hamstrung with fear; and turn left when others can only follow a call to go right in their carnal logic. You will often be alone. People will give up on you. People will judge you according to their entrenched standards. Be at peace; you are in good company.

Few understood Paul’s life at the time He was called to live it. His actions defied the logical thinking of the day. He was considered foolish to those who had raised themselves up as leaders. Only when the Lord chose to have people understand the logic of His ways did Paul’s life make sense.

In this present time, God is calling His trusted servants to an intimacy with Him. If you have responded to that call, you will hear His heart for your life. Sometimes what you are asked to do will make little sense at the time you are told to do it. Make sure that you have heard your instructions clearly, and that they line up with His Word; then move with your Lord. Do not fear those who are standing in judgment. Follow God.

Teach me to follow only You, Lord,

Jim Corbett

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11/23/21 Our Privilege

Have you ever thought about the privileges we have as husbands and fathers? Though there are many, one of the most wonderful is the ability to hold those we love before the Father for His blessing upon them. Not only do we observe their days; we also have the honor of laboring in prayer for them as we see their needs.

Think of it. God has chosen us to be a valued asset in the lives of those we love, to lend a hand for their best interests, to undergird them in their times of need or challenge by presenting them before our mighty God for His faithful intervention. That’s some pretty powerful stuff!

The apostle Paul talked about being in pain as if in childbirth until Christ was formed in his circle of influence. He considered it his task to hold them before the One Who can do something about their real need. We can do the same for those we love. It’s our job, our moment by moment assignment! It’s our calling and privilege!

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

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11/22/21 No Need to Guess

“When I call you to move with Me, you will know in your heart that it is the right thing to do. If you have any check in your spirit or are not clear as to what you are to do, stand and wait for things to unfold. There is no hurry. I would rather that you know for sure and move in confidence, than to guess and not be where I want you to be. My children do not need to guess when I am available to confirm My directions and bring My presence to their every move. Why would you want to be where I am not? Make sure that I am the initiator of where you are going and then move with confidence. I will be there with you.”

Exodus 33:13-16 NIV

13) “If I have found favor in your eyes, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

14) The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

15) Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.

16) How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

Psalm 127:1 AMP 

Except the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; except the Lord keeps the city, the watchman wakes but in vain.

Proverbs 16:9 AMP

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

Isaiah 30:21 NIV 

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

 

It is such a privilege to know that we have the ability to check and double check with our Lord to make sure that we are in His will. It is also wonderful to know that the Lord desires for us to have His presence with us to accomplish things that we could never accomplish on our own.

So often we are afraid to stop and check our motives, or reverse our direction if needed, or even abandon an idea should it be out of the will of the Lord, when the Lord has provided His promise of guidance to us. He desires that we don’t make mistakes. He desires to guide us and direct us wherever we go. He wants us to be sure of our steps as we follow Him.

Thank You for Your patience with us, Lord,

Jim Corbett

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11/22/21 Seize the Moment

Being a man who’s lost one of his children, I’m often reminded of the many wasted moments, wrong decisions, and times when other things appeared more important than devoting time to her. I look back and wish I had seized every opportunity to enjoy her, instead of placing other supposedly more important things ahead of her.

As husbands and fathers, we are truly blessed. We each have the honor of witnessing the lives of those God has given us. As we observe their days, it’s our privilege to share in the delights they experience and grieve with them when they’re in need of a shoulder to cry on. All investments in them add to the wonder of participating in the life God has given them.

At certain points in the din of everyday life, most of us lose the importance of time spent with those standing close to us. Instead of grasping every instant to appreciate those precious moments, challenges, decisions, needs, and schedules cloud the wonder of family life, sometimes to the point of being too late. How I wish I had redeemed the time! How I wish I had seized every opportunity I had to participate in my first daughter’s life!  Today I determine in my heart to not make the same mistake with those who remain.

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

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