Tag: From Our Father’s Heart

“If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? I sometimes hear you ask that nebulous question of each other and then inwardly assess your lives. Being comforted by your personal judgment and impressed with the number of bibles you own, you peacefully fall asleep, confident that you are a stellar example of My Son’s character before people and worthy to call yourselves by His Name. Let’s just suppose that I am the One who will determine if you represent Him properly. By the way, I am!

"Let Me pose some of the easier questions to you to use as plumb lines in assessing your life. Do you hold anything as your own? Have you recently wept bitterly for anyone because you knew that he was not saved, and resolved to devote your life to his salvation, no matter what the cost? Have you thrown a “pittance” to My workers, keeping an abundance for yourself because you “earned” it? Do you only crave to do My perfect will? If someone were to beat you within an inch of your life, take everything that you have, destroy your family and then mock your name to your friends, would you love him? Better still, would your love for him increase? Would you fall on your face in gratitude to Me for allowing you to be privy to his sin for the single task of holding it before Me, that I would not hold it against him? Would you give everything you own, even your very life, for the soul of someone who hates you?

"The One Whom you say you represent did! If you didn’t do so well with these elementary questions, there is still time. I will help you if that’s what you want Me to do.”

Luke 23:33-34 NIV

33) When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left.

34) Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

I Cor. 3:11-15 AMP

11) For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

12) But if anyone builds upon the Foundation, whether it be with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,

13) The work of each [one] will become [plainly, openly] known (shown for what it is); for the day [of Christ] will disclose and declare it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test and critically appraise the character and worth of the work each person has done.

14) If the work which any person has built on this Foundation [any product of his efforts whatever] survives [this test], he will get his reward.

15) But if any person’s work is burned up [under the test], he will suffer the loss [of it all, losing his reward], though he himself will be saved, but only as [one who has passed] through fire.

I John 2:5-6 AMP

5) But he who keeps (treasures) His Word [who bears in mind His precepts, who observes His message in its entirety], truly in him has the love of and for God been perfected (completed, reached maturity). By this we may perceive (know, recognize, and be sure) that we are in Him:

6) 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.

 

We are a fascinating group of people, those of us who call ourselves by our Redeemer’s Name. Not only do we judge others by their actions and judge ourselves by our intentions; we feel that God is going to do the same. Somehow, we have come to believe that we are going to be graded on a curve rather than by the Word when we stand before the Lord and are given crowns to lay at His feet.

Our lives, if held before the intense light of the Holy Spirit, need some tailoring, to say the least. We judge everyone, condemn the lost, lie to others, lie to God, hoard His wealth, hold grudges, harbor unforgiveness, care only for ourselves, overlook our sins; and then say that we represent the character of Jesus. Not very credible criteria for a defense of our actions.

I know that we are relying on grace and mercy, but what about the reputation of our Lord? What about His feelings? What about His desires about how we are to act? If Jesus is really our Lord, shouldn’t His wishes and examples for living be a little more important to us? I believe that His Father thinks so!

Needing to use the Word as my plumb line and consider the cares of my Lord,

Jim Corbett

“Have you ever wondered why the church is powerless? Of course, there are many reasons, but one of them is that you have been calling for Me to pad your comfort areas for so long that I have done so. You live in a world that has blinded your eyes to what I consider valuable. You have looked in that direction for so long, that you can’t even hear My call to holiness anymore. Even with the threatening times and seasons directly in your path, you make plans so that you will remain safe, rather than doing everything to allow My plan to go forth.

"Because you have not understood My plan, I have also allowed for you to remain lean to the wondrous things of My Word. You have cried for success; I have allowed most of you to achieve it. You have cried for help; I have been there as I promised. I always keep My promises. If only you would have cried for more of Jesus like My remnant has. I love to give His heart and desires to those who ask. If only you would have desired to take His cross, rather than seek the ways of the world.

"You have taken the way of ease and comfort, denying every opportunity to place yourself in a position of needing Me. Now you are unprepared for what lies ahead. Your money will not save you from times when money can’t buy anything. Your lack of spiritual strength will cause you to flounder, when only the spiritually strong will prosper. All of your worldly skills will cause you to be bankrupt, when only spiritual skills will be places of safety. You have fed yourselves on predigested food that I have given others, rather than come to Me yourselves for real nourishment.

"To My remnant, prepare to be needed desperately by those who have not called to Me to become like Jesus. In their fear during the times ahead, those of you who have been laughed at and scorned will have the strength, wisdom, and answers that they need to remain safe. That is all that they desire. Focus your attention on souls, rather than on the comfort of those who would not listen when I called. I love them, but I have trained you for different purposes in a time such as this. Do not let their need distract you from that purpose. I wish that none should perish; again focus on souls while there is still time. Remain focused; I will bring the eternally needy to you. Show them Jesus.”

Psalm 106:12-15 AMP

12) Then [Israel] believed His words [trusting in, relying on them]; they sang His praise.

13) But they hastily forgot His works; they did not [earnestly] wait for His plans [to develop] regarding them.

14) But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness and tempted and tried to restrain God [with their insistent desires] in the desert.

15) And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their souls and [thinned their numbers by] disease and death.

Hosea 13:6 NIV 

“When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.”

Zechariah 7:13 NIV 

“When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen, says the Lord Almighty.”

Matt. 25:28-29 NIV

28) “Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.

29) For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.”

 

Our God formed man to have fellowship with Him. When man broke that fellowship, God pursued him to the point of bringing Jesus into the world to die. His desire has always been that none should perish. He brings people to Himself, and then uses them to go get others.

Mankind doesn’t always see it that way. In fact, more often than not, we don’t think about it at all. Most of us care little that our neighbor, family members, and friends will spend eternity in the torment of hell. We are more concerned about what God can and will do for us.

What is not understood is the fact that if we don’t do it God’s way by becoming all that we can be in Jesus, so that the world has a chance to be saved, we lose out big-time. When we continually approach God with our selfish requests, never caring about those who are perishing, He gives us stuff; but He rarely gives Himself. We never experience the kind of life that we were meant to have.

Leanness to our soul is a soul on junk food. It describes someone who has little quality of life, no strength, and dies early. That describes the church of today. Those with an abundance (I’m not particularly talking about money,) in whatever form that fulfills their desires, usually feel that they do not need God desperately every moment. That is certain death. The result is a cold, lifeless church that is unable to truly impact the world around them.

The remnant, those who have only God’s purposes in mind, is given God Himself because He is their hearts’ desire. Soon there will be an accounting. What has been the real purpose for all that we have done? There will be many surprises for those who see things God’s way for the first time. Weep for them.

Wanting to see clearly now,

Jim Corbett

“It’s time for you to invest in someone other than yourself. You need to put aside your own needs for a while and inquire about the needs of someone around you. If you really want to learn how to love like Jesus loves, find someone you don’t like or someone who has done you wrong and invest in that person. Make plans for him to prosper. Pray that he be blessed. Give a series of good gifts to him, especially if he does not need them. Pray for him on a continual basis. You get the idea. Jesus died for those who spat on Him at the cross. He even blessed them and asked for forgiveness on their behalf. You have trouble getting your eyes off of yourself. How Christ-like is that?”

I Cor. 13:5-7 AMP 

5) It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

6) It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.

7) Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].

Php 2:3-7 NIV

3) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

4) Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5) Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.

6) Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,

7) but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

 

Enough said!

Help me to be like You, Jesus,

Jim Corbett

“Do you ever wonder why I sometimes call attention to your sins when we are alone? It is because I am your dedicated Father, Who loves you very much. Your relationship with Me is very real and I cherish it more than you could ever know. I’ve commanded the universe into being. I’ve set the stars to be immovable from their position, but I have gently called you to Me. You are so important to Me that I sometimes whisper your name. You are far more than some command that I’ve issued. You are a thoughtful desire whom I’ve created for Myself. I remember each moment that We’ve shared together.

"When you are too busy to spend time with Me, I miss you very much. When you are involved in sin, I must turn My face because of what you are doing; but I have never turned My back, and I never will. I sometimes remind you of your faults when We’re together to get them out of the way of Our communication. You only need to remember to give them to Me; I have the power to eliminate them. Once they’re gone, they no longer hinder Us from sharing with one another. I love that kind of interaction. It is more important to Me than nations, governments, or world situations. Those are all passing away, but Our relationship is just beginning.

"Think intently on this; never forget it. I love you very much. You are the very desire of My heart. When We need to get serious about the changes that are needed in you, We’ll deal with them swiftly to remove them from you for your good. Otherwise, I’m going to enjoy every moment that We have together. I am planning on many of those moments. That’s why I’ve brought you to Me.”

 Deut. 31:6 NIV

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Ps. 139:15-16 NIV

15) My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16) your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

1 Peter 1:3-4 NIV

3) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4) and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade – kept in heaven for you…

Rev. 3:19-20 AMP

19) Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude].

20) Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me.

 

Honest, unquestioning love - what an incredible gift! So often I forget what this life with Christ is all about. I get caught up in the training and forget about the hope, the joy, and the astounding privilege.

Think about it. All of us are being refined and made into the image of our Lord and Savior. We are unfinished, yes, but we are accepted. While that process is being accomplished, we have been given the remarkable gift of fellowshipping with each other, and also with our Father God.

Our fellowship with each other is supposed to be a safe place for us, and in certain situations it is. Other times, it is used to make us grow. Our fellowship with our Father, however, is designed to bring us life - real, eternal, vibrant life. Whenever we go to Him, He always imparts Himself to us. We always come away better and wiser in Him, even if He has issues with us that need to be dealt with. It is always a winning situation.

A while ago, the Lord showed me some of the needs of His church, and they were many. As I reflect back though, He was not showing me in the context of needs that I should address. He was releasing me from judgment. He was showing me His hope, which is an eternal hope in His power to bring the true church of Jesus Christ into the place that we were designed to be - a positive, flowing companionship of love. He wanted me to know that the thought of giving up on any of us who want more of Him never enters His mind.

Needing to remember more of the “why,” rather than focusing on the “what,”

Jim Corbett

“The foolish among you are not heeding My repeated calls to intimacy. You are not changing the religious format of your life by making time with Me your priority. I am calling you to Myself so that you can hear My heart and I can make you more like Jesus. When I am your priority and you come fully surrendered, I give you His heart - a bridal heart with bridal desires for bridal preparation.

"Jesus is coming soon for those who have only His desires, seek only His ways; and have prepared only for Him. Cast aside the other gospels that are so prominent in your world. Any message that does not call for intimacy and proper heart preparation is a foolish doctrine designed for the foolish heart. To follow them will have you standing on the sidelines when My end-time plan unfolds.”

Matt. 25:1-6 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!’”

Hebrews 1:3 AMP

He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God’s] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power.  When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high…

 

So many things distract us from focusing on why we have been born and then born again, as God sees it. We have been born to accept God’s way of salvation, Jesus Christ. When we do, we are to allow Christ’s life to live through us, so that others can accept Him as their Savior and Lord.

We are to take on His nature as He took on the nature of His Father. That kind of image only comes from intimacy, a sharing and imparting of Christ’s nature by a loving Father. When Jesus comes, He will be looking for those who were wise enough to gain His heart, are familiar with godly intimacy, and are as He is.

Make me like You, Lord,

Jim Corbett