Tag: Jesus

“How do you think you’d fare if I had you in jungle survival training, instead of the training that I’ve had you in—to be My light to the world and to represent Jesus so more would come to Him? Suppose tomorrow when you woke up, the plane heading for the jungle was on the runway, your parachute was being strapped on, and your flight plan showed the drop off point, which meant you would jump and remain in the jungle for one year. As of that very moment, there would be no more training. You would survive only to the extent to which you have already submitted to your training. How ready would you be?

"If you had submitted to survival training in the whimsical way that you have trained for My call, I’m afraid you wouldn’t last very long once you hit the jungle floor. You will not be able to represent Me properly as the times change either. You have not taken My training seriously. You have not embraced My instructions with all your heart; and, therefore, you are not ready for what is ahead.

"Soon you will need to draw upon My power to rise above all that is happening around you. Some of you still do not know how to do that. You need to take seriously what I am teaching you. Everything is for your good and for My plan. Submit fully to My training in your life. Embrace the trials; relish the hardships. Know that they are for your good and for My purposes to be fulfilled in you.”

Jer. 12:5 AMP

[But the Lord rebukes Jeremiah’s impatience, saying] If you have raced with men on foot and they have tired you out, then how can you compete with horses? And if [you take to flight] in a land of peace where you feel secure, then what will you do [when you tread the tangled maze of jungle haunted by lions] in the swelling and flooding of the Jordan?

Rom. 12:1-2 NIV

1) Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—which is your spiritual worship.

2) Do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Titus 2:11-14 AMP 

11) For the grace of God (His unmerited favor and blessing) has come forward (appeared) for the deliverance from sin and the eternal salvation for all mankind.

12) It has trained us to reject and renounce all ungodliness (irreligion) and worldly (passionate) desires, to live discreet (temperate, self-controlled), upright, devout (spiritually whole) lives in this present world.

13) Awaiting and looking for the [fulfillment, the realization of our] blessed hope, even the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

14) Who gave Himself on our behalf that He might redeem us (purchase our freedom) from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people [to be peculiarly His own, people who are] eager and enthusiastic about [living a life that is good and filled with] beneficial deeds.

Heb. 12:9-10 AMP

9) Moreover, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we yielded [to them] and respected [them for training us]. Shall we not much more cheerfully submit to the Father of spirits and so [truly] live?

10) For [our earthly fathers] disciplined us for only a short period of time and chastised us as seemed proper and good to them; but He disciplines us for our certain good, that we may become sharers in His own holiness.

 

It is a well-known fact that those who do not submit to training, whether on the job or in the military, do as much harm to those around them as they do to themselves, because they have little knowledge when called upon to do their jobs. Most of the time, they have little idea of how much harm their foolishness causes.

In the body of Christ at present, few of us know how to trust the Lord. Most of us squirm and flutter, trying to remove ourselves from the uncomfortableness of His training; instead of standing firm, waiting for the work to be done in us.

Because we are so selfish and put our own comfort above the welfare of others, we will not have what’s needed when the world needs to see Jesus. We will look and act like all the others as they go about in a blind panic when difficult situations arise. That isn’t the way Jesus would act. That should not be the way we act. Sadly, most of us will not know any other way.

Teach me Your way, Lord. Make me listen!

Jim Corbett

“You need to walk in the forgiveness that I have provided for you. The enemy of your soul would delight in having you remain under the condemnation of what you have done in the past, even those things you did before you came to Me. He continually reminds you of your sin.

"My Holy Spirit always reminds you of complete forgiveness and acceptance. The person you were before you accepted the Lordship of Jesus over your life is dead. There is no life there anymore. Because you have chosen to come to Me, I have taken care of your past. I am in charge of your present days, days that I have appointed for you. I have plans for your future.

"Walk in freedom. Pray for those you have harmed when I bring them to mind. Place them in My hands once and for all time. I will take care of them. It is My job, not yours, to focus on how they are to be healed. It’s what I promised to do for you. You do what I call you to do this day. Walk in My love and forgiveness. Looking back will harm Our relationship. It will rob you of the joy I have for you. Looking ahead will overwhelm you. It will cause you to fear the future. I am sufficient for today. Hold My hand; I am here for you.”

Ps. 103:11-12 AMP

11) For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him.

12) As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 NIV

11) “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

12) Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

13) You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

II Cor. 5:17 AMP

Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ, (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!

 

As the Lord teaches us humility, He has a way of showing each of us how much we need Him. He reveals the darkness of our own hearts, so that we can look past the failings of others and extend mercy to them. His acts of love are far different from the condemnation in which Satan attempts to have us reside.

The enemy wants to make sure that we concentrate on our failures, rather than on the new life we have in Christ. It is a trap full of entanglements that, if given enough attention, will keep us from walking in the freedom with which Christ has set us free.

Show me who I am in You when I start to listen to the lies, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“I understand the struggles you are going through. I know how they are bringing you to a point where you have little strength. I am aware of your requests and petitions to Me. Be patient just a little longer until patience has its perfect work in you. While the answers to your prayers are being formed to completion, come to Me to hear My heart for your life. Allow Me to show you the freedoms that are being created in you. Rest in My assurance that I know who you are and what you are becoming. The answers to your needs are on the way. While that work is in progress, fellowship with Me will bring life to your heart. I love you.”

Isa. 30:15a AMP 

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning [to Me] and resting [in Me] you shall be saved; in quietness and in [trusting] confidence shall be your strength.

II Cor. 1:8-10 NIV 

8) We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.

9) Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

10) He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us…

James 1:2-4 NIV

2) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

3) because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

4) Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

 

God is doing a mighty work in the hearts of those He has chosen to be part of these end times. That work makes His greatly loved children appear as if they have no answers for anything that is happening to them. It feels like there is no way to turn, no way out of your situation - no matter what you try or how hard you work.

Be encouraged! You are in the school of your Father God. He is forming you into His own image and developing the patient character of Jesus in you. It is a work that is happening in many at this very time. Remember that God is there for you. Embrace what He is doing.

Needing to rest on my Father’s lap,

Jim Corbett

“After all your worries, plans, schemes, and devotion to things that pad your own comfort zone, some of you will come to Jesus empty-handed. The time you’ve spent on plans other than My plans will have been wasted on nothing. Remember what I am about to say and ponder My Word.

"Your life is but a whisper, one heartbeat away from absolute reality. After your last breath, there is an accounting of how you have responded to My calling. Grace and mercy will be abundant at that time, but there will also be a reality of loss when you find out how you could have blessed Jesus; but, instead, chose to squander My gifts upon your flesh— flesh that will then be burned away. Much that seems important and urgent on earth has no value in heaven. Invest in My eternal plans. Focus on My ways for you. When you come to Me that day, I desire you to be prosperous as I define prosperity. Bless Jesus as He has blessed you.”

I Cor. 3:11, 13-15 AMP

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

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.

 

Many of us are so focused on the things of everyday life that we forget that this world is passing away. What we should be preparing for is our eternal world, the world we will have forever. If we read the Word properly, there is a direct impact on our eternal lives because of the choices we make and priorities we establish while living this life. We are given every opportunity, every tool, and every access to wisdom, so that Jesus is blessed by our lives. It would seem wise to take this opportunity to find out what really pleases His heart.

Teach me Your ways, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“You need to begin the quest for those you can trust. The time is coming when it will be very important to understand who your friends and holy alliances are. Spiritual discernment will be the key to your safety. Be especially aware of those who seem to be with you but have a hidden agenda and are out to destroy the work that I have given you.

"Watch for jealousies. Cherish your anointing. Beware of those who only want to distract you and consume your time in endless controversies. In the times ahead, I will send many alliances your way. Mark them by their integrity regarding My Word. Watch their lifestyles. Judge their priorities. Allow Me to show you truth concerning their position in your life.”

Amos 3:3 KJV

“Can two walk together except they be agreed?”

Acts 15:36-40 AMP 

36) And after some time Paul said to Barnabas, Come let us go back and again visit and help and minister to the brethren in every town where we made known the message of the Lord, and see how they are getting along.

37) Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark [his near relative].

38) But Paul did not think it best to have along with them the one who had quit and deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone on with them to the work.

39) And there followed a sharp disagreement between them, so that they separated from each other, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.

40) But Paul selected Silas and set out, being commended by the brethren to the grace (the favor and mercy) of the Lord.

 

The above words are not to be confused with being judgmental and condemning, or even about loving your enemies. We must never condemn others and are required to love everyone, even our enemies.

What is often misunderstood is the need to be cautious about placing trust in those who are untrustworthy, walking together with the untrained, and relying on the spiritual integrity of someone who has none. Many lives and ministries have been sidetracked or even destroyed by people infiltrating their ranks with hidden agendas, impure motives, and untested maturity—even though they may have come from prominent, seemingly successful positions, and appear spiritually mature.

After more than thirty years in outreach, we have learned that very few people are what they seem at first encounter. Because of that and our awareness of the importance of being stewards of our mission, we need to discern how much importance people place on their life in Christ, especially if there is an attempt to walk closely with us. The Lord has many times allowed the true spiritual colors of individuals to come to light, mercifully before much harm is done. Over time, the Lord has given us true, trustworthy alliances—proven faithful under fire and spiritually wealthy. He has also shown us those who buckle under when times get rough.

In the times and seasons ahead, be especially discerning about those you allow to share in your calling or the private issues of your life. Love everyone. Befriend and assist many. Bless your enemies. Allow the Lord, however, to make it very clear to you those with whom you are to walk closely and share His work.

Show me the truth, Lord, 

Jim Corbett