Tag: Jesus

“True wealth is only found in the heart of Jesus. All worldly wealth is useful for a moment in time and fades with seasons and economies. You need to share in Christ’s passions, so that you can know His heart and gain His wealth. You need to spend your time searching for His honest riches. The world and its ways have little regard for His ways. They don’t understand His kind of prosperity. Gaining the true prosperity of Jesus will cost you everything. It is a small price to pay, however, considering its eternal worth.”

Phil. 3:10-11 AMP

10) [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]

11) That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].

 

Most of us will gladly sell the true wealth to be gained in a refiner’s fire for one morsel of comfort and ease. We would trade the spiritual gold that is gained only from intimate, devoted times with the Lord for second-hand head knowledge from some book or sermon. True riches such as the heart, character, and desires of Jesus being formed in us only come from the Lord Himself. They are costly, but those who seek these kinds of eternal riches are considered truly prosperous by Father God.

Teach me to desire only true prosperity, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“Many in My church have been lulled into a complacency that is certain death to the kind of deep spiritual life that I desire for them. They observe that their “big” sins are gone, so they think that everything is in order. They do not know how far they are from the truth. They don’t know how much of a hindrance their complacency is to My work, because they have not sold out enough to hear My voice above their works-oriented religion. They can only see through eyes that are carnal, so they understand little about what I call “big” sins. Big sins to Me have little to do with the visible sins of the world. Removal of initial sins is part of My covenant promise because of the cross. The undiscerning see themselves being healed of obvious sins, layer after layer; then they stop pressing in deep enough to allow Me to show them a mightier walk, a walk that I wish all My children could experience. A big sin to Me is compromise, which is caused by rebellion regarding My ways.

"Another is keeping what is Mine, so that they can pad their comfort areas. One that is prevalent now is complacency toward the seasons in which they live. I grieve over a prayerless life. You who do see, you who have sold out, you who are surrendering fully must understand that only radical intrusions into their comfort areas will shake them loose. Do not spend your time attempting to teach the crucified life to those who choose not to be taught. It will only cause you frustration and hardship. They do not understand your devoted life, so they must judge you by their standards. Concern yourselves with souls, those who need to hear and be saved. Cultivate the young hearts to fully submit to Me, before they are swayed by the cold church. Save them from complacency by exhibiting the life of My Son before them.        Serve the teachable. Set aside those who choose not to see the times and seasons. They are not willing to do what it takes to be ready when I need them. You find those who will hear and see. I will soon deal with those who have chosen to go the way of complacency.”

Ps. 86:11 AMP

Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk and live in Your truth; direct and unite my heart [solely, reverently] to fear and honor Your name.

Rom. 13:11-12 AMP

11) Besides this you know what [a critical] hour this is, how it is high time now for you to wake up out of your sleep (rouse to reality). For salvation (final deliverance) is nearer to us now than when we first believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Christ, the Messiah).

12) The night is far gone and the day is almost here. Let us then drop (fling away) the works and deeds of darkness and put on the [full] armor of light.

 

Navigating through the New Testament, we see the writers covering many things concerning this new belief that had come upon the people of that time. Jesus had set a standard that no one had even thought possible before His death and resurrection. We see stages of this kind of life presented and worked through as spiritual matters impacted and modified very human men and women.

Once Jesus had laid the foundation and set the example for living, those closest to Him continued on with His teachings to the early church. Initially, simply repeating the Words of the Savior was enough to change the hearts of listeners. Many embraced the new and wondrous life that had been sent from on high since His sandaled feet hit the shores of the Jordan River.

Something happened, however, as time went on. Human nature entered into the picture. Fledgling churches and new converts began to need more guidance to work through their lives as they grew in their newfound faith. Disagreements, interpretations, and fleshly desires started to impact the purity of what Jesus had presented. Very real daily problems needed pertinent solutions, so we find the writers not only teaching what is needed to grow in the faith; but also addressing situations that came up because of the sin nature that was being exposed. As they had to teach, exhort, chastise, correct, encourage, and even threaten disciplinary action, the whole New Testament presents a picture of very real people who acted in a very real manner.

A golden thread that weaves its way through all the New Testament books, actually all of the Bible, is the call to a deeper, more intimate life with the Lord, available to those who choose to pay the price for it. Woven through most of the books is the call to come back to the original purity of the initial church, the life exhibited by Jesus Himself. Human nature, imperfect as it is and spurred on by the deceit of the enemy of their souls, migrated from the purest form of service to cold, dead religious activity and false interpretations of what was intended. It all had to be addressed.

So it continues through all of church history right up to this day. God is continually presenting the standard of the life of Jesus to anyone who will embrace it. Every generation has allowed every kind of distortion of the life that Jesus presented to exist within the church, and the Lord has continually presented a better, deeper way– the one that was established by Jesus and copied by the very first believers. This generation is no different. Today, our Lord is raising the standard from what we once were to Whom He wants us to emulate once again. If we are wise, we will answer the call.

Needing to respond whole-heartedly to what I am hearing from the Lord,

Jim Corbett

“What has happened to My Word? Who has taken it and used it for their own glory? Who has attempted to conform Me into their own image rather than in the way that is right? Who has called upon Me to serve them, rather than bow down before Me in holy awe? Who has become proud of their salvation and lorded it over those who need mercy, rather than weeping for them?

"Look around. See what is going on in My church. See who is preaching another gospel, using My Word to support their imaginations, so that they can grow mega-churches and develop large followings. Watch who tickles the ears of the foolish. Listen as the sweet-tongued carnival barkers manipulate and cajole My children to look only to themselves, rather than lay their lives down for others as Jesus did. Look at them with My eyes. Listen to them with My ears. Leave their presence if they are misusing My Word for their own gain and telling you to do the same. I am not where they are even though they say that I am. You come to Me. Allow Me to take you to the cross and show you truth.”

 Jer. 23:28-29 AMP

28) The prophet who has a dream, let him tell his dream; but he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat [for nourishment]? says the Lord.

29) Is not My word like fire [that consumes all that cannot endure the test]? says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks in pieces the rock [of most stubborn resistance]?

Jer. 23:31-32 AMP

31) Behold, I am against the prophets, says the Lord, who use their [own deceitful] tongues and say, Thus says the Lord.

32) Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, says the Lord, and tell them and cause My people to err and go astray by their lies and by their vain boasting and recklessness—when I did not send them or command them; nor do they profit these people at all, says the Lord.

 

A false anointing is very deceptive, especially if the Word of God is manipulated to prove what is being said. False teachings are rampant throughout the church. They always have been and, sad to say, will continue until this season in God’s timetable is over.

I used to think that the preaching of “another gospel” would be easily recognizable by anyone who says that he is following Jesus. It amazes me to see intelligent believers swayed into lives that are in no way similar to the life of Jesus. I am deeply concerned for the teachers who took them there and those who will do so in the future.

Forgive me, Lord, if I ever cause even one to be side-tracked,

Jim Corbett

“I am requesting a standard of excellence from My people. For too long the world has not seen Jesus in those who call themselves followers of Him. It has caused much hardship for those who need to find truth for their lives. Many have fallen by the wayside because My people would not love as He loves. Now only those who have submitted to My refiner’s fires will be entrusted with the working of My Word in this closing season. I am raising up a holy people, people who look and act like Jesus to a world dying and out of answers. Do you choose to be part of My remnant warriors? Will you turn completely to My work in you? Will you surrender fully to My hand upon you to train you to love as Jesus loved? Will you surrender your life as He did?

"I need you to say “yes” before I begin a deeper work in you. If you choose not to submit to this preparation, you will not be part of what I will do through My holy vessels. You will observe from the sidelines and long to be able to join in My work, but you may not because I cannot trust you. The price to be part of this bridal preparation will be everything you are and everything you have. How far will you go with Me? What are you willing to give to glorify Jesus? Make your choice now. I am waiting.”

 Esther 4:13-14 AMP

13) Then Mordecai told them to return this answer to Esther. Do not flatter yourself that you shall escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews.

14) For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance shall arise for the Jews from elsewhere, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion?

2 Cor. 5:20a NIV

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.

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.

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.

 

Throughout most of our lives, the enticements that the world offers us, not the passions of the Lord, have proven to be the focus of our attention. They are the basis for our selfish pleadings to our Father and really are the gods that we serve.

Because of our lack of desire to focus on our life in Christ as the only reason that we breathe, when the world grows darker as predicted by the Bible, most of us will be so consumed with fear that we will be unable to represent Jesus to those who desperately need Him. We will walk around the same as those in the world, wide-eyed and drooling rather than being able to rise above all the clamor as Jesus did.

The Holy Spirit is wooing the church of Jesus Christ to prepare as a bride would prepare for a coming wedding of hearts. Through trials, tribulations, and extreme challenges, He is posturing each of us to get our priorities straight. By leading us to the end of ourselves and placing a new hope in those who will listen, He is calling us to set aside all of the ways of the world and embrace the ways of Jesus as our only reason for living. In doing so, we will be prepared for His coming and able to overcome the hazards that are soon to come our way.

This call is a call to holiness - a pursuit oftentimes not considered attainable or even a necessary part of every Christian’s heart - which will initiate a bridal heart desire that will allow the Lord to live His passionate life through devoted, surrendered vessels. It can be one of the most exciting adventures of your life if your heart’s desire is to increasingly make room for more of the most priceless treasure ever given to anyone – Jesus Christ. As you respond to the heart of God and increasingly develop a posture of waiting for Jesus’ timely return, you will then guide others to His heart as more hear the same call.

Make me passionate about what You are passionate about, Lord,

Jim Corbett

“Savor the fragrance of those I send your way. Those who know Jesus and come to you carry His life within them. Treat them as you would treat Him. Those who are not Mine yet, treat them as Jesus would. Love them with His kind of love. Flood them with the same mercy I have given you. Do whatever it takes to show them Who Jesus is and what He has done for them. Meet their needs. Have patience with their searching. Embrace them as brothers and sisters when they embrace the love of Jesus, no matter who they were before or what they may have done to you. Honor Me. Live your life as a testimony of His love. Rest in My love. Have a significant life!”

Matthew 5:7 NIV 

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

Luke 6:45-46 AMP

45) The upright (honorable, intrinsically good) man out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart produces what is upright (honorable and intrinsically good), and the evil man out of the evil storehouse brings forth that which is depraved (wicked and intrinsically evil); for out of the abundance (overflow) of the heart his mouth speaks.

46) Why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not [practice] what I tell you?

 

To live out Christ’s life in the world around us with the same passion and heart commitment that Jesus lived when He walked among His creation is:

1) the only fitting response to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

2) the proper and honorable representation of Jesus to a world that is dying and out of answers.

3) the highest form of praise that can be given to the Lord as you emulate Him.

4) the proper response to the call of the Holy Spirit to prepare your heart as a waiting bride for the return of Jesus.

5) the only way to overcome the perilous times and seasons in which we are the living, so that you can fulfill your purpose in life.

I choose that others see You, Lord,

Jim Corbett