Tag: men

Men, in general, function on an action-reaction basis. If you hit a nail with a hammer - action, the nail will be driven into the wood - reaction. Sometimes it’s hard for us to understand God’s action-reaction principles. Let’s take prayer for instance.

If we take the time to pray - especially about something specific - we wonder why we don’t immediately see the results of our prayers. We forget that the simple act of praying - turning our need over to God instead of just handling it ourselves - glorifies God. That act in itself is the right thing to do, especially when we put aside something we deem important to do it. We honor God by praying and recognizing that He is the source of our answer. (In His great love, He even provides answers throughout our lives for things that aren’t even on our radar screen, just because He chooses to bless us.)

Those seeming delays to our prayer requests accomplish far more than we can imagine. Only God can see the whole picture. While we’re waiting, He’s refining heart motives, orchestrating circumstances, clearing a path, developing patience … and maybe even preparing our hearts to receive the answer to our prayers. This may take some time. In terms of action-reaction time, it could become days, months, even years! As husbands and fathers, we need to put aside the concept of immediate answers and trust in the principles of the kingdom of God.

If you are seeking God for a specific need, don’t give up if He hasn’t chosen to work on your timetable. He started swinging the hammer at the time of your prayer, maybe even before. The nail will be impacted in God’s proper timing.

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett

The two reasons you or I would never have access to dinner with the Queen of England are: first, we haven’t been invited; and second, we don’t have the credentials. Only those who have fulfilled the requirements it takes to qualify will ever partake of a meal with the Queen.

Our flesh will never be able to gain an audience with God. Flesh simply doesn’t have the credentials to do so. Adam and Eve were removed from His presence as soon as their fleshly nature controlled their decisions. Their reasoning ability separated them from the purpose for human creation - to be in a position where God is our God, and we are His devoted, dependent people.

Men, pride is the most distinguishable cause of why we don’t want to submit to God’s requirements, although ignorance and a myriad of other reasons also stop us from going there. Fact is, we simply want to be in control of our lives and are unwilling to give that up, even if it means that we may never have the answers we need to become the husband and father our Lord intends; or worse yet, will never enjoy the true presence of our Creator God. How foolish!

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Jim Corbett

Even after the Israelites saw God part the Red Sea for them, they had little faith that He would provide water for them where there was no visible sign of it. Their faith in Him was under attack.

At times, when I comprehend the awesome responsibility of my offices of husband and father, great fear rises up in me. I can only see how impossible it is to fulfill these offices. My eyes turn toward the power of the world and the war that I’m facing, and how weak I really am to the point that I become immobilized. Sometimes even hopelessness temporarily sets in.

When this lie invades my thinking, it’s time for me to remember Who my God really is and who I am in Him. It’s also time to remember that it’s not my job to overcome my fears. I’m only called to submit them to God and surrender to His faithfulness to allay them and change me.

God did part the Red Sea for His people. He did provide water for them. He did take care of their every need. He is the same God today as He was then. I am His child and He will take care of me and my cares, just like He took care of theirs. As soon as I remember that, I can find a place of rest in Him and wait for His promises to be as real to me now as they were to His children way back then. I have no need to fear!

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Jim Corbett

John 3:34 AMP “For since He Whom God has sent speaks the words of God [proclaims God’s own message], God does not give Him His Spirit sparingly or by measure, but boundless is the gift God makes of His Spirit!”

Christ was sent to proclaim the words and life of God. Because He represented God on this earth, He was given immeasurable gifts to equip Him for His task. Because you are called to proclaim the life of Christ, the Word of God, you also have immeasurable gifts at your disposal to fulfill your offices of husband and father - should you choose to accept them.

The course Father God has given you is to be won. It is a course determined by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Your job is to allow God to take full possession of you so that His power flows and empowers every task you’re given. As you submit to His ways, the same power that was in Jesus is in you because of the covenant work of the cross.

Today is the day to take your focus away from the loud voices of the world that tell you there’s no hope in your marriage, or that your children will never represent Christ as God desires. Today would be a good day to submit yourself unreservedly to God and allow the Holy Spirit to have full sway in your life. The immeasurable gift of the Holy Spirit is available to you. Today is the day to begin to live it.

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Jim Corbett

David was surrounded by mighty men, who excelled in circumstances that would cause others to fail. They prepared themselves with diligence and honed their skills in battle because of the call on their lives. Individually, they were almost unbeatable; as a team, they could protect the king.

Mighty men are needed to protect the honor of God today. The skills David’s mighty men possessed may not be the ones needed to overcome the world today, but the diligence and preparation they exhibited in fulfilling their calling is just as important in what you’re called to accomplish now. You should prepare thoroughly to not only protect the honor of God, but also to help His children come to know Him and their portion in His plan.

As David’s mighty men won in combat on the battlefield, you are to win the war for your marriage and your children’s safety in your prayer closet. As they devoted themselves to physically protect their king, you are called to help create a spiritual atmosphere around others so they can be equipped for service to their King. You are to be a mighty man in submission to Jesus. Your weapons of warfare may not be physical, but they are invincible against any enemy you or your family will face.

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett