Tag: men

A while ago I was faced with an opportunity to see how much I lacked faith and really needed God if things were going to work out. As a husband and father, the weight of my responsibility was somewhat overwhelming. We had packed everything we owned in a small truck and our van, given away what we were told to share, and spent most of what we had at the time for necessities. What little I had, I knew that my faith was being tested. I felt like a rubber band that had been stretched to its limit.

I had read somewhere that faith combined with sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit fills hands that were formerly empty. Well, my hands felt really, really empty. My faith felt like a single drop of water on its way to attempting to put out a raging fire. So we went - not in a bright powerful way, but just one foot after another, one mile after another until we reached a temporary destination.

A little while later, someone mentioned a phrase that really spoke to my heart. He said something like, “Faith is simply getting in the car and going when you are told.” Boy, did that hit home! I felt that phrase applied directly to me. “Just get in the car.” That’s faith!

Men, if you are attempting to be a monument of faith to your family, you may be imparting the wrong message to them. Maybe it’s time to trust in the faithfulness of God instead of your ability to have faith for any situation. Maybe it’s time to simply “get in the car” and trust God to do what He has told you He would do. God is faithful. You are His greatly loved child. He desires to walk with you even more than you desire to walk with Him every moment.  Why not trust Him to be Who He says He is?

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Jim Corbett

I know a man who doesn’t consider himself rich, and I suppose he isn’t by the world’s standards. This man works hard each day at a physically demanding job to support his family.  Even though his days are long, I doubt there is much money left at the end of the month for anything other than the essentials.

But, oh my! You should see the light that shines from his family. His wife has a joy that spreads to everyone she sees. She is a companion and fellow servant, and a guardian of virtue and instructor in the things of God to her daughters.  She is a true helpmate to her husband.

And his five daughters! Wow! Not too long ago, I had the privilege of observing them standing in a circle with my daughter, just talking, laughing, and being themselves. Their brightness, joy, open-hearted love, and all-around beauty was a sight to behold. Each of them is an incredible example of the integrity won at the cross. Each of them is a woman of virtue and an incredible example to anyone of their generation. They are truly a wonderful legacy for their father and mother.

As far as I’m concerned, this man is one of the wealthiest men I know. I’m convinced that one day he will stand before the Lord and hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” because of the atmosphere he’s created for his family to prosper in Christ. He set the pace for all of them to overcome the world, just as Jesus did. In this case, true wealth is not found in silver or gold, or in how much “stuff” they have. It’s found in six lives living each day to bring honor and glory to the Lord. This man is rich beyond measure!

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Jim Corbett

How many of the men’s groups around this land are no more spiritually filling than the pancakes and sausage breakfasts that are considered valuable gatherings? How many men’s groups do nothing more than gather as a social get together? How many men’s group leaders have real answers for men attempting to restore their marriages or rescue their children? Look around; there are seemingly very few.

God is in the process of rebuilding Christian families, because they are the most powerful witness available to a dark and dying world.  A proper marriage tells others about the relationship between Jesus and His church. A proper family builds a legacy that not only impacts those around them, but potentially generation after generation to come.

Men, the power, love, and wisdom needed to walk with God in order to help restore those offices will not come from one more pancake breakfast or weekly social gathering for men. It will not happen through weak leaders who have no answers for themselves. The power to help turn marriages and families around will only come to a man who desires to see wholeness restored as He seeks God in His throne room.

If the leader of your men’s group (even a pastor for that matter) is not a frequent visitor to the throne room of God, where he can receive what is needed to help rebuild marriages and families, he is nothing more than a blind guide. He’s probably a very nice, very caring guy; but, more than likely, he’s incapable of helping anyone who really is serious about God’s plan for the family, which is the key unit for all He does.  That man is unable to share and give away whatever is needed if he doesn’t own it himself.

Today is the day to look around at those you are following and those who are walking with you in life. Are they heading in God’s direction, or are they remaining where they are, hoping that things will one day get better? Are they hearing the call to become servant leaders, first in their marriages and families, and then to those around them? If they aren’t, it might be time to make some changes, so you don’t find yourself with no answers and no one to encourage you to go to God for inspired answers when they are needed.

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Jim Corbett

Many years ago, I met a man who was having difficulties at home. His family was disjointed in opinions, needs, and direction for their lives. He spent most of his time putting out fires and filling the wants of some very needy family members. After several instances of pouting, crying, and just plain self-focus, it became very clear what the dynamics of his family were. In the course of a conversation, the man expressed to me that his goal in life was to keep his wife and child happy. It was all he wanted to do. It was the reason for his life. This goal kept him incredibly busy on a never-ending journey from morning ‘til night each and every day of his life.

As I observed the family in action, it became very clear that the pattern he had set was joyfully embraced by those involved. His wife and child were very needy and continually looked to him to fulfill the need, whatever it might be. Yes, there were legitimate needs, but whims and personal desires became gods to be served. His days were quite involved in finding ways to bring comfort rather than taking the time to figure out with his family a more reasonable way to function.

The saddest part of the whole situation was the fact that the man had been called to a faith ministry. For several years, he walked in his calling. As the Lord was building his faith through trials and difficult circumstances, his wife grew increasingly alarmed and uncomfortable. What changed the direction in his life and caused him to abandon his calling began with her statement, “I never want to walk in a faith ministry again.” So began the dissolution of an outreach that was touching many people.

Men, your job is not to find ways to keep your family happy. Your job is to provide an atmosphere that allows them to become everything they can be in Christ. Sometimes that will mean hardships and journeys far from their comfort zones. It may require you to stand by, dig yourself in with the Lord, and watch them squirm while He is dealing with their selfishness. It’s called real love. Will you walk in it?

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Jim Corbett

According to Ephesians 6:12, our real war is against the principalities and powers in the spiritual realm - not flesh and blood - and the Lord has equipped each of us to overcome those powers. The covenant He has established with us is an unbeatable contract, which supplies all we’ll ever need to function high above the demands of this world and its harmful challenges.

As I’ve stated many times before, the highest offices God has created are the offices of husband and father. To help us function in those offices, He has given us an amazing spiritual arsenal we can call upon whenever we face a battle. It’s called the armor of God. These spiritual weapons are crucial in addressing and overcoming any obstacle, and they are readily available and effective for the man whose heart, thoughts, and actions are aligned with God.

All you need to do is look around to see the havoc the enemy has created through distorting the criteria God established for these offices in the minds of both men and women. Through misinterpretation and the foolishness of worldly reasoning, he has accomplished a great deal to help nullify the effectiveness of the roles of husband and father, which results in a standard for the family unit that is far from God’s intentions. The standard of today is a disjointed, weak, unruly, powerless family that has little ability to overcome the world.

Men, it’s time for you to do what’s necessary so the Lord can reveal the spiritual power that is available to you to reclaim your marriage and family. If your marriage and family are not bright, world-overcoming examples for others to follow, perhaps you need to make some changes prior to standing before the Lord. He has given you a stewardship and every tool that is necessary for you to see that stewardship prosper and function as God intends. What is stopping you from pleasing God by flowing in what He desires and knows you can be?

Let’s talk more!

Jim Corbett