1/31/14

“You need to always remember to anticipate My involvement in your life. I am always going to intervene when you are in trouble. I will assist you when you have need. I will wait while you learn your lessons. I am always for you and never against you. Since you gave your life to Jesus, you have become Mine. I get involved in the lives of those I love. I love you!”

John 3:16 NIV

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 8:28 NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

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Because of Jesus, you and I have been given access to our Father in heaven. Better still, He has access to us. He wanted it that way from the beginning. He wanted to lavish His love on us. Now He can. Now He will.

Thank You, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/30/14

“If you overcome your pride and acknowledge your sin, come to Me as your only source of help, seek My Face for Who I am, not for what I can do for you, and change your lifestyle of offending Me—choosing My ways instead of your ways—I will do mighty things in your midst. I will hear your prayers. I will forgive your sin of rebellion. I will even bring those around you to Me, so that they might be saved. That is not a formula. That is a promise.”

2 Chr. 7:14 NIV

“…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

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This verse has been used as a rallying cry to condemn the actions of those who don’t know Jesus. It has been used as a reason to carry banners, point fingers, and break the law - all for the purposes of being a moral watchdog, proclaiming personal righteousness, and condemning anyone other than us as horrible sinners.

It amazes me that there is not one word in the verse that points at anything other than the sin of those who claim to know the Lord as the reason that a land is out of order, or that God’s hand of help has been hindered. God points to the sin of His people, those who claim to know Him, as the reason that darkness has become prevalent.

God calls for His people to change before He will move in a land. We would rather point at others and their sin to sell a need or rally for a cause. It makes us feel better and overshadows our need to change. It also closets the character of Jesus that is supposed to be in us, allowing the darkness to increase. Just look around.

Forgive us, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/29/14

“If I asked you to sell all your possessions, give the proceeds to the poor, and come and follow Jesus, would you really do it? Even though you may believe in your heart that you would, and know that the heart of Jesus is in you to do so, you would need to repent of your selfishness. You still own much of what you say that you have given away in your heart. It still owns you! You must do something about that while you still can.

I am not telling you to give everything away. The things you have are simply a benchmark of your maturity in Christ. I am, however, asking you to notice where you really are with Me. How much of your life and loves are really under the Lordship of Jesus? You may be really surprised to find out.”

Matt.16:22-23 NIV

²²Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

²³Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Out of my sight, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

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I find so much compassion and love in this message. Read it again from the perspective of a loving Father, who is giving an honest appraisal to His child regarding the condition of his or her heart. See it from a concerned Father’s perspective, who has lovingly studied His child, all with the child’s best interests at heart.

If we study the Scriptures, we see that Jesus exposed the things that people really served, even though they either believed that they were doing right or they were performing selfish actions masked as service to God. His directness offended some, challenged others, and became cold drinks of water to the thirsty soul. Truth always is that way. It gets to the core of things.

I believe that our Lord wants us to get truthful with our own hearts. Who are we really? What must change so that we can return to the road of truth? Are we willing to acknowledge our need, so that we can approach Him for help?

Help me, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/28/14

“Some of you are so busy looking for My will for your life that you miss what I have planned for you. My plan for you is to fellowship with Me. As We talk, you will know My heart and your place in what I am doing. You miss so much when you miss My reasons for getting together. Make Our time together your priority, and you will never be uncertain as to where I desire to apply My life through you.”

Eph. 3:14-19 AMP

¹⁴For this reason [seeing the greatness of this plan by which you are built together in Christ], I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

¹⁵For Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name].

¹⁶May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].

¹⁷May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love.

¹⁸That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];

¹⁹[That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!

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When my daughter Jubilee was just old enough to walk, she and I headed for a tool barn on our property. We started walking and I remember being very frustrated with her as she picked up little stones, smelled pretty flowers, and pointed to “the birdies.” I remember turning to her, urging her to walk faster, when the Lord spoke to my heart. He impressed upon me that my daughter was going for a walk with me, while I was just heading for the barn. I was so intent on the destiny that I missed the privilege of being with her.

So often it is the same with our relationship with our Lord. We become so busy “getting there,” that we even use our time with Him only to find answers, rather than experience the wondrous fellowship to which we have been invited. How foolish!

Teach me to go for quiet walks with You, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/27/14

“When you love deeply, you commit a violent act against the powers of darkness. When you choose the ways of Jesus over the ways of the world, you destroy strongholds set up to minimize your life. The ways of God are violent against spiritual darkness. They aggressively advance truth.

Good has won over evil with the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Good still wins over evil when you live as Jesus lived, love as He loves, and lay down your life for others as He did. It is a violent way to live, for the enemy has no power over a crucified life. The life of Jesus lived through you wins every battle, destroys every evil scheme, and aggressively advances My kingdom. His kind of love is unstoppable warfare.”

Matthew 11:12 NIV

“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”

Matthew 11:12 KJV

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

John 15:12-14 NIV

¹²“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

¹³Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

¹⁴You are my friends if you do what I command.”

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Jesus was brought into a world so perilous that children were killed at the whimsical edict of an evil king, crucifixions were as commonplace as morning walks, and people were held in slavery to ignorant teachers and foolish guides, yet He was absolutely fearless. His passionate love, His intimacy with His Father, and His zeal for imparting truth made Him “Teflon” in a world seething with infectious evil and eternal danger. His presence in any society was a gift of love from His Father God. We are in training to be the same kind of gift to those around us wherever our Father sends us.

Jesus could be fearless because He loved perfectly. He cared only for others and desired nothing for Himself. Even though He had all power, He was under full submission to the will of His Father. In His heart, He had given away everything, so He had no fear of someone robbing Him, even of His life. He held Himself in lower esteem than everyone, even the lowly leper, so no one could destroy His reputation. Jesus’ love was so pure that He was absolutely free from any peril that the world would attempt to place on Him.

Teach me to love as You love, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/25/14

“What is your real commitment level to Me? How far will you go before you say, “Enough”? When will you set aside My requests to you and turn to disobedience? How long before the price I ask you to pay to be in My perfect will is considered too high?

I prosper you and you pad your comfort areas. I challenge you to step out in faith and you walk in fear. I bring people to you and you turn them away. What will it take to turn your heart around? Remember the price that Jesus paid for you? I ask you to give to Me with the same kind of heart. Will you do it, or will you say that the price is too high and remain on the sidelines of My will for your life?”

Matthew 5:13 AMP

You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste (its strength, its quality) how can its saltness be restored? It is not good for anything any longer but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men.

Matthew 6:19-21 NIV

¹⁹“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

²⁰But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

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We observe three separate heart positions functioning in the church body today, all called “Christianity.” There is the infant heart, the growing heart, and the mature heart - one that symbolizes the bridal heart, or more simply, the kind of heart that Jesus has. You will need to know and understand these three distinctive heart positions, so that you can function properly with the Lord’s help as you encounter them – either in yourself or others…

The mature heart is a wonder to behold. This is the passionate heart of Jesus. It is also the bridal heart, prepared and waiting for Christ, the one that will overcome and even prosper during the perilous times ahead. As Jesus is one with the Father, the mature or bridal heart beats in unison with Them both.

This heart sees only the Father’s will as important, only the Father’s plans as worth addressing throughout life. The world, the cold church, and all else in the physical realm hold no audience with this heart. There is no purpose but God’s purpose, no plan but God’s plan, no future but God’s future. This heart is untouchable in its alliance with God. It is in total freedom in its chosen “slavery” to only the Father’s will.

This heart has put aside most of its elementary sins against God, those choices of the flesh that have carried over into the Christian walk, the choices of doing good things vs. going deeper and deeper with the Lord. It has set aside fleshly temptations and ponders over the things that concern Jesus. Improper spiritual choices, such as moving ahead on anything without waiting for everything to develop properly in the spiritual realm, cause this heart to understand its dishonor of God and bring it to repentance for its disobedience.

Phil. 3:10b-11 AMP …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].

Because this dedicated heart is growing in the character of Christ as a priority, functioning in the world holds no promise for it. Its only desire is to be in fellowship with its source for beating - Father God, its “Abba.”

No price is too high to pay to remain in intimate fellowship. Even moving on assigned and directed missions is done only because it pleases the Father. As soon as the task is completed, this heart only wants to move back to the posture of intimacy.

Any outward expression of this heart to the world comes directly from the throne room. It does nothing of itself, but only the Father’s will. It is the heart that will come out of the refiner’s fire and beat steadily in unison with the heart of Jesus as the bride of Christ. This kind of heart should be your goal.

Make Your heart my goal, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/24/14

“I grieve when We are separated for any reason. If you have sinned, I long to extend mercy to you. If you are too busy, I wait for your return. If you decide that Our relationship is not as important as other events in your life, I initiate ways for you to change your heart. Whenever you repent of any sin, I run to you.

It is true that I hold the stars in place. The winds obey My command. All the functions of your world would cease to exist if I desired that they end. I am God and there is no other. With all that I am, I still hold you at the center of My heart. You need not understand why. Just believe it with your heart.”

Matthew 10:29-31 NIV

²⁹“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.

³⁰And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

³¹So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

Luke 15:19-20 AMP

¹⁹I am no longer worthy to be called your son; [just] make me like one of your hired servants.

²⁰So he got up and came to his [own] father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity and tenderness [for him]; and he ran and embraced him and kissed him [fervently].

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A spirit of compassionate insight (mourning) is the spirit that “drove” Jesus from His kingly station in the heavens down to earth to take on the form of one of His own created beings. He placed Himself “in the shoes” of each one of us both in this life and for eternity.

Feeling our present and future pain of separation from the Father, there was nothing that He could do but spend His life for us. His focus was on our loss. He cared about what would happen to us if He didn’t intervene on our behalf.

Having no separation between His heart and the heart of His Father, He also took as His own the loss that the Father had because of the sin of mankind, which caused separation. Father longed for all those He loved to cherish His glory for their well-being. Because the Father felt that way, so did Jesus - not in an elementary form of human caring, but with all of the compassions of the Father. When He moved in compassion, our needs and pains were taken on by Him as His own.

Thank You for never giving up on me, Lord.

Jim Corbett

1/23/14

“Get up! Arise! Today is the day for you to step out of the prison of your old lives. It is your resurrection day! I have removed the gravestone of those past days. I will remove the grave clothes of your former lives. Out of the ashes of the refiner’s fires I have guided you through, I will build a fortress of love that will guide others to Me through you.

It is time to step deep into the anointing I have placed on your lives. As you celebrate the brilliant life of My Son, I will celebrate the victories that We will walk through. You have been faithful with little; now I will give you the stewardship of much to be used for My kingdom. Walk only with those I have called to you. They will be the support of your hands and the energy of your feet. Be wise with what I place in your hand. Honor Me in all that you do. You are about to begin to flourish in the season for which you’ve been trained.

Rejoice! I am about to overcome every challenge that comes your way. I am about to win every battle that you face. I am about to fulfill every plan I have ordained for you from the beginning of time. I am about to have you enjoy the fruit of your obedience. I love you!”

Exodus 17:12 AMP

But Moses’ hands were heavy and grew weary. So [the other men] took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Then Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side and one on the other side; so his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

Deut. 1:6 NIV

The Lord our God said to us at Horeb, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain.”

2 Chr. 16:9 NIV

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him...”

Psalm 127:1 AMP

Except the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; except the Lord keeps a city, the watchman wakes but in vain.

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The Lord often takes His loved ones through intense refiner’s fires. Sometimes these fires are seemingly so consuming that we feel as if we are going to perish. Sometimes we wish we would somehow be relieved of them. Even our death would be a relief, or so we think.

There comes a time, however, when the Lord breaks His fast for our lives and says that it is time to get up and get going. The fire is past. It’s time to move forward in the new life that He has established for us. At that time, we are to get up, shake off all the residue and ashes from the fire, and move in His newfound power and freedom. We are to look only to the future and forget the perils from the past.

It is time to retain a rock solid belief that Jesus is Lord, you are His, and He loves you and has given you His presence so that you can move forward. If this is your time, do it now. Walk in freedom.

Tell me when to get up, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/22/14

“Difficult circumstances and situations do not cause problems between people. They only expose the sin that is already there. Remember this. I am intensifying the refiner’s fire. I am revealing final strongholds in My remnant. I am exposing the deepest, most hidden sins within those I am about to use.

At times, you will look and feel as if you have learned nothing during My dealings with you. You will see who you really are not, and understand how desperately you need Me for everything. That is how it should be. Remember these humbling times when pride begins to swell as you begin to see the fruit of Our labors ripen in your life. Recall these moments of understanding that there is little value in the work of your own hands. The full recognition of your spiritual bankruptcy without My hand upon you will protect you when I am using you mightily.”

Phil 4:12-13 AMP

¹²I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want.

¹³I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].

Hebrews 5:8-9 AMP

⁸Although He was a Son, He learned [active, special] obedience through what He suffered

⁹And, [His completed experience] making Him perfectly [equipped], He became the Author and Source of eternal salvation to all those who give heed and obey Him.

Rev. 3:19 AMP

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].

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Someone with little understanding told me that many couples in ministry were getting divorced because they had such extreme financial problems during these difficult times. He went on to explain that he was helping them by providing his income-producing vehicle as a means to help the horrible statistics within the church.

There is no question that ministries all over the land are struggling because of a lack of finances, but this man’s reasoning was incredibly faulty. His solution was not helping in every case; in fact, he was probably hindering the work of the Lord in many because of his lack of understanding of God’s ways.

Difficult times, no matter what form they take, never cause relationships to fall apart, or people to fall away from their calling, or marriages to break up. They only expose the sin that was hidden deep within the participants all along. Finding and revealing that sin is, as a matter of fact, the purpose for the refiner’s fires. Removal from situations that the Lord is using to expose hidden sin temporarily hinders God’s plans and delays the release of His people into the work He has for them.

Those of you who come out of such fires—hungry for more of God, full of the understanding of your complete spiritual bankruptcy, and absolutely confident in the Lord’s competency, love, and reliability—have allowed the refining fires in your lives to do the necessary work. You have submitted to the Lord’s work in your life and can now move on, possibly even to the next fire. Those who are called by the Lord for greater things, who then “bail out” because of the pressure, will miss the best that the Lord has for them; and will probably find themselves in a similar refining situation in the near future. The Lord loves you too much to allow you to remain where you are.

Give me Your strength to stand wherever You ask me to stand, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/21/14

“Most of you, My children, have become thin-skinned and easily offended. You can receive nothing because you run from correction. You immediately take offense when you are challenged to rise to a higher standard in Me. You will separate yourself from those who call you to places you need to go so that you can mature. What will you do when those who hate you enough to kill you are in your face? What will you do when those who thrive on hatred are in your world? Will you hate them back? Will you despise who they are and harbor unforgiveness and murder in your own heart?

You are missing the very essence of My Word and what I am doing in those who are My remnant. I am moving those who love Me to be able to love even their enemies. It is the way Jesus loved. I call you to love as He does.”

Jeremiah 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?

Amos 3:3 KJV

Can two walk together except they be agreed?

Luke 23:34 NIV

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

Rev. 3:19 AMP

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].

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The Lord is developing the character of Jesus in His remnant/bridal believer. We must be like Him in our hearts, if we are to intimately walk with Him. Can you imagine Jesus coming for a bride who is selfish, self-centered, and harbors murder in her heart? Can you imagine Him enjoining Himself to one who looks to delicacies around her that please her more than He pleases her? Does it seem possible that Jesus would function in a relationship where His bride would not have the same desires, the same motives, and the same purposes in all that They do together? To think so is ludicrous!

How, then, is Jesus going to form us, who need His character developed in us during these end days before He comes? He is going to allow us to see who we really are. He will allow us to face ourselves so that we can come to repentance. He will do what it takes to expose our sin. Each time we repent, He will change us to be more like Him. It is an act of astounding love on His part. It is also our choice to respond or reject His efforts.

There is so much to be done in me, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/20/14

“Look around at your life. What are you consuming upon yourself that could be used for my work? Where are you spending your time and talents because of your plans and denying My plans? What are you doing to allow others to proclaim My Word? By whose standards are you sharing My wealth? I am asking you these questions now. Make no mistake; I will ask them again when We make an account of your life. Now, you can still do something to change whatever is not in line with My heart. Please do so! When we meet face to face, it will be too late.”

Psalm 127:1 AMP

Except the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; except the Lord keeps the city, the watchman wakes but in vain.

Hosea 13:6 NIV

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

Matthew 16:22-23 NIV

²²Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

²³Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Out of My sight, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

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Jesus considered the “things of men” to be in league with Satan. Have you ever really looked at your life as if Jesus were physically there with you? Have you ever really judged your actions, examined your heart, and questioned your behavior in all that you do, as if you were going to be called to account for them by the Lord one day?,/p>

We live in a church society that condones—in fact, teaches—selfishness as part of the Gospel. What amazes me is that no one seems to say anything about those who teach such nonsense.

Jesus lived a selfless life. He harbored nothing as His own. He gave everything He had so that His Father’s plans would be fulfilled. He even died so that others could live. We say, “Thank you for all of that, but I’m going to take what you have accomplished and use it so that I can prosper. Then I’m going to teach others to do the same, so that I don’t look so selfish sinning alone.” That’s not what we say consciously; but it is, in essence, what we do when we choose to live that lifestyle.

Lord, help me to understand the impact of my actions here and in the future,

Jim Corbett

1/18/14

“When was the last time you determined to live the life of Christ for the good of someone else? I don’t mean the last time you preached at him. When was the last time you decided to show him Who Jesus is, no matter what it cost you? How far did you go before you stopped? What price was too high? That price is the god you really serve. That is your focus, no matter how you have justified it. It is not Jesus. It is not His way. He would not give your excuses. He would not stop short of everything. You need to come to Me to gain His heart.”

John 10:17a & 18a NIV

^17a“The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life…

^18aNo one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord…”

1 Cor. 13:11 AMP

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside.

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.

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Somehow, many in the church interpret parts of the Bible as if it does not say what it really says about how we, as followers of Jesus, should live. If you simply study the three verses above, there is an undeniable heart position that Jesus had and requires of us. There are no limits to His love. He held back nothing. All that He owned was given for the sake of others—you and me. He never stops giving. His intent is to do it through us.

Forgive me, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/17/14

“Few understand how patient I am. I have waited eternities past to bring forth a people that will serve Me from their hearts. I have waited thousands of years for the salvation of that creation to become complete. I have waited generations for lessons to be learned and specific plans to be accomplished. I will wait your lifetime for you to surrender fully to Jesus.”

Psalm 46:10 NIV

“Be still, and know that I am God...”

Psalm 111:2 NIV

Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.

Psalm 150:1-6 AMP

¹Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in the heavens of His power!

²Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness!

³Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp!

⁴Praise Him with tambourine and [single or group] dance; praise Him with stringed and wind instruments or flutes!

⁵Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with loud clashing cymbals!

⁶Let everything that has breath and every breath of life praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)

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Instead of becoming intimate with Father God, so many of us have taken the privilege of entering into the presence of God, which Jesus won for us at the cross, as a license to walk in pride and familiarity. We have forgotten that the One to Whom we now have access is the same One Who simply spoke and universes were formed, life became a reality, and eternities had purpose. I believe that it is time we brought the awe back into our relationship with the One True Living God.

Break my heart, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/16/14

“The world is changing rapidly. It is accelerating toward the conclusion that I have determined from the beginning. Soon, nothing will be as it once was. Safety will no longer be in what you have. Who or where you are will mean little.

How are you planning to overcome what is ahead? Where does your safety lie? What are your plans? Are they designed to protect you and what you have? Are they born out of fear, so that you can survive? Or have you provided for those who need to know Me and My will for their lives by becoming who I plan for you to be?

Have you forgotten that once you have seen the truth that Jesus is Lord and that He is your Lord, you are to be concerned only about others? You are to live as Jesus would live. This is no longer about you! Everything is about how many will come to Him before I bring all things to My conclusion.”

Acts 4:29-35 NIV

²⁹“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.

³⁰Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

³¹After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

³²All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.

³³With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.

³⁴There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales

³⁵and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

Acts 8:4 AMP

Now those who were scattered abroad went about [through the land from place to place] preaching the glad tidings, the Word [the doctrine concerning the attainment through Christ of salvation in the kingdom of God].

Romans 1:8 NIV

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.

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What is the world around you reporting about your life? Are they talking about your faith? Are they seeing Who Jesus is? Are they marveling at your tremendous joy, no matter how difficult your circumstances? What about your relationships? Are you a true friend? Can you be trusted when those who trust you are in trouble? Are you available for the hurting, the needy, or the ignorant?

You and I are called to be a representation of the character of Jesus Christ to the world in which He has placed us. We are to act like Him so that others can see Who He is and embrace Him, all so that the will of the Father is completed. If today is the day that you realize the world is heading for many changes, what are you going to do about it? How are you preparing for those changes? Who are you serving?

Teach me to serve only You, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/15/14

“If you provide even one morsel of My food to others, I will provide a banquet for them. If you will take one step, I will win the race for you. If you will speak one word because I asked you to do so, I will amplify it through My Holy Spirit, and broadcast it in places that will astound you. I am in the business of taking whatever effort you will attempt in Jesus’ Name and giving it eternal impact in ways that you can not even fathom.

Others miss so much when you are quiet about Me, or sit motionless because you think no one needs what you have. I am with you. My life is in you because of Jesus. Never even begin to think that you are not having an effect because your portion seems small or your effort seems of no consequence. I will take whatever you offer and breathe My life into it. It then becomes My wealth distributed to My people in My way.”

Exodus 33:13-16 NIV

¹³“If I have found favor in your eyes, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”

¹⁴The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

¹⁵Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.

¹⁶How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

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I remember how often I wanted to quit when I was writing A White Stone. A novel; of all the foolish things to do! I threw pages and pages away many times, only to pick them out of the wastebasket because Merry wouldn’t let me give up. I remember pleading with the Lord to lift the burden of writing it from me, so that I wouldn’t look so foolish when people read what seemed trite and elementary in comparison to so many brilliant works written by others—especially since I was told to write it during one of the most difficult times of our lives.

Often I would read what I had written, (I couldn’t type at the time, so everything had to be transcribed by a good friend,) feeling embarrassed and sheepish about the content. My fears were confirmed many times by those who read with unspiritual eyes before it was published and told me what they thought of the manuscript.

But then the Lord picked it up and breathed on it. I am overwhelmed at what He has accomplished and where He has taken that little book. We have gotten reports of changed lives from all over the world. We received one correspondence that an original printing had been found in a second-hand bookstore in a barber shop in South Africa and was passed on to many people.

We know of people in prisons all over this land who have received encouragement and hope through reading A White Stone, as the Lord meets them right where they are. Reports from people in all walks of life testify of the Lord’s ability to carry His life wherever and however He chooses. We know of more salvations and changed lives than we can count. It has become His work, accomplishing whatever He chooses wherever He chooses. I stand in awe of what He has done. If God can take one little book and impact the lives of many, what do you have in your heart and in your hand that He can use to change the lives of others, all for His glory?

You amaze me, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/14/14

“In a few short moments of heavenly time, I will be calling the bride of My Son home. It will be sudden, but not unexpected, for those who are truly waiting for His return. I have been observing the preparations that are transpiring in the heavenlies for that wondrous event. Much excitement is the order of the day, as all is very close to being complete. Everyone is in union with My Spirit and all is in order.

It is much different from what is going on in the physical realm. The contrast between those who are truly waiting for the return of My Son in order to be with Him and those who are only waiting for their reward is becoming very clear. Those who are waiting for Jesus know all the signs, understand the seasons, and are filling their lamps at this very moment. They are pressing their wedding garments. Others are recognizing the signs, but are too busy with the distractions of life to focus on searching only for the oil of My Holy Spirit. Still others see all that is happening in their midst only as distractions from pursuing the things that are dear to their hearts. They care little about what I care about, and are consumed with their own needs. These will be sad days for them.

Dear children, do not put aside the heralding that is becoming more evident each moment. It is resounding through the heavenlies and soon will join in choruses of praise with those who have prepared for the wedding feast. Some of you will wonder what that incessant noise is all about!”

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.

²Five of them were foolish and five were wise.

³The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.

⁴The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.

⁵The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

⁶At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet Him!’”

John 12:28-30 AMP

²⁸[Rather, I will say,] Father, glorify (honor and extol) Your [own] name! Then there came a voice out of heaven saying, I have already glorified it, and I will glorify it again.

²⁹The crowd of bystanders heard the sound and said that it had thundered; others said, An angel has spoken to Him!

³⁰Jesus answered, This voice has not come for My sake, but for your sake.

Rev. 22:17 AMP

The [Holy] Spirit and the bride (the church, the true Christians) say, Come! And let him who is listening say, Come! And let everyone come who is thirsty [who is painfully conscious of his need of those things by which the soul is refreshed, supported, and strengthened]; and whoever [earnestly] desires to do it, let him come, take, appropriate, and drink the water of Life without cost.

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When I first came to the Lord, I remember this one person who had received a revelation of the bride of Christ and the holiness that accompanied that heritage. I remember sitting in the room with a bunch of others as she explained what the Holy Spirit had revealed to her.

In her enthusiasm, she was incredibly animated, flowing in a freedom that I had never seen in her before, bright-eyed and glowing. The rest of us sat there in a silent stupor, not having a clue regarding what she was talking about. When she was finished, I think she might even have been interrupted and jokingly told to “cool it.” We went on to some other “important” subject, all expressing some form of “wisdom” on that topic. I think that will be the kind of glaring separation seen in the heart of the church in these end times.

May I hear Your voice, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/13/14

“Discern the paths that people I bring into your life are taking. Observe how deep they desire to go with Me. Some are hindered from giving everything to Me because of deep wounds and poisons in their hearts. You must tarry with them as long as they move toward being healed. If they choose to remain in their wounded state, I will remove them from your company to deal with them Myself. They will only consume your time with their pity parties and sidetrack you from spending valuable time with Me.

Others will delight in My Word at work in their lives and embrace the refinements that I am taking them through. You must come along side them, and minister to their needs as I direct. You are to be an advocate friend, a trusted alliance. Receive and give away My life one to another. I am building My remnant church.”

Lam. 3:27-28 AMP

²⁷It is good for a man that he should bear the yoke [of divine disciplinary dealings] in his youth.

²⁸Let him sit alone uncomplaining and keeping silent [in hope], because [God] has laid [the yoke] upon him [for his benefit].

Amos 3:3 KJV

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

John 13:34-35 NIV

³⁴“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

³⁵All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”

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Because of the nature of our outreach, Merry and I have the thrill of coming in contact with many believers who have chosen to sell out completely to the Lord. To most of the church and the world, some of their lives look out-of-order or unsuccessful. The opposite is true, however. They are in training. They have responded to the crucified call of their Lord and have separated themselves from anything that does not honor God.,/p>

As we share needs, desires, and victories, God is welding alliances for His work to be done. He is also preparing His remnant church as a waiting bride.

What treasure there is in friends whose hearts are turned solely to God. What a delight to share the real Gospel life with them. What astounding wealth is shared as we, at times, desperately need the Lord together.

Thank you for sold-out friends, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/11/14

“Get ready! I am about to raise up a holy, valiant people. You can choose to become part of it, or you can wallow in fear with the drooling, wide-eyed masses. Those of you, who have been in My training, have already heard My call to prepare. Now! I am about to call you forth.

Begin this day to remember what I have been teaching you. Remember your priorities. Time with Me is essential. Trusting in the truth of My Word is your watch word. Submitting to My plan for you, as Jesus did, is your hope for the season ahead. Do not look at the world and its ways. They have no hope. Concentrating on them will cause you to live in fear and walk in untruth.

Keep your eyes on Jesus. Walk where He is walking. You will be a vessel of honor and bring hope to a dying world. You have been in training. Now get ready. I am about to raise up those who have learned from Me, having My promises in their hearts and on their lips.”

Romans 8:28 NIV

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

II Cor. 4:6-7 AMP

⁶For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah).

⁷However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves.

Heb. 12:2a AMP

Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection].

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In Christ, there is always a time for preparation, and then a time for moving in what we have been taught. God’s preparation is lovingly called a “refiner’s fire.” That term gives little impression of the painful timeframe that one goes through while simultaneously being burned with immense love and experiencing the relentless death of fleshly ways. Once through the fire, however, we come out on the other side, looking and acting a little more like Jesus.

Because our Father is in need of valiant, honorable people to represent Jesus in the times and seasons in which we live, the intensity of the more recent fires has grown. More needs to be burned away in those who choose to serve God with all their hearts.

I am convinced, however, that our loving Father is doing a deeper work in each of us than we could ever know. He is emptying us of all that will not serve Him. He is solidifying our commitment to Jesus and His work. He is eliminating all fear in us, so that we will go wherever He asks us to go without reservation. It is a good time for those who want Jesus to be glorified in their lives.

Keep me in the fire until You have finished Your work in me, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/10/14

“I am always for you! Because you are Mine through what Jesus has done, there is never a time when My heart is not looking out for your best interests. I am performing My Word in and through you. Who you become in Jesus is a testimony to the power of the cross. It delights Me to see that work being done in you. It delights Me to be able to have you as My own once again.

Dare to believe that all of the promises in My Word apply to you. Position your life to trust Me. Walk each day relying on the fact that I am with you in whatever you do in Jesus. If you will only believe that I am with you, your world will change. Your life will be an example of the life that Jesus lived when He was walking on earth. You will overcome and prosper in the wealth of My presence. I am always for you!”

Psalm 20:6-7 AMP

⁶Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.

⁷Some trust in and boast of chariots and some of horses, but we will trust in and boast of the name of the Lord our God.

Psalm 103:10-12 NIV

¹⁰…he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.,/p>

¹¹For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

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

I Thess. 2:13 AMP

And we also [especially] thank God continually for this, that when you received the message of God [which you heard] from us, you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is, the Word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its superhuman power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it].

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People often ask me how they can truly walk with the Lord. In reality, they are asking me if they can trust God to mean what He says in His Word and if what He says is really for them. The answer is always “yes.” You can trust God, and every promise He has made in His Word is for those who have submitted themselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Our problem is that we really don’t believe Him enough to walk as if we do. Stepping out, believing God’s Word and that it is for us, is an act of faith in God. It means that we trust Him, no matter what we feel or what our circumstances may seem to indicate. We simply have a childlike love for Him. We dare to hold His hand through every moment of our day, relying on His integrity. If we can’t do that, what perspective do we really have of Who He is and why He chose to bring us to Himself?

I choose to walk only with You, Papa,

Jim Corbett

1/09/14

“Few of you are heeding the warnings of peril all around you. Your world is spinning out of control. Black hearts are bent on destroying My influence. Evil is proclaiming its wares with loud voices and murderous hearts. Reprobate minds are being put into positions of influence. Children are becoming apprentices to foolish ways. The enemy has flooded your world and the tide of evil is rising at an unprecedented rate.

You are the standard that I choose to use, but you will not hear. You will not wake from your slumber! I call out to you and you come to Me with selfish prayers. I shake your little world and you whine like spoiled children. When will you see? When will you hear? What will it take to shake you from your lethargy? When will you weep at My altar for souls? When will you be My standard in a world that needs Jesus?”

2 Chr. 7:14 NIV

“…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

2 Chr. 16:9 NIV

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him...”

Psalm 106:12-15 AMP

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

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

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

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

Proverbs 29:21 AMP

He who pampers his servant from childhood will have him expecting the rights of a son afterward.

Isaiah 59:19b AMP

…When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him and put him to flight [for He will come like a rushing stream which the breath of the Lord drives].

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When was the last time you became passionate about the Lord’s plans? For that matter, when was the last time the Lord’s plans for your life took priority over the other demands you face each day?

God is clearly requiring each of us to make Him our priority. Still, most of us agonize over the demands of simply living out each day - paying the rent, providing for food, etc. To stop, even for a day, and spend it entirely with the Lord should He ask us to do so would be beyond comprehension for some of us. We are convinced that the answer is heart commitment.

Each and every one of us, who call ourselves Christians, must make a choice to live Christ’s life passionately throughout our very ordinary days. We are to approach the tasks and the people placed before us with His kind of zeal and unquestioning love, presenting every one of them as an offering to the Lord for His glory. We are convinced that this life is not so much about what we do as it is about the One for whom we are doing it.

If everything that we become involved in is truly offered to the Lord and placed under His Lordship, the fluff will fall away and the eternal purposes of God will become priorities to us. Living Christ’s passionate life unto the Lord will change us and those around us who are looking for answers.

Take our stuff and replace it with Your stuff, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/08/14

“The world as you know it is passing away. The order that you are accustomed to will keep diminishing until only chaos is evident. It will be the valley of the shadow of death. Fear will prevail in the world and in most of My church. Whatever you have trusted in will fade away and become only dim memories of what once was. Those, who have not heeded My call to intimacy and all My warnings to repent, will find themselves foreigners in their own homes, and without My power and provision to sustain them.

In that time, however, I will have a people that prosper. Without fear, without worry, they will go about their days reaping My harvest. My miraculous provision will be there for them. My sustaining power will guide their every move as they represent Me. I will have My people. They will be well trained, obedient, immovable, and untouchable—even unto death.”

Isa. 55:11 AMP

So shall my word be that goes forth out of my mouth; it shall not return to me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Matt. 9:35-38 AMP

³⁵And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news (the Gospel) of the kingdom and curing all kinds of disease and every weakness and infirmity.

³⁶When He saw the throngs, He was moved with pity and sympathy for them, because they were bewildered (harassed and distressed and dejected and helpless), like sheep without a shepherd.

³⁷Then He said to His disciples, The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few.

³⁸So pray to the Lord of the harvest to force out and thrust laborers into His harvest.

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Paul exhorted believers to flee from the small life of fear and selfishness into the spacious life of love, self-denial, and service—no matter what the circumstances around them dictated to the flesh. He said that those who knew their Lord should open up their lives because others were watching. People who did not know the Lord needed to see the light and smell the fragrance of Jesus from those who did know Him.

Comfort, safety, self-preservation, retaliation, revenge, and fear were not even part of his thinking. He loved the souls of those who needed Jesus. His teaching was encouraging those being persecuted to live the kind of life that Jesus did - a life totally dead to themselves and alive to the greatest need or needs of others. Jesus loved deeply and forgave completely. That’s what took Him to the cross and allowed Him to stay there until His work was finished. Now it was their turn to show that same kind of love to those who hated them, just as their Master loved.

I don’t believe that the Bible has changed, do you? When we see and hear of all the changes that are taking place around us, our job is not to “hunker down,” as so many of us tend to do. Our job is to exhibit the love of Jesus. It is to openly flourish before others, so that they can see the real power and freedom of a life submitted to Jesus.

We are to remember what those who have gone before us have already done. This life is not about us. It is about the Lord and His love for the souls of people who will be watching us, because the difficult times will have eliminated all the answers they once had. That’s when we will be able to show them the One Who is the answer. That is the only pattern of life that will be free to love during perilous times. Right now we are in training to be able to be truly prosperous when it’s our turn to show others Jesus. Or should we have been doing that all along?

Needing more of Jesus,

Jim Corbett

1/07/14

“Some people in My church are telling others about a Jesus that they do not personally know. They are telling of one they have only heard about but claim to know intimately. They are doing fleshly works in His Name. They are singing praises in His Name. They are even casting out demons and prophesying in His Name, but they don’t really know Him. They have not spent enough time with Me to get to know Who I am. Do not be part of this. Come to know Me.”

Genesis 1:26 NIV

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness…”

John 1:1-4 NIV

¹In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God and the Word was God.

²He was with God in the beginning.

³Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that had been made.

⁴In him was life, and that life was the light of men.

Matt. 7:21-23 NIV

²¹“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

²²Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’

²³Then, I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

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Many in today’s church are mesmerized by those who look or sound as if they know God, especially if they perform words of knowledge, exhibit signs and wonders, and display what seem like miracles. There is little discernment about what is being said when the one saying it either talks loudly or shakes as if under an anointing. These kinds of spiritual gymnastics fill churches and gather large audiences.

God is found in the prayer room of repentance. He is in the quiet moments alone with His Word. He loves pressing toward the contrite heart.

Soon, the foolishness that opens pocketbooks through manipulation and leads hearts to another gospel of prosperity will be exposed for what it really is. God will not be mocked. He is calling for a holy people, who desire only the heart of Jesus and are willing to pay any price for it. He is with those who desire only Him and want Him to be glorified in truth.

Guide me to truth, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/06/14

“You need to remember that I am making you into the image of Jesus as you requested. Every trial strengthens you. Every need brings you closer to Me. Every heartbreak brings forth My comfort, and allows you to see that your only hope is in Me. I will never fail you. I am trustworthy. I am for you. You must make Me your only source as Jesus did. Then you will be at peace. His heart knew truth. His heart was single-purposed, as I need yours to be. Stay the course. I am with you!”

Amos 5:4b AMP

…Seek Me [inquire for and of Me and require Me as you require food] and you shall live!

Matthew 16:24-25 AMP

²⁴Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also].

²⁵For whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [life everlasting].

John 5:19-20a NIV

¹⁹Jesus gave them this answer: “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

^20aFor the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does.”

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That “nothing by myself” part is hard for us to understand. It is even harder for us to walk in it daily as Jesus did. We forget that the obedience needs to be formed in us before we can be truly obedient to the Lord’s every command. Absolute trust needs to be “owned” by us before we are even willing to attempt that “nothing” stuff. In fact, all the character traits of Jesus must one-by-one be formed in us before we can walk in them.

We will never “own” trust until we have desperately needed the Lord and found Him faithful. Obedience is formed in us through repentance of the “self will” that is so very evident in us daily. I am convinced that until we embrace our lives as the training ground and “Jesus school” that they really are, we will never be at peace.

Open my eyes to Your work in me, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/04/14

“Praise is not songs sung from a distracted heart, a wandering mind, or an organized musical score. Make no mistake; I know the difference. To Me, high praise is a devoted life that longs only to glorify Jesus. It is a heart consumed with the ardent desire to fulfill My plans and My passions. It is an inner being that is passionate to align with My Spirit by submitting to the power of My Holy Spirit, and being fulfilled only when it overflows with My ideals and My character. It is a life that is continually making room for My presence. These anthems ring throughout the heavens and become choruses that weave their melodies with those of celestial beings who cry Holy, Holy, Holy!”

Psalm 46:10a NIV

Be still, and know that I am God...

Psalm 51:10 AMP

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering and steadfast spirit within me.

Isaiah 43:21 NIV

…the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.

Luke 6:45-46 AMP

⁴⁵The 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.

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

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I am convinced that the Lord God is calling His devoted hearts out of any place that is playing business-as-usual church. The heart of God is saying that dirty hands lifted in song do not please Him. They never did, but now He is making those who will listen aware of how much an abomination it really is. I believe that it is time to shake off all gatherings, programs, and rituals that sound and look like service to God—but are not, and turn to Jesus for His pattern of praise while He walked as a man.

Jesus did nothing of Himself. Jesus came to die for others. Jesus was torn from communion with His Father only long enough to fulfill what He had been told to do in that time of communion, and then rushed to get back to His Father as soon as it was implemented. He continually stole away from living out life to gain the power of real life.

Jesus loved with action, wept for the decadence of those He created, and died for those who hated Him. He glorified His Father by being a devoted Son, and set a pattern for us to follow. I believe that we must get on with it!

Teach me Your way, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/03/14

“As you grow in Me, you will begin to realize the work that I am doing in you. You will understand two of the steps that are part of your growth pattern when serving Me. When you first come to Me through Jesus, you learn to make choices between those things that are against My will or those things that are within My will. In essence, you are making choices between good and bad.

As My heart develops in you, your choices become those of a more spiritual nature, rather than those of your sin nature. You will be making choices between doing good things and doing those things that are specifically of Me. They are no longer choices between good things and bad things, but between good things and God things.

I am raising you to a place that, when presented with the opportunity to decide whether to do the usual good things or do things that refine you and send you deeper with Me, you choose the latter. “Deeper with Me” is leading you to the heart of Jesus. It is a place of training for His remnant bride. It is preparing you for His soon arrival.”

Jeremiah 10:23 AMP

O Lord [pleads Jeremiah in the name of the people], I know that [the determination of] the way of a man is not in himself; it is not in man [even in a strong man or a man at his best] to direct his [own] steps.

Matthew 16:22-23 NIV

²²Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

²³Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Out of my sight, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

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I remember when I first came to the Lord. I was so full of worldly sins - yet so full of love for my newfound Lord - that I would fluctuate between extremes of overpowering desires to sin and then a rush to repentance immediately after my sin was committed. My life was a roller-coaster ride of high praise and deep repentance, a desire for the fulfillment of my lusts and an equally strong desire to no longer sin. I feel like I have sinned more since I’ve come to the Lord than I did before I accepted Him as my Savior. At least it seems that way because I now know what sin is.

The Bible says that the kindness of the Lord brings us to repentance. Over the years, the reality of this verse and the promised effectual working of the Word in my life have changed the complexion of my sin. Offenses that I once was powerless to overcome, no matter how hard I tried, have become distant memories and manageable temptations through the power of the Lord. The change has little to do with me and everything to do with what God has done in me. It is His covenant fulfilled in each of our lives, as we seek the Lord and choose His ways over ours every day.

As Paul changed from the hapless sinner who agonized over his helplessness in doing what he didn’t want to do - and was not able to do what he really wanted - to the person who only wanted to know his Lord and the power of the resurrection, we too are changed from glory to glory. Our purposes for living, our attitudes of service, and our focused desires all change as the work of the Lord is continually being completed in each of us.

Only You can complete what You’ve started, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/02/14

“You must never hesitate to bless someone. You must never be afraid to share what I have given you when I tell you to bless that person. It’s time for you to realize that whenever you have come to Me in your need, I have shared something of Myself with you. You have never gone away empty-handed. You have always become a bit more like Jesus. If you have the misfortune of thinking that all the wealth I have imparted to you is for you alone, you are wrong. You are My ambassador to those around you.

Here’s how it really works. I woo you—or drive you if necessary—to Me, so that you can be changed. You come at first because of your need. Eventually you begin to come because of Our mutual love. That is when I can begin to trust you with those who also need Me. Share with them what We share with each other in its proper season. Keep coming to Me. I have much more for you. Then help others begin to know Who I really am.”

Matthew 19:14 NIV

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

John 14:12 NIV

“I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”

2 Cor. 1:3-4 AMP

³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God [Who is the Source] of every comfort (consolation and encouragement),

⁴Who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and affliction), so that we may also be able to comfort (console and encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort (consolation and encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and encouraged) by God.

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Whenever we become self-centered and selfish, we lose the overall purpose of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God’s plan is to have each of us come to Him through Jesus, learn of Him; and then tell others about Him, so that they can repeat the cycle. Most of us must not really learn of Him, or else we would know His heart. He wishes that none should perish. We wish that things always get better for us.

Create in me a clean heart, Lord,

Jim Corbett

1/01/14

“How grateful are you for those whom I place in your life as refiner’s fires? What gives you the right to turn your back on them, when they are a gift from Me? Do you really understand that every challenge that enters your life is really a gift to you as I see it? They are agents of refinement and change. I promised that I would war against your flesh and build your spirit. You are on your way to becoming like Jesus.

Make note of this. Everything that you face is working for Me to bring you closer to My desire for you. If you would embrace the people, situations, and challenges that you encounter, instead of becoming angry or discouraged, you would find real peace as We walk together. Look around. Find those things that are making you grow. Begin to be thankful for them and see how your life changes.”

Lam. 3:27-28 AMP

²⁷It is good for a man that he should bear the yoke [of divine disciplinary dealings] in his youth.

²⁸Let him sit alone uncomplaining and keeping silent [in hope], because [God] has laid [the yoke] upon him [for his benefit].

2 Cor. 3:18 AMP

And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.

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We don’t get it. God is in the business of doing everything necessary to destroy any trace of our old man, and we seem to be in the business of ignoring or never understanding the ways He is doing it. For some reason, it never seems to occur to us that almost every person, place, or thing that enters our lives is an opportunity to either show us how much we have grown, or how stagnant we really are, by the way we deal with it. Our representation of Jesus is not defined by how spiritual we think or say we are. It is defined by how we act, especially to those who boil our potatoes.

You mean they were part of my blessing, Lord?

Jim Corbett