7/28/15

“Why do you not use what I have placed in your hand until I move in the direction for which you have been praying? You are waiting for Me to give you clear direction; that is good. That is what I have formed you to do. In the mean time, there is much you can do to proclaim My Word, minister to people; and simply love those who need to see the love of Jesus. I have called you to occupy. You miss so much by not imparting the life that I have given you. Tarry with Me for your specific instructions; but while you wait, walk through the smaller doors that I provide for you. Meet the needs of those around you. Others need to see who you are in Me.”

John 4:34 NIV

”My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”

John 6:57 AMP

Just as the living Father sent Me and I live by (through, because of) the Father, even so whoever continues to feed on Me [whoever takes Me for his food and is nourished by Me] shall [in his turn] live through and because of Me.

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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So often we misunderstand the way the Lord wants us to occupy. We confuse waiting for specific directions on a certain matter with the commands we have been given that will never change. We have been commanded to love. We are told to proclaim the Gospel. Every day, we are to live to meet the needs of others with the means we have so far been given. These are part of our life in Christ.

Often, the Lord uses these general instructions to lead us to the specific task for which we have been created. While you are waiting for the Lord to unfold His plan or provide the resources needed to accomplish your specific ministry, you are called to do two things - spend time with Him and present Jesus to others with your actions. These are always the same.

Show me the difference between waiting for You and occupying, Lord,

Jim Corbett

7/27/15

“My mercy is always with you. Never think that I am against you. I have paid a great price to have you with Me for eternity. What Jesus gave will never go to waste just because you do not have the strength to overcome. In fact, it is because of your weakness and helplessness that He spent His life. At present, you have little ability to be what you need to become. Keep pressing in. Repent of your sin. Cry out for My mercy. It will always be there for you when you do.”

Hebrews 13:5b AMP

…for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]

Hebrews 12:12-13 NLB

¹²So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs.

¹³Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong.

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There are several forces always at work as we learn to follow Jesus. Although we are new creatures in Christ, our old sin nature continually raises its ugly head. We fall, get up, need to cry out for mercy, take strides forward; and then fall again. This cycle repeats itself with less frequency the longer we are with the Lord, but it is part of our growing up.

At the same time as this cycle is very present in our lives, we are often called upon to represent Jesus to a world needing to see His nature through us. Our command is to occupy until He comes for us. We are His only ambassadors, given the stewardship of His Word.

I am convinced that both are at play to form us into the nature of Jesus. As we fail, we need to cry out for mercy. As we cry out for mercy, we begin to understand the kindness of the Lord. We learn of His forgiveness. We also learn to submit to His Lordship and are taught obedience.

Eventually, as we allow the nature of Christ to flow through us more and more because of the work accomplished in us through our crying out to the Lord for our failures, we begin to understand the wonder of His plan. We understand that His abundant mercy teaches Who He is. Our need for His mercy teaches us of our need for Him and the wonder of what Jesus has done.

Thank You, Lord,

Jim Corbett

7/25/15

“Are your prayers for others as important to you as the ones for yourself and your own needs? Do you even concern yourself about what others are going through? The heart of Jesus broke to the point of making Him willing to sacrifice His life, so that you could be rescued from an impossible situation. Now you are asked to take on the same heart that He has. As He lives His life through you, others become a priority. You will find yourself caring that others find Jesus. You will pray them through hard times. You will sacrifice your own needs so that the needs of many can be met. It is His way, so it is also your way if you belong to Him.”

Gal. 4:19 NIV

My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.

Eph. 1:17-19a NIV

¹⁷I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.

¹⁸I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

^19aand his incomparably great power for us who believe…

Eph 4:12-13 AMP

¹²His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church),

¹³[That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him.

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It is so much easier to separate ourselves from difficult relationships, judge the actions of others, or condemn those who are not as spiritual as we think we are than it is to labor in prayer for them once, twice, or a hundred times. It is simple to love those who love us back. It is a breeze to be gracious to someone who thinks the world of us and places our spiritual wisdom on a par with the great men and women of faith.

However, the way of Jesus is always the way of the cross. He is seen in the lives of individuals who have the interests of other people, not themselves, as a priority. That kind of life cannot be counterfeited, imitated, or faked for very long. It can only be lived through the power of the life of Jesus flowing through us. It can only come from His heart pumping through His willing vessel, a heart that cannot serve itself but one that must move on behalf of others in order for it to be satisfied.

Make me a willing vessel, Lord,

Jim Corbett

7/24/15

“If you’re not using the gifts and moving in the anointing that I have given you, you have a problem. You need to turn from whatever is stopping you from reaching out to those who need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am concerned about you, but I am also concerned for those who are not benefiting from who I am making you to be. Your selfishness is a great loss to many who are waiting for you to grow up. Because you are so busy tending to your personal whims and pet pains that have been inflicted on you by others, those who need to see the characteristic love of Jesus lived before them are missing out. Because they can’t see Him in you, they may not see Him at all.

Stop holding on to pet grudges and past wounds. Stop hiding behind them as an excuse for you to remain wounded. They are sin, so confess them for what they are and get on with the life I have called you to live. Enter the incredible life of freedom for which Christ has set you free. Make your life count. I am counting on you.”

Ps. 147:3 AMP

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [curing their pains and their sorrows].

Jer. 30:17 AMP

For I will restore health to you, and I will heal your wounds, says the Lord, because they have called you an outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no one seeks after and for whom no one cares!

Gal. 5:1 NIV

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

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Most of us use past times when we have been taken advantage of as an excuse to stop giving when we get nothing in return. We embark on a life of doing good, but always when we are appreciated for what we do. We give in secret, help the needy, and do many “good” things, all in the Name of Jesus – and all in areas that we can control, none where we are vulnerable. These are safe places to go. They are also perfect places for us to lick our wounds, never growing past childish, religious activity and never entering into the anointing to which God has called us.

Jesus hung on the cross for those who hated, used, and cursed Him. He enthusiastically came to be crushed for those who really needed a Savior, not for those who embraced kind, loving, religious activity. He has asked us to do the same.

Even the world can love those who love them back. If we call ourselves by the name of “Christ follower,” we are commanded to love those who hate us, use us, and care little about how much it costs us to bless them. Shrinking back from that kind of duty is sin. We choose to remain the lord over that area of our lives. It is a lack of faith in the fact that our Lord will take care of us as we lay our lives down for the benefit of everyone but ourselves, just as He did.

Forgive my sin against You, Lord,

Jim Corbett

7/23/15

“Shake yourself awake. Do whatever it takes to remove yourself from the lethargy that is infecting My church. Separate yourself from anyone who believes that “business as usual” is at the center of My heart. Those who claim to be in love with Me but deny the need to act with the passions of Jesus will be your stumbling block. They will attempt to douse your holy fire, ridicule your zeal, and downplay the need to sell out completely to Jesus. Shake loose from that kind of thinking. Run from that foolishness. It is another gospel. It is not at the center of My heart.

Come close to Me. Find out what really concerns Me. Find out how I feel about what they are saying. Find My heart. It is far different from the cold, dead interpretation of My Word that is prevalent among those who call themselves by My Name. It does not resemble the self-centered heart of those who claim to be speaking for Me. I am on fire with love for those who still hate Me and My Word. I am zealous to perform My Word in them. That is the way I want you to be.”

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...”

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.”

Eph. 5:14-17 AMP

¹⁴Therefore He says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light.

¹⁵Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),

¹⁶Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.

¹⁷Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping what the will of the Lord is.

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It seems that most in the church of Jesus Christ have lost their passion for the deep things of God. We have found our personal, somewhat comfortable place and are satisfied to be there.

We have a problem, however. That kind of life is not in God’s economy. We can be assured that our Lord will do whatever it takes to stir up our comfortable nests and remove us from any form of lethargy. If it hasn’t happened to you already, rest assured you will get your chance.

Our Father is looking for a holy people who are passionately in love with Jesus and devoted to carrying out the business with which He left us. He died so that we can live. We are now to lay our lives down, so that others might see Him.

Build Your passion in me, Lord,

Jim Corbett

7/22/15

“The foolish heart demands its own way and seeks its own will. It submits to nothing or no one, not even God. It is continually in the process of demanding that God perform in a fashion that is reasonable and understandable. It can never be satisfied because it is always attempting to satisfy self. It serves no one, but demands of everyone. It can see everything only from a carnal perspective. It says that there is no God over it. Far from the heart of God, it remains unusable in spiritual matters until it is changed by the power of the Holy Spirit and submits to the complete Lordship of Jesus.”

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...”

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

⁶in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Isa. 58:11 NIV

The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

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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…

I want the heart of Jesus to be formed in me, Lord,

Jim Corbett

7/21/15

“Sometimes I allow you to know what I am doing; other times I require blind obedience. Either way, it is very important that you move when I tell you to move. Do not miss My will for you because of your lack of faith. Do not plan your days by what you see and hear and reason with your mind. You will miss what I am doing in your midst. You will be on the sidelines of My plans rather than being part of their impact. Move with Me. Listen for My heart. I will not be silent if you seek Me as your priority. Keep your eyes on Me as My plans unfold. Others may wander blindly; you will have sure steps.”

Isaiah 48:3 NIV

“I foretold the former things long ago, my mouth announced them and I made them known; then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.”

Esther 4:13-14 AMP

¹³Then 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.

¹⁴For 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?

Psalm 25:12-14 NIV

¹²Who, then, is the man that fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.

¹³He will spend his days in prosperity, and his descendants will inherit the land.

¹⁴The Lord confides in those who fear Him; he makes his covenant known to them.

Proverbs 16:9 AMP

A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.

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I am convinced that there is a God-ordained plan for each of our lives. If that really is true, would it not make sense to find out what that plan is? We may not see a pillar of fire or smoke to lead us in the direction that the Lord desires for us, but we do have access to God because of Jesus. We do have His Word, and the Holy Spirit to guide us.

Why would we choose to wander aimlessly, ending up with nothing to show for all our wasted days, when rich fruit could be harvested from our lives because we sought the Lord’s ways and followed them? Could it be that we would rather feel in control by planning our own steps and predicting the outcome with our skill and knowledge, rather than please God? Yikes!

Make me desire Your way, Lord,

Jim Corbett

7/20/15

“You have been wonderfully made to perform My calling on your life. You are not formed to do powerful accomplishments in the flesh; anyone can do that. You are created to accomplish mighty works in the Spirit, in places that sometimes only I can see and understand. You may never be appreciated by the world, so accept that and be comfortable with it, or you will never be at peace.

In your associations, have you not found that the deeper spiritual walk is not attainable by anyone who thrives on having earthly accomplishments? Their need to succeed blinds them from placing value on what I call valuable. You can never be like them because I have called you to a higher purpose. I have called you to function in the heavenlies with Me.

Over the years, I have trained you to release your worldly desires and crave My Spirit. It is a treasure that few can understand. I have set you free from the distractions that hinder you so that We can be together. I have invited you to learn at My hand, dwell in My peace, and be really comfortable only in My presence. I am forming you to take My presence to your world.”

I Corinthians1:23-29 NIV

²³but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

²⁴but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

²⁵For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

²⁶Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.

²⁷But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

²⁸He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are,

²⁹so that no one may boast before him.

1 Cor. 2:3-5 NIV

³I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.

⁴My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,

⁵so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

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None of the world and few in the body of Christ really understand what the full spectrum of faith is. Of course it is “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Faith, however, is also allowing weaknesses and human frailties to be exposed in us so that the power of God is manifested and glorified. It is the assured equipping for service in spite of, more likely because of, our personal inabilities.

The first kind of faith is often used by those who tend to rely on their own strength and abilities as Christians to “stand strong” in every challenge and for every need. It caters to their inability or refusal to surrender fully to the total Lordship of God over their lives. They can control their world by using faith in their own faith.

The second kind of faith appears to be weakness to most who observe it. It is the kind of faith that is willing to express fears and cautions; being scared to death as Paul often was, but flowing in and accomplishing the will of God anyway. It is a depth of faith that is in full acknowledgment, surrender, and submission to the power of God, replacing any worth or wealth in self. It is Paul’s kind of faith. It is Jesus’ kind of faith. He never relied on His own strength or abilities.

If you choose to walk in the second fully-submitted kind of faith, understand that you will be judged, condemned and scorned, especially by the “strong” in the church. You will be condemned for your “weakness” as you display your total submission to God’s strength for any accomplishment. Few will be able to separate your anointing from your frailties. God, however, will flow through you to those who are wise enough to bypass what is not evident in the flesh. They will give glory to the power of the Holy Spirit Who is at work. Your ripe fruit will feed many.

Wanting Jesus’ kind of weakness,

Jim Corbett

7/18/15

“I am always for you. Because of what Jesus has done for you, I will never turn My back on you, no matter how many times you fail to do what I ask of you. He established Our bond, an unbreakable bond. He established your new nature that desires to serve Me. He established Our relationship. Walk with Me. I will show you what real life is as your old life falls away. As We spend time together, you will cease attempting to be good before Me out of obligation. You will understand what real love is and desire that more than you desire to sin. It is the way of the cross. It is My way. I want it to be your way.”

Gen. 1:31 AMP

And God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good (suitable, pleasant) and He approved it completely….

Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

⁶in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Romans 5:17 NIV

For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.

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The pursuit of Jesus usually begins for our good and pleasure. He meets our needs, brings us to salvation, and makes us feel good every time we go to Him. That’s good for us. There comes a time, however, that we understand the Father’s plan more clearly.

He shows us that this relationship is not only about us and our needs. He brings us to an increasing level of maturity. As we begin to understand His character better, we understand and move with His heart more often. As this action, response, action, response relationship continues, we gain more of His heart, and love more and more as He loves. We also begin to identify with His heart so closely that it becomes our heart.

The closer we get, we actually fall in love with His ways and move from admiration of Him to a love for Him. Getting to know Him and His ways leads to increasing love for Him, because we are changed more and more from being in His presence. Once we know Him, we act in a way that pleases Him because of the love for Him that has been placed in our hearts.

I submit to Your love, Lord,

Jim Corbett

7/17/15

“There is going to come a time in your land when I will ask you to feed many when there is no visible food around. I may ask you to bring someone back to life after they have by all appearances taken their last breath. I may ask you to go where it is unsafe, so that I can be your safety. If I do, will you go? Will you believe in the unseen if I tell you to do so? Will you speak into existence something that is not to be found unless you do what I tell you to do? One day, your life may depend on your ability to believe in Me and hear Me correctly when I speak to you. That day is not far off. I suggest that you get serious about Our relationship.”

Isaiah 30:21 NIV

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying “This is the way; walk in it.”

Isaiah 43:21 NIV

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

Matt.16:19 AMP

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind (declare to be improper and unlawful) on earth must be whatever is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose (declare lawful) on earth must be what is already loosed in heaven.

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.”

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I believe that there is coming a time when many of us will be used to display the wonders of our Lord. These wonders will be far from the shams and manipulations that are so rampant these days. I am convinced that when Jesus is our only hope, He will be there for us. I further believe that the training that we are going through at this present time is building our faith and preparing us for the days ahead.

It is vitally important to realize that we are in training. We must learn the lessons that we are being taught and be willing to one day be used to implement them for our Lord’s higher purposes.

Teach me Your ways, Lord,

Jim Corbett

7/16/15

“Would you be ready to move the instant I call you to do so? Would you be willing to go whenever and wherever I tell you to go? Would you need to know what awaits you when you get there? I want you to be prepared to do what I ask you to do, when I ask you to do it, no matter what the cost is to you. If that seems harsh, you have become complacent in your calling as My servant, and too comfortable in your world. If I can’t move you, I can’t use you as I desire. I need you to be ready to hear My voice in the season ahead. Set your heart to My ways now so that you are ready when I call upon you to do whatever I ask.”

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.”

Matthew 19:21 NIV

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Luke 12:19-21 NIV

¹⁹‘And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’

²⁰“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

²¹“This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”

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Why would we be the only generation that thinks it is too inconvenient to give up our comfort to do the bidding of our Lord? I wonder how many of us would sell everything we have and go wherever the Lord asks us to go. What kind of force would He have to use to convince us that it really was Him who asked us to go?

If you study the patterns of the lives of those who were powerfully used by the Lord, they were asked to do some unique things. Some were called to the arena to be eaten by lions and mastiffs. I would call that pretty radical and quite far from a comfort zone of any kind. Others were driven from their houses. Paul was beaten with rods and then got up to go preach some more.

Maybe we are more special in God’s eyes. Is that it? Maybe He doesn’t think that we should be uncomfortable because He loves us more than those poor folk. What do you think?

Open my ears and my heart, Lord,

Jim Corbett

7/15/15

“Do you remember what Jesus said? He said that He came to give you life and to give it to you in abundance. As you trust in Him, you have every means at your disposal to have the most abundant life available to mankind. The world has only half of the story. They can only see what is directly in front of them and try to find happiness from those limited resources. Because of their choices, or their lack of knowledge, they must make decisions based on half-truths and conjecture. Their basis for truth is limited in scope because they have no knowledge of Me and of what Jesus has done for them. Their eyes have not been opened and their hearts have not been renewed.

You, on the other hand, have been given a gift of astounding worth. The full impact of that worth will only be revealed to you when you are with Me. For now though, you see from both sides of the cross. In your new birth and in all the resources that come with it, you have every tool necessary to thrive during this lifetime. Because of Jesus, you know the beginning, the middle, and the end of everything that would impact your choices and decisions. You have hope no matter what is before you. You have unlimited help in time of need. There is nothing that you lack, should you receive. Everything that you need is yours in abundance. Draw close to Me and I will show you what is yours because of what Jesus has done. You have inherited an abundant life now and for eternity.”

John 10:10b AMP

I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).

II Cor. 3:16 AMP

But whenever a person turns [in repentance] to the Lord, the veil is stripped off and taken away.

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Did you ever watch a movie where only one half of a map was found? Until the other half was joined with it, there was no way that the treasure could be discovered. That is really the essence of the story of the cross of Jesus Christ.

Before our new spiritual birth - one that we received when we accepted His life, death, and resurrection as absolute truth, making Him Lord of our lives - we were blind, foolish, and ignorant, groping for answers and using limited resources. Once our eyes were opened, we realized how dangerous our former existence was.

I came to the Lord as a dope-smoking, stupid person, totally out of answers. I didn’t even have any questions or comments left, other than: “God, if you’re real, and you want my miserable life, you can have it.” I had no idea that a completely different life, one totally opposite to my almost surreal existence, was available to me all along.

Once, when I was just sitting in the woods enjoying Jesus, He showed me that this world has two parallel roads. At any time, we can get off the one that leads to destruction and begin traveling on the other that leads to eternal life. Before we come to Christ, however, we can only see the road that is under our feet. After we come to Christ, we have eyes to see both the new road that we are on, and the one that others are on - the one we just left. He showed me that my job was to tell those who only know of the road that they are on that another one is available to them.

Holding the other half of the map for anyone who wants to see it,

Jim Corbett

7/14/15

“You need to look past what is happening to what I am doing. More importantly, you need to pray past what is evident before you and fully comprehend what I am doing. Once you understand My motives and decide to belong to My plan, you will be able to rejoice, even through the hardest times. Fearlessness does not come from knowledge; it comes from understanding My purposes and embracing them.

I have an overall plan. It has been in motion since the beginning of time. It is a plan to redeem mankind. The unfolding of that plan has been told to you in My Word. How it will end will be no surprise if you come close to Me and My Word. Everything will happen as I have ordained it. I have brought you into this plan for you to play your part in its execution. Your part has never changed. It is to tell as many as you can about the sacrifice that was accomplished for them on the cross, so they have the opportunity to embrace that gift. Everything else in your world is the working out of My desired end. Each action, every association, incident, event, and word that is said brings you closer to the culmination of all that must unfold. If you see and concentrate only on the individual piece, it may become big enough in your eyes to look like the whole for a short time. You will lose your focus and concern yourself with the immediate, instead of what is important.

I want the last soul to have the opportunity to hear about Jesus so that he or she might not perish. I need you to maintain your focus. Remember the important, as I see it. It will always be my love for people and My desire for none to perish. If you understand My love for souls and share that desire with Me, your perspective will rise above the urgent that may be a distraction to you.”

Isaiah 48:3 NIV

“I foretold the former things long ago, my mouth announced them and I made them known; then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.”

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 under foot by men.

John 4:34 NIV

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent Me and to finish his work.”

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In one form or another, our nation seems to be at war. It can be big, frightening, and daily in the face of each one of us because of the media coverage, coverage that becomes very personal as the reporters actually travel with the troops. Along with the war, there is the constant very real threat of terrorist attacks; which, if escalated, could bring the war to our doorstep. There is also a myriad of other threats that seemingly overnight have become part of everyday living. Every one of them could impact our world and change it immediately and forever.

For many months I have needed to adjust to the changes that have been taking place all around me, have my due diligence in prayer, and seek the Lord for His direction. Because of the perilous nature of the times, I found myself making plans for my safety and survival. My prayers were for the safety of my friends, family, and anyone in harm’s way.

Please don’t get me wrong, every one of us must make sure our head is not in the sand about the days in which we live. We are called to pray for the above mentioned needs. My point is that I found that my prayers and their direction were being dictated by the circumstances that I found myself in, rather than my purpose for being born. I began to think about adjusting the direction for my life based on what I saw ahead of me, rather than on what the Lord told me long ago. I started to react to what I saw, rather than on what I knew to be true. When I did, fear, doubt, and confusion began to get footholds, attempting to destroy my faith and hinder my mission.

Each of us knows what we are called to do. We all have a purpose in life that coincides with our Lord’s overall plan. Difficult (even catastrophic) circumstances should have no bearing on that purpose. In fact, the impossible situations we may face may make room for the miracle-working power of God.

The eternal plan of God is unfolding before our eyes. I am convinced that this generation will see the culmination of all that has been promised in the Word of God. What is taking place before us is the vehicle that our Lord is using to implement that plan. The heart and purpose behind that plan has always been, and always will be, the souls of men and women. Nothing should distract us from that purpose.

Our part in God’s plan is vital to Him. Our specific missions are planned well in advance of the daily circumstances we face. Nothing changes because we face hardships, have difficulties, or find ourselves in peril. They are part of the unfolding, but never important enough to cause us to deviate from our mission and calling. Rising above the immediate and seeing past the imminent, will allow us to freely take part in the wonder of the eternal. The view is beautiful from there because the Lord is the only focus.

Keep my eyes focused on You, Lord,

Jim Corbett

7/13/15

“I know that you only have the maturity to come to Me when you are in need. You even praise Me at present because it makes you feel good and gives you feelings of satisfaction. Your requests for forgiveness are presented so that you might savor the feelings of being forgiven, not because your offense has caused Me anguish. I understand. With My former creation, the angels as you know them, I only required obedience. Even then that requirement was too much for some of them. Some chose to depart from what I had created them to be, and were separated from those I could trust. I now have those remaining trustworthy ones by My side.

You, however, will be used for different purposes. You will be My priests and kings. I desire fellowship and intimate interaction. Disobedience once again is an indicator of those who are trustworthy and those who are not. Sin shows you the difference between separation and communion, so that you can show Me your preference. My work in your heart, your new birth, has made you capable of making free, unhindered choices and joining Me in true spiritual fellowship, if you desire to do so.

As you continually choose My new life in you over your old life, you will eventually have the heart to come to Me for My desires and My purposes rather than yours. You will be a true companion, one that I can trust to implement My wishes. You will be trustworthy, because you will have My best interests at heart in all you do. Your pining for comfort will be replaced by the desire to do what is best for Me. It is My formula for the eternal future. My heart has always been for your best interests. When My salvation process is completed collectively in your hearts and My redeemed church is functioning in this kind of completion, We will flow in unity through the eternities of the eternities. Our unity will be the mainstay of an unbeatable formula. I will have another creation I can trust. I will then go on.”

Eph. 3:10 AMP

[The purpose is] that through the church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety and innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere.

Rev. 5:10 AMP

And you have made them a kingdom (royal race) and priests to our God, and they shall reign [as kings] over the earth!

Rev. 22:4-5 AMP

⁴They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.

⁵And there shall be no more night; they have no need for lamplight or sunlight, for the Lord God will illuminate them and be their light, and they shall reign [as kings] forever and ever (through the eternities of the eternities).

---

Most of us still foolishly believe that this salvation process is all about us. Prevalent teachings give us a picture of God straining to deliver us from ourselves only for our good, focusing on the salvation process as our only concern. Nothing could be further from the truth.

In the Word, we have been shown that God is a creative, eternal God, no beginning and no end. He is known to have created at least one other form of being to implement His purposes. We are, as far as has been revealed to us, the second; and we will work with the first, reigning as priests and kings for eternities and for whatever He chooses to do next.

I am convinced that the zeal with which we pursue His will at present and how trustworthy we are with his gifts will have impact on our place in His eternal plan. Our stewardship shows our heart. Our focus shows our nature.

For us to limit the nature of God by thinking that we are all that He has on His agenda is nonsense and limits our ability to understand the wonder of His nature. Such small thinking causes us to become prideful and self-serving.

Does He love us? Of course! Does He care about us? Of course! Does He want to have intimacy with us? Of course! Is there more that He is concerned about than our portion in His life? I believe that there is. It would behoove us to understand our privilege in being part of His plan, rather than being so hopelessly selfish as to think that we are everything and the only ones in His plan.

Wanting to understand more clearly,

Jim Corbett

7/11/15

“Too often I find you engaged in battles that you are not supposed to fight. They take your eyes off the real battles, exhaust your energy; and distract you from your real place with Me. Great challenges, which will require the implementation of many of the character traits of Jesus, are ahead. Each one could mean overwhelming victories or many distractions, depending on how you approach them.

When Jesus walked in your world, He simply applied Our relationship to any situation that He faced. He did not apply personality, wit, or His own wisdom. He implemented what I asked Him to do. That does not mean that He did not have His own wisdom or ideas. He was the wisest man that was ever born of woman. He was showing you how to overcome every challenge in your life. He was giving you the way to rise above your earthly life and enter into My kind of life.

As I show you what needs to change in your life, I am not asking you to change it yourself; I am asking you to come to Me and be changed. As you face challenges, I am not asking you to fight what is seen; I am asking you to come to Me and allow Me to show you what is really happening. As you understand what is really happening, I am not asking you to take the battle on; I am asking you to have fellowship with Me while I overcome every obstacle in your path. Don’t you see that wealth, power, wisdom, and strength are given to you because of Our association, and implemented by that association? All of your challenges are really opportunities for Me to win the battle for you.

Why wouldn’t you rest with Me while the battle rages all around you? Why wouldn’t you allow Me to impart Myself to you to change you into the likeness of Jesus? Why wouldn’t you decide once and for all that you can really do nothing of yourself and submit to My abilities? To do anything else is foolish, time-consuming, fruitless, and exhausting. Come and rest from your battles, no matter what they are. I will give you victory as We fellowship.”

Exod. 14:13-14 AMP

¹³Moses told the people, Fear not; stand still (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians you have seen today you shall never see again.

¹⁴The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest.

Ps. 140:7 AMP

O God the Lord, the Strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle.

Phil. 2:12b-13 AMP

^12b…work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).

¹³[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

---

At one point in our lives, Merry and I had to face some incredible battles and personal failures. Some applied to our lives, and others concerned the sin of others. During those times, we had to determine who we really were, what the real battle was; and how it was to be won. Often, personal inabilities and agitating fears would hamstring any opportunities to see clearly.

Once, while engaged in a particular situation for what seemed like endless days, I found myself completely exhausted. I was overcome with manufactured imaginations and sleepless night scenarios. These lies, although they appeared as truth, were nothing more than lies. I knew it in my head, but I focused on them until I was overcome with fear and worry. My pleadings to my Father in heaven seemed to fall on deaf ears.

In my search for answers, the Lord led me to a comment by Charles G. Trumbull, which I now go to when worry sets in. He said, ”Worry is sin; a black murderous, God defying, Christ rejecting sin. It is a sin to worry about anything, any time, whatever. We will never know the victory over worry and anxiety until we begin to treat it as sin. For such it is. It is a deep seated distrust of the Father, who assures us again and again that even the falling sparrow is in His care.”

What the Lord was telling me was that my worry would be consumed in the presence of my Father, once I understood that my worry came from not really trusting Him. It was the sin of not believing completely in the work of the cross and the promise of the completed work in me. I was a hypocrite in my faithless prayers and empty words. The problem wasn’t the problem; it was the sin of my unbelief that God was after.

It is amazing to me how worry dissipates and problems are solved on the lap of my Father in heaven, trusting Him to accomplish what I can’t. There, He leads me to the understanding once again that the battles and my failures are His, and they are won by Him. My trust in that ability is foundational to every challenge I will face. To do anything less forces me to engage in battles that are not mine to fight, with weapons that are totally inadequate for me to win.

Needing to do it Your way, Lord,

Jim Corbett

7/10/15

“I know I’ve asked you this many times before, but I am asking it again so that you can confirm it in your own heart. Are you willing to go wherever I ask you to go, whenever I ask, no matter what the cost is to you? Confirm the response that you gave Me long ago so that I might refresh you now. When you said “yes,” I immediately placed you in training. That is what is happening to you now. I know that it is not easy, but one day you will see that it was necessary.

Things might look dark at present, but I am faithful. I am with you. Soon we will move to the next building block of your relationship with Me. I am proud of you. You may not see any progress, but I do. Embrace Me through these times. You will make it. In fact, you will overcome.”

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]

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

---

Paul realized that beatings, imprisonment, hardships, and every other conceivable kind of trial led to the knowledge of Jesus, His resurrection power; and ultimately, to freedom from all attachments to the world. Without sharing Christ’s sufferings, he would not be transformed into Christ’s image.

The cost of Paul’s kind of anointing is everything we have and everything we own. Are you really willing to pay that kind of price? If not, how close is your brand of Christianity to God’s kind of Christianity?

You have to give me the proper heart, Lord,

Jim Corbett

7/09/15

“If Jesus would return today, where would you stand? Do you think that you would go with Him, or would you be left behind? Let me ask you some questions? Is the priority of every moment of your life to submit to Him in every way, so that He comes back for an unblemished bride, without spot or wrinkle? Is looking for His return the most important thing in your life? Are you preparing for Him so that He is pleased, or so that you can go?

Unfortunately, many in My church are filling their days by padding their comfort areas, instead of preparing for His return. You need to make sure that whatever you have in your hand is worth the price that you have placed on it. It may be far more expensive than you could possibly have guessed.”

Matthew 25:1-13 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.

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

⁷“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.

⁸The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

⁹“ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

¹⁰“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

¹¹“Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’

¹²“But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’

¹³“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”

---

Many of us have become so involved in the things of this earth that we have forgotten what is of true value. I know of people who are very afraid of losing what they have, meaning material possessions. That is a fear that is very well-founded and guaranteed to come true. To place our confidence in anything that is not considered eternally valuable by the Lord is pure foolishness.

Anyone who is the least bit aware of the promised events that will take place in the season called the end times need only look around. Many changes in our lives could happen swiftly, leaving little or no time to prepare for them. I believe it would be wise to readjust our priorities if they are not in line with our Lord’s priorities.

Teach me what is of value to You, Lord,

Jim Corbett

7/08/15

“Some of you have grown weary in My calling on your life. Some of you are still searching to find what that calling is. Soon, all of you will be needed to function in your gifts so that My work will be completed around you. To those of you who do not know specifically what your calling is, you need to rest in the fact that I know where you are at present; but understand that I have a specific mission for you. Search My heart. While you are waiting for specifics, function in love. Do not contrive some form of service in an attempt to please Me. Do not follow the fools who tell you to practice becoming someone I have not called you to be. Love Me; love people. Serve others at prayerful interludes. Above all, be at peace and seek My will. If you do these things, you will begin to flow in My anointing for you. It will come naturally, rather than contrived for My benefit or the benefit of others.

Those of you to whom I have given a specific calling, do what it takes to develop that calling. Begin now if you are not already functioning in it. You do not want to waste another moment procrastinating or waiting for more signs from Me. I have shown you who you are. Function in what you love to do for the benefit of others, even if it doesn’t fit the mold that others attempt to place you in. That is more than likely My plan for your life. Make sure that what you do is in line with My Word, and move forward. I will meet you to confirm your direction. If you are already moving with Me, seek Me to see if I intend to modify or amplify your mission in any way. I will continually be there for you as you walk with Me through the trials that are meant to refine you, and expose your heart for service.

Shake off any weariness. It is not of Me. Allow Me to show you how to let Me carry the weight of your anointing. Trust in Me with all your heart, and I will walk with you to complete your life’s work. I love you. Let’s have fun together as We love each other and those around us!”

Isa 30:20-21 AMP

²⁰And though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide Himself any more, but your eyes will constantly behold your Teacher.

²¹And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left.

John 20:21 NIV

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

2 Ti 1:6 NIV

For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

---

So often, the urgent smothers the important in our lives. What most of us tend to forget is that one day all the urgencies of today will fall away. That is not the time to discover that you’ve missed God’s calling on your life because you didn’t spend the time with Him to find out what He considered important for your life.

In trying to discover God’s calling on our lives, many function in busy work instead of God’s work. We stir up a lot of dust and have a modicum of success; but never really know if we are where He wants us to be. We may be involved in good things, but are they part of our specific calling?

On the other hand, some of us have determined in our own minds what our mission is and we’re waiting for the Lord to get in line with our wishes. That is never going to happen. More than likely, He has been dealing with our pride all along. Once that is recognized, He will be able to move us where we are intended to be.

Serving God is simply flowing in what we love to do, if we have cultivated a life of waiting on God and His Word. As we spend time with Him, for His sake, He places desires in our hearts and then He fulfills them naturally and peacefully through us. There is no mystery to God’s anointing. It is present when we are in His will.

Be assured, God has a plan for your life. All of it is based on His love flowing through you to others. As you love as He loves, and care as He cares, you will thrive in your calling. Ministry will be happening.

Wanting only what my Father wants for my life,

Jim Corbett

7/07/15

“Do you know that you will never run out of forgiveness? I knew how many times you would fail and I still invited you to spend eternity with Me. There comes a time, however, to set aside foolish things and pursue deeper wealth with Me. Now is that time. I desire much deeper times together. Set aside everything that would stop you from coming when I call. I want you to be ready for what is ahead.”

Ps. 86:5 AMP

For you , O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive [our trespasses, sending them away, letting them go completely and forever]; and You are abundant in mercy and loving-kindness to all those who call upon You.

Romans 2:4 NIV

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?

---

God is calling for His people to set aside the things of the world and grow up. The Holy Spirit is heralding the call of bridal heart preparation. Only God can make the changes that are needed in us, but we need to make a choice to respond to the call - or we can go about our business and miss what the Lord is doing all around us.

Give me the power to choose, Lord,

Jim Corbett

7/06/15

“If you continue to cry out “why” when you are in peril or going through rough times, you will miss what I am doing in your midst. You will also miss My mercy in action. If you truly understand that every event, every situation, every season at all times has a purpose, you will find peace as you are going through even the roughest of times. Generations that have little pressure in their lives manufacture another gospel, one other than the true Gospel. Instead of remaining in a position of humble service and complete obedience, they demand of Me, and create Me in their own image. They require Me to perform My Word for their benefit instead of submitting to My Word for the benefit of My overall plan.

Difficult times purify the rebellious, selfish heart. They then are a benchmark for future generations to observe and come to repentance for their own rebellion. Embrace and see through any times that challenge you. See My mercy in action as you cry out to Me for My presence and strength. I am keeping you close to Me. I am giving you perspective. I am guarding your heart from a rebellious path to destruction. A heart that desires independence of Me in any way is on the road to spiritual death. Needing Me desperately has a way of changing that.”

Luke 9:23-25 AMP

²³And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself [disown himself, forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, refuse and give up himself] and take up his cross daily and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also].

²⁴For whoever would preserve his life and save it will lose and destroy it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he will preserve and save it [from the penalty of eternal death].

²⁵For what does it profit a man, if he gains the whole world and ruins or forfeits (loses) himself?”

John 18:11 AMP

Therefore Jesus said to Peter, Put the sword [back] into the sheath! The cup which My Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?

---

At times, when I am overcome by the loud noises and boastful attitudes of people in the church who have gained much, consume it upon themselves, and request more, I attempt to find a way to bring things back into God’s perspective. I remember one time when I was feeling sorry for myself. I wanted more than I have, and desired to push God faster and maneuver my situation in my own strength, so that the many needs of my life and our ministry might be met. I wanted to be removed from the pressure that I was under and was asking God to help me find a way to be delivered from the desperate times I felt I was in.

Instead of patting me on the back and stroking my whimpering heart, my gracious Lord led me to a book about the saints of God who were imprisoned for their faith during the Cuban revolution that brought Castro to power. Reading about the giants of faith - the humble missionaries in their imprisoned hell-holes, who served others and lived the life of Jesus before demonic tormentors - has put the Gospel back in perspective and made me fall on my face in repentance for my evil, demanding heart.

In the most unbelievably horrible conditions, few of them asked “why.” Most of them cared only for their Lord to be glorified, and that those who were lost – so lost that they would inflict the kind of pain on another human that the prisoners experienced - would see Jesus in them and be saved.

It seems, at times, that I have learned little and forgotten much about the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. Without knowing it, I have been distracted by what appears to be God’s hand of provision, yet denies the true wealth of desperately needing Jesus for every moment of life.

I am sorry, Lord,

Jim Corbett

7/04/15

“Your relationship with Me will bring both life and death to you. Not only are you a new being, but I will continually pour Myself into you to conform you to the likeness of Jesus. That is true life! Our relationship will also bring death to your worldly ways. Your portion is to prepare for both. Observe when refiner’s fires or difficult circumstances are accomplishing a death to your flesh and strengthening your resolve to serve Jesus. Observe also when serene circumstances are used to build up your spirit, bringing life to your inner man by the power of the Holy Spirit. My life and death process will continue until Jesus comes for you. Don’t attempt to squirm out of difficult times any more than you would deny the restful, peaceful times. Both are accomplishing a great work in you.”

2 Cor. 1:8-10 NIV

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

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

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

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.

2 Cor. 5:17 AMP

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

Ja. 1:2-5 NIV

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

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

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

⁵If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

---

As I look back on my walk (actually stumble) with the Lord, I see that the difficult times were the most productive times. They were the times that taught me how to need Jesus. They brought my pride low enough to call out His Name.

Those hard times also taught me about the faithfulness of our Father. As I reflect back, I see the wondrous pattern of a loving God taking care of His dumb kid, who over and over fell in the same mud puddle or tumbled out of the same tree. The life and death process of the Lord has done and will continue to do its work in me until I see Jesus. I am so glad for that promise.

Thank You for Your trials, Lord,

Jim Corbett

7/03/15

“A wonderful new season is about to be implemented. For many years, I have been separating the shepherds from the shepherds, and the sheep from the sheep. For those shepherds who are truly caring for My sheep, I am imparting a new anointing of boldness to speak My Words without compromise. I am searing their hearts with My fire, and equipping them to lead My true sheep to fertile pastures full of life-giving nourishment. Those shepherds, who have led wandering sheep to dry fields, will continue to be satisfied with the brown grass they are giving to others. Soon they will have no strength to protect their sheep. They will only be able to stand by helplessly as the enemy devours their flock.

You, My sheep, seek the shepherds who lead you to the fertile grass of My Word. Seek those who are without compromise. Seek those who lead you to holiness. If you can find no shepherd who is proclaiming My strong Word of holiness, you nourish My sheep. I will empower you to do so.”

Jeremiah 2:13 NIV

“My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.”

Hosea 4:6 AMP

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you [the priestly nation] have rejected knowledge…

John 10:11-13 AMP

¹¹I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd risks and lays down His [own] life for the sheep.

¹²But the hired servant (he who merely serves for wages) who is neither the shepherd nor the owner of the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, deserts the flock and runs away. And the wolf chases and snatches them and scatters [the flock].

¹³Now the hireling flees because he merely serves for wages and is not himself concerned about the sheep [cares nothing for them].

---

The world does not need programs; it needs Jesus. For many years, the success of a pastor has been gauged by how large his church is. The Lord is bringing forth the truth that large churches do not necessarily mean healthy sheep. God is looking for pastors who will lead His church to desire holiness. He is also raising up people who will no longer tolerate weak leadership - leadership that is not spending enough time with the Lord to bring forth a Word from the heart of God.

In the above verses, the people perished for lack of knowledge. It was because the leaders rejected knowledge. God’s true church is hungry for uncompromised truth. Many are weak and sickly; others are outraged because they have been given empty food from teachers who have not been with Jesus. To satisfy that hunger, God is raising up leaders who desire only Jesus and can direct others to Him. Nothing else will satisfy.

Give me only Your food, Lord,

Jim Corbett

7/02/15

“I love restored relationships. Jesus died so that you could be restored to Me. It is My heart that you follow His example. His death was physical. To restore relationships, it always takes the death of someone’s choices. Someone must pursue the other in love. First, begin in prayer for the other party. If you have offended someone, seek forgiveness immediately and often until you have done all that you can. If he will not forgive you, turn him over to My heart. He will eventually deal with Me. You come to Me for forgiveness. My freedom will sustain you.

If you have been offended, you must forgive that person immediately in your heart. Let Me work on his heart. Place the offense in My hands and be healed. If he is receptive to My hand, restoration will come forth. If and when that happens, wait on Me to tell you how and when to proceed. I will accomplish far more than if you would move without My presence. Be ready for My appointed time. Pursue restoration diligently in prayer, but move in My freedom until it happens. When I orchestrate My appointed time, you say and do what I have told you to do in your prayers. Be humble. Forgive completely. Forget the offense by the power of My Holy Spirit. Move on in My love once I have begun restoration. Find a way to trust again at every opportunity.”

Matthew 5:23-24 NIV

²³“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,

²⁴leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother: then come and offer your gift.”

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].

John 7:6-8 NIV

⁶Therefore Jesus told them, “The right time for me has not yet come; for you any time is right.

⁷The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil.

⁸You go to the Feast. I am not yet going up to this Feast, because for me the right time has not yet come.”

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.”

Acts 24:15-16 NIV

¹⁵…and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

¹⁶So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

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God is always looking at the heart of His children. Love is always at the center of all that He does. He has given us the mandate to love others as He has loved us. Words and actions mean nothing if His heart motives are not the heart motives of all that is done in any situation.

The Word is very clear on how we should act when offenses take place. When people or situations make things muddy, however, we first need to know what Father has in mind for that specific situation. Diving into His presence and remaining there until we receive positive instructions that are in line with His Word are prerequisites, or we will move in our own motives and possibly cause greater harm. Once we have His heart and His timing, we can express His love properly in the confidence that He is with us.

Help me to seek Your heart in everything, Lord,

Jim Corbett

7/01/15

“I want you to walk through each and every door that I open for you with wondrous anticipation and careful communication with Me. Allow Me to unfold all that I have for you while you are being obedient. Examine each step to see if it is part of the plan that I have for you. Many of My children make the mistake of seeing an open door and running through it only to find that they have missed some of the markers along the way. They then run headlong into trouble and confusion by not waiting for Me to plan their steps. Walking with Me through an opportunity is a process. There are times to move and there are times to wait for things to be put in place. Often there are times when I tell you to wait for a while before your next step.

In these times, I want you to have patience. Listen for clear directions. Wait for Me to light the way. Above all, rest in My arms. You see, I am not as concerned about where you are going as I am about how close We walk together as you are getting there. I want you to be so consumed with Our relationship on the journey that when We arrive at any destination, We are closer friends than when We began. The journey together is important to Me. What We communicate and deal with on the way delights My heart and prepares you for your task.”

Ps. 37:23-24 NIV

²³The Lord delights in the way of the man whose steps he has made firm;

²⁴though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

Ps.119:133 AMP

Establish my steps and direct them by [means of] Your word; let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Pr. 16:9 NIV

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

I Pe. 2:21 AMP

For even to this were you called [it is inseparable from your vocation]. For Christ also suffered for you, leaving you [His personal] example, so that you should follow in His footsteps.

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Because we walk with God, it does not mean that every step we take leads us to safety. There are times that we walk in obedience to Him, only to find great hardship along the way. In these times, it is easy to feel like we have missed His perfect will, especially when everyone around us is more than willing to confirm our suspicions and doubt. That is why it is most important to keep in constant communion with our Lord on any journey.

God often leads those He loves to hard places that force us to intimate communion with Him. In fact, often the communion with Him is the object of the journey that He has sent us on. That is the opposite of everything that we have been taught.

Our expectation is that if we follow God, we will always eventually be free from any form of trouble or strife. We even find doctrines that purport that if we are in some form of strife, we are out of the perfect will of God. The loving Father that I read about in the Bible loves to walk with us through difficulties rather than steer us around them.

Hold my hand, Lord,

Jim Corbett

6/30/15

“Are you feeling the pressure of change taking place in your life? Do you fluctuate between being bold in your actions(flowing in your anointing) and fear(holding back, almost immobilized?) It is because I am calling you to move beyond your comfort zone. I am requiring more of you, adapting you to your changing world. I have told you that much is happening in the spiritual realm and your world is responding accordingly. Situations and seasons are accelerating. My promises are unfolding quickly. You must change with them or all will be out of order.

You see, you are very important to My work being done. You carry My Spirit. I give you an anointing, and I fill you with My presence to touch your world. Do not take lightly My encouragement to do what is necessary to become all that you can be in Me. Exchange your life for Mine now. Draw close. I love you and I desire for you to come into the fullness of your anointing. Much is to be done. I plan to use you.”

Eph. 6:12-13 NIV

¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

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 of the water of Life without cost.

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I reflect back on the concerns and worries that I encountered even ten years ago. They seem like grade school felt when I was in college. The world is not the same. In fact, people who are really pressing in with the Lord have been saying that something has happened in the spiritual realm. There is a darker presence all around us.

If that is the reality, then it would seem that the tools we were using before the darkness increased would be inadequate for these present days. Please understand, I am not saying that God’s tools are inadequate at all. I am saying that ten minutes of prayer each day, unfocused praise and worship, disregarded hidden sin, cold unfruitful lives, and all else that allowed us to remain complacent will not suffice in this rapidly changing world.

The Lord is now requiring us to step up to the task and really become who we have been saying all along that we are. No more semi-spiritual church games, if we want to fulfill our purpose in life.

I reflect back to the 9/11 plane that was taken down to the ground by the passengers. From what I understand, some of the pivotal players on that plane were Christians. In a heartbeat moment, their lives were required of them. Whatever they had to call upon to overtake the hijackers was either what they had on tap from their relationship with the Lord prior to that instant or it was given to them during the trial.

I’m convinced that the time we’re in now is the beginning of one of the finest hours for members of the church who will see and hear and respond to what the Lord is saying. I believe that those who press in and respond to the Lord will play a vital part in the strategic plans that He is unfolding at this very moment.

Wanting to hear clearly and respond properly,

Jim Corbett

6/29/15

“If you are Mine in Jesus, the person you were before He became your Lord no longer exists as far as I am concerned. That person is as non-existent as your previous sins. Why do you carry the dead carcass with its past history with you? Your new life is a new beginning. You can discard your old spirit and live in the Spirit of Jesus. Leave its wounds, fears, sins, and failures behind. Take on your new life in Christ. Allow Him to live in and through you. That old person is dead. It is no longer you. Stop living as if the work of Jesus is not complete.”

2 Cor. 5:17 AMP

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

Ephesians 3:16-17 AMP

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…

Phil. 4:13 AMP

I 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].

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Our sufficiency is not in ourselves if we are abiding in Christ. Any power we have to overcome is the power that is ours through the work of the cross and the new birth. When we became born again, our old inner man died, and the new person we are in Christ became alive and lives this day in each of us.

So many of us choose to carry around the old dead carcass and its memories alongside our new life. We try to remain in and retain that old familiar being, rather than taking on the being of Jesus that dwells in us. He never sinned, so our past sins no longer exist; and that is just the beginning. In Him, we are free. We have the privilege of starting new, not carrying all of our old tapes, fears, wounds, and useless actions with us, unless we choose to do so. How foolish we are if that is where we choose to live, instead of living in and through Christ where we belong!

Teach me Your truth, Lord,

Jim Corbett

6/27/15

“Do you see the mounting tide of anger in your world? Do you see nation against nation becoming predominant? Do you see that soon, very soon, everyone will be calling for a redeemer to solve daily issues? You know better. You have the answer. He is Jesus. Tell as many as you can before it’s too late.”

Isaiah 8:11-14 AMP

¹¹For the Lord spoke thus to me with His strong hand [upon me], and warned and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying,

¹²Do not call conspiracy [or hard, or holy] all that this people will call conspiracy [or hard, or holy]; neither be in fear of what they fear, nor [make others afraid and] in dread.

¹³The Lord of hosts – regard Him as holy and honor His holy name [by regarding Him as your only hope of safety], and let Him be your fear and let Him be your dread [lest you offend Him by your fear of man and distrust of Him].

¹⁴And He shall be a sanctuary [a sacred and indestructible asylum to those who reverently fear and trust in Him]; but He shall be a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

2 Cor. 5:20-21 NIV

²⁰We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

²¹God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

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For a long time, we have been hearing that we are living in the end times. Most people scoff at the notion that we really are living in the times foretold by the Bible. Most Christians act as if everything is going to stay the same as it always was, when we above all should know better.

God is calling this generation of believers to observe the times and seasons and make a quality decision to become all that we can be, so that as many can come to Christ as will listen. That is going to take some pretty radical changes in our thinking about what is important and what is not. It is also going to take some nerve to act on what we know to be true. How are you doing with that? What are you doing about it?

Show me truth and help me to act on it, Lord,

Jim Corbett

6/26/15

“Is there anyone you need to repent to or ask their forgiveness? It is important that your relationships are in order, if you are looking to have intimacy with Me. How can you come to Me if you disobey My command to forgive those who have offended you, or choose not to make things right with those you have offended? How do you expect Our relationship to be complete with sin between Us? Put things in order between you and everyone you can, as soon as you can. Then come to Me. I will share My life with you. I will wait!”

Acts 24:15-16 NIV

¹⁵…and I have the same hope in God as these men, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

¹⁶So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

Matthew 5:23-24 NIV

²³“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,

²⁴leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”

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Most of us in the church hope that the Lord doesn’t really mean what He says in these verses. Surely He is not that concerned about our relationships with others if we say we are following Jesus. Is He? He is?

Get my heart right, Lord,

Jim Corbett

6/25/15

“Have you noticed that people in the world are becoming more vicious toward one another? That is no accident. The veil of restraint is being lifted more swiftly during these end times to begin to reveal clearly the true hearts of those who are in rebellion against Me. I am turning them over to their depraved nature. Notice how they are beginning to truly enjoy hating one another. Even their games involve killing and destruction. Murder has become sport. The property and life of others has no meaning. They are progressively moving past even normal civil restraints and on to blatant disregard for all authority, vacant of love. It is society breaking down and moving toward its eventual destruction.

You, My people, however, must put into effect what I have been teaching you. You must love one another deeply. You must pass normal caring and proceed to be advocates one for another. I am now asking you to throw off all the restraints of selfishness and independence toward your brothers and sisters in My covenant family. I am now requiring you to actually seek to provide for the needs of others. Set aside your own interests and pursue the best interests of others before your own just as Jesus did. That kind of love is what will bring those who have ears to hear to Him during the coming times. It will be what sets you apart from the world.

As you move closer to Jesus and begin to act toward others as He would, while the world moves farther from His kind of love, your light will become increasingly brighter. The difference between the ways of the world and My ways will become very evident. You will proclaim My love of them by your love toward them and toward one another.”

Romans 15:1-7 NIV

¹We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

²Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

³For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”

⁴For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

⁵May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,

⁶so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁷Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Titus 3:3 AMP

For we also were once thoughtless and senseless, obstinate and disobedient, deluded and misled; [we too were once] slaves to all sorts of cravings and pleasures, wasting our days in malice and jealousy and envy, hateful (hated, detestable) and hating one another.

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The dictionary translation of “advocate” is: “one who defends or maintains a cause for another.” The place where we see advocacy as it applies to our mission is to be “advocates one for another, maintaining a cause for another and then to the world.” The Bible dictionary defines “Advocate” as counselor, comforter, supporter, backer, and helper.

When the true body of Christ begins to function in their everyday lives as they are intended to function, there will be little need for preaching to the world. Our lives and our actions will be the testimony of Jesus to them. They will see who He is by who we are. How will that ever happen if we don’t start by loving one another?

It has been interesting to observe the ability for the world to appear to be able to love one another better than the body of Christ does. 9-11 was a very visible example of that.

After September 11, 2001, many people gave far past the needs of their own lives and lived for the needs of others. Christ’s love was indistinguishable from the world’s love. In fact, the world often seemed to love more sacrificially. There were isolated examples of the Christian church stepping into its intended role; but for the most part, we failed miserably to show the nature of Jesus by our continuing sacrifice.

As things grow darker and hatred spreads deeper into all elements of society, our actions will be the only message that penetrates hardened hearts. Empty words will not suffice. Only as we love deeper than they ever could, will they see Jesus. That is the way it was in decadent Rome. The dying Christians - in the arena, on the roadside crosses, and in caves - gave testimony of Jesus by how they sacrificed themselves for Jesus. They loved those who killed them just as He did.

We who call ourselves Christians have difficulty loving each other. God requires us to love the world even unto death - a far cry from our abilities at present. As we take small steps toward each other, He will build in us the heart to love even those who hate us - something the world has no ability to do. That is where we are called to go so that we point to Jesus. Right now we point only to ourselves. The cartoon character, Pogo, once said something like this: “We have seen the enemy and he is us.”

Help us, Lord!

Jim Corbett

6/24/15

“There will come a day when you cease to offend Me with your sin. The things that have for so long beset you will no longer belong to you. I will have changed you. I will have placed the desires of Jesus in you. You will want only My will for your life. You will be free from the spoils of the world. It is a completed work for those who continue to submit to Me. It is a promise from My Word. Keep turning from your sin by the power of My Holy Spirit. Keep coming to Me when you need My mercy. Keep opening your heart to My grace in your time of need. I will be there for you. My kindness will eventually cause you to desire to no longer offend Me.”

Psalm 103:10-12 NIV

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

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.

Ezekiel 36:26-27 NIV

²⁶I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

²⁷And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Romans 2:4 NIV

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?

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The above verse in Romans always brought me to express my wonder of the ways of God. You would think that the power or the majesty or the fear of or the knowledge of God would be the reasons we eventually come to the point of no longer offending God with our sin. But kindness!

One day I went to God for the umpteenth time with my sin and finally understood the concept of His kindness bringing about a change in me when I reflected on the fact that because of what Jesus had done for me at the cross, I could go to Him as many more times as I needed. Over and over I offended Him. Over and over He forgave me. What incredible kindness! What astounding mercy! I am convinced that one day His Word will perform a forever healing in me, bringing me to forever repentance.

Thank You for Your kindness, Lord,

Jim Corbett

6/23/15

“As you, My children, find your way to the bridal heart of Jesus, His life will be revealed in you in greater measure. You are to hold others closer, love deeper, and care more. Your service to those in need is to ring with praise unto Me. The need for things of this world will decrease, and your desire for heavenly wealth will increase as you mature in Him. Your only purpose should be His purposes. Your true wealth should be that which He holds dear. Some people around you should be starting to adore Him, because they see His marvelous life in you. Others will be exposed for who they really are. Your life should mirror His more and more each day. How are you doing?”

Eph 4:12-13 AMP

¹²His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the church),

¹³[That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ and the completeness found in Him.

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Life often gets in the way of what is real and purposeful by God’s standards. Everyday needs and activities muddy our perspective of how we are to live, if we say that we follow Jesus. Our pride goads us to remain alive and important in our own eyes. When Jesus is our only goal, the cross is our only direction and the Father’s will is our only purpose, those around us, whose hearts are open, should be forgetting who we used to be and craving more of who we are becoming.

Focus my life, Lord,

Jim Corbett

6/22/15

“The longer you stay with Me, the more you will realize that My ways are not your ways. You will understand that success, as I see it, is not the way that the world and most of the church sees it. Those of you who are called to a deeper walk, one of intimacy, will not be understood at all by those around you. Your lives will often appear foolish and full of what look like bad decisions, as I lead you from challenge to challenge to refine you. People who have not heard what you have heard for your life will not understand, and will continually attempt to bring you to their idea of the way you should live. In their ignorance, you will be chastised, ridiculed, judged, and cast out.

Sometimes you will be alone with only My promises. I plan it that way. I am birthing My Spirit in you. You are being taught obedience. You are being taught how to love when no one loves back. You are being taught how to give everything away, so that you have room for only My life in you. While others are busy attempting to appear spiritual by doing many good works, you wait in My presence for orders to do only those works that hold My presence. Walk only where I tell you to walk. Move when I tell you to move. Never fall for the lie that you are alone. I have many who are being taught of My ways. I have many who have heard the same call to holiness.

While I am doing My work in you, serve others. Love deeper. Empty yourself of all malice and judgment. You must never take a posture of anger or hostility. Never defend yourself or your actions, when you have sought My Word and wise counsel. Never come against anyone who judges you. Bring an aroma of the gentle Spirit of Jesus with you wherever you go. Live a soft life. I will be your defender. I will be your friend. I will be your reward. My way is eternal. My way is the way to true riches.”

1 Cor. 4:9-13 NIV

⁹For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men.

¹⁰We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!

¹¹To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.

¹²We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;

¹³when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

2 Cor. 2:14-16a NIV

¹⁴But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.

¹⁵For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.

^16aTo the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.

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Many years ago, when I was in the Air National Guard, a division of the Air Force, I had the opportunity to fly to Germany on a training mission with others from Wisconsin. We went over on one of our refueling planes, so it was necessary to have parachutes handy, “just in case.”

One member of our group was a person who loved being right, always boasting about who he was, how much he had accomplished; and why he was better than any of us. Listening to no one, he always had all the answers. Biblically, he would be called a “fool.”

To make a long story short, because he thought he knew everything, he did not pay attention while the instructions about the parachute were being given. In fact, as soon as we were in the air, he pulled the wrong handle, and the contents of the bag fell in a glistening white pile on the floor of the plane. Instantly, this man - knowing now that if anything should happen to the plane, he would be in deep trouble - changed from being an arrogant, prideful, “having all the answers” person into a fearful, humbled man, who now went from person to person to see if he could attach his harness to theirs should we run into trouble.

I believe that many people, who call themselves Christians, have not been listening to instructions. Relying on their own strength, power, and wisdom, they have not understood the importance of devoting themselves to those things that the Lord deems important.

Things such as total surrender, absolute obedience, and humble faith in the Lord’s provision seem foolish to them while their ways succeed, because they haven’t been tested in the fire of affliction. In difficult times, these ways - the ways of the world that have been brought into the church - will not work. Just as the empty parachute case emptied the bravado of the man in the plane, overwhelming pressures will cause those, who are untrained in the wonder of desperately needing God every day of their lives for everything, to run to those who have only listened to the instructions of the Lord as their life source.

Needing to need only Jesus,

Jim Corbett