God’s Graciousness
Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest”. Matthew 9:37-38, NKJV
I was at the store waiting in line to pay for some items when a young lady came walking toward me to get to the door. I could see that she was crying as she held the phone. I don’t even think she saw me looking at her. Her eyes seemed far away and focused on the sadness in her heart. I immediately felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit say, “Tell her everything is going to be alright.” But I did not move. I can’t tell you why I didn’t move, but I let her walk past me.
I believe my letting that young lady pass me in pain is what God is talking about when scripture say the harvest is plentiful, but the labors are few. I was well equipped by the Holy Spirit to give her the encouraging words she needed, but I allowed my fear or doubt to get in the way. If it had been my daughter or niece that was walking past me looking that way, I would have immediately gone over to them to find out what was wrong.
The Bible teaches that we are all family. We all come from God. Scriptures says, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Colossians 1:16-17, KJV). Fear always tries to show up when we are prompted by God to do the right thing. We must be so on guard to move that we do what King David did when the giant was coming at him. Scripture says David ran to Goliath and shot him down with a sling shot. Whenever God prompts your heart, run so the devil does not get the victory.
I immediately started praying for the young lady and my heart felt so heavy for missing the opportunity. I went outside looking for her, but I could not find her. I prayed to God right then for not saying something to her, and I could hear God saying “I love you. I know. You will not miss the next time, be at peace.” Even when we miss it God is still there guiding our next move in Him. He is not mad at us. He just wants us to keep moving in the kingdom. Every move in the kingdom of God has already been laid out and He knows how we will respond. Just keep going. His grace and mercy covers our mistakes and as scripture says, they are new every morning. Amen!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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Do What God Called You To Do
I have brought you glory on earth. John 17:4, NIV
Joseph’s brothers despised his dream, so they threw him into a pit. Jesus’ family didn’t understand his calling; one time they actually thought He was mad. Yet, when He reached the end of His life, He could say, “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4). If you wait for everybody to understand and agree with you, you’ll never do what God called you to do. In the latter part of the nineteenth century when the Methodist were holding a denominational convention, one leader stood up and shared his vision for both the church and society at large. He told his fellow ministers how he believed that someday men would fly from place to place instead of traveling on horseback. It was a concept too outlandish for many in the audience to handle. One man, Bishop Wright, stood up and furiously protested: “Heresy! Flight is reserved for angels”! He went onto say that if God had intended man to fly, He would have bestowed him with wings. Clearly the bishop was unable to envision what the speaker was predicting. When he finished his protest, he collected his two sons, Orville and Wilbur, and left the auditorium. That’s right—his sons were the famous Orville and Wilbur Wright! And several years later on December 17, 1903, they did what their father had declared impossible; they recorded the first human flight. Understand this: Many people prefer the comforts of the past to the risks of the future. If you need their support and approval, you’ll never do what God called you to do.
Source: The Word For You Today
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Miracles
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. Genesis 1:5, KJV
I know that every day is a miracle, but for the past few days when the Holy Spirit has awakened me I hear Him say in my spirit, “Today is a miracle!”
Miracle: a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency. A highly improbable or extraordinary event, development, or accomplishment that brings very welcome consequences.
Miracle in Hebrew is mopheth: wonder, sign; portent. The word signifies a divine act or a special display of divine power
4592 Miracle in Greek is Semeion: a manifest deed, having in itself an explanation of something hidden and secret; a sign, a mark, indication, token.
Most of us have gotten so accustomed to waking up and seeing another day that we forget it is a divine act. We have no control over whether a new day happens or not, but we make plans and expect to see the new day. In the Bible we read where Jesus performed many miracles for the people so they would know that He was the son of God. Many of us don’t see those kinds of miracles today but everyday God speaks to us in miracles.
As I sat with God meditating and writing this devotional, I kept thinking about the word “miracle”. It came to me that my body and all its functions are miracles. We can eat all the right foods and do regular exercise but there is no guarantee that when we wake in the morning our body will function as it has done before.
I have lived sixty-one years of life and for most of my life I exercised regularly and tried to eat the right foods. In my late fifties I was told I had high blood pressure. I was shocked by the information and I began to look at ways to keep my blood pressure down. I had done nothing different to this body but all of a sudden it needed help to function correctly. I prayed for a miracle healing and after some years I began to take the blood pressure medicine.
All those previous years I took for granted that my body worked just fine. It never occurred to me that it was divinely designed to work and there was not much it needed from me. I realized later as I began to take the medication, even the medication was a miracle. God had given man the divine intellectual knowledge and wisdom to comprehend how to put substances together that could help a body He divinely made to function correctly. We may not see the miracles like they were in the Bible but if we ask God, He will show us his miracles every day!
Father, we are distracted towards believing that you are not doing the same miracles today as we have read in the Bible. But that is so not true! You have given man so much wisdom to solve problems that we forget the wisdom comes from YOU! The knowledge that you download in man is a miracle and we miss seeing you. Please open our eyes to see your miraculous miracles, for they are all around us. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Judgment is Eternal
If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:26-32, NIV).
The book of Hebrews is an open letter written to Christians and more specifically, Jewish Christians. No one knows exactly who wrote the letter but it appears to be around the time when Jews who had become Christians were being extremely persecuted and because of the persecution many Jews were going back to the synagogue and leaving the church. The writer is addressing what happens to those individuals who know the truth but because of fear, or whatever the circumstances, they turn their backs on God.
We as believers in the United States currently have the freedom of religion to believe whatever we choose. Many believers have not turned their backs on the church because of persecutions but because of sin. We know the truth, but because the world says it’s okay to do certain things we follow after the world and turn our backs on the Word. We sometimes think that it's okay to show up for work late, leave early and lie about the time we took for lunch. I have witnessed employees lie on their timesheet about the days they took off because they want to save their time. We tend to think because it is something small to us it is small to God. But only man puts a level on sin. God says, “Sin is sin” and according to the Scripture above, if we keep deliberately sinning, we will fall into the judgment of God and that judgment is righteous and eternal. We have to turn from all forms of sin and ask our heavenly Father to help us with those things that are a struggle for us. We don’t want what we call small sin to hinder our eternal life.
Father,
We know your word is truth and as believers we ask for forgiveness in where we have fallen short. We don’t want to deliberately sin against you. Help us to walk in obedience to your word and take every struggle to the cross. Thank you for this journey, your truth and your love for our lives. We give you glory and praise. Amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv
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My recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Lesson from God
Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; James 1:19, ESV
We currently have 4 vehicles sitting in our driveway! My husband has a love for things that are old, outdated, but he says it is functional. It can be hard for him to get rid of them! I have often nagged at him that we do not need all of these vehicles and to get rid of some of them. However, he spends large amounts of money to get some repaired to keep them working. Before I go any further let me explain that these vehicles are not the vintage vehicles that someone will pay tons of money for.
We have a red faded 1994 Ford Ranger truck, a 2004 Jeep Liberty 4x4, a 1997 Hyundai and a 2014 Mazda 6. We normally keep our nicer vehicles; the Jeep and the Mazda in the garage and the other two vehicles are parked on the street. We started to receive all kinds of inquires from different people asking to purchase the truck or the Hyundai probably because we hardly use them. My husband has been annoyed with all the purchase requests, especially for the truck. So he moved all the other vehicles out of the garage and put the truck in the garage. That way it would be “out of sight, out of mind” and people would stop asking to purchase it.
A few days ago, we had company visiting and I wanted some private place to pray where I would not disturb our guest in our home. I was up rather early so I went into the garage and there I saw that faded old red truck. I did not want to even get in it, but I did. As I sat there in the truck the Holy Spirit began to speak into my heart.
He said that He had given my husband a heart after Him. When the truck died and would no longer run you were excited, but your husband was heart broken. He took his truck to the shop and the owner had said there was no replacement part for it because it was so old. However, because of your husband’s persistence the owner of the shop looked all over the United States until he found a distributor who only had one of the necessary part left. Your husband was so excited that he paid what it took to get the truck fixed!
The Holy Spirt said we are like that red truck. Jesus paid an outrageous cost for us to be free and have eternal life. And just like the red truck in the garage, Jesus takes us in his arms and hides us when the world tries to come after us to take us away from Him. We are forever loved and protected by our Father.
BTW I think I have found a new appreciation for the red truck!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
You Have Power
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18:21, KJV
When we speak concerning our future we are not predicting; we are, however, pushing power to what will exist in our life. Our words are so powerful, and our thoughts generate those words. Our thoughts turn into words and our words turn into actions. We must always remember to listen to what we are thinking about.
I was talking to my friend about a healing he was expecting from God. Out of his mouth he kept speaking the problem and not the healing. This told me where his thoughts were. I said to him, “The Bible says you have what you say.” I told him to stop reading and believing all the negative reports. He responded, “You always quote those words and say they are from the bible. SHOW ME!” I picked up my phone, went to Google and spoke, “You have what you say scriptures.” Would you believe a site came up that gave me 100 scriptures on the power of the tongue and the words we speak?! Family, our words and thoughts are so important that there are more than 100 scriptures on the power of the tongue. Our words give us our lives!! Matthew 15:18 says this: But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.
Here is a little test for you, speak out loud “my muscles are relaxed”. Did you feel your body start to agree with your words? Say out loud, “I am financially free!!” Our words change our moods and our situation. Remember, as we speak the heavens hear, and the prayer has already been done in the supernatural. We have to look with expectation for the manifestation in the natural. We do this through consistently listening and speaking the scriptures that are in agreement with what we have prayed for.
Once a friend said to me, “Getting old sucks, your body just falls apart.” Guess what is happening to his body. He is having all kinds of problems. Death and Life are in the power of the tongue, and those who live will eat its fruit… (Proverbs 18:21).
God keeps reminding me that when I speak, I am planting seeds for my life that will take root and grow. He laid this in my spirit - why would I plant seeds in my life for what I already have growing in my garden? If I have debt, why would I keep saying I am in debt. Start planting seeds that bring you wealth. Pray Father, I thank you that because I honor you with my wealth therefore I have plenty and my vats burst with wine (Proverbs 3:9-10)! I will not be moved by what I see. But I trust your word that says you are watching over your word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12). Every time I agree with your word and speak it over my life, you make sure that it happens. I know you are blessing me abundantly so that in all things, at all times I have all that I need and I will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8)! We bring down our answer from the heavenly realm and continue to fill our mind with the word of God. To you be glory and praise! Amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Seeds
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17, ESV
To start my garden, I usually purchase the seedlings plants instead of starting with seeds. Seedlings are young plants raised from a seed that have yet to produce fruit and are ready to be planted in a garden. This year however, because I waited so late and the inventory for these young plants were so low, I ended up planting seeds. Now planting seeds that late in the gardening season is usually not successful, but I felt the leadership of the Holy Spirit, so I did.
Every morning I would wake up early and go out to the garden to see if the seeds had sprouted. I would check two or three times a day because I knew that the seeds were in the fertile soil. They would soon die, and the plant would start to sprout. I had an expectation that I would see the seeds break ground.
One afternoon while I was looking so intently for the sprouts, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Do you look like that for what you have prayed for?” He said, “You are expecting these seeds to produce. You have faith in what you have sown in the ground. Why don’t you have the same faith in the seeds you give to me?” I can’t tell you that I had some amazing response to God’s prompting. I just let His words sit in my spirit. I knew if He was speaking to me about this, I needed to meditate on what He was saying. Even now while I am writing this message the words are still lingering in my spirit.
I thought, “Well, I know how to go to the garden and look for the seeds to sprout, but where do I go to look for answers to my prayers?” As I sat there thinking about this, the Holy Spirit said, “If you have asked for healing, then look at all the scriptures where I have healed. If you are looking for provision, then look at all the scriptures where I have provided for others. If you are looking for direction, then look at all the scriptures where I have given direction. Keep your focus on what you have prayed for.” The more I focused on the garden, looking at it expectantly each morning, my mind continued to believe that the seeds were going to sprout. It is the same with God, when we are focused on what He said, reading his scripture increases our faith and that faith produces the fruit. We become more focused on our expectations, having hope that what we prayed for will manifest. Scripture says, So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). The more we hear scripture on what we are believing for, the more our faith is encouraged and increased. Faith produces the fruit!
When we pray, we are sowing a seed of faith. In this economy, even though we trust God, we can walk away and not see our prayer answered. I consistently water my garden and protect it from intruders (bugs and insects eating its sprouts) so that it can grow and produce fruit. It is the same with our prayers. We have to water our faith with the word of God daily, focusing on what we are believing to be received. Staying in the word with the focus on our subject protects our mind from the intruder Satan. If we are not careful, we can allow the intruder to eat up what had originally sprouted and not receive our fruit. Amen, Let’s pray:
Father, thank you that in everything you have given us the answer on how to water our seeds through scripture. Thank you that you have provided everything we need to see our seeds produce fruit. We repent from not taking the time to study the word which helps to expand our faith and protect us from the onslaught of Satan’s attack. Thank you for direction on how to move. We give you glory and praise in Jesus’ name, amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Planting Seeds
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven… Ecclesiastes 3:1, ESV
I am so excited about my garden. I started the gardening season off late this year because of the weather in Sacramento. We received so much rain that I did not think anything would grow. We had also done some traveling so I really did not get started until the first week in June, which is kind of late for summer harvesting!
When I got to the nursery to pick up the seedlings I wanted, the inventory was really low. I spoke with the salesclerk and asked when they would get another shipment of more plants. She said they were not ordering anything else until the fall. While I was so disappointed, I felt a prompting from the Holy Spirit to buy some seeds and plant them. Now this was one of those moments when the Holy Spirit starts talking and you try and reason it away. I was thinking it is definitely too late to sow seeds for a summer harvest. But then I thought, “If God says so, what do I have to lose! The soil is prepared and ready,” so I bought seeds and planted them.
God reminded me that my thoughts were just like when He brings an assignment to us and we think we are not qualified to complete it. Be it our age, education, gender, race or whatever we feel insecure about, our first thoughts can be to say no to His prompting. We can think it is too late or the timing is not right for us to move into what He has called us to do when in actuality, it is the perfect time! Now our focus will be totally on God - not thinking we can do it in our own strength. When God prompts us to come work with Him, He makes sure we are uncomfortable. He always chooses something outside of our comfort zone! Yet, He has made everything around us perfect for growing. He is waiting for us to get in agreement with Him, saying no to our flesh yes to Him, so the work can begin.
Once I planted the seeds in my garden, I was so focused on waiting to see if they would sprout that I checked my garden every day, sometime three and four times a day, to see if anything was sprouting. Within a week the sprouts were up! I was so excited! Then God reminded me that just like those seedlings sprouted when planted, when we say yes to Him, no matter what it looks like to us, we are in the process of sprouting - heading straight into full fruit production!
Let’s pray: Father, thank you for always brining us to a challenge. Thank you for always stretching us. Thank you for always making us ready, especially when it looks the complete opposite! We glory in you that you never call us to what we are qualified to do, but you qualify the ones you call! To you be glory and praise in Jesus’ name amen!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
God’s Love
In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10, ESV
Living in this world can direct our thoughts away from how much God loves us. We get so caught up in the cares of our lives that we miss the special love that God shows us everyday. Scripture says that The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17
My God, how awesome is that! He brags about us and protects us! Did you know that He also promises that when we go through the waters, He will be with us? And when we pass through the rivers they will not sweep over us? And when we walk through the fire, we will not be burned: the flames will not set us ablaze! That is a promise from God in the book of Isaiah.
God is constantly telling us not to fear because He has got us covered! Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10, ESV; Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 ESV; Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6, ESV
I’m not sure if you have heard all the names of God, but He has many names that describe who He is. He told Moses that when the Israelites ask what His name is, to tell them that His name is I AM. I AM….whatever you need! If we are in need of anything, all of His names have us covered. See the list below for just a few of his names:
Jehovah-Jireh means God is our provider.
Jehovah-Rapha means He is our healer.
Jehovah-Rohi means He is our shepherd.
Jehovah-Shalom means He is our peace.
ADONAI means My Great Lord
El Elyon means the God Most High
ElOHIM means The All powerful one
IMMANUEL means God With Us
When He told Moses to say His name was I AM, it meant that any other name would have put limits on who He is. It boggles my mind that this is the God who we can sit with any time of day with all of our issues. He takes time for each one of us. Family, there is no other way to spell love without I AM!
In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10
Living in this world can direct our thoughts away from how much God loves us. We get so caught up in the cares of our lives that we miss the special love that God shows us everyday. Scripture says that The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17
My God, how awesome is that! He brags about us and protects us! Did you know that He also promises that when we go through the waters, He will be with us? And when we pass through the rivers they will not sweep over us? And when we walk through the fire, we will not be burned: the flames will not set us ablaze! That is a promise from God in the book of Isaiah.
God is constantly telling us not to fear because He has got us covered! Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10, ESV; Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 ESV; Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6, ESV
I’m not sure if you have heard all the names of God, but He has many names that describe who He is. He told Moses that when the Israelites ask what His name is, to tell them that His name is I AM. I AM….whatever you need! If we are in need of anything, all of His names have us covered. See the list below for just a few of his names:
Jehovah-Jireh means God is our provider.
Jehovah-Rapha means He is our healer.
Jehovah-Rohi means He is our shepherd.
Jehovah-Shalom means He is our peace.
ADONAI means My Great Lord
El Elyon means the God Most High
ElOHIM means The All powerful one
IMMANUEL means God With Us
When He told Moses to say His name was I AM, it meant that any other name would have put limits on who He is. It boggles my mind that this is the God who we can sit with any time of day with all of our issues. He takes time for each one of us. Family, there is no other way to spell love without I AM!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
https://www.youtube.com/@jccministriestv8904
My recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
He is Working
Then the word of the Lord came to him, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.” And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” And she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah. 1 Kings 17:8-24, ESV
Our Bishop spoke from this scripture one Sunday and the message glued itself to me. In his teaching he shared how we can miss our miracles looking for God to bless in a different way. The woman never received a big bag of flour or a ton of extra oil; it just came every day when she went back to prepare food. This reminds me of one of the miracles that Jesus did when He fed the five thousand with two fish and five loaves of bread. He never had an abundance that we could see physically but the provision just kept producing as they used what was in their hand.
We can be so focused on looking for God to provide the answer in another way that we miss the blessing we have in our hand. For many years I was under the impression that I was not a good writer because my bosses in my previous positions would rewrite everything I would prepare for them. Therefore, I did not recognize the gift that was in my hand. But God has a way of opening our eyes to see what we might think is a deficiency as actually an abundant blessing. Our little is never too little for God! He is the Miracle Worker who has given us all we need to produce the abundance that we are looking for when we release everything to Him.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Echo
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8, ESV
I’ve always heard that God echo’s a message that He has for you. It's like getting confirmation that you are where God wants you to be. In Bible study last week, the lesson focused on having a more extraordinary relationship with God. The topic was The Exponential Worshiper. Our focus was on the acts of Daniel and the exemplary worship habits that he exhibited. In Daniel 6, he was put in the lion’s den for his worship to God. As our Pastor shared this teaching, I felt a tug in my heart - God was saying, “I need you to draw closer to me”.
Later that day I was listening to another teaching, this time from a completely different person and ministry Dr. Sharon Nesbit. In it she says, “Stop being casual with God”. I thought wow! Okay God, I hear the message you are sending me. He was telling me that I needed to have a more intimate relationship with Him. As soon as I heard the words from Dr. Nesbit, I knew it was confirmation that God was telling me to draw closer.
After meditating on what I had heard, I tried making up my own schedule for how I would get closer to God. I set up a calendar to pray a minimum of four hours during the day. But by the time I got through the second hour of prayer I was discouraged because I could not think of anything else to pray. I was sharing my disappointment with a dear friend and she told me I was trying to do this in my own strength. You have to yield to God and let Him direct you on the journey of a closer walk with Him.
After speaking with her, I went to God to seek His direction and everything became so clear. If we pay attention we will find that God echoes to us what He wants from us, bringing confirmation to His word. We also have to remember that when He brings something to us, He already has a plan of how it will work out. Our job is just to surrender our will and let Him lead us.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Judgment
“Do not judge, so that you won’t be judged. For you will be judged by the same standard with which you judge others, and you will be measured by the same measure you use.” Matthew 7:1-2, CSB
I had prayed and I was just listening to God. He told me to be quiet. When I quieted down I heard Him say to me, “The same judgment you give, that is how I will judge you. Do not judge!” He then reminded me of when David had sinned against God when he had taken a census of all the fighting men in Israel. God sent Gad, David’s seer, to give David three options to choose from as punishment for his sin. The choices were three years of famine, three months of destruction by the sword of his enemies, or three days of severe plague as the angel of the Lord brings devastation throughout the land of Israel.
David replied to Gad. “But let me fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is very great. Do not let me fall into human hands.” God said to me that He has great mercy when He punishes but when we judge you do not show mercy. So, if we judge, there will be no mercy like God’s mercy that will return to us. Then God reminded me that I had made a comment/opinion in my spirit about the way I felt our Bishop had presented something at the church. I never said what I was thinking out loud or to anyone, it was just in my private thoughts. God said to me that even our private thoughts are accountable unto Him.
He reminded me that He looks at the heart. What was in my heart came out in my thoughts. Scripture says “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45)
Father, please help us to guard and protect our heart, keeping us humble before you. We are so quick to give our opinion which is a form of judgment and many times we don’t even realize we are judging others. Your word says that we will be judged with the same measure we give out. Let your mercy fill our soul so that our hearts are full of You and only your words come forth out of our mouth. In Jesus’ name, amen!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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My recently published book Life’s Journey is now available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VYJKJ9K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6Z95ANB487AMDF3VTDP9
Highway of Love
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16, NIV
I try hard not to be surprised by some of the things I read on social media or hear in the news. The world seems to be getting darker and darker. I know that the Bible teaches us that we are to expect these things as we come closer to the end of the world, but the level of evilness shocks me and hurts my heart dearly.
When my husband starts to share with me stories of what he has read in the news or on social media I find myself immediately going into prayer. Praying and sharing God’s amazing love are the most powerful tools we have to enact change. I usually tell my husband I don’t want to hear any more evil. I ask him to share with me something good that he has read. He sometimes gets annoyed and says I can be like an ostrich with my head in the sand. I understand that it is important to know what is going on in the world but I feel like the news outlets sensationalize evil. Their top story is usually focused on the most horrific thing that has happened and their goal seems to be to bombard the world with it. But it’s important to remember that whatever we feed ourselves is what we become.
God sent His only son to a world that He knew was horrific and dark to die for us and give us a way out of this destructive place. Believers are aware and living in this wonderful gift but it is our job to make sure the world knows that this opportunity exists. We don’t have to beat people down with the Bible and Christian jargon; all we have to do is love them the same way God loves us. Scripture says we are living epistles written by God and read by men. Let men read God in all that you do!
Father,
Thank you for a different highway that you made available to us. We are forever grateful for this amazing gift. We ask that you open up the pathway for us to show your love in this dark world. Open the eyes of our hearts to see what we can do in every moment to offer your love to this dying world. In your precious name, Amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Holy, Holy, Holy
The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: ‘Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come’ Revelation 4:8, ESV.
I was quoting the last line of this Scripture over and over while praying and giving reverence to God when I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Look up the word Holy.” I did not want to stop in my prayer but because I felt it pressing upon my heart, I pulled out my iPad and looked up the word. The definition of the word in the Webster Dictionary said the following:
Holy: 1) exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness
2) divine: for the Lord our God is holy
3) devoted entirely to the deity or the work of the deity: holy temple
4) having a divine quality: holy love, venerate as or as if sacred: holy scripture, holy relic
Greek: 1) hagios sacred; separated from sin and consecrated to God, Sacred, pure, blameless,
Hebrew: 1) kodesh, means holiness; holy thing
Many times, we get so used to using a word that we truly forget the depth of its meaning. Holy describes who our God is (one perfect in goodness, righteousness and holiness) and how we should honor Him (exalted or worthy of complete devotion). I thought I knew what “holy” meant but as I referenced the definition, I found that this word is for God alone.
Although I never thought to use this word in any other way it never occurred to me that this word “holy” can only be used to describe our God. There is no one or nothing perfect in this world except our living God! We can say, “Holy Ghost,” “Holy Spirit,” and “Holy Bible.” All those terms describe our God. If we used this word in any other way, we have taken it out of context. In Scripture it says, “Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the Lord our God is holy” (Psalm 99:9, NIV).
As believers, He has made us holy through Jesus Christ, but we should be just like the four living creatures in Revelation who continue day and night saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come.” What an awesome way to worship and give our God praise!
Father,
What an honor and a privilege that we have been hand-picked by you to give you glory and praise! Lord, how we love you! We say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” Amen!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
God Speaks
If you truly want to hear God speak to you, keep praying and reading His word. Every time I am in prayer I hear the Holy Spirit speaking to me. I have now learned to listen when I hear Him speaking in my spirit. I don’t know why I am surprised when He speaks right in the middle of worship because scripture teaches God inhabits the praise of His people.
The other morning, I was praying about all the things I had to do on Sunday when I heard the Holy Spirit say, “The dry bones that I showed Ezekiel are all the dead, dry things in your life”. I went “Wait, hold on, what!!!” He said, “Do what I told Ezekiel to do and speak to the dryness in your life. Everyone has a valley of dry bones. All they need to do is speak to it with the authority and power I have given them.”
Yes, that is exactly what the Holy Spirit does. He brings you words of comfort and direction when you least expect it. I love that, because it points straight back to His word. “Do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV). As I acknowledged God, He gave me direction on my path. Before I started praying, the song “Anthem” by Todd Delaney rang in my spirit and I began to sing it as best I could. God reminded me of what that song was truly saying.
He has paid our debt. He was raised from the dead. He is alive. He has all power. We are free, His blood covers our sin and He is in charge. Ask for whatever you want according to His will and speak with His authority in the name of Jesus and it is done.
I encourage you to read Ezekiel 37:1-14 which I have included below. Ask God to teach you how to speak to the dry bones in your life. Right them down and pray over them as He instructs and watch what appears to be dead around you come to life. Amen!
The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath[a] enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army. Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’” Ezekiel 37:1-14, NIV
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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For My Good
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28, KJV
In Romans 8, Apostle Paul was writing to the church in Rome and was describing the difference between a person living a life in selfishness (after the flesh) and a life lived in accordance with God. For a long time, it would really bother me to hear someone quote the scripture above. I’ve always thought that with all the evil going on in the world, how could God say that He was working everything out for the good of those who love the Lord and are called to His purpose?
Over the years, God has taught me that it is truly Him who is keeping us. Through the study of His word He has shown me that evil is not His will but man’s choice. His grace covers and watches over those who believe in Him. Just like a shepherd leads his sheep, God is our shepherd, and He leads us. A shepherd may come into bad situations but he is always watching to make things well for his sheep. God has already done that same thing for us. He knows what is up ahead. While He does not change man’s choices, He still protects his sheep!
In my finite mind, I always thought that God should just get rid of the bad stuff so we wouldn’t have to go through all these painful things. Then I was reminded of Jesus and his journey to the cross. He asked God to take away the bitter cup, but He exclaimed “...not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42, ESV). Jesus had the power to come down off the cross but He did not. He knew that God had a purpose for His pain that would ultimately work out for the good of all people.
The example Jesus left us should encourage our hearts and give us some clarity. Like a shepherd leading sheep - even though the shepherd sees trouble ahead, he still needs to carry his sheep through to the other side. For the other side has wonders that the sheep know nothing about. If the shepherd does not keep moving, the sheep could literally die where there are, missing the blessings waiting for them up ahead.
Jesus had the power to get off that cross, but He chose not to because He knew the father’s desire. We may have the power to move away from a difficult or hard situation but that does not necessarily mean it is the right thing to do. In every situation we need to do what Jesus did: pray and ask God for His will, not our own, and move according to the answer He gives us.
Be encouraged. God has not forgotten the promises He has made to you. Although things may not look good or be good, our Father has worked them out for our good.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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GOD WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN
The Bible says, “Mary asked the angel, ‘But how can this happen? I am a virgin.” The angel replied, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’” (Luke 1:34-35 NLT). Has God been telling you things He wants to do through you, but you’re looking at yourself and thinking, “How can this happen?” You’re saying, “I don’t have the training, the resources, the skill, or the connections. And I certainly don’t have the strength to accomplish it alone.” If you’re wondering how God will bring it all to pass, remember that He will accomplish it! No one else will get the credit. How will it happen? “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you” (v. 35 NLT). The Holy Spirit can impregnate you with a vision, inspire you with creative ideas, introduce you to the right people, and empower you to do the job. God had a unique plan for Mary, and He has one for you too. You aren't privileged to see the future and you don’t know all that God has in store for you—but He has a plan. After the angel spoke to Mary, notice what she said: “Be it unto to me according to thy word” (v. 38). Not according to your social status, or your job resume, or your finances, or what you deserve. No, “Be it unto me according to thy word!” Was that easy to say or believe? No, she was taking an extreme risk. To be pregnant and unmarried brought dire consequences in those days. Yet she gave herself willingly to God—and the results were miraculous. And God can do the same for you.
Source: The Word For You Today
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCC Ministriestv:
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Graciousness
I love the scripture Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. In this verse the prophet Jeremiah is prophesying to the people of Judah what God is going to do for them when they come out of captivity. The people of Judah were in captivity because of their disobedience to God. This is what the Lord says: Look, an army is coming from the land of the North, a great nation is being stirred up from the ends of the earth Jeremiah 6:22. …I will hand all Judah over to the king of Babylon…Jeremiah 20:4.
The people of Judah had been given multiple opportunities to repent from their sins and change their behavior but they refused. They were held in bondage for 70 years because of their disobedience. God is so gracious that even in His punishment, He tells them that He will continue to bless and prosper them. This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” Jeremiah 29:4-7, NIV.
Our God sees us wherever we are. He knows what situations we may find ourselves in because of our disobedience to Him. God will always give us opportunities to change our behavior. But if we persist in our own ways, He will discipline us for our disobedience. It is just like any parent who gives their children warnings to change their behavior. After a while, the parent says “Okay, you would not listen so here is your punishment”.
Even though our parents punish us for our wrong behavior it never stops the wonderful desire and plans they have for us in the future. They are still making a way for us to get the best education and to have the best life possible. How much more does our God do that for us! That is exactly what Jeremiah 29:11 is all about. God is reminding His people that He still has awesome plans for them and will make their way prosperous.
Family, at times we may feel so down and disappointed in ourselves, thinking that God could not possibly want to bless us. But that is so far from the truth. We have a loving God who has only great plans for our lives. Be encouraged that no matter what situation you are experiencing right now, God has great things ahead for your life! Keep your head up high and be encouraged as you journey out of where you are to where He is taking you!
Father,
Thank you for your graciousness, that even when you discipline us for our disobedience, you still have great plans for us when we repent from our sins and receive your forgiveness. Thank you for putting us back on the road to the wonderful plans that you have for our lives. We thank you in Jesus name, we pray, Amen!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCC Ministriestv:
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My recently published book Life’s Journey is now available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VYJKJ9K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6Z95ANB487AMDF3VTDP9
Faithful God
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23, ESV
God is so faithful. I was sitting in my office studying scripture and just listening to the Holy Spirit when God dropped in my spirit a friend who I had not spoken to in years. She had come up in my mind a few days earlier and I felt like I should call her, but I did not move. I just let the feeling pass.
I felt the desire to call her again, only this time I asked God what He wanted me to do. I said, “This is the second time you have placed her in my spirit.” He said to call her and I said, “Right now? I am in the middle of studying.” However, I heard Him clearly say, “Now!” I picked up the phone and called her. At first, she did not recognize who I was, but she remembered when I gave her my maiden name.
We chatted about how our families were doing and how they were holding up during the Shelter in Place orders. Then she had another call and I was put on hold. While on hold I asked God what He wanted me to say to her. He said to tell her exactly why you are calling. So when she came back on the call I told her what God said and then I asked her again how she was doing. She said everyone was fine.
God said “Tell her that you called because God wants you to pray for her about something.” I told her exactly what God said and she then shared that she was going through some things that she did not want to get into. I was so happy that there was something I needed to pray about for her. I did not need to know what it was, I was just excited that I was in alignment with God. I said, “Okay let’s pray.” I prayed for her and when we finished she said she felt like a weight had been lifted.
When I hung up the phone I was so grateful that God is so faithful. I immediately fell on my knees and began to thank God for His faithfulness. We are so blessed that we serve a faithful God. He is so faithful! He was faithful to my friend and He was faithful to me. She received a deliverance and I received confidence that I hear God and I am following His instructions. We never have to worry or fear because our God is faithful. The question is are we faithful to Him?
Father, thank you for your faithfulness and for teaching us how to be faithful to you. It does not mean that we don’t make mistakes, or miss it sometimes, but our hearts are totally after you. Thank you so much for your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCC Ministriestv:
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My recently published book Life’s Journey is now available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VYJKJ9K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6Z95ANB487AMDF3VTDP9
God Has Called You!
I attended the Declare conference in Dallas Texas which was very informative. This conference was for Christians woman who were called to the social media platform.
I met so many awesome woman who have been called to this public world. They were all at different levels some were just beginning to blog or write books others had just published their first book and some had over 20 books published! There were those who were doing all kinds of social media such as podcast, Facebook and YouTube live, Twitter and there were public speakers who had speaking engagements all over the world. I was inspired and honored to be apart of this faith filled group of women who were stepping out of their comfort zones to follow God.
The teachings and messages were informative and powerful! The conference reminded me that God has something for every one of us to do. He has given every one of us assignments in our hand although we may not recognize them, they are there. It was clear as I had the opportunity to speak with other women that we all experience the same thing while on the journey of walking out our assignment. Everyone spoke about their feelings of being nervous, afraid, and even not sure if they were going in the right direction but they were not letting that freeze them. We have to keep moving and watch God direct our path. We are here on earth at this time in this moment because God has ordained something for each of us to do. He has called you!
I leave you with these instructions Apostle Paul gave Timothy…I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound[a] teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.. 2 Timothy 4:2-5, ESV
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCC Ministriestv:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos
My recently published book Life’s Journey is now available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VYJKJ9K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6Z95ANB487AMDF3VTDP9