Jacqueline Crooks 8/31/23 Jacqueline Crooks 8/31/23

Prayer for Protection from the Wicked

Listen to my words, O Lord, Consider my groaning and sighing. Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, for to You I pray. In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will prepare [a prayer and a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart].

For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; no evil [person] dwells with You.

The boastful and the arrogant will not stand in Your sight; You hate all who do evil. You destroy those who tell lies; the Lord detests and rejects the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

But as for me, I will enter Your house through the abundance of Your steadfast love and tender mercy; at Your holy temple I will bow [obediently] in reverence for You. O Lord, lead me in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight (direct, right) before me. For there is nothing trustworthy or reliable or truthful in what they say; their heart is destruction [just a treacherous chasm, a yawning gulf of lies]. Their throat is an open grave; they [glibly] flatter with their [silken] tongue. Hold them guilty, O God; let them fall by their own designs and councils! Cast them out because of the abundance of their transgressions, for they are mutinous and have rebelled against You.

But let all who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice, let them ever sing for joy; because You cover and shelter them, let those who love Your name be joyful and exult in You. For You, O Lord, bless the righteous man [the one who is in right standing with You]; you surround him with favor as with a shield. (Psalm 5)

Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11

You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos

My recently published books are now available at:

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Jacqueline Crooks 8/31/23 Jacqueline Crooks 8/31/23

Indignation

…and a God who feels indignation every day. Psalm 7:11, ESV

Indignation: anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment.

In the verse above, David is praying to God about his enemy. In the prayer he says that God is a righteous judge and one who feels indignation. What a word of encouragement for all of us! YHWH is omnipresent, He is with us always. He is omniscient, He knows everything. He is omnipotent, He has all power, and this scripture reminds us that He feels what we feel when we are being treated unfairly. He is Yahweh-Ghmolah, the God of Recompense. The Lord says in Romans 12, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” We should never avenge others for what they do to us but leave it in God’s hands to deal with. He knows and is aware of all the injustice that is happening to each one of us. We can rejoice with confidence that our redeemer understands the brokenness in our soul and will deliver us.

The scripture goes onto say, “If a man does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has strung and bent His [mighty] bow and made it ready. He has also prepared [other] deadly weapons for Himself; He makes His arrows fiery shafts [aimed at the unrepentant]. Behold, the [wicked and irreverent] man is pregnant with sin, And he conceives mischief and gives birth to lies. He has dug a pit and hollowed it out, And has fallen into the [very] pit which he made [as a trap]. His mischief will return on his own head, And his violence will come down on the top of his head [like loose dirt]…” (Psalm 7:12-16, AMP).

God has not given us authority to take matters into our own hands. Just like David, we are to bring our problems to the Lord and He will take care of them. Our job is to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44) and give thanks and praise to the Lord for His righteousness and justice endure forever to all men. Amen. Hallelujah!

Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11

You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos

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

Jacqueline Crooks 8/31/23 Jacqueline Crooks 8/31/23

God’s Power

Not by might, not by power but by my Spirit says the Lord of host. Zechariah 4:6

Zechariah was a prophet that God used to speak to the people of Israel after they had come out of captivity in Babylon. King Cyrus decreed throughout his empire that any captive Jews in Babylon who desired could return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.

In one of the many visions Zechariah received from God, he was given instructions to give to Zerubbabel, to encourage him in completing the building of the temple of God. God told Zechariah that the power to build the temple would not come from Zerubbabel, but from God.

When we are trying to accomplish the things, God has placed in our heart, remember: it is never meant for us to do in our own strength. Our ability comes from God. When Noah built the ark, it was not in his own strength, but direction from God. We see this too in the story of King David. Every time he went to battle, he asked God, “Should I go up, will you give them into my hands?” David did not approach a battle (or most any issue) without first checking in with God. Neither did he rely on himself to lead the people of Israel. He knew that all strength and direction came from the source who had put him in the position to lead.

Might focuses on collective strength, the resources of a group or army. Power focuses on an individual strength. God says not by the resources of many or one, but by His Spirit you are made strong. Zerubbabel was to focus only on the Holy Spirit for everything they needed. God promised Zerubbabel that he would finish the work of the temple with a capstone, and God showed Zechariah that He would be the complete supplier for Israel. There was no need to look for any other resource.

We get so distracted by our ability, our strength, or what little resources we have while trying to walk out what God has placed in our hearts to do. This scripture is a reminder to all of us that we are servants of the most high God. All that He has called us to do has already been supplied by Him. We need only to look to Him and be encouraged.

Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11

You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos

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

Jacqueline Crooks 8/31/23 Jacqueline Crooks 8/31/23

Assured

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine; Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

The words above are part of a song my grandmother used to sing all the time. I would watch her get so expressive and overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit. Tears would be streaming down her face as she sang. Back then I often wondered what moved her so much about those words. I didn’t understand that her experience with God had taught her how truly blessed she was. She truly knew God and understood what He had done for her.

Fast forward many years later, God brought that song to me again. I had not heard it in years, but all of a sudden, a part of the verse began lingering in my spirit. When I recognized it, I had to look it up because the only words I remembered were “blessed assurance, Jesus is mine”. As I played the song, God let those words sink into my spirit and I found myself behaving just like I saw my grandmother had done many, many years ago. This verse reminds us of the guarantee we are given once we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. We have salvation because we have been reborn of God’s spirit, and we are washed and covered by His blood. We have no sin when we stand before God. It confirms that our relationship with Jesus now is just the tip of the iceberg of what is to come!

If you want this blessed assurance that you will have eternal life and Jesus is yours, I invite you to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believe in him shall not perish but have every last in life”. And Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved”. That’s it! That is all God says we have to do to receive eternal life. If this is you, join me in this prayer:

Jesus, thank you so much, I believe that you died on the cross for my sins. I believe you are Lord and that God the Father raised you from the dead. I ask that you come into my life today, in Jesus’s name, Amen. That’s it family, you are not a part of the family of God. Welcome!

Listen, it is important that you get to a church that teaches the Word of God. I will recommend my church because I know the pastor teaches the truth! You can watch church online until God directs you to a local church in your area: www.cop.church

Congratulations!

Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11

You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos

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

Jacqueline Crooks 8/31/23 Jacqueline Crooks 8/31/23

Chose Life

…but they let the male children live. Exodus 1:17, ESV

Pharaoh was afraid of the Hebrews because the Israelites had grown in number. He told his people to deal shrewdly with them because he feared they would leave Egypt and join their enemies. He was in such dread that he ordered the Hebrew midwives to commit genocide of their own nation. He commanded that when they see Hebrew women giving birth to a son, to kill him. But the midwives let the male children live.

God has always told us to give Caesar what Caesar is due (Matthew 22:21). In other words, obey the law of the land. These midwives received specific orders directly from the king’s mouth with instructions to murder children. The scripture says that the midwives did not obey their leader because they feared God. They knew the instruction they received from the king was against all that they had been taught by God, so they made a choice to defy the king and go God’s way. In return, God gave them a way out, saving them and their nation. It reminds me of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who defied their king’s orders to worship a statue. They were placed in the fiery furnace, but God got in the furnace with them and saved them.

Scripture says “…God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV). God gives us a way out, but it may not always look like a good choice. The decision the midwives made to let the male children live and the decision the Hebrews boys made to not worship an idol looked like they had chosen death. But in truth, they did what the scripture says to do “…I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live”, (Deuteronomy 30:19, ESV). They chose life, and their choice brought life to them and their offspring.

In every step we take, we must cling to the hand of God. The only way we can choose life is if we are connected to the vine. The midwives feared God, and His Word says thou shall not kill. They heard His voice and obeyed His instructions.

God will bring us all to a testing point, and we must remember to choose life.

Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11

You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos

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

Jacqueline Crooks 8/31/23 Jacqueline Crooks 8/31/23

The Best Land

And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: load your beasts and go back to the land of Canaan, and take your father and your households, and come to me, and I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you shall eat the fat of the land.’” Genesis 45:17-18, ESV

Joseph was one of Jacob’s sons. He was sold into slavery and sent to Egypt by his brothers. They were jealous of the relationship Joseph had with their father, as Joseph was the first-born son of his wife, Rachel, whom he loved dearly. Jacob showed favoritism to Joseph, which caused his brothers to dislike and mistreat him.

Even though Joseph’s brothers sold him for evil, God sent Joseph to Egypt for a purpose – a purpose that would eventually save his family. In the scripture above Joseph has been promoted to second-in-command to Pharaoh because God gave him the interpretation of Pharaoh dream. There is a famine in the land that would last seven years, and Joseph was responsible for ensuring that Egypt would survive it. The nation had been in the famine for two years when Pharaoh learns that Joseph’s brothers had come to Egypt. He tells Joseph to bring his family and that he would give them the best land to occupy.

My husband and I worked hard to give our children the best education. We knew that education was the key that would unlock doors of opportunities for them to have a better life. Despite our best efforts, we were not able to give them the best education - but we gave them the best we could afford. I love this scripture because it reminds us that when we are children of the almighty God, He always has the best waiting for us. Jacob served, trusted, and obeyed God. And when everything seemed to be at its worst, God had the best waiting for him.

I remember as a young lady being at church and praying to God, asking Him if He wanted me to get married. I told Him I no longer wanted to do the whole dating scene and if marriage was what He had ordained for me, I was trusting Him to send me my husband. Immediately after praying that prayer, my husband walked through the door. God said to me “That is your husband” and at that time, my husband was the best looking, well-educated single man at our church. Now, there were all kinds of women flocking to him, trying to get his attention. I think he even went out with one of them. But God told me not to move, because he had answered my prayer.

When we take our hands off and let God do His thing, we receive His best for us. There was absolutely nothing Jacob needed to do. God had already laid out a good plan, not just for him, but for the generation to come. Amen!

Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11

You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos

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

Jacqueline Crooks 8/25/23 Jacqueline Crooks 8/25/23

History is Vital

Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. Exodus 1:6, ESV

In the verse above, Egypt is under a new Pharaoh who does not know the history of his country. He doesn’t know that the previous Pharaoh before him had a dream that so disturbed him that he sent for all the wise men and magicians in Egypt, but there was none who could interpret the dream. He doesn’t know that his country was about to be destroyed by a famine but God sent Joseph, a Hebrew, to save the country and its people. He doesn’t know or understand that the laws Joseph put in place over Egypt had made the previous Pharaoh very wealthy, and He doesn’t understand the power of the God of Israel. Ultimately, he lacks the knowledge to rule, leading his people into total destruction.

History is so important. It gives us instructions on how to avoid the mistakes of the past and learn how to move forward and prosper in our future. The Bible is our history book. It documents historical truths, telling us who our God is and why we should trust Him. The Bible gives us examples of His power and teaches us how to move with God. It explains where we are from, what our purpose is, and why we are here. When we don’t read our Bible, we are like the new king of Egypt - moving in total darkness and headed for destruction.

Even a thief listens to an experienced thief to learn how to avoid getting caught. How imperative it is for us to read the Bible! It is the trick of the enemy to think otherwise. He is the one who puts the idea in our spirit that we do not need to read the Bible, or that reading the Bible is boring. I will say, your first time picking up a Bible can be intimidating, and it might be challenging to understand. But that is exactly how God wants it. This is where He gets to introduce Himself to you personally. This is where you start to have your own personal relationship with Him. When you start to ask questions and say, “God I don’t understand what you are talking about”, you have opened the door to an amazing journey with Him.

Every time you open the Bible it will be a teaching lesson. God is guiding and teaching you about who He is. He will show you the patterns of how He operates so that you will not fear anything that comes your way. When we read the Bible, we not only receive instructions about life, but we enter into a relationship with God that is unexplainable. When we are headed to a new place and don’t know how to get there, we can open our GPS to guide us to where we want to go. We hardly ever doubt the instruction given. ELOHIM is the Creator of this world. Nothing exists without Him and everything came through Him. Knowing this, how much more time should we spend every day speaking with Him, getting instructions from His holy Word? Amen!

Father, thank you for teaching me in your Word. Thank you for giving me the best history book in all the world, the Bible. Thank you that every time I open it to read you meet me there, ready to have a deeper relationship with me. Father, I love you. Thank you for loving me. In Jesus’s name, amen.

Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11

You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos

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

Jacqueline Crooks 7/27/23 Jacqueline Crooks 7/27/23

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:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos

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

Jacqueline Crooks 7/27/23 Jacqueline Crooks 7/27/23

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:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos

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

Jacqueline Crooks 7/27/23 Jacqueline Crooks 7/27/23

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:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos

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

Jacqueline Crooks 7/6/23 Jacqueline Crooks 7/6/23

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

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

Jacqueline Crooks 7/6/23 Jacqueline Crooks 7/6/23

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:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos

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

Jacqueline Crooks 7/6/23 Jacqueline Crooks 7/6/23

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:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos

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

Jacqueline Crooks 7/6/23 Jacqueline Crooks 7/6/23

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:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos

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

Jacqueline Crooks 7/6/23 Jacqueline Crooks 7/6/23

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:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos

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

Jacqueline Crooks 5/30/23 Jacqueline Crooks 5/30/23

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

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

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

Jacqueline Crooks 5/30/23 Jacqueline Crooks 5/30/23

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:

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

Jacqueline Crooks 5/30/23 Jacqueline Crooks 5/30/23

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

You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:

https://www.youtube.com/@jccministriestv8904

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

Jacqueline Crooks 5/30/23 Jacqueline Crooks 5/30/23

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

You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:

https://www.youtube.com/@jccministriestv8904

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

Jacqueline Crooks 5/30/23 Jacqueline Crooks 5/30/23

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:

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