Don’t Stop
Thus says the Lord of hosts: These people say the time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the Lord. Haggai 1:2, ESV
In King Cyrus’s first year of reign over Persia, he declared that the Lord told him to build a house for Him in Jerusalem, located in Judah. King Cyrus proclaimed that all God’s people, who were exiled by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon could go up to Jerusalem to rebuild the house of the Lord. He also declared that each survivor, in whatever place he left, was to be assisted by the men of his place with silver, gold, goods and beasts, and were to receive freewill offerings to bring to the house of God.
The people left and went back to Jerusalem encouraged and ready to rebuild the temple. Zerubbabel with Jeshua took the lead in facilitating the project. When the foundation was laid there was a great celebration with worship and thanks to the Lord. When those living around them found out that they had returned from exile and were building the temple, they wanted to join in. The people of Israel refused them - they were going to build the temple to their God themselves. Immediately the people of the land worked to discourage the people of Judah. The Samaritan’s opposition was so great that the people of Judah completely stopped construction for 16 years. God had given them all they needed to build His temple but because of fear and intimidation they stopped working on their assignment. They built their own houses and business instead, leaving God’s temple in ruins.
God sent His prophet Haggai to remind them that they had not followed His instructions. He told them that God had withheld their blessings because of their disobedience. Many times, when God gives us an assignment, we start off excited to follow what He has put in our hearts. But when opposition and difficulty come, we can be just like the Israelites and stop. In the past, I’ve found myself saying, “Oh, I will get to that!” and before I know it a year has gone by. Listen, there is no such thing as a little disobedience. Obedience is all or nothing. But I love how the story ended with the temple. After the instructions came from the Prophet Haggai the people repented and finished building the temple. It was not without opposition, but they followed God’s instruction in the end.
This word brings good news to all of us, as it reminds us of God’s graciousness and patience. The Israelites disobeyed God, yet His love covered their sin, and He blessed them to finish their purpose. I want to encourage you - it is not too late to repent and surrendered to God so He can guide you to fulfill all that He has placed in your heart! 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
Trusting God’s Timing (2)
“What I have said, that I will bring about.” Isa 46:11 NIV
God has a plan for your life that requires certain things to happen at a particular time. And since He sees the big picture and you’re working with limited information, you must trust Him—even when you don’t see how it will all come together. God can take the loss of a relationship or a job and make it work for your good. The trouble is, while He’s doing all this, you can feel uncomfortable and downright miserable. Seven hundred and eight-two years before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Micah said that He would be born in Bethlehem (See Mic 5:2). But Mary and Joseph were living in Nazareth. So how did God solve the problem? The Roman emperor Augustus decreed that a census should be taken: “All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for the census. And because Joseph was a dependent of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son” (Lk 2:3-7 NLT). Are you worried about the future? “Don’t be impatient for the Lord to act! Keep traveling, steadily along his pathway and in due season he will honor you with every blessing” (Ps 37:34 TLB). Relax: the God who arranged for His Son to be born into the right family, at the right time, in the right place is looking out for you today.
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
Trusting God’s Timing
“When the right time came, God sent his Son.” Galatians 4:4 NLT
God doesn’t consult us to make sure His plans line up with our timetable. God sets the schedule; sometimes we have to run to keep up, and other times we have to slow down in order to get in step with Him. Mary planned to marry Joseph, then have a child, but God had a different plan. The child had to be without inherited sin, so He needed a perfect father; therefore; the Holy Spirit was called on to do the job. Humanly speaking, the timing couldn’t have been worse. Mary became pregnant before she got married, and Joseph wasn’t the father. Besides being ostracized, the law said she could be stoned to death. How did she respond? Amazingly: “Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38 NKJV). God has set a plan, and He is always working toward it. The trouble is, we are only working with limited information, so we become impatient and upset when He doesn’t answer our prayers when we think He should, or in the way we think He should. It’s said that George Muller, evangelist and founder of the Ashley Down Orphanage in Bristol, England, once waited on the dock for a special chair to be delivered; he had a bad back and needed the chair for the ocean voyage. When departure time came and it still hadn’t arrived, his friends offered to buy him one. But Muller said, “Either God will provide or he will give me the grace to do without.” Then, just like a Hollywood ending, the chair arrived right on time! Trust God—He knows what He’s doing!
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
Moses
These are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob, each with his household: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, and Benjamin, Dan and Naphtali, Gad and Asher. Exodus 1:1-4, ESV
God said to me, “I want you to study Moses”, and I was excited to start this study. He had me start with the first chapter of Exodus. When I got down to the end, God said to read it again. For the next two months God would only let me read and listen to the first chapter of Exodus.
About the third week into this reading He said, “Write down everything you have learned in this chapter”, so I wrote everything I could think of. I was so excited about everything I had learned, including how to pronounce the names of each one of the twelve sons of Jacob. Then God said to me, “Name the order of the sons of Jacob.”
The very first verse of chapter one of Exodus starts with the twelve sons of Jacob, but they are not listed in birth order. I had not even bothered to look that part up. I didn’t even know they were out of order until God asked me to say them in order of birth. I now understand why the author wrote them in that order and I can now recall the birth order of the sons and each of their mothers.
The Bible is a love letter from God to us. It is His way of building a wonderfully intimate relationship with us. I remember how much I enjoyed my grandparents telling me about when they were younger and all that they went through. In the same way, God is interested in us taking the time to listen to Him teach us the story of our beautiful family.
God wants us to know who He is, who we are, where we came from, where we are going, and the plan that is to come. When we open the Bible, it is not just a book – it’s our Father sharing life with us. He is not concerned with us getting to the end. He wants us to enjoy every moment as He teaches us about ourselves. I want to encourage you not to rush through reading the Word. If you take the time to ask the questions and follow the promptings He gives you, you will find yourself in an amazing relationship with our heavenly Father. 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
Hidden Answers
Many times, when we are seeking God for answer I believe that He sends the answers, but we are often so busy doing our own thing that we miss Him. When we sit and just be still before God, there is this sweetness that comes over us - a place of compete rest. Even though our situation and what we have asked for has not changed, all worry and anxiety is gone. The inside of us has changed and God is working on our outward situation.
I was listening to a speaker who said that hidden answers are revealed in the wilderness. I have been married forty years and when I look back, I can see many times of wilderness. My husband and I once separated because I wanted things my way. I was able to get my own place and furnish it with nice things I didn’t even have to pay for. When I thought I was well on my way, God sat me down in that home and course corrected me right back to my husband.
I often put myself in those places of wilderness not wanting to wait on God. God in His graciousness somehow managed to work out all those situations for my good, and in the midst of those wilderness seasons were hidden answers on how to move and what to do. The answers God had been trying to show me all along were there, but I was too busy doing my own thing, trying to have things my way. When I was alone in the quietness with Him, he began to change my heart and bring restoration to my marriage. When Jacob stole his brother Esau’s blessing, Esau had planned to kill him. But Jacob’s father sent him away to his uncle’s home to find a wife. On his way, while all alone, God met him in his wilderness state and spoke with him. Even though Jacob had done wrong, God still met with him – promising to bless him and to always be with him (Genesis 28:10-17).
God has great plans for each one of us, or else we would not be here. He specifically hand-picked us to be here at this time in life. Satan will lie to you and tell you that you have messed up so bad that God will not forgive you or do anything for you. He is a liar! I messed up and now I have forty years of marriage under my belt. We are more in love now than the first day we met. Jacob messed up but God poured out more abundance in his life than he could have ever imagined.
Do not run from the wilderness that you find yourself in. God has hidden answers that will bless your soul and bring transformation to your life when you say yes. God bless you, family.
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
God’s Timing: Moses
Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every son that is born to the Hebrews you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live.” When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the river bank. Exodus 1:22, ESV
Jacob and his family lived in Canaan when a serve famine hit the land that was going to last for seven years. God made a way for Jacob’s son, Joseph, to become second-in-command to Pharaoh in Egypt. Joseph brought his father and the rest of his family to Egypt to care for them during the famine. Joseph, all his brothers, and all that generation later died, but the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly. They multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.
A new king arose in Egypt who did not know anything about Joseph. Because the Israelites had grown so strong, the new king of Egypt feared them and put fear in all of Egyptians towards the Israelites. The king enslaved the Israelites and treated them harshly, but God kept blessing them and they continued to grow in number. Pharaoh tried to put an end to their growth by commanding his people to do something evil - throw every Hebrew baby boy into the Nile River.
God always wants us to know that no matter what the situation looks like, He has a plan. At the time Pharaoh gave this command Moses was a baby. It would appear by looking at the circumstances that Moses would die. His mother kept him hidden for three months but when she could no longer hide him God gave her insight about what to do. She put together a basket with tar pitch, put baby Moses inside, and placed the basket in the Nile River. At the time Moses was placed in the Nile, Pharaoh’s daughter and her attendants were coming down to the river. Baby Moses cried and Pharaoh’s daughter heard him. The attendants brought him to her and when she saw the baby, she had compassion on him and decides to raise him as her own child. Now Moses’s sister was watching to see what would happen. She went to Pharaoh’s daughter and asked if she could get someone to nurse the child for her. Pharaoh’s daughter agreed and his sister brought her mother. Pharaoh’s daughter paid Moses’s mother to care for him.
God is teaching us so many lessons in this story: 1) We do not need to fear those who are in power over us. Scripture said that Moses’s mom tried to keep him hidden as long as she could. She did not want to see him die and did not have the power to keep him alive, but God had already made a plan. 2) God’s timing is always perfect. We do not need to get anxious about how things are going to work out. Moses’s mom was about to miss her blessing trying to protect her son. God not only allowed her to nurse her him, but even paid her to take care of him. I love that God could have had Moses born at any time, but he chose to have him conceived right when Pharaoh was trying to commit genocide of the Jews.
It does not matter how hopeless your situation looks; God has already worked out a plan. Get out of God’s way and let Him give you the blessing that you could have never imagined. He has it all worked out! 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
God’s Unconditional Love
…he had a dream. Genesis 28:12, NIV
Jacob and his brother Esau were twins, but Esau came out first. He had the birthright as the oldest son to inherit all his father’s possessions and authority. All the sons would receive some of their father's property, but the firstborn received a double portion and became the leader of the family.
One day when Esau had come home from working out in the field, he was very hungry. His brother Jacob had fixed a pot of lentil stew and Esau asked if he could have a bowl. But Jacob would not give him the stew until he agreed to sell him his birthright first. Esau, out of desperation, agreed and sold his birthright to Jacob. After eating the stew Esau hated his birthright, now when their father had grown old and could not see he told Esau to prepare him a meal so that he could give him his blessing. Their mother overheard what their father had said, and she helped Jacob trick his father into giving him Esau’s blessing. When Esau found out, he was so angry that he made a pledge to kill his brother Jacob.
In the scripture above Jacob is headed to his uncle’s house in Haran to get away from his brother and to also find a wife. While on the way, he stops to lay his head on a stone and falls asleep. God has seen all that Jacob has done to his brother. God knows why Jacob is leaving his father’s house. God knows all of Jacob’s behaviors, yet He sends him a message in a dream. God tells Jacob how He is going to bless him and his family in more ways than Jacob could ever imagine.
You would think with all of Jacob’s bad behavior God would not be looking to bless him, but to discipline him. We learn the depths of God’s goodness and grace through Jacob’s story. Although he did go through some very difficult times - his uncle mistreated him the same way he did his brother - his behavior did not stop God’s ordained blessing that He had prepared in advance for his life.
God wants us to know that no matter what we have done in our bad behavior, nothing will stop His plan for our life if we just say yes. Listen, God loves us so much that every single thing we have done or will do wrong has already been paid for. Jesus came and died for all of our sins before we were even born. I know it can be hard to comprehend, but that is the unconditional love God has given to each of us. Every soul belongs to Him and He has prepared this special gift for us to receive so we can walk in total and complete freedom. This does not mean we are free to sin, but our soul’s desire should be to glorify God and follow His every command. To God be the glory! 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
Prayer for the Week Sept 30
But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love… Psalm 33:18, NIV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed me in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as you chose me in him before the foundation of the world, that I should be holy and blameless before him. Hallelujah!
Father thank you that you consistently watch over me because I worship and revere you! My hope, faith, and trust is in your unfailing love! You have never forgotten me, you have taken care of me all these years! My soul rejoices that you have plans for me. You knew me before the foundation of the world. You laid everything out so that when it was my time to show up on this earth, everything would be ready for me. What an amazing God you are! Even though I got distracted and lost my way, you did not leave me. You kept an eye on me and gently lead me back to you! Hallelujah!
I paise you for I have never kept myself. It has always been your promptings leading me. Your divine activation was moving me to the perfect plan and purpose you had ordained for me! Oh my soul just rejoices because you are so good! God you have done this for every single person on earth! I pray for those who are still trying to hear you guiding them into the perfect design you have for them. I pray that where our spiritual eyes and ears have been distorted that you would bring clarity so that we will walk hand in hand with you. God I thank you for doing it! You give sight to the blind and open the hearts of the deaf. Hallelujah! Freedom is from you! 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 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
Prayer for the Week Sept 23
But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Psalm 68:3, NIV
Father, there is none like you, no not even one! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! I serve the risen Savor. You are Lord and King, and I am called righteous because of what Jesus did on the cross for me! I could have never paid the price of all my sins, but you chose to take my place so that I could choose to have eternal life. There does not seem to be words in the English language to express my gratitude! I am filled into overflow because of you! Joy, joy unspeakable joy rings in my soul as I think of the goodness of the Lord! Thank you God!
Your blood has freed me from the power of this world! The lashes that you took in my place heals me from all the disease of this world. Although I may be experiencing sickness I praise you that I am healed! I may not feel the healing, it may not look like I am healed, but I believe your report. Your report says that I am healed! Hallelujah! Thank you for the faith to stand and believe without a shadow of doubt that I am healed because you said so! To you be the 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 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
Prayer for the Week Sept 16
Your word is a lamp to my feed and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105, NIV
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight or Lord my strength and redeemer! My God how I thank you. My heart is filled with gratitude and gratefulness. You are such a good and kind God! Your mercy and grace that you have for me are new every morning! Hallelujah! I definitely need them. Thank you for keeping me in your grace and for saving me from myself.
Father, I praise you that I have all the direction I need. Thank you for your word for it guides me no matter what season of life I am in! I praise you, for you have made a way that when I open the word, it starts a deeper relationship with you! You start to reveal yourself to me. You start to show me how I was designed and what purpose you have for me. When I don’t understand what the word says, you are so gentle and kind to me and take the time to guide me to understanding. I love being in your presence and hearing you speak to me. I love our intimate conservation. I am so honored that you hand selected me to be in this space with you. Hallelujah! Father, God thank you for loving me so much! Thank you that you love the world and you offer yourself to everyone! You are an incredibly amazing God! Hallelujah! My God and King! 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 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
Prayer for the Week Sept 9
…Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27, NIV
Father, to you be glory and praise! How I worship and adore you! You are such an awesome God! You are Lord and King! The whole earth is in your hands! You see all, know all and hear all. Nothing gets passed you! Hallelujah my God! ELOHIM to you be glory and praise!
I praise you for all day and night you watch over me and all those around me. Thank you for reminding me that I do not have to let my heart be troubled or afraid. What a joy that I can release all to you! Although, there are times my heart is troubled and I forget that I have a choice. I think I have given all the problems to you, but I find myself concerned, worried or afraid. I do not want to be that way, but I don’t know how to let it go. I ask that you help me to lay it all down and never pick it up again! Yes Father, I trust your word! I believe what you say and I will use the measure of faith you have given me to continue to trust and believe you; no matter what I see!
Thank you that you are my source of faith! Yes, the ability to believe comes from you and you alone! Thank you for the faith to believe and not doubt your word. Father I take nothing for granted. I know that all good things come from you. I praise you that you have made me perfect in your image and I get to lay at your feet! Hallelujah! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! All praise and honor to my Lord and King forever more! I love you Lord! 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 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
Prayer for the Week
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will council you and watch over you says the Lord. Psalm 32:8, NIV
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah! My God to you be glory and praise! ELOHIM all powerful God, creator of the whole world selah! You have said that you will instruct me and teach me in the way I should go as I journey through this earth! You will guide me and council me and watch over me! Hallelujah! My soul rejoices in you! I am so grateful, so humbled and so thankful. I pray to always surrender my ears to hear you, to always submit my ways to you and to always obey your instructions immediately. Thank you Father for your instructions and patience with me. 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 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
In the Present Moment
The other morning, I woke up to the scriptures playing and heard myself mumble, “I move in the spirit of Josiah”. I was then prompted to ask who was Josiah, and why would I wake up speaking those words. After laying there trying to remember Josiah from the Bible, I found myself getting up and searching the scriptures for his name.
I found in 2 Kings 21-22 that Josiah was anointed king at the age of eight-years-old. He was anointed king because his father, King Amon, had been killed. His father was evil, and so was his grandfather Manasseh, but Josiah was different. He followed all the ways of the Lord. I wondered why the scripture was so specific in describing Josiah’s maternal lineage. It says, “…His mother's name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath”, (2 Kings 22:1). Adaiah means “Yahweh passes by”. Jedidah’s father was from Boscath, a town in the kingdom of Judah. It was clear to me that Josiah was influenced by his mother whose father was a righteous man, having followed the ways of the Lord.
After researching the scriptures, I asked God what He wanted to reveal to me. I understood Josiah’s story and my waking affirmation: Josiah moved according to the Word. But I wanted to know what else God needed me to understand. I sat for a while but didn’t hear God speak. I began to just thank God for His time, the opportunity to be in His presence, and just to be with Him. Before I knew it, I was in a whole atmosphere of praise and worship! I remember ending the prayer with “God, if this is all you want me to give me right now, hallelujah!” It was only then that revelation came. I was getting so caught up in trying to get to the end of the matter that I was missing all the time we spent together just exploring the scripture. God woke me up early to talk with me, guiding me through the scriptures and growing me in my relationship with Him. He reminded me of what I asked Him for long ago as a child. I said, “I don’t want to just know you as God in the sky, but I want to know you before I get to heaven.” I didn’t understand at the time that, being prompted by the Holy Spirit, I was asking for a relationship with Him, and He was answering my prayer.
We have to remember to enjoy the journey in all that we are doing. It is not so much about getting to the destination because the destination is truly where you are right now. The place we are headed will be there when we get there, but God wants us to enjoy every moment along the way. Live in the present, because that is where He is. 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
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:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
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
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
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
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
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
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