Grateful!
Happy Thanksgiving! It is such a blessing to know that each one of us have so much to be thankful for! This Psalms reminds us that we need to give thanks everyday! For God is our light and our salvation!
The Lord is my light and my salvation—Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the refuge and fortress of my life—Whom shall I dread? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell.
Though an army encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me,
even in this I am confident. One thing I have asked of the Lord, and that I will seek:
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty [the delightful loveliness and majestic grandeur] of the Lord
and to meditate in His temple.
For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; in the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock. And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, in His tent I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious and compassionate to me and answer me. When You said, “Seek My face [in prayer, require My presence as your greatest need],” my heart said to You, “Your face, O Lord, I will seek [on the authority of Your word].”
Do not hide Your face from me, do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; do not abandon me nor [a]leave me, O God of my salvation! Although my father and my mother have abandoned me, yet the Lord will take me up [adopt me as His child]. Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies [who lie in wait].
Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries, for false witnesses have come against me; they breathe out violence. I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord. Psalm 27, AMP
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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God’s Business
Give us this day our daily bread… Matthew 6:11, ESV
Every morning I seek God for His daily instructions and revelations. I believe that in requesting our day and our daily bread I am seeking after more than physical food - I am asking for His spiritual food to carry me throughout the day. I love that when we ask, God always answers, even if it may not be in the way we expect. If we pay close attention, we can always hear Him guiding us.
My husband and I took a trip to Carmel for our wedding anniversary to get away for a few days, just to spend some time together. The hotel we stayed in was close to the ocean and the rooms had amazing views. The hotel had a roof top restaurant bar that was covered, but guests could see the ocean from the restaurant. One evening we decided to go sit by the fireplace, have a few snacks, and enjoy the view of the ocean as the sun went down.
When we arrived, there were quite a few other guests who had the same idea. We grabbed some seats by the fireplace and began to chat with those around us. We met some lovely families and had great conversations but when God was ready for His work to be done, the conversation changed to being centered on Him. I have no idea how it happened. Before we knew it, God was the subject, and he was speaking to the hearts of those around us. God was using us to minister His word and uplift hearts, reminding us all that He never leaves us nor forsakes us.
We all came to that hotel for our own purpose, but God had other plans and it was about His business. I love how God keeps our secrets, knows exactly what is going on in our lives, and sometimes sends a perfect stranger to encourage our hearts. When we follow God’s commands and ask Him for our day and daily bread, He always has the answer waiting for us.
Jehovah Shammah is always wherever we are. Jeremiah 1:12 says that He is alert and active watching over His word to perform it! What a mighty God we serve! Praise you, Lord. Amen!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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The Answer is Waiting
…Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian, where he sat down by a well. Exodus 2:15, ESV
In the scripture above Moses is fleeing Pharaoh after murdering an Egyptian for mistreating a Hebrew. When Pharaoh finds out about what Moses had done, he seeks Moses’ life to kill him, so Moses flees. What looks like an atrocity actually works as part of God’s plan to move Moses out of Egypt. Now, I am not saying God wanted Moses to murder someone, but the circumstances moved Moses in the direction God was sending him.
Moses has no idea that as he fled for his life, God had a plan that would send him right back to where he ran from. God sent Moses away to Midian so that He could prepare him to lead His people out of bondage. Moses lived in Midian for 40 years tending sheep. Remember - God calls Israel His people and the sheep of His pasture (Psalm 79:13). As Moses was learning to care for sheep, God was teaching him how to shepherd His children.
Back in Egypt the treatment of the Israelites had gotten worse. It had reached to such a degree that the people begin to call out to God for help. But God had already prepared their help - he was in Midian, waiting for their cry to God.
Many times, when we are going through a difficulty, Satan can make us feel like God is not hearing our prayers. I remember sitting with my sister-in-law during her cancer treatment. The treatment had got so bad that she just said “I give up! I want to go home. I am done!” She was crying, frustrated, and tired of it all. I put earbuds in her ear and played soaking music to help calm her spirit and prayed for her. At that moment I did not know what to say, but God had prepared the answer for her weeks prior.
The women in our family have a tradition of getting together to check-in with one another other several times a year. At one of those meetings together it was suggested that we all purchase two greeting cards for my sister-in-law and write encouraging messages for her to read during her treatment journey. All the cards were put in a box and were given to her, reminding her that she had a tribe behind her. On this particular day when she just wanted to give up, she grabbed one of those cards and read it. When she opened the card it said, “Brighter Days Are Coming”. She started to cry even more, but this time with tears of joy. She knew God was taking care of her. That card had been sitting in that box for weeks and God had it waiting for her when she would need it most.
It does not matter how big or small the problem is - God has already prepared an answer to take care of us! That is why He tells us in Isaiah 41:10 “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”. Do not fear or worry. In whatever you are dealing with right now, know that the answer is before you. If you can’t see it, just wait. It is there! Just like Moses was there as God’s answer, coming to His people. God bless you.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Popcorn
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:4, ESV
As I was getting out of bed, I spoke to God about all the writings I needed to do and the timeline I needed to get them finished by. God said to me, “Anything you see relates to me and I can have you write about it. There is nothing for you to worry about.” Immediately the word “popcorn” came in my spirit. God started to show me how the kernel of corn must be put under the pressure of heat for it to produce its fruit.
He began to tell me that every believer will be put under the pressure cooker like kernel of corn to produce their fruit. I asked for an example, and He led me to the Hebrew boys: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Because they stood firm in their faith and did not bow down to worship idols, the king, in his anger, put them in a fiery furnace that was seven times hotter than usual.
I asked God for an example in my own life, and he reminded me of my marriage and how hard it was in the beginning. We fought about anything - I mean stupid stuff. At times, I wondered if we should have ever gotten married. We were young and came from very different backgrounds. We had our own beliefs of how marriage should work. We both knew we were married to the right person because of how God brought us together, but that did not stop our flesh from trying to have its own way. God was putting us under the heat like a kernel of corn so we could produce the fruit He knew was inside of us. He had to burn off all the selfish desires so we could be used by Him to produce fruit for the kingdom.
We have been married for 40 years now. I can honestly tell you the joy that we have now is amazing. We are not just a married couple, but we are happy, in love, and looking forward to another 40 years together. Stay in the heat with God so that you can become all He has for you to be!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Moving With God
And the Lord said to Moses, ‘When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power.’ Exodus 4:21, ESV
In the scripture above, Moses received instructions from God to leave Midian and to go back to Egypt to speak with Pharaoh. Egypt was the most powerful and prosperous nation in the region at the time, which would make Pharaoh the most powerful man in the region. Moses did not have an appointment to see him and yet, God told Moses to go to Pharaoh and show him the miracles and power He have given him to deliver His people.
Moses understood the power of Pharaoh and the Egyptian monarchy because he had seen it from the inside. He was raised as one of Pharaoh’s grandchildren. God told Moses that all those who sought to take his life had died and he was to go back to Egypt and speak with Pharaoh. Moses was apprehensive, and although God became angry with Moses, he sent his older brother Aaron to meet him and to be his spokesperson.
Moses left Midian with his family headed back to Egypt and met his brother Aaron on the way, just as God had told him. Here is the amazing part - God prompted Aaron to leave Egypt and go to his brother. Scripture says, “The Lord said to Aaron, ‘Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.’ So he went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him” (Exodus 4:27).
In this story, Moses and Aaron learned obedience and how to move with God. He is teaching us how He works and showing us what we can expect from Him. He never told Aaron that He has an assignment for him. He simply told him to leave Egypt and to meet his brother in the wilderness. Moses has been gone for 40 years and Aaron never attempts to go see his brother until God tells him to move. The amazing journey they had together could never have been imagined in their minds. Aaron would become the high priest of Israel and Moses would deliver God’s people out of Egypt. Neither of them had any idea what God had planned, yet they moved with God. They gave him their yes!
We are to move in faith. The reason I believe God lets us read the testimonies of so many in the Bible is for our faith to increase, so that when He call us to what looks impossible, we will move and give him our yes. Amen!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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The Joy of The Lord
…the joy of the Lord is my strength. Nehemiah 8:10, ESV
In the scripture above, the book of the Law had been read and explained so that the people of God understood its meaning. They were grieved after what they’d heard and realized they had disobeyed the commands of the law. But Nehemiah and the leaders encouraged them saying, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
Nehemiah was reminding the people that God was their strength and that He would give them the ability they needed to follow His commands. I’m reminded of the scripture in which God spoke to Zechariah and told him to tell Zerubbabel that he wouldn’t build God’s temple in his own strength. “‘Not by might, or power but by my Spirit’ says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6). In the same way, God’s Word feeds us. His Spirit gives us the ability to do His will. Just like with gardening - we can give a plant all the necessary nutrients, but God is the one who makes it grow.
When we think of the joy of the Lord being our strength, we have to understand that joy is one of the Fruits of the Spirits (Galatians 5:22). Jesus describes His Spirit like the wind, saying, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8). We all know and understand the power of the wind. When a tornado hits a town, everyone runs for shelter. God’s joy is our strength because it points us to the power of His Spirit.
The joy of the Lord brings gladness to our heart as a result of knowing God, abiding in Christ, and being filled with the Holy Spirit. As we surrender our will to the Holy Spirit, we will see His power move in every aspect of our lives. And His Spirit gives us the ability to do the things we could not ordinarily do, whether physically, emotionally, spiritually, or mentally. All of what we need comes from the Spirit of God. Amen!
I encourage you to let the power of the Holy Spirit be your guide. Remember when David killed Goliath? He said, “I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty…” (1 Samuel 17:45). David did not go in his own strength - and neither should we.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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God’s Joy
…for the joy of the lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10, ESV
I was sitting in my quiet place with God, just taking notes as He spoke to me. I heard Him say “The joy of the Lord is your strength. Find out what that means.” This of course led me to look up Nehemiah 8:10. Ezra the priest had been reading the book of the law to the people of Israel. After the reading, the people’s hearts were grieved because they had not followed God’s instructions. But Ezra tells the people that this is a day of rejoicing - do not be grieved, we will have strength in God.
As I researched further, I found that the Hebrew word for “strength” was koch which comes from a root meaning, “to be able” or “the power to”. God’s joy gives us the power to be able to do what we could not do in our own strength. This joy is a fruit of the Spirit which comes from God and fills us with His power (Galatians 5:22). We can only keep this power by staying connected to God.
Scripture makes it clear in John 15 that God is the true vine and we are the branches. If we continue to abide in Him, we will be able to walk in His strength. If a branch is removed from the tree, it dies. If we keep God’s commands, we will remain in His love and have His strength. Scripture says, “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:10-12).
I found this list of ways to cultivate joy in your life:
1) Renew your mind, Romans 12:2
2) Trust in Christ, Proverbs 3:5-6
3) Fix your eyes on Jesus, Hebrews 12:2
4) Rejoice in the Lord, Philippians 4:4
5) Abide in Christ, John 15:11
To walk in the joy of the Lord, we must obey His commands and stay in His word. God’s joy remains in us when we remain in Him. Amen!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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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