The Door
I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Revelation 3:8, ESV
I have a Hebrew calendar that I follow and this year is 5784 which began September 2023 and ends October 2024. The number 5784 stands for open doors and so much more. I have been speaking these words over our lives and repeating that this is the year of open doors for the believers. I have watched as God has supernaturally opened doors for us this year!
But I have learned that open doors do not always come in the way you expect. Yes, it is wonderful when God open doors for you, or shall I say, moves you to the open door and you have to take a step to walk through it. But it is the walking through to get in and on the other side that I did not expect the things God would do to get us to move!
Sometime you are just comfortable where you are and you want God to open the door, but you kind of want things to stay the same along with the additional blessings. Listen, it is not going to happen that way! Every open door requires change and movement. He will open the door, but you have to move through it. I have a cookie business and my husband has a Jazz band and we have seen doors of opportunity fly open for us. But the work involved to get through the door and the sacrifice required is a big responsibility. God is not going to do that part for you.
Remember the Hebrew boys? Their open door came under siege. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. He then commanded Ashpenaz, his chief Eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, competent to stand in the king's palace and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. Daniel 1
Ashpenaz chose Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. They were eventually chosen to stand and serve before the king because God blessed them with more knowledge and wisdom than all the nobles. Throughout their service to the king, God used them as a testimony to teach the king who the true God is. Because of their faithfulness to God, King Nebuchadnezzar eventually became a believer.
We do not know where, when or how God will open the door for us, but we have to be willing to do take the leap of faith and move hand in hand with God.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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The Spirit of God Dwells in You
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. Romans 8:9, ESV
I know at times it can be overwhelming to try and comprehend that the Spirit of the almighty God lives within every believer. He literally sits inside every believer and directs them everyday towards righteousness. I love that scripture teaches that God has richly poured out to us all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1 Our flesh may not be able to understand everything that God has given us, but little by little, or precept upon precept, we gain understanding.
It reminds me of little babies who have not yet learned how to walk. They have all they need to walk and yet they don’t understand the concept of walking. We have a grand-baby who has all the physical attributes to raise his head and look around, but he has not mastered the ability to do that. When we pick him up we hold his head. He has not yet learned that he has the muscles to lift and hold his head. My daughter gives him “tummy time” which he does not like, but it causes him to lift his head.
This reminds me of us and all that God has poured into us. We have the Holy Spirit living on the inside of us, with all the wisdom and understanding waiting for us to use. We think we lack the ability, or that we don’t have the knowledge to do something, but in truth it is all there. We have to strengthen our muscles and we do this through “tummy time,”or reading the Word. We can lay on our stomach and put the Bible in front of us and read. The words in the Bible are full of the Spirit and life. When we read the word of God, we learn how to use what has already been deposited into us. It is our instruction manual. The more we read and study the word the more we will be able to access all the wisdom and understanding from the Spirit who dwells within.
I encourage you to do some “tummy time” exercises for twenty minuets a day! Set a timer and read the word. You will be surprised at what happens in your life and the changes that you will see manifest. The word is living and it goes into action when you speak it!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Who are you Tracking?
I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever does not receive and welcome the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” Mark 10:15, AMP
Our daughter arrived at our home for a visit with our grandson. While she unpacked the car I took the baby and was talking with him. I noticed that the whole time she was taking things out of the car, her son was tracking his mom’s every move. I was trying to get his attention, but he was focused on seeing where his mother was going. It was to the point that he was trying to turn his whole body. We all laughed at how much he was tracking her and started trying to do other things to get him distracted.
Later that evening, the Holy Spirit said to me, “Do you track God like that? Are you focused on his very move? What does it take to get you off track?” I thought about it and I knew I could do better. My mind went to the Bible verse above with the focus on the part that said, come to the Kingdom of God like a child. This little baby who was barely two months old would not let us distract him from his mom. I thought about how when our grandson felt something was wrong, he cries out for his mom. He did not look to anyone else, he just focused on her. He cried to his answer and he kept his eyes on his answer until help came.
God showed me that if we could just be like that in everything, our life would be so much easier. We could always live in a place of peace and have the joy of the Lord in our heart. Scripture says that “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear Isaiah 65:24. Instead we look around and try to fix the problem ourselves before we come to him.
God has taught me that he wants to be involved in every aspect or our lives. Listen, I ask him what to wear when I get up in the morning. I ask him how to respond to my husband. I ask him how to say, “Hello” and how to answer the phone. God has told us to seek him first; that is on everything single thing. He did not tell us to depend on ourselves. However, when it is something that we do everyday, we think we can handle it. So, we do not ask him. God wants our attention and to rely on him for every single thing in our life. He already has everything worked out. He holds our future in his hands!
I want to encourage you to be just like a baby with God. I want to encourage you to be just like our grandson. Track God for everything! He is “the answer” and he answers! Hallelujah!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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His Weapon for Battle
“You are my war club, my weapon for battle—with you I shatter nations, with you I destroy kingdoms, Jeremiah 51:20, NIV
Why does God need weapons to fight in the battle with Satan? When Adam and Eve turned the earth over to Satan, they put their lineage (us) against God and there was nothing anyone in the world could do to change it. The earth and everything in it belongs to God. Those who have accepted Jesus Christ are his agents to bring the message of salvation to those who do not know him.
I was listening to a pastor speak and he said that we are God’s weapons of war. We are not only here for worship, but for war. That statement reminded me of when I was younger. My parents had put me and my siblings in our church’s little children’s choir. One of the songs we used to sing was, “We are Soldiers in the Army of God.”
At that time I did not understand why we would had to fight in God’s army if he had already won the war. I did not understand that everyday there are battles to save the souls of lost individuals. We are God’s weapon against Satan and our fight is to stand in the word and offer love to the world.
The challenge comes when Satan tries to tempt us to step out of our position. How does he do that? I remember one time I had bought a beautiful dress for church and work. I was so excited about it and on this particular day I wore it to work. On break one of my coworkers and I decided to go pick up shaved ice for everyone at work. We were at the shop and on our way into the building this lady honked at me and told me to move my car. We just looked at her like, “what?” There were plenty of parking spaces for her and we went inside the building.
There were a lot of people inside the building waiting for their orders. When the lady who honked at me got inside the building she asked them if she could purchase a certain type of soda, but they did not carry it. So instead she asked for a cup of water. Now mind you this place is packed with people and everyone could see and hear her. When they gave her the cup of water, she took it and threw it at my dress. All down the front of the dress was wet and then she said, “Oh, I’m sorry.” I was in such shock that I could not move.
The owner of the store and everyone around started to try and help me get the water dried up off my dress. My coworker kept saying, “Are you alright? Do we need to get this chick?” Listen Satan’s move was to get me out of position, but instead God held me. I was shocked at myself because I just kept telling everyone that I was good. It was only by the grace of God that I was kept as a weapon for him. I did not move and his love was displayed for all those in that shop to see his glory!
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
The Promise of God
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Numbers 23:19, KJV
In the passage above God was correcting Balaam because he went back to God a second time on behalf of King Barak, who was over Moab, seeking to bring a curse on the Israelites. God had delivered the Israelites from Egypt and they had just come from a victory over the Amorites and they were camped on the outskirts of Moab. The people of Moab dreaded and feared Israel. King Balak sent for Balaam to curse them. However, the words God gave to Balaam were only to speak blessings over Israel. King Balak was angry and insisted that Balaam go back to God to receive words to bring a curse on Israel. The passage above is part of the response God had for the King of Moab.
Look at the kind of God we serve! The people of Israel had no idea that someone was trying to put a curse on them! Their God was protecting them and they did not even know it! As a matter of fact, God was speaking more blessings on Israel. This is exactly how God takes care of us. He says that he is watching over you and will never leave you. He is also in all the secret boardrooms arranging blessings for you that you know nothing about!
The people of Israel had done nothing to Moab. Moab was fearful because of the blessing God had placed on Israel. If you look back at the history of Israel, the only reason the Egyptians put Israel in bondage, was because of the blessing God put on them. God blessed the Israelites and the people feared them. Exodus 1
There is nothing that can stop God from keeping his word and watching over his people. God told Abraham, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age.” Every word God told Abraham is exactly what happened. The covenant was between God and Abraham. And even though Abraham had long since died, God never failed to keep his promise.
Everything God said concerning believers he has done. He has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. He has chosen and marked us in Christ and sealed us with the promised Holy Spirit. We have been given the same power that was used to raise Christ from the dead and we have been made alive in Christ. He raised us up with him and seated us in the heavenly realm. If that is not enough he gave us a spirit of love, power and a sound mind; which is the mind of Christ. He sent the Holy Spirit who is with us 24/7 and is our deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession.
Listen, everything God said he will do for you, he has done! You can take him at his word! If you want to know more about his promises to you, read Ephesians 1-3.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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The power of Agreement
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20, NIV
The passage above is a guarantee! Jesus was giving instructions on how to resolve an issue between brothers who sin against each other. In conclusion, he says anything that two people agree on in his name, it will be done for them! Listen! When Jesus was giving these instructions he was saying that anything you agree on in his name, it will not only happen, but he will be in the midst of the request!
There is so much in the verse mentioned above! It is powerful when we agree and submit our requests to God! Apostle Paul told Timothy that he urged him to teach the church to make petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving for all people: kings and all those in authority, so that they may live peaceful and quiet lives in godliness and holiness.
When we come together in corporate prayer we see change. Daniel was told that the king had asked his wise men to tell him the meaning of his dream, but they could not. The King became so angry that he issued a decree to have all of the wise men killed. When Daniel, Shadrach, Mishael, and Abednego were told about this they came together and prayed for God to bring revelation and God answered their prayer. He revealed the king’s dream and gave Daniel the interpretation.
When the Israelites were under harsh labor by Egyptians, they came together and prayed for God to deliver them from the hand of Pharaoh. God sent Moses with a staff and his brother Aaron to Egypt and he delivered his people. The power of corporate prayer is undeniable!
There are so many examples in the Bible of when the church came together for prayer and the power of God moved. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” Acts 12:5-11, ESV
When we stand in agreement with God, everything is possible!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Jehovah Rohi
The Lord is my Shepherd…Psalm 23:1, ESV
In this Bible Study, I attend we have been reading the book The Power of God’s Names by Tony Evans. The Study has been phenomenal! A few weeks ago we covered the name Jehovah Rohi, which means God is our Shepherd.
In Ezekiel 34, God tells us that he is our shepherd and he takes care of his sheep. The shepherd feeds the flock, strengthens the weak, heals the sick, binds up the broken-hearted, brings back the strays and seeks the lost. When anyone accepts Jesus Christ as their personal savior he becomes their shepherd. He takes over taking care of all their needs.
As believers it may seem like God is not taking very good care of us. When we fall into sickness, disease, trouble and problems we wonder, “Where is our shepherd?” But God is not far away. The Bible does not say that the shepherd will stop us from getting sick, or even prevent us from having problems, but he will be there to take care of us.
Actually, scripture tells us that this world is full of sin and we will have problems John 16:33. It even tells us that because we are of Christ, the world hated him so they will hate us John 15:18-19. We are not to be surprised by the challenges that come in our lives, but with every problem we are to bring them to our shepherd.
In Psalm 23, David makes a declaration that God is his shepherd and he shall not want. It does not mean that he had no problems or that he was not in need of God’s help, it means he knew that everything came from God and therefore because God was his shepherd. There was no need for want because his God had it all!
It is the same for each of us. We can make the same declaration as David, that God is our shepherd and he has promised to take care of every one of our needs! Therefore we shall not be in want! Amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Never Down
Within a couple of weeks of each other, our cell phones would not work and then our internet had gone completely down. Our cell phone carrier had been hacked and they were working fervently to get their system back online. We learned that the same thing had happened to other internet carriers. I told my husband that it looked like someone is testing the vulnerability of our nation’s network systems to see if they could take them over.
During the time our system was down, we were doing everything possible to get things working again. While sitting at my computer, I heard in my heart the Holy Spirit say, “I am never down.” He said, “All of these systems will fail, but I will never fail you. I am with you always and forever. I am always here in your presence to assist you at anytime.”
The Holy Spirit was sent to us by Jesus Christ as the guarantor of our inheritance. The Holy Spirit is a person, not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. Therefore, he is never in need of rest because he does not have a body comprised of flesh. Being the third person of the God-head, he is always available and ready to serve the believers of Jesus Christ.
I have heard it said that there are two things guaranteed to everyone on earth; taxes and death. But I beg to differ! There are three individuals that are guaranteed to never let you down and that you can always depend on: God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit! Amen!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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God’s Instruction
God has this way of getting his word directly to you when you least expect it. I was in Carmel with my husband celebrating my birthday, when I received a phone call. A dear friend of mine had called, but I did not pick up because I was at the counter of a coffee shop ordering a tea. When I got an opportunity to look at my phone I saw her missed call and that she had left me a voicemail message.
When I listened to the message, she said that God told her to give me a one minute sermon. It was literally one minute and 52 seconds. That message could have been preached for a year and I still would not have unpacked all that God had said in it!
I had been pondering some of the things God told me to do in his message through my friend. I thought about what the consequences would be if I did not do what he had instructed. I learned that when I am not obedient to God, I give Satan room to build an empire against me. I lose protection while I am pondering whether or not I’m moving with God. Satan is strategically planning his next move. He is counting on me not moving as God instructed so that he can build his empire against me and all those I love.
When Jesus was sitting with his disciples at the last supper, he told Peter that he would deny him three times before the cock crowed that night. Jesus told Peter that Satan had asked to sift him like wheat. Jesus knew Satan’s request, but Peter had no idea. Jesus told Peter that he had prayed for him and told Peter to pray that he did not come into temptation. But Peter fell asleep while he was supposed to be praying. We have no idea what Satan is up to, but we can bet money it is not good! When God gives us instructions, no matter how hard it seems, we must follow and do it immediately!
This reminds me of Abraham. When God told him to go and sacrifice his son Isaac, he immediately left the following morning to do it. Although his son was spared, this was a test of Abraham’s obedience to God. He made haste in obeying God and so should we!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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He does What He Says
It always amazes me when people say that we have a loving God who is not going to judge people. They believe that because he is so loving, no one will be going to hell. I was reading a story about King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel Chapter 3 of the Bible. King Nebuchadnezzar had built a golden image and he commanded everyone to bow down to it when certain music was played. If the people did not obey, they would be thrown into a furnace of fire.
There were three Hebrew men who loved God and had been working with the king for a while. In truth the king had conquered their country and took them from their homes and then hand selected them to serve before him. He changed their names from Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abedenego. When the king commanded everyone to bow down and worship the golden image they refused.
When the king was told that Shadrach, Meshach and Abedenego was not following his orders, he became angry and called them in. When they came before the king he offered them another opportunity to bow down to his image. But they responded, “O’ Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” Then king Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression on his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. He ordered that the furnace be heated seven times more than what it was usually heated. He also ordered them to be bound and cast into the fiery furnace.
If we know that king Nebuchadnezzar did exactly as he decreed, and he is merely a man made by God, how much more will the God who created and owns everything not do what he says to what he created! God’s track record has proven that he will do exactly as he says! He told Saul that he would make him king, and he did. Later on, Saul became disobedient and God eventually took the kingdom from him. (1 Samuel) God told the people of Israel if they obeyed and kept his commandments he would prosper them and if they disobeyed they would be conquered by their enemies (as stated all throughout the Old Testament). The angel told Mary that she would give birth to a son through the Holy Spirit and she was to call his name Jesus [Luke 1:2]. Listen! What God says he will do, he will do! “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.” [2 Peter 3:10]
Let us not be deceived by what others say, God is coming soon and we want to be ready. Amen!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Up
And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone…Matthew 14:23, ESV
I was having a discussion with a dear friend about the scripture above. And she was saying in her study time that the Holy Spirit pointed out to her that Jesus went up into the “supernatural” to pray. It made so much sense as we talked about it, but I never had that revelation before. Later in the week I was reading Genesis 1 and the word “up” floated across my mind again. I asked the Holy Spirit, ”How can I miss what is right in front of me?” He said, “You are too focused on what you want to study, or what you are trying to understand that you do not give me the time to tell you what I am saying.”
I was just about through the first chapter of Genesis when I was having this conversation with the Holy Spirit again, I said, “Should I start over with reading this chapter?” He said, “Sure.” Immediately as I started to read the first verse he started speaking to my spirit. He said, “Everything is embodied in me.” I wanted to make sure that I understood what he was saying, so I looked up the word embodied. It means: one that embodies something; include or contain (something) as a constituent part.
Everything came from God and he spoke what he wanted to come out of him and into the world for his creation to learn, experience and enjoy. He said, “It does not matter if people like it or not, understands it or not, everything comes from him. I asked for an example, and he said, “Your writings, they come from you. It does not matter if people believe you, agree with you, like you, or what you wrote. It is your truth and it comes from you.” I just sat and meditated on what he had just dropped into my spirit. Revelation was opening up in my mind. He was teaching me!
I thought, “Wow! No one has to believe what he said is true, but it is his truth. No one has to believe that he is the one and only true God, but he is!” Everyone can do and believe whatever they want, but his truth will always stand; just like my truth and your truth will stand. It is embodied within us and as we release it, it speaks.
I said to the Holy Spirit, “Just a few minutes ago when I read the first chapter of Genesis, I did not get any of this.” He said, “It’s because you had your own agenda. Had I not let the simple word “up” cross your spirit you would have missed this again. Take the time to let me tell you about me. Come open and ready to receive; because I am ready to give.”
Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Mark 10:15, ESV
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
The Ways of Life
A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life],But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them. A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life],
But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them. Proverbs 16:9
I had just written the words above when the Holy Spirit reminded me of something he had me pray and write about. When I had finished praying I knew that there was something he said, but I could not remember what it was, however, he reminded me of it later on.
I was praying about the season that I was in and I was giving thanks to God for everything: the good, difficult and hard times. All of it! Everything that I had been experiencing I was giving him thanks. He then reminded me of the many people I had come across within the last few days that were in their various seasons. I just began to pray for every single individual that I saw.
He then said these words, “There is no situation that I do not see, no heart that I do not hear, no need that I cannot meet, no pain that I cannot heal. I am God! I began to rejoice because at that moment I had a deeper revelation about my God!
Everyday we are going to experience something different. Our situations and seasons change as we move through our days, months and years. Our relationship with God changes. Sometimes we may feel close to him and other times he may seem far away, but that is a part of the journey. He never leaves us, but just like a parent with children there is a time to be very close and a time to give some space.
He has ordained our journey and our path lead us to intimacy with him. Many times when we look back over our lives we never would have expected to be put in this place and relationship with him. I know all the crazy things I did, the trouble I caused and situations that happened to me that were pure evil, yet God still kept me and used every one of those situations to grow me into this space with Him. I cannot explain how the unfair painful things that I went through helped me get to this space, but I now know each one of them drew me closer to the answer.
Whether you are in a situation where you cannot pray and there are no words that come, God is there and he has you covered. If you are in a place where you are angry with God for what has happened to you, or your loved one, he knows and feels your pain. He will comfort you. Every situation of pain, sorrow, brokenness, he is the fourth man in the fire. Scripture says the Lord is my shepherd which means no matter what season you are experiencing, the shepherd is going to take care of his sheep.
Father, thank you that we get to call you our Father! That is what you said, “you are our Father!” Hallelujah! There are paths that we are experiencing that are hard, difficult, painful, unfair and everything else in between and we sometimes feel that we can’t make it. Thank you for the reminder that you are here and you are directing our paths to a quiet, peaceful, joyful place full of abundance in you! Hallelujah! To you be the glory and praise. Amen!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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The Invitation
It was in the very early morning when the Holy Spirit woke me up. My body was so tired, I did not want to move. It seems to me that the Holy Spirit comes when you are receiving your best sleep! I laid there talking to God and fighting what my body was feeling. I was truly trying to find a way to go back to sleep. My spirit wanted to be with God, but my soul and flesh wanted the bed.
I finally said to myself get up and move! When I got up I felt energetic enough to get to my prayer room. Once I was in the prayer room I started my prayer with a slow tired praise. I heard the Holy Spirit say God has invited you early in the morning to sit with him and this is how you respond? Listen! Everything in me changed. Elohim had waken me up early in the morning to sit with Him. What?! This was a divine appointment for me and Him! All of a sudden praise took over and that tired body was gone!
God revealed so much to me in those moments of praise and sitting. My spirit went into this song that I had never heard before. All kinds of beautiful songs and prayers lifted off my lips and I knew it was Jehovah praying through me. What a wonderful fellowship I experienced at the throne of God! Listen, if you are reading this, God is speaking to you. He wants you to come to his invitation. He wants you to know that the invitation may be a challenge for you but come. He has made special arrangements to sit with you!
Father, I magnify and glorify your name. Thank you for choosing me to have this privilege at your throne right now. I pray for strength to overcome my will so that I can respond with gratitude and praise to your invitation to sit with you. I look forward to our quiet time together. I thank you 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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Step by step
…O you of little faith… Matthew 6:30, ESV
I was sitting at my desk, it was late January and I needed to finish writing devotional messages for March. I did not have an editor on staff and I could feel all this anxiousness in my spirit. I needed these messages completed right away and needed an editor on staff before February to give them time to edit the messages and get them back to me so I could have them ready to publish for the month of March. I remember praying to the Holy Spirit asking Him for some help and I heard these words in my spirit …therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will put on…Matthew 6:25, ESV I thought okay, but I still need these things.
Later, the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said, “You are concerned about an editor and you do not have everything ready to give to them. First, finish what is in front of you and then the provision will be provided.” I thought about Abraham and how he took his son to be sacrificed. While he was moving, the provision was moving toward him. When he reached the top of the mountain and prepared to make the sacrifice, a ram was waiting in the thicket Genesis 22. Many times we get ourselves worked up by focusing on things in the future when all we need to do is focus on what God has put in front of us.
I did exactly what the Holy Spirit said, and I began to finish up the writings. He told me to light a candle, relax and enjoy the moment of writing with Him. It was an amazing time! He just kept pouring into me what to write and bringing revelation as I looked up the scriptures. My time was full of joy, peace and exuberant praise! When we surrender and let go of what we think we have control over, his presence moves forward and leads us like the shepherd leading his sheep! Amen. Hallelujah! Let go of what you think you need right now and focus on what he has put in front of you. That is all he wants you to do. He will give you direction on what is next when it is time!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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Illusion
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as a apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, ESV
Illusion: perception of something objectively existing in such a way as to cause misrepresentation of its actual nature.
It was Friday night and I was in my office working when my husband walked in and said, “Let’s go out!” I was in the middle of writing and I looked at him and said, “Where?” He was like, “I don’t know, but it is Friday night and we need to go out!” The excitement in his voice and the way he stared at me told me that he was not leaving until I moved.
We ended up at this really nice restaurant downtown for dinner. I was actually surprised we got in without reservations; as the place was really packed. He said that he prayed and God opened the way for us. I was happy that the hostess was able to find us a nice spot. While having dinner I noticed the candle light on our table. There was a little lamp shade over this light. When I glanced over the lamp shade to see how it was lit there was a tea light. I thought it was interesting that it was not burning the shade so I took a second look. This time I noticed that it was a fake tea light. It gave the illusion of a tea light, but it was not the real thing.
Early the next morning I went into my prayer room and I noticed that I had left a candle lit all night. It was a blessing that the wick was down so low that the flame was contained inside the glass. When I sat down, the Holy Spirit said that the candle was not an illusion, but the real thing. It gives off a beautiful essence of its own. I sat for a few moments and watched it. Because it was dark outside, I went to turn on my light switch so that I could read, but the Holy Spirit said, “No.”
He began to minister to me that I had to be aware of what was counterfeit. He said that it would present itself as being real and give the illusion that it was the real thing, but it would be fake. The focus was totally on the candle, but I knew he was speaking about false teachers. He said the counterfeit candle appeared to be real and seemed to do everything that the real one could, but it could never transform itself. When a real candle is lit by fire it takes on a transformation. The wax melts and if lit for a long time, everything will become liquid. He said that this is what happened to you as you absorbed the Word; a transformation occurred from the inside out. A fake candle could never take on real fire, or transform itself into the real thing.
He reminded me that the truth in me will always bring transformation to myself and those around me. You can tell the real light by its source. The illusion will pretend to focus on kingdom building, but the ultimate goal is for selfish gain. As I was listening, I thought about when I turn my light switch on, it outshines my candle. He reminded me not to be concerned that the “illusion” seemed to outshine the “truth.” False doctrines will be exposed for what they are and brought to justice. He said that we must stay the course because those who follow the illusion, will be broken and they will need the real thing to guide them to the truth.
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
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1, ESV
I had been meditating on some scriptures from our Bible Study on the Holy Spirit. In doing so I wanted to read and sit with the scripture that said, “…and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” When I started reading that scripture I heard the Holy Spirit say to me, “Are you so focused on what you want to research that you overlooked the first verse? Do you want to spend some time with me while I tell you about this setting?”
Immediately, I remembered what He had spoken to me some time earlier that month. He said, “You missed what I was saying in scripture because you move too fast; focusing on what you want to get out of the scriptures instead of letting me speak to you.” I stopped and said, “Okay Holy Spirit I am listening.” He took me to Genesis 1:1 and he said, “Look up the phrase, “In the beginning God created…”
As I looked up that phrase the Holy Spirit began to lay his words upon my heart. God! I thought I understood those words, but he brought so much more clarity to the meaning of each word. The word “in” used as a function word to indicate inclusion, location, or position within limits, to or towards the inside. He shared that when he says in, he means within, the location of what I am about to tell you. The beginning, the point in which something begins, so within this point that this started there was GOD, ELOHIM, the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. He said that I was so focused on what the scripture said that I missed the most important part!
Before the beginning, before God spoke creation into existence, He was here! No one else, but him! The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit they have no beginning and no end. God exists outside of space and time. He has always been here. I knew that, but there was some revelations moving in my head. I sat and just let him speak.
Overwhelmed, I looked up the word created and the Hebrew word for created is bara (baw raw) which means to create, to make creation out of nothing, from previous non-existence material. He began to show me that in man’s mind nothing is non-existent, but in him everything exists because it is within God. Did you get that? He is everything so creation was made from something, it was made from within him!
As I let those thoughts flow in my mind, he said, “Everything that you have need of is in existence because God is here.” The need that you have is waiting for you. It has always been there!
His Glory
“Have you commanded the mornings since your days began, and caused the dawn to know it place.” Job 38:12, ESV
I went to a meeting to make a presentation about partnering with a company to sell my cookies. I thought I had it all together and that I was ready for the presentation. I found that I was totally unprepared and did not realize it until everything was over. When I started to analyze what I had done, a feeling of heaviness set in and somehow the situation played over and over in my head. I found myself trying to get out of that rabbit hole.
I started praying, but I was consumed with what I had done and it didn’t seem like my prayers were going anywhere. I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Get your Bible and read it!” I love how God brings us into focus. I had no idea what to read, but he said, “Open the Bible and I will direct you on what to read.” My Bible fell open to Job 38 and I began to read. When I got down to the twelfth verse, I stopped and just listened to God. He began to speak to my soul. I read that verse over and over again.
“Have you commanded the mornings since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place.” Job 38:12, ESV As I sat and meditated on that scripture I felt all the pressure leave me. I felt all the worry leave me. I felt complete peace. My situation had not changed, but I realized that he knew what had happened and he had already fixed my problems. This meeting was to teach me what I still needed to do and where I was lacking. How could I have known if I had not gone through the exercise? I was being taught by God. It was a training course so that I would be prepared for what was to come.
God reminded me that in everything the I AM is there! He is in the midst and in every situation, he knows the outcome. This year God has me writing about his glory and this message once again directs us to the place of magnifying his glory! Amen! To God be the glory!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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Hand in hand
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27, ESV
We were all created as a complete package with greatness within us. When we were conceived in our mother’s womb there was nothing lacking for us to do the impossible with God. Just like when you put a seed in the ground, it is complete. There is nothing lacking for the seed to produce it’s fruit; except from working with the elements God has placed in the earth to assist the plant. We cannot add anything to the plant to bring forth its fruit. The fruit is within the seed.
God said that he made man in his own image. When we look up the word image we find that in the Hebrew it means the essential nature. God created man in His own image reflecting some of His own perfections: perfect in knowledge, righteousness and holiness, and with dominion over the creatures (Strongs Concordance). We all have what we need to succeed with Christ. While meditating on the first chapter in the book of Genesis, the Holy Spirit showed me that just like He pulled everything from within himself and brought it forth to the earth, we all have that same ability within us.
When we think of some of the great people in the Bible such as, King David, Daniel, Samuel, Queen Esther, Noah, Mary, Ruth, Elizabeth, Abraham, Sarah we find that they all tapped into the greatness within themselves. King David as a shepherd boy walked hand in hand with God, but kingship was already complete within him. Mary the mother of Jesus was ready to be a bride to Joseph, but before marriage she was already a mother to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was conceived with the motherhood of Jesus within her. All of these individuals came to the earth the same way we did, with the same kinds of obstacles we face in our own spirit. Yet, they walked on their body of water that God had called them to.
Just like Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water, each of us has our own body of water to walk on. The assignment that God has put in your heart may appear to be impossible and you will fail if you try to do it by yourself. Peter showed us what happened when he took his eyes off Jesus. Matthew 14:30—33 David could have never made himself king, Esther could not have become queen on her own, Abraham could not have become the father of many nations without God’s hand working within him. If you are not being stretched, or not saying, “The only way I am doing this is because of God,” then you are not walking on your body of water. You haven’t stepped out of the boat. So what am I saying? It is time for you to get out of the boat and walk on the body of water God has already placed inside of you. He is waiting for us to take up our position. The reason that we are here is to produce the fruit that is within us.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27, ESV
Great Jehovah!,
Thank you for moving upon my heart. Thank you for placing your greatness within me. I repent and ask for forgiveness for choosing to not trust you and walk in fear. I don’t want that life anymore. Please help me. I ask you to do whatever is necessary so that I will jump off the bridge into the water hand in hand with you. I want to do all you have planted inside of me. 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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Search Me God and Know Me
This is one of my favorite Psalms written by King David:
O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.
Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,” even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me! They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain. Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies.
Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! Amen. Psalm 139, ESV
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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Who Am I?
So many people struggle with these common questions: Who am I? What am I supposed to do? What is my purpose? We have become so obsessed with these concerns that our market places are saturated with self-help books, leading people in every direction, looking for fulfillment. If you truly want to know who you are there is one person to ask and one book to read - Jesus Christ is the person and the Bible is the book.
The Bible says God created the world and we are created in His image. I know that seems like a very generic answer that gives little context to the amazing brain that you have and being that you are. But God in His complexity gives simple answers to get us started in knowing who He is. And knowing who He is helps us learn who we are. If you can think back to when you were a child, you might remember always asking questions like, “Where did this come from? Where did that come from?” All those questions were prompted from the spirit inside you, to guide you back to God so He could teach you who you are. Unfortunately, many of us were led in other directions, rather than back to Christ.
So now that we are older, how do we know who we are? 1) The Bible says you came from God and you were created in His image (Genesis 1:27). 2) You have a spirit, a soul, and a body. God does not have a body. He is a spirit and He put His spirit in us when He gave us the breath of life (Genesis 2:7). Our spirit lives inside our body so we can live on earth and do the work of God. 3) God gave us our own soul which includes our mind, personality, will, and emotions. He gave us individuality so we could choose what we wanted to do. Each of us have our own souls that are apart of God, like a unique expression of God living inside of us.
In the Bible we learn of David whose occupation was a shepherd boy until God appointed him king. Mary was a young virgin who was engaged to be married to Joseph until the Holy Spirit impregnated her with Jesus. Matthew was a tax collector who was hated by the Jews until Jesus came and made him a disciple. Saul took Christian’s to be murdered until Jesus called him into being an Apostle for Christ. Moses was Pharaoh’s son until God moved him into being the leader of his people. What am I saying? Wherever you are and whatever occupation you are doing, be content in that space. Love and embrace who God made you. Don’t spend so much time trying to figure out all the things that He has already taken care of. When God is ready, He will bring all that to you.
When you spend time trying to figure all that information out, you become more confused, depressed, and unhappy. Live in the moment that God has given you and let Him show you how to enjoy the blessings He has put right in front of you in this season. Don’t be so anxious to move out, get married, get the career - just take every day one step at a time and I promise if you live like that, everything else will come to you. The Holy Spirit will prompt you when to move. 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