Highway to Love
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16, NIV
I try hard not to be surprised by some of the things I read on social media or hear in the news. The world seems to be getting darker and darker. I know that the Bible teaches us that we are to expect these things as we come closer to the end of the world, but the level of evilness shocks me and hurts my heart dearly.
When my husband starts to share with me stories of what he has read in the news or on social media I find myself immediately going into prayer. Praying and sharing God’s amazing love are the most powerful tools we have to enact change. I usually tell my husband I don’t want to hear any more evil. I ask him to share with me something good that he has read. He sometimes gets annoyed and says I can be like an ostrich with my head in the sand. I understand that it is important to know what is going on in the world but I feel like the news outlets sensationalize evil. Their top story is usually focused on the most horrific thing that has happened and their goal seems to be to bombard the world with it. But it’s important to remember that whatever we feed ourselves is what we become.
God sent His only son to a world that He knew was horrific and dark to die for us and give us a way out of this destructive place. Believers are aware and living in this wonderful gift but it is our job to make sure the world knows that this opportunity exists. We don’t have to beat people down with the Bible and Christian jargon; all we have to do is love them the same way God loves us. Scripture says we are living epistles written by God and read by men. And God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Let’s remember to allow men to read God in all that we do!
Father,
Thank you for a different highway that you made available to us. We are forever grateful for this amazing gift. We ask that you open up the pathway for us to show your love in this dark world. Open the eyes of our hearts to see what we can do in every moment to offer your love to this dying world. In your precious name, Amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Doubt and Unbelief
Doubt: a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction.
Unbelief: lack of religious belief; an absence of faith.
We can receive miracles everyday but if we have doubt and unbelief in our heart the miracles will move right past us. The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God. If we have doubt and unbelief, we cannot please Him because these characteristics are not of faith. Scripture says, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:6-8, ESV)
At times, I have heard people pray and afterwards say, “God, please, please answer this prayer.” Even though they prayed the prayer, they had doubt that God would not answer their prayer and their doubt became their faith, which caused them not to receive the answer to their prayer. The Bible says that faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God. When we listen to the Word of God, we increase our knowledge and therefore our understanding raises the level of our faith. We can then believe that when we pray God’s will, He answers our prayers and we receive His miraculous.
Father,
At times, because we have not meditated on the Word of God, we miss the miracles that you have for us. Please forgive us and help us in our understanding of the Word as we spend time listening and meditating on what you present to us. We want to experience your miracles and please you; therefore, we rebuke the spirit of doubt and unbelief and we submit ourselves to your instructions. In Jesus name, amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Ready to Move
The conference I attended at Hillsong was amazing. There were so much that God poured into me all throughout the conference. Pastor Craig Groeschel challenged us in obeying God. He said one act of obedience could change our path forever. He invited us all to make a decision that night to obey God in whatever he has placed in our spirit.
The Spirit was so heavy that you could feel the presence of God as the Pastor spoke. When he asked us to make the decision of obedience I could not think of anything. I whispered in my heart to God what decisions do you want me to make? Before the night was over God reveled to me the answer. He reminded me of something he had previously spoken to me about. This message was a reminder. Sometimes we just need a push of encouragement to get us moving.
At that moment I said yes to God and I later setup a schedule to begin the work. I had no idea how I was going to complete this task. I did not know how I would afford everything, but I knew God had put this in my spirit. I knew this it was what He wanted me to do. The task before me was a lot of hard work, it was not going to be easy and to be honest the unknown felt a little intimidating.
But when I looked back to the word of God, there were so many examples of those individuals who experienced the unknowns, fears, and hardship as they obeyed the call. Their task were not easy and way beyond their control but God brought them through it all. If we look at God’s track record we will find that he always leaves space for us to walk in faith. That is how He operates, for scripture says without faith it is impossible to please God. He tells us what to do, and expects us to do as he says. A perfect example is Moses when he came to the Jordan River. Nothing happened until he put his foot in the water. Obeying God draw us into a relationship with Him that we could never imagine. Before Moses left Egypt, he had no idea what God was going to do with his life. After forty years God called him, and although Moses was hesitant, God blessed him with a life that he could have never imagined! Our God has the same thing for us. We just have to move when he says go.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Wandering Mind
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28, ESV
In a devotional I was reading, the writer said that when you sit with God your mind will wander all over the place. I know that to be true. I used to work so hard to try and keep my mind focused on God! I spent more time trying to get my mind back to God than I ever did resting in God. One day I asked God for help. He told me to just let the thoughts come. He said not to fight them, but give them to Him. He said “I am clearing out your mind so it can be rid of distractions”. In those moments, He taught me to put on some inspirational instrumental music and that would help to bring peace to my mind.
God knows our desire to get close to Him. It is actually Him who put the desire in our heart. He knows Satan will try to bring all kinds of distractions to us. Remember scripture says that Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. He went to sit with God and to get acquainted with the Holy Spirit. Jesus went into the wilderness full of the Holy Spirit but He came out with the Power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 3-4). Satan was right there to try to tempt Jesus in every way he could. When we decide to go sit with God, it is really us being led by the Spirit into the presence of God. He gives us that desire in our heart to meet with Him. Jesus says, No man can come to Me unless the Father who hath sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the Last Day. (John 4:44, KJV) We are literally being drawn by the Father. That right there is good news!
We can expect Satan to show up, but God never leaves us alone and with Him we always have the victory. There is no need for us to feel discouraged or defeated in our time with God. Even if all we did was pass our every thought to Him, God is good with that!! He said to give everything to Him. We must remember to let God drive our quiet time, He is the one who requested our presence in the first place. He always has something good to give us even if it is just clearing our mind! Hallelujah!
Thank you, Father, that you love us so much! Even in our time of study and quietness with you; You already know what is going to happen. I praise you, as we need not be disappointed that things don’t happen the way we would like. We are to give you praise in everything because you are working it all out for our good.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Restoration
The Lord is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works. The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. Psalm 145:13-14
I don’t know about you but when I am reading certain words or passages, parts of it will leap into my spirit. I was reading Psalm 145 when the passage above did just that - it leaped in my soul. I love the confidence that we have in God and His word. God is our King and Lord and He is faithful to us. This makes me think about how over my lifetime I can’t remember how many presidents I have voted for but none of them have been faithful to all their words or always been kind in all of their works. It is impossible for me to expect any leader to be that way because they are human and as human beings we make mistakes.
God’s word says that He is faithful in “all” his words and kind in “all” his works. That means that whatever you find written in the Bible God is faithful to do it! We can look at any promise in the Bible and bring it to God’s attention for our life and He will do it.
This promise should bring joy to every believer’s heart. The second part of the scripture also guarantees that God will uphold those who are falling, who are moving from a higher to a lower level or rapidly declining without control. When we call on God, He has the power to change the circumstances of those rapid declines in our life and raise us back up. You know what I love about this scripture is that God did not give any conditions on His promises. It could be our own fault that we messed up but when we ask God, He handles it for us! He not only handles it for us believers but God can change the situation of anyone we pray for. I love that as believers we have the power to pray for all kinds of situations happening in the world and we have God’s promise that it is done!
Father,
Thank you for your promises. Thank you that your word is true with a yes and amen! We have all made mistakes that have caused us to fall and many times we just accept our fate. But your word says you will uphold those who are falling and raise up all who are bowed down. We ask for this blessing in our life and for the homeless on the streets. They have fallen and many don’t even have the capacity to ask you for help. But we get to intercede on their behalf and we ask that you raise them up and bring restoration to their life as well. In Jesus’ name, amen!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Party Makers
Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance Luke 15:7, KJV.
Every Monday our church has a short recap of Sunday’s message that comes out online. I was listening to the recap and I heard Bishop say, “We are the party makers!” I don’t know about you but I love parties! As I meditated on that thought, “we are the party makers” this scripture came to mind: Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance (Luke 15:7).
Heaven is waiting on us to be the witness for Christ! You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our[a] hearts, to be known and read by all men. 2 Corinthians 3:2
When we live our lives in such a way that others can see God, it draws them to Christ and heaven throws a party!!! I was reminded of the scripture that said No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day (John 6:44). I would always pray to God that He would draw the lost to him not realizing that we are the vehicle He uses. As we live our life pleasing unto Him it will draw the lost.
We are His witnesses on the earth. As we obey Christ, He promises to bless us because of our obedience. This obedience is the witness that is needed to draw others to Christ. What does that witness look like…it is love. Scripture says to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Luke 10:27). Neighbors can be anyone, it is not just the person living next to you.
I thought about love and how we are to show love, then God reminded me of the scripture where Apostle Paul goes into great detail explaining how we walk in love. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of us should look not only to our own interests, but also to the interests of others. Our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2). When we live our lives in love we are drawing the lost people of this world to Christ and when they repent of their sins and say yes to God, we not only rejoice but heaven throws a party!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Lost
I know very well how foolish it sounds to those who are lost, when they hear that Jesus died to save them. 1 Corinthians 1:18
I had read the scripture above in my quiet time and it melted in my heart. I knew I needed to write about it. I actually marked it on my notes so I would not forget. As a believer, God opened the eyes of my heart so I could understand who He is and how this world works. The scripture above makes it clear that the Bible and all of God’s words are foolish to non-believers.
The scripture made me think about how God opened the eyes of my heart to see and believe. From the time I was young I remember growing up in church. For me it was a social hour where all these people came together to talk about God and have all kinds of events with food. As I got older I became bored with church. I really did not know God for myself. I saw some of my friends become all religious and crying and really getting into the relationship with Him. I saw my younger sister always preferring to read the Bible instead of going out with friends. I began to wonder what made her want to do that. So I started to pick up the Bible and try to understand it for myself. I did not want to hear from anyone else but God. If He was truly real then I wanted Him to show me Himself.
I don’t know exactly what happened, I don’t have, like many Christians do, this special day where all of a sudden everything became clear. It has actually been a journey to get to the space where I know God is truly God and His word is true. He has developed a personal relationship with me. I can feel Him everywhere I go. I can hear Him speak into the depth of my soul no matter where I am and I know that He loves me. I know that He does not expect me to be perfect, Jesus died for that. But He does want me to share His love with others so they can have this amazing relationship with Him.
What led me to Christ was the believers around me being themselves. I was not drawn to those individuals who constantly spoke Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. I had too much of that on a regular basis as a youth. I am not one to bang your door down about God but my heart is heavy for those that do not know Christ. I pray for the lost regularly and I ask God to be on display in my life. I love writing and encouraging others to know God through all the social networks as well as just talking with friends, neighbors, and strangers. It takes nothing but a loving heart from God on the inside of a believer for others to meet Him on the outside. Then God opens the door for others to come in and minster to their soul.
If you are not a believer and you are curious to know if God is real, ask Him to show you himself. He will do it for you. If you are a believer, I want to encourage you to just keep letting that beautiful light of yours shine. You are on the right track and you are drawing lost souls even if you don’t see them. My sister died a long time ago and I don’t know if I ever got to tell her that seeing her read the Bible drew me into a relationship with God.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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Living Epistle
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
I was sitting out in my garden listening to a message recap from our church services and seeking God. I had been doing this 90 days through the Bible with another church group and we came upon the scriptures in Leviticus where God gave Moses specific instructions for the Israelites and how they were to worship Him. I was taken aback at how specific God was in the instructions He gave Moses.
All those thoughts were coming together in my head as I looked down and saw ants moving around on the pavement. I heard the Holy Spirit say that all men are living epistles written by God and read by men. As I watched the ants, He said “You see them and it looks like they have no idea where they are going. But they are so focused on a task, finding food and taking it back to their colony.”
“If my people who are protected by me and guided by me would just be like these ants they would find themselves in so much joy. The ants never worry about where things are coming from, all they do is look for food. They just fulfill their purpose.” He said, “I have made you, and you will never know exactly what I am doing, but I have written your life to be a testimony to others. If you will just be like these ants and share your testimony with others you will find that you are exactly where you are supposed to be.”
I sat there watching the ants a little longer. I noticed some had picked up some crumbs, and then they were gone. At this point some were even crawling on me, as I brushed them off of me God reminded me that He gently directs us on our way. We do not have to worry about what is next or how things are going to happen, that part is already written in the book. We are the living epistle for Christ!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Happy New Year
I am so excited to announce that are devotionals are back! You should start receiving them in your email box this week! I encourage you to share the devotionals with others whom you think they will encourage.
DEALING WITH FEAR (7)
“God has not given us a spirit of fear.” 2 Ti 1:7 NKJV
During the American Revolution, Spain gained control of the Bahamas. In April of 1783, Andrew Deveaux, a lieutenant colonel from South Carolina, recruited a handful of militiamen and Harbour islands settlers to retake Nassau using a clever strategy. Deveaux had only two hundred men with him, a far smaller force than that the of the Spanish, but he managed to capture the high ground on the island after a brief skirmish. The Spaniards then watched as boats repeatedly ferried load after load of men from Deveaux’s ships to his defensive position on the shore. What the Spaniards didn’t know was that the same men kept going back and forth, standing up on their trip over to the island, and hiding themselves by lying low in the boat on the trip back to the ships. The leader of the Spanish troops, fearing a defeat from a large force in an invulnerable position, surrendered. When you succumb to fear, you’re already beaten. People ruled by fear stay where it’s safe. And that’s sad, because you can’t reach your potential by staying where it’s safe. Shakespeare said, “Our doubts are traitors, and they make us lose what we often might win, by fearing to attempt.” What would you attempt in life if you were sure you couldn’t fail? Before you answer, read these words of David: “When I cry out to You…my enemies will turn back…I know, because God is for me” (Ps 56:9 NKJV). Believe that God is on your side today, then step out and attempt the thing you’re afraid to do! You’ll never be the same again—you’ll be liberated.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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DEALING WITH FEAR (6)
“What I dread has happened to me. “ Job 3:25 NKJV
Do you ever fantasize about solutions to problems you fear may or will come your way? Ironically, when you do, what started out as an unfounded fear can turn into a real problem because you expended valuable energy on wasteful thinking instead of productive action. Joe Tye, author of Never Fear, Never Quit, says: “Wishful thinking is the lock that fear puts on the prison gate. Fear lets you indulge yourself, for a while, in flights of wishful thinking. Somehow, you think , something will happen to make the problems go away. By the time you wake up, it’s too late. What you feared has happened, and fear has defeated you. The only way to escape from the prison of fear is action. You cannot wish your way out, you cannot wait your way out. You can only work your way out. Every time you escape the prison of fear, you grow stronger.” Fear has no benefits and no upside. It either pushes you in the wrong direction by producing nervous energy that causes you to do your worst in new situations, or it saps our energy as you fight its paralyzing effects. Psychologist Randall B. Hamrock observed: ‘In twenty years [of practice] I’ve talked with, tested, and given vocational counsel to at least 10,000 young men and women. One characteristic that almost all had was the tendency to sell themselves short. Don’t let fear rob you of your potential. Don’t let it stop your from pursuing your destiny. Believe God for great things, then step out and attempt to do them in His strength . If you do, you’ll succeed. Guaranteed.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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DEALING WITH FEAR (5)
“The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Ps 27:1 NKJV
An old adage says, “Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is.” It exaggerates the problem, and as a result, you expend valuable energy in ways you shouldn’t. For example, sometimes you avoid things that can’t really harm you at all. Like the man who returned to his vacation cabin from a hike, badly scratched and bruised. “What happened?” His wife asked. “I met a snake on the trail,” he answered. “Don’t you remember, “ his wife responded, ‘the park ranger told us yesterday that none of the snakes up here are poisonous?” Her husband replied, “They don’t have to be poisonous if they can make you jump off a twenty foot cliff!” Clearly the man’s fear—not the snake—was the problem. Charles Spurgeon once said, “Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but…today of its strengths.” As long as you allow fear to take the wheel, you’ll never go where God wants to take you, or discover and develop the talents He has placed within you. And here’s the great thing: God will help you to confront and conquer the fears that are controlling you. David the giant slayer, author of Psalms and Israel’s beloved king, often found himself with his back to the wall. Writing about such an occasion he said, “Make haste to help me…Lord (Ps 38:22 NKJV). “Be pleased…to deliver me” (Ps 40:13 NKJV). But David knew who to turn to: “The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” When God is the source of your strength, you can face your worst fears and overcome them.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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DEALING WITH FEAR (4)
“As soon as their feet touch the water…the river will stand up like a wall.” Jos 3:13 NLT
To enter the Promise Land, the Israelites had to cross the River Jordan at flood stage. Where they afraid? Wouldn’t you be? Nevertheless, the only way to reach their destiny was to do the very thing they feared! When you let fear take hold, you become even more fearful and end up creating a debilitating cycle that works like this: Fear breeds lack of action. Lack of action breeds lack of experience. Lack of experience breeds ignorance. And ignorance breeds fear. It makes you afraid to do the very thing that would be beneficial to you. Taking action means you’ll have to move into the unknown and do the untried—and that can be scary. But if you give in to your fears, you won’t move forward. You don’t receive the benefit of what you avoid, nor do you gain the valuable experience that will make your life better. As a result, you remain ignorant about that area of life, and ignorance always breeds more fear, making it that much harder to push ahead and get things done. Harry Truman remarked: “The worst danger we face is the danger of being paralyzed by doubts and fears. This danger is brought on by those who abandon faith and sneer at hope…by those who spread cynicism and distrust and try to blind us to our great chance to do good for all mankind.” Somebody said fear is the darkroom where all our negatives are developed. It’s interest paid in advance on a debt you may never owe. And it undermines faith—in yourself, in others and in God.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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DEALING WITH FEAR (3)
“Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake.” Job 4:14 NKJV
Fear can be devastating. Why? Because It breeds more fear! And the most insidious thing about fear is it’s ability to exaggerate. C. Everett Koop, former surgeon general of the United States, observed, “People just have an inappropriate sense of what is dangerous.” Do you fear flying? The fact is, you’re more likely to die from choking on a piece of food than in a commercial airline crash. Are you afraid of dying in a robbery? You’re twice as likely to be killed playing a sport than you are to be stabbed to death by a stranger. Are you afraid of sharks? Every year farmyard pigs slay more people than sharks do. Are you worried about having surgery? You’re sixteen times more likely to die in a car crash than you are from surgical complications. Seldom do the things we fear come to pass. In our minds we conceive coming disasters that will like never happen. And whey they don’t occur, we think, “That was a close one!” The truth is—our thoughts were the only things creating potential danger for us. So how should you deal with your fears? By practicing the truth of this Scripture: “You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. So trust int he Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages]” (Isa 26:3-4 AMPC).
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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Dealing With Fear (2)
I was afraid…and I hid myself.” Ge 3:10 NKJV
We tend to think that successful people are exempt from fear. Nothing could be further from the truth. Every generation in history has experienced fear. The first person God created was Adam, and the first recorded words Adam spoke were these: “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” Fear is genetic; it’s part of human nature. Studies confirm the our seven greatest areas of fear are these: (1) finances, (2) health, (3) career concerns, (4) parenting struggles, (5) family relationships, (6) accomplishing personal goals, and (7) death. Are you fearful and anxious in any of those areas? Fear can be a destructive force in your life. One of the old English words for fear means “sudden attack”. It’s akin to an old German word for fear that means “ambush or snare.” That’s what fear does; it attacks us and take us captive. So what’s the answer? Faith in God! Fear weakens, but faith strengthens. Fear imprisons, but faith liberates. Fear paralyzes, but faith empowers. Fear disheartens, but faith encourages. Fear sickens, but faith heals. It’s been said that the words “fear not” are recorded in Scripture 366 different times. If that’s so, God has given us a “fear not” for every day of the year—and one for leap year! And here’s one of them: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine” (Isa 43:1 NKJV). Today God is with you and He promises to strengthen and guide you in every situation you face.
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
DEALING WITH FEAR (1)
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? ps 118:6 NKJV
During the Great Depression unemployment hit 25 percent of the American population. Savings accounts were wiped out by bank failures, farmers lost their land to foreclosures, and people were having trouble just feeding their families. During this dark time Franklin Delano Roosevelt addressed the nation in these words: “Let me alert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance” What most people didn’t realize is that the president himself had experience some dark hours during which fear paralyzed him. Roosevelt was born a child of privilege and educated in Europe, at Harvard, and at Columbia Law School. But at age thirty-nine, he was stricken with a case of polio that left him severely disabled. During his recovery he developed an extreme fear of fire. He worried he wouldn’t be able to escape because of his disability. But in time he overcame his fear, regained the use of his hands, and even learned to walk again with the aid of braces. He reentered the political arena—fearlessly campaigning to become the governor of New York, which he did in 1929. He then went on to become one of the America’s greatest presidents and guided the nation to victory in World War II. In his memoirs Roosevelt recalls how when he turned to God for help, courage and guidance, he received them. Are you afraid today? If you are, stand on this promise: “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
SOURCE: The Word For You Today
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos
My recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Grasp the Moment
We often take the simple moments in our life for granted. We do not realize how our actions in any moment can impact our life. Pastor T.D. Jakes gave a powerful message called Grasping the Moment where he describes how a choice in the moment can change our lives. I pray that you will grasp every moment after hearing this dynamic word. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBM5dNQJJYs
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
Coping With Crises (2)
“Keep…growing in knowledge and understanding.'“ Php 1:9 NLT
When you find yourself in a crisis, having the right attitude makes the difference between despair and determination. Dr. Jeffrey Rossman offers these six steps: (1) Look for ways to find meaning. Resilient people use their experience to help others “[God] comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them” (2Co 1:4 NCV). (2) Examine your priorities. “Teach us to use wisely all the time we have: (Ps 90:12 CEV). How would you like to spend your time differently now? Who would you most like to spend it with? How can you use your strengths in the service of what is important to you? If you had only a year to live, what conversations would you want to have? What kind of person would you want to be? (3) Believe you can bounce back. A crucial aspect of resilience is faith in your ability to cope. Even if you have the practical will skills to deal with the issues at hand, unless you believe in your emotional flexibility, you will waiver. (4) Get moving. Physical exercise boosts your energy and mood. It reinforces your ability to take charge of your health and well-being. (5) Step out of your comfort zone. “Keep… growing in knowledge and understanding.” Learn a new language or computer program; begin a project at home or work. Embracing the unfamiliar strengthens your confidence and capacity to handle new situations. The more you require of yourself, the more resilient you will become. (6) Clear the weeds that are choking your optimism. When you start thinking pessimistic or cynical thoughts, step back and reframe your perspective by looking for concrete steps to solve the problem.
Source: The Word For You Today
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos
My recently published book Life’s Journey is now available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VYJKJ9K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6Z95ANB487AMDF3VTDP9
Coping With Crises (1)
“When my spirit was overwhelmed within me…You knew my path.” Ps 142:3 NKJV
How you handle a crisis can determine whether you end up feeling overwhelmed or come out stronger. Dr. Jeffrey Rossman suggests five ways to do it: (1) Acknowledge your feelings. David said, “When my spirit was overwhelmed…You knew my path.” God already knows how you feel, and stifling your emotions just saps your energy, leaves you tense, depressed, and slows the healing process. (2) Confide in someone. That doesn’t mean pouring your heart out to everybody and anybody; it means opening up to those who love and care about you. The Bible says, “A friend loves at all times, and is born as is a brother, for adversity” (Pr 17:17 AMPC). Numerous studies have confirmed the power of social support to help us through crises and stay healthy. (3) Start a journal or a blog. Writing about a traumatic event is a way of letting it out. It minimizes your chances of becoming sick or depressed; the more you write, the more your negative responses to the memory diminish. (4) Refuse to play the blame game: “It’s the other guy’s fault,” or “The doctor botched the procedure,” or “The boss never gave me a chance.” Blame-shifting makes others responsible for your pain, and more often than not, it results in lingering grudges that prolong your misery. Let go of toxic bitterness and judgment. Stop feeling like a doormat; you can forgive while taking steps to make yourself less vulnerable next time. (5) Forgive yourself. Surprise—you’re human like everybody else! Acknowledge you made a mistake, ask God for forgiveness, then forgive yourself and move on. God’s Word says when he forgives, He doesn’t “keep a list of your sins” (Isa 43:25 MSG). Neither Should you.
Source: Word For You Today
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos
My recently published book Life’s Journey is now available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VYJKJ9K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6Z95ANB487AMDF3VTDP9
Keep Pressing On
I am sharing once again from my Word For You Today devotional.
“Straining toward what is ahead, I press on.” Php 3:3, NIV
Developing your faith is like taking swimming lessons. Observe: (1) Fear is like water; If you let it, it will take you under, (2) You can only tread water for so long before you drown. (3) When you reach a certain point, there’s no turning back. (4) Faith is like the air in your lungs; it will sustain you and keep you afloat if you just relax. Have you ever watched a seasoned swimmer? Stoke after stroke, he takes what’s in front of him and pushes it behind him, letting it propel him toward his goal. He literally takes what stands between him and his goal, and uses it to get there. Sometimes we despair and say, I’m just keeping my head above water,” and that’s okay as long as you keep “stroking” and pressing on. It’s when you feel backed into a corner with nowhere to turn, that you’ve got to take hold of the faith God has placed within your and keep moving forward. Jesus said, The Kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force” (Mt 11:12). The word “violence” suggests ferocity, passion, and intensity. You must be relentless and fight your way through, confident that God is on your side—because He is (See Ps 56:9). The waters you’re in don’t determine your destiny; they either carry you over or take you under. It takes faith to keep going. When you quit, God can do-nothing more for you! So today whether you’re doing the breaststroke, the backstroke, or some other kind of stroke that nobody’s ever heard of—keep pressing on.
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 book Life’s Journey is now available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VYJKJ9K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6Z95ANB487AMDF3VTDP9