I Am Supernatural
…fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10, ESV
I posted this message back in 2019 and God brought it back to my attention a few days ago. He was reminding me of the steps He had me take to look with expectation that my prayer was being answered. I literally took the scriptures of God’s promises and prayed them, expecting Him to make a way for me to attend a conference. I remember feeling this sense of peace after praying the scriptures. The scriptures recounting what God had done in the past gave me the confidence I needed to keep believing in the midst of all odds. See below:
I paid for a ticket to attend the I Am Supernatural Summit in Dallas, Texas. My girlfriend and I fasted and prayed scriptures for what we were believing would take place at the summit for our lives.
The day finally came for the summit, and you can imagine how excited I was to attend. I had so many expectations and I knew God was already answering our prayers. The day before the trip my husband wanted to take me to lunch since I would be away for three days. While there, I remembered that I had not checked into the airlines for my ticket.
I pulled up the airline, punched in my confirmation number, and I received a message that read CANCELED! You can only imagine my shock. I did what everyone else would do and put the number in again thinking I must have put it in wrong, but the same message came up. I immediately called the airline to find out what was wrong. I was told that I had inadvertently gone through a second party and that they had canceled the ticket.
I asked the individual who was helping me if there were tickets available on the same flight and she said they were, but they were $1,100.00 - $1,700.00 for a round trip ticket from Sacramento, California to Dallas, Texas. I had paid a little over $300.00 for my ticket. My husband said that the price is way too high, and he suggested that I check other airlines. I can’t even begin to tell you all the emotions that ran through my spirit at one time. Trying to trust God that He was making a way and hearing all the negative garbage from Satan. I texted my girlfriend who was attending the conference with me and asked her to pray.
I went back to work somewhat in shock and while there started looking for a ticket. After a while, I decided God wanted me to do my work and to wait until I got home. Then He would show me what to do. On my way home, my daughter called to see how I was doing, and I began to share with her my situation. Of course, she immediately went into work mode, searching for flights on different airlines. She found a roundtrip ticket for $550 from an airline that was 2.5 hours away from my home. The plane departed at 6:00 a.m., and I knew in my spirit that was not from God.
When I got home my husband suggested that I gift the registration that I had paid to attend the summit and plan to go next year. I did not feel that in my spirit either and wanted to be obedient to God’s direction. So, I went into my prayer room at 5:00 p.m. and asked God what to do. At 6:00 p.m. I heard the Lord say, “Pray the ticket price down and go pack your bag.” I went and packed my bag and I pulled up my computer with my credit card sitting next to it and I began to pray like Elijah did when he prayed for rain. I prayed the promises of Hannah when she prayed for a son. I prayed the promises of King Hezekiah when he prayed for more years to live. All the promises of God and His answers to prayers kept swarming in my head and I kept praying them. At 7:49 p.m. God gave me a ticket for $150.00 round trip! I was on the original flight that I had first booked and left at 6:00 a.m. from Sacramento the next morning. From that moment on I was forever changed; the I Am Supernatural Summit had already changed my life forever.
God wants us to remember that the way to keep our focus on His promises is to stay in His word. We cannot just plant the seed and walk away expecting it to produce fruit. We must keep it watered and that is done through prayer, scripture reading and worship. When we water our faith with the word of God, it keeps our eyes and expectations on Him. It also gives us the strength we need to fight off the negative thoughts the enemy sends our way.
Father, thank you that you have equipped us with the word of God. Thank you that the word comforts us and reminds us that no matter what we are facing, we are to keep our eyes on you. You are our source there is no other help but you! We give you glory and praise in Jesus’ name, amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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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
Forgiveness is not a Feeling
“...death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:21, ESV).
Forgiveness does not start with feelings. Forgiveness starts with the words, “I forgive you.” If we try and wait until we feel like forgiving the person we may never forgive anyone because of our emotions. When we speak out of our mouth, “I forgive you,” forgiveness happens. We may still have the same feelings in our heart, but as soon as we speak the words, forgiveness happens. Remember, God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light (Genesis 1:3). The word says that when He spoke the word “light”, light happened. Many times we are trying to feel forgiveness in our heart before we actually say the words. Scripture teaches us that we have to speak the words in order for what we want to manifest.
Our words are containers of power. The word teaches us that “...death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:21, ESV). Scripture also says, “So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11, ESV). Did you see how much power is inside of the spoken word? What we speak will accomplish whatever is spoken! But he answered, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4).
Our words are so powerful that they affect the direction of our lives! The object of Satan is to keep us speaking how angry we feel so that we never produce the forgiveness that is inside of us. According to the dictionary, our feelings are an emotional state or reaction. Our feelings can be fickle and can cause us to respond emotionally. If we continually sulk in unforgiveness we can live on an emotional rollercoaster and never get off.
Forgiveness is so important because if we don’t forgive, we lose everything. The word says, “...but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:15, ESV). There is no discussion; we have to forgive. Even when the disciples had a disagreement, Peter went to Jesus and asked how often am I to forgive my brother. Jesus responded, “Not seven times, but seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:12). Basically, Jesus was saying as many times as necessary. Jesus did not tell Peter that he would feel forgiveness, he commanded him to forgive.
How do we forgive? We first ask God for help, then speak the words out of our mouth. Jesus gave us the best example when He was on the cross and said, “Father forgive them for they do not know what they do…” (Luke 23:34).
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCJCMinistriestv:
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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
Harvesting
When I would hear the word “harvest”, I would get so excited because I knew what that word meant: an abundance was coming!
The thing is, I thought I completely understood the word but I did not realize what was actually involved in harvest. We are never in the same season for very long. We are either planting, growing, resting, or harvesting. Several weeks ago, I asked God what season I was in and He said harvest! I did it get excited. I guess I thought a harvest was going to rain down in my life. But to my surprise, God began to unveil to me what harvest really looked like.
I was listening to the Bible when I came across the story about Joseph. God told me that when Joseph was sold by his brothers for 20 pieces of silver to the Ishmaelites, he had entered his season of harvest. Isn’t that something? Joseph was stripped of his beautiful robe and sold away from his family by his brothers yet God said he had entered into his season of harvest.
Perhaps we should understand the word harvest a little more. Harvest is defined as ”...the season for gathering in agricultural crops; the act or process of gathering a crop.” God revealed to me that He sent Joseph to Egypt so he could get prepared to become second in command there. Joseph was sent ahead of his family to literally gather a harvest for them. The way in which God ordained Joseph's path for harvest did not feel like a harvest to Joseph.
Many of us could not imagine a harvest as something negative and devastating. Joseph was stripped of everything he knew in order to receive the greater harvest God had for him. Many of us are in a season of harvest but we are unaware of it because things can be so detrimental. Our focus is so much on our current situation and usually we are asking God to change it that we cannot see what He is doing. When in essence our problems have positioned us right in the place we need to be for the greatest harvest to happen in our lives.
Joseph could have never imagined seeing his parents again, although I’m sure he dreamed of it. Just because it may seem that God strips us of the things we love does not mean it will be that way forever. God knows what is best for us, for whatever season he has us in. We just have to trust Him. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and he will direct your path! Proverbs 3:5-6
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Expectantly
I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1, KJV
I have read this scripture above many times. Only this time when I was reading it, I heard the Holy Spirit ask me, “What does ‘patiently’ mean?” I said “Not being in a rush, being patient and understanding.” He then told me to look up the word, not only in the dictionary but also in Strong’s Concordance.
Patiently: in a way that shows tolerance of delays, problems, or suffering without becoming annoyed or anxious. (Dictionary)
Patiently: gavh (kaw’vaw) means to bind together—wait, look, wait for, to look for, gathered. This word stresses the straining of the mind in a certain direction with an expectant attitude…a forward look with assurance. (Strong’s Concordance)
When I looked up the word “patiently” in the concordance I looked for the definition that was specific to the scripture. I was surprised to find that “patiently” meant focusing or looking with an attitude of expectancy. In this specific scripture the psalmist is saying that he waited with an expectation that God would hear his request and answer him.
The Holy Spirit brought to my mind the way I wait with expectation when I go to a restaurant. I put in my order and I wait with expectation that they are going to bring me the food I ordered. I don’t just wait. I wait with my mind in a certain direction for what I am expecting. I heard God say, “Do you wait for me that way? When you ask me for something are you expecting me to answer? Are you straining your mind to see the answer come?” I was embarrassed to answer that I am not always looking with expectancy. The Holy Spirit then brought back to my attention that the psalmist received his answer because he was expecting to receive from God!
When we pray we must remember to have an attitude of expectation. Just like we expect to wake up every morning and we plan for the day ahead; how much more should we look to God with expectancy that He will answer our prayers.
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 recently published book Life’s Journey is now available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VYJKJ9K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6Z95ANB487AMDF3VTDP9
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
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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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
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
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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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
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
You can also follow me at JCC Ministriestv:
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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
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
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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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
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
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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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
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
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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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
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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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
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
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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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
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 (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
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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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 (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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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 (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:
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 (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:
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 (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