Fear Is a Liar
We all know that we should never trust Satan but for some reason when we fear, we trust his lies. Satan is very good at ministering to us his lies through FEAR - that is his number one tactic! At times we trust that feeling of fear more than we trust God. Why? Because we feel fear and that leads us to believe it is real.
I love how Joyce Meyer puts it. She says fear is false evidence appearing real. The dictionary describes fear as a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc., whether the threat is real or imagined; the feeling or condition of being afraid. I love how the dictionary describes fear as an emotion (a natural instinctive state of mind deriving from one's circumstances, mood, or relationships with others) which is something that we can control. It never feels like we can control the fear when we are in the midst of it, but we do have authority over our emotions.
In my Bible study the other week our facilitator taught us about fear. She shared steps on how we can walk through and conquer it. At the end of the study she shared the song below. I love the message - FEAR is a liar. In our walk with Christ and fulfilling our purpose, the one thing we can be sure of is that fear will smack us in the face. But we must take hold of God's word and be encouraged. For the word says, “...say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you’” (Isaiah 35:4, NIV).
Enjoy the song below:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1srs1YoTVzs&w=640&h=360]
JCCMinistriestv does not own the copyright for this music or video. No copyright infringement intended. For inspirational purposes only. To find out more information on Zach Williams please go to: http://zachwilliamsmusic.com/home/
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Abundantly Supplied
Then the word of the Lord came to him, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.” And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” And she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah. 1 Kings 17:8-24, ESV
Our Bishop spoke from this scripture one Sunday and the message glued itself to me. In his teaching he shared how we can miss our miracles looking for God to bless in a different way. The woman never received a big bag of flour or a ton of extra oil; it just came every day when she went back to prepare food. This reminds me of one of the miracles that Jesus did when He fed the five thousand with two fish and five loaves of bread. He never had an abundance that we could see physically but the provision just kept producing as they used what was in their hand.
We can be so focused on looking for God to provide the answer in another way that we miss the blessing we have in our hand. I remember asking God to prepare away for us to pay for our son’s college that was so expensive. But God did not hand down a lump sum to pay for this fee instead every month he gave us what we needed to fulfill the debt. I was looking for God to make this miraculous way for us to pay this bill in full. In truth God did, he made away for us to have the recourses to make the payments until the debt was fulfilled.
Our little is never too little for God! He is the Miracle Worker who has given us all we need to produce the abundance that we are looking for when we release everything to Him.
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
Grief
“A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;” (Ecclesiastes 3:2, KJV).
Stillness, numbness, unbelief, sorrow, pain, confusion, hurt, worry, anger, and any other emotion came flooding in my spirit as grief settled in. My sister had lost her husband suddenly to a tragic motorcycle accident.
Scripture teaches us there will be a time to die and we all know that this is true. However, when death comes, grief follows and settles in. Even though I am a prayer warrior, when I was enveloped in the emotion of grief I could not even pray. I found myself sitting in complete quietness with nothing to say. I told my girlfriend I did not even know how to pray or what to say. She told me that even not knowing was trusting God.
What I did not realize at the time was that while I was experiencing this heavy grief Jesus was sitting right with me. He was doing what friends and family do: sit with us; hold us; and guide us through the process. Scripture teaches that “…he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Deuteronomy 31:6, KJV).
We all know that we will experience this season of sorry, but it is comforting to know that God walks us through it. I pray that in your time of sorrow, loss and disappointments that you will let God hold you and rest in His presence. I have added some comforting scriptures that have been a help to me and my family.
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10, KJV).
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;” (Psalm 46:1-2, KJV).
“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life” (Psalm 119:50, NIV).
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
Vengeance
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it[a] to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19, ESV
It is impossible to listen to God’s word and not get inspired. I once heard a speaker say something that rang so true: God’s word is like taking medicine. You don’t know how it works but it works. When you listen, He ministers to your heart. I was listening to Psalm 27 where David says the Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.
What an amazing assurance we have! God will protect us and our enemies will stumble and fall! We do not have to do anything to our enemies because we are covered by the blood of Jesus and follow His commands. We are shielded and protected. Now that does not mean we will not have problems. We know that David was attacked on every hand and had to run and hide from King Saul, but God kept Saul from killing David. The truth is God had King Saul killed. God put King Saul in David’s hands many times. David could have actually killed him but he refused to lay a hand on his enemy!
We can be so hurt, frustrated, angry and broken because of what someone has done to us that it blinds us toward seeking revenge. But God says vengeance is mine (Romans 12:19). How good it is to be reminded that God is our deliverer. At times it may seem like God is taking an awfully long time to bring vengeance, the Israelites waited 400 years but God delivered them with a mighty hand and the whole world learned who He was. Many times when God delivers us from our enemy it is not about us and our desires. We may just be the vessel God uses to draw millions to know His name. It is funny, we are always asking God to use us and when He brings the assignment we cry for deliverance. I know that it does not always feel gods but we have to trust God at His word. He has a plan that is not just working for us but to draw the lost souls to Him.
Father,
We all want to be used by you but at times the assignment is not always as we would like. We seek discernment and wisdom as you bring us through times of difficulty for your purpose. We love you God and we give you glory 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
Persevere
While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease. Genesis 8:22
I was reading my daily devotional when the word persevere was used to describe how we are to continue in our relationship with God. I love when the Holy Spirit prompts us. He said, “What does persevere mean?” Past experience has taught me that even if I think I know what the word means, when promoted by the Holy Spirit, I need to look up the word. I knew this would be a teaching moment. For the word says all Scripture is “...breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…”2 Timothy 3:16-17.
Persevere: continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success.
I looked up the word persevere and my thoughts reflected on the part of the definition that said, “with little or no prospect of success”. Immediately this scripture came to me: “While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease” Genesis 8:22. When we continue to do what God has given us even when it appears there is no progress, progress will come. We know that we cannot see the seed in the ground growing to produce fruit, but it happens. When we sit with God and feel like nothing is happening, God is working. Just because we cannot see or feel Him does not mean nothing is happening. Continue to sit with Him!
We all know this to be true but our spirits can grow impatient in the waiting. Think about being in high school. When we entered that freshman year it seemed like 12th grade was so far away. As freshmen we thought we would never get there. But before we actually realized it, Senior year came - it was our harvest time - and went.
And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how” Mark 4:26-27.
We can’t usually see the harvest in the ground. Many times, we have no idea how things will work out. But if we just keep with God, He has already worked things out in our favor.
My husband and I were government employees which means we had a substantial salary. However, we would witness our relatives who made quite a bit more money than us take vacations all over the world. We always wanted to take our children on these lavish vacations but our circumstances and income prevented that from happening.
But as we continued in the work God had given us, He made a way! To our surprise God made a way for us to retire before those relatives who earned quite a bit more. He also has given us the opportunity to take those really nice vacations with our children. We have no idea how God did this but we stayed faithful to what He put in front of us to do.
It’s easy to stop, but if we do, the harvest will never come. If I stop watering my garden even though the harvest is right there in my hands I will never see it because I stopped. Don’t stop, persevere!
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
Impossible With Man
I had prayed to God for a promotion on my job and had felt like the perfect opportunity came to me. Our department went through a reorganization and two units were combined into mine. The previous managers responsible for those workloads were both in higher levels of position than I was. Although the work was a lot, I felt like God was answering my prayer. Problem was, there was no movement on upgrading my position or any talk of offering me a promotion.
After a month of taking on this new workload I asked my boss about upgrading my position. He said that would not be possible at this time. Anger, hurt and all the other emotions filled my soul. So, I put together paperwork that justified my promotion. I submitted the paperwork to my boss and his boss, and of course the paperwork came back denied. I was so angry at them but I was also angry at God. I went to God complaining, “I asked you for a promotion and you gave me all the work without the salary increase or the title”.
As I am writing this devotional God is reminding me of the Israelites when Moses went to tell Pharaoh to free his people. Pharaoh said no to Moses and he gave the Israelites even harder work. They were tasked with making brick with no straw to use, and the people complained to Pharaoh and were angry at Moses.
It took about seven or eight months before God promoted me. He actually moved my whole section from our current division and put us under a totally different deputy. The first day under this new deputy he asked me what he could do for me. I told him about the promotion and the things that had taken place and he told me to consider it done. The following day I received a phone call from personnel telling me that my paperwork had been approved.
God’s timing is never the same as our timing, and His answers to our prayers are always more than we could think or imagine. I was starting to look for another job, but God kept telling me to sit tight and trust Him. I could have never imagined my division being moved and being placed under a new director.
Faith: believing God when everything around us says no and the situation looks nearly impossible.
Don’t give up, God has a strategy in taking care of his people that we could never imagine!
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
It Is Done.
Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. Genesis 22:8,13
This morning God woke me up around 2:00 am. I laid in my bed for a while but then I had to get up. All these emotions of anger and frustration filled my soul from out of nowhere. I was just mad. I thought, “It is 2 o'clock in the morning. I was in perfect sleep and now I am mad”. This was nothing but the devil. I would love to tell you that I said, “Devil get thee behind me!” and went back to sleep, but that is not what happened.
I went into a battle in prayer. I thanked God and I praised God and I called on God. There was so much emotion tied to all that I was feeling that the only place for release was at the throne. I took out my laptop and I started writing my prayer to God. He reminded me of the message I had listened to earlier the previous day and I took those words that were in my soul to the throne.
All of a sudden out of nowhere, peace came. I felt his JEHOVAH SHALOM PEACE. I understood that peace at a different level now. I was reminded of Esther when she fasted and prayed and relief came through the king at night while he was having the chronicles read. God showed me how they were praying and how He answered at night. He then showed me Moses when the Israelites were praying for a deliverer, and their deliverer was saying no to God. But God had sent a peace to the people.
Many times when we pray, our situation looks the same. We can’t see any difference but there is a settled peace that overcomes everything inside of us to let us know it is done. Your sickness in your body, it is done. Your children needing healing, it is done. Whatever the situation is, whatever you are going through, receive that it is done.
Abraham trusted that God would provide for him even though God told him to offer his son Issac as a sacrifice. When his son Issac asked where the lamb was for the sacrifice, Abraham said God would provide. God has already provided everything for us even when we cannot see it. Every situation is just another level of walking in faith. God bless you!
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
In Times of Trouble
God is our refuge and strength always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1 NLT
I was just sitting listening to the Bible and those words above leaped into my spirit. I immediately stopped listening and started writing. We will always find ourselves in some kind of trouble. It can be as simple as the babysitter did not show up and you have to go to work or as devastating as a loved one in a car accident. No matter the situation we find ourselves in, scripture says God is always ready to help in our time of trouble. That is such good news because scripture also tells us that in this world we will have trouble… (John 16:33).
The thing is, for me at least, I don’t tend to call on God for the little troubles. I think I can handle them myself. When in essence He is just waiting for me to ask for help. Scripture does not say when we are in big trouble but at any time big or small God is there to help.
When we were in Italy the taxis went on strike. We had just gotten off the train to Rome and had no idea there was a strike. When we went to get a taxi to our Airbnb, there was none. My husband tried to get an Uber to pick us up but that was impossible. While he was frantically trying to figure something out I said a quiet prayer asking God for help. After a 45 minute wait for an Uber someone suggested taking the bus. We found where to catch the bus but had no idea what bus to take. Most people did not speak English and with our very limited amount of Italian we were having a difficult time. But God had this Danish couple come up and tell us what bus to take. We finally made it to our location.
Even though our trouble was small, God provided for every step to get us where we needed to be. We must never forget that God is our deliverer and He is waiting for us to ask for help!!! That is just a blessing!
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
I Want To Be Heard
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. Jeremiah 29:12, ESV
My husband and I were out taking a walk and we got into an argument. I can’t really remember what the argument was about but at one point I heard him say, “lower your voice”. I said “No, I need you to hear what I am saying”. I remember feeling like I was not being heard so I had to say what I felt louder. Well, you all know how God moves on our heart… So later I went back to him and apologized for being loud but I told him I did not feel like he was allowing me to be heard.
Several days after that incident I was in my room praying and the Holy Spirit brought to my mind the song Good Good Father by Chris Tomlin. As I was praying I kept hearing the words, “You are a good good father, that is who you are, that is who you are and I am loved by you”. It just kept playing over and over in my head as I prayed. I started humming those lyrics and God would add another line or phrase of the song into my heart. As I listened to how God was ministering to me, my whole being was just overwhelmed!
I decided to turn on the song and there is a line that says, “God knows exactly what I am going to ask before I speak one word”. I immediately heard the Holy Spirit say, “You never need to yell to be heard. I hear you speaking all the time. I know what your heart feels and if you talk to me I know how to make them hear you. You don’t have the power to make anyone hear your heart, they just hear your words. But if you talk to me I can transform you and them so the situation brings peace and joy for everyone!”
You all know that I just about lost it! My heart overflowed with joy, comfort, peace and my soul was full of praise. Now this was not the first time I heard this and I knew what God was saying was true. But in the midst of those situations we can get so heated that we forget God is right there waiting to resolve our issue. I asked Father to help me to pause in the midst of my anger and emotions to hear Him. I asked that He would help all of us to run to him in our pain. Because truly at that moment there is pain and anger when we feel we are not heard.
God created us, He gave us our personalities and He knows us better than we know ourselves. He feels our hurt and pain so when we turn to Him, He brings resolution to every situation. It is just like the song says, “He is a good good father”.
https://youtu.be/CqybaIesbuA Chris Tomlin
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
God’s Desire verses My Desire
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Psalm 51:6, KJV
I woke up early one morning with a heavy heart. I felt confusion on what I was supposed to do with my cookie business as well as my ministry assignment. I was currently on a 21 day fast seeking God to enlighten the eyes of my heart on all the things He had for me. I don’t know what I expected but when my heart became heavy, I was sad. I begin to pray out of my soul seeking God for answers. I heard in my spirit The Lord’s Song by Maranda Curtis so I played it in the background while I was praying.
I began to understand that the heavy heart was brought on by God because He wanted to talk to me about those assignments. He gave me clear steps as to what to do with the cookie business. When I asked Him about the ministry He said, “You can’t do what people want you to do and please me. Your focus has to be on pleasing me. If your desire is for the people that sounds good but it will only bring honor to you. You want honor to come to me but it will not work trying to please the people and calling it God. It is not me!” I immediately repented in my soul.
Throughout the previous months I had received several requests asking me when I was going to start posting devotionals again and when I was going to put out another book. I wanted to give the people what they were asking for. I had been receiving writings regularly from God so I thought I needed to get them done and ready for posting. God’s words revealed to me my heart posture. In trying to please people I was actually seeking glory for myself and not God! Ouch!
We have to be so careful that we are not calling what we are doing God, when in actuality we are glorifying ourselves.
Father, thank you for bringing out the hidden unknown things of our heart. David said it well: 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! (Psalm 139:23-24) This we pray 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
Adjusting with God’s Instructions
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV
I love hearing God talk to me but I don’t always like what He has to say. Scripture says that God’s word is for teaching, reproof, correction and learning righteousness. It’s the reproof and correction I am not usually fond of. But just like any good parent, we must be corrected and told when we have done something wrong. I have found that immediately repenting for the action is always the best way to move. Trying to justify my behavior only leads me into further misalignment with God.
This particular incident was not so much about what I had done wrong, but about a relationship God wanted to change in me. Sometimes God chooses to move people out of our life for a season or at times permanently. Looking back, God showed me it was those individuals I was close to and admired that He gently moved away. He told me that those friends were there for the season in which I needed them. It is so hard to let go of those we have come so close to. To understand this, He gave me this example: When a baby is young you give them a bottle to feed them. They always look for that bottle because it gives them comfort. As they get older the bottle has to be removed. At times the baby will cry for the bottle, but eventually they will move past that stage in life and never look for the bottle again.
Some friendships may have lasted longer than their season. Friendships out of season are no longer serving us. We have to be okay with moving on. God brings some that will last a lifetime but we have to be okay with the ones He sends away. They may have served you in one season but when it is time, they have to move on to serve others.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCallingtv:
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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
Spiritual Blessing Chosen
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Ephesians 1:3 ESV
Our church is going through a series called “Reclaiming Our Identity”. The scripture above is a part of the foundation of study. I love that it said we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places through Christ. This means that those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior receive all the blessings that God gave to Jesus.
It just so happens that during this season of study, God had called me from all of my activities to sit here and focus on this word. So, I guess my task is to write as I go through this study. As soon as I read the verse above the first thing I wanted to do was to understand my spiritual blessing. I immediately began to look up spiritual blessings through the internet and read further in the scripture to get clarity and understanding. Ephesians 1:4 starts to give us clarity on the first blessing: Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world…Being chosen by God before the world was ever created is a spiritual blessing. We could not get this blessing physically. God chose us in the beginning. I looked up the word “chosen” to make sure I understood it.
Chosen: one who is the object of choice or of divine favor: an elect person selected from a number; picked out; taken in preference; elected; predestinated; designated to office. 2. Select; distinguished by preference; eminent.
When I think of the definition of this word my heart rejoices and becomes so grateful. This tells us how special we are to God. He could have created anyone and made them look any kind of way. But He chose each one of us on purpose, designed us just the way we are, and we are perfect to Him. There could be no one else to take our place. Out of all the miraculous things God has done, He deliberately made you and I, choosing us to be here and serve as part of His team. We were chosen before the foundation of the world with all of our mistakes and idiosyncrasies. We are the number one perfect pick for God!
You may not feel like you were chosen or have what it takes to be on God’s team but those feelings do not matter to God. He sees what we cannot see about ourselves. He knows that we are the most excellent, most desirable and effective team member for His purpose. We must rest in Him and trust the creator, that we have been chosen by Him and are perfect for the assignment He has for us!
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
Sabbatical
There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven— Ecclesiastes 3:,1 AMP
Hi Family,
Thank you all for your support and encouragement over the years, it has been such a wonderful experience sharing with you the writings God has placed in my heart. However, I have ignored the warning signs that I need to take a break as you can tell from the slipping with my postings. I think I have worn my editors out and I know it is time for us to take some much needed rest!
During our sabbatical we will not be posting devotionals, but if you want to continue to have those encouraging words coming to you. I invite you to purchase my second book Life’s Journey Volume 2 which is currently $15.99 at https://www-amazon-com.translate.goog/-/es/Jacqueline-Crooks/dp/B09CRNPRMJ?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc
I promise this time of rest will not be too long, but it will allow us some time to spend with God, refueled, recharged and be ready to serve you all again!
Love you
Jacqueline Crooks
JCC Ministries
Operating In Our Gift
I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to retire and work full-time in all the callings God has set before me. Although, many times I have felt like the amount of work I was doing was not enough. I felt like I was not succeeding in what God had given me. I was even putting myself down for not getting things completed by the timeline I had setup. What I did not realize is I was agreeing with Satan and all of his evil lies that were being planted in my head.
When we agree with Satan we manifest those things that we don’t want in our lives. God showed me that I have been operating successfully with Him for many years. He showed me in scripture how I have been bearing much fruit and glorifying Him in all that I have taken on. I may not be where I would like but I am where God has placed me.
John 15:4 says, Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. When we continue to seek God through prayer and the study of His Word we are abiding in Him. We are the branch that is connected to the vine and we produce the fruit from that vine. When we abide in God we receive His joy, we bear much fruit, we glorify the Father and we prove we are His disciples.
As long as we stay connected to the vine we operate successfully in our gifts and produce much fruit. We must not be discouraged by what we see or maybe how we think things should progress, as long as we are abiding in the vine we are walking in His timeline. When those negative thoughts come to our mind, we should repeat what the archangel Michael spoke to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you!” Amen! But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, "The Lord rebuke you!” Jude 1:9, NIV
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
Giving Our Best
Best: of the most excellent, effective, or desirable; type of quality (adj) to the highest degree: most (adverb) that which is most excellent, outstanding or desirable (verb) outwit or get the better of someone.
I was watching a program and one of the speakers said I always bring my best. I know I have to bring my best. At that moment I heard God speak to my heart, do you bring me your best? The question lingered in my spirit so heavy in my heart. This morning the Holy Spirit asked me, “Why did you not write about best?” I said, “I don’t know, but truthfully as I reflected on my life there were so many times I did not bring my best and it laid heavy on my spirit.”
To bring our best does not mean we are to be perfect. It means that we are to do our best with what we have at that moment. God begin to show me all through his word what our best looks like. It was quite different from what I thought. Mary was doing her best preparing her life to be Joseph’s wife when the Angel of the Lord appeared to her. Esther was doing her best as a young lady when the King’s official came to take her to the palace. Moses was doing his best taking care of the sheep when he saw the burning bush on the mountain. God is always looking at our heart because the heart tells us how we are serving. Scripture says to guard your heart because out of it flows the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23
We cannot bring our best if our heart is not right. I looked up the word heart in the Strongs Concordance and it said that the heart includes not only the motives, feelings, affections and desires, but also the will, aims, principles, thoughts and intellect of man. The heart embraces the whole inner man. People can give us all kinds of accolades for the work that we do, but it will never be our best if our heart is not in the right place.
The heart is the source of all action and the center of all thoughts and feelings. The heart stands for the inner being of man, the man himself and is the foundation of all he does. God showed me that Mary, Joseph and Esther brought their best in their daily activities because their heart was right. We can always bring our best even when we make mistakes if our heart is in the right place!
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
Kindness
My husband and I took a trip to DC for my niece’s graduation. She graduated from Howard University. We decided to turn the trip into a vacation and stay a little longer to enjoy the sites. We rented a Brownstone through Airbnb that was just lovely! It afforded us the opportunity to walk all over DC!
Although it might have been easier to take the Metro we decided to hike around the city to view monuments and many of the highlights the city had to offer. Because we were walking through all types of neighborhoods, we would encounter the homeless in certain areas. Most of the individuals we ran into were African American men.
I was quite uncomfortable because we were in a city we did not know and my husband would always stop to talk to various individuals. They would always ask for money and he would reach into his pocket to give the money. If he did not have any cash handy he would go to a coffee shop to get some change to go back and give it to them. What I noticed was the response from each individual. They seemed more uplifted by the conversation he was engaging them in than the money they were receiving!
My husband consistently showed these individuals kindness and respect and the response he received back was thankfulness. I realized that sometimes we can let fear and a person’s condition hinder us from being kind. Kindness and showing someone respect can go further than any amount of money. I am so proud of my husband’s actions, I witnessed him make men who were down on their luck feel better!
Scripture teaches that love brings healing. The more we show love the more we bring healing to our world. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NIV
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
Have Your Way
For the past few weeks I have been hearing the words to this song ring in my head. The words were, “Have your way in this place, if it is not pleasing to you take it away, have your way.” The song is by Jabari Johnson feat and Todd Galberth, it is entitled Have Your Way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY4e0ZS9nLc
As I am on this journey to out love others I am finding that love is putting aside my desires and allowing God to have His way in me. I have always prayed for God to have full control of my life and to have His way. I just did not realize the crushing of my flesh through loving others is giving Him His way.
I am understanding that the more I give over to God in my actions to others, God is having His way. It is a true fight of the “will” to let go. The other day we were at a restaurant where you order your meal at the counter and they bring it out to you. Everything else is pretty much self serve. I walked over to the drink station to grab some water, napkins and silverware, but when I got to the water station this lady saw me and just raced in front of me. I could feel the Holy Spirit holding my lips tight and not letting the words flow out of me. At that moment I could not feel any love in my heart.
I asked God how could it be that I am out loving people when I do not feel love in my heart? He reminded me that He did not feel the love when He was being beaten. He felt every bit of the pain. We move with the action of love not by what we feel. When a mother gives birth to a child she does not feel love when she is going into labor; she feels the pain.
When we show love to those who may not be so kind to us, that action does not always feel good! Our emotions may feel something totally different in that moment, but later God brings our emotions around.
Later in the day as I reflected on what happened to me in the restaurant, I was so thankful that God used me to show His love to a women who absolutely knew she was wrong. My actions allowed for His love to start working in her heart!
Lord, have your way in this place. If it is not pleasing to you, please take it away.
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 ct. David had to hide in caves so Saul could not find him. So Saul took three thousand
He Holds the Future
The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said[b] to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 1 Samuel 24:4
Saul was King over the people of Israel and because David had killed Goliath he had become a part of Saul’s army. On one occasion when king Saul returned from battle the ladies sang a song giving David higher praise than Saul. That song caused Saul to become jealous and angry towards David. And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward I Samuel 18:6-9, KJV.
The following day an evil spirit came upon Saul and he sought to kill David. Saul feared David because God was with him. Although David served Saul with all his heart and did all that Saul requested, Saul sought to kill him. Satan will use anyone he can to come against us. It can be a relative, close friend or co-worker, he does not care who he uses to make his plans work! The attacks come because we have accepted the assignment to follow God. David’s heart was after God and Saul had given his heart over to Satan.
We do not need to fear our enemy. Even though Saul was king and he sought to kill David consistently, God kept David protected. Sometimes protection does not look like what we expect. David and his men were far back in the cave. The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said[b] to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe 1 Samuel 24:2-4, NIV.
We may not literally be in a cave like David, but when the attacks come it can feel like a cave. The situation can look like an army of thousand coming against us, but the Holy Spirit tells us to not say a word. Can you imagine if David and his men had not kept quiet? God would not have delivered his enemy into his hands. Sometimes we can miss our victory by thinking that we need to do something when God is telling us to stand still and see the work of the Lord.
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 ct. David had to hide in caves so Saul could not find him. So Saul took three thousand
Expect Persecution
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:12-13, NIV
When I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior I was a child about ten years old. I was told how good God is and how great my life would be with Him as my savior. I had heard all the Bible stories about David and Goliath, Jonah in the belly of the whale and Daniel in the Lion’s Den but nothing prepared me to understand that things could get worse. I don’t ever remember being told that when I became a believer I would be persecuted.
However, the more I studied the word I began to understand that persecution would come. In the scripture above Apostle Paul is writing to Timothy to make sure he understood that he will be persecuted because of Christ. Paul makes a passionate statement that every follower of Christ will be persecuted. He knew because of all the persecution he had suffered. Paul had been driven out of towns because of jealousy, he had been put in prison and he had been stoned and left for dead all because He lived a godly life in Christ Jesus.
Persecution: the act or practice of persecuting especially those who differ in origin, religion, or social outlook; to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict; specifically : to cause to suffer because of belief
As believers we know this word to be true but we are surprised when we are mistreated by co-workers, lied on by our bosses or even love ones betray our trust. We expect that we will be treated with the same kindness we give out but we are dealing with a wicked spirit. We must remember that persecution comes from the spirit world. We are a spirit, Satan is a spirit and he uses those in the flesh to attack our spirit. We have to be prepared to deal with this treatment through the spirit realm by putting on our full armor of God. Our armor of God is to deal with the Spirit realm (Ephesians 6:10-17).
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:13-17, KJV)
We can face any spiritual attack the enemy throws because Jesus lives inside of us and when we put on our full armor of God we are equipped!
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
Harvest the Land
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10, NIV
I remember how much time Jesus took with the opportunity to offer eternal life to the woman at the well. He did not waste time in his conversation with frivolous talk. He went straight to the purpose for which he was there. In the Bible, Jesus shows us that in every single conversation he had there was a purpose to draw men, women and children to the Father. He consistently said, “I only do what the Father does.”
Our God is strategic and He has set us in place for specific purposes. I remember how my husband and I met this lovely couple through our daughter’s parent teacher night at school. The teacher happened to be from the same country as my father-in-law. God’s timing is always perfect! We became wonderful friends with this couple. After many months of going out to reggae concerts and hanging out with his wife, at one of the concerts she asked me about the Holy Spirit. Being at a reggae concert some people were smoking weed and you could smell it in the air. However, God had ordained that moment and location for us to talk about him!
I love how God moves! We must not get so caught up in our surroundings and think that it is not a place for God. This whole world belongs to him and whenever and wherever He choses to have a discussion about Him we need to be ready!
Father, we praise you! Thank you for being our God and choosing us to be your hands and feet. We pray that we are always ready and don’t miss the opportunities that you give us to serve 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:
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