Release Your Plan
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9, ESV
I love to check things off a list, and to see what I have accomplished for the day. I have a daily planner that I use regularly, which makes me feel like I am using the time God has given me in the most productive way possible. I always start with prayer, asking God to direct my path for the day, because ultimately, I am here as His servants.
On Tuesday afternoon I had my calendar blocked off for study time. I just wanted to hear God and study His word. Listen, everything that can, comes to attack that time in my schedule, so I am very guarded over that space. A few weeks ago, after our Tuesday morning exercise class, my husband asked if I could help him get our bikes to the repair shop. I looked at the time and I had just about 3 hours before my appointed study time, so I said okay.
We took the bikes to the shop and proceeded to drop them off, but the repair shop was empty and started working on our bikes immediately. The repair guy put our bikes on the rack and after a quick inspection said, “I’m not going to charge you $240.00 for this service. We can make the adjustments now and there will be little to no cost.” WHAT? I immediately thanked God. We paid nothing for the service but did tip them for their kindness. Because that went so fast, we headed to the Apple store for some service to our phones and a gentleman helped us right away. He showed my husband how to schedule an appointment for troubleshooting phone issues at our home so we would not have to wait! In my mind I’m thinking, “Yes God! I get to go home and have my study time on my schedule!”
I never said a word to my husband about my schedule but was praying to God silently in the car. My husband then suggests we get lunch at a local restaurant. The food at this restaurant is good, but pricey, so I reminded him of our budget and that I already had food at home for the two of us. He offered to use money from his gigs and said that if God was directing us then parking would be available in this special part of the parking lot. While there is usually no parking in this part of the lot, of course there were two parking spaces left when we arrived.
In my heart I just said, “Okay God.” We walked into the restaurant and a beautiful young lady greeted us with a really warm salutation, “Hello beautiful people, welcome.” She then turned to me and told me how much she loved my style. I said, “Thank You”, and we had a brief conversation as she walked us to our seats. I felt in my spirit that God wanted me to say more to her, so I walked back up to the front desk and began to share what God had put on my heart. Listen, God had this place quiet so that I could give her His word. She told me that it took her about 30 minutes or so to get to work and she cried all the way there. She asked God to send one of His angles to encourage her heart. I learned that she had come to California with her boyfriend, and they had gone their separate ways. She is in this state alone not knowing anyone. God gave me time to share with her and encourage her heart. My assignment was at that restaurant - not in my office studying. I had a plan, and it was good, but God had what He wanted, and it was the best!
When we pray for God to have His way, we must be ready to let go and give everything to Him. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Affirmations; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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Kindness
So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12, ESV
The way you treat people is the way you are treating God. I saw this posted in an article and it immediately resonated as true. God is always providing a teaching lesson.
In the moment I read that statement, people from the past surfaced to my thoughts that I had not treated so well. In my opinion, they deserved to be treated that way because of the way they treated me. But God reminded me that no one deserved His love, yet He gives His love unconditionally with grace – everyday, all day. And scripture says to love your neighbor as yourself. We are created in the image of God, and His word teaches that every soul belongs to Him. Our behavior towards others has nothing to do with how they treat us, it’s about how we respond to God.
I remember driving down the highway when a woman raced around me to get in front of me on the off ramp. I was so angry that when I caught up to her, I glared at her through the car window. I could feel all my emotions racing. I had completely given over to my flesh and opened the door for Satan to show his behavior instead of giving God’s love. At times it seems impossible to let go of those emotions but as soon as I passed her, I could hear God convicting my spirit. I knew I was wrong, and I repented, but I also asked God how I should release those emotions before I move on. His answer: “How would you have liked to be treated?” Ugh…
We love all the grace and mercy we receive from God, and He is asking us to give that same behavior back to His creation.
Affirmations; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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Keep Pressing On
Straining toward what is ahead, I press on. Philippians 3:3, NIV
Developing your faith is like taking swimming lessons. Observe: (1) Fear is like water; If you let it, it will take you under, (2) You can only tread water for so long before you drown. (3) When you reach a certain point, there’s no turning back. (4) Faith is like the air in your lungs; it will sustain you and keep you afloat if you just relax. Have you ever watched a seasoned swimmer? Stoke after stroke, he takes what’s in front of him and pushes it behind him, letting it propel him toward his goal. He literally takes what stands between him and his goal and uses it to get there. Sometimes we despair and say, “I’m just keeping my head above water,” and that’s okay as long as you keep “stroking” and pressing on. It’s when you feel backed into a corner with nowhere to turn, that you’ve got to take hold of the faith God has placed within you and keep moving forward. Jesus said, “The Kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force” (Mt 11:12). The word “violence” suggests ferocity, passion, and intensity. You must be relentless and fight your way through, confident that God is on your side—because He is (See Ps 56:9). The waters you’re in don’t determine your destiny; they either carry you over or take you under. It takes faith to keep going. When you quit, God can do nothing more for you! So today whether you’re doing the breaststroke, the backstroke, or some other kind of stroke that nobody’s ever heard of—keep pressing on.
Source: The Word For You Today
Affirmations; 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:
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Do Not Fear Man
Then the people of Israel set out and camped in the plains of Moab beyond the Jordan at Jericho. And Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. And Moab was in great dread of the people, because they were many. Moab was overcome with fear of the people. Numbers 22:1-3, ESV
The Bible is so rich with lessons! I love when I sit with God and He just gives me a verse and breaks down tons of lessons from just one word of it. I was reading the verse above and the word “dread” clung to me. The king of Moab, Balak, was in dread of the Israelites because of what they had done to the Amorites. The Israelites had taken all their land and had backed up to the land of Moab. The people of Moab were in great fear of them because of their success and large number.
The King of Moab had the same issues as the King of Egypt. Pharaoh was so in dread of the Israelites because of their large size that he put them under bondage and treated them ruthlessly. But God delivered the Israelites and that fear and dread that Pharaoh had towards them lead to the downfall of Egypt and ultimately the death of Pharaoh’s son.
The King of Moab summoned the prophet Balaam to come to Moab and to put a curse on his enemies who were the people of Israel. When the prophet received the summons, he went and spoke with God. God told Balaam to tell those who the king sent to go back to their land, for the Lord refused to let him go with them. When the princes went and reported to King Balak, he sent another group to Balaam. This time God tells Balaam to go but he could only give them the instructions that God instructed him to. Three times King Balak shows the prophet where to curse the Israelites and all three times God gives Balaam the oracle of blessings for the Israelites. In the final oracle God tells Balaam to tell King Barak what Israel will do to Moab. He says that a scepter shall rise out to of Israel, and that it would crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.
Fear and dread will only lead to our demise if we allow it to cling to us. Scripture tells us to not fear, because God is with us. We are not to be dismayed, for our God will strengthen help and uphold us with His righteous right hand (Psalm 91:1-2). Listen, God has not given us a spirit of fear. If we are walking in fear, it is not from God - it is from Satan and nothing good comes from him. For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control (2 Timothy 1:7).
Father,
Thank you that you are our God, and we are your children! Hallelujah! Praise God that when fear comes, we have the authority to cast it off and praise you in victory no matter how we feel. Thank you that as we praise you, your presence overtakes any oppressive spirit of fear! Hallelujah! To you be glory and praise. Amen!
Affirmations; 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:
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Take A Break
And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. Matthew 5:36, ESV
Jesus is giving instructions about life to the disciples and the crowd that came out to see Him on the mountain. Scripture says that there was a large crowd that had come to Jesus, so He sat on the side of the mountain and began to teach the Sermon on the Mount. I was listening to this message, intentionally feeding my spirit, when I heard Jesus say, “We cannot make our hair white or black on our head.” Now, we can dye our hair all we want, but when our hair grows out the color we’ve tried to cover up, it’s going to show.
This just got me to thinking about how little control we really have over our bodies and over our lives. We had no control when we entered this earth. We could not pick our parents, or what we looked like - that was all done for us divinely by our creator ELOHIM. Yet we can find ourselves anxious over things that we cannot control. In truth we are probably better off when we don’t have control because then we know for sure the divine one is taking care of things.
He specifically says, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?” (Matthew 6:25-34)
What I love most about Adonai is that He never gives instructions without telling us how to do it! After He gives the message saying to not being anxious, He then tells us how to do that - seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
He also reminds us that trouble will come but we do not have to worry about it because we can seek and rest in Him. Amen.
Father, thank you that we can rest in the midst of all of our troubles. Thank you for giving us all we need to live in the wonderful place of peace and joy when we trust you. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
Affirmations; 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:
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Wealth
Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it. Proverbs 13:11, ESV
Awhile back I was speaking to a loved one who buys lottery tickets all the time. I have always told them that purchasing those tickets is a waste of their money. Their response would always be that it doesn’t say you can’t gamble in the Bible.
Scriptures give us clear direction on how we should attain wealth. It is not through hasty behavior but by gathering little by little with honest gain. In the book of Exodus, we learn that the Israelites did not increase in number overnight, but they multiplied day by day in their oppression. The Bible says the more they were oppressed the more they increased. Their multiplication was so abundant that Pharaoh and his people dreaded them. Pharaoh even established decrees to have all the males of Hebrew origin killed.
But Pharaoh’s decree did not stop God from blessing His people. Although they were under bondage of the Egyptians, God never stopped watching over them and prospering their population. The Israelites did not receive their wealth of material abundance until they were leaving Egypt, but God had still made them into a mighty nation. Scriptures teaches us that we are to not lay up for ourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but we are to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal (Matthew 6:19-21).
In Matthew 19:16-30, Jesus pointed out that the rich young man who came before Him loved his money more than anything else. The issue wasn’t that the young man was rich but that he treasured his riches and did not treasure what he could have had in Christ. Jesus told the man to sell his possessions and give to the poor, “…and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (verse 21). The young man left Jesus sad, because he was very rich, and was unwilling to make Jesus his true treasure.
God is so gracious and has no problem prospering us in all that we do. His concern is that our heart is filled with the love of God and not the love of money. He says that He has given us the power to get wealth through His plan, not through the quick schemes of the world (Deuteronomy 8:18). As we keep our minds on the Word of God and follow His decrees, He will open up the windows of heaven and pour down blessings until there is no more need.
Father, there is always the temptation from the enemy to chase after the wealth of the world. But we do not want that to be the desire of our heart. We pray for change and transformation in our soul so that all we want is you and what you have ordained for us. Let us not get distracted in wasting your resources on frivolous things that do not bring you glory. To you be glory and praise. Amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My recently published books are now available at:
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Trust God’s Timing (2)
“What I have said, that I will bring about.” Isa 46:11 NIV
God has a plan for your life that requires certain things to happen at a particular time. And since He sees the big picture and you’re working with limited information, you must trust Him—even when you don’t see how it will all come together. God can take the loss of a relationship or a job and make it work for your good. The trouble is, while He’s doing all this, you can feel uncomfortable and downright miserable. Seven hundred and eight-two years before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Micah said that He would be born in Bethlehem (See Mic 5:2). But Mary and Joseph were living in Nazareth. So how did God solve the problem? The Roman emperor Augustus decreed that a census should be taken: “All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for the census. And because Joseph was a dependent of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son” (Lk 2:3-7 NLT). Are you worried about the future? “Don’t be impatient for the Lord to act! Keep traveling, steadily along his pathway and in due season he will honor you with every blessing” (Ps 37:34 TLB). Relax: the God who arranged for His Son to be born into the right family, at the right time, in the right place is looking out for you today.
Source: The Word For You Today
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My recently published books are now available at:
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Trust God’s Timing (1)
“When the right time came, God sent his Son.” Galatians 4:4 NLT
God doesn’t consult us to make sure His plans line up with our timetable. God sets the schedule; sometimes we have to run to keep up, and other times we have to slow down in order to get in step with Him. Mary planned to marry Joseph, then have a child, but God had a different plan. The child had to be without inherited sin, so He needed a perfect father; therefore; the Holy Spirit was called on to do the job. Humanly speaking, the timing couldn’t have been worse. Mary became pregnant before she got married, and Joseph wasn’t the father. Besides being ostracized, the law said she could be stoned to death. How did she respond? Amazingly: “Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word” (Lk 1:38 NKJV). God has set a plan, and He is always working toward it. The trouble is, we are only working with limited information, so we become impatient and upset when He doesn’t answer our prayers when we think He should, or in the way we think He should. It’s said that George Muller, evangelist and founder of the Ashley Down Orphanage in Bristol, England, once waited on the dock for a special chair to be delivered; he had a bad back and needed the chair for the ocean voyage. When departure time came and it still hadn’t arrived, his friends offered to buy him one. But Muller said, “Either God will provide or he will give me the grace to do without.” Then, just like a Hollywood ending, the chair arrived right on time! Trust God—He knows what He’s doing!
Source: The Word For You Today
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My recently published books are now available at:
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Walking in Darkness
…the man who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. John 12:35, NIV
Every morning when I get up for prayer, it’s usually dark in my room. Now, because my husband is sleeping and I don’t want to disturb him, I will not turn on any lights. Even though I know my way around in our bedroom I always seem to knock over something or put something on backwards! The scripture above speaks to walking in a similar kind of darkness. In this scene described in John 12, Jesus has just finished His triumphant entry into Jerusalem and has predicts His coming death.
Some Greeks who were in Jerusalem for the feast asked Philip if they could see Jesus. When Philip heard this, he went and told Andrew, they both told Jesus that some Greeks had made a request to see Him. Jesus then begins to speak about leaving and being glorified. In the midst of Him speaking Jesus says, “Father, glorify your name!” Then scripture says, “…a voice came from heaven, ‘I have glorified it, and will glorify it again’” (John 12:28).
The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to Him. Jesus went onto explain that this was to show what kind of death He was going to die. The crowd questions Jesus according to the law, stating that the Christ would not die. Jesus responds by telling them “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you, the man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going” (John 12).
Jesus is telling them that He is the light, and if they stay in darkness they are going to be lost. Whenever I read this passage, it reminds me of the many times I have moved on something without seeking instructions from God first. Usually, it’s because the task is familiar. I can just go, without even thinking to check in with God. I will check with my GPS for instructions on how to get somewhere before checking in with God! I believe God is telling us not to move without checking with Him first. Many of us could have saved ourselves some major headaches if we would have checked with God before we went on that date!
We have to be careful. Our day to day, seemingly mundane things we do without checking in can walk us into seasons we could have avoided. Scripture says “…do not lean on your on understanding but in all thy ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Listen, you will always make mistakes moving in darkness, just like me moving in my bedroom without light! But we never want to get so familiar with something that we don’t check in with God first about it. 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:
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In the Midst of Desperation
Then Pharaoh commanded all his people, “Every son that is born to the Hebrews, you shall cast into the Nile, but you shall let every daughter live”. Exodus 1:22, ESV
Pharaoh hated the Israelites. He put slave masters over them and gave them hard labor in an attempt to control and discourage them. In the midst of their persecution, God blessed them to multiply even greater. Pharaoh was so threatened by the Israelites’ size that he decided to kill every newborn Hebrew boy. His goal was to end a whole generation of people. Pharaoh did not know the history of Jospeh and what God had done through him to save his country. He was intimidated by the number of Israelites present in Egypt and feared they would side with his enemies in war and overtake them. He first told the Hebrew midwives to kill any boy born to an Israelite woman and to let the girls live. But scripture says the midwives feared God, so they did not obey Pharaoh’s command.
Pharaoh then commanded all the Egyptians to take every son that is born of the Hebrews and throw him into the Nile River to his death. During this time of mass devastation, God was still blessing his people of promise. Consider the story of Moses:
Now a man from the house of Levi went and took as his wife a Levite woman. The woman conceived and bore a son, and when she saw that he was a fine child, she hid him three months. When she could hide him no longer, she took for him a basket made of bulrushes[a] and daubed it with bitumen and pitch. She put the child in it and placed it among the reeds by the riverbank. And his sister stood at a distance to know what would be done to him. Now the daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her young women walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her servant woman, and she took it. When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews' children.” Then his sister said to Pharaoh's daughter, “Shall I go and call you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, “Go.” So the girl went and called the child's mother. And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. When the child grew older, she brought him to Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. She named him Moses… (Exodus 2:1-10)
Even in this horrific season of life for the Hebrews, God was still in control. God knew the evil of Pharaoh’s heart. He could have had Moses born at any time, but He specifically chose for him to be brought into the world during this devastating season in Israel’s history. God sent Moses - the deliverer of Israel, the one who would defeat Pharaoh- to Pharaoh’s home to be raised by his daughter. Without knowing it, Pharaoh opened his door to what would eventually crush him, bringing about his greatest defeat. Later in scripture we read that Pharaoh and all of Egypt’s first born died by the hand of God. It’s just like the Bible says: you reap what you sow.
We must never look at our situation and think that God has abandoned us. The Israelites could not see God’s hand in their situation because what was in front of them was so devastating. Scripture teaches us to not be moved by what we see (2 Corinthians 4:18). It may be hard to see or understand how God is working things out for our good, but that is when we lean into our faith. I am not saying that it will be easy, but God is right in the midst with you. He has worked every detail out, you just have to trust Him - even when you can’t see Him, feel Him, or trace Him. 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:
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Gifts
Each one should use whatever gif he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its’s various forms. 1 Peter 4:10, ESV
God has given each one of us special gifts to serve in His kingdom. He has equipped us with all we need to serve in that capacity. We know that to be true just by listening to all the professional singers there are in the world. They all have the gift to sing, but they do it in their own unique voice which truly blesses those who hear them. At our church there are several pastors on staff. Each one of them can teach the word extremely well but they present the word in the way God has uniquely given it to them.
When God starts to reveal the gift that He has placed in you, it is not for you to compare with others. Don’t try to be like anyone else. We are all made with our very own DNA, which means we are supposed to be different, unique, and perfectly ourselves. Every gift that God has placed in you is for the purpose of sharing with others. It is not meant for you to keep it to yourself. Your gift helps the world become a better place and without it the world is missing a much-needed resource.
Let me encourage you with this: I have always loved writing. I would write on any blank page that I could get my hands on. I just love writing about whatever I experienced. I did not know writing was a gift from God to me. In the business world, most of my work would be rewritten over so much that I felt like I was a horrible writer. In truth, God was teaching me about my writing style. He was preparing me for this season of my life. I may have never meant to be a writer in the business world, but it did not mean I was not a good writer. It may appear that what you love to do is not working where you are right now, but be encouraged - God is preparing you for what He has for you in the next season.
Father, thank you for the perfect gifts that you have placed inside each one of us. You know the exact timing of when you want us to move in all that you have given us. May we stay encouraged and in faith as we walk with you into the manifestation of every good gift. To you be glory and praise. Amen!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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
Abiding In Christ
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” John 15:1-7, NIV
Jesus wants us to know that He is the Vine and the Root. When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we leave the life of sin and are engrafted into life with Christ. Just like a branch of a tree can be removed from one tree and engrafted into another tree, so too are we engrafted into a new tree. Our old roots (sins) are no longer part of who we are because we take on all of who Jesus is. The way we stay engrafted into the righteous life with Christ is through abiding with Him - through worship, learning, and serving our Lord and Savior.
In Sacramento, we can have heavy storms. One year the storm winds were so high that a big branch fell from a tree near our home. I wanted to know how such a large branch could fall off a tree like that. A few days later I took a walk past the tree and I could see a fungus that was in the middle where the branch had fallen off.
I asked God what would cause a fungus in our relationship with Him. I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Every time you say what I am not, you are creating a fungus of disbelief and eventually the branch falls off.” Let me explain: when we speak words over our life that are not in agreement with the Word, Jesus cannot nourish us because those words are not of Him. A tree is nourished from its roots. Our roots are in Jesus Christ and if we are not speaking what He says in His Word, He cannot nourish us. We create a fungus, eventually the branch dies. This is an incredible reminder of why it is so important to pay attention to what we speak. Scripture says life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). This takes us back to the most important part of our relationship with Christ…abiding in Him!
“If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned” (John 15:6).
Father, we thank you that we have the opportunity to have a personal relationship with you and the freedom to worship you, learn from you, and to serve you. As we spend time abiding in you, we are nourished and bear much fruit for your glory. In Jesus’s 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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Moving in the Unexpected
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing”. Genesis 12:1-2, ESV
In the passage above, God is speaking to Abram (Abraham), telling him to leave everything that he has known and move to a place where God will bless him. Abram had lived many years in Haran. When his father left Ur, he was headed to the land of Canaan, but on his way saw Haran and chose to stay there. Abram’s father and relatives were still living there, but God was telling him to leave and go to the land of Canaan.
God had amazing plans and blessings for Abram, but there was a stipulation for him to receive what God had put in his heart: he had to leave everything he had ever known and trust God. It reminds me of when we send our children off to college. They have to leave everything they have ever known behind to receive the blessing that is waiting for them on their journey to adulthood. We are still taking care of them, and they can talk to us when needed, but they are in a world they know nothing about. They have to learn how to move on their own in life. God never left Abram, but it was time for him to walk in the promises of God - working to build a relationship with God on his own.
When God drops a vision in our heart of what He wants us to do, it is only for us. He wants to build a relationship with us individually, and His plan will bless us and bring glory to His kingdom. Many times, we are so excited and want to share what God has placed in our heart with others. But that is not always the best thing to do. Other individuals cannot comprehend what God is saying to us and might hindered us from moving in what God has called us to. God told Abram to move away from those around him and although he took his nephew Lot with him, God eventually separated them too. When this happened, God began to guide Abram into what He had promised him. Abram’s purpose was for him and him alone. It is vitally important that we make sure we are not allowing others to distract us from what God is calling us to do.
I have a dear friend who I admire because of her commitment to what God has called her to do. On Saturday’s she helps feed the unhoused with the community ministry at our church. One of the ladies from the Women’s ministry came up to her once and asked her if she would attend the Women’s conference on Saturday. She told the lady that she could not make it because the timing of the conference was in direct conflict with the unhoused ministry where she serves. The lady then turned to her and said, “I give you permission to leave that ministry for one Saturday and come join the women.” My friend just smiled graciously and did not answer. Even though both things were good, my friend knew what God had put in her heart to do. She stayed the course in what our Father had spoken to her.
Father,
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. Thank you for your presence and Holy Spirit that keeps us on track. We pray to immediately move when you say so and to walk habitually in alignment with you. We give you glory and praise in Jesus’s 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
Selfless
I am not a big movie or television fan because I prefer reading as a past time. Reading, listening to music and writing are some of my favorite ways to relax. My husband on the other hand enjoys a great movie or television show. I remember some years ago, we were visiting family when my husband suggested watching a movie. I have to admit at first I was not thrilled about spending two hours in front of a television screen, but it was time with family; which I love.
The movie we watched was called Selfless and you can find it on the Netflix network. I found the show to be quite interesting and enjoyable. However, I had no idea that God was using that movie as a teaching moment for me. The title gives the whole movie away as it is a show about a very wealthy man who is extremely sick and about to die, but he is not ready to die. Through a friend he finds out that he can put his spirit into another body. So this wealthy man ends up transferring himself into what he thinks is a newly engineered body. What he comes to realize later is that the company lied and they put him into someone else body. He is required to constantly take drugs to remain himself and to prevent the owner of the body’s spirit from taking control.
In the coming days, the Holy Spirit began to show me that the movie was a metaphor of who we are. Before we enter earth we were created as a spirit. God put us in this body to serve Him on this earth. However, when we entered this world we were born into a fleshly body full of sin. This fleshly body tells us that to be ourselves, we must feed off the worlds table and give our flesh everything it desires. When we give into our flesh we are taking a drug that hinders our true identity from surfacing.
When we learn to stop eating at the world’s table and start allowing our spirit to be fed from the word of God we can become who we truly are; children of the most High God. The Holy Spirit is our most trusted advisor and He is always right there to help us. The question is, “Are we willing to remove ourselves from the world’s table?”
Scripture references:
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27, NIV
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BXrXyy59nY
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
HARVESTING
Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. John 4:3-5, ESV
This post was done back in 2019 but I felt the Holy Spirit directing me to send this to you again. We may not realize that God has us in a season of harvesting because it does not look like what we think a harvest should be. But in Acts 8 a great persecution had broken out against the church in Jerusalem, and all the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. In their fleeing persecution, God was sending them to harvest a crop.
This message picks up on Philip during this season of great persecution. I pray that it blesses 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
Expectantly
I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. Psalm 40:1, KJV
I had read this scripture above many times. Upon reading it again by the prompting of the Holy Spirit, 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 expectancy. 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 expectation 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
His Grace is Sufficient!
Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” Judges 16:28, ESV
Over the past few days I had been extremely tired when waking up in the morning. I didn’t feel like praying or doing anything at all. Yet, each morning I still headed down to my prayer room, hearing the voice of a dear friend saying “All He needs you to do is show up”. I usually start off with praise and worship music and the anointing love of God comes over me in an amazing way!
After I had finished praise and worship, I was heading back to bed when I heard something fall in my prayer room. I turned around and went back to see what had fallen. I’m not sure what happened once I returned to the room, but by the time I had left, four devotionals had been written! In that moment God taught me that even in our weakest moments, He gives us all we need to complete the assignment He has for us!
Our job is to give ourselves over to God in whatever state we are in and He will take care of the rest. God is just looking for someone through whom He can show Himself to the world. He does not need our educational degree or even a completely refreshed body; just a willing heart. I only went in the room for prayer, having decided that afterward I was going back to bed. But as I released my exhausted body over to God, He took over and poured out of me the messages He wanted to give to others. When we let go and just give ourselves to God, He always gives back to us in abundance!
Before Sampson died, he asked God to give him strength one last time so he could perform the will of God. God blessed Sampson and it was one of the greatest battles he had ever won! (Judges 16).
Father,
Thank you that no matter how tattered we are, if we release ourselves to you, we are strengthened, and you can still use us for your glory. We give you praise that in your presence we are never useless to you! 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
Trust His Direction
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV
I have often been told to be careful of what you pray for because God will answer, but it may not be in the way you think. This morning I prayed and asked God to take control of my day and let it be according to His will. Well, I had my plans, and when we make our plans, we can quickly forget what we asked God to do.
I had the idea that I was going to fulfill a couple of appointments I had made and afterwards I was going to go for a run. I was so excited to get outside in the fresh air and just have a nice even pace run! Everything was going as planned and I was on my way back home to change for my run when I somehow passed my exit off the freeway.
I was a bit annoyed that I had made that mistake, but I thought, “Oh well. God must want me to see something different on this exit.” I did see a couple of things that God drew my attention to pray for as I passed by that I would have missed if I had gotten off on the other exit.
I was about two miles from my house when it started to rain. I thought, “Well it’s just a light drizzle. It will still be fine to run.” By the time I got home the rain was really coming down and I could feel this anxiousness rising inside of me. I knew that it would be a miserable run if I ran six miles outside, so I decided on going to the gym instead. I don’t like running in the gym because it is so boring and there’s no fresh air. I went to the gym reluctantly and started my run. By the time I was on my second mile on the treadmill, I noticed that it had stopped raining outside. I was so tempted to head out and finish the run, but God reminded me that I had asked Him to direct my path today.
We may never know why God ordains our day differently than what we plan. Sometimes it may seem there is no reason at all, but we must trust that God knows best and He is always working things out for our good; even when we can’t see the outcome! 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
Trust God’s Timing
What I have said, that I will bring about. Isaiah 46:11
God has a plan for your life that requires certain things to happen at a particular time. And since He sees the big picture and you’re working with limited information, you must trust Him—even when you don’t see how it will all come together. God can take the ending of a relationship or loss of a job and make it work for your good. The trouble is, while He’s doing all this, you can feel lost, uncomfortable and downright miserable.
782 years before the birth of Jesus, the prophet Micah said that he would be born in Bethlehem (see Micah 5:2). But Mary and Joseph were living in Nazareth. So how did God solve the problem? The Roman emperor Augustus decreed that a census should be taken: “All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was now obviously pregnant. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her first child, a son” (Luke 2:3-7 NLT). Are you worried about the future? “Don’t be impatient for the Lord to act! Keep traveling steadily along his pathway and in due season he will honor you with every blessing” (Psalm 37:34 TLB).
Relax: the God who arranged for His Son to be born into the right family, at the right time, in the right place, is looking out for you today.
Source: The Word For You Today
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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
Fighting Faith
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12, ESV
In the verse above the Apostle Paul writes to Timothy, giving him instructions on how to serve as a man of God. In his writings he says to Timothy, “Fight the good fight of faith.” To “fight” means that there will be some kind of conflict we must engage in and we will need to stand our ground.
Paul teaches us that as a member of the family of faith, we are going to have to fight. But before Paul tells Timothy to fight this fight, he tells him what to do in order to be equipped for the battle ahead. He says “But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11, NIV). When a soldier goes to battle he only takes the necessary equipment. Too much stuff will hinder his ability on the battlefield. We have to follow the same instructions Paul gave Timothy. On many occasions we saw Jesus beat the enemy with the Word of God. He showed us how to fight to win. He spent much time away to Himself in prayer with His Father. He regularly told the enemy that He only did what the Father had instructed Him to do.
Most of the time, the battlefield of our fight is within our own minds. Satan is always planning to tear away at our faith. That is why we have to run and move away from anything evil. We have to pursue (go after) righteousness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. We must put off the bad and armor up with the good. This will give us what we need to attack Satan in the mind. As we follow the example of Jesus, study the word of God, pray and worship Him, we keep ourselves in His presence which gives us the arsenal we need to fight the battle.
Father,
Thank you that no matter what attack comes our way you have already provided what we need. We praise you that as we sit in your presence everything we receive is all that we need to be successful in the battle. 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