Your Testimony
Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ? John 4:29, NIV
I love how the Holy Spirit draws us into His Word. At the church I attend our Bishop has been speaking on evangelism and reminding the congregation that our assignment from God is to go out and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20).
While sitting in prayer one morning, the Holy Spirit took me to the scripture above. He told me that being a disciple is easy. The woman at the well just gave her testimony and all those in her town came out to hear Jesus. In the scripture above, Jesus and His disciples were on their way back to Galilee from Judea when they stopped in Samaria in a town called Sychar. The disciples leave Jesus to go and get food. While they are gone, a Samaritan woman meets Jesus at Jacob’s well.
Jesus and the woman have a conversation about her life, and in the midst of their conservation Jesus gives her clarity on who He is. Scripture says the woman goes back to her town and tells everyone about her encounter with Jesus. Her testimony is this, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” (John 4:29).
Jesus didn’t say go and become Bible scholars, and then go out and tell others about me. No! He tells us to go and make disciples of all men. As soon as we accept Jesus Christ as our personal savior, we are equipped to be His disciples. The Holy Spirit immediately comes in to our hearts and helps us serve as His disciples (Galatians 2:20). The woman at the well had lived a life that most people in her town did not have much respect for. But her encounter with Jesus changed her in such a way that as she gave her personal testimony. The people in her town listened and many came to know Christ.
Scripture teaches us to meditate on the Word of God day and night (Joshua 1:8). As we meditate on His Word, it will give us greater understanding of who Jesus is and we then will have more knowledge to share in our testimony. It is vital that you share your testimony with the world - it is the one assignment God has equipped us all to do! 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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Divine Activation
For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh [my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity]. For the willingness [to do good] is present in me, but the doing of good is not Romans 7:18-19, AMP.
This morning I woke up to my scriptures playing. I had put them on to play before I went to bed the night before. As I woke up, I heard myself praying those scriptures, and I laid there listening and praying the prayer that came over me. Then I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Get up and go to your prayer room”. On my way there, I heard the verse of a song come into my spirit. I didn’t realize at first that there was music playing in my ear, but I soon realized that God was giving me a song. When it became clearer, I said “Oh God, this is you singing to me”.
I immediately headed to my prayer room so I could look up the words. I could only hear a small verse and didn’t recognize the song completely. The words that I typed in came back to the song “Let Praises Rise”. I knew instantly that this moment was divinely activated. My praise, my worship, and my thanks went on for I don’t know how long. I was so grateful to God for speaking to me - that He woke me up, that He had given me a song that spoke every word of my heart. As I sat there, I began to think about God’s divine activation, how I had been divinely activated by our Holy God to move for Him.
Divine: of, from, or like God or a god.
Activation: the action or process of making something active or operative.
Everything that happened that morning was God activating something in me to move into a place of worship. I have learned over the years that we can’t take absolutely nothing for granted! God activates everything good in us. He prompts our spirit to open the door for someone else, to say hello to a stranger, to pay for someone’s bill. He prompts us to take time to pray in the morning, to study His Word, to show kindness when someone has hurt us. It is never you who is having these wonderful thoughts of being kind and loving - it is God divinely operating something in you to move! Listen, nothing good is from us! There are two influencing forces in this world: God and Satan. When we are prompted to be selfish, that is Satan. When we are prompted to do good, that is God.
We should be so aware of our movement and recognize God in all things. Even reading this message has been divinely orchestrated by God to give you a word of encouragement. There is not a day that goes by that you won’t see God moving through you for His purpose. We must be very carefully not to take our actions for granted and give glory to ourselves when it all belongs to God. Amen!
Father, thank you! How we praise your holy name! You and you alone are our God. There is nothing and no one else like you! Hallelujah! Thank you for using us for your glory, I pray our spiritual eyes will be open to see you divinely moving in us. I pray that we will not take anything for granted but rejoice and give all glory and honor to you. 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:
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It Is A Heart Thing
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13, ESV
I have often looked really hard for lost money and have searched really intently when looking for a new job. But for some reason I did not think it was necessary to seek God with all my heart in the past. I guess I thought that since God is always there, I had no real reason to seek Him with all my heart.
As I grew in my relationship with God, He taught me that I can have whatever kind of relationship I wanted with Him. It was up to me. I remember my younger sister, who is now with the Lord, always reading her Bible. She was always seeking God and I could tell she had this amazing relationship with Him. I wanted that same relationship, but at the time I did not understand that it required a sacrifice on my part.
I wanted the relationship but did not want to do the work. There is absolutely no way you can have a great relationship with anyone without putting in the time with that individual. I soon learned that spending time with God is truly more of a blessing than it is work. He wants to be found. He wants us to have an amazing relationship with Him. He created us so that He could enjoy each one of us individually and shower us with His love. Looking for lost money or finding a new job is actually harder work than seeking God, because God desires to have relationship with us!
I love having a relationship with my daughter and son. When they call, even if I am busy, I will make time to chat with them. How much more will God do the same with us when we seek Him with all of our heart?
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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An Attitude Adjustment (1)
Whatsoever things are of good report…think on these things. Philippians 4:8, KJV
We all need “an attitude adjustment” from time to time. It’s crucial to maintain the right attitude when the going gets rough. No matter what happens in your life, determine to go through it with the right attitude. In fact, determine beforehand to keep a positive mindset in the midst of every negative situation that arises. If you make this a conscious decision and meditate on it during the good times, when difficulties arise, you’ll already be prepared. Paul writes: “Whatsoever things are true…are honest…are just…are pure…are lovely…are of good report; it there be any virtue…are honest…think on these things…and the God of peace shall be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9). Some of the greatest writers and composers in history created masterpieces during the worst times of their lives. Beethoven’s most famous symphonies were written when he was almost totally deaf and experiencing great sorrow. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to think, “I could never be like those people.” If you think like that, you’ll be defeated before you even try. Maintaining a right attitude is always much easier than regaining right attitude. So as soon as you sense yourself becoming negative, make an immediate attitude adjustment. The Bible says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). The moment the enemy sends negative thoughts into your mind, stop them mainstream. Discipline yourself to stand strong with a positive attitude in every circumstance. When you do, “the God of peace shall be with you” (Philippians 4:9).
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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Testimony
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord… Jeremiah 29:11, ESV
One weekend our daughter decided to come home and visit. She told us she was coming up on Sunday but surprised us and showed up on Saturday. It was nice to have her visit with us. Every morning I have my prayer time and because my prayer room is across the hall from the guest room, I will go downstairs or in the garage and get in my car if I think I am going to be loud. That way, I can have prayer and not disturb our guest.
On this morning while our daughter was visiting, I went downstairs - it was very early in the morning. I put in my earbuds to listen to music and was getting ready to hear from God when I heard my daughter coming down the stairs. She said, “Hi Mommy, what are you doing?” In my mind, I was thinking “What are you doing up? And why are you coming into my prayer time!” I said, “Hi, um I am having my prayer time.” I was basically saying you need to leave. She said to me, “Oh great! I guess we are having prayer time together.” Now in my mind I was thinking, “No we are not! This is time for me and God!”
Our daughter placed a blanket on the couch where I was sitting and laid down on it. She then placed a second blanket on top of herself, put her head in my lap, and got comfortable. In my mind I’m thinking, “God! What do you want me to do? How are we going to have prayer?” He told me to take the earbuds out of my ears and let the music play, so I did. While our daughter was laying in my lap, I started to rub her head and just sit quietly. I then heard the Holy Spirit say, “The love you are giving to your daughter right now is what I want you to tell the people I will do for them. Tell them I am available for them to come and lay their head in my lap. I will let them feel all my love. It does not matter where they are or what they are going through. If they come to me, I will assure them that they will feel my love. Tell them my love is waiting.” I said, “Okay Father, I will tell them.”
Later that day our daughter said to me, “Mommy, when you put the music on, it was so beautiful, and I went straight to sleep.”
I understood later that what happen with me that morning with our daughter was God’s plan. He wanted me to be His messenger and tell you that He is waiting for you to come lay your head in His lap at any time. He also wanted to remind us that when our plans change, know that it is Him working things out for us to be a witness, drawing others to 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:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Reflection
“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” Matthew 25:23, NIV
God is always speaking - we just have to pay close attention to what He says. I was in my Hot Pilates class and was speaking to another attendant. He likes classic cars, so I was telling him about a party we attended a few days earlier where they had all these beautiful cars on display. Responding to his questions, I went into detail about how the owner of the cars had his garage made to accommodate them. The attendant said, “Sounds like a rich man’s sport to me.” “Yes, it is.” I replied. He turned and said, “I am not there yet, but I am remaining faithful over the few things.”
He looked at me to see if I understood. “Yes, we are remaining faithful over the few things God has given us.” I said. I went home thinking about what he had said and meditated on the verse. I asked myself, “Am I faithful over the things God has already given me: our resources, time, home, family, friends and my service to God?” As I thought about it, I noticed ways that I could improve on what I had been doing. At that moment, God was having me evaluate whether I was doing what He had asked. I wished for an A in that area, but I knew in my heart there was much improvement needed. We can find ourselves asking God for more when He is looking at how we are doing with what we have been given. If we are not being good stewards over what we have, why should we expect God to give us more? Later in the scripture above it speaks to the individual who did nothing with his gifts. God took the gifts he had given him and sent the servant away for eternal punishment.
The scripture above was a parable Jesus was teaching, explaining the kingdom of God and what He expects when He returns. He has given us all gifts and assignments that He expects us to use for the purpose of glorifying the kingdom of God. The example above is of the servant who was good and faithful with what God had given him and how God reward the servant. We all want to make sure we are faithful over the little God has given us because that is what He expects of His servants - to use them well and allow them to prosper for His glory. 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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What Will Your Legacy Be (2)
The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot. Proverbs 10:7, NIV
Inventor Charles F. Kettering once said, “The greatest thing this generation can do is lay a few stepping-stones for the next generation.” Short term, when people recall your name, they may talk with admiration about what you accomplished and acquired for yourself. Long term, what they’ll remember most is what you did for others. That’s why the Bible says, “The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot” (Proverbs 10:7). If you want to be a blessing to others, (1) you must truly care about people and show it, and (2) you must appreciate how great an impact a good legacy can have. Educator D. Elton Trueblood is said to have written, “We have made at least a start in discovering the meaning in human life when we plant shade trees under which we know full well we will never sit,” The great orator Henry Ward Beecher (Henry Ward Beecher was a renowned clergyman, author, anti-slavery activist, and reformer in the 19th century) said: “We should so live and labor in our times that what came to us as seed may go to the next generation as blossom, and what came to us as blossom may go to them as fruit. This expresses the true spirit in the love of mankind.” So what will your legacy be? What must you stop doing…start doing…or do more to make it a reality? It’s never too early to start thinking about what you want your life to mean after you’re gone. Just like the PS at the bottom of a letter, your legacy tells the people who follow you: “This is what my life was all about!”
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
What Will Your Legacy Be? (1)
A good person leaves an inheritance. Proverbs 13:22, NIV
Leadership expert Dr. John Maxwell writes: “On December 1998, I had a serious heart attack. The night as I lay on the floor waiting for an ambulance, I remember thinking two things: First, I was too young to die. Second, I had not completed some of the things I wanted to accomplish…One of the most beneficial outcomes of my heart attack experience was that it motivated me to ask myself, ‘What will my legacy be?’ A legacy is something we leave behind to the next generation. It can be possessions that we place in the hands of others. It can be principles we lived that carry on beyond our lives. It also can be people we have influenced whose lives are better as a result of knowing us.” Always try to keep these two things in mind: (1) Today is all you’ve got. Remember the words on a tombstone that read: “Expected this, but not just yet!” We all hope for a long life, but none of us knows if we’ll see tomorrow. “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring” (Proverbs 27:1). (2) You will leave a legacy. “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous” (Proverbs 13:22). Note, a good man or woman can leave a legacy that blesses the next two generations. So focus on being good and doing good, and ask yourself regularly, “How do I want to be remembered by my loved ones? When my time here runs out, will I continue to influence others for good and for God?”
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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Stages of the Vision
In due season he will honor you. Psalm 37:34, TLB
In farming, there’s a time for sowing, a time for growing, and a time for reaping. It’s the same in God’s kingdom. One missionary tells of hearing a group of seasoned leaders discussing their shared experiences from which a fascinating five-stage process emerged.
Stage 1: The birth of the vision. Initially each of them was given a vision by the Holy Spirit, accompanied by an excitement and abiding awareness that it was from God.
Stage 2: The preparation. This is the stage where dreams are often aborted because we don’t want to do the necessary preparation. When God gives you a vision, there must be some action on your part or it will never amount to anything more than a passing daydream.
Stage 3: The wilderness and the struggle. One of our biggest misconceptions is that if something is a really from God, there’ll be no struggle involved. That’s a myth! You can almost guarantee a significant amount of struggle will be required. This stage is the proving ground of our faithfulness, and there’s no substitute.
Stage 4: The realization of the vision. This is where we finally get to enjoy the fruits of our diligent preparation and God’s faithfulness.
Stage 5: New beginnings and vision. These leaders all found themselves challenged again with fresh vision from the Holy Spirit. As a result, they concluded that their lives had been a continual cycle of ever-expanding vision, and as God entrusted them with more, it would take even greater amounts of preparation and the intensity of the battle would increase. Now you understand the stages of your vision!
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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Laying in the Dirt
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. Romans 1:18, ESV
I was laying on a lounge chair in the back yard and had the scriptures playing in the background. Ever since God told me that the soil was just like the scriptures, I sometimes say I am laying in the dirt. It reminds me of being a kid and just loving getting dirty. The dirt would be under my fingernails, on my legs, and in my toes. As I sat listening, I thought, “Yes God, let's get the dirt all up under my nails and feet!”
As the scriptures played the verse above, Romans 1:18, leaped in my soul. I knew that I had written about this verse before but for some reason God laid it upon my heart again. My focus for the verse was on the second clause, “…who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth”. I looked up the verse in the King James version and it read, “…the unrighteous hold the truth in their unrighteousness.” I knew Apostle Paul was writing to Roman who belonged to Jesus Christ. He was speaking about God’s wrath upon the unrighteous, saying that God has revealed to every person the truth but they suppress it, or push it down. They understand their behavior is wrong, but they ignore the truth to do what they want to do.
I let that thought sit for a while and God begin to show me how I can do the same thing. He said “When you are upset with your husband and I tell you to hold your peace, you suppress the truth and say what you want to say. You know your behavior is not the avenue of peace but because you feel like you need to be heard, you shut down the truth and move! You know the truth, and you hold it in your unrighteousness.” I immediately repented and thanked God for His grace!
The scripture goes on to say in verse 19, “…for what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.” This is interesting, because in the midst of my behavior I did not understand I was holding on to the truth and moving into the realm of unrighteousness. But God had shown me that my response was not going to end the conversation well. He literally let me see how my husband was going to respond. So I could not say I did not know. I carried the truth of what God had shown me into my unrighteous behavior. Ouch!
You know when I started listening to the scripture that day, I said “Yes God, I want to get dirty”. However, I did not know it meant getting the scripture in every particle of my being. God wants us to know the truth about ourselves, so we do not think we are going to heaven and ended up right beside those whom we call unrighteous. God is after His people, wanting them to walk in truth and righteousness. For scripture says “…[in the gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed…” (Romans 1:17). We need to stay in the dirt!
Father, thank you for this word. Thank you for breaking down every particle so we understand that our eyes must stay on you. We repent for our disobedience, and we ask for forgiveness of our sin. Thank you for your correction, 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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Harvesting: What are You Producing?
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Matthew 9:37, ESV
Just about the time you think you are finished with a subject, the Holy Spirit brings it up again. I heard the Holy Spirit ask me, “What are you harvesting?” At first, I thought “Well, people; those that are lost”. While pondering the question further, I got clarity, and I understood what He was asking. The Holy Spirit was asking what I was harvesting in my heart.
The scripture above says the harvest is plentiful. When I reflect on what is plentiful in my heart, I want it to be full of the Holy Spirit and love. In order to have those qualities harvested out of me I have to plant them in me first. When I accepted Jesus Christ as Lord, He came to live on the inside of me. But to produce the fruit His spirit brings, I have to work the soil by spending time with Him daily.
If we can just think of how much time we spend nurturing the plants in our garden, we can begin to see how much time we need to spend with our Father to produce His fruits. We have to make sure our plants are watered every day, that they are placed in the right conditions and given the nutrients they need to thrive. We are providing care for our plants daily because we want them to produce a bountiful harvest of fruit.
This is so good. We cannot expect that accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Him living on the inside of us is all that is needed to bear fruit. Just like purchasing a fruit tree: we can purchase the tree and bring it home, but if that is all we do, we will never reap the desired results. The tree will dry up and die. WOW! Why do we expect anything different when it comes to our relationship with Christ?
God said that one of the greatest commandments is to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (Matthew 22:37). When we love, we give our full attention – we make it our top priority. If God is not first in your life, then you are harvesting the wrong fruit.
Father, Thank you for revealing to us that we have to co-create with you to harvest the fruit that looks like you. We repent from not making you our priority. We ask that you help us to change our schedules so that everything else comes after you. In Jesus’ name, amen!
You are the source of my strength, You are the strength of my life! I lift my hands in total praise to you! This song keeps showing up in my spirit so I just felt led to pass it on to 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
Walking in Authority
I had the opportunity to take this empowerment class called “Walking in Authority.” I can tell you that it was not what I expected but so much more!
One particular portion of this class focused on relationships. In the beginning I would have never thought relationships would be a part of the study, but it was so good. The study focus was “How To Build Rich Relationships or Repair Broken Relationships”. In our materials, one of the writings said this: “Walking In Authority, leadership requires a commitment to work on yourself more than you work on others, along with intentionally practicing being better day by day.”
I left the class with these questions on my heart:
What are some of the most powerful deposits someone has made into my Relational Bank Account (RBA)?
What are some of the most powerful deposits I have made into someone else’s RBA?
What is it like to be in a relationship with you?
How would you score if you had to rate how well you’re doing in your relationships?
Later in the week I sat meditating on those questions and I realized that I could give a whole lot more into the ones I love and those I call friends’ bank accounts. I thought about Jesus being our example and how daily He makes sure through the Holy Spirit that our bank account is full. We just have to access Him because the Holy Spirit is always with us. I want to leave you with these quotes that were given to us in class:
Maya Angelou said it this way, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you have said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
“Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence.”—Sheryl Sandberg
In closing, these writings from the class spoke volumes to all of us in attendance and I pray you will always remember this “...personally and professionally, people’s greatest joy and greatest pain come from relationships. We are all involved in a multitude of relationships: family friends, associates, peers, supervisors, pastors, the community and the world”. How we treat every single person is so important!!
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
Desperate for God
“The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination and intention, all human thinking was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on earth, and He was grieved at heart.” (Genesis 6:5-6)
It’s about 4:00 a.m. I am up and my heart is desperate for God. The song Let It Rain is playing in the background. I started reading Genesis 6 about the story of Noah when my eyes landed on verse 5-6, “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination and intention, all human thinking was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on earth, and He was grieved at heart.”
I read down through verse 8-9 where it says, “Noah found grace (favor) in the eyes of the Lord. Noah was a just man and perfect in his generation, and Noah walked with God.” Then for some reason the song in the background became louder and I heard these words: “What we have is not working and what we are doing is not changing anything.” I paused the song and meditated on those words, “What we have is not working. What we are doing is not changing anything.” What are we doing? In the USA we have greater access to the word of God than probably any other time in our history.
I remember a woman used to say to me, “You cannot continue to do the same thing and expect different results.” Noah was doing something that brought change. He was doing something that made God take notice of his heart. I wanted to dig further in the scripture when the Holy Spirit reminded me of Joshua 1:8. It says, “This book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but thou shall meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shall have good success.”
Did you know that at the time Noah walked with God the Bible was not even written? Noah’s family was from Adam and Eve’s third son, Seth. Noah’s great-grandfather was Enoch who the Bible says “...walked with God [in habitual fellowship]: and he was not [found among men], for God took him [home with Him]” (Genesis 5:22-24). Even though generations had passed before Noah was born we know he heard about his great-grandfather because he did as Enoch did; he walked with God.
Father, My heart is so heavy for our nation…I don’t even know the words to pray. Many people are just like those in the days of Noah, so blinded by the cares of this world and missing You. You shut us in our homes and removed all the distractions and yet, many still cannot see or hear you. Praise you God that Your word says, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27, ESV). In Jesus' name we pray and say thank you. 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/@jccministriestv8904
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
Expression of the Flesh
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Luke 6:46, ESV
I was sitting at my desk feeling a little nervous because I was behind on my writing. I don’t like to write a message the day before posting. I want to be ahead of schedule so that they are all lined up, preferably a month in advance. I was literally sitting at my keyboard waiting for God to speak into my heart what He wanted written.
Then, God just spoke to my spirit; it is going to be a lot of work! At that moment, my flesh did not want to dig that deep into the word. I was literally procrastinating while I typed this on the screen! I can’t believe how transparent God was having me be in this message! I had truly hope He did not have me post what I was writing in the moment because it is totally embarrassing…
Have you ever asked God for something and He gives you the answer, but you don’t want to do what He instructed you to do, so you put it off? If so, then you know exactly how I felt! But guess what? Putting off what He instructed is total disobedience. Delayed obedience is disobedience. Ugh! I’m going to do exactly what He says as soon as I finish writing this devotional. I was just hoping He would change his mind!
We serve an amazing God who is patient with us. He understands the behavior of our flesh but will not tolerate disobedience. Ouch! I think that last line was for me! Okay, I think you have got the message. Move when God says move, no matter what the flesh feels like!
I know that right now I am in a battle between my flesh and my spirit. In the previous paragraphs above my flesh was saying what it wanted. But now I am giving my flesh over to God and I will obey Him. I must go write another devotional!
The lesson here is to be obedient to whatever God tells you and move when He says move.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
https://www.youtube.com/@jccministriestv8904
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
Desperate
I heard this song “Desperate For You” and I began to say to God, “I want to be desperate for you”.
As I prayed I found that I am the most desperate for God when I am in the midst of all my pain, trials and temptations that come my way. I wanted to be desperate for God but I did not know I was asking for growth. Growth comes with difficulty, pain and hard times. I did not know that to have that starvation for you would cause you to bring challenges to me, challenges that help me know who you are. When you fulfilled my request, I complained. I complained about the pain, the hard times, and not having enough. I complained about the hard boss, about the sickness, about not understanding. I complained about the rude clerk, the brokenness of friendship, the job, the co-workers… it was all for my benefit and I complained. I did not understand when you spoke to me about mumbling, grumbling, constantly complaining and trying to plead my case, you were doing a work in me.
Thank you. Thank you for revelation light, for revealing yourself to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you for loving me anyway.
Truly I am completely lost without you.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCJCMinistriestv:
https://www.youtube.com/@jcjcministriestv8904
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
Tissue Box
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24, ESV
I was in my prayer room praying with the lights off in the wee hours of the morning. I always keep a Kleenex box close to me because when I pray, I usually start crying. The Holy Spirit's presence brings me such awe and joy the only expression I have is to cry.
My box of tissue usually sits on my desk or somewhere in close proximity to where I am praying. This morning I grabbed the box and put it in arms reach. The first time I went to grab for a Kleenex I just moved my hand toward the box and it was an easy reach. The next time I went for the box, I could not find it. I kept feeling around in the dark while I was praying. I did not want to open my eyes or to stop praying to look for the box but I could not seem to locate it with my hands.
When I opened my eyes, I still could not locate it. I heard myself say, “The box was just here!” while I felt around trying to find it in the dark. The more I looked the more I could not see it. A bit frustrated, I said “Holy Spirit, where is the box?" and then it was revealed right in front of me. I reached out my hand and pulled the box close to my chest.
The Holy Spirit said, “That is exactly where all your answers are to your prayers; they are right in front of you.” He said, “When you ask, the answer is right there. I have said yes and given you what you have prayed for. You did not believe the Kleenex box was there, you knew it was there!” To believe is to consider to be true or honest to know: is to perceive directly: have direct cognition of: be convinced or certain of. I knew the Kleenex box was there because I had put it there. God said I have to know that when I pray, He puts the answer before me. While I believe, there can still be traces of doubt that hinder me from receiving what I have prayed for.
When we pray we have to know (be convinced or certain) that God’s promises are true and that He answers our prayers. There can be no doubt. God said just like reaching for that Kleenex box, looking for it until I found it and pulling it in close…that is exactly how we have to be with our prayers! When we pray according to His will, we have to look with expectation for the answer. We don’t look because we don’t know that the prayer is answered! Scripture says, “…without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6, ESV).
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
Timing
As she came in, the king was talking with Gehazi, the servant of the man of God… 2 Kings 8:4, NLT
I remember listening to Joyce Meyer often and one of the things she would always say in her messages was “When God, when?” and “Why God, why?” She would be referring to how we ask God “When is this or that going to happen?” Timing is so important with God. He has everything designed for a certain time and we are called to trust Him. In Ecclesiastes 3 it says there is a time and a season for everything under the sun.
I was listening to the scriptures and it came upon the story of when Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, was telling the king of Israel all the things the man of God had done. While he was telling the king a story about a woman whose son Elisha had healed, the woman with her son walks in to see the king. Talk about timing! Now, you have to know the backstory to truly understand this amazing scene.
Sometime earlier, Elisha went to the town of Shunem where this woman lived. Whenever he would come to her town she would prepare food for him and would encourage him to come to her home. She was a wealthy woman but at the time she did not know that Elisha was a man of God, though she felt in her spirit that he was. So she asked her husband about putting a room in their home for Elisha and they had a room built for him. Whenever he came to town he would have a place to stay. Elisha wanted to do something for her because of her kindness and had learned that she had no children. So he prayed for her to have a son and God gave her a son. Some time later the son dies, but the woman goes and finds Elisha and he comes to her home and heals her son.
Here is where things get really good. Elisha later tells the lady to leave her home because there is going to be a famine in all of Israel for seven years. So the lady leaves for seven years and lives in the land of the Philistines. When Gehazi is speaking with the king about this lady the famine is over and she has returned to ask the king for her home and land back! Scripture says “...the Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV). God had taken care of everything before she could even reach the King and resolved her issues.
It does not matter what we are going through or what we are experiencing in our lives, right this very moment God has a plan! We all know there is no way that her timing could have worked like that unless God’s hand was in it. The king could not believe what Elisha was telling him so he asked the women about the miracle himself and she told him the whole story. The king directed one of his officials to see to it that everything she had lost was restored to her, including the value of any crops that had been harvested during her absence!
Be encouraged, God’s timing is perfect! If you would like to read more about this story, you can find it in 2 Kings 4-8.
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
The Grind
Since I retired, I have been focusing on projects the Holy Spirit has placed in my heart. My husband retired before me and has been excitedly waiting for my retirement! He is an extravert - he’s very social and loves to do fun things. When he wakes up in the morning he is always excited about what we are going to do that day. He starts making plans and suggesting all these fun activities. For about a year I had been trying to balance my work projects and spending time with him enjoying our retirement. The main problem I encountered was not getting the results I wanted on my projects.
I was talking to God about how I can get these projects completed. Note to you: when asking God for direction, don’t think you’ll always like His answer. God always has a unique way of answering our questions, but He always makes sure we understand what He has said.
My husband and I were watching a Netflix documentary on retired record executive, producer, songwriter, film producer and television producer Berry Gordy, of which I knew very little about. There was an ongoing theme throughout the entire documentary about the number of hours he put into a project. His most productive time was in the wee hours of the morning.
In that moment I felt the Holy Spirit say, “The assignment I give requires sacrifice and grinding.” I knew that meant a change in my schedule. I started to think about ways to grind and what sacrifices I needed to make. The conclusion: sleep was the necessary sacrifice. I changed the time I started my morning to have time to work on projects. It is actually quite peaceful waking up earlier, when your mind is clear enough to hear the Holy Spirit lead you.
There was one other thing that caught my attention in the documentary. Berry said that he took one of his proposals to Quincy Jones. He wanted Quincy’s direction and advice. When he gave the project to him, he told him not to listen to track four and seven because they are not that good. Quincy looked at him and said, “Does this have your name on it? Is this how you want to represent yourself?” In that moment Berry said it forever changed the way he worked. Everything he did after that had to be excellent!
My girlfriend has this saying: excellent or nothing. Whatever she puts out has to be excellent or it is not delivered. God requires us to grind and to give our best. He gave us His best and what He has placed inside of us is excellent. He wants nothing less in return.
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
Struggle
I woke up early in the morning. I knew God had awakened me for the purpose of prayer, but I was really tired. To tell you the truth, I was irritated that my husband was lying next to me coughing horribly - he had been sick with the flu. I could feel my chest starting to take on his sickness and I was not in the right frame of mind to pray, but I did. Right there in my bed.
I was not happy with my attitude towards my husband and had started thinking about everything that was going on in my head. My mind was in a vicious cycle and I was becoming upset with myself. My feet had not yet touched the floor and Satan was already trying to get me off track! He did not want me to pray that morning.
There was nothing wrong with my body but it felt good to just lay there. I did not want to get out of bed and continued to pray in my heart. While praying, I remembered I had made a decision to acknowledge God in my laziness. I tried to reason with myself that I was not feeling that good, so it was okay to be lazy just this once. But I knew in my heart it was not the truth. At some point during that battle in my mind, I got up out of bed and went to my prayer room.
Before I could open the door to my prayer room I heard a song in my heart and began to worship God. At first it seemed that worship was a struggle but I heard myself say “Thank you God for the struggle in worship because you are working something out in me.” I began to thank God for every trouble - for laziness and for every thought that was taking me down. While in worship, I found myself being lifted up. I began praising God as I thanked Him for my sorrows and troubles because He reminded me that it was all for my good. Needless to say my prayer time went on much longer than I had planned but I was grateful to be in God’s presence. I felt so much better and uplifted when I finished.
Satan meets us first thing in the morning. Before we can even get our thoughts together he has already pounced! As a believer we have to push past everything that Satan throws at us. We must remember that what Jesus did for us did not feel good to Him at all. He was given thirty-nine lashes, ripping His skin from His body. He had a crown of thorns pressed down into His head and nails hammered in His hands and feet. He hung on the cross, and His side was pierced with a spear. All this and much more was done so our sins could be washed away. It took all of this so we could have everlasting life. Family, how dare we not move. How dare we try and serve God in our laziness. Salvation costs, and so does intimacy with God.
We cannot afford to let Satan lie to us that it is okay to not give God our best when God gave us His all. Satan’s goal is to take us down to destroy God’s kingdom. When we don’t give God our best we are living a lukewarm Christianity. We all know what happens when we become lukewarm: “So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth” (Revelations 3:16, ESV). Let’s stay encouraged and faithful even in the midst of our struggles.
Father,
Thank you for all you have done and continue to do for us. Please forgive us for the areas in our lives where we have not given you our best. Our desire is to please you in every way. We pray for strength to beat back the enemy so we can walk in complete fullness of you. We never want to be in danger of getting lukewarm. Thank you for answering our prayer. 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
Seeds
I don’t know if I was sleeping or just resting in my thoughts, but the Holy Spirit began to talk to me about seeds. He showed me that we have millions of seeds placed on the inside of us. They are all gifts that have been passed down from our forefathers to us. The Holy Spirit showed me that the unfulfilled gifts and callings He planted in the generations before us reside in us now. There are so many seeds inside of us that we have a plethora of ideas to choose from!
Think of an orange tree. It produces so much fruit that we usually cannot begin to count how many oranges it bears. Now think about how many seeds are inside of each orange. If you count the seeds of all the oranges from that one tree you will have an idea of how much fruit one tree can bear. My God! It is the same with us! I’m reminded of the scripture from Matthew 6:30, ESV: “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?” God has put in us much more than He has put in the trees.
I find myself thinking of all kinds of wonderful things I would like to do, but many times in the past I let my ideas slip away because I wasn’t sure how to get started. Now I know with confidence that these are moments the Holy Spirit is speaking to me. He sends us ideas that we cannot even begin to fathom on our own, let alone start and complete. I have now learned to pray, thank God for ideas and seek His guidance on what to do next. I write those ideas down and put them on a sticky note behind the back of my office door and say, “Holy Spirit when you are ready, you will show me how to move on this idea (or seed)”.
Don’t miss what God has placed inside of you! Just ask Him for direction. It was His plan in the first place. He will show you what to do. 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