The Garden Lesson
Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. 1 Peter 5:8, NIV
I remember when I first started my garden. I was so eager to spend time with God and hear Him speak to me. I loved going out, sitting by my garden boxes, and waiting to hear from Him. As a new gardener with little experience, I wasn’t aware of all the work involved in gardening. Gently, God began to guide me, showing me what I needed to do to ensure the plants produced the fruit I was hoping for.
Now, I have to tell you, I dislike bugs very much—but there are all kinds of bugs in a garden. Some are beneficial, while others can destroy it completely. One day, as I was sitting by my garden boxes, waiting to hear from God, I noticed some large leaves on one of my plants. I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Turn that leaf over and look at it; it has some holes in it.” I turned the leaf over and saw tiny white specks. I didn’t know they were bugs or even that they could harm the plant.
Wearing gloves, I brushed them off as prompted. Then I inspected the other leaves and saw more of the same white stuff. I took out my phone and looked it up on Google—my first introduction to aphids!
Definition of aphids: a tiny bug that feeds by sucking sap from plants. It reproduces rapidly, often producing live young without mating, and can live in large colonies that cause extensive damage to crops. I have come to really dislike aphids!
The aphids had shown up without notice and would have destroyed my garden if God hadn’t guided me to pay attention. I immediately sprayed the plant and cut off some of the leaves to give it a fresh start. I’ve since learned that when I see ants in my garden, it’s a sign to look out for aphids!
Satan operates in much the same way—he never announces himself. Instead, he comes undercover. For example, I love working in the church and was happily serving in various roles. Serving and helping others made me feel fulfilled. But one day, God stopped me. He said, “I don’t want you to serve in any capacity at the church.” I was shocked. But He said, “No,” and sat me down.
During that season, He began to show me that I was covered with “aphids” that were about to take me out. He revealed that I was finding gratification and approval from others, and this was feeding my ego. Pride was creeping in. The Bible says, “Pride comes before destruction.” I had no idea! Although I was serving at the church, I was, in fact, serving myself. Satan had taken something good and turned it into self-destruction for me.
God showed me that I was on a path to destruction without even realizing it. Although that time was difficult, I am so grateful for the lessons I received. He opened my heart and eyes to truly see Him. He taught me that if my service is not for an audience of One—Him—I could be destroyed and not even know it. That’s exactly how the aphids work in my garden. They suck the life out of the plant.
Now, I practice preventative care in my garden. I spray before I see signs of aphids. I also do preventive maintenance in my service, checking in with God before I say yes to any activity. He keeps my heart aligned, and I seek His direction in my serving.
Key points:
Satan is always lurking especially in the good things.
Seek first the Kingdom of God in all things.
Check your flesh, it's always seeking some kind of self-gratification.
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 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 Garden Lesson 2
I remember when I first started my garden. I was so eager to spend time with God and hear Him speak to me. I loved going out, sitting by my garden boxes, and waiting to hear from Him. As a new gardener with little experience, I wasn’t aware of all the work involved in gardening. Gently, God began to guide me, showing me what I needed to do to ensure the plants produced the fruit I was hoping for.
Now, I have to tell you, I dislike bugs very much—but there are all kinds of bugs in a garden. Some are beneficial, while others can destroy it completely. One day, as I was sitting by my garden boxes, waiting to hear from God, I noticed some large leaves on one of my plants. I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Turn that leaf over and look at it; it has some holes in it.” I turned the leaf over and saw tiny white specks. I didn’t know they were bugs or even that they could harm the plant.
Wearing gloves, I brushed them off as prompted. Then I inspected the other leaves and saw more of the same white stuff. I took out my phone and looked it up on Google—my first introduction to aphids!
Definition of aphids: a tiny bug that feeds by sucking sap from plants. It reproduces rapidly, often producing live young without mating, and can live in large colonies that cause extensive damage to crops. I have come to really dislike aphids!
The aphids had shown up without notice and would have destroyed my garden if God hadn’t guided me to pay attention. I immediately sprayed the plant and cut off some of the leaves to give it a fresh start. I’ve since learned that when I see ants or holes on the leaves in my garden, it’s a sign to look out for aphids!
Satan operates in much the same way—he never announces himself. Instead, he comes undercover. For example, I love working in the church and was happily serving in various roles. Serving and helping others made me feel fulfilled. But one day, God stopped me. He said, “I don’t want you to serve in any capacity at the church.” I was shocked. But He said, “No,” and sat me down.
During that season, He began to show me that I was covered with “aphids” that were about to take me out. He revealed that I was finding gratification and approval from others, and this was feeding my ego. Pride was creeping in. The Bible says, “Pride comes before destruction.” I had no idea! Although I was serving at the church, I was, in fact, serving myself. Satan had taken something good and turned it into self-destruction for me.
God showed me that I was on a path to destruction without even realizing it. Although that time was difficult, I am so grateful for the lessons I received. He opened my heart and eyes to truly see Him. He taught me that if my service is not for an audience of One—Him—I could be destroyed and not even know it. That’s exactly how the aphids work in my garden. They suck the life out of the plant.
Now, I practice preventative care in my garden. I spray before I see signs of aphids. I also do preventive maintenance in my service, checking in with God before I say yes to any activity. He keeps my heart aligned, and I seek His direction in my serving.
Key points:
Satan is always lurking especially in the good things.
Seek first the Kingdom of God in all things.
Check your flesh, it's always seeking some kind of self-gratification.
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 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
No Nutrients
One of the elders at our church shared with me that during her quiet prayer time with God, He said the church was unrecognizable. I knew exactly what she meant. The behavior of God’s people has gotten so troubling that no one can tell believers from nonbelievers. Her words moved me deeply, and I understood what God was conveying. Although many believers have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and now have a righteous nature, their actions do not reflect Him, making it hard for unbelievers to see Christ in them.
As I meditated on this, it reminded me of a moment I had while running. The Holy Spirit prompted me to stop and ask two gentlemen if they were saved. The first one answered, "Yes, I’m saved," but his behavior and mannerisms did not reflect Christ. The second individual said, “I think I know God, but I’m not sure about being saved.” He had a spirit of humility, and his demeanor reflected Christ more than the one who claimed to be saved.
This experience reminded me of the soil in my garden. At the end of each season, I have to fertilize the garden again. Since all my boxes are above ground, the water washes the nutrients out through the bottom and onto the cement. If I don’t tend to my garden, it becomes unrecognizable, and weeds are the only things that grow there.
It’s the same for us as believers. If we aren’t spending time in the Word, continuously pouring into ourselves and revitalizing our souls with its nourishment, we can become unrecognizable. Our soil can become so dry and lifeless that we are no longer useful for the Kingdom. I am constantly renewing and enriching my soil to ensure that, when it’s time to plant seeds, they have everything needed to bear fruit. Time in the Word, prayer, and worship provide all the nutrients we need to produce fruit that reflects our Father.
Heavenly Father,
Glory and praise to Your holy name! I give You thanks for Your generosity, mercy, and kindness! You bring revelation to Your people so that we may pray and seek Your face in repentance. You told Solomon that if Your people, who are called by Your name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek Your face, and turn from their wicked ways, then You will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. Praise be to You, God, for Your unconditional love is far greater than we could ever imagine. I pray for a heart of conviction among all believers, that it leads to sincere repentance. Lord, show us the plank in our own eyes before we attempt to remove the speck from our neighbor's eye. I pray for healing in our souls so that we may serve You with all our hearts and be a light to the world. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Key points:
Contamination happens in our foundation when there is no nutrients.
Study of the word, worship, prayer and fellowship with other believers are imperative.
Pay attention to your behavior, and those you hang around, it will inform you of who you are reflecting.
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 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 Garden Lesson
The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. Genesis 2:15, ESV
I never really liked farming. My parents grew up on a farm and used to talk about it all the time. My father even considered buying a farm as a young man and raising his family there. Whenever he tells that story, I always say, “I’m so glad things didn’t work out and God led you to the city.” But in 2020, God placed it on my heart to start a garden. A dear friend of mine had started one, and every time she talked about her garden, she would tell me how God would speak to her there.
As I listened to her share what she learned from her time in the garden, I would say to God, “I want that experience. I want to hear You like that!” God responded, “Start a garden!” I had no interest in gardening, but her testimony stirred something within me. There was so much He wanted to teach me, and the garden would be my classroom. Adam and Eve recognized the sound of God before they heard Him speak in the garden. Scripture says, “And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day…” (Genesis 3:8, ESV). God wanted to teach me to recognize Him before He even spoke.
The garden is a reflection of the world—a place that holds lessons about everything in life. We often don’t fully understand what we see or what’s happening until the Holy Spirit reveals it. God uses the garden to bring clarity to His word, and it becomes a tool to help us learn more about ourselves and Him.
One morning while I was praying, the Holy Spirit brought my garden to mind. He showed me my squash plant and said, “There is a reservoir of squash inside that plant. It will continue to produce squash until its season is over.” Then He said, “The same is true for you. There is a reservoir of everything I’ve placed in you, waiting to be brought forth.”
He told me that the desires He placed within me are ready to emerge. Everything He declared about who I am and what I am to do is already there, sitting in my reservoir—it is who I am. The seed of the squash plant is squash, even when it’s still a seed. It just waits for someone to plant it in the ground so it can become all it’s meant to be.
When my squash plant starts to grow, all kinds of things try to attack it to prevent it from fulfilling its purpose. Aphids, weeds, bugs, ants, spiders, and worms can invade and completely destroy the garden if I’m not vigilant with preventive maintenance. This is just like life. Satan sends obstacles to try to destroy us before we can produce the fruit within us.
That’s why we must maintain preventive care in our lives. God has given us the keys to success. He told Joshua, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Joshua 1:8, ESV).
The Word of God is the wall that protects us from anything that comes against us. It is our assurance of success. Start walking in everything God has placed inside of you!
Key points:
Everything is in the garden.
You are not trying to become anything
You are already who God has said you are!
There is a reservoir inside of you.
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 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 Speaking Vision
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
I called this devotional “The Speaking Vision” because, while I was sleeping, I could feel God speaking to me. I could literally see what He was saying—His words were creating a vision in my mind as He spoke. Many would call this a dream, but it felt completely different; His words were transforming into visions as He spoke.
He was talking to me about trust, reminding me of the scripture, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path” (Proverbs 3:5-6). I instantly saw an image of Olympians running for the gold. He said to me, “They are running with all they have. Every Olympian gives everything within them to win gold. That’s how I want you to trust Me.”
He also said, “You don’t have to settle when you ask Me for something.” He reminded me, “I have called you kings and queens, so don’t settle for what you think you can afford when you’ve already asked Me to provide! If you wait and trust with all your heart that I’ve answered your prayer, don’t move.”
In my office, I had an old chair I’d used for years. The seat and arms were worn out, so my husband took me to look for a new one. We searched several stores, but I couldn’t find anything I loved. I didn’t want to order one online and risk having to return it if it didn’t work.
In one store, I found a chair that felt comfortable, but it wasn’t stylish or elegant. It looked like a plain executive chair without any character. As I sat in it, I kept thinking I didn’t want it in my office. My husband and the salesman were encouraging me, saying, “It’s comfortable, and you can get it today.” I was tempted to say yes because I felt like I had no other options. But then the Holy Spirit said, “Is that a queen’s chair?” I immediately realized He was telling me not to settle.
That prompting from the Holy Spirit reminded me I wasn’t walking in the full measure of faith He had given me—I wasn’t truly trusting Him with all my heart. Later, as I reflected on that moment, I realized I hadn’t been specific with God about the kind of chair I wanted. So, I became more descriptive in my prayers about what I was looking for, and now I’m on the lookout for the right chair.
Key points:
Don’t settle for less than what you have asked God for.
God does not need our help to provide for us.
Cling to God like running for the gold in trusting Him.
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 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
Obedience
A time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; Ecclesiastes 3:6, ESV
There is something powerful about writing out your vision. As I mentioned before, God has been leading me to write down the vision He has shown me for my life. It’s definitely been a process; as I start writing, He brings up scriptures and directions I would never have thought of on my own. Every time I sit down and read over what I've written, the Holy Spirit prompts me to add something or make adjustments. It’s truly a work in progress.
God has instructed me to read and speak my vision daily. I've noticed that when I speak this vision out loud, some incredible changes happen. One example involves our garage. I had been asking, even begging, my husband to clean it out. I went through and cleared everything that belonged to me to encourage him to sort his things, but he wasn’t ready to go through them. He would tackle a box here and there, but the clutter remained overwhelming.
Our garage was so cluttered that I was embarrassed; when people saw it, I’d apologize for the mess. But after I started speaking and praying over my vision book, my husband came to me and said, “I’m going to rent a storage unit to help clear out the garage. I’ll put things in the unit until I can sort through them.” He signed up for a three-month rental and, without any prompting from me, started going through boxes and getting rid of things. Interestingly, my vision book doesn’t specifically say that the garage will be cleaned out. However, some of the things I wrote down require a clean garage before they can happen.
While I’m thrilled about the garage being cleared, I’m even more excited to see how removing the clutter makes way for what God has spoken for us next. When we start following God’s guidance and obey His instructions, we begin to witness His miracles unfolding in our lives.
Key points
Obedience moves the hand of God.
The vision is so important
Speaking in alignment with God brings manifestation.
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 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
Seasons of Life
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13, ESV
I was praying for a sister whose husband was dying. My heart was so heavy. I went from scripture to scripture, praying the Word for his healing. In the midst of prayer, I landed on John 11:40, where Jesus asked Martha, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” This was when Lazarus, Martha’s brother, had died, and Jesus told them to roll the stone away from his tomb before raising Lazarus from the dead.
While meditating on that scripture, the story of Jacob came to mind. God had given Joseph, Jacob’s son, a dream, revealing that his brothers would bow down to him. Later, Joseph had another dream, and he told it to his brothers, saying, “Behold, I have dreamed another dream. Behold, the sun, the moon, and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” When he told the dream to his father and brothers, his father rebuked him, asking, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves to the ground before you?” His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind. (Genesis 37:9-11, ESV).
As I continued praying, God brought to mind the image of Jacob mourning for Joseph, believing he had been killed by a wild animal. His sons had dipped Joseph's robe in blood and brought it to Jacob, saying, “This we have found; please identify whether it is your son's robe or not.” Jacob identified it and said, “It is my son's robe. A fierce animal has devoured him. Joseph is without a doubt torn to pieces.” Then Jacob tore his garments, put sackcloth on his loins, and mourned for his son many days. Though all his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, he refused to be consoled, saying, “No, I shall go down to Sheol to my son, mourning.” Thus, his father wept for him. (Genesis 37:32-35)
Many times, when we are in desperate situations, it’s hard to believe that what God has said will come to pass. Martha’s brother had died, and even though Jesus stood right next to her, she could only see the situation in front of her. Similarly, God had sent a message to Jacob through Joseph about what would happen in the future, but because of his immediate grief, Jacob couldn’t see beyond the present.
When we received the news that my dad had bone marrow cancer, we were all saddened and immediately went into prayer. The very next day, my sister took my mom to a restaurant, and while they were in line, a woman approached my mom and offered to pray for her. They agreed, and during the prayer, the woman said, “Your husband is healed of cancer!” We cannot lose hope, no matter the situation. A few days later, my friend’s husband passed away. It wasn’t the news I had prayed for, but I knew deep in my soul that God had healed him. He was a believer, and scripture says that God takes away all sickness and disease. I was reminded that God’s thoughts and ways are far beyond my understanding, and I may not comprehend his purpose. But as a believer, I know he is caring for my friend, comforting her in her grief. He has surrounded her with love and support. Though she may never understand why God took her husband home, she can rely on him to carry her through this season and move forward into all he has planned for her.
Key points:
Do not lean on your own understanding.
God’s ways and thoughts are never like ours.
Trust in the Lord, He is our comforter.
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 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
Releasing Control
We were invited to a wedding in San Diego. When my husband heard about it, he said, “We’re going to drive, right?” I replied, “No, we’re going to fly.” As the days drew closer, my husband kept insisting that he wanted to drive. Now, driving from Sacramento to San Diego takes about ten hours, and I wasn’t looking forward to it, especially since we had free tickets and could fly. The flight would have taken just an hour and thirty minutes. But my husband wanted to stop along the way to visit some friends. Although I wasn’t kicking and screaming, I made it clear that I wasn’t thrilled about the idea of driving.
It’s interesting how we think we’ve fully surrendered control to God until a situation arises where we want to control the outcome to best fit what we want. Through this trip, I learned that what I thought was best for me wasn’t actually right. We ended up having an amazing time driving. We chatted the whole way, listened to Bible teachings together, and discussed them. We stopped whenever we wanted, bought snacks, and I even reclined my seat and took a nap. It was so much fun and incredibly relaxing—nothing like I had imagined. The drive didn’t feel long at all. At some point during the trip, I thanked my husband for choosing to drive and admitted that I had been wrong. The drive turned out to be the best thing for us, and we had a fabulous time together.
Scripture says, “Man makes his plans, but God directs our path.” Many times, when God is guiding us, it doesn’t align with our plans. Our plans usually don’t match up with God’s path, so when he takes control, we’re tempted to resist or complain. I believe it’s a test to see if we’ve truly surrendered to him. When we’ve genuinely let go, we’re adaptable and don’t complain.
David is a perfect example of surrendering control. When King Saul was chasing him to take his life, God gave David several opportunities to kill Saul, but David refused to harm him. He was content to trust that God would fight his battle. David had fully surrendered control to God (1 Samuel 24-31). When we say, “I surrender, Lord. Not my will, but yours be done,” you can be assured, God will test us. Often, it’s in the simplest moments that the test comes. Your boss might say, “Let’s take the stairs,” but you prefer the elevator. “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand” (Proverbs 19:21, ESV).
Key points:
Pay attention to the agitation of the heart. It may be that you are fighting to control.
Be adaptable without complaint to God’s direction.
God always knows best, release.
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 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
Obedience to God
The king said to the man of God, “Come home with me for a meal, and I will give you a gift.”But the man of God answered the king, “Even if you were to give me half your possessions, I would not go with you, nor would I eat bread or drink water here. For I was commanded by the word of the Lord: You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came.” So he took another road and did not return by the way he had come to Bethel. 1 Kings 13:7-10
In the passage above, God had given the Man of God instructions to go to Bethel and speak with Jeroboam while he was making a sacrifice at the altar. Jeroboam wanted to offer the king a gift, but the king refused and followed God’s instruction. The message is such a warning for us, see the passage: By the word of the Lord a man of God came from Judah to Bethel, as Jeroboam was standing by the altar to make an offering. By the word of the Lord he cried out against the altar: “Altar, altar! This is what the Lord says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David. On you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who make offerings here, and human bones will be burned on you.” That same day the man of God gave a sign: “This is the sign the Lord has declared: The altar will be split apart and the ashes on it will be poured out.” When King Jeroboam heard what the man of God cried out against the altar at Bethel, he stretched out his hand from the altar and said, “Seize him!” But the hand he stretched out toward the man shriveled up, so that he could not pull it back. 5 Also, the altar was split apart and its ashes poured out according to the sign given by the man of God by the word of the Lord. Then the king said to the man of God, “Intercede with the Lord your God and pray for me that my hand may be restored.” So the man of God interceded with the Lord, and the king’s hand was restored and became as it was before. 1 Kings 13:1-6, ESV
After the man of God restored the king’s hand, the king invited him to receive a reward for what he had done. But the man of God stood his ground. What happens next reminds us of how easily we can allow our flesh to cause us to fail. Satan is always looking to devour us and we must remember that he is the father of lies.
Now there was a certain old prophet living in Bethel, whose sons came and told him all that the man of God had done there that day. They also told their father what he had said to the king. Their father asked them, “Which way did he go?” And his sons showed him which road the man of God from Judah had taken. So he said to his sons, “Saddle the donkey for me.” And when they had saddled the donkey for him, he mounted it 14 and rode after the man of God. He found him sitting under an oak tree and asked, “Are you the man of God who came from Judah?” “I am,” he replied. So the prophet said to him, “Come home with me and eat.”
The man of God said, “I cannot turn back and go with you, nor can I eat bread or drink water with you in this place. I have been told by the word of the Lord: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water there or return by the way you came.’”
The old prophet answered, “I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the Lord: ‘Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.’” (But he was lying to him.) So the man of God returned with him and ate and drank in his house. While they were sitting at the table, the word of the Lord came to the old prophet who had brought him back. He cried out to the man of God who had come from Judah, “This is what the Lord says: ‘You have defied the word of the Lord and have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. You came back and ate bread and drank water in the place where he told you not to eat or drink. Therefore your body will not be buried in the tomb of your ancestors.’”
When the man of God had finished eating and drinking, the prophet who had brought him back saddled his donkey for him. As he went on his way, a lion met him on the road and killed him, and his body was left lying on the road, with both the donkey and the lion standing beside it.
This passage reminds us of how closely we have to obey the word of God. The man of God was adamant when he spoke to the king about what he could not do and he did not go with the king. But maybe because the old man who said he was a prophet and the man of God was a prophet he let his guard down and believed his words. Listen, when God gives you instructions, unless he comes back and tells you something different follow what he says. And if someone comes to you telling you something opposite of what God told you, I don’t care who they are, check in with God yourself. The Holy Spirit is with you forever, you can always count on him to guide you correctly!
Key points:
Satan is always lurking for a way to deceive you.
Follow the first instructions God has given you.
God is not the author of confusion.
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 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
Obedience is So Important
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” Luke 6:46, ESV
I was driving home from the Bay Area around 2:00 pm which is a high traffic time. I put my home address in the GPS to see if there was a shorter route. The GPS gave me directions to get off the main highway and head in a different direction. I had gone the way the GPS wanted me to go before, and I did not want to go that way because of all the back roads. So I did not follow those instructions I received. While sitting in traffic I heard the Holy Spirit say, "Why are you not following the instructions? If you don’t want to follow the instructions given, then turn it off. It is like me giving you instructions, but you want to do things your own way.”
I knew then that I was in the midst of receiving a lesson from the Holy Spirit. I waited and then the GPS begin to say, “Take this next exit for a 20 minuets faster route to your destination.” I was like, “Oh yeah! I can do this because this exit will not take me back to that back road path that I had taken before!” But when I got off the exit it literally took me all the way back to the path I did not want to take. I was so bummed. As I sat at the exit it reminded me of how God gives us instructions, and we don’t follow them. But when we decide to obey him we start at that same place he told us to in the beginning. I started to tell God (as if he did not already know) that I did not want to go that way because I did not like all the back roads. About ten minuets into the route the GPS said there was a 30 minute delay on this highway so it began rerouting me to Interstate 5. I was so excited because that is the way I wanted to go in the beginning! The direction the GPS gave me to get back to Interstate 5 avoided all the traffic. I mean I literally traveled all the way to the Interstate 5 without any traffic! When I got back to the highway I was maybe 40 minuets away from my home.
I then heard the Holy Spirit say, “When you follow my instructions, it may not look like what you want, but I know what’s best for you and understand the desires of your heart.” I cannot begin to tell you the route I took to get home, but following those instructions brought me to where I was trying to get to without the Bay Area traffic! I believe that was God’s ultimate plan. See I wanted to avoid that back road path, but the Holy Spirit had never planned to take me that way. I just needed to do what the GPS said.
Obedience keeps us in alignment and gets us to the things God has put in our heart. Remember how King David stayed obedient to God and never put his hands on King Saul; even when God put King Saul into his hands? David did not take matters into his own hands. Every move we take does one of two things, it draws us closer to the desire God has placed in our heart, or it moves us away from it. If you want to receive all that God has for you, continue to walk in obedience. What does that look like? Following his instructions. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul. Love your neighbor as yourself. Meditate on the word day and night. Trust in the Lord with all that heart, and lean not on your own understanding. That is exactly what David did he trusted God. When I was sitting with my GPS I was starting to lean on my own understanding and that was taking me out of alignment. Keep your heart after God and you will succeed in all that he has given to you!
Key points:
Faith is trusting even when you do not understand his instructions.
Every instruction has purpose.
Leaning on your own understanding will lead you out of his path.
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 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
My Behavior does not Determine My Identity
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21
I remember a deacon at our church let his daughter throw a party and they invited several of us from the church to come. They had great music and I love to dance so I got up and started dancing. I was having a great time and then the deacon came over to me and said, “How can you be dancing and you are a pastor’s kid? If God came back today, would you go to heaven?” In my mind I wanted to say, “Well you are the one hosting the party with the music so would you go to heaven?” But I did not. My parents had raised me to be respectful. I do not quite remember how I responded. However, for a long time that comment stuck with me. It made me think that I had sinned and God did not love me anymore and I was no longer righteous. I felt like I had to work to please God.
The deacon was only speaking from what he knew. He did not realize that our actions do not determine our identity with Christ. Scripture teaches that For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 When Jesus died and took on our debt of sin, he was righteous. He lived a righteous life on the earth and he offers that gift of righteousness to us. We were born with a sin nature. But when we accept Jesus Christ as our personal savior we move from a sin nature to a righteous nature.
As a teenager I had already accepted Jesus Christ. So, way back then my behavior could have never affected my position in Christ. The behavior of dancing could have never taken me out of right standing with God. I went looking through the Bible and I could not find anywhere where it said that dancing was a sin. Actually David danced before the Lord! The Bible does say that behaving in a lewd way is a work of the flesh. So, we know not to dance in that way. But I believe that God wants us to enjoy the music, dance and have a great time. Listen, even if dancing were a sin, it could not remove me from my righteousness in Christ. Our behavior does not determine our identity.
We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:23-24, NLT
Key Points:
Righteousness is a gift from God.
Righteousness is my identity; even though my behavior may not be right.
God is not angry because you mess up. He already died for your mess up.
Obedience to God demonstrates our love for him.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My 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
Heaviness
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Some years back, I remember my husband sharing with me this story of one of his friends who was moving into a new home they had purchased. They had this grand piano that they wanted to move into the house. Instead of hiring someone to help them move this into their home they decided to do it themselves. The husband was on one end and the wife on the other. For a little bit, it seemed that they were going to get it into the house without any problems. But at some point the piano became too heavy for his wife and she dropped it. Pieces of the piano fell apart and they still had to hire someone to help move it into their home. In addition to getting help to move it into the house they had to hire someone to fix the piano!
When the word “heaviness” came into my spirit that was the first thing that came to mind. Life happens and things just come upon us. In a span of maybe two weeks I was told that my cousin had fallen and was basically incapacitated and would be put into a nursing home. A dear friend had lost her husband due to cancer and another friend’s infant grandson had been admitted to the hospital. It felt like the load kept getting heavier and heavier, and although I prayed it seemed like things were getting worse.
One morning I laid on the floor and I just cried, “God!” Before I could get another word out of my mouth, I saw the blood of Jesus. I saw the power in the blood of Jesus: the healing, deliverance, comfort, and provision. I saw it all in the blood of Jesus! I can’t quite articulate how I saw it, but he showed me all the power running through the blood. I was praying for the answer and it was all in his blood. I just started pleading the blood of: healing, deliverance, comfort and I could feel change happening in each situation. As I prayed for others my own strength just increased!
Later the Holy Spirt said, “Just like that piano was too heavy for his wife to carry, all the situations that you face are too heavy for you. That is why I am here. I am the mover and the fixer. It was never in the plan for you to carry anything, you were to bring everything to me and I would take care of every situation.” Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22, ESV
Key points:
Heaviness is too heavy for you.
The power is in the blood.
Release the load to Jehovah.
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 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
Grumbling Moves You
Then Amalek came and fought against Israel at Rephidim, Exodus 17:8, ESV
All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” So Moses cried to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” Exodus 17:1-4
Two months after Israel left Egypt, they started to grumble and complain to God about food and water. God had brought them out of Egypt, delivered them from Pharaoh’s army and now they were complaining because they had no water. They had two choices to ask Moses: to seek God on their behalf, or complain. They chose to complain and they even said, “Is the Lord among us or not?”
What they did not realize is that their complaining had given their exact location to their enemy. When we complain we move ourselves out of alignment with God and we open the door for Satan to bring on trails and tribulations. Scripture says, “Right there in Rephidim, where God had told them to camp, the Amalek came and fought with them.” So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. God gave Israel victory with Amalek, but they still had to fight the war.
In scripture, we see again Israel was in route to the promise land and they grumble and complain again against Moses and God. From Mount Hor they set out by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. And the people became impatient on the way. And the people spoke against God and against Moses, “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food.” Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. Numbers 21:4-6, ESV
We can learn from Israel that every time they complained it moved them from a place of peace and provision to a place of destruction and devastation. God has already ordained a good plan for our life. He has told us that we will have trouble and tribulations in the world, but to be of good courage because he has overcome the world. John 16:33. When things seem harder than we can bear, it is important that we do not allow ourselves to complain, but to turn to God and pray. We saw that every time Moses found himself in a difficult position he prayed and God answered him. Scripture says, “But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.” Psalm 66:19, ESV. We have an assurance that God hears our prayers and that he will never leave us or forsake us!
Key points:
Complaining against God opens the door for Satan.
God has ordained a good and prosperous life for you.
Do not let your mouth move you out of alignment with God.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My 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
Fruit
No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. John 15:4, NIV
I went out into my garden and I saw all kinds of vegetables growing on the vine. I was so excited! I harvested some of the vegetables and I told my husband that I was going to cook some for an event and take them there. My husband was like, “No, I would like some of the home grown vegetables too! You always want to give away what you get!” He was right, I love to give and see others enjoy the blessings of God!
I was sitting down writing and the Holy Spirit said to me “fruit”. I love how he gives you one word and behind that one word is a complete teaching. He said that your plant went under pressure as a seed, burst open and is now producing fruit. He reminded me that every believer, whether they can see it or not, is producing fruit. Many times we look at our progress and if it is not where we think it should be we can get disappointed. A dear friend called me sometime ago whom I had not spoken to in quite awhile. I asked about her family and she was telling me everything that was going on.
Her grandson, a child with autism whom she takes care of is about nineteen years old. Because of some of his circumstances she is unable to physically attend services at the church. It may feel to her like she is not producing fruit because her grandson is not advancing as quickly as she would like. But God has put her assignment right in front of her and her grandson is watching her model the love of God everyday. Many times what God has assigned to us looks so different than what we think. She said that her grandson loves the Lord!
I was reminded of Ruth and how she married her husband Ruth 1-2. After ten years he died. She did not even get the opportunity to have a child with her husband. But God had another plan that would have her produce fruit that she could never have imagined. After moving away from her home town with her mother-in-law Naomi, God ordained another husband for Ruth and she would give birth to a son who was the grandfather of King David.
When scripture says that God knows us and he has ordained what is best for us, it may look dark and bleak in our circumstances, but as long as we stay connected to the vine, we are producing fruit! Most importantly, do not let Satan get you into a spirit of comparison, every tree blooms where they are planted. God has planted you and you are right where you need to be!
Key points:
We produce fruit even though we may not be able to see it.
Be encouraged, the path God has you on is the right path.
God never makes mistakes.
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 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
You Are What You Eat
There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him.” Mark 7:15, ESV
I was sitting at the kitchen table writing because my hubby was following this recipe I had given him to cook. I was trying to help him and at the same time write. In the midst of our conversation, he said, “You are what you eat.” He was referring to how much time I spend studying and reading the word. I was telling him that I was excited about what God had just dropped in my spirit as I was writing. I get so excited when I am writing! God just drops a word and I know it only comes from him!
When my husband made the statement, I thought about how much information we absorb in a day. Our little grandson is five months old and while visiting us on the 4th of July, he was so stimulated by all the people that were at our house. It did not matter who was playing with him, when the door opened or someone else walked into the room his head would turn to see who was there. Although he didn’t yet understand, he was constantly gathering information. Daily we are feeding ourselves information; whether we know it or not.
Everything that comes to us we are eating. You have to purposefully make a conscientious effort to watch what you allow to get into your spirit. Many individuals pay attention to what they put in their physical bodies, which is good, but nothing is more important than how we feed our spiritual body. Listen, whatever you bring in, is what is going to come out. And what is in the heart defiles the person. I have purposely made it a goal of mine to not receive negative talk of any kind. Sometimes it drives my husband crazy, but I will not do it! One day I read this article or heard a teaching and the speaker said, “Go on a negative fast!” That has been the best thing for my life. I refuse to bring negative information into my spirit. I cannot look like Jesus and fulfill the call on my life allowing myself to eat junk!
Satan is working overtime to devour believers and the way he does it, is through what we eat. I want to encourage you to pay attention to what you are listening to. Be aware of what you are thinking, do not let people just say anything to you, because that junk food will sit in you and take over. You will find yourself doing or saying something out of character and you will wonder, “Where did that come from?” It is all about what you allowed into your heart!
Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder that everyday I am eating and what I allow in me can take me out. I ask that you will help me to remove all that defiles me. In Jesus’ name Amen!
Key points:
Eat a healthy well balanced meal of the word.
Keep junk food out of your heart.
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 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
Why Negativity Creeps In
There are times when I can be sitting not thinking about anything and this negative scenario will play out in my mind. When I realize that I am just letting this play, I will stop and ask myself, “What are you thinking?” Instantly the scene stops. I asked God, “Why do negative, bad thoughts come into our minds? As much as we focus on the word of God, why does it seem that these negative thoughts come up?” He reminded me that everyday we have to meditate on his word. I reflected back on one of my mornings when I had gotten up early, had prayer and took off to an exercise class. I usually ask God everyday what scriptures should I read or listen to. One day I had forgotten to ask him because of my early class. I then literally went on about my day. I found that throughout the day I was irritable, snappy and just not really myself. I remembered my husband asked me, “Did you pray today?” Probably because he was receiving the blunt of my attitude. As I thought about what he said I realized that I had missed my time with God!
Because we were born into this sin nature negativity is apart of our behavior. It is a behavior we have learned and it slips into our subconscious mind without us even knowing it. Unless an individual is conscious of their response, negativity is usually the first response people give regarding anything. We have to train our brain to respond differently. We have to purposely pause before we respond and pay attention to what we are thinking about. We cannot let our mind go as it pleases. When we sit in God’s presence and have that quite time, it gives us what we need to balance out information of negativity. The more we sit in God’s presence the more we fill our mind with him. Dr. Juanita Bynum said regarding negativity, “What has been in our mind the longest will be the first thing to respond.”
I have banned watching the news because the focus is usually on feeding the audience sensationalism and negativity. There is enough of that in the world and we do not need to sit at the table and feed ourselves that meal. If you pay attention to the music you listen to and the movies you watch, it will tell you what you are pouring into your mind. Scripture says Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
The human brain needs a lot of energy to perform. But it takes even more energy to learn something new. When we set goals, have our study time, and know who we are in Christ, then we have an answer to negativity when it comes.
We can all change the world by how we respond to what comes through us. Scripture says, “It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” For what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. Matthew 15:11,18 ESV
Key points:
Pay attention to your thoughts.
What we feed ourselves is what we become.
Watch what comes out of your mouth.
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 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
Thinking
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…Proverbs 23:7, KJV
We must manage our thinking if we want to change and we must manage our mouths if we are going to produce. Solomon said, “As a man thinketh so is he.” I am what I have thought and I shall become what I continue to think. Why? Because my heart is the true identity of my soul. Scripture says that we should guard our heart with all diligence because from out of it flows the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23
I was sitting at the kitchen table writing devotionals and my husband was cooking. I had given him this recipe to follow. He needed some paper towels to soak up the oil that was coming from what he was cooking. I ran to the garage to get paper towels for him and the thought came to my mind that this is going to be a mess. Immediately I said, “No devil you are a lier! This is going to be just fine! I caught the devil sending thoughts of defeat in my mind. If my spirit was not aligned with the Holy Spirit the enemy may have gotten me to speak those words! The dish my husband made came out excellent and was delicious!
The devil slips thoughts in our minds and many times we have no idea that we are being drawn into his trap. He does not come to you and say, “Hey its me Satan and I am coming to change your thoughts so that you will not receive all that God has planned for you.” No he slips into our daily lives and says the negative. Many times the thoughts can be true to what is going on in our lives. But we must align our words with what God says and not what we see. This is how the enemy slips in.
When I was taking swimming lesson the one thing I kept repeating to everyone is that I have problems with my breaths and so I could only swim so far. I would then flip over on my back and do a back stroke until I caught my breath. I remember praying asking God, “What was the problem? Why was I not able to move further in my American crawl stroke?” He then reminded me of my words. He said, “Yes, you were only swimming so far and your breathing was not working, but that is what you have because of your words.” With the change of words and continued practice, I now say “With God’s help I can do the American crawl stroke across the pool.” I am changing the out come by the power of my words!
Listen, when we speak concerning our future, we are not predicting, but we are pushing power towards ourselves! Every word is a container of power! Pay attention to what you are thinking because it puts power in your heart that causes you to speak it out of your mouth. Then you end up having what you have spoken!
Father, we pray for your divine help to have us recognize when our focus is off. I pray that we will seek you for our daily bread so that our hearts will be focused on the word of God and out of that your Holy Spirit will flow in our lives. We know that you have an abundant life planned for us and all we have to do is say what you say. Thank you Father for your help! We pray in Jesus’ name! Amen.
Key points:
The battlefield is the mind.
Power comes from our thoughts.
Pay attention to your thoughts because they can dictate your life.
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 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
Stay the Course
I love getting up early and taking a run. On this particular morning, the temperature was going to get to 105 degrees, so I was out early. I had plan to do a four to five mile run, but about two and half miles in the Holy Spirit said,”Stop at that Starbucks and get a drink and walk the rest of the way home.” My first thought was, “No, I want to finish this run.” I wanted to finish what I had planned. But because of past lessons, I stopped at the coffee shop and I purchased the drink and started the walk. As I started walking I could not believe how wonderful it felt. There was a light breeze and everything just felt wonderful! I was like God this is such a perfect gift. Thank you!
While waking the Holy Spirit said, “There are times on this journey that you will be running and that is necessary. But there will be times that you will be walking just like this. Do not be discouraged because you are walking and things seem to be going slow. You are still on the right path and as long as you keep going, you will reach the intended destination.” It was such an encouraging message because at times when things do not feel like they are moving, or it looks like you are going backwards we can feel discouraged and just want to quit.
It reminded me of my sister-in-law who has been going through her journey to healing from cancer. One day she told me that she was tired of her body being tired. She said all she does is rest and she does not have the energy to do anything else. I told her if her body wants rest then that is what she has to give it. That is the season that she is in. Her body is still healing, but it’s just not moving like she would like it to. God is reminding us that no matter what our season feels like, or looks like, as long as we are moving with him we are in the right place!
Key Points:
Stay the course everything is just fine.
Every movement is purposeful.
The spirit of God is your GPS.
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 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
Sheep
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: John 10:27, ESV
My hubby and I were out taking a walk and we came upon some sheep that were grazing on the grass. We stood for a while just watching the sheep and the goats moving about. There were quite a few lambkins that were also present. Many of them were making all kinds of noises. However, we noticed one sheep that came running over to be next to a little lamb. We knew instantly that was it’s mother.
My husband and I chatted about how that lambkin knew it’s mother’s voice outside of all the other sheep's noises. After that we stopped by a store to pick up some items from the pharmacy. While we were waiting I remembered that my auntie's birthday was coming up so I went to get her a birthday card. As I started heading over that way a thought came to me that I had birthday cards at home. So I went to sit back down, but then I felt like I still needed to go look at birthday cards. When I got over there I found the perfect one for my auntie. It said, “Happy Birthday Auntie” and it described her perfectly! I was so happy that we bought the card!
Then the Holy Spirit said to me, “The first voice you heard was me telling you to purchase the card and you immediately started to follow my instructions. Just like the sheep heard it’s mother and went straight to her. Then the enemy came along and tried to steal the simple instructions I had given to you. You paused and stopped, but I came back to you again and you followed me.” Satan is always looking to steal a word from us, even if it is as simple as purchasing a card. God is always teaching us how to hear his voice and recognize when we are being distracted.
The passage above says, “My sheep hear my voice, I know them and they follow me.”
Key points:
The first instructions are aways from God.
The second voice is the enemy trying to steel the word away from 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 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
Prosperity is in Me
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2
Prosperity sits inside of us and as we transform our mind we will see the results of those things that God has given us. God has given us all we need to become the individuals that he has put on the inside of each of us. When we think of Moses as a little baby floating down the river, the seed was inside of him to lead his people out of Egypt. Moses had to be in agreement with God when he was called. His mind was transformed as he said, “Yes.” Every step that Moses took in the direction of what had been assigned to him, transformation happened. At the end of his life he was not the same Moses as he was when he began the journey across the desert to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelite people go.
My mind keeps going back to the seed. If you just grab a seed from inside an apple and just look at it you would not know that there is an orchard inside that one seed. Did you know that when you hold one apple seed you are holding an orchard? You ask how can that be? Inside one apple seed is a tree and that tree can produce up to fifteen hundred apples per year! Inside each one of those apples is at least two seeds. Now if you multiply those two seeds by fifteen hundred because that is the number of apples that one tree produces, you can end up with three thousand trees! And that does not even include the fruit those tress will produce. That is definitely more than one orchard!
We are made in the image of God and if this is the prosperity God has put on the inside of an apple seed, which is here today and gone tomorrow how much more does he have inside each one of us? Did you notice that Moses’ gift did not just include wealth for himself, but for a whole nation of people. When we sit on what is inside of us we not only rob ourselves, but a whole host of individuals that God wants us to serve. Everything God has put in this earth is meant to serve others. It is to be a blessing so that everyone can be blessed. The wealth inside of us is for the world. Just like the apple tree produces enough fruit for many individuals, God expects us to do the same with the wealth he has given us.
God will never ask us to do something that we are not capable of doing. We have to continue to renew our mind and walk with him until the identity of our life changes. Moses walked with God and we see the identity of his life change in the doing of the work inside of him.
Key points:
Wealth sits on the inside of us waiting to be released.
The miracle happens when the mind is transformed.
The seed is transformed to wealth in the doing.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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