God’s Unconditional Love
…he had a dream. Genesis 28:12, NIV
Jacob and his brother Esau were twins, but Esau came out first. He had the birthright as the oldest son to inherit all his father’s possessions and authority. All the sons would receive some of their father's property, but the firstborn received a double portion and became the leader of the family.
One day when Esau had come home from working out in the field, he was very hungry. His brother Jacob had fixed a pot of lentil stew and Esau asked if he could have a bowl. But Jacob would not give him the stew until he agreed to sell him his birthright first. Esau, out of desperation, agreed and sold his birthright to Jacob. After eating the stew Esau hated his birthright, now when their father had grown old and could not see he told Esau to prepare him a meal so that he could give him his blessing. Their mother overheard what their father had said, and she helped Jacob trick his father into giving him Esau’s blessing. When Esau found out, he was so angry that he made a pledge to kill his brother Jacob.
In the scripture above Jacob is headed to his uncle’s house in Haran to get away from his brother and to also find a wife. While on the way, he stops to lay his head on a stone and falls asleep. God has seen all that Jacob has done to his brother. God knows why Jacob is leaving his father’s house. God knows all of Jacob’s behaviors, yet He sends him a message in a dream. God tells Jacob how He is going to bless him and his family in more ways than Jacob could ever imagine.
You would think with all of Jacob’s bad behavior God would not be looking to bless him, but to discipline him. We learn the depths of God’s goodness and grace through Jacob’s story. Although he did go through some very difficult times - his uncle mistreated him the same way he did his brother - his behavior did not stop God’s ordained blessing that He had prepared in advance for his life.
God wants us to know that no matter what we have done in our bad behavior, nothing will stop His plan for our life if we just say yes. Listen, God loves us so much that every single thing we have done or will do wrong has already been paid for. Jesus came and died for all of our sins before we were even born. I know it can be hard to comprehend, but that is the unconditional love God has given to each of us. Every soul belongs to Him and He has prepared this special gift for us to receive so we can walk in total and complete freedom. This does not mean we are free to sin, but our soul’s desire should be to glorify God and follow His every command. To God be the glory! 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
Prayer for the Week Sept 30
But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love… Psalm 33:18, NIV
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed me in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as you chose me in him before the foundation of the world, that I should be holy and blameless before him. Hallelujah!
Father thank you that you consistently watch over me because I worship and revere you! My hope, faith, and trust is in your unfailing love! You have never forgotten me, you have taken care of me all these years! My soul rejoices that you have plans for me. You knew me before the foundation of the world. You laid everything out so that when it was my time to show up on this earth, everything would be ready for me. What an amazing God you are! Even though I got distracted and lost my way, you did not leave me. You kept an eye on me and gently lead me back to you! Hallelujah!
I paise you for I have never kept myself. It has always been your promptings leading me. Your divine activation was moving me to the perfect plan and purpose you had ordained for me! Oh my soul just rejoices because you are so good! God you have done this for every single person on earth! I pray for those who are still trying to hear you guiding them into the perfect design you have for them. I pray that where our spiritual eyes and ears have been distorted that you would bring clarity so that we will walk hand in hand with you. God I thank you for doing it! You give sight to the blind and open the hearts of the deaf. Hallelujah! Freedom is from you! To you be glory and praise! Amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos
My 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
Prayer for the Week Sept 23
But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Psalm 68:3, NIV
Father, there is none like you, no not even one! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! I serve the risen Savor. You are Lord and King, and I am called righteous because of what Jesus did on the cross for me! I could have never paid the price of all my sins, but you chose to take my place so that I could choose to have eternal life. There does not seem to be words in the English language to express my gratitude! I am filled into overflow because of you! Joy, joy unspeakable joy rings in my soul as I think of the goodness of the Lord! Thank you God!
Your blood has freed me from the power of this world! The lashes that you took in my place heals me from all the disease of this world. Although I may be experiencing sickness I praise you that I am healed! I may not feel the healing, it may not look like I am healed, but I believe your report. Your report says that I am healed! Hallelujah! Thank you for the faith to stand and believe without a shadow of doubt that I am healed because you said so! To you be the glory and praise amen!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos
My 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
Prayer for the Week Sept 16
Your word is a lamp to my feed and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105, NIV
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight or Lord my strength and redeemer! My God how I thank you. My heart is filled with gratitude and gratefulness. You are such a good and kind God! Your mercy and grace that you have for me are new every morning! Hallelujah! I definitely need them. Thank you for keeping me in your grace and for saving me from myself.
Father, I praise you that I have all the direction I need. Thank you for your word for it guides me no matter what season of life I am in! I praise you, for you have made a way that when I open the word, it starts a deeper relationship with you! You start to reveal yourself to me. You start to show me how I was designed and what purpose you have for me. When I don’t understand what the word says, you are so gentle and kind to me and take the time to guide me to understanding. I love being in your presence and hearing you speak to me. I love our intimate conservation. I am so honored that you hand selected me to be in this space with you. Hallelujah! Father, God thank you for loving me so much! Thank you that you love the world and you offer yourself to everyone! You are an incredibly amazing God! Hallelujah! My God and King! 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 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
Prayer for the Week Sept 9
…Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27, NIV
Father, to you be glory and praise! How I worship and adore you! You are such an awesome God! You are Lord and King! The whole earth is in your hands! You see all, know all and hear all. Nothing gets passed you! Hallelujah my God! ELOHIM to you be glory and praise!
I praise you for all day and night you watch over me and all those around me. Thank you for reminding me that I do not have to let my heart be troubled or afraid. What a joy that I can release all to you! Although, there are times my heart is troubled and I forget that I have a choice. I think I have given all the problems to you, but I find myself concerned, worried or afraid. I do not want to be that way, but I don’t know how to let it go. I ask that you help me to lay it all down and never pick it up again! Yes Father, I trust your word! I believe what you say and I will use the measure of faith you have given me to continue to trust and believe you; no matter what I see!
Thank you that you are my source of faith! Yes, the ability to believe comes from you and you alone! Thank you for the faith to believe and not doubt your word. Father I take nothing for granted. I know that all good things come from you. I praise you that you have made me perfect in your image and I get to lay at your feet! Hallelujah! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! All praise and honor to my Lord and King forever more! I love you Lord! 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 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
Prayer for the Week
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will council you and watch over you says the Lord. Psalm 32:8, NIV
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah! My God to you be glory and praise! ELOHIM all powerful God, creator of the whole world selah! You have said that you will instruct me and teach me in the way I should go as I journey through this earth! You will guide me and council me and watch over me! Hallelujah! My soul rejoices in you! I am so grateful, so humbled and so thankful. I pray to always surrender my ears to hear you, to always submit my ways to you and to always obey your instructions immediately. Thank you Father for your instructions and patience with me. To you be glory and praise! Amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos
My published books are now available at: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
In the Present Moment
The other morning, I woke up to the scriptures playing and heard myself mumble, “I move in the spirit of Josiah”. I was then prompted to ask who was Josiah, and why would I wake up speaking those words. After laying there trying to remember Josiah from the Bible, I found myself getting up and searching the scriptures for his name.
I found in 2 Kings 21-22 that Josiah was anointed king at the age of eight-years-old. He was anointed king because his father, King Amon, had been killed. His father was evil, and so was his grandfather Manasseh, but Josiah was different. He followed all the ways of the Lord. I wondered why the scripture was so specific in describing Josiah’s maternal lineage. It says, “…His mother's name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath”, (2 Kings 22:1). Adaiah means “Yahweh passes by”. Jedidah’s father was from Boscath, a town in the kingdom of Judah. It was clear to me that Josiah was influenced by his mother whose father was a righteous man, having followed the ways of the Lord.
After researching the scriptures, I asked God what He wanted to reveal to me. I understood Josiah’s story and my waking affirmation: Josiah moved according to the Word. But I wanted to know what else God needed me to understand. I sat for a while but didn’t hear God speak. I began to just thank God for His time, the opportunity to be in His presence, and just to be with Him. Before I knew it, I was in a whole atmosphere of praise and worship! I remember ending the prayer with “God, if this is all you want me to give me right now, hallelujah!” It was only then that revelation came. I was getting so caught up in trying to get to the end of the matter that I was missing all the time we spent together just exploring the scripture. God woke me up early to talk with me, guiding me through the scriptures and growing me in my relationship with Him. He reminded me of what I asked Him for long ago as a child. I said, “I don’t want to just know you as God in the sky, but I want to know you before I get to heaven.” I didn’t understand at the time that, being prompted by the Holy Spirit, I was asking for a relationship with Him, and He was answering my prayer.
We have to remember to enjoy the journey in all that we are doing. It is not so much about getting to the destination because the destination is truly where you are right now. The place we are headed will be there when we get there, but God wants us to enjoy every moment along the way. Live in the present, because that is where He is. 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
Prayer for Protection from the Wicked
Listen to my words, O Lord, Consider my groaning and sighing. Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, for to You I pray. In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will prepare [a prayer and a sacrifice] for You and watch and wait [for You to speak to my heart].
For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; no evil [person] dwells with You.
The boastful and the arrogant will not stand in Your sight; You hate all who do evil. You destroy those who tell lies; the Lord detests and rejects the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
But as for me, I will enter Your house through the abundance of Your steadfast love and tender mercy; at Your holy temple I will bow [obediently] in reverence for You. O Lord, lead me in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight (direct, right) before me. For there is nothing trustworthy or reliable or truthful in what they say; their heart is destruction [just a treacherous chasm, a yawning gulf of lies]. Their throat is an open grave; they [glibly] flatter with their [silken] tongue. Hold them guilty, O God; let them fall by their own designs and councils! Cast them out because of the abundance of their transgressions, for they are mutinous and have rebelled against You.
But let all who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice, let them ever sing for joy; because You cover and shelter them, let those who love Your name be joyful and exult in You. For You, O Lord, bless the righteous man [the one who is in right standing with You]; you surround him with favor as with a shield. (Psalm 5)
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
Indignation
…and a God who feels indignation every day. Psalm 7:11, ESV
Indignation: anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment.
In the verse above, David is praying to God about his enemy. In the prayer he says that God is a righteous judge and one who feels indignation. What a word of encouragement for all of us! YHWH is omnipresent, He is with us always. He is omniscient, He knows everything. He is omnipotent, He has all power, and this scripture reminds us that He feels what we feel when we are being treated unfairly. He is Yahweh-Ghmolah, the God of Recompense. The Lord says in Romans 12, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.” We should never avenge others for what they do to us but leave it in God’s hands to deal with. He knows and is aware of all the injustice that is happening to each one of us. We can rejoice with confidence that our redeemer understands the brokenness in our soul and will deliver us.
The scripture goes onto say, “If a man does not repent, God will sharpen His sword; He has strung and bent His [mighty] bow and made it ready. He has also prepared [other] deadly weapons for Himself; He makes His arrows fiery shafts [aimed at the unrepentant]. Behold, the [wicked and irreverent] man is pregnant with sin, And he conceives mischief and gives birth to lies. He has dug a pit and hollowed it out, And has fallen into the [very] pit which he made [as a trap]. His mischief will return on his own head, And his violence will come down on the top of his head [like loose dirt]…” (Psalm 7:12-16, AMP).
God has not given us authority to take matters into our own hands. Just like David, we are to bring our problems to the Lord and He will take care of them. Our job is to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44) and give thanks and praise to the Lord for His righteousness and justice endure forever to all men. Amen. Hallelujah!
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
God’s Power
Not by might, not by power but by my Spirit says the Lord of host. Zechariah 4:6
Zechariah was a prophet that God used to speak to the people of Israel after they had come out of captivity in Babylon. King Cyrus decreed throughout his empire that any captive Jews in Babylon who desired could return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple.
In one of the many visions Zechariah received from God, he was given instructions to give to Zerubbabel, to encourage him in completing the building of the temple of God. God told Zechariah that the power to build the temple would not come from Zerubbabel, but from God.
When we are trying to accomplish the things, God has placed in our heart, remember: it is never meant for us to do in our own strength. Our ability comes from God. When Noah built the ark, it was not in his own strength, but direction from God. We see this too in the story of King David. Every time he went to battle, he asked God, “Should I go up, will you give them into my hands?” David did not approach a battle (or most any issue) without first checking in with God. Neither did he rely on himself to lead the people of Israel. He knew that all strength and direction came from the source who had put him in the position to lead.
Might focuses on collective strength, the resources of a group or army. Power focuses on an individual strength. God says not by the resources of many or one, but by His Spirit you are made strong. Zerubbabel was to focus only on the Holy Spirit for everything they needed. God promised Zerubbabel that he would finish the work of the temple with a capstone, and God showed Zechariah that He would be the complete supplier for Israel. There was no need to look for any other resource.
We get so distracted by our ability, our strength, or what little resources we have while trying to walk out what God has placed in our hearts to do. This scripture is a reminder to all of us that we are servants of the most high God. All that He has called us to do has already been supplied by Him. We need only to look to Him and be encouraged.
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
Assured
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine; Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
The words above are part of a song my grandmother used to sing all the time. I would watch her get so expressive and overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit. Tears would be streaming down her face as she sang. Back then I often wondered what moved her so much about those words. I didn’t understand that her experience with God had taught her how truly blessed she was. She truly knew God and understood what He had done for her.
Fast forward many years later, God brought that song to me again. I had not heard it in years, but all of a sudden, a part of the verse began lingering in my spirit. When I recognized it, I had to look it up because the only words I remembered were “blessed assurance, Jesus is mine”. As I played the song, God let those words sink into my spirit and I found myself behaving just like I saw my grandmother had done many, many years ago. This verse reminds us of the guarantee we are given once we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. We have salvation because we have been reborn of God’s spirit, and we are washed and covered by His blood. We have no sin when we stand before God. It confirms that our relationship with Jesus now is just the tip of the iceberg of what is to come!
If you want this blessed assurance that you will have eternal life and Jesus is yours, I invite you to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believe in him shall not perish but have every last in life”. And Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved”. That’s it! That is all God says we have to do to receive eternal life. If this is you, join me in this prayer:
Jesus, thank you so much, I believe that you died on the cross for my sins. I believe you are Lord and that God the Father raised you from the dead. I ask that you come into my life today, in Jesus’s name, Amen. That’s it family, you are not a part of the family of God. Welcome!
Listen, it is important that you get to a church that teaches the Word of God. I will recommend my church because I know the pastor teaches the truth! You can watch church online until God directs you to a local church in your area: www.cop.church
Congratulations!
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
Chose Life
…but they let the male children live. Exodus 1:17, ESV
Pharaoh was afraid of the Hebrews because the Israelites had grown in number. He told his people to deal shrewdly with them because he feared they would leave Egypt and join their enemies. He was in such dread that he ordered the Hebrew midwives to commit genocide of their own nation. He commanded that when they see Hebrew women giving birth to a son, to kill him. But the midwives let the male children live.
God has always told us to give Caesar what Caesar is due (Matthew 22:21). In other words, obey the law of the land. These midwives received specific orders directly from the king’s mouth with instructions to murder children. The scripture says that the midwives did not obey their leader because they feared God. They knew the instruction they received from the king was against all that they had been taught by God, so they made a choice to defy the king and go God’s way. In return, God gave them a way out, saving them and their nation. It reminds me of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who defied their king’s orders to worship a statue. They were placed in the fiery furnace, but God got in the furnace with them and saved them.
Scripture says “…God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13, ESV). God gives us a way out, but it may not always look like a good choice. The decision the midwives made to let the male children live and the decision the Hebrews boys made to not worship an idol looked like they had chosen death. But in truth, they did what the scripture says to do “…I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live”, (Deuteronomy 30:19, ESV). They chose life, and their choice brought life to them and their offspring.
In every step we take, we must cling to the hand of God. The only way we can choose life is if we are connected to the vine. The midwives feared God, and His Word says thou shall not kill. They heard His voice and obeyed His instructions.
God will bring us all to a testing point, and we must remember to choose life.
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 Best Land
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Say to your brothers, ‘Do this: load your beasts and go back to the land of Canaan, and take your father and your households, and come to me, and I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you shall eat the fat of the land.’” Genesis 45:17-18, ESV
Joseph was one of Jacob’s sons. He was sold into slavery and sent to Egypt by his brothers. They were jealous of the relationship Joseph had with their father, as Joseph was the first-born son of his wife, Rachel, whom he loved dearly. Jacob showed favoritism to Joseph, which caused his brothers to dislike and mistreat him.
Even though Joseph’s brothers sold him for evil, God sent Joseph to Egypt for a purpose – a purpose that would eventually save his family. In the scripture above Joseph has been promoted to second-in-command to Pharaoh because God gave him the interpretation of Pharaoh dream. There is a famine in the land that would last seven years, and Joseph was responsible for ensuring that Egypt would survive it. The nation had been in the famine for two years when Pharaoh learns that Joseph’s brothers had come to Egypt. He tells Joseph to bring his family and that he would give them the best land to occupy.
My husband and I worked hard to give our children the best education. We knew that education was the key that would unlock doors of opportunities for them to have a better life. Despite our best efforts, we were not able to give them the best education - but we gave them the best we could afford. I love this scripture because it reminds us that when we are children of the almighty God, He always has the best waiting for us. Jacob served, trusted, and obeyed God. And when everything seemed to be at its worst, God had the best waiting for him.
I remember as a young lady being at church and praying to God, asking Him if He wanted me to get married. I told Him I no longer wanted to do the whole dating scene and if marriage was what He had ordained for me, I was trusting Him to send me my husband. Immediately after praying that prayer, my husband walked through the door. God said to me “That is your husband” and at that time, my husband was the best looking, well-educated single man at our church. Now, there were all kinds of women flocking to him, trying to get his attention. I think he even went out with one of them. But God told me not to move, because he had answered my prayer.
When we take our hands off and let God do His thing, we receive His best for us. There was absolutely nothing Jacob needed to do. God had already laid out a good plan, not just for him, but for the generation to come. 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
History is Vital
Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. Exodus 1:6, ESV
In the verse above, Egypt is under a new Pharaoh who does not know the history of his country. He doesn’t know that the previous Pharaoh before him had a dream that so disturbed him that he sent for all the wise men and magicians in Egypt, but there was none who could interpret the dream. He doesn’t know that his country was about to be destroyed by a famine but God sent Joseph, a Hebrew, to save the country and its people. He doesn’t know or understand that the laws Joseph put in place over Egypt had made the previous Pharaoh very wealthy, and He doesn’t understand the power of the God of Israel. Ultimately, he lacks the knowledge to rule, leading his people into total destruction.
History is so important. It gives us instructions on how to avoid the mistakes of the past and learn how to move forward and prosper in our future. The Bible is our history book. It documents historical truths, telling us who our God is and why we should trust Him. The Bible gives us examples of His power and teaches us how to move with God. It explains where we are from, what our purpose is, and why we are here. When we don’t read our Bible, we are like the new king of Egypt - moving in total darkness and headed for destruction.
Even a thief listens to an experienced thief to learn how to avoid getting caught. How imperative it is for us to read the Bible! It is the trick of the enemy to think otherwise. He is the one who puts the idea in our spirit that we do not need to read the Bible, or that reading the Bible is boring. I will say, your first time picking up a Bible can be intimidating, and it might be challenging to understand. But that is exactly how God wants it. This is where He gets to introduce Himself to you personally. This is where you start to have your own personal relationship with Him. When you start to ask questions and say, “God I don’t understand what you are talking about”, you have opened the door to an amazing journey with Him.
Every time you open the Bible it will be a teaching lesson. God is guiding and teaching you about who He is. He will show you the patterns of how He operates so that you will not fear anything that comes your way. When we read the Bible, we not only receive instructions about life, but we enter into a relationship with God that is unexplainable. When we are headed to a new place and don’t know how to get there, we can open our GPS to guide us to where we want to go. We hardly ever doubt the instruction given. ELOHIM is the Creator of this world. Nothing exists without Him and everything came through Him. Knowing this, how much more time should we spend every day speaking with Him, getting instructions from His holy Word? Amen!
Father, thank you for teaching me in your Word. Thank you for giving me the best history book in all the world, the Bible. Thank you that every time I open it to read you meet me there, ready to have a deeper relationship with me. Father, I love you. Thank you for loving me. 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:
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
God’s Graciousness
Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest”. Matthew 9:37-38, NKJV
I was at the store waiting in line to pay for some items when a young lady came walking toward me to get to the door. I could see that she was crying as she held the phone. I don’t even think she saw me looking at her. Her eyes seemed far away and focused on the sadness in her heart. I immediately felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit say, “Tell her everything is going to be alright.” But I did not move. I can’t tell you why I didn’t move, but I let her walk past me.
I believe my letting that young lady pass me in pain is what God is talking about when scripture say the harvest is plentiful, but the labors are few. I was well equipped by the Holy Spirit to give her the encouraging words she needed, but I allowed my fear or doubt to get in the way. If it had been my daughter or niece that was walking past me looking that way, I would have immediately gone over to them to find out what was wrong.
The Bible teaches that we are all family. We all come from God. Scriptures says, “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Colossians 1:16-17, KJV). Fear always tries to show up when we are prompted by God to do the right thing. We must be so on guard to move that we do what King David did when the giant was coming at him. Scripture says David ran to Goliath and shot him down with a sling shot. Whenever God prompts your heart, run so the devil does not get the victory.
I immediately started praying for the young lady and my heart felt so heavy for missing the opportunity. I went outside looking for her, but I could not find her. I prayed to God right then for not saying something to her, and I could hear God saying “I love you. I know. You will not miss the next time, be at peace.” Even when we miss it God is still there guiding our next move in Him. He is not mad at us. He just wants us to keep moving in the kingdom. Every move in the kingdom of God has already been laid out and He knows how we will respond. Just keep going. His grace and mercy covers our mistakes and as scripture says, they are new every morning. 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
Do What God Called You To Do
I have brought you glory on earth. John 17:4, NIV
Joseph’s brothers despised his dream, so they threw him into a pit. Jesus’ family didn’t understand his calling; one time they actually thought He was mad. Yet, when He reached the end of His life, He could say, “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4). If you wait for everybody to understand and agree with you, you’ll never do what God called you to do. In the latter part of the nineteenth century when the Methodist were holding a denominational convention, one leader stood up and shared his vision for both the church and society at large. He told his fellow ministers how he believed that someday men would fly from place to place instead of traveling on horseback. It was a concept too outlandish for many in the audience to handle. One man, Bishop Wright, stood up and furiously protested: “Heresy! Flight is reserved for angels”! He went onto say that if God had intended man to fly, He would have bestowed him with wings. Clearly the bishop was unable to envision what the speaker was predicting. When he finished his protest, he collected his two sons, Orville and Wilbur, and left the auditorium. That’s right—his sons were the famous Orville and Wilbur Wright! And several years later on December 17, 1903, they did what their father had declared impossible; they recorded the first human flight. Understand this: Many people prefer the comforts of the past to the risks of the future. If you need their support and approval, you’ll never do what God called you to do.
Source: The Word For You Today
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos
My recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Miracles
And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. Genesis 1:5, KJV
I know that every day is a miracle, but for the past few days when the Holy Spirit has awakened me I hear Him say in my spirit, “Today is a miracle!”
Miracle: a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency. A highly improbable or extraordinary event, development, or accomplishment that brings very welcome consequences.
Miracle in Hebrew is mopheth: wonder, sign; portent. The word signifies a divine act or a special display of divine power
4592 Miracle in Greek is Semeion: a manifest deed, having in itself an explanation of something hidden and secret; a sign, a mark, indication, token.
Most of us have gotten so accustomed to waking up and seeing another day that we forget it is a divine act. We have no control over whether a new day happens or not, but we make plans and expect to see the new day. In the Bible we read where Jesus performed many miracles for the people so they would know that He was the son of God. Many of us don’t see those kinds of miracles today but everyday God speaks to us in miracles.
As I sat with God meditating and writing this devotional, I kept thinking about the word “miracle”. It came to me that my body and all its functions are miracles. We can eat all the right foods and do regular exercise but there is no guarantee that when we wake in the morning our body will function as it has done before.
I have lived sixty-one years of life and for most of my life I exercised regularly and tried to eat the right foods. In my late fifties I was told I had high blood pressure. I was shocked by the information and I began to look at ways to keep my blood pressure down. I had done nothing different to this body but all of a sudden it needed help to function correctly. I prayed for a miracle healing and after some years I began to take the blood pressure medicine.
All those previous years I took for granted that my body worked just fine. It never occurred to me that it was divinely designed to work and there was not much it needed from me. I realized later as I began to take the medication, even the medication was a miracle. God had given man the divine intellectual knowledge and wisdom to comprehend how to put substances together that could help a body He divinely made to function correctly. We may not see the miracles like they were in the Bible but if we ask God, He will show us his miracles every day!
Father, we are distracted towards believing that you are not doing the same miracles today as we have read in the Bible. But that is so not true! You have given man so much wisdom to solve problems that we forget the wisdom comes from YOU! The knowledge that you download in man is a miracle and we miss seeing you. Please open our eyes to see your miraculous miracles, for they are all around us. In Jesus' name we pray, 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
Judgment is Eternal
If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:26-32, NIV).
The book of Hebrews is an open letter written to Christians and more specifically, Jewish Christians. No one knows exactly who wrote the letter but it appears to be around the time when Jews who had become Christians were being extremely persecuted and because of the persecution many Jews were going back to the synagogue and leaving the church. The writer is addressing what happens to those individuals who know the truth but because of fear, or whatever the circumstances, they turn their backs on God.
We as believers in the United States currently have the freedom of religion to believe whatever we choose. Many believers have not turned their backs on the church because of persecutions but because of sin. We know the truth, but because the world says it’s okay to do certain things we follow after the world and turn our backs on the Word. We sometimes think that it's okay to show up for work late, leave early and lie about the time we took for lunch. I have witnessed employees lie on their timesheet about the days they took off because they want to save their time. We tend to think because it is something small to us it is small to God. But only man puts a level on sin. God says, “Sin is sin” and according to the Scripture above, if we keep deliberately sinning, we will fall into the judgment of God and that judgment is righteous and eternal. We have to turn from all forms of sin and ask our heavenly Father to help us with those things that are a struggle for us. We don’t want what we call small sin to hinder our eternal life.
Father,
We know your word is truth and as believers we ask for forgiveness in where we have fallen short. We don’t want to deliberately sin against you. Help us to walk in obedience to your word and take every struggle to the cross. Thank you for this journey, your truth and your love for our lives. We give you glory and praise. Amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv
https://www.youtube.com/@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
Lesson from God
Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; James 1:19, ESV
We currently have 4 vehicles sitting in our driveway! My husband has a love for things that are old, outdated, but he says it is functional. It can be hard for him to get rid of them! I have often nagged at him that we do not need all of these vehicles and to get rid of some of them. However, he spends large amounts of money to get some repaired to keep them working. Before I go any further let me explain that these vehicles are not the vintage vehicles that someone will pay tons of money for.
We have a red faded 1994 Ford Ranger truck, a 2004 Jeep Liberty 4x4, a 1997 Hyundai and a 2014 Mazda 6. We normally keep our nicer vehicles; the Jeep and the Mazda in the garage and the other two vehicles are parked on the street. We started to receive all kinds of inquires from different people asking to purchase the truck or the Hyundai probably because we hardly use them. My husband has been annoyed with all the purchase requests, especially for the truck. So he moved all the other vehicles out of the garage and put the truck in the garage. That way it would be “out of sight, out of mind” and people would stop asking to purchase it.
A few days ago, we had company visiting and I wanted some private place to pray where I would not disturb our guest in our home. I was up rather early so I went into the garage and there I saw that faded old red truck. I did not want to even get in it, but I did. As I sat there in the truck the Holy Spirit began to speak into my heart.
He said that He had given my husband a heart after Him. When the truck died and would no longer run you were excited, but your husband was heart broken. He took his truck to the shop and the owner had said there was no replacement part for it because it was so old. However, because of your husband’s persistence the owner of the shop looked all over the United States until he found a distributor who only had one of the necessary part left. Your husband was so excited that he paid what it took to get the truck fixed!
The Holy Spirt said we are like that red truck. Jesus paid an outrageous cost for us to be free and have eternal life. And just like the red truck in the garage, Jesus takes us in his arms and hides us when the world tries to come after us to take us away from Him. We are forever loved and protected by our Father.
BTW I think I have found a new appreciation for the red truck!
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
You Have Power
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18:21, KJV
When we speak concerning our future we are not predicting; we are, however, pushing power to what will exist in our life. Our words are so powerful, and our thoughts generate those words. Our thoughts turn into words and our words turn into actions. We must always remember to listen to what we are thinking about.
I was talking to my friend about a healing he was expecting from God. Out of his mouth he kept speaking the problem and not the healing. This told me where his thoughts were. I said to him, “The Bible says you have what you say.” I told him to stop reading and believing all the negative reports. He responded, “You always quote those words and say they are from the bible. SHOW ME!” I picked up my phone, went to Google and spoke, “You have what you say scriptures.” Would you believe a site came up that gave me 100 scriptures on the power of the tongue and the words we speak?! Family, our words and thoughts are so important that there are more than 100 scriptures on the power of the tongue. Our words give us our lives!! Matthew 15:18 says this: But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.
Here is a little test for you, speak out loud “my muscles are relaxed”. Did you feel your body start to agree with your words? Say out loud, “I am financially free!!” Our words change our moods and our situation. Remember, as we speak the heavens hear, and the prayer has already been done in the supernatural. We have to look with expectation for the manifestation in the natural. We do this through consistently listening and speaking the scriptures that are in agreement with what we have prayed for.
Once a friend said to me, “Getting old sucks, your body just falls apart.” Guess what is happening to his body. He is having all kinds of problems. Death and Life are in the power of the tongue, and those who live will eat its fruit… (Proverbs 18:21).
God keeps reminding me that when I speak, I am planting seeds for my life that will take root and grow. He laid this in my spirit - why would I plant seeds in my life for what I already have growing in my garden? If I have debt, why would I keep saying I am in debt. Start planting seeds that bring you wealth. Pray Father, I thank you that because I honor you with my wealth therefore I have plenty and my vats burst with wine (Proverbs 3:9-10)! I will not be moved by what I see. But I trust your word that says you are watching over your word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12). Every time I agree with your word and speak it over my life, you make sure that it happens. I know you are blessing me abundantly so that in all things, at all times I have all that I need and I will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8)! We bring down our answer from the heavenly realm and continue to fill our mind with the word of God. To you be glory and praise! Amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos
My recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss