Behind the Scene
“Therefore, if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media, which cannot be repealed, that Vashti is never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes. Also let the king give her royal position to someone else who is better than she. Esher 1:19-20, NIV
God is always working behind the scenes and no one is ever aware of what is actually happening. In the passage above Queen Vashti has angered the king in such a way that brought disrespect to him in front of all his nobles. The consequences for her actions were to remove her as queen. When you read the rest of the story you learn that God was in the midst of making a way for his people to be saved.
I was reflecting back on how our God cares for everything about us. A dear friend and I had agreed to get together for a quick visit and to go over some work. Her schedule was so tied up that we only had time for a very short get together. I thought that we could have a very productive time together. I suggested we order lunch in and spend the time at my house visiting and going over the work. She agreed.
I sent her the menu for a local restaurant and asked her to choose what she wanted so that I could order the food. My husband said that he would pick-up our meals so we did not have go out. Here is what actually happened. She did not see the message I sent her until she was on her way over to my home. She suggested when she got to my house that we go and pick up the food.
Now I had no idea that she had spoken to God about a dear friend who was moving out of state that she wanted to see before leaving. We arrived at the restaurant to order our food, and because there was a Starbucks next door we went and grabbed a drink. When we got back to pickup our food, the dear friend she wanted to see was sitting in the restaurant! Our plans were never just our plans, God had already worked out an opportunity for her to meet her friend the week before they were moving! Listen, we were sitting waiting for our food talking when she looked around the establishment and saw her friend!
Her friend said that she is never at that restaurant and my friend did not even know the restaurant was even there! See, God knows about every detail and all we have to do is trust him because he is working everything out on our behalf. He is always working behind the scenes.
Key points:
Trust God with all your heart.
God holds every soul in his hands.
The Shepherd brought you here and he has already made plans on your behalf.
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
Never lost a battle
“Miracles when you move such an easy thing for you to do. Your hand is moving right now. You are still showing up at the tomb of every Lazarus, your voice is calling me out.” I was at church when I heard the lead singer of the choir start to sing those words. I knew immediately that God was speaking to my soul. And now in this moment of writing while waiting to hear what God wanted me to pen next those same words come back into my spirit.
He said, “I am still moving. I have not stopped performing miracles. Ask for them. Look for them. Seek me for the miracles with expectation because I am still working.” As I wrote those words I wondered what miracles had I asked for. Was I still expecting miracles, or did I think my thoughts were too far fetched and would not happen? The song said, “Jesus is still showing up at every tomb of Lazarus,” meaning anything that has died in you, or seems to be gone the “miracle working” God is waiting on our faith.
Scripture says to, “Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door shall be opened.” We all have to do something to receive. I asked God to help me get my cookies into stores. He told me in January to start calling vendors for my cookie business. He said call five vendors a day Monday through Friday. I followed his instructions and by February I had two vendors and by May my cookies were in three different stores.
Even though that was amazing, I believe God wants us to seek him for the impossible, because at Lazarus’s tomb it required a miracle. It required Jesus to show up for something to change. I believe that we all have a “Lazarus’s tomb” in our lives and that something miraculous can only happen when we look with expectation for the “miracle working” hand of God.
There are some dreams that God has put into my spirit that seem incomprehensible, especially at my age. They are so outrageously big that I will not share them with anyone for fear people may think I am crazy. See that is what God gives us! Impossible things that cannot happen without him! I believe he is saying to us today, “Believe and trust what I have put inside you.” Walk with him hand in hand, step by step. You will have opposition, but he has never lost a battle. The outcome is totally up to us to choose to say, “Yes” and stay in the fight!
Key Points:
Opportunities are in the opposition.
Miracles are still there for you.
Allow God to open up the grave of promises.
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
Divine Connection
Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him. 20 And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” 1Kings 19:19-20, NKJV
Elisha was divinely connected to Elijah by God. When Elijah left the earth Elisha asked for and received a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. We can see in scripture that Elisha did twice as much as Elijah. We have to pay careful attention to whom God has us connected to. It was a divine connection for Elisha and God does the same thing for us today. It is important that we do not jump from teacher to teacher because you will get confused and missed what God wants to give you in this season. It is so easy because of the internet to go from church to church, but everything that is being taught is not for you.
God leads, guides and directs you to the place where he wants to bring teaching, revelation and to put that anointing on your life. You must make sure you do not leave a place of teaching because you don’t like them anymore, or because someone said come over here. It is vital that you check in with God before you move, or you may miss the anointing there for you. You heard the saying, “Bloom where you are planted.” God has planted you, so don’t leave until he is finished with you there.
As a pastor’s kid most of my youth and into my adult life I grew up in my father’s church. But there came this season when I knew it was time for me to leave. I could feel God moving upon my heart. The best part of all was that I did not even go looking for a new church. God sent people through my work to invite me to their church. This one co-worker was attending a church who the pastor was someone I had known since third grade! We grew up together as family, but had not reconnected in years. I went to visit the service one Thanksgiving Eve and I felt a complete peace. I was so refreshed in a way that was not happening to me at my father’s church. Now it was not that there was something wrong with my father’s teaching, but God had something different for me at this new church. He had a different anointing that he wanted me to receive. Funny thing was that after I started going to the church, God moved my co-worker to another church. She was the instrument he used to move me.
Our family has been so blessed and has grown in ways that could have never happened at my father’s church. God divinely connected us to our current church and the teaching we are receiving is phenomenal for the season we are in. Elisha could had never received a double portion of Elijah’s spirit if he was moving from teacher to teacher. If you are not sure where God wants you to worship in this season, just ask him. Scripture says that he is our shepherd who will lead guide and direct us!
Key points:
God has divinely ordained a special place for you to be right now.
Stay focused on where God has you planted and bloom there.
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
Walk with God
Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord: ‘Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.’ 2 Kings 7:1, NKJV
The passage above is so good! I love when I read the word and hear of someone proclaiming what God said so boldly and see it happen exactly as they had spoken! I’m always saying in my spirit, “God that is exactly how assured I want to be when I speak your word!” I want to say it and know without a shadow of a doubt that what was spoken is what will happen.
God told the prophet Elijah to go and anoint Elisha to be the prophet after him. 1 Kings 19:15-21 When the prophet came to anoint Elisha he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen. The prophet went over to him and threw his cloak on him. Elisha knew that God had called him to follow the prophet. Scripture says that Elisha immediately ran after him and requested to say, “Good by” to his father and mother and then he would follow the prophet! I find it interesting that the prophet never said a word to Elisha about following him, but the spirit spoke to Elisha as soon as the cloak landed on him.
I could not find in scripture how long Elisha served the prophet, but he was there when God took him away. 2 Kings 2:9-11 Elisha stayed where he was assigned and when his teacher was about to leave Elisha asked the prophet for a double portion of his anointing. How awesome is it that Elisha not only got to ask for a blessing, but he was there to witness the chariot of fire with horses of fire, that took his teacher away. Elisha never left the place God had assigned him to and we can see the results of his obedience to the prophet. Elisha could boldly proclaim the words of God to the king and know it would happen!
To walk in that power and authority calls for totally submission unto God and those he puts you under. The prophet knew that God had called Elisha to replace him, but we never read where Elisha was given any authority to heal, or speak while the prophet was alive. Elisha served as a humble servant until God promoted him to the position of prophet. I am not saying that we have to wait until someone dies before God opens a door, because in truth Elisha was serving God as he served the prophet!
It is important that we don’t get impatient with where God has us serving because he knows the ultimate plan for our life. We must stay steadfast in humility moving in love and we will walk in the full authority and power with confidence as Elisha did. Amen!
Father, thank you that you have chosen us to be your disciples. We praise you that all power and authority has been given to us. I pray that we will stay where you have planted us so we can learn how to use all that you have given us in fulfilling the call you have placed on our lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Take aways:
Submission, faith and obedience is the key to walking in God’s authority.
We each have the authority to proclaim God’s word and see it come to pass.
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
Measure of Faith
…each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Romans 12:3, ESV
God has given each of us the measure of faith we need to do what he has already put in our spirit. He does not tell us to do anything without giving us what we need. I was in prayer when the Holy Spirit said to me pray your faith! Listen, if you aren’t hearing from God, you need to spend sometime in prayer listening. He is always talking because prayer is a dialog not a monolog. When we go in with a monolog and we talk to God, get up and walk away we have missed all that God wanted to say to us!
So while I was praying, I head him say, “Pray your faith.” I thought, “Pray my faith?” I then heard, “Yes.” The thing that you are having doubts about, or think you can’t do, I need you to say, “I trust God in the measure of faith he has given me.” So, I started to say, “I trust God in the measure of faith that all the things I have going on are organized and easily accessible. I trust God in my measure of the faith that he has already opened the door for my new home.” He said, “Your faith is enough for what I have put in your spirit.” Satan wants us to believe that our faith is not enough. We have to stop listening to the lies of the enemy. God has given us what we need to move in everything he has placed in our hearts! Our Bishop says to stop saying the facts and instead say the promises of God. If we say the facts, we receive the facts! But when we speak the promises of God, we receive his promises!
For example, God showed me in prayer someone delivering J. C. Irresistible cookies on a dolly to different grocery stores. I saw these white boxes stacked up and they all had J.C. Irresisitibles stamped on the boxes and they were moving them to a certain store. God just gave me that vision so I know the direction in which I am headed. I have no idea how I am going to get there, but he has given me the measure of faith to believe this will manifest if I keep doing what he has instructed me to do. So no matter what comes, or goes, or what the facts are, I must trust God through the measure of faith he has given me.
We are not supposed to depend on ourselves, but him. If he put a new home in your spirit and you don’t have the resources to purchase this new home, he already has a door opened to handle all your needs! He tells us to not lean on our own understanding, but to trust in him. Go and start looking for your home. Whatever you limit your faith to is what you will receive.
Many years ago our son attended a university in Los Angeles. He was a student at the University of Southern California and every time we went to visit him we would have to get a place to stay. We were on a tight budget so we were staying at hotels that were okay, but not really nice. One day when I was reserving rooms online I was really frustrated that I could not find a nice place on our budget. While sitting at the computer I said to God, “You said that you would give me more than I could ever think, or imagine. I could imagine the type of hotel I wanted to rent, but not the expensive cost. My son was moving to Pasadena because he had graduated from school and he had landed a job near Pasadena. I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Type in luxury hotels in Pasadena.”
Listen, I had never even thought to type in luxury hotels because they would be out of our price range. But I did as the Holy Spirit instructed me and the Langham Hotel popped up at the top of my search list. I loved what I saw but as I looked at the prices online they were well over our budget. God said, “Call them.” When I called and asked about the room availability the sales clerk started to ask me if I was apart of any of the companies that they offered discount’s to. She started to list the companies and we qualified for the discount! The discount made the cost affordable and well within our budget!
I said to God, “All this time that we had been staying in LA we could have been staying here?” God reminded me that I had not trusted him in that particular level of faith. God had available for me what he had put in my spirit. He had given me the faith I needed to trust him, but I was leaning on my own understanding. Do not miss out on your blessings by depending on yourself. Walk in the faith he has given you. After that, every time we went to LA to visit our son we stayed at the Langham!
Key points:
You have all the faith you need.
Do not lean on your own understanding.
God has more for you than you could ever ask for.
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
God Delivers
Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh. Genesis 41:14, ESV
I was up early one morning praying and I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Joseph could not move out of prison before I ordained it.” God knew very well that Joseph was in prison unjustly. Jospeh had even worked on his own to try and get out of prison. But God blocked his efforts.
And Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cupbearer and the chief baker, and he put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, in the prison where Joseph was confined. The captain of the guard appointed Joseph to be with them, and he attended them. They continued for some time in custody. And one night they both dreamed—the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were confined in the prison—each his own dream, and each dream with its own interpretation. When Joseph came to them in the morning, he saw that they were troubled. So he asked Pharaoh's officers who were with him in custody in his master's house, “Why are your faces downcast today?” They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.” So the chief cupbearer told his dream to Joseph and said to him, “In my dream there was a vine before me, and on the vine there were three branches. As soon as it budded, its blossoms shot forth, and the clusters ripened into grapes. Pharaoh's cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup and placed the cup in Pharaoh's hand.” Then Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your office, and you shall place Pharaoh's cup in his hand as formerly, when you were his cupbearer. Only remember me, when it is well with you, and please do me the kindness to mention me to Pharaoh, and so get me out of this house. For I was indeed stolen out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the pit.” Genesis 41:2-15
It was not until two whole years later when Pharaoh had a dream that no one could understand that the cup bear would remember what Jospeh had said to him. Many times we do not realize that we are in the perfect position for the blessing God has for us, especially when we have been treated unjustly. Sometimes the circumstances that God allows to come upon us will make us believe that this could not possibly be what God had ordained for our life. But as we read through the Bible we will find that just like Joseph, God knows exactly what he is doing with our life. We just have to trust him. God did not allow the cup bearer to remember anything Joseph had said until it was time for Joseph to be released into the abundance that God had waiting for him.
Joseph was in the right place for many years and it probably seemed like to him, this could not ever be the place God wanted for him. But prison was where he needed to be to fulfill the calling God had told him about so many years earlier in Genesis 37. Joseph was seventeen when he received the dreams from God and he was thirty when the vision God had given him came to pass.
Your situation is not a surprise to God and he knows exactly what he is doing. Do not try and free yourself, God says vengeance is mine and he will fight your battles. Where God has you right now is exactly where he needs you to be. Let him deliver you into the blessing that he had planed for you before the beginning of time.
Key Points:
Just because it is unfair does not mean it is not a part of God’s plan.
When we try and do things on our own, we can miss the blessings that are right before us.
Obedience keeps us in alignment even if things are unjust.
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
It is Never Old
The Holy Spirit had prompted me to read a passage in the Bible that I had not read in a long time. It was the book of Amos. Amos was a minor prophet who spoke to the people of Israel and Judah about the coming judgement God had placed on them. After I finished reading this short book, I immediately got on my knees and repented.
Later that morning I was sharing with my husband what I had read. I then heard myself say, “The word of God never gets old.” The Holy Spirit started to give me an example. He said, “Just like I go to bed with my husband every night and the experience never gets old.” We always have different conversations and fun quiet times together. We chat about our day and any issues that came up. It is always a new conversation!
The Holy Spirit then showed me that the word of God is the same way. He said, “No matter how long you have been with your husband, you are always learning something new about him.” He said, “Reading the word is the same. Every time you read about me, I bring you a new revelation about who I am.” You can never just read the Bible once, or twice and think you know God and understand all of who he is. His word is inexhaustible and you will never be able to fully know all of him until we are face to face!
He then reminded me of the passage, “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, Deuteronomy 11:18-20, ESV
Every moment God has something new to teach us about himself! But we have to seek him out and listen to how he speaks to us through his creation in everyday life. If we seek him, he is sure to be found. If we ask him about himself, he will answer. He is just waiting on us to open the door of our hearts! Pick up the Bible and let him tell you all about who he is. I promise you that he will reveal to you something new! His word never gets old!
His Word is ancient, but it is never old.
Seek to know God.
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
Hearing God
I had been listening to this song by Anthony Brown and group TherApy called, “Speak Your Name.” Some of the words to the song just kept playing over and over in my head…When we speak your name something happens in the room, our hands go up, we can't wait to see what you're gonna do… When we speak your name, power is released. As we bow down before you every demon has to flee. Before we do anything else (yeah) we call on you (we call on you).
Before we do (yeah-yeah) anything else we call on you, we call you Jesus. As I meditated on those words while working I could not hear God say anything. I was asking some questions. I said, “God, I am working and my mind is quite. I am listening for you, but I do not hear you saying anything.”
Later, he reminded me of a time when I took a trip with my dear friend and sister in Christ. We had taken a trip to Tennessee and decided to drive to Kentucky so we could go see the Ark Encounter . It was about a five hour drive and we used our GPS to give us instructions on how to get to the location. At one point in the drive, we noticed that our GPS had stopped talking. We were like, “Why is this system not saying anything?” We turned off the phone to start the navigation system over again and we noticed that it was still not saying anything. At some point the Holy Spirit revealed that it was not talking because we were headed in the right direction. When something needed to change the GPS would tell us.
The Holy Spirit was saying the same thing to me when I was questioning him. He said, “You checked in with me, I gave you instructions and you were following them.” If he needed me to do anything different he would tell me. It’s funny I remembered that we had this same conversation in the car! Jesus has sent us the Holy Spirit and he is here to help lead, guide and direct us. He will never leave us, nor forsake us. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another [a]Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever— John 14:16. Therefore, if you have checked in and he has not said anything else, keep going because you are on the right track!
Key points:
Do not let Satan put doubt in your mind, you can always hear God speaking to you.
Be assured that if God needs you to change directions, he knows how to get your attention.
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
A Time to Die
…a time to be born and a time to die… Ecclesiastes 3:2
I was serving at our church some years back helping with facilitating the opening part of services. I was on schedule for one of the Saturday evening services and my hubby asked my sister if she wanted to attend with me. At first she had said, “No, she had other plans,” but later she called and asked if she could go with me. She said, “I need to be at that service.”
It was my sister's first time attending our church so she really did not know anyone there. She lived in Fairfield, California and our church was in Sacramento. I invited her to go with me to our check-in meeting prior to the services. She attended and while there I introduced her to those in the room, including our associate pastor.
When service started she sat on the front row with me. After I had completed my task, I sat backdown with her. Our associate Pastor was speaking that night. When she came on stage she started to give her message and then stopped. She said that the Holy spirit has a message for some people and she called out a gentleman who came up front and she spoke over him.
After the associate Pastor spoke to him she called out my sister. She told the audience that she had not met my sister until a few minutes ago and she began to tell her what was coming into her life. She told my sister things only God knew. She then said, “You should write this day down because blessings are going to flow to you from the east, the west, the north and the south and by next year this time your life will be completely different!
Everything she said came true. Everything changed within a few months because my sister’s husband passed away and God sent blessings from all over the place! When God had the associate pastor decreed the blessing over my sister’s life, the time for her husband’s life had already been decided. We all have a time to die! We do not know the day, the time nor the hour; only God knows that. He scheduled when we were to be born and our date to leave this earth has already been ordained. Remember when the prophet Isaiah went to King Hezekiah and told him to get his house in order because he was going to die? Listen, Hezekiah prayed and asked God for some additional years and God granted him 15 more years, but he still had a “time” to die Isaiah 38:1-21.
Everyday we are a day closer to leaving this place. See I believe we are all here for an assignment and the time we have been given in our body is all the time we need to fulfill that assignment. We must make sure we have our house (i.e., meaning our life) in order with Christ because not one hour is promised to us. The only guarantee he has given us is this present moment. …And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover.’”
Key points:
Death is unavoidable, but life in Christ is your choice.
Prepare yourself while you have the chance for the eternity to come.
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
God Reveals
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. Genesis 1:1-5, ESV
In the past when I read the passage above, it did not occur to me that God made the darkness. I would skip over that part thinking it was just dark on the earth and God had to bring his light. But the word teaches that God created the darkness and he has purpose for the dark. Isaiah 45:7 says I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create calamity: I the Lord do all these things. While I was reading this passage the thought came to me, why did God create darkness? So I asked God and he showed me through scripture. I read, But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9, ESV
After reading that scripture, God said I gave man a choice. He reminded me of what he did in the garden of Eden. And out of the ground the Lord God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 2:9, ESV I heard him say, “I wanted man to chose their own way. Adam and Eve chose evil because they did not believe the word I told them.”
God is all righteous and in his righteousness he gives man the option to make their choice. Our Bishop said in one of his message that darkness is part of the plan in order for God to reveal that there is darkness that comes, but the light brings revelation.
The Holy Spirit is the revealer of light. He reveals to us what God’s plan is for us. The Holy Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. We learn who we are through the Holy Spirit guiding us into righteousness. Many times we have no idea that we are in darkness until the Holy Spirit whispers to our spirit that we are headed in the wrong direction. When we do not listen to his whisper, he allows situations to happen that opens our eyes to the light. He always directs us back to God’s plan for our life.
It can be the smallest and simplest of things, but God is not going to let us get away with it. I am reminded of the time when my husband told me to take his hand to cross this small little creek and I said, “No. I can do it.” Listen I made the first step over the water, but by the second step I was all the way in the creek! I now have a injured finger to remind me that I was in disobedience, because my husband said, “Take my hand.” If someone had of asked me if I was living in darkness, I would have said no. But the Holy Spirit revealed to me that darkness still exists and he used that situation to bring revelation. I am sure he had been tugging at my heart in other ways, but I was not listening. So, now I know! Everyday the Holy Spirit is drawing us out of darkness and into God’s marvelous light!
Key points:
The Holy Spirit is hovering over you right now to bring you revelation.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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Darkness
I was reading over some notes I had taken from a message that someone had spoken back in 2023. I wrote, “The greatest work of my life is done in the darkness.” Those words hit me again just as it did when the speaker was giving the message.
Darkness has purpose. Darkness protects, hides and covers what God does not want to be seen. The scripture says that, Our frame was not hidden from God, when we were being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. His eyes saw our unformed substance. Psalm 139. Many times when we are in the dark, we want to get to the light as soon as possible. We want to get out of the uncomfortable situation.
Jesus demonstrated how we are to handle the dark. When he was in the wilderness, he fasted, prayed and sought God. In the darkest of places the Holy Spirit is there with us. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:2 We are of the earth! Then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. Genesis 2:7 The dark places in our lives have purpose for our growth, maturity, and to move us into a new level of faith and trust in God.
David had been anointed by the prophet to be king, but before he was crowned king, he was running from King Saul who was desiring to kill him. David was being trained to rule the kingdom and training came in the dark. Queen Esther was hidden in the king’s chambers for a whole year before she was selected to be queen. Joseph was sold as a slave and put in prison before he became second in command of Egypt to Pharaoh.
Darkness is the place where God trains, disciplines and prepares us for what will be revealed later. I remember when our children were toddlers, we would train them to use proper table manners at home. We knew that they would not always be at home eating so we prepared them for when we took them out. About once a month on Sundays after church we would take them to a fine dining restaurant to have them practice what they had been taught. Our children would see other children throwing food on the floor, yelling, and jumping on the seats, but they would sit quietly and color and have conservation with their family. They had been prepared in the dark so that they would know how to behave in the light.
God does the same with us. He puts us behind closed doors in the dark, the wilderness where we cannot be seen, until we are ready to be presented to the world. The darkness teaches us how to hear God and allows all of our mistakes to be hidden. It prepares us for all that will be ahead of us. It does not matter how frustrated we get, God will not release us until we are ready.
I have several social media accounts and God has directed me to post daily messages. Many times when I go back and review the posts, I would find there had been only one person that viewed the post. In the beginning I was frustrated and I would get discouraged, but God said to me, “I am keeping you in the dark. This is training, it will not always be this way.” One of the Minsters at our church said, “Comparison is a thief of joy,” and I would add to that, “It is also a trick of the enemy.” I want to encourage you to rest in the arms of Jesus while he has you in a dark place and journal your experience. You will be surprised when you look back and see the blessings of the dark.
Key points:
When darkness comes in your life, prepare to grow.
Anyone walking in the manifestation of their anointing has spent time in the darkness.
Don’t fight the darkness, but meditate and seek to hear what the Holy Spirit is speaking.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Help Is Available
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30, ESV
In the passage above Jesus invites everyone who is burdened, or heavy laden to come to him and he would give them rest. The word labor in greek is Kopiao and it means: labor, to grow weary, tired, exhausted with toll or burdens, grief and to labor with wearisome effort, bodily labor, toiling and is translated “bestow labor.” In this passage Jesus is not saying I will take all your hard work away, but he will give you rest in your “inner man” in your soul. When we take him on and seek to learn from him, he will teach us his ways so we can leave worry, fear, doubt and all those emotions that cause us to be drained on him so that our inner man can rest in joy and peace.
The word “rest” in the passage above means to refresh so as to recover strength. We consistently have so much information coming into our inner man that our brain does not get the opportunity to rest. Jesus is saying if you come to him and take on his yoke metaphorically to take on the submission of his authority rather than Satan’s; which we all are currently under because of sin and you will have rest.
Satan’s job is to devour us; especially since we are yoked up with Christ. His goal is to steal our rest and peace. One morning I woke up and all the cares of the world hit me. A list of all the things that I needed to get completed was waiting for me as I opened my eyes. Instead of speaking God’s word, I let my mind focus on what was before me and my peace was instantly gone. My stomach ached and my mind and soul was in turmoil. I could feel the heavinesses weighing me down.
I knew that prayer would release this burden. So, I headed down to my prayer room. I prayed and I worshipped God. As I worshipped God I could literally feel the turmoil leave and peace return. The more I praised God and gave thanks the more peace and joy came over me. I could feel the Holy Spirit taking away all the heaviness and replacing it with rest. My burdens had become light! Jesus teaches us that he inhabits the praise of his people. As we praise him, he comes in and his presence overshadows anything that we are dealing with! We get all of him and he takes all of our concerns.
I still had to get all those items completed, but God directed my path in such a way that every task was easy and light. I was not doing the work alone, he was in the midst of guiding me to completion. I’m reminded of the scripture, “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 direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Key points:
Help is available to anyone who accepts it.
Rest, joy and peace are knocking at your door.
Praise brings deliverance to the soul.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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The Dust
When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. Luke 4:13, ESV
I was vacuuming our stairs and I was thinking about how the dust just comes. No matter how many times I clean the floor, the dust returns. The Holy Spirit said that is how the enemy is, he is always lurking around seeking whom he can devour. Scripture teaches us to resist the devil and he will flee. But as we know, when the devil had finished all of his tempting with Jesus, he left him until another opportune time. Luke 4:13. That is why the Bible says to meditate on the word day and night, because day and night we are under attack.
My husband and I had a great morning, we spent time praying and taking communion. After which he mentioned to me that there was a celebration for the Cambodian New Year. He wanted to go and I was hesitant because it was being held at the Buddhist temple. He waited for me to finish my work so I could go with him. The event was nice, but a little muddy from the rain. Everyone seemed to be having a good time! We watched individuals do the traditional dances and songs. We enjoyed learning about their culture. While we were there we noticed all these huge statues with bright colors that everyone was posing for pictures in front of. I begin to understand that these images represented their gods that they worshipped. There were prayer boxes in front of these images and we saw individuals bowing down praying to these statues. My heart was heavy for the people because they truly believed that these images could answer their prayers. So I prayed for God to give them insight to the “true and living God.”
Later that day after we returned home, I noticed that my husband and I were going at each other for no reason. We would snap at each other and I knew in my heart that it was a spirit. Satan was dropping dust particles because I had prayed against his image.
My husband called me over and said we needed to pray. As he began to pray for us he asked God to remove whatever spirit that was on us. Satan is always looking for a place to devour. We can keep our house clean of dust particles by consistently being “aware” of the enemies tactics.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Layers
We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at[a] the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2Corinthians 3:18, CSB
It was early spring and the Holy Spirit told me to harvest the rest of my cabbage so that I could get my garden ready for replanting. I went out and harvested the last three, or four cabbages and took them inside to get them cleaned up.
When I opened up the first one, I started to pull off some of the leaves that had holes in them. As I pulled back a layer of leaves there were cabbageworms inside of the leaves. Now cabbage grows into a really tight ball. So, you would think it would be too tight and impossible for anything to get inside. But there they were! Cabbageworms all throughout that cabbage! Now I have come to know with gardening that you have to deal with all kinds of bugs and worms, but this was a bit much for me. So, I threw the whole cabbage away! Although I knew all the leaves were good, I was just too grossed out to keep it!
I said to the Holy Spirit, “What is the lesson in this?” He said, “Just like I had to pull back every layer to see if there were any more cabbageworms, he does the same thing with us.” He reveals to us what is on the inside of us. Many times we think that we are doing just fine and then the Holy Spirt reveals another part of ourselves that is hidden to us. Many times when he brings the revelation, Satan will try to make us feel condemned. But God is revealing to us what is hidden so that we can be perfected.
It is just like when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and Peter protested. Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean John 13:8-10,ESV. See when you accept Jesus as your personal Savior you are completely cleaned, but what follows is a process of daily pulling back of the layers and getting rid of the worms of sin. Everyday we are being transformed into the image of Christ!
We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at[a] the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2Corinthians 3:18, CSB
Take aways:
Do not be discouraged or condemned by the revelation of layers, God is just perfecting you!
God says come as you are, but he will never leave you as you are!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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The Door
I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Revelation 3:8, ESV
I have a Hebrew calendar that I follow and this year is 5784 which began September 2023 and ends October 2024. The number 5784 stands for open doors and so much more. I have been speaking these words over our lives and repeating that this is the year of open doors for the believers. I have watched as God has supernaturally opened doors for us this year!
But I have learned that open doors do not always come in the way you expect. Yes, it is wonderful when God open doors for you, or shall I say, moves you to the open door and you have to take a step to walk through it. But it is the walking through to get in and on the other side that I did not expect the things God would do to get us to move!
Sometime you are just comfortable where you are and you want God to open the door, but you kind of want things to stay the same along with the additional blessings. Listen, it is not going to happen that way! Every open door requires change and movement. He will open the door, but you have to move through it. I have a cookie business and my husband has a Jazz band and we have seen doors of opportunity fly open for us. But the work involved to get through the door and the sacrifice required is a big responsibility. God is not going to do that part for you.
Remember the Hebrew boys? Their open door came under siege. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. He then commanded Ashpenaz, his chief Eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, competent to stand in the king's palace and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. Daniel 1
Ashpenaz chose Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. They were eventually chosen to stand and serve before the king because God blessed them with more knowledge and wisdom than all the nobles. Throughout their service to the king, God used them as a testimony to teach the king who the true God is. Because of their faithfulness to God, King Nebuchadnezzar eventually became a believer.
We do not know where, when or how God will open the door for us, but we have to be willing to do take the leap of faith and move hand in hand with God.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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The Spirit of God Dwells in You
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. Romans 8:9, ESV
I know at times it can be overwhelming to try and comprehend that the Spirit of the almighty God lives within every believer. He literally sits inside every believer and directs them everyday towards righteousness. I love that scripture teaches that God has richly poured out to us all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1 Our flesh may not be able to understand everything that God has given us, but little by little, or precept upon precept, we gain understanding.
It reminds me of little babies who have not yet learned how to walk. They have all they need to walk and yet they don’t understand the concept of walking. We have a grand-baby who has all the physical attributes to raise his head and look around, but he has not mastered the ability to do that. When we pick him up we hold his head. He has not yet learned that he has the muscles to lift and hold his head. My daughter gives him “tummy time” which he does not like, but it causes him to lift his head.
This reminds me of us and all that God has poured into us. We have the Holy Spirit living on the inside of us, with all the wisdom and understanding waiting for us to use. We think we lack the ability, or that we don’t have the knowledge to do something, but in truth it is all there. We have to strengthen our muscles and we do this through “tummy time,”or reading the Word. We can lay on our stomach and put the Bible in front of us and read. The words in the Bible are full of the Spirit and life. When we read the word of God, we learn how to use what has already been deposited into us. It is our instruction manual. The more we read and study the word the more we will be able to access all the wisdom and understanding from the Spirit who dwells within.
I encourage you to do some “tummy time” exercises for twenty minuets a day! Set a timer and read the word. You will be surprised at what happens in your life and the changes that you will see manifest. The word is living and it goes into action when you speak it!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Who are you Tracking?
I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever does not receive and welcome the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” Mark 10:15, AMP
Our daughter arrived at our home for a visit with our grandson. While she unpacked the car I took the baby and was talking with him. I noticed that the whole time she was taking things out of the car, her son was tracking his mom’s every move. I was trying to get his attention, but he was focused on seeing where his mother was going. It was to the point that he was trying to turn his whole body. We all laughed at how much he was tracking her and started trying to do other things to get him distracted.
Later that evening, the Holy Spirit said to me, “Do you track God like that? Are you focused on his very move? What does it take to get you off track?” I thought about it and I knew I could do better. My mind went to the Bible verse above with the focus on the part that said, come to the Kingdom of God like a child. This little baby who was barely two months old would not let us distract him from his mom. I thought about how when our grandson felt something was wrong, he cries out for his mom. He did not look to anyone else, he just focused on her. He cried to his answer and he kept his eyes on his answer until help came.
God showed me that if we could just be like that in everything, our life would be so much easier. We could always live in a place of peace and have the joy of the Lord in our heart. Scripture says that “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear Isaiah 65:24. Instead we look around and try to fix the problem ourselves before we come to him.
God has taught me that he wants to be involved in every aspect or our lives. Listen, I ask him what to wear when I get up in the morning. I ask him how to respond to my husband. I ask him how to say, “Hello” and how to answer the phone. God has told us to seek him first; that is on everything single thing. He did not tell us to depend on ourselves. However, when it is something that we do everyday, we think we can handle it. So, we do not ask him. God wants our attention and to rely on him for every single thing in our life. He already has everything worked out. He holds our future in his hands!
I want to encourage you to be just like a baby with God. I want to encourage you to be just like our grandson. Track God for everything! He is “the answer” and he answers! Hallelujah!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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His Weapon for Battle
“You are my war club, my weapon for battle—with you I shatter nations, with you I destroy kingdoms, Jeremiah 51:20, NIV
Why does God need weapons to fight in the battle with Satan? When Adam and Eve turned the earth over to Satan, they put their lineage (us) against God and there was nothing anyone in the world could do to change it. The earth and everything in it belongs to God. Those who have accepted Jesus Christ are his agents to bring the message of salvation to those who do not know him.
I was listening to a pastor speak and he said that we are God’s weapons of war. We are not only here for worship, but for war. That statement reminded me of when I was younger. My parents had put me and my siblings in our church’s little children’s choir. One of the songs we used to sing was, “We are Soldiers in the Army of God.”
At that time I did not understand why we would had to fight in God’s army if he had already won the war. I did not understand that everyday there are battles to save the souls of lost individuals. We are God’s weapon against Satan and our fight is to stand in the word and offer love to the world.
The challenge comes when Satan tries to tempt us to step out of our position. How does he do that? I remember one time I had bought a beautiful dress for church and work. I was so excited about it and on this particular day I wore it to work. On break one of my coworkers and I decided to go pick up shaved ice for everyone at work. We were at the shop and on our way into the building this lady honked at me and told me to move my car. We just looked at her like, “what?” There were plenty of parking spaces for her and we went inside the building.
There were a lot of people inside the building waiting for their orders. When the lady who honked at me got inside the building she asked them if she could purchase a certain type of soda, but they did not carry it. So instead she asked for a cup of water. Now mind you this place is packed with people and everyone could see and hear her. When they gave her the cup of water, she took it and threw it at my dress. All down the front of the dress was wet and then she said, “Oh, I’m sorry.” I was in such shock that I could not move.
The owner of the store and everyone around started to try and help me get the water dried up off my dress. My coworker kept saying, “Are you alright? Do we need to get this chick?” Listen Satan’s move was to get me out of position, but instead God held me. I was shocked at myself because I just kept telling everyone that I was good. It was only by the grace of God that I was kept as a weapon for him. I did not move and his love was displayed for all those in that shop to see his glory!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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The Promise of God
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Numbers 23:19, KJV
In the passage above God was correcting Balaam because he went back to God a second time on behalf of King Barak, who was over Moab, seeking to bring a curse on the Israelites. God had delivered the Israelites from Egypt and they had just come from a victory over the Amorites and they were camped on the outskirts of Moab. The people of Moab dreaded and feared Israel. King Balak sent for Balaam to curse them. However, the words God gave to Balaam were only to speak blessings over Israel. King Balak was angry and insisted that Balaam go back to God to receive words to bring a curse on Israel. The passage above is part of the response God had for the King of Moab.
Look at the kind of God we serve! The people of Israel had no idea that someone was trying to put a curse on them! Their God was protecting them and they did not even know it! As a matter of fact, God was speaking more blessings on Israel. This is exactly how God takes care of us. He says that he is watching over you and will never leave you. He is also in all the secret boardrooms arranging blessings for you that you know nothing about!
The people of Israel had done nothing to Moab. Moab was fearful because of the blessing God had placed on Israel. If you look back at the history of Israel, the only reason the Egyptians put Israel in bondage, was because of the blessing God put on them. God blessed the Israelites and the people feared them. Exodus 1
There is nothing that can stop God from keeping his word and watching over his people. God told Abraham, “Know for certain that for four hundred years your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and that they will be enslaved and mistreated there. But I will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions. You, however, will go to your ancestors in peace and be buried at a good old age.” Every word God told Abraham is exactly what happened. The covenant was between God and Abraham. And even though Abraham had long since died, God never failed to keep his promise.
Everything God said concerning believers he has done. He has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. He has chosen and marked us in Christ and sealed us with the promised Holy Spirit. We have been given the same power that was used to raise Christ from the dead and we have been made alive in Christ. He raised us up with him and seated us in the heavenly realm. If that is not enough he gave us a spirit of love, power and a sound mind; which is the mind of Christ. He sent the Holy Spirit who is with us 24/7 and is our deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession.
Listen, everything God said he will do for you, he has done! You can take him at his word! If you want to know more about his promises to you, read Ephesians 1-3.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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The power of Agreement
“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:19-20, NIV
The passage above is a guarantee! Jesus was giving instructions on how to resolve an issue between brothers who sin against each other. In conclusion, he says anything that two people agree on in his name, it will be done for them! Listen! When Jesus was giving these instructions he was saying that anything you agree on in his name, it will not only happen, but he will be in the midst of the request!
There is so much in the verse mentioned above! It is powerful when we agree and submit our requests to God! Apostle Paul told Timothy that he urged him to teach the church to make petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving for all people: kings and all those in authority, so that they may live peaceful and quiet lives in godliness and holiness.
When we come together in corporate prayer we see change. Daniel was told that the king had asked his wise men to tell him the meaning of his dream, but they could not. The King became so angry that he issued a decree to have all of the wise men killed. When Daniel, Shadrach, Mishael, and Abednego were told about this they came together and prayed for God to bring revelation and God answered their prayer. He revealed the king’s dream and gave Daniel the interpretation.
When the Israelites were under harsh labor by Egyptians, they came together and prayed for God to deliver them from the hand of Pharaoh. God sent Moses with a staff and his brother Aaron to Egypt and he delivered his people. The power of corporate prayer is undeniable!
There are so many examples in the Bible of when the church came together for prayer and the power of God moved. So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church. Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” Acts 12:5-11, ESV
When we stand in agreement with God, everything is possible!
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