Lost

I know very well how foolish it sounds to those who are lost, when they hear that Jesus died to save them. 1 Corinthians 1:18

I had read the scripture above in my quiet time and it melted in my heart. I knew I needed to write about it. I actually marked it on my notes so I would not forget. As a believer, God opened the eyes of my heart so I could understand who He is and how this world works. The scripture above makes it clear that the Bible and all of God’s words are foolish to non-believers.

The scripture made me think about how God opened the eyes of my heart to see and believe. From the time I was young I remember growing up in church. For me it was a social hour where all these people came together to talk about God and have all kinds of events with food. As I got older I became bored with church. I really did not know God for myself. I saw some of my friends become all religious and crying and really getting into the relationship with Him. I saw my younger sister always preferring to read the Bible instead of going out with friends. I began to wonder what made her want to do that. So I started to pick up the Bible and try to understand it for myself. I did not want to hear from anyone else but God. If He was truly real then I wanted Him to show me Himself.

I don’t know exactly what happened, I don’t have,  like many Christians do, this special day where all of a sudden everything became clear. It has actually been a journey to get to the space where I know God is truly God and His word is true. He has developed a personal relationship with me. I can feel Him everywhere I go. I can hear Him speak into the depth of my soul no matter where I am and I know that He loves me. I know that He does not expect me to be perfect, Jesus died for that. But He does want me to share His love with others so they can have this amazing relationship with Him.

What led me to Christ was the believers around me being themselves. I was not drawn to those individuals who constantly spoke Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. I had too much of that on a regular basis as a youth. I am not one to bang your door down about God but my heart is heavy for those that do not know Christ. I pray for the lost regularly and I ask God to be on display in my life. I love writing and encouraging others to know God through all the social networks as well as just talking with friends, neighbors, and strangers. It takes nothing but a loving heart from God on the inside of a believer for others to meet Him on the outside. Then God opens the door for others to come in and minster to their soul.

If you are not a believer and you are curious to know if God is real, ask Him to show you himself. He will do it for you. If you are a believer, I want to encourage you to just keep letting that beautiful light of yours shine. You are on the right track and you are drawing lost souls even if you don’t see them. My sister died a long time ago and I don’t know if I ever got to tell her that seeing her read the Bible drew me into a relationship with 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 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

Living Epistle

 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:8

 I was sitting out in my garden listening to a message recap from our church services and seeking God. I had been doing this 90 days through the Bible with another church group and we came upon the scriptures in Leviticus where God gave Moses specific instructions for the Israelites and how they were to worship Him. I was taken aback at how specific God was in the instructions He gave Moses.

All those thoughts were coming together in my head as I looked down and saw ants moving around on the pavement. I heard the Holy Spirit say that all men are living epistles written by God and read by men. As I watched the ants, He said “You see them and it looks like they have no idea where they are going. But they are so focused on a task, finding food and taking it back to their colony.”

“If my people who are protected by me and guided by me would just be like these ants they would find themselves in so much joy. The ants never worry about where things are coming from, all they do is look for food. They just fulfill their purpose.” He said, “I have made you, and you will never know exactly what I am doing, but I have written your life to be a testimony to others. If you will just be like these ants and share your testimony with others you will find that you are exactly where you are supposed to be.”

I sat there watching the ants a little longer. I noticed some had picked up some crumbs, and then they were gone. At this point some were even crawling on me, as I brushed them off of me God reminded me that He gently directs us on our way. We do not have to worry about what is next or how things are going to happen, that part is already written in the book. We are the living epistle for Christ!

  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 book Life’s Journey is now available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VYJKJ9K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6Z95ANB487AMDF3VTDP9

Happy New Year

I am so excited to announce that are devotionals are back! You should start receiving them in your email box this week! I encourage you to share the devotionals with others whom you think they will encourage.

DEALING WITH FEAR (7)

“God has not given us a spirit of fear.” 2 Ti 1:7 NKJV

During the American Revolution, Spain gained control of the Bahamas. In April of 1783, Andrew Deveaux, a lieutenant colonel from South Carolina, recruited a handful of militiamen and Harbour islands settlers to retake Nassau using a clever strategy. Deveaux had only two hundred men with him, a far smaller force than that the of the Spanish, but he managed to capture the high ground on the island after a brief skirmish. The Spaniards then watched as boats repeatedly ferried load after load of men from Deveaux’s ships to his defensive position on the shore. What the  Spaniards didn’t know was that the same men kept going back and forth, standing up on their trip over to the island, and hiding themselves by lying low in the boat on the trip back to the ships. The leader of the Spanish troops, fearing a defeat from a large force in an invulnerable position, surrendered. When you succumb to fear, you’re already beaten. People ruled by fear stay where it’s safe. And that’s sad, because you can’t reach your potential by staying where it’s safe. Shakespeare said, “Our doubts are traitors, and they make us lose what we often might win, by fearing to attempt.” What would you attempt in life if you were sure you couldn’t fail? Before you answer, read these words of David: “When I cry out to You…my enemies will turn back…I know, because God is for me” (Ps 56:9 NKJV). Believe that God is on your side today, then step out and attempt the thing you’re afraid to do! You’ll never be the same again—you’ll be liberated.

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

DEALING WITH FEAR (6)

“What I dread has happened  to me. “ Job 3:25 NKJV

Do you ever fantasize about solutions to problems you fear may or will come your way? Ironically, when you do, what started out as an unfounded fear can turn into a real problem because you expended valuable energy on wasteful thinking instead of productive action. Joe Tye, author of Never Fear, Never Quit, says: “Wishful thinking is the lock that fear puts on the prison gate. Fear lets you indulge yourself, for a while, in flights of wishful thinking. Somehow, you think , something will happen to make the problems go away. By the time you wake up, it’s too late. What you feared has happened, and fear has defeated you. The only way to escape from the prison of fear is action. You cannot wish your way out, you cannot wait your way out. You can only work your way out. Every time you escape the prison of fear, you grow stronger.” Fear has no benefits and no upside. It either pushes you in the wrong direction by producing nervous energy that causes you to do your worst in new situations, or it saps our energy as you fight its paralyzing effects. Psychologist Randall B. Hamrock observed: ‘In twenty years [of practice] I’ve talked with, tested, and given vocational counsel to at least 10,000 young men and women. One characteristic that almost all had was the tendency to sell themselves short. Don’t let fear rob you of your potential. Don’t let it stop your from pursuing your destiny. Believe God for great things, then step out and attempt to do them in His strength . If you do, you’ll succeed. Guaranteed.

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

DEALING WITH FEAR (5)

“The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Ps 27:1 NKJV

An old adage says, “Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is.” It exaggerates the problem, and as a result, you expend valuable energy in ways you shouldn’t. For example, sometimes you avoid things that can’t really harm you at all. Like the man who returned to his vacation cabin from a hike, badly scratched  and bruised. “What happened?” His wife asked. “I met a snake on the trail,” he answered. “Don’t you remember, “ his wife responded, ‘the park ranger told us yesterday that none of the snakes up here are poisonous?” Her husband replied, “They don’t have to be poisonous if they can make you jump off a twenty foot cliff!” Clearly the man’s fear—not the snake—was the problem. Charles Spurgeon once said, “Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but…today of its strengths.” As long as you allow fear to take the wheel, you’ll never go where God wants to take you, or discover and develop the talents He has placed within you. And here’s the great thing: God will help you to confront and conquer the fears that are controlling you. David the giant slayer, author of Psalms and Israel’s beloved king, often found himself with his back to the wall. Writing about such an occasion he said, “Make haste to help me…Lord (Ps 38:22 NKJV). “Be pleased…to deliver me” (Ps 40:13 NKJV). But David knew who to turn to: “The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” When God is the source of your strength, you can face your worst fears and overcome them.

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

DEALING WITH FEAR (4)

“As soon as their feet touch the water…the river will stand up like a wall.” Jos 3:13 NLT

To enter the Promise Land, the Israelites had to cross the River Jordan at flood stage. Where they afraid? Wouldn’t you be? Nevertheless, the only way to reach their destiny was to do the very thing they feared! When you let fear take hold, you become even more fearful and end up creating a debilitating cycle that works like this: Fear breeds lack of action. Lack of action breeds lack of experience. Lack of experience breeds ignorance. And ignorance breeds fear. It makes you afraid to do the very thing that would be beneficial  to you. Taking action means you’ll have to move into the unknown and do the untried—and that can be scary. But if you give in to your fears, you won’t move forward. You don’t receive the benefit of what you avoid, nor do you gain the valuable experience that will make your life better. As a result, you remain ignorant about that area of life, and ignorance always breeds more fear, making it that much harder to push ahead and get things done. Harry Truman remarked: “The worst danger we face is the danger of being paralyzed by doubts and fears. This danger is brought on by those who abandon faith and sneer at hope…by those who spread cynicism and distrust and try to blind us to our great chance to do good for all mankind.” Somebody said fear is the darkroom where all our negatives are developed. It’s interest paid in advance on a debt you may never owe. And it undermines faith—in yourself, in others and in 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 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

DEALING WITH FEAR (3)

“Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake.” Job 4:14 NKJV

Fear can be devastating. Why? Because It breeds more fear! And the most insidious thing about fear is it’s ability to exaggerate. C. Everett Koop, former surgeon  general of the United States, observed, “People just have an inappropriate sense of what is dangerous.” Do you fear flying? The fact is, you’re more likely to die from choking on a piece of food than in a commercial airline crash. Are you afraid of dying in a robbery? You’re twice as likely to be killed playing a sport than you are to be stabbed to death by a stranger. Are you afraid of sharks? Every year farmyard pigs slay more people than sharks do. Are you worried about having surgery? You’re sixteen times more likely to die in a car crash than you are from surgical complications. Seldom do the things we fear come to pass. In our minds we conceive coming disasters that will like never happen. And whey they don’t occur, we think, “That was a close one!” The truth is—our thoughts were the only things creating potential danger for us. So how should you deal with your fears? By practicing the truth of this Scripture: “You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. So trust int he Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages]” (Isa 26:3-4 AMPC).

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

Dealing With Fear (2)

I was afraid…and I hid myself.” Ge 3:10 NKJV

We tend to think that successful people are exempt from fear. Nothing could be further from the truth. Every generation in history has experienced fear. The first person God created was Adam, and the first recorded words Adam spoke were these: “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” Fear is genetic; it’s part of human nature. Studies confirm the our seven greatest areas of fear are these: (1) finances, (2) health, (3) career concerns, (4) parenting struggles, (5) family relationships, (6) accomplishing personal goals, and (7) death. Are you fearful and anxious in any of those areas? Fear can be a destructive force in your life. One of the old English words for fear means “sudden attack”. It’s akin to an old German word for fear that means “ambush or snare.” That’s what fear does; it attacks us and take us captive. So what’s the answer? Faith in God! Fear weakens, but faith strengthens. Fear imprisons, but faith liberates. Fear paralyzes, but faith empowers. Fear disheartens, but faith encourages. Fear sickens, but faith heals. It’s been said that the words “fear not” are recorded in Scripture 366 different times. If that’s so, God has given us a “fear not” for every day of the year—and one for leap year! And here’s one of them: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine” (Isa 43:1 NKJV). Today God is with you and He promises to strengthen and guide you in every situation you face.

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

DEALING WITH FEAR (1)

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? ps 118:6 NKJV

During the Great Depression unemployment hit 25 percent of the American population. Savings accounts were wiped out by bank failures, farmers lost their land to foreclosures, and people were having trouble just feeding their families. During this dark time Franklin Delano Roosevelt addressed the nation in these words: “Let me alert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance” What most people didn’t realize is that the president himself had experience some dark hours during which fear paralyzed him. Roosevelt was born a child of privilege and educated in Europe, at Harvard, and at Columbia Law School. But at age thirty-nine, he was stricken with a case of polio that left him severely disabled. During his recovery he developed an extreme fear of fire. He worried he wouldn’t be able to escape because of his disability. But in time he overcame his fear, regained the use of his hands, and even learned to walk again with the aid of braces. He reentered the political arena—fearlessly campaigning to become the governor of New York, which he did in 1929. He then went on to become one of the America’s greatest presidents and guided the nation to victory in World War II. In his memoirs Roosevelt recalls how when he turned to God for help, courage and guidance, he received them. Are you afraid today? If you are, stand on this promise: “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

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

Grasp the Moment

We often take the simple moments in our life for granted. We do not realize how our actions in any moment can impact our life. Pastor T.D. Jakes gave a powerful message called Grasping the Moment where he describes how a choice in the moment can change our lives. I pray that you will grasp every moment after hearing this dynamic word. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBM5dNQJJYs

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

Coping With Crises (2)

“Keep…growing in knowledge and understanding.'“ Php 1:9 NLT

When you find yourself in a crisis, having the right attitude makes the difference between despair and determination. Dr. Jeffrey Rossman offers these six steps: (1) Look for ways to find meaning. Resilient people use their experience to help others “[God] comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them” (2Co 1:4 NCV). (2) Examine your priorities. “Teach us to use wisely all the time we have: (Ps 90:12 CEV). How would you like to spend your time differently now? Who would you most like to spend it with? How can you use your strengths in the service of what is important to you? If you had only a year to live, what conversations would you want to have? What kind of person would you want to be? (3) Believe you can bounce back. A crucial aspect of resilience is faith in your ability to cope. Even if you have the practical will skills to deal with the issues at hand, unless you believe in your emotional flexibility, you will waiver. (4) Get moving. Physical exercise boosts your energy and mood. It reinforces your ability to take charge of your health and well-being. (5) Step out of your comfort zone. “Keep… growing in knowledge and understanding.” Learn a new language or computer program; begin a project at home or work. Embracing the unfamiliar strengthens your confidence and capacity to handle new situations. The more you require of yourself, the more resilient you will become. (6) Clear the weeds that are choking your optimism. When you start thinking pessimistic or cynical thoughts, step back and reframe your perspective by looking for concrete steps to solve the problem.

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 book Life’s Journey is now available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VYJKJ9K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6Z95ANB487AMDF3VTDP9

Coping With Crises (1)

“When my spirit was overwhelmed within me…You knew my path.” Ps 142:3 NKJV

How you handle a crisis can determine whether you end up feeling overwhelmed or come out stronger. Dr. Jeffrey Rossman suggests five ways to do it: (1) Acknowledge your feelings. David said, “When my spirit was overwhelmed…You knew my path.” God already knows how you feel, and stifling your emotions just saps your energy, leaves you tense, depressed, and slows the healing process. (2) Confide in someone. That doesn’t mean pouring your heart out to everybody and anybody; it means opening up to those who love and care about you. The Bible says, “A friend loves at all times, and is born as is a brother, for adversity” (Pr 17:17 AMPC). Numerous studies have confirmed the power of social support to help us through crises and stay healthy. (3) Start a journal or a blog. Writing about a traumatic event is a way of letting it out. It minimizes your chances of becoming sick or depressed; the more you write, the more your negative responses to the memory diminish. (4) Refuse to play the blame game: “It’s the other guy’s fault,” or “The doctor botched the procedure,” or “The boss never gave me a chance.” Blame-shifting makes others responsible for your pain, and more often than not, it results in lingering grudges that prolong your misery. Let go of toxic bitterness and judgment. Stop feeling like a doormat; you can forgive while taking steps to make yourself less vulnerable next time. (5) Forgive yourself. Surprise—you’re human like everybody else! Acknowledge you made a mistake, ask God for forgiveness, then forgive yourself and move on. God’s Word says when he forgives, He doesn’t “keep a list of your sins” (Isa 43:25 MSG). Neither Should you.

Source: 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 book Life’s Journey is now available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VYJKJ9K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6Z95ANB487AMDF3VTDP9

Keep Pressing On

I am sharing once again from my Word For You Today devotional. 

“Straining toward what is ahead, I press on.” Php 3:3, NIV

Developing your faith is like taking swimming lessons. Observe: (1) Fear is like water; If you let it, it will take you under, (2) You can only tread water for so long before you drown. (3) When you reach a certain point, there’s no turning back. (4) Faith is like the air in your lungs; it will sustain you and keep you afloat if you just relax. Have you ever watched a seasoned swimmer? Stoke after stroke, he takes what’s in front of him and pushes it behind him, letting it propel him toward his goal. He literally takes what stands between him and his goal, and uses it to get there. Sometimes we despair and say, I’m just keeping my head above water,” and that’s okay as long as you keep “stroking” and pressing on. It’s when you feel backed into a corner with nowhere to turn, that you’ve got to take hold of the faith God has placed within your and keep moving forward. Jesus said, The Kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force” (Mt 11:12). The word “violence” suggests ferocity, passion, and intensity. You must be relentless and fight your way through, confident that God is on your side—because He is (See Ps 56:9). The waters you’re in don’t determine your destiny; they either carry you over or take you under. It takes faith to keep going. When you quit, God can do-nothing more for you! So today whether you’re doing the breaststroke, the backstroke, or some other kind of stroke that nobody’s ever heard of—keep pressing on.

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 book Life’s Journey is now available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VYJKJ9K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6Z95ANB487AMDF3VTDP9

Perfecting Obedience

The Holy Spirit has been speaking to me about obedience. He has actually been drilling down obedience into every area of my life. Literally I hear him speaking to me about anything that I am about to do. I can hear Him giving me instructions. He has me focused on studying the scriptures about the outcome of obedience versus disobedience. What a lesson it has been for me!

Today was a prime example. I was headed to the local grocery store when I heard the Holy Spirit ask, “What are you going to the store for?” I said, “I am going to purchase two items onions and turnip greens.” I heard the Holy Spirit say, “That is correct, onions and turnip greens.” I said, “Okay!” When I got into the store the first thing I saw were delicious looking green grapes. I walked over to them and I picked up a bag and then my spirit felt a nudge reminding me of the turnip greens and onions.  I asked the Holy Spirit, “May I get a bag of grapes as well?” The Holy Spirit said, “Yes.” I walked a little further and saw some cherries. I said to myself, “Oh! I should get some of those for my parents! They would really like them!”  Before even picking them up I could feel another nudge in my heart. I said, “Holy Spirit can I purchase these cherries for my parents?” Then the only words I heard was, “Saul was disobedient and it cost him.”

When we decide we truly want to walk with God and we want Him in every area of our life, He will teach us in the simplest things, such as how to hear Him and be obedient to His word. Scriptures says that if we can be faithful over a few things God will make you ruler over many. First He has to make sure that we are going to be obedient over the little things. I don’t think there was anything wrong with purchasing cherries for my parents. I believe that because God was teaching me about obedience in everything, I couldn’t let anything get in the way of following His instructions; even if it was about buying something else I thought was good!

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 book Life’s Journey is now available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VYJKJ9K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6Z95ANB487AMDF3VTDP9

The Stretch

You know how we say, “God, I want to be used by you! God, use me more for your kingdom.”  Well, I am feeling that tug of a stretch again. I guess we want God to use us on our terms. I want to be used by God, but I don’t necessarily want the stretch. I looked up the word stretch in the dictionary and it means: of something soft or elastic, be made or be capable of being made longer or wider without tearing or breaking.

When we are being stretched by God, we are made better and we ascend to a higher calling with Him. But I must say, many times being stretched takes us out of our comfort zone and it requires change in us. Change - that is such a simple word with so much power behind it. I remember whenever we made a change at the office, we would do a lot of preparation behind the scenes to get staff ready for what kind of change was going to take place. We wanted the transition to be as easy as possible without a lot of controversy. Most of the time the change went well. It was the reaction to the change that caused the controversy.

As I sit here writing this post, I can feel my reaction to the change that is coming. My flesh does not want to change, but my spirit knows it has to happen if I am going to stay in alignment with God. I know God has already done a lot of preparation for me to walk this new level of stretch. I can tell you that at times it is hard to beat back this flesh!

This is the warfare that we have; our spirit wants to be obedient and our flesh wants its own way! I know in my spirit I am prepared and ready for what is before me, but it is going to cause me to make a sacrifice, and that is where my flesh is warring.

These words ring deep in my soul. We have two people inside of us and we have to get to a place where the older serves the younger. My flesh man has to serve my spirit man and this is the war that rages inside when change comes. As Paul so eloquently stated in scripture So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. Romans 7:21-25, ESV The only way to walk this out is through the help of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

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 book Life’s Journey is now available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VYJKJ9K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6Z95ANB487AMDF3VTDP9

What is Faith?

…God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Romans 12:3, ESV

It is actually believing in something we cannot see, feel, taste, touch or hear. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain what we do not see in the natural. Our five senses do not work when we have faith. My body and flesh do not have faith. Faith resides in my spirit. 

We are a spirit, we live in a body and we have a soul which is our mind, will and emotions. Over time we have learned to operate out of our body which includes our five senses. We have come to rely on our senses so much that it can become difficult to operate in our gift of faith. I’d like to challenge you with something. Take a moment and and listen to your spirit. Literally pause right now and just listen to your spirit. Did you notice that your spirit did not need to feel, taste, touch, hear or see any thing from your physical body? Our spirit works independent of our body. Our spirit only needs the body to operate here in the earth. When our assignment is finished here on earth our spirit goes back to God. The only thing left of us on earth is our body. We have all seen a dead body and we know that their spirit is gone.

We cannot see our spirit, we cannot touch our spirit, we cannot hear with our natural ears our spirit, nor can we taste our spirit. However, we know that our spirit is there. Welcome to faith! Our God is a spirit. We cannot physically see, feel, taste, touch or hear him, yet we experience all those senses with Him in the spiritual supernatural realm.

When we walk in faith, it is our spirit talking to God’s Spirit and we believe He heard us. We believe He has answered our request because He said that if we ask it would be given unto us. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8, KJV

At times it can seem like we don’t have any faith at all, simply because we are living in a situation that is not our desire or things are very difficult. I want to encourage you that you have all the faith you need. Our five senses in the physical can be our enemies of our faith in God. But be encouraged because scripture says …God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Romans 12:3, ESV

Remember this, the first human failed the test of faith so don’t be hard on yourself. God has given us the faith we need to believe in whatever He has put in our spirit. He has also given us His word the Bible to increase our faith in anything that we face. Scripture says So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of God. Romans 10:17, KJV

Father, thank you for your love and the generosity of faith you have given us. We believe in you and we know that you are real. We pray that you will help the part of us where there is unbelief that it will be transformed into great faith. We surrender ourselves to you this we pray in Jesus’ name Amen!

Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11

You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv: 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos

You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv: 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos

My recently published book Life’s Journey is now available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VYJKJ9K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6Z95ANB487AMDF3VTDP9