Prayer of the Week
May 25
Gracious Father,
When I sat down to write this prayer, immediately the words, “blow my mind” began ringing in my ears. I knew that those word came from a song entitled, “God can do Anything,” by Vashawn Mitchell. Thank you for the reminder that we can ask you for anything. I am going to repeat some of the words of the song below in this prayer.
My eyes have not seen, my ears have not heard, I can’t even imagine what you have in store for me. I ask that you blow my mind! I ask that you do the impossible for me. I trust you God and I believe your word. I know that my prayers are heard. Thank you for putting this prayer into my spirit. Blow my mind and do the impossible! I praise you for what I am about to experience. I praise you for the doors that have just been opened. I praise you for this bold prayer. Thank you for expanding my territory and for giving me the opportunity to sit in this space to worship you! Hallelujah! My soul is lifted high and my heart is overwhelmed by you!
Not only because of what you are doing in my life, but because of whom you are and the love you have for me! My God I praise you! Like Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life!” My God, thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I love you Lord! I sit in complete overflow knowing that nothing is impossible for you! To you be glory and praise amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Prayer of the Week
May 18
Heavenly Father,
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
Praise be to the most High God that there is no place I can hide from your presence! Praise be to the most High God that I am always in your presence. Oh how my soul praises that you are the one and only Omnipresent God and there is none more powerful than you! I praise you for the blessing of knowing that you are my God right now! I pray that all will come into an amazing relationship with you before your return. Scripture teaches us that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that you are Lord. I pray to always be seated in my position with you so that everyone who sees me will meet you and come into a never ending love affair with you. In Jesus’ name amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Prayer of the Week
Gracious Father,
The joy of coming before your throne and knowing that you know everything about me, just humbles my soul. I come before your presence with thanksgiving and I enter into your house with praise. My thanksgiving is not an act, but from the depths of my soul. I say thank you! I thank you that I do not have to put on any kind of a show, or be like someone else. You receive me as I am and you love me. What an overwhelming concept that every blemish of mine is before you and you love me as I am. I thank you Holy Spirit for hovering over me as I sit at the throne. I thank you Yusha for being my meditator and for giving me this place before Adonai.
Thank you that you are changing and transforming me. My soul cries out with praise that I will never be the same! You have come and placed yourself in me. You teach me all about you. You bring to me the desires of my heart. You are transforming me into the beautiful being that you designed before the beginning of time! Wow! Who am I that you would have such a plan for me? Almighty God I praise you with all that is with in me. I give you my, “yes.” I stand before you to receive my daily bread and to invite you to have your complete way with me. I praise you that I have been blessed with the awesome opportunity to rest in you and enjoy this life! In Jesus’ name amen!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Prayer for the Week
Heavenly Father,
What an honor it is to just sit before you. I am so grateful for this opportunity to be in your presence. I love how David said, “Blessed be the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me. Bless your holy name! My soul blesses you. My spirit rejoices that we can be in the spirit with you. Scripture says that you inhabit the praise of your people. Hallelujah! I am chosen by you! I am one of your people. I rejoice that you hear my prayer and you attend to it! My God, thank you!
Praise you God that this is a spirit to Spirit thing. Scripture says, “They that worship you must worship you in spirit and in truth”. Thank you for teaching me how to worship you in the spirt. Thank you for offering the world this opportunity to be with you! I praise you that every single person can have this amazing gift! Father, I pray that you will touch the hearts of the lost and that they will be drawn to you. There is so much hungry and despair in our world. Everywhere I look there are problems and evil being portrayed as righteousness. But praise God, you know the thoughts and hearts of all man! There is nothing hidden from you and I pray that hearts are transformed! To you be glory and praise! Amen! Hallelujah!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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A Brighter Day is Coming
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Genesis 12:1-3, ESV
At age seventy-five Abram had no children and God told him to leave his father’s family because he wanted to bless him and make him into a great nation. All those promises sounded wonderful to Abram, he believed God and he left as God had instructed.
When God brings us a word of what he wants us to do in our lives it all sounds wonderful. We say, “yes” and start moving in that direction. But in truth, we have no idea about what it will take to get us to our destinations. Abram said, “yes,” but it took twenty-five years for Abram to have the chosen son. Abram’s name was changed to Abraham and he was 100 years old when Isaac was born.
My brother’s wife said, “yes” to God in her youth. Now she is at retirement age and has cancer. You would think God would have kept this illness from her, especially since she had retired, but he did not. He allowed this journey to come. When we sign up with God we have no idea what he has in store for us. He does not share the details about the journey to our destinations.
What God does is he builds us during the journey so that we are ready for the destination. Along the way he sends words of encouragement and wonderful gifts. To encourage my brother’s wife, all of the women in our family bought two greeting cards and wrote messages to lift up her spirit. We made sure that one was funny and the other was a heartfelt message. We put the cards into a beautiful box and gave them to her. On the days when things seemed to be little hard, she would reach into the box and grab one of the cards to read.
I had the awesome privilege of taking my sister-in-law (love) to her cancer treatments. One day we were there things became very hard for her. I had no idea what to do. She was so tired and broken. It seemed like her journey was getting the best of her. But in the midst of her tears she pulled out one of the cards and opened it up. The card was entitled “A brighter Day is Coming!” My sister-in-love went from crying over being helpless and sad, to crying tears of joy because of how God had given her words to uplift her spirit!
In our journeys we are all going to have days where we may feel hopeless and that God is not there, but be encouraged for a brighter day is coming! Every journey has its peaks and valleys, but if you don’t stop you will reach the top! A brighter day is just ahead!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Prayer of the Week
April 27th
Scripture states, “The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.” [Proverbs 29:25] What can man do to me? Father, when I read that verse my thoughts went to the fact that there is a lot man can do. I have experienced them make laws that impacted my life negatively. They have treated me differently because of the way you made me. Some are not fair to me and they are liars. Some worship and honor Satan and are mean! There is a lot man can do to me, but I praise you that they have no control over you!
Although I have experienced some of man’s evil behaviors, but you have kept me. I have learned and come to know you deeply. As scripture says, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Hallelujah! through it all you have been there and you continue to watch over me and you will cause my enemies who rise up against me to be defeated!
Hallelujah God! I do not have to worry about fighting my own battles because through you they are already won! You will take away every sickness and evil that is done to me and will inflict it on those who hate me! How awesome is your word! You are so good to me! Lord God to you be glory and praise! Amen!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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The Prayer of the Week
April 20thThis is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. Father, no matter what is going on in my life right now I rejoice in you. I thank you that I am in you and you are in me. Thank you for the scripture that reminded me that you made this day. You gave me this gift and everything comes from you. Everything is made by you and all belongs to you. Oh how I worship you!
I don’t take the good times, or the hard times for granted. Actually, I run from the hard things I don’t like them, but I know that you are with me. I know that you have the best in mind for me. I know that you are doing an amazing work in me. Hallelujah! Father, please keep up the work; no matter how much I whine. Do what needs to be done. I know that soon this will come to pass and I will see and experience the good you have worked out for me. I pray for my loved ones and the suffering they are experiencing; whether it be physical, spiritual, mental or emotional. I am so grateful that all the healing is in your hands and you are taking care of them!
Thank you for the healing scriptures that bring confirmation to my heart that everything is for a season and you are the one who heals us. You know that I love Psalm 139. Every time I read it I am uplifted; no matter what I am facing! To you be glory and praise ELOHIM! You are the Creator and owner of it all! Hallelujah!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Prayer of the Week
April 13 Hallelujah my Father! I lay still before your throne. I hear my heart beating and I can hear the silence around me. I know that you are here with me. I remember the scripture that says, “Enter into your gates with thanksgiving and come unto your courts with praise.” My soul quietly thanks you and praise rises out of my spirit. I thank you for this peaceful, quiet place you have given me at this moment in time with you.
There are so many things and people to pray for! I don’t even know where to start. But you gently guide my heart in gratitude and I begin to thank you again for all those that you have brought into my spirit. You know each and every one of them. I realize that you know what they are going through and you want me to praise you for their journey and your covering. It is just so good to know you. I pray for those who are lost and don’t know you. I pray that their hearts will be turned towards you. Thank you for letting me pray for others. Thank you for using me and for drawing me to your throne. Thank you for allowing me to have this intimacy with you. I am forever grateful! To you be the glory and praise! Amen!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Peace
That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6, NIV
My husband took me to the beach for my birthday and I just loved it. My heart was at peace and I just sat there enjoying the time of quietness. It was so beautiful I just watched the waves go back and forth into the ocean. I watched how the birds would just ride the waves, never budging from the water. I looked around and noticed all the beautiful homes that had been built around the beach and I thought it would be nice to own one of those.
The Holy Spirit reminded me that even if I had a home overlooking the ocean I would not always be in a place of peace. He said that life brings problems and that sitting looking at the ocean will not bring the consolation you need to get through difficult situations. He said it is good to get away and have that down time, but your peace has to come from me.
The spirit cannot be in a constant state of peace by material things. It is a spirit and the things of the world may bring a temporary peace, but true peace comes from God. Our spirits must seek the things of the Holy Spirit in order to receive what it needs. The more I meditated on those words, everything seemed to become clear. Our spirit is comforted by the Holy Spirit and flesh is comforted by the flesh. When this fleshly body is hungry it wants the food of this earth to fulfill its hunger. When our spirit is empty, we can try and fill it with all kinds of materialistic things, but it will remain empty until we connect with the Spirit of God. As scripture says, “What is born of the flesh can only satisfy its desire through the flesh. But what is born of the Spirit can only be filled through the spirit.”
Although I loved every moment of our trip to the beach, it was a temporary moment that could only give me that time in the present. I look back on it and remember all the great and wonderful times we had. But because Jesus Christ lives inside of me, I can dwell in his presence all day long every day with the spirit of peace; no matter where I go.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27, ESV
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Prayer of the Week
Heavenly Father,
There is not a day that goes by that I don’t see your amazing miracles in my life! I have the opportunity everyday to experience you! I have been handed a present with an invitation to be with the Most High God and sit at your table. My soul is overwhelmed and filled with joy as my heart tries to comprehend your amazing love and kindness! I am just so grateful!
Thank you that gratefulness sits in my heart; even that comes from you! The generous love of the Holy Spirit and the power of Jesus Christ working consistently through intercession in prayer to keep me on the path with you goes beyond words. How can one begin to say, “thank you?” How can one begin to express the gratitude that comes with this amazing love? I sit here completely in awe of you! I can see why David just kept writing the most beautiful Psalms to you. I pray that the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart will always be pleasing to you!
Thank you for choosing me to be a servant of yours. Thank you for creating a world that I get to be apart of and yet never be separated from you. There is no one like you and I am honored that you live inside of me! To you be glory and praise! Amen
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Prayer of the Week
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.
Those who want to kill me will be destroyed; they will go down to the depths of the earth. They will be given over to the sword and become food for jackals. But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by God will glory in him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced. Psalm 63, NIV
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Legacy
What kind of legacy are you leaving? I had the opportunity to go to a celebration of life for one of the mother’s of our church. She was such a sweet and kind lady. Every time I would see her she would have a smile on her face and was always dressed up. I did not know her when she was younger. I have only known her for around seven years.
She had a stroke which left her unable to speak, but she was able to move around quite well. During the celebration service those who were on program spoke about all the things she had accomplished in her life. She was a real activist for people and the community. She put her daughter through the best schools and worked hard to make sure that she brought good to the world. Her daughter had become an attorney. The more I listened no one ever talked about the things she had acquired. They mentioned that she liked to always dress well and wanted everything done in a very elegant way. She was an intelligent and sophisticated woman.
Later as I reflected on celebration service, I thought about how so many of us spend our lives trying to gather things that we don’t even get to keep. Those things get passed on to someone else and we transition to some other place. I thought Satan has really gotten people tricked into believing that acquiring and positioning ourselves to have the most and the best is the greatest thing on earth. But in truth, if we are no loving God and loving each other we have missed our true purpose and the things we gather will never be able to stand up and speak for our character.
I knew that the lady who died had several properties and that she had a beautiful home living on a lake, but that is not what spoke for her. It was how she made people feel and the impact she had on the community; while at the same time enjoying life and gathering some nice things. It is so important that we understand that we are not here to chase after things, but to share the love of Christ and to be his example to the world.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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The Holy Spirit
But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the [a]Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you] John 16:7, AMP
For the year 2024 the focused teaching of our church will be on the Holy Spirit. Our Bishop spoke a bit about the scripture above in Bible Study. The Holy Spirit was sent by Jesus Christ and comes upon every individual who receives him as their personal savior. Immediately the spirit of Jesus Christ dwells within you. He comes and takes up residence in you. In the verse above Jesus was telling his disciples that when he leaves he was going to send the Helper, the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit prompted me to look up the words in the verse above that describes him. In the past this had always been my practice when I read the Bible, but I had gotten away from it. So when I did this exercise it was exhilarating! The Holy Spirit was reminding me of the power that I had within me. When we do not know what is ours, we behave a certain way. We would all probably live a little differently if we received a call informing us that we received an inheritance in the amount of ten million dollars! Having the additional funds would make a big difference in our decision making for our future! It is the same when you know the Holy Spirit and the power that you have immediately in your arsenal!
The Holy Spirit is the ultimate power source! First of all He is the Spirit of the Creator of this world! He has always existed and he knows every single thing that is happening in the earth! Now he has chosen to be our personal advisor, who intercedes for us at any given moment when we ask for help. He is there to help, lead, guide, defend, provide, advise, make us stronger and he stands by waiting for us to check-in with him. He has every resource available to him. There is nothing that we lack when we seek the Holy Spirit! And most importantly, he wants to have a relationship with each and every one of us. We have the ultimate power!
I listed below the definitions of the words I looked up. I pray they will help you to get to know your most trusted advisor.
Helper: One that helps
Comforter: In the Greek the word is paraklesis “a calling to one’s side” beside, to call; either an exhortation or consolation, comfort Merriam-Webster: HOLY SPIRIT; One that gives comfort
Advocate: one who defends or maintains a cause or proposal; one who pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court; to plead in favor of
Intercessor: the act of interceding; one that intercepts; a light high-speed fast climbing-fighter plane or missile designed for defense against raiding bombers or missiles. Romans 8:26-30
Strengthener: to make stronger Ephesians 3:16
Standby: one to be relied on especially in emergencies; a favorite or reliable choice or resource
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Rejoice
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24, ESV
A few days ago, our daughter sent me a text message with a video of her graduation from college. Her boyfriend (now husband) had taped a few shots of the graduation. In one particular shot her grandpa was giving her a big hug and congratulating her on her accomplishments. The video was captured in 2007 and her grandpa passed away in 2009. She wrote me with mixed emotions in tears of joy because she remembered how much we all celebrated together; but there was sadness because he was now gone.
Our daughter recently gave birth to her first little boy and we realized that when grandpa gave her that hug back in 2007, he was also hugging his future great grandson as well! What was so ironic was the timing I received the text message. I was sitting at home with both my parents taking down Christmas decorations. The thought later came to me that we needed to be grateful for every moment in the present because we do not know what will happen next.
Psalm 118:24 reads, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it,” came into my heart. Our days can be so routine that we forget it is a present from God and given to each of us to enjoy and rejoice in him. I meditated on the word rejoice and researched the definition in Hebrew. In Hebrew the word is “smach” which means a feeling so strong that it finds expression in some external out. A spontaneous, unsustained feeling of jubilance, and a feeling prompted by some external and unsustained stimulus (Strong’s Concordance). When I read the last part of the definition I immediately thought of my favorite football team winning the Super Bowl and how that would cause me to rejoice.
Scripture tells us to have that same kind of joy each day. As I meditated on those words, my mind went to Psalm 86:4 “Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. KJV Everyday we can rejoice with exuberant praise when we ask the Holy Spirit to help us to rejoice unto God. Our focus would not be on our situation, or what we are going through, but on ELOHIM and what He has done. When our spirits are aligned in the right place, we can embrace the present with joy and appreciate every moment that has been given to us.
Father, I thank you for reminding me of the precious gift of time. Everyday that I am here it is gift that I am to enjoy. Many times my focus is on the routine of what is in front of me and I forget to find my praise and joy in you. I repent and ask for forgiveness. Holy Spirit, I ask that you help me to focus my soul on rejoicing in ELOHIM. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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Power of the Holy Spirit
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:4, ESV
When I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior his Spirit came to live inside of me. Scripture says that the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and they were filled with the Spirit of Christ. The results of the Spirit were immediately seen.
This year our church is studying the Holy Spirit and I am excited to learn about him! During our season of fasting I said in my prayer to the Holy Spirit, “I am coming after you!” I want to understand you with all of my heart! I want to know you!
Early in the morning I was reading a book on the Holy Spirit. He began to show himself to me and what it was like for him to live in me. I had read about the baptism, indwelling and filling of the Holy spirit, but I did not grasp how that worked with my relationship with him.
He started to show me visions. The baptism of the Holy Sprit meant that I had a “new” environment. In the beginning when I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior, he came to live in me. I saw myself moving into a used home that someone else had lived in. I then owned the home, but the previous people had left everything and it was really dirty inside! I had to get rid of all their old furniture, clean, repaint, replace appliances, redo the floors and bathroom. Everything had to come out. I started with the floors and had to work all the way through the rest of the house. Everything was a mess. I did not even want to stay in the place. The Spirit showed me that when he started living in me it was the same as living in the dirty house. When I had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, my environment had a new owner, but there was a lot of work to be done. The old owner had left everything. Satan had moved out of me, but he left me a mess!
The indwelling of the Holy spirit means the place where he lives. So, the Holy Spirit is indwelling in me. When I moved into to the new home, I am working on it daily. I am always doing something to keep it clean. He showed me that it was the same way with the Holy Spirit. All day, everyday, he is working and transforming us into a place that looks like his home. He is making our home look like him. So, we cannot judge our brothers and sisters because just like us there is work going on in the inside that we may never see on the outside.
The filling of the Holy Spirit means what the Spirit empowers me to do. I began to see the electricity in the home and how it powers the house. He showed me that if I did not understand how to use the electricity, I could not do very much with it in my house. I could not keep it cool, warm, or even turn the lights on to see at night. Although the house was mine and everything was available to me, it was useless. It was clean and looked nice, but nothing was happening. It could not serve the purpose I would need it to do.
He showed me that it is the same way with him. He empowered me with everything I needed to operate in the kingdom and to do all things he set before me. But because I did not operate with his power, I was not as effective for the kingdom. He showed me that if I learned how to use the electricity, I could be massive! The lights, fridge, stove, garage, heater and air-conditioning would all work and all of a sudden I would be powerful! When we sit with God and learn how to move with and operate in the power of the Holy Spirit we will see ourselves walking on water! God has designed each of us to be massive for the kingdom!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
His Glory
“Have you commanded the mornings since your days began, and caused the dawn to know it place.” Job 38:12, ESV
I went to a meeting to make a presentation about partnering with a company to sell my cookies. I thought I had it all together and that I was ready for the presentation. I found that I was totally unprepared and did not realize it until everything was over. When I started to analyze what I had done, a feeling of heaviness set in and somehow the situation played over and over in my head. I found myself trying to get out of that rabbit hole.
I started praying, but I was consumed with what I had done and it didn’t seem like my prayers were not going anywhere. I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Get your Bible and read it!” I love how God brings us into focus. I had no idea what to read, but he said, “Open the Bible and I will direct you on what to read.” My Bible fell open to Job 38 and I began to read. When I got down to the twelfth verse, I stopped and just listened to God. He began to speak to my soul. I read that verse over and over again.
“Have you commanded the mornings since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place.” Job 38:12, ESV As I sat and meditated on that scripture I felt all the pressure leave me. I felt all the worry leave me. I felt complete peace. My situation had not changed, but I realized that he knew what had happened and he had already fixed my problems. This meeting was to teach me what I still needed to do and where I was lacking. How could I have known if I had not gone through the exercise? I was being taught by God. It was a training course so that I would be prepared for what was to come.
God reminded me that in everything the I AM is there! He is in the midst and in every situation, he knows the outcome. This year God has me writing about his glory and this message once again directs us to the place of magnifying his glory! Amen! To God be the glory!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Prayer of the Week
3/30
Psalm 86
Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am distressed and needy [I long for Your help].
Protect my life (soul), for I am godly and faithful; O You my God, save Your servant, who trusts in You [believing in You and relying on You, confidently committing everything to You]. Be gracious and merciful to me, O Lord, for to You I cry out all the day long. Make Your servant rejoice, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul [all that I am—in prayer].
For You, O Lord, are good, and ready to forgive [our sins, sending them away, completely letting them go forever and ever]; and abundant in lovingkindness and overflowing in mercy to all those who call upon You. Hear, O Lord, my prayer; and listen attentively to the voice of my supplications (specific requests)!
In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, for You will answer me. There is no one like You among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works [of wonder and majesty] like Yours. All nations whom You have made shall come and kneel down in worship before You, O Lord,
And they shall glorify Your name. For You are great and do wondrous works! You alone are God. Teach me Your way, O Lord, I will walk and live in Your truth; direct my heart to fear Your name [with awe-inspired reverence and submissive wonder]. I will give thanks and praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart; and will glorify Your name forevermore.
For great is Your lovingkindness and graciousness toward me; and You have rescued my life from the depths of Sheol [from death]. O God, arrogant and insolent men have risen up against me; a band of violent men have sought my life, and they have not set You before them. But You, O Lord, are a God [who protects and is] merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness and truth. Turn to me, and be gracious to me; grant Your strength [Your might and the power to resist temptation] to Your servant, and save the son of Your handmaid. Show me a sign of [Your] goodwill, that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, because You, O Lord, helped and comforted me.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Prayer of the Week
3/23
Psalm 139
O Lord, you have searched me [thoroughly] and have known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up [my entire life, everything I do]; You understand my thoughts from afar. You scrutinize my path and my lying down, and You are intimately acquainted with all my ways. Even before there is a word on my tongue [still unspoken], behold, O Lord, You know it all.
You have enclosed me behind and before, and [You have] placed Your hand upon me. Such [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is too high [above me], I cannot reach it. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead), behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn, if I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will take hold of me.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, and the night will be the only light around me,” even the darkness is not dark to You and conceals nothing from You, but the night shines as bright as the day; darkness and light are alike to You. For You formed my innermost parts; You knit me [together] in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from You, when I was being formed in secret, and intricately and skillfully formed [as if embroidered with many colors] in the depths of the earth. Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were appointed for me, when as yet there was not one of them [even taking shape]. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I could count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.
O that You would kill the wicked, O God; go away from me, therefore, men of bloodshed. For they speak against You wickedly,Your enemies take Your name in vain. Do I not hate those who hate You, O Lord? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? I hate them with perfect and utmost hatred; they have become my enemies. Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Prayer of the Week
3/16
In my reading time the Holy Spirit lead me to Psalm 17 and as I was reading it, I felt that He wanted me to put this as our prayer for the week:
Hear the just (righteous) cause, O Lord; listen to my loud [piercing] cry; listen to my prayer, that comes from guileless lips. Let my verdict of vindication come from Your presence; may Your eyes look with equity and behold things that are just. You have tried my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tested me and You find nothing [evil in me]; I intend that my mouth will not transgress. Concerning the deeds of men, by the word of Your lips I have kept away from the paths of the violent.
My steps have held closely to Your paths; my feet have not staggered. I have called upon You, for You, O God, will answer me; Incline Your ear to me, hear my speech. Wondrously show Your [marvelous and amazing] lovingkindness, O Savior of those who take refuge at Your right hand From those who rise up against them. Keep me [in Your affectionate care, protect me] as the [a]apple of Your eye; hide me in the [protective] shadow of Your wings from the wicked who despoil and deal violently with me, my deadly enemies who surround me.
They have closed their unfeeling heart [to kindness and compassion]; with their mouths they speak proudly and make presumptuous claims. They track us down and have now surrounded us in our steps; they set their eyes to force us to the ground, he is like a lion eager to tear [his prey], and like a young lion lurking in hiding places.
Arise, O Lord, confront him, cast him down; save my soul from the wicked with Your sword, from men with Your hand, O Lord, from men of the world [these moths of the night] whose portion [of enjoyment] is in this life—idle and vain, and whose belly You fill with Your treasure; they are satisfied with children, and they leave what they have left [of wealth] to their children.
As for me, I shall see Your face in righteousness; I will be [fully] satisfied when I awake [to find myself] seeing Your likeness.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Prayer of the Week
March 9
Heavenly Father,
What an honor it is to come to you today! What an honor it is to sit with you in this space. My soul says thank you! As all these crazy thoughts are going through my mind and all these nosies surround me, yet, I am grateful that you hear my inner heart. I am so grateful that I can speak to you without my lips moving and no one knows what I am saying except you. What a blessing you have given me; this gift that I get to communicate spirt to Spirit. You know all my thoughts and even when I cannot say anything at all, you know what is in my heart. You comfort me, even now, my soul in comforted. What a joy it is to have this kind of relationship with you! Hallelujah!
Thank you for all that is before me. Thank you for all I see and don’t understand, thank you for exactly where I am in life right now. I praise you for you know what is behind every move that is happening in my life. You are the author of tomorrow and You hold my soul in your hand! Wow! You have every hair on my head numbered, you love me more than I know how to love myself. I thank you that you care for every single individual the same way. Your love goes beyond what we could imagine. I praise you that you hear and receive the gratitude in my heart today. To you be glory and praise! Amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos
My published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss