Welcome to February
What a year it has already been, and we're only in the second month! I took the month of January off as God instructed, to listen and be in His presence. It has been a time of revelation, joy, peace, restoration, refreshing, fulfillment, and so much more. I'm still overwhelmed by the experience, as there was so much God shared with me—so much, in fact, that I’m not sure I can share it all with you in a year.
Solitude with God is a precious gift that each of us is invited to receive. We need to understand that our God is One—yet Three: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. All God, but three distinct persons. God the Son is Jehovah, the part of God who chose to come in the flesh, to carry His name to us. He came so that we could truly know Him and have a relationship with Him. God the Son, Yeshua, came to reveal God Himself to us.
This reminds me of our relationship with our grandson. When he was born, we made the two-hour trip every week—sometimes even three or four times a week—just to be with him. Why did we make these sacrifices in our schedule? Because we love him, and we wanted to build a relationship with him. At first, he didn’t know us. But we kept coming. We kept holding him, bringing him whatever he needed, so that he would come to recognize us. We knew that, eventually, he would. And it was such a blessing the first time he smiled when he saw us. Our hearts melted with joy. When he reaches out his hands for us to hold him, those moments are incredibly special.
He is now beginning to understand that we are part of his tribe, and that we love him.
How much more does God do even greater things for us? He loves us so dearly that He wants to make sure we know Him. He desires a bond with us so tight that nothing can break it. He wants us to know He is our Father, and that He loves us deeply. So, He pours out all of Himself to us. He gives us whatever we ask, according to His will—and our requests are always answered. It’s just like with our grandson: anything he asks of us, within our will and ability, he can have. We’re simply interested in the relationship, and in him understanding how much we love him.
Can you see the foreshadowing of how our Father is trying to help us understand His love? He has done everything possible for us to grasp how much He cares. He continues every day to take care of us and draw us closer to Him (John 5:17). God's Holy Spirit keeps coming to us, inviting us into this intimate relationship with Him. He longs for us to receive all of His gifts, and to enter into deep fellowship with Him.
Listen, all that you ask, according to His will, is already done for you (1 John 5:14-15). He wants to move you beyond worrying about what you need and bring you into the intimacy of a relationship with Him.
Key Points:
God, through Yeshua, deeply desires to have a personal relationship with you.
There is so much God wants to reveal to you and open up in your life.
Just like a parent who wants the best possible relationship with their child, that’s exactly why Jesus died—to give us the opportunity to have an intimate, fulfilling relationship with Him!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Guilt
"I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake."
—1 John 2:12, ESV
Guilt: The fact of having committed a specified or implied offense or crime.
I love to write letters to God. One afternoon, while sitting quietly and listening to the Holy Spirit, He directed me to read a letter I had written in one of my journals. In the letter, I had confessed to God that I felt guilty and heavy in heart. Below that entry, God had directed me to the scripture above, and I had written it down. Beneath the scripture, God had me write, *"I am forgiven."
Scripture says, "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent."
—Revelation 3:19, ESV
My guilt at that time was because God had brought to my attention some things He had instructed me to do but I had not yet done. Though I had repented, I still felt heavy in my heart. Satan is the only one who wants us to walk in condemnation and guilt. God convicts our hearts to bring us back to righteousness, and then we are to walk in freedom. We are already forgiven. The scripture below brings such clarity:
"I write this, dear children, to guide you out of sin. But if anyone does sin, we have a Priest-Friend in the presence of the Father: Jesus Christ, righteous Jesus. When He served as a sacrifice for our sins, He solved the sin problem for good—not only ours but the whole world’s. Here’s how we can be sure that we know God in the right way: Keep His commandments."
—1 John 2:1-2, MSG
When we get out of alignment, our gracious God guides us back to obedience and righteousness. He will never lead us into condemnation. When we cary the burden of commendation, we cannot fulfill the assignment God has given us because we are conflicted in our minds. Praise God for his forgiveness of our sins!
Key Points:
Jesus gave us freedom from sin before we were born.
God disciplines those He loves, directing us back to righteousness.
Condemnation is a trick of the enemy. Do not succumb to it.
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 Day Closer
"It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, since that is the end of all mankind, and the living should take it to heart." – Ecclesiastes 7:2 (CSB)
My husband was hired to play at a celebration of life service. The event was held on a Sunday, so we had to leave immediately after our own church service to make it on time. The celebration was about an hour away.
When we arrived, people were bustling about, putting together final touches for the gathering. The event took place at a Moose Lodge, so I found my way to the bar area and began watching the football game on the television to stay out of the way.
To my surprise, the host of the event invited me to join in and fellowship with them and their guests. I later learned the host was the wife of the individual whose life was being celebrated. She explained that his family had wanted a traditional church funeral, which was held in Whittier, California, but this gathering was her way of honoring what he had wanted.
As I sat and listened to everyone share stories about him, I noticed a common theme in their recollections: his personality and how deeply he would be missed.
When I was younger, I didn’t fully understand why the Bible says it is better to be in a house of mourning than a house of feasting. But in that moment, revelation began to flow. It became clear to me that such moments remind us of life’s fleeting nature and how we treat others is what truly matters.
Even now, as I write this devotional, my husband is asking me to spend time with him. I have no idea what the next moment holds, so I’m choosing to take him up on his offer.
It’s heartbreaking that so many of us fail to grasp how precious life on earth truly is. As the celebration drew to a close, someone sang Frank Sinatra’s My Way. The song made me reflect on how often people choose to live life their way, failing to acknowledge that our time here is temporary.
Jesus reminds us in Revelation:
“Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy. Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” – Revelation 22:11–13 (ESV)
Key Points
Everything you do on earth matters.
Life is just a mist.
This season on earth is temporary.
Your decisions here determine where you will spend eternity.
Prayer
Father,
With a heavy heart, I praise and thank You. I pray that every person’s heart will be open to hear Your voice as You draw them to Yourself. I ask that Satan’s voice be silenced so that they may hear You clearly in the moment and receive You into their soul. Thank You, God, that it is Your desire for everyone to be saved and that You are always working to draw people to You. Hallelujah! To You be the glory and praise! Amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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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
Training Ground
In the military, a training field is an outdoor facility used to train soldiers and recruits. As believers, our training ground is in our minds. Scripture says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” —Ephesians 6:12
Usually, early in the morning when I head down to my prayer room, God puts a song in my heart or gives me something specific to pray about. But for a season, as soon as I crossed the threshold into my prayer room, an all-out war would begin in my mind whenever I tried to pray. All kinds of thoughts would come to distract me from prayer. Satan would attack from every direction. I became so frustrated that I asked God, “What is going on in my head?” I understood that the battlefield was in the mind, but I felt like I couldn’t break through. Every prayer time became a struggle. At times, I would just sit with God in silence, but even that felt like a battle. This went on for weeks, and then one day, I said to God, “I am not leaving this room until something shifts.”
I finally reached a place of quiet and peace. I could hear the silence. I knew I had entered a new dimension. I sat and listened, wanting to hear everything God was saying to me. Then He said, “The warfare was to make you strong.” I immediately understood what He was telling me. He had never left me; I was on the training ground. He wanted me to know that no matter what attacked my mind, our relationship remained unchanged, and He was still hearing my prayers.
I had become so worked up and confused, thinking my prayers weren’t getting through. But God was teaching me not to rely on what I felt but on what I knew. I knew that according to Romans 8:34 Jesus intercedes for us. I knew 1 John 5:14-15, when I pray according to God’s will, He hears and answers. I knew that Luke 11:9 says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” God was teaching me how to be completely at peace, regardless of what I felt or thought, for He is not the author of confusion. I had allowed myself to get entangled in the battle with Satan instead of simply saying, “God, I trust You!”
We must understand that God will allow us to face the training ground. How else will we be prepared for the real battle? Just as the military trains soldiers for combat, how much more will God train and prepare those He loves?
Key Points:
God trains and prepares those He loves.
Training is not easy, but it is beneficial.
Don’t let your mind get caught up in how you feel; instead, stand on what you know from the Word.
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
Shift
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7, NLT
From August through September, my husband and I were assigned nanny duties in the Bay Area. Our daughter and her husband had welcomed their first child, our grandson. They were fortunate to have about five months off work to bond with their little one. However, just a week before they were due to return to their jobs, the nanny they had hired declined the position, leaving them without childcare.
To help them out, we worked out a schedule with our daughter’s mother-in-law, who lives 20 minutes away from them. We lived about two hours away. The plan was for us to cover two days a week, while her mother-in-law would handle the other three days, giving them time to search for a new nanny. The schedule worked well for about two weeks, but then her mother-in-law fell and sprained her ankle.
I was taken aback by how quickly God had shifted my plans. I was already adjusting to our two-day-a-week commitment while juggling writing, taping, and cookie-making all at once. Suddenly, they needed me to step in for the entire week. While I was excited to spend more time with my grandson, I felt annoyed and overwhelmed trying to figure out how to make everything fit into my already full schedule. As the week passed, I found myself surrendering to God. The harder I tried to make things work my way, the more frustrated I became. I realized I was fighting against God’s plans—and that’s a battle I was never going to win.
At first, I didn’t understand that I needed to release everything on my schedule and surrender to His. God was orchestrating a shift in my life, and I needed to be fully present in that moment. Once I let go, an incredible joy lifted my spirit. I stopped trying to control everything, and as a result, I had the most wonderful time with my grandson and husband.
God revealed to me that my presence in their home was part of His plan. I needed to be there—to pray over and anoint our grandson when he went to sleep. It was a vital assignment that I would have missed if I had clung stubbornly to my own agenda.
God has such a sense of humor. As soon as I let go and started enjoying my time, He showed me a place to tape my videos. I had walked past this room every day without realizing it was perfect for what I needed. It was only after I surrendered and aligned myself with His plans that I could see the opportunity He had provided. When I released everything to Him, the doors opened.
Key points:
Surrender to God’s plan.
An unexpected shift is God’s plan
If you lack peace and joy perhaps you have not surrendered to God.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Moving
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Joshua 29:11, ESV
The passage above is encouraging because it reminds us that we don't have to figure life out on our own. Many times, especially with social media, we can become distracted and disheartened by what others are doing, feeling a sense of failure in our own journey. But their journey is not ours, and what is happening in their lives is not meant for us. God says He knows exactly what He has planned for each of us. He created us, brought us here, and we are His responsibility. He tells us that He is our shepherd, so we must let Him lead and keep our eyes on Him.
The other day, I went for a run and was excited to be out running. I had planned to go a set distance, but when I turned a corner, the Holy Spirit prompted me, “Stop at this coffee shop and get yourself a tea.” At first, I felt myself resisting, thinking, No, I’m going to finish my run. But I followed the Holy Spirit's prompting.
As I walked home, the Holy Spirit spoke to me: “Whether you’re walking or running, you’re still moving with Him and making progress.” He reminded me not to get discouraged if things seem to be taking a long time. He reminded me of my garden—how it takes time for a seed to sprout. When it does sprout, it doesn’t immediately produce fruit. The plant has to grow and become strong enough to support the fruit it will bear. When the fruit appears, it starts out small and takes time to mature before it’s ready to be harvested. He showed me that this process is the same with us.
The world often tells us we should have everything right now, but that’s a lie. I believe God began humanity in a garden so we could learn the process of life. Everything God created on this earth has a teaching purpose for us. While sin has distorted many of these lessons, if we sit patiently with God, He will bring us revelations we could never have imagined.
Key points:
Keep moving in what God has put inside of you.
If you stop moving you will never reach destiny
Everything is designed to teach us something about him and to bring us 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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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
Enjoy the Present
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11, ESV
I was up early praying when I felt the Holy Spirit say, “Go work in your garden.” At first, I thought, Work in my garden? But then I remembered that I started the garden to hear Him speak to me. So, I went outside and spent time pruning, re-staking, and organizing. The whole time, I could hear the Holy Spirit guiding me. Just when I thought I was done, He said, “Now, go take your run.”
I went inside, put on my running clothes, and headed out. My husband was leaving for an appointment, and he said he’d call when he was finished. Just as I was wrapping up my run and stopping at a coffee shop for hot tea, he called. He wasn’t far, so he came over to grab a coffee and pick me up.
When we got in the car, he moved it to a shady spot, rolled down the windows, and just sat there. In my mind, I was thinking, I have a lot of work to do. Why are we sitting here? We’re only five minutes from home. Why don’t we just go? As if he could hear my thoughts, he said, “I just wanted to sit here with you and chat about what’s going on in your life. I wanted us to enjoy this moment together.” It reminded me of how God often says He is in the present and wants us to enjoy the moment. I realized I was so focused on my to-do list that I wasn’t savoring the day God had given me.
We sat for about fifteen minutes, and it was wonderful. I was grateful for how the Holy Spirit had moved in his heart! Later, I reflected on that moment and told him how much I appreciated what he did at the coffee shop. He said, “I just want us to remember to enjoy each other. When we get home, we get into our routines and can miss these precious moments.”
Every day, God gives us a gift. The Giver wants us to enjoy it. Amid all we have going on, God provides time each day to enjoy His presence. As the passage says, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11, ESV) Every time we make room for His presence in our day, we experience the fullness of joy. I want to encourage you—don’t miss out on your joy today!
Key points:
Take time to enjoy the gift
This day has been designed for you to enjoy.
If you are missing joy, you are missing Him.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Divisiveness
It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. Jude 1:19, ESV
One morning, I woke up with the word divisiveness in my spirit. I sensed that the Holy Spirit was leading me to pray against this spirit, as I could see it taking hold of our country, and it is not of the Lord.
Divisiveness: a tendency to cause disagreement or hostility between people; a tendency to provoke dissension or discord.
In the passage below, Jude—the author of the book and the brother of James and Jesus—writes to believers about the discord happening in his time. He says, "I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ, our only Sovereign and Lord." (Jude 1:3-4, NIV)
There was so much deception at that time that Jude went on to explain further how to recognize those causing divisiveness: "These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage. But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, 'In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.' These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit." (Jude 1:16-19, NIV)
God never leaves us without a solution for handling problems and strengthening ourselves. Jude concludes with this encouragement: "But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh." (Jude 1:20-23, NIV)
Our role as believers is to intercede with love for our brothers and sisters. Jesus made it clear that in the last days we would face deceptions, but we are called to love others, pray for them, stand for righteousness and guide them back to Him in love.
Key points:
Pray for your brothers and sisters as discord, divisiveness, deception, hostility are all apart of Satan tactics. We are not to be distracted by them.
Equip oneself with pray at all times and meditating on the word of God will provide all we need to discern the truth.
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
Trim
Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. John 15:2, ESV
My husband was saying that it seemed like he had just trimmed the bushes in our yard a few weeks ago, yet now they needed trimming again. It's amazing how God brings certain thoughts to mind when someone is speaking! I immediately thought about people and wondered, how often does God have to trim us back?
In the passage above, it says that even if we are bearing fruit and doing well, God still prunes. Often it has nothing to do with us doing something wrong. We may be growing in the right direction, but the trimming helps us produce more fruit. In essence, pruning brings us closer to the image of Christ and allows us to produce more fruit.
We have a tangerine tree in a pot on our backyard patio. The tree is growing well, but the branches are getting too tall and stretching in all the wrong directions. We need to prune the tree before the branches get too thick and hard to cut. The tree is doing exactly what it’s supposed to, growing and producing fruit, but we have to keep it trimmed so that it will be strong enough to produce a greater harvest of fruit.
I remember when I was working for a company that had a program that allowed employees to attend college for free while working, to further their education. I was selected for the program, and I was so excited to start attending night classes. But my husband began complaining that I was always away from him and the kids. Even though I thought I was doing this to benefit our family, he didn’t feel the same way. I was upset, so I went to God and asked him if attending this program was really for me. I was shocked when God said, “No, this is not what I have for you.” I responded, “But God, this is my job—what am I supposed to tell them, that I can't continue the program?” I don’t remember if God gave me a direct answer, but a month or two later, the program was canceled. I had been growing, but God was giving me a pruning. I don’t know why he changed my course, but that branch needed to be cut off. When God trims us, it may involve something good that just isn’t meant for us. We must trust him in all things, knowing that every day he is working things out for our good; even when the pruning doesn't feel good.
Key points:
Pruning does not feel good, but it is necessary.
Pruning does not mean you have done something wrong.
A great thing is not always the right thing for you. Submit to God’s direction.
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
Testimony at the Hospital #2
The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; Matthew 9:37, ESW
My niece and I had been sent by God to the hospital to pray for individuals. When we got to the hospital we thought that our assignment was to go into the hospital, but we learned that our assignment was on the outside of the hospital. God said, “Go to the hospital,” but he never told us to go inside. There were four people standing outside the hospital next to signs that looked like union workers who were protesting against something concerning the hospital. They had at least four of these five foot signs that spoke to their issue. There was a person standing next to each sign so a total of four people.
God lead us to speak to all four of those individuals. I have written about the testimony of the first person we spoke to in a previous post. After we finished speaking with him and praying we walked about eight feet and there was a woman who was standing holding the next sign. We asked her if there was anything we could pray with her about. She was apprehensive about us and we just stood and let her ask all of her questions. She wanted to know who we were praying to and we said to her, “That was a great question,” and it seemed to lighten her heart.
I love how God is always in the midst when he sends us on an assignment. He knows who you will meet and he has prepared you for what you need to say. The young lady told us how she would like us to pray for her. She did not want any anointing oil. She did not want us to hold her hand, and she told us that she was working so she had very little time. We honored everything she said and we prayed the request that she had given us. Even though we did not get to minister to her the way we would have liked, God gave her what she needed. We were there for him and he knew what she was in need of. Our short time with her reminded me that we do not need to add anything to what God is doing. We just need to follow his lead. When Peter went into Cornelius, the centurion’s home he had no idea why God had sent him there, but he just followed how the Holy Spirit directed him and a whole family was saved. Acts 10.
When God calls us to be the laborers in the field he already knows how to harvest his fruit. Our job is to let him lead and obey the promptings he gives us.
Key points:
Every soul is harvested differently.
Sometimes you will not be allowed to quote a scripture, but you are the written word.
Do not be discouraged by the way individuals respond. God is dealing with their heart.
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
Testimony at the Hospital #3
The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; Matthew 9:37, ESW
This is the last testimony of the four individuals we ran into at the hospital. The Holy Spirit had prompted my niece and I to go pray at the hospital. When we got to the hospital there were four people standing outside of the hospital next to signs that looked like union workers who were protesting against something concerning the hospital. They had at least four of these five foot signs that spoke to their issue. There was a person standing next to each sign, so a total of four people.
In a previous post I spoke about our interactions with the first two individuals that we encountered. When we got to the third person, he was a young man that looked to be in his mid-thirties. We told him that the Lord had lead us to the hospital to pray, but we felt that we were supposed to ask him if he would like us to pray for him. We asked if he had any prayer requests.
He was so excited he said, Yes!” He said, “I want prayer for everything!” We told him that we had some anointing oil and we asked if he was okay with us using it. He said, “I want it all! Everything you have to offer me, I want it!” He was so ready to receive all that God was offering him! My niece and I were so excited we could hardly believe it! It was such an honor to be used by God and to be in there at that moment with him. We prayed for every aspect of his life and he received every bit of it! It was such a joyous time! We then went over to the last person holding the last sign and when we asked him if we could pray for him he said, “No.” He was very kind, but he did not want prayer, or any part of it. As we walked away I whispered a prayer for him. I asked God to open his heart so that someday he would be open to knowing him.
We knew that after encountering him our time was over. The Holy Spirit confirmed in our souls that we were never meant to go into the hospital; the harvest was standing on the outside!
Key points:
Keep moving until you find the ripe harvest.
The harvest is plentiful.
Many have been deceived by Satan, but your words never return void.
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
Testimony at the Hospital
The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; Matthew 9:37, ESW
I love being used by God. He always gives us opportunity to labor in the field if we say yes. Several months back, my niece and I went to a hospital in the emergency room to pray for those who were open to receiving prayer. We did so at the leading of the Holy Spirit. He told us where to go and once we were at the hospital he told us what to do.
Months passed and we had begun to feel that the Holy Spirit was leading us there again. We said that we would pray and see what we hear from God. He told us what hospital to go to and the date we were to be there. When we got to the hospital, we still did not have any direction as to where to go and who to pray for.
It reminded me of Philip when the angel of the Lord told him to rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. [Acts 8:26] He did not receive any other instructions, but he followed what the angel told him. We followed what the Holy Spirit had prompted in our hearts. When we arrived at the hospital there were union workers protesting against something concerning the hospital. They had at least four of these five foot signs that spoke to their issue. There was a person standing next to each sign so a total of four people.
As we walked up to the hospital we had to pass them to get to the front door. As we were walking past them I could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit on me very heavy. Every step I took passing them seemed to have gotten heavier. I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Ask them if they want prayer.” But I kept moving and then this pressure came on me and I knew that I could go no further. I said to my niece, “We must go back and asked them if they want prayer.”
The first person we asked said, “Yes!” But he then began to share with us his life. He needed us to understand where he was in his faith and how he was believing. Many of the things he spoke about I had not heard of, but we just listened. We listened to him talk to us for about thirty minuets. At one point he apologized for taking up so much of our time, but we told him that God had sent us there for him. When he finished sharing his story, we explained Christ’s love and we asked him again, “How could we pray for him?” He gave us his answer and we prayed for him. After we finished praying we ministered to him a bit more by the direction of the Holy Spirit and he was fighting back tears. He was so full of God’s joy and his presence that he did not know what to say! We told him that God loves him so much that he sent us there to listen to him and to give him the message God had for him! We gave each other hugs and handed him a bottle of anointing oil and then we left. This individual was standing outside of the hospital needing God and I carried the message that he needed. I had walked right passed him.
Family we are God’s voice on the earth. If we do not move, how can others come to know him?
Key points:
Scripture teaches us to be slow to speak and quick to listen.
To harvest some fruit you have to be very gentle.
Pay attention to the prompt.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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Worry is a Thief
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Matthew 6:25
My son said to me, “Mom, worry does nothing good.” Immediately the words “worry is a thief” came into my spirit. I knew right away that I was supposed to write about that topic. Worry in the dictionary says that “worry” gives way to anxiety or unease; allow one's mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles. The Hebrew word for "worry" is daag (דָּאַג), which can also mean concern, care, anxiety, fear, or solicitude. In Greek merimnaō which means “to care, to be anxious, to be concerned.”
In the passage above Jesus had been teaching his followers about giving to the needy, fasting, prayer and treasures in heaven. He then said, “Do not worry.” He wanted us to understand that worry steals us from the his presence. Worry takes away the gift of the moment that he has given to us. When we worry we allow Satan to steal our joy, peace, laughter, wealth, health, and all the good that God has blessed us with. In that moment we give it away and take on those attributes that we do not want.
The passage tells us not to worry about our life. That means: jobs, positions, promotions, how things are going to work out, even down to the most insignificant of things. God has it all taken care of. Here is an example: I have this website for my cookie business and the pictures on the website have been professionally taken. But a few months back I added two new cookies. Ube and Black Sesame Chocolate Chip. My photographer was not available for months. And I had to take pictures for this company that was putting the cookies in the store. So I ordered the back drops and my hubby and I took the pictures with my cell phone. We then sent them to my son who is an amazing editor and he edited them the best he could. We sent those pictures to the company and placed them on the website. Three months later out of nowhere my photographer contacted me and said I looked at your website and I need to take the photos of the last cookies you put up. Look at God!
See I let it go and said God I trust you. God put me on the photographer’s mind and placed it in his heart to take care of me. I did not have to worry. I did not have to ask for anything. God cares about every detail in our lives! Things may not be as we like, but just trust him and move in what he gives you. And when you least expect it, he will make everything work out in his perfect timing.
Key points:
God is always working behind the scenes.
We never need to worry.
God is doing exactly what he said he would do!
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
Unbelief Is Sin
Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. Mark 16:14
The Holy Spirit directed me to review my notes from church services. I have this little red note book that I jot down notes during service that speak to me as the message is brought forth. I am a firm believer that whoever God has to pour into you, there is always a message specifically for you. When that individual is speaking, they have given themselves over to God and he is speaking through them to you. It reminds me of Jesus speaking to the crowds, it is so important that we are not just going to church as a routine, but listening for God to give us our daily bread for that moment. It may be that the word is for a later time, but whatever ministers to your heart write it down!
While looking through my notes I came across the phrase “unbelief is sin” and I felt like the Holy Spirit was telling me to write about it. In the passage above Jesus rebuked the disciples because they did not believe Mary Magdalen. She was the first person Jesus appeared to and when she told them that he had risen they did not believe her. So when Jesus appeared to them he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart. I never thought of unbelief as sin. I just saw it as everyone is free to believe what they want to believe. But as the Holy Spirit began to reveal to me that just like Adam and Eve did not believe his word, they turned against God. When we turn against God we are in sin! We are either for God, or for Satan. It is that simple. Adam and Eve chose Satan.
The book of Hebrews was written to the Hebrew Christians to remind them to stay faithful to God and what the consequences would be of not remaining faithful. In the Chapter 3 the writer says, “Take care, brothers and sisters, that there not be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving heart [which refuses to trust and rely on the Lord, a heart] that turns away from the living God. Hebrews 3:12, AMP This passage makes it very clear that when we have turned away from God we are living in sin. The scripture goes on to say, “But continually encourage one another every day, as long as it is called “Today” [and there is an opportunity], so that none of you will be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [its cleverness, delusive glamour, and sophistication]. For we [believers] have become partakers of Christ [sharing in all that the Messiah has for us], if only we hold firm our newborn confidence [which originally led us to Him] until the end. Hebrews 3:12-14.
Everyone is free to choose how they want to believe, but we must understand that our choices have consequences that will impact our lives forever!
Take aways:
Our choices have consequences.
The choices you chose put you where you are today.
Do not disregard the messengers.
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
The Test
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 1 Peter 4:12,ESV
I was so excited that the Holy Spirit had me up early in the morning praying from 3:00 am to 6:00 am. After prayer, I went back to bed for an hour and then I was up again to take a run! Oh what at wonderful day it felt like! I was home in time to go with my sister-in-love to her doctor’s appointment and then things started to happen.
Before we left my home, I felt the Holy Spirit say, “Take communion,” and so we did. Listen, everything after that seemed to be like an open door of attacks. I offered to drive my sister to her appointment and off we went to her doctor’s appointment. The appointment was only supposed to be about thirty, to forty-five minutes and I had several other items that I was planning to get finished after the appointment.
While driving across town, I could sense a spirit of anger and rage on people. We witnessed individuals honking and yelling at each other. We saw drivers racing around cars like crazy. Just down right angry folks! I began to pray for those on the road. While I was driving a motorist got so mad at us that he raced in front of us and slammed on his brakes so that we could hit his car. But God kept us protected. The spirit of the enemy had people in such a rage that they did not even recognize how they were behaving. I could feel that spirit trying to come upon me. With all my strength God helped me to hold my peace.
While at the doctor's office I sat with my niece just having a great conservation. But then I begin to feel the spirit of anxiousness come over me because we had now been waiting for over 2 hours! I was asking, “What is going on? Why is it taking so long?” About that time, my husband sent me a picture of our freezer with a puddle of water sitting on the outside of it. In this freezer I keep over a thousand cookies for my cookie business. The circuit breaker had tripped and the frozen food was beginning to thaw. I was extremely worried because I had a delivery of 360 cookies to make in two days!
I could feel the peace of God and joy in my soul being shoved away by the incidents that were occurring. My patience was wearing out. My husband called to talk about what was happening and the excitement in his voice concerning the cookies caused my heart to race! At some point I got off the phone and asked God for help. When I thought I was good, my sister-in-love came out of the doctor’s office walking straight to the car saying, “Let’s get out of here!” I knew then that the attack was on!
I could not feel any patience, joy, or the presence of God; but I knew he was there. I heard myself calmly say, “Let’s go to our next appointment and then get something to eat.” Although everything was going on around me, I felt the Holy Spirit guiding me. It wasn’t all joyful or wonderful, but I could feel God’s power keeping me. At the same time, all the thoughts about the things I needed to get finished were pounding in my head. However, I knew they were not going to get completed, but God was keeping me. I knew that my spirit was standing in a spiritual battle and that the Holy Spirit was guiding me.
Every day the enemy is looking to find a way to get us off track. He throws all kinds of fiery darts at us to tempt us to jump from our position. But as scripture says, we are not to be surprised at the fiery trail, but praise God that he has sent the Holy Spirit who is our helper and we have to cling to him. I can’t say that I rejoiced over the trial that day. I actually went home and just laid down. But I praise God that he kept and never failed me! My day was not as I wanted it to go, but because I know who holds my future, I knew that he had worked everything out for my good!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Why Does Lack Exist?
And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Genesis 1:29-31
In the Bible it says, that God created everything and God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. When we think of those words, very good, one can wonder how God can call things “very good” when we look at the world today. All of us can look in our own neighborhood and see that there is lack somewhere. We see people in need of resources, help, guidance, understanding, and direction. No matter where we go we can see that lack is prevalent.
When sin entered the world it brought chaos with it. The Bible says that the ground was cursed and man had to work the ground to produce food for his body. Before the curse, man worked in the garden where food was prevalent. In the garden, God had already provided food for every living creature on the earth. Today we see poverty in different parts of the world. Does that mean God will not provide? Absolutely not! I believe God expects those living in abundance to help out those who are in need. Unfortunately greed is a part of sin and even though we can see with our natural eyes that no-one gets to take anything in this earth with them after they die, man fights others for land and resources.
God had given man dominion over the earth Genesis 1:26. When Adam and Eve sinned they gave full control of the earth over to Satan. But does that mean we have to continue in lack? No! The Lord is everywhere and because he is omnipresent that means everything is available. So why do we witness so much hunger? When man turned away from God and chose not to obey his instructions, lack is unavoidable. Israel showed us just how God operates. When they were hungry, in the middle of nowhere, God sent quail and manna for them to eat Exodus 16. When they were thirsty God told Moses to strike a rock and water came gushing out Exodus 17:6. When we look at a rock we just see a rock, but God knows it is provision.
However, when Israel disobeyed God, disaster, hunger and all kinds of problems came upon them. God warned them when he said, But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God or be careful to do all his commandments and his statutes that I command you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you. Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the field. Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Cursed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out.
The Lord will send on you curses, confusion, and frustration in all that you undertake to do, until you are destroyed and perish quickly on account of the evil of your deeds, because you have forsaken me. Deuteronomy 28:15-20, ESV
God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it? Numbers 29:11, ESV
But praise be to God when we repent and turn to God with a sincere heart, he forgives all of our sins and replenishes his people! 1 John 1:19
Father,
I witness a lot of lack, suffering and poverty in the world. I know that the world is full of sin. But you said, “That if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” 2Chronicles 7:14. The responsibility for the land to be held is not on the sinner but the believer. Please touch every believer’s heart to repent and turn to you so that we can witness a full healing of the land. In Jesus’ name amen
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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An Overnight Change
The young woman was very attractive in appearance, a maiden whom no man had known. She went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. 17 Then the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water to drink from your jar.” Genesis 24:16-17, ESV
The passage above is about Rebekah, who became Isaac’s wife. She was a maiden in her family’s home. She was carrying out her responsibilities of getting water to take back to her family’s house. This was apart of her daily task. Rebekah had no idea that her life was about to change. She had no idea that God had ordained for her to be a wealthy woman with servants and beautiful pieces of gold and silver jewels. Whatever she desired was waiting for her!
God had made Abraham, Isaac’s father, wealthy and he was giving all of his wealth to his son Isaac. But because Abraham was older, he sent the master of his household on a journey to his relatives home to find a wife for his son Isaac. Rebekah had no idea that when she woke up that morning her life would never be the same again!
When we stay in position and do as God instructs, we do not miss our blessing. When I look back at my dating life, I could have saved myself so many headaches and trouble if I had just trusted God completely with my life. So many times we try to make things work and manipulate a situation to get what we think we want when God already has our desires mapped out.
When God moves it is usually totally unexpected and an overnight change. We just don’t see it coming. Rebekah did not see Isaac coming. Esther did not see becoming a queen coming. Mary did not see becoming the mother of Jesus. David did not see becoming the king of Israel and Moses certainly did not see leading his people of Israel out of Egypt. What am I saying? You cannot always see God’s hand moving, but he is always working on your behalf. He does what seems to us like an overnight change, but for him it was always in the plan. I want to encourage you to stay the course and get to ready for an overnight change!
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
Do Not Worry
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]? Matthew 6:25-27,ESV
The passage above has been a lesson for me these past weeks. There are times when you are in a season and you know that God is dealing with you about something. I believe I shared in an earlier post that God had me doing the messages in a new way. He also added to the mix a certain number of messages that he wanted me to complete daily.
I knew that worrying would not help me in any way to get the daily number of messages completed. So I thought I would just come up with scriptures and topics that I could pound out quickly and get on with my day. But that was never God’s plan. He was teaching me how to walk right past worry, because even though I tried not to worry it would just show up in my face. I would hear in my mind, “What are you going to write about and how are you going get this done?” I kept trying to turn that noise off in the flesh, but that behavior only kept me in a war against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places and that kept me out of peace.
At some point I heard in my spirit the word “rest,” and I said, “How do I do that?” Then the word “trust” landed in my spirit. I said again, “How do I do that?” I knew that I was moving into a new level of faith! Hallelujah! He said, “I gave you this assignment. This is mine and you have to know that I will provide everything you need. Apply your heart to seeking after me instead of trying to get all the messages finished and then you will find yourself in peace and joy.” I did exactly what I heard the Holy Spirit say and I now have joy and peace! I know this is an ongoing journey, but I can truly say that I am resting in his presence and letting him guide me through this journey; moment by moment.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these other things (whatever it is that you need), will be added unto you. Matthew 6:33, ESV. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.Joshua 1:8, ESV
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