In Times of Trouble
God is our refuge and strength always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1 NLT
I was just sitting listening to the Bible and those words above leaped into my spirit. I immediately stopped listening and started writing. We will always find ourselves in some kind of trouble. It can be as simple as the babysitter did not show up and you have to go to work or as devastating as a loved one in a car accident. No matter the situation we find ourselves in, scripture says God is always ready to help in our time of trouble. That is such good news because scripture also tells us that in this world we will have trouble… (John 16:33).
The thing is, for me at least, I don’t tend to call on God for the little troubles. I think I can handle them myself. When in essence He is just waiting for me to ask for help. Scripture does not say when we are in big trouble but at any time big or small God is there to help.
When we were in Italy the taxis went on strike. We had just gotten off the train to Rome and had no idea there was a strike. When we went to get a taxi to our Airbnb, there was none. My husband tried to get an Uber to pick us up but that was impossible. While he was frantically trying to figure something out I said a quiet prayer asking God for help. After a 45 minute wait for an Uber someone suggested taking the bus. We found where to catch the bus but had no idea what bus to take. Most people did not speak English and with our very limited amount of Italian we were having a difficult time. But God had this Danish couple come up and tell us what bus to take. We finally made it to our location.
Even though our trouble was small, God provided for every step to get us where we needed to be. We must never forget that God is our deliverer and He is waiting for us to ask for help!!! That is just a blessing!
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 recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
I Want To Be Heard
Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. Jeremiah 29:12, ESV
My husband and I were out taking a walk and we got into an argument. I can’t really remember what the argument was about but at one point I heard him say, “lower your voice”. I said “No, I need you to hear what I am saying”. I remember feeling like I was not being heard so I had to say what I felt louder. Well, you all know how God moves on our heart… So later I went back to him and apologized for being loud but I told him I did not feel like he was allowing me to be heard.
Several days after that incident I was in my room praying and the Holy Spirit brought to my mind the song Good Good Father by Chris Tomlin. As I was praying I kept hearing the words, “You are a good good father, that is who you are, that is who you are and I am loved by you”. It just kept playing over and over in my head as I prayed. I started humming those lyrics and God would add another line or phrase of the song into my heart. As I listened to how God was ministering to me, my whole being was just overwhelmed!
I decided to turn on the song and there is a line that says, “God knows exactly what I am going to ask before I speak one word”. I immediately heard the Holy Spirit say, “You never need to yell to be heard. I hear you speaking all the time. I know what your heart feels and if you talk to me I know how to make them hear you. You don’t have the power to make anyone hear your heart, they just hear your words. But if you talk to me I can transform you and them so the situation brings peace and joy for everyone!”
You all know that I just about lost it! My heart overflowed with joy, comfort, peace and my soul was full of praise. Now this was not the first time I heard this and I knew what God was saying was true. But in the midst of those situations we can get so heated that we forget God is right there waiting to resolve our issue. I asked Father to help me to pause in the midst of my anger and emotions to hear Him. I asked that He would help all of us to run to him in our pain. Because truly at that moment there is pain and anger when we feel we are not heard.
God created us, He gave us our personalities and He knows us better than we know ourselves. He feels our hurt and pain so when we turn to Him, He brings resolution to every situation. It is just like the song says, “He is a good good father”.
https://youtu.be/CqybaIesbuA Chris Tomlin
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 recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
God’s Desire verses My Desire
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Psalm 51:6, KJV
I woke up early one morning with a heavy heart. I felt confusion on what I was supposed to do with my cookie business as well as my ministry assignment. I was currently on a 21 day fast seeking God to enlighten the eyes of my heart on all the things He had for me. I don’t know what I expected but when my heart became heavy, I was sad. I begin to pray out of my soul seeking God for answers. I heard in my spirit The Lord’s Song by Maranda Curtis so I played it in the background while I was praying.
I began to understand that the heavy heart was brought on by God because He wanted to talk to me about those assignments. He gave me clear steps as to what to do with the cookie business. When I asked Him about the ministry He said, “You can’t do what people want you to do and please me. Your focus has to be on pleasing me. If your desire is for the people that sounds good but it will only bring honor to you. You want honor to come to me but it will not work trying to please the people and calling it God. It is not me!” I immediately repented in my soul.
Throughout the previous months I had received several requests asking me when I was going to start posting devotionals again and when I was going to put out another book. I wanted to give the people what they were asking for. I had been receiving writings regularly from God so I thought I needed to get them done and ready for posting. God’s words revealed to me my heart posture. In trying to please people I was actually seeking glory for myself and not God! Ouch!
We have to be so careful that we are not calling what we are doing God, when in actuality we are glorifying ourselves.
Father, thank you for bringing out the hidden unknown things of our heart. David said it well: Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23-24) This we pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
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My recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Adjusting with God’s Instructions
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, ESV
I love hearing God talk to me but I don’t always like what He has to say. Scripture says that God’s word is for teaching, reproof, correction and learning righteousness. It’s the reproof and correction I am not usually fond of. But just like any good parent, we must be corrected and told when we have done something wrong. I have found that immediately repenting for the action is always the best way to move. Trying to justify my behavior only leads me into further misalignment with God.
This particular incident was not so much about what I had done wrong, but about a relationship God wanted to change in me. Sometimes God chooses to move people out of our life for a season or at times permanently. Looking back, God showed me it was those individuals I was close to and admired that He gently moved away. He told me that those friends were there for the season in which I needed them. It is so hard to let go of those we have come so close to. To understand this, He gave me this example: When a baby is young you give them a bottle to feed them. They always look for that bottle because it gives them comfort. As they get older the bottle has to be removed. At times the baby will cry for the bottle, but eventually they will move past that stage in life and never look for the bottle again.
Some friendships may have lasted longer than their season. Friendships out of season are no longer serving us. We have to be okay with moving on. God brings some that will last a lifetime but we have to be okay with the ones He sends away. They may have served you in one season but when it is time, they have to move on to serve others.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCallingtv:
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My recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Spiritual Blessing Chosen
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Ephesians 1:3 ESV
Our church is going through a series called “Reclaiming Our Identity”. The scripture above is a part of the foundation of study. I love that it said we have been blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places through Christ. This means that those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior receive all the blessings that God gave to Jesus.
It just so happens that during this season of study, God had called me from all of my activities to sit here and focus on this word. So, I guess my task is to write as I go through this study. As soon as I read the verse above the first thing I wanted to do was to understand my spiritual blessing. I immediately began to look up spiritual blessings through the internet and read further in the scripture to get clarity and understanding. Ephesians 1:4 starts to give us clarity on the first blessing: Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world…Being chosen by God before the world was ever created is a spiritual blessing. We could not get this blessing physically. God chose us in the beginning. I looked up the word “chosen” to make sure I understood it.
Chosen: one who is the object of choice or of divine favor: an elect person selected from a number; picked out; taken in preference; elected; predestinated; designated to office. 2. Select; distinguished by preference; eminent.
When I think of the definition of this word my heart rejoices and becomes so grateful. This tells us how special we are to God. He could have created anyone and made them look any kind of way. But He chose each one of us on purpose, designed us just the way we are, and we are perfect to Him. There could be no one else to take our place. Out of all the miraculous things God has done, He deliberately made you and I, choosing us to be here and serve as part of His team. We were chosen before the foundation of the world with all of our mistakes and idiosyncrasies. We are the number one perfect pick for God!
You may not feel like you were chosen or have what it takes to be on God’s team but those feelings do not matter to God. He sees what we cannot see about ourselves. He knows that we are the most excellent, most desirable and effective team member for His purpose. We must rest in Him and trust the creator, that we have been chosen by Him and are perfect for the assignment He has for us!
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 recently published book Life’s Journey is now available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VYJKJ9K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6Z95ANB487AMDF3VTDP9
Sabbatical
There is a season (a time appointed) for everything and a time for every delight and event or purpose under heaven— Ecclesiastes 3:,1 AMP
Hi Family,
Thank you all for your support and encouragement over the years, it has been such a wonderful experience sharing with you the writings God has placed in my heart. However, I have ignored the warning signs that I need to take a break as you can tell from the slipping with my postings. I think I have worn my editors out and I know it is time for us to take some much needed rest!
During our sabbatical we will not be posting devotionals, but if you want to continue to have those encouraging words coming to you. I invite you to purchase my second book Life’s Journey Volume 2 which is currently $15.99 at https://www-amazon-com.translate.goog/-/es/Jacqueline-Crooks/dp/B09CRNPRMJ?_x_tr_sl=es&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc
I promise this time of rest will not be too long, but it will allow us some time to spend with God, refueled, recharged and be ready to serve you all again!
Love you
Jacqueline Crooks
JCC Ministries
Operating In Our Gift
I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to retire and work full-time in all the callings God has set before me. Although, many times I have felt like the amount of work I was doing was not enough. I felt like I was not succeeding in what God had given me. I was even putting myself down for not getting things completed by the timeline I had setup. What I did not realize is I was agreeing with Satan and all of his evil lies that were being planted in my head.
When we agree with Satan we manifest those things that we don’t want in our lives. God showed me that I have been operating successfully with Him for many years. He showed me in scripture how I have been bearing much fruit and glorifying Him in all that I have taken on. I may not be where I would like but I am where God has placed me.
John 15:4 says, Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. When we continue to seek God through prayer and the study of His Word we are abiding in Him. We are the branch that is connected to the vine and we produce the fruit from that vine. When we abide in God we receive His joy, we bear much fruit, we glorify the Father and we prove we are His disciples.
As long as we stay connected to the vine we operate successfully in our gifts and produce much fruit. We must not be discouraged by what we see or maybe how we think things should progress, as long as we are abiding in the vine we are walking in His timeline. When those negative thoughts come to our mind, we should repeat what the archangel Michael spoke to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you!” Amen! But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, "The Lord rebuke you!” Jude 1:9, NIV
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 recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Giving Our Best
Best: of the most excellent, effective, or desirable; type of quality (adj) to the highest degree: most (adverb) that which is most excellent, outstanding or desirable (verb) outwit or get the better of someone.
I was watching a program and one of the speakers said I always bring my best. I know I have to bring my best. At that moment I heard God speak to my heart, do you bring me your best? The question lingered in my spirit so heavy in my heart. This morning the Holy Spirit asked me, “Why did you not write about best?” I said, “I don’t know, but truthfully as I reflected on my life there were so many times I did not bring my best and it laid heavy on my spirit.”
To bring our best does not mean we are to be perfect. It means that we are to do our best with what we have at that moment. God begin to show me all through his word what our best looks like. It was quite different from what I thought. Mary was doing her best preparing her life to be Joseph’s wife when the Angel of the Lord appeared to her. Esther was doing her best as a young lady when the King’s official came to take her to the palace. Moses was doing his best taking care of the sheep when he saw the burning bush on the mountain. God is always looking at our heart because the heart tells us how we are serving. Scripture says to guard your heart because out of it flows the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23
We cannot bring our best if our heart is not right. I looked up the word heart in the Strongs Concordance and it said that the heart includes not only the motives, feelings, affections and desires, but also the will, aims, principles, thoughts and intellect of man. The heart embraces the whole inner man. People can give us all kinds of accolades for the work that we do, but it will never be our best if our heart is not in the right place.
The heart is the source of all action and the center of all thoughts and feelings. The heart stands for the inner being of man, the man himself and is the foundation of all he does. God showed me that Mary, Joseph and Esther brought their best in their daily activities because their heart was right. We can always bring our best even when we make mistakes if our heart is in the right place!
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 recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Kindness
My husband and I took a trip to DC for my niece’s graduation. She graduated from Howard University. We decided to turn the trip into a vacation and stay a little longer to enjoy the sites. We rented a Brownstone through Airbnb that was just lovely! It afforded us the opportunity to walk all over DC!
Although it might have been easier to take the Metro we decided to hike around the city to view monuments and many of the highlights the city had to offer. Because we were walking through all types of neighborhoods, we would encounter the homeless in certain areas. Most of the individuals we ran into were African American men.
I was quite uncomfortable because we were in a city we did not know and my husband would always stop to talk to various individuals. They would always ask for money and he would reach into his pocket to give the money. If he did not have any cash handy he would go to a coffee shop to get some change to go back and give it to them. What I noticed was the response from each individual. They seemed more uplifted by the conversation he was engaging them in than the money they were receiving!
My husband consistently showed these individuals kindness and respect and the response he received back was thankfulness. I realized that sometimes we can let fear and a person’s condition hinder us from being kind. Kindness and showing someone respect can go further than any amount of money. I am so proud of my husband’s actions, I witnessed him make men who were down on their luck feel better!
Scripture teaches that love brings healing. The more we show love the more we bring healing to our world. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NIV
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 recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Have Your Way
For the past few weeks I have been hearing the words to this song ring in my head. The words were, “Have your way in this place, if it is not pleasing to you take it away, have your way.” The song is by Jabari Johnson feat and Todd Galberth, it is entitled Have Your Way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY4e0ZS9nLc
As I am on this journey to out love others I am finding that love is putting aside my desires and allowing God to have His way in me. I have always prayed for God to have full control of my life and to have His way. I just did not realize the crushing of my flesh through loving others is giving Him His way.
I am understanding that the more I give over to God in my actions to others, God is having His way. It is a true fight of the “will” to let go. The other day we were at a restaurant where you order your meal at the counter and they bring it out to you. Everything else is pretty much self serve. I walked over to the drink station to grab some water, napkins and silverware, but when I got to the water station this lady saw me and just raced in front of me. I could feel the Holy Spirit holding my lips tight and not letting the words flow out of me. At that moment I could not feel any love in my heart.
I asked God how could it be that I am out loving people when I do not feel love in my heart? He reminded me that He did not feel the love when He was being beaten. He felt every bit of the pain. We move with the action of love not by what we feel. When a mother gives birth to a child she does not feel love when she is going into labor; she feels the pain.
When we show love to those who may not be so kind to us, that action does not always feel good! Our emotions may feel something totally different in that moment, but later God brings our emotions around.
Later in the day as I reflected on what happened to me in the restaurant, I was so thankful that God used me to show His love to a women who absolutely knew she was wrong. My actions allowed for His love to start working in her heart!
Lord, have your way in this place. If it is not pleasing to you, please take it away.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos
My recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss ct. David had to hide in caves so Saul could not find him. So Saul took three thousand
He Holds the Future
The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said[b] to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. 1 Samuel 24:4
Saul was King over the people of Israel and because David had killed Goliath he had become a part of Saul’s army. On one occasion when king Saul returned from battle the ladies sang a song giving David higher praise than Saul. That song caused Saul to become jealous and angry towards David. And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick. And the women answered one another as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward I Samuel 18:6-9, KJV.
The following day an evil spirit came upon Saul and he sought to kill David. Saul feared David because God was with him. Although David served Saul with all his heart and did all that Saul requested, Saul sought to kill him. Satan will use anyone he can to come against us. It can be a relative, close friend or co-worker, he does not care who he uses to make his plans work! The attacks come because we have accepted the assignment to follow God. David’s heart was after God and Saul had given his heart over to Satan.
We do not need to fear our enemy. Even though Saul was king and he sought to kill David consistently, God kept David protected. Sometimes protection does not look like what we expect. David and his men were far back in the cave. The men said, “This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said[b] to you, ‘I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.’” Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe 1 Samuel 24:2-4, NIV.
We may not literally be in a cave like David, but when the attacks come it can feel like a cave. The situation can look like an army of thousand coming against us, but the Holy Spirit tells us to not say a word. Can you imagine if David and his men had not kept quiet? God would not have delivered his enemy into his hands. Sometimes we can miss our victory by thinking that we need to do something when God is telling us to stand still and see the work of the Lord.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos
My recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss ct. David had to hide in caves so Saul could not find him. So Saul took three thousand
Expect Persecution
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 2 Timothy 3:12-13, NIV
When I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior I was a child about ten years old. I was told how good God is and how great my life would be with Him as my savior. I had heard all the Bible stories about David and Goliath, Jonah in the belly of the whale and Daniel in the Lion’s Den but nothing prepared me to understand that things could get worse. I don’t ever remember being told that when I became a believer I would be persecuted.
However, the more I studied the word I began to understand that persecution would come. In the scripture above Apostle Paul is writing to Timothy to make sure he understood that he will be persecuted because of Christ. Paul makes a passionate statement that every follower of Christ will be persecuted. He knew because of all the persecution he had suffered. Paul had been driven out of towns because of jealousy, he had been put in prison and he had been stoned and left for dead all because He lived a godly life in Christ Jesus.
Persecution: the act or practice of persecuting especially those who differ in origin, religion, or social outlook; to harass or punish in a manner designed to injure, grieve, or afflict; specifically : to cause to suffer because of belief
As believers we know this word to be true but we are surprised when we are mistreated by co-workers, lied on by our bosses or even love ones betray our trust. We expect that we will be treated with the same kindness we give out but we are dealing with a wicked spirit. We must remember that persecution comes from the spirit world. We are a spirit, Satan is a spirit and he uses those in the flesh to attack our spirit. We have to be prepared to deal with this treatment through the spirit realm by putting on our full armor of God. Our armor of God is to deal with the Spirit realm (Ephesians 6:10-17).
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:13-17, KJV)
We can face any spiritual attack the enemy throws because Jesus lives inside of us and when we put on our full armor of God we are equipped!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos
My recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Harvest the Land
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10, NIV
I remember how much time Jesus took with the opportunity to offer eternal life to the woman at the well. He did not waste time in his conversation with frivolous talk. He went straight to the purpose for which he was there. In the Bible, Jesus shows us that in every single conversation he had there was a purpose to draw men, women and children to the Father. He consistently said, “I only do what the Father does.”
Our God is strategic and He has set us in place for specific purposes. I remember how my husband and I met this lovely couple through our daughter’s parent teacher night at school. The teacher happened to be from the same country as my father-in-law. God’s timing is always perfect! We became wonderful friends with this couple. After many months of going out to reggae concerts and hanging out with his wife, at one of the concerts she asked me about the Holy Spirit. Being at a reggae concert some people were smoking weed and you could smell it in the air. However, God had ordained that moment and location for us to talk about him!
I love how God moves! We must not get so caught up in our surroundings and think that it is not a place for God. This whole world belongs to him and whenever and wherever He choses to have a discussion about Him we need to be ready!
Father, we praise you! Thank you for being our God and choosing us to be your hands and feet. We pray that we are always ready and don’t miss the opportunities that you give us to serve you. We give you glory and praise in Jesus’ name amen!
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos
My recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Something Greater
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,” (Ephesians 3:20, ESV).
I’m scrolling through all these different devotionals trying to figure out what to write next. I know that I am in alignment with God because He has helped me work out my schedule for the month and this is my writing day. At times, although we are in alignment with God it can still feel like we don’t know what we are doing.
I’m asking the Father if what I am writing is what He wants me to write and say to His people. It is very quiet and I am sure He is answering me but I can’t hear Him. I don’t want to waste the day so I can feel myself getting anxious. I know I feel this way because I want everything to work according to the timeline I have in place.
This thought makes me laugh and I think of a minister in our church on “message recap:” Minister Cindy Cain. She said, “We all want the ‘immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to God’s power that is at work within us,’ but we don’t want to let go of our own thoughts and plans.” God is simply saying, “Let go of your plan because I have something greater.” I guess it is time for me to let go of my plan and give over to Him so I can see the greater.
Father, thank you for showing us that even when we are working on the project you have given us, we can still get in the way. We release our desires and we say, “Have your way” because we definitely want the experience of Ephesians 3:20 from you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
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No purpose too small
Nehemiah was a Jewish man who worked in a Persian palace as a cupbearer more than a thousand miles away from his home of Jerusalem. A cupbearer would bring the King his wine, after tasting it to make sure no-one had spiked it with poison. Nehemiah served the king regularly with a joyful spirit.
In the twentieth year of the King’s reign, Nehemiah’s brother and some other friends had come from Jerusalem and they begin to share with Nehemiah about the condition of their homeland. They told him that they had a temple in Jerusalem, but the temple nor the people living the city had any protection because the city walls were a wreck. When Nehemiah heard this report he was devastated and began to weep. For four months he fasted and prayed before God about the condition of his home.
When Nehemiah went to serve before the King he noticed Nehemiah’s countenance was sad and he asked Nehemiah what was wrong. When Nehemiah shared with him about the wall of his country the king asked him what he needed. Nehemiah prayed to God and then he answered the King. Nehemiah asked for an extended leave of absence to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall. He asked the king for supplies for the wall, for lumber to build himself a house and an armed escort of soldiers and charioteers for a round trip of more than 2,000 miles.
Up until this point in Nehemiah’s life he was content with what he was doing, but God had placed another purpose on his heart. Sometimes we can feel like what we are doing has nothing to do with impacting the kingdom of God, but as we see in the story of Nehemiah that is so far from the truth! At first glance, one may think that the job of a cupbearer was not serving any purpose for the kingdom. However we learn that because Nehemiah had served diligently and well for the king; the king had come to love and respect him. The king asked Nehemiah “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill?” This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” (Nehemiah 2:2)
When Nehemiah shared with the king his heart the king granted all that Nehemiah had requested. If Nehemiah had not served faithfully in his responsibility he would not have been in the position to request the resources needed to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem that would protect the temple and the people.
We may never understand or feel like what we are doing is for God’s purpose. However, our responsibility is to do our very best at whatever we have been assigned. We must remember that no matter where we are right now, God has purpose in it! He is working it out for our good and for his glory and it will impact the kingdom! 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 recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Fear of the Answer
The Lord is my light and my salvation… Psalm 27:1, ESV
When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17 got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles,[a] they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” 21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. John 6:16-21, ESV
I have been letting the book of John play in the background while I do my work. Every now and then something that I have heard before seems to jump out at me. This time it was the verses above. Jesus was the answer to the storm that the disciples were experiencing, but they were afraid of Him.
I began to wonder how many times we have been afraid to move because of what we see in front of us, not recognizing that right in front of us could be the answer. The disciples were so afraid that they were not even going to let Jesus in the boat and He was there answer. Did you see that once Jesus got into the boat they were immediately at their location? They had been struggling with the storm making very little progress, but when they accepted their answer they were delivered in that moment!
The scripture above gives us clear direction of why we should never give into fear. David wrote why he does not fear. I broke down the first part of that verse and looked up the words so we could have a clear understanding of why David spoke those words. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
LORD: someone or something having power, authority, or influence over; a master ruler
Light: the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible
Salvation: preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss, (ones salvation) a source or means being saved from harm; deliverance from sin and its consequences, redemption, deliverance, saving, help, reclaimed LIFELINE, preservation, conservation , means of escape
In essence, David was saying that the LORD was his master who had power, authority and influence over him. He gave him insight, made things clear and brought revelation to him. He preserved, saved, redeemed, kept him from harm, and delivered him from his sin which provided a way of escape.
David made it clear that the LORD was his master and that He provided for his every need. There was no reason for him to fear anything in his life because nothing could beat his master! Who is your master?
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 recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
Spiritual Maturity
My husband and I were driving back from Santa Barbara and we had Pandora playing some 60’s and 70’s song. The songs took us back to times when we were younger; we had so much fun talking about them. But then this song “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” came on and my husband said, “You know, when I was younger listening to this song, I had no idea they were talking about an intimate relationship.”
Isn’t that something? At his age, when he first heard the song, all he could comprehend was a deep friendship with this male which made this lady feel like a woman. As I reflected on his comments it made me think about reading the Bible. When we are young, we get one interpretation of what the Bible is saying. When we become a teenager, we get another understanding of what the Bible is saying. And when we become an adult, we understand a completely different interpretation of what God is trying to say to us.
The reading of the Bible is based on life experience and when we only read it a few times in our life we miss all the important messages that are there for us to grow. The Bible is our road map for life and if we don’t refer to it daily, we will miss our blessings. Our minds can only comprehend based on our experiences and the Holy Spirit can only reveal to us at the maturity level we choose to enter in.
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 recently published books are now available at:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Life%27s+Journey+volume+2+Jacqueline+Crooks&language=en_US&ref=nb_sb_noss
The Bus
My husband and I took a trip to Boston Massachusetts. While we were there we took a pre-paid bus ride that took us to all the fun historical spots. We really enjoyed it because you could get on and off the bus at any stop to visit that location, then get back on and head to the next location.
A few weeks ago the Holy Spirit reminded me of a teaching that he had brought to me about moving in the moment. The speaker was talking about how important it is to be in the now moment and for us to move when God prompts us to. The analogy that was used to explain this lesson was the “bus.” When a bus comes to the spot where we were waiting, we usually have about 60 seconds to make a decision to get onto that bus. The bus driver usually will not say anything; he will just open the door. It is up to us to decide whether or not to get on the bus.
It is the same with the Holy Spirit, when He prompts us to do something we usually have about 60 seconds to say, “yes” before the door is closed and then it would be too late. Delayed obedience is not obedience. When we think of the bus ride, we get onto the bus and the driver takes off. The only thing we have in common with the driver is that he is headed in the same direction that we want to go. The driver never asks us for gas money or directions on how to get to the location.
Earlier this week the Holy Spirit prompted me to do a taping on this subject. In the middle of the taping the Holy Spirit said to me, “When you say yes to me and get on the bus, I am the bus driver.” Did you get that? Of course my mind went crazy! If we could just remember that the Holy Spirit is the bus driver in anything we do with Him, then we can fulfill every assignment with Him in complete peace!
When we are concerned about the our health, finances, careers, children, provisions, or whatever comes up in our lives, we can literally rest! It is the bus driver’s responsibility to get us to our destination! Our bus driver never asks us for our help in providing anything concerning the ride. Many times the bus driver will make stops, pick up and drop off people along the way. That is exactly what happens as we journey on our path with God. He brings people in and out of our lives for seasons. Most people are not meant to go with us through the complete journey. The only person we can be guaranteed that will see us to our destination is the driver. Have you gotten on the bus?
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 recently published book Life’s Journey is now available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VYJKJ9K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6Z95ANB487AMDF3VTDP9
Do we Recognize God?
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24
We had been in Canada for five days and every day the weather was different. The weather went from freezing cold to heavy rain, to thick fog, to extremely windy and then to snow. I wondered why we were allowed to experience so many changes in weather so suddenly in our short visit!
I felt as though God was trying to show me something. While mediating on that thought, the only thing that came to me was that it must have been God speaking to me, but was I listening? He said, “The weather has changed five times, but did you notice that it was through me? I never truly noticed God speaking because I was consistently looking at my phone to give me the latest weather predictions.
I heard God say, “I want you to see that I am here with you. I want you to know that I am in control, that I am all powerful and will take care of you. I want you to have a relationship with me; ask me. People say that they can’t see me or hear me, but I am always speaking.” God consistently demonstrates himself to the world, but we do not notice. We get too focused on man providing information that we miss that our Father is speaking. As I think about it, I’m a bit embarrassed because I chose to look at my phone for a prediction instead of asking God; who knows everything.
The more I reflected on the rapid weather changes it reminded me of the different seasons we have in our lives. We were in Canada for my nephew’s wedding and while I witnessed the ceremony, my mind reflected back to when he was just a toddler learning to walk. His mom would walk behind him to make sure he would not fall. I wondered where the time had gone! So many seasons of life had happened to get him to this point!
Wow! I thought about my nephew’s life, the weather, and our heavenly Father! My nephew is a toddler all over again and God is walking beside him to guide him through a brand new season of his life! In the beginning his parents were a God-like figure to him (in that they took care of him in everything) until he could develop into his own relationship with our Father. Today that changes for him. He is now with a wife and in a new season of life. He will experience all the different seasons in this journey, but God will be with him every step of the way.
God is speaking. He has never left us; no matter what season of life we are experiencing. He is right by our side. He wants us to lean and depend on Him because He knows what is up ahead for us.
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 recently published book Life’s Journey is now available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VYJKJ9K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6Z95ANB487AMDF3VTDP9
Gandhi
Spiritual relationship is far more precious than physical. Physical relationship divorced from spiritual is body without soul. Mahatma Gandhi
My son and I were having a great discussion when in the midst of him responding to a question, he quoted the statement above by Gandhi. My first thought was wow I am proud of this perspective. Later as I meditate on the statement, it hit me this is the only way we can have a relationship with God, this is what God wants us to have with Him. Many of us get so focused on what appears to be the urgent need in our life that we forget to even ask God about a deeper spiritual relationship with Him.
It seems natural that this would happen because we have grown up in such a “me” world. Think about it, we learned from the time we were babies that crying helped us feed our physical need. Studying hard in school gave us the grade we desired and once again fed that flesh. When it came time to excel in our working career, we put our physical foot forward working hard to make the income we wanted and get that next promotion. Everything we went after was to meet our physical need.
It is no wonder the world is in such turmoil, many have lost their soul. Satan has deceived us into believing that the only thing that matters is feeding this physical flesh. When the truth is we need the spiritual relationship with our Father more than anything. Jesus is consistently inviting us to have a relationship with Him. The Bible teaches us that Jesus is a spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. We cannot worship God with our flesh because He is spirit. The quote above says that Spiritual relationship is far more precious than physical in truth it is vital to our enteral life. The ending of the quote goes on to say Physical relationship divorce from spiritual is body without a soul…
If we go back to Genesis God said let us make man in our image and He created man. Man did not become a spiritual being until God breathed life into his nostrils. Without the breath of life, the spirit from our God the body was dead.
The same holds true today without relationship with God through Jesus Christ, we are dead. We are a spirit, that lives in a body with a soul(our mind, will and emotions) Without that relationship with our Creator we are dead.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19, Isaiah 55:11
You can also follow me at JCCMinistriestv:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMoEcr3koSqRbqVma5EGWgA/videos
My recently published book Life’s Journey is now available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VYJKJ9K/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_6Z95ANB487AMDF3VTDP9