JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
(Genesis 1:31) "God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good."
Insecurity is a hideous thing!
It robs you of peace, inner joy, and the confidence to become all you can be.
African-American novelist, multimedia journalist, and radio host, Farai Chideya graduated from Harvard, worked for Newsweek Magazine, and quickly rose to the top of her field.
Yet she spent years fighting bulimia, trying to become like the glossy images in the make-believe world around her.
When she finally broke free from her disease she wrote… “Losing weight didn’t change my personality, and it didn’t lighten the emotional baggage I carried from my childhood.
I thought I wanted to be thin… but what I really wanted was to be happy, and neither my looks nor my achievements could do that.
Because I couldn’t love or accept myself, the acceptance of others was never enough.
When I tried to be perfect I came across as remote and unapproachable, yet the exact opposite was what I wanted.”
Then she shares four life-changing principles that are ideal for those of us trying to find our place and purpose in this world: (They could in fact be a whole topic each one by itself to write about).
(1) Your obsession to be perfect will keep you trapped in loneliness. Satisfying relationships can only be built on honesty and total acceptance.
(2) Your obsession to be perfect will force you to see your shortcomings as something to hide, instead of opportunities for growth.
(3) Your obsession to be perfect will keep you fixated on what you’re going to be" some day", instead of enjoying what you are right now.
(4) Your obsession to be perfect will rob you of the chance to make your life count… for by focusing constantly on yourself you’ll have nothing left to give to others.”
Bottom line is… God didn’t "need" to create you… He "chose" to.
He told the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:5) "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart”!
(Acts 10:34) if God is no "respecter of persons", (choosing one over another) then that means that He saw you in your mothers womb and He formed you as well!
On the day you were born, He smiled and said, “Very good.”
When you fully grasp that, you’ll begin to overcome the problem of feeling “less than”, or inferior.
So today, get up from this reading and tell yourself these words.
I am good stuff!
I am created in the Image of God!
God does not create junk!
I am just as good, just as lovable, and just as important in the eyes of God as anyone else!
Now today, from this very moment, begin to operate your life on the premise and the promise that God loves you!
That He is walking beside you and with you through every thing you do, every place you go, and every one you meet.
Let His daily, hourly presence, give you the confidence to go out and take life by storm “being all you can be”, fulfilling your purpose and destiny!
Remember you were fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God, you are not junk!
Good Day!
(Isaiah 42:16) "I will...make the rough places smooth."
Living out our lives on this planet as believers, (or children of the most high God), we many times forget that we have a "higher calling and obligation" other than living according to the dictates of this world or our flesh.
(John 17:14-19) Records the words of Jesus saying that "we are in this world but we are not of this world".
In (Luke 12:48) He also said "to whom much is given much is required"
So what does that mean for us (especially men) husbands, fathers providers and bread winners… in the light of living working and operating in this world.
There are some tremendous insights we can glean from Moses on this subject.
(1) It’s never easy to leave your comfort zone.
Living out our lives on this planet as believers, (or children of the most high God), we many times forget that we have a "higher calling and obligation" other than living according to the dictates of this world or our flesh.
(John 17:14-19) Records the words of Jesus saying that "we are in this world but we are not of this world".
In (Luke 12:48) He also said "to whom much is given much is required"
So what does that mean for us (especially men) husbands, fathers providers and bread winners… in the light of living working and operating in this world.
There are some tremendous insights we can glean from Moses on this subject.
(1) It’s never easy to leave your comfort zone.
Moses probably didn’t relish leaving the luxury of Pharaoh’s palace or the security of his new family in Midian.
Yet if he hadn’t, he’d have failed to fulfill God’s call.
Just because you don’t feel like doing something doesn’t mean you shouldn’t.
The greater the assignment… the greater the sacrifice.
(2) Real growth begins once you leave your comfort zone.
For forty years, Moses benefited from everything Egypt had to offer.
But only after he left Egypt for the first time, did he begin to learn what was really important… namely, God’s plan and purposes.
It took another forty years in the desert to discover how God intended to use him… and by then he’d been humbled and made over.
The bottom line is, before you can go… you have to grow!
(3) Staying in your comfort zone will rob you of your greatest moments and memories.
Your life story is written in risks… those you took and those you avoided.
Twenty years from now, you’ll be more disappointed about the risks you didn’t take, than the ones you did.
The way to pre-empt tomorrow’s regret, is by moving forward today into the “faith zone.”
You say, “But there’s so much I don’t know or understand.”
That may be true, but here’s a promise you can stand on…
“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them… turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.
These…things I will do… I will not forsake them” (Isaiah 42:16)
Listen folks if you are walking thru a trial or calamity at this time in your life, there is a good possibility that God is allowing it to bring you back on track, and point you in another direction.
Seldom is it during the "high points or victories of life" that we "storm the gates of Heaven" with thanksgiving and praise to God for His blessings… but you can be guaranteed that when we are walking through the valley’s and going through tough times, that’s when we are quick to turn our attention to God.
Because of our responsibilities in, "living life", we many times lose focus of our purpose as believers.
Jesus said (Matthew 6:33) "Seek ye first, the Kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you".
Good Day!
(1st Corinthians 13:8) “Love never fails”
The Bible says, “Love never fails”
Think about it: money can’t buy happiness, fame doesn’t bring self-worth, and revenge doesn’t bring satisfaction.
The only thing that never fails is love.
When Mother Teresa addressed world leaders at the United Nations, she was asked, “How can we have world peace”?
She replied, “Go home and love your family”.
If we all did that, “Paradise Lost” would become “Paradise Found”!
The great and powerful Napoleon Bonaparte of history past has been recorded as saying,
“Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I myself have founded great empires… but upon what did the creations of our genius depend”?
The answer… “upon force”.
But Jesus, founded His empire upon love, and to this day millions would die for Him.’
Sometimes leaders are just "power-holders".
Because you can’t love others without making yourself vulnerable, they see expressing love as a weakness.
But the fact is, you can’t truly love yet keep all your options open.
Truly loving someone is an act of total surrender to them, yes even to the point of being willing to die for them.
When you truly love somebody, you open yourself up to them in every aspect of life, and become willing to be vulnerable.
That can be a scary thing for those who need to control and have the last say.
To truly love… whether it’s your spouse, your children, or the people you lead… you must give yourself unreservedly in such a way that you can be hurt and even rejected.
The fundamental principle on which power-holders operate, is to protect themselves and everything they have,
Self absorption, selfishness and self righteousness are their main motivators in life.
Whereas the fundamental principle of true love, is to “give of yourself”, with no holds barred.
Love, as an intrinsic characteristic of leadership seems outmoded, yet according to Scripture it’s still the winning strategy.
The Bible says, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2nd Timothy 1:7)
“Love covers a multitude of sins “ (1st Peter 4:8)
When asked what the greatest and most effective commandment was in life, Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart mind and soul, and your neighbor as yourself". (Matthew 22:34-36)
There is no argument in that statement!
There is no debate or "what if’s".
We are told, advised and commanded to be "love carriers".
“Love never fail’s”!
If you want to be a success in life, make loving others your priority!
It is the "winning strategy"!
Good Day!
(Psalm 34:10) ‘But they who seek (inquire of and require) the Lord [by right of their need and on the authority of His Word], none of them shall lack any beneficial thing.’
It is true that we are living in economically perilous times!
However as children of God we need not fear that we will never have enough or be taken care of!
(Psalm 37:25) says "I have never seen the righteous forsaken nor His seed begging for bread?
Yes there are many whom have grown up in poverty, and yes there are those whom struggle with poverty today.
Even here in our own country!
As a result of circumstances, some have grown up in poverty, but poverty doesn’t have to grow up in the life of the believer, nor control your thinking.
When we determine in our heart to trust God in spite of circumstances around us, we will experience His provision and care.
Now the world will say that you have to hoard, gather and save for a rainy day.
The world says you need to look out for yourself.
But God says when we share with others, give to others in need and give to the work of His kingdom… it will come back to us pressed down shaken together and running over (Luke 6:38)
And by the way, what is the determining factor of whether you have enough or not.
Do you have food in your belly?
Do you have a roof over your head?
Do you have clothes on your back?
Then you are living better off than many in our world today!
(Matthew 6:33) says "seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you"
Who do you believe is responsible for your success, yourself or God?
As long as you believe that you are, then you’ll remain vulnerable to people, circumstances, and economic conditions.
But when you know and believe that God is responsible for your success and your well being… you will begin to experience "Kingdom blessing"!
We have two options in this world… trust ourselves… or trust God!
The Psalmist writes: “There is no want to those who truly revere and worship Him with godly fear.
The young lions lack food and suffer hunger, but they who seek (inquire of and require) the Lord [by right of their need and on the authority of His Word], none of them shall lack any beneficial thing” (Psalm 34:9-10)
Now you might be thinking “But that’s an Old Testament promise”.
Then here’s a New Testament one: “God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2nd Corinthians 9:8)
Listen if we make God “the priority” in our life, you can be confident and sure He will prioritize you in life.
Believe it or not He really loves you!
Believe it or not He will take care of you!
So believe it and experience His great care for you!
It all comes down to trust!
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all you ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path”. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Good Day!
Listen if we make God “the priority” in our life, you can be confident and sure He will prioritize you in life.
Believe it or not He really loves you!
Believe it or not He will take care of you!
So believe it and experience His great care for you!
It all comes down to trust!
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all you ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path”. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Good Day!
(Matthew 5:43) "Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you."
Jesus had much to say about how we treat each other.
And in the word of God, there is written some very pointed instructions as to how we are to respond to humanity around us.
When people mistreat you, Jesus makes clear how you should respond.
(Matthew 5:38-48) “Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: "An eye for eye, tooth for tooth. Is that going to get us anywhere?
Here’s what I propose: Don’t hit back at all. If someone strikes you, stand there and take it.
If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, gift-wrap your best coat and make a present of it.
And if someone takes 'unfair advantage' of you, use the occasion to practice 'the servant life'. No more' tit-for-tat' stuff".
Live generously.
You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend' and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy'?
Well I’m challenging that!
I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst.
When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves.
"This is what God does. He gives His best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and the bad, the nice and nasty".
If all you do is 'love the lovable', do you expect a bonus?
Anybody can do that".
"If you simply say 'hello' to those who greet you, do you expect a medal?
Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that".
In a word, what I’m saying is, 'Grow up'.
You’re kingdom subjects, now live like it.
Live out your God-created identity".
Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you”!
Wow!
These are words from the lips of Jesus that fly in the face of our Godless, selfish society today!
As I have written before, God is not concerned about "our rights" as we live in this world,
He is more concerned about "our witness".
If you are truly a "Kings kid", God is calling you to "act like it" live like it, respond like it.
(John 15:19) "If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first.
If you were of the world, it would love you as its own.
Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world".
We are not of this world any longer, so we need to stop “imitating it” trying to be a part of it and letting it mold our character.
Jesus said "a new commandment give I unto you" (John 13:34-36)
So you consider yourself a "child of God", a "believer", a Christian?
Then its time to start acting or living like it.
(1st Peter 2:9) says we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people called forth to show the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into Hi marvelous light.
Good Day!
(Isaiah 55:12) "Ye shall… be led forth with peace”.
In this day and age of economic upheaval, I am meeting people who's lives have been turned upside down.
Losing jobs to artificial intelligence and technological advancement… having to sell homes to escape bankruptcy… marriages falling apart because of the stress of it all.
Perhaps you’re caught in the middle of these kind of circumstances and mess today and your wondering, ‘What am I supposed to do with my life?
What’s my purpose here"?
Most times, God answers these questions through our abilities.
He leads us to and thru our life’s purpose by utilizing the gifts, skills and talents He has given us.
God-given gifts are the skills a person easily performs, often without formal training.
We all derive great pleasure from doing what we’re naturally good at doing.
So if you aren’t sure of your life’s purpose, just do what you do well… and watch God confirm it by blessing your endeavors.
Stop wasting your time trying to do what you’re not gifted to do, or what somebody else is good at.
So maybe your thinking, "OK, but how do I know what my gifts or skills are"?
Well, we know we’re operating in our gifts and calling when, "what we do", ministers life to others.
If "what we do" makes us miserable and fills us with a sense of dread, then you can pretty much presume that what your doing… is not in God’s perfect will.
(Isaiah 55:12) says He gives us "peace and joy" to let us know we’re fulfilling His perfect plan: "For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace".
Look at what you enjoy, what you’re good at, and what God is giving you the grace to do… then… "let God be God" in your life.
Look around you.
Is there a need someone has or something that needs to be done, but nobody else is stepping up to the plate to volunteer?
Then if you find that your available, and you have the time and some ability, you be the first to answer the call or the need.
You be the first to get involved!
Many times in my life, I have been faced with a need that was directly in front of me that nobody else was fulfilling or helping with.
So I would volunteer, even though I was not particularly skilled or trained in it.
Whether it was a driving job, or a laboring job, or even filling a pulpit because there was no minister available.
For example many years ago when I was first starting out in our ministry, I was between engagements.
My wife was working part time for a grocery store.
Unfortunately the manager/owner of the store was an alcoholic, and one morning he did not arrive to open the store.
In fact for the next week the man did not show up.
He had no one else but my wife and a janitorial staff to take care of the store, and by the third day the shelves were getting empty and needed to be restocked.
In my teenage years I had worked for a large grocery store stocking shelves and helping reorder food stock.
Seeing the need for restocking the shelves and ordering food to meet the demands of the clientele, I felt moved by God to get involved and so I began to reorder and then stock the shelves myself.
The owner finally came to his senses after several weeks went by and when he came back to the store (recovering from his drunken binge), he was moved with sorrow and expecting to see his business in total disarray and chaos.
When he arrived and saw things running smoothly with stock on the shelves he was absolutely dismayed!
He wept,cried and repented thanking God over and over for what Debbie and myself had done to save his business.
Now here is the point I want to make this morning.
God worked miracles so that Debbie and I could intervene and operate the man’s business for him.
His business was saved because we simply "got involved" when we saw the need.
And through all of that process, we were taken care of, given gifts and abilities beyond our selves and watched God do miracles that did not seem possible, or meet with common sense.
And for many years after that, the gentleman was a big part of our on going ministry as a sponsor.
God wants to flow through you, and it may not be in the same way as He flows through others.
It may not seem to be in the same way… that you are used to either.
But if you trust His ability, in and through you, and don’t be afraid to step out and be unique, He will use you in ways that will amaze you.
Remember, (Philippians 4:13) “I can do all things thru Christ whom strengthens me”.
God has a specific place and a specific plan for each of us.
Again I quote (Jeremiah 29:11). "I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to proper you and give you a future"!
How will you know you’re in the right place fulfilling His plan?
You will have His peace!
An inner knowing, that it’s all going to work out according to His promise.
(Psalm 37:25) "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread".
Don’t be dismayed or doubtful… but be filled with His peace and trust His leading.
Good Day!
(Romans 12:10) "Take delight in honoring each other."
There’s a lot of talk in todays society about "rights".
"I have a right to this or I have a right to that..." or what about my rights”?
Trouble is, if everybody had their "rights", where would society be?
Utter chaos would reign and that would be wrong!
The criminal says he "has a right" to break the laws that force him to stop his criminal activity.
The gay rights society says "they have a right" to sleep with whomever they want!
Those that support "transgender living" say "they have a right" to choose to use which ever bathroom they want.
The business man says “he has a right” to treat his employees the way he wants, the employee says “he has a right” to not go to work if he doesn't feel like it.
The husband says “he has a right” to lay around and watch TV on the weekend because he works all week long.
The wife and mother says “she has a right” to her time and her freedom to do what she wants.
Everybody has "a right", in their own eyes.
The Bible says "there was no King in Israel and every man did that which was right in his own eyes”. (Judges 21:25)
The end result was that the country was in chaos.
One thing I have learned, is that life is complicated and “my rights” are caught in the middle.
One of the most common sources of conflict between husbands and wives comes down to a simple matter of "differing assumptions" or each protecting "their own rights".
Dr. James Dobson writes: “Years ago I went through a very hectic period of my life professionally.
I was a full-time professor in a medical school, but I was also travelling and speaking more often than usual.
I completely exhausted myself during that time.
It was a dumb thing to do, but I had made commitments that I simply had to keep.
Finally on a concluding Friday night…I came dragging home.
In my mind I had earned a day off, and I planned to kick back and watch the USC-Alabama football game that Saturday.
Shirley, (my wife) on the other hand, also felt that she had paid her dues.
For six weeks, she had taken care of the kids and run the home without me around.
Now, it was entirely reasonable in her mind that I spend my Saturday doing things she wanted done around the house.
Neither of us was really wrong.
But the two ideas were "incompatible" and they interfered with each others rights.
Those rights collided about ten o’clock Saturday morning when she presented me with her "honey do list".
Now, I had no intention of doing it.
There was an exchange of harsh words that froze our relationship for three days.
It’s important to understand that neither of us was looking for a fight, yet we both felt misunderstood and wounded by the other.
That “our rights” were being violated.
Our conflict was typical of what goes on every day in a million other homes.
It all comes down not to "deliberate antagonism", but to something called "my rights".
Now here’s the question. Who was right?
Did I have a right to a day off? The answer, yes!
Did Shirley have a right to expect that I would help her around the house with some of these projects?
The answer is, yes!
We both had our rights, but our rights were not helping our relationship.
The same as when each person or group in our society demands their rights… it does not help our society.
It does not create unity, and it does not produce order in community living!
What’s the answer?
Somebody has to give!
Somebody has to be willing to serve.
Somebody has to be bigger than the issue at hand.
Somebody has to say, "your right and I'm wrong"… and mean it!
Paul gives us a key to living in a community together with peace and joy.
Please take some time today to read (Romans 13:1- 14).
In Gods eyes, "my rights", don't really matter.
And if my rights have to be honored before someone else's, then I am proving my own self-absorption, selfishness and immaturity.
Jesus had a right to bypass the cross.
But He didn't, He was obedient unto death!
Today you and I enjoy "peace with God" because Jesus took it upon Himself to lay down His rights.
What about you?
Are you willing to make a difference by laying down your rights, or are you so selfish and immature, that you must demand and have "your rights" and needs taken care of before everyone else?
"Good Day"!