JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
(Luke 9:62) "Anyone who looks behind him is useless for the kingdom of God."
Scripture encourages to always be looking ahead, not behind us!
That’s because if your always looking in the rearview mirror or behind you, you can't see what's in front of you and your likely to have a wreck!
Jesus sought out people prepared to do more than just believe in Him… He wanted people willing to follow Him.
His early ministry was marked by people like Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathaniel (John 1:35-52)… people "willing to leave" where they were and what they owned in order to follow Him.
Jesus called people to a life of radical commitment.
When He “called the crowd to Him… He said, If people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing even to give up their lives” (Mark 8:34)
No half-measures, but a willingness to follow Him full-time.
Trusting in Jesus will get you into heaven, but nothing less than following Him daily, will make you useful in His kingdom on earth.
Three different men told Jesus, “I’ll follow you, Lord” (Luke 9:61-62), but they weren’t willing to give up the comfort and the lure of their old lives.
And Jesus responded with this powerful metaphor: “Anyone who puts his hand to the plough and…looks behind him ,is useless for the kingdom of God.”
Following Jesus means whatever is back there, stays back there… old hang-ups, attachments, and lifestyles.
You can’t plough the straight furrow of discipleship looking back at the past.
Don’t let the gravitational pull of past failure, guilt, fear, shame, betrayal, loss, abuse, rejection, resentment, and un-forgiveness ruin your future.
Cut the cord… join those willing to “follow the Lamb wherever He goes” (Revelation 14:4)
That’s where purpose is fulfilled, satisfaction and peace are found, and deep down inner joy, (joy that is unspeakable or indescribable) and full of glory is found.
Believe me its the truth, I live it every day and there is no life like it.
That’s why the writer of Hebrews says “we look unto Jesus the Author and the Finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2)
You can do nothing about the past, the future is our hope and reward when it is approached with faith and confidence in God.
“Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward” (Hebrews 10:35)
Good day!
(John 4:14) "But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again."
We live in a world today filled with "relationship addicts".
These are people whom need love or are thirsting for someone in their life to bring a wholeness and fulfillment to their survival or purpose in life.
They cannot survive or function in life with out being "co-dependent"
on someone.
Jesus asked the woman at the well for a drink of water.
Surprised that a Jew would talk to a Samaritan, she asked Him why He was asking her for water.
He replied, “If you knew…who I am, you would be asking me for… living water.
Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give, will never thirst—not ever” (John 4:10-14).
Notice the distinction between “this water” and “the water I give.”
Jesus wasn’t discussing "regional" water qualities.
He was talking about her five failed marriages and the man she was currently living with.
The truth is, she had no idea how or where to find the satisfaction she thirsted for.
One disappointing relationship after another; no matter how often she drank from “this water,” her thirst could not be satisfied.
And her response to each failed relationship was another failed relationship… supposing as we often do… that doing more of what doesn’t work, will eventually make it work!
Jesus wasn’t criticizing her lack of morals.
No, He was offering her the only real cure for emptiness. “Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst again.”
Whatever you’re looking to for fulfillment, money, or popularity, drugs, alcohol, sex, pornography, co-dependent serial relationships,it’s all water that can never satisfy.
Focusing your life on Jesus, spending time with Him, talking with Him, and “drinking in” His Word daily, is the only way to fill the void within you.
Co-dependent people and or relationship addicts, will only find purpose, self-esteem and strength to live their lives with peace and joy, when they have met the one whom died to fill the void that sin has left in our lives.
His name is Jesus!
He said "come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest for your soul. (Matthew 11:28)
You don't need another relationship with a mortal human being to fulfill the void in your life.
You need Jesus!
Good Day!
(Genesis 11:31) "They set out...to go to Canaan… but when they came to Haran, they settled there."
Paul writes “I press toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”
It was an example and encouragement to the early church believers to continue in the good fight of faith, to press in and press on… never satisfied with where you are at in your Christian growth and maturity.
So I have to ask… are you “pressing on” toward the goal?
Or have you settled for second best, or this is good enough?
To win the prize for which God has called you to (Philippians 3:14), you have to press on… if you don’t, your settling for second best or worse.
God made a pact with Abraham — one that continues to influence even the modern world to this day.
A lesser-known fact is that years earlier, Abraham’s father, Terah, had set out to go to Canaan, the land of abundance where God later called Abraham.
But Terah never made it… do you know why?
“When they came to Haran, they settled there.”
No question, it couldn’t have been easy traveling hundreds of miles across rough terrain with flocks, herds, children, and servants.
Can you imagine the sheer logistics?
Remember, there were no professional movers to pack and load and move their stuff back then!
Finally Terah decided they couldn’t go any further, so they settled where they were comfortable.
I wonder how many times we do the same thing?
We all have a dream…to excel in all aspects of our lives, our careers, as parents…and in our walk with God.
We get started, but things get difficult and achieving our goal doesn’t happen as quickly as we hoped.
Perhaps similar to Abraham’s father, we say, “Let’s just settle here... it’s not really what we wanted, but it’s good enough.”
Listen friends don't fall into the, "that's good enough" trap.
That's "good enough" is a place that is just short of the intended blessings and rewards that God wants to pour out on you.
“I can live with it”… or… its "good enough"… “is not good enough”… when pursuing excellence!
You were created for more than "good enough”.
That’s why the bible encourages us in (Galatians 6:9) to “not be weary in well doing”.
Don’t lose sight of the goal… don’t lose sight of the dream!
For when we get weary and we settle where we are, then we settle for second best and that is not Gods plan for you!
Don’t settle for a little love and a little joy, a bit of peace and a bit of contentment, or a small helping of happiness…
Pull up stakes, pack your tents, get your belongings, and start moving forward.
God says I'll never leave you and I'll never forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5)
So today, I encourage you to “enlarge your vision”… renew your dream!
Reach out, step out, and let God lead you on to the place where His blessings overflow with an abundance of mercy, hope, joy, and happiness.
Paul wrote the following words for us to read in (Corinthians 2:9) “For the eye has not seen, and the ear has not heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man all the things that God has prepared for those that love Him.”
(Jeremiah 29:11) God says “for I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you and give you a future, not plans for evil.”
Don't settle for less, God says “you will seek me and you will find me when you seek me with your whole heart”. (Jeremiah 29:13)
And His favor will open doors for you that you never thought possible.
But it won’t happen if you settle for second best or that’s good enough!
Good Day!
(Romans 8:32) “we are more than conquerors in Christ”
I believe that God wants all of us to be successful in life.
The bible says “we are more than conquerors in Christ” (Romans 8:32)
But being a conqueror takes work, and planning.
Don’t let circumstances rob you of victory!
I believe there are several things we have to do, to be an overcomer/conqueror, and one of those things we need to do and or learn to do, is to divide circumstances into situations you can change, and those you can’t.
Some once described as picking your battles.
Nearly everything in life can be changed, if approached in different ways.
So make a list of things you want changed.
Then divide them into two groups.
Things I can change, and things I can’t change.
Too many of us fail — and keep failing — because we persist in trying to change what can’t be altered.
As I said, nearly everything in life can be changed, if approached in a different way.
Some can’t be changed right now, so make a list of things you can change but may take some time.
As I said, too many of us fail — and keep failing — because we persist in trying to change what can’t be altered.
Stop banging your head against a wall and practice realistic thinking.
Understand the difference between faith and fantasy you can include wishful thinking into that as well.
Somebody said, “For every problem under the sun, there is a remedy or there is none. If there is a solution, go and find it, and if there isn’t, never mind it.”
God has given you certain gifts.
When you discover, develop, and deploy them, He’ll give you success in the face of seemingly impossible odds.
Ignore what you can’t change, focus on what you can, and opportunities will reveal themselves.
The second issue you’ll have to address is your emotions.
While they can be a gauge of how you feel, and a clue to what needs to be changed in your life, never let emotion alone dictate your decisions.
Ask anyone who has to perform at the top of their game, and you’ll find that much of their time is spent overriding their emotions or disciplining and governing themselves.
Listen to your emotions to get to the core of what’s bothering you… but don’t let your emotions dictate your response or your reaction.
The Apostle Paul wrote in (1st Corinthians 9:27) “I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself”
God wants you to be more than a conqueror!
But you must be motivated.
You must wake up get up, stand up, show up and start taking control of your life today.
And the best way you can be in control of life around you and ahead of you, is to put them into Gods hands.
You do that first by surrendering to His Word and His guidance; which is often presented thru His Word and by mature spiritual counsel or leadership of those of around you.
Thirdly by purpose of humility.
Submit, determine, practice, remind yourself continually that you are trusting in God (not this world); determine to ignore the conversations around you that promote or exalt an awareness of humanity or the worlds point of view… then seek to understand and know what Gods Word, Gods “point of view” is on the matters that are demanding your focus.
Stop looking back at the problem or issue that you have determined to put behind you.
Who doesn’t put something in God’s care and forget to leave it there?
Usually when we neglect to leave a problem in God’s hands the “stealing it back”… comes in the form of mental musing or continued worrying over the problem.
Those anxiety conversations that we have with ourselves in our mind that we act out in our imagination, they will eventually spill over onto someone’s peaceful day.
Therefore we have to catch those little “thought starters”, “anxiety provokers of doubt”… before they become long conversations in our minds and our self-talk.
This is what (2nd Corinthians 10:5) is referring to when it tells us to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ Jesus.
Four steps to leave a problem in God’s hands
1) After you leave your problem with the Lord, tune into your self-talk throughout the day.
Identify any little thought that wants to hang out with the problem you left with God.
After all, this isn’t your problem any more; its God’s — so stay out of God’s business and mind your own business.
2) Mentally grab the invading thought and hold it up against the truth of God’s Word.
Quote a Scripture promise at the sneaky thought such as (Psalm 138:8), “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands”
3) Pray the Scripture promise, talk it over in your self-talk, and use it to rebuke the enemy if necessary.
Personally, I like to find a Scripture promise for every problem that I leave with the Lord.
4) Put the problem behind you. Where you place your focus will determine if your mind and emotions fixate on the problem, or on something more productive.
If the problem seems to continually follow you home … out of the Lord’s hands and into your living room — perhaps you never really left it with the Lord in the first place.
Maybe you just had a discussion with God about the problem, and then you tucked the problem under your arm and left his presence.
Consider spending some quality time with Jesus talking the problem over and getting all your fears, anxieties, and concerns expressed.
In order to truly “leave it in Gods Hands”… you must place your focus upon Him and not on this world.
He will do the rest when you do that!
Good Day
(Romans 8:32) “we are more than conquerors in Christ”
I believe that God wants all of us to be successful in life.
Jesus said I am come that you might have life and that more abundantly (John 10:10)
The bible says “we are more than conquerors in Christ” (Romans 8:32)
But being a conqueror takes work, and planning.
Don’t let circumstances rob you of victory!
I believe there are several things we have to do, to be an overcomer/conqueror, and one of those things we need to do and or learn to do, is to divide circumstances into situations you can change, and those you can’t.
Some one once described it as picking your battles.
Nearly everything in life can be changed, if approached in different ways.
So make a list of things you want changed.
Then divide them into two groups… things I can change, and things I can’t change.
Too many of us fail — and keep failing — because we persist in trying to change what can’t be changed or altered things that are above my pay grade as it were.
Things that can only be changed or altered, by “the miracle working power of God”.
As I said, nearly everything in life can be changed, if approached in a different way.
Some can’t be changed right now, so make a list of those things you need God to intervene with.
As I said, too many of us fail — and keep failing — because we persist in trying to change what can’t be altered.
So number one is to stop banging your head against a wall and start practicing realistic thinking.
Understand the difference between faith and fantasy… you can include wishful thinking into that as well.
Somebody said, “For every problem under the sun, there is a remedy or there is none. If there is a solution, go and find it, and if there isn’t, never mind it.”
God has given you certain gifts.
When you discover, develop, and deploy them, He’ll give you success in the face of seemingly impossible odds.
Ignore what you can’t change, focus on what you can, and leave the rest with Him… opportunities will reveal themselves.
The second issue you’ll have to address is your emotions.
While they can be a gauge of how you feel, and a clue to what needs to be changed in your life, never let emotion alone dictate your decisions.
Ask anyone who has to perform at the top of their game, and you’ll find that much of their time is spent overriding their emotions or disciplining and governing themselves.
Listen to your emotions to get to the core of what’s bothering you… but don’t let your emotions dictate your response or your reaction.
The Apostle Paul wrote in (1st Corinthians 9:27) “I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself”
God wants you to be more than a conqueror!
But you must be motivated.
You must wake up get up, stand up, show up and start taking control of your life today.
And the best way you can be in control of life around you and ahead of you… is to put your life into Gods hands.
You do that by surrendering to His Word and His guidance, which is often presented thru His Word… and by mature spiritual counsel or leadership from those around you.
Thirdly becoming more than a conqueror is accomplished thru humility.
Submit, determine, practice, and remind yourself continually that you are trusting in God and not this world.
Determine to ignore the conversations around you that promote or exalt an awareness of humanity or the worlds point of view… then seek to understand and know what Gods Word, Gods “point of view” is, on the matters that are demanding your focus.
Stop looking back at the problem or issue that you have determined to put behind you.
We are all guilty of putting something into and under God’s care yet we forget to leave it there?
Usually when we neglect to leave a problem in God’s hands the “stealing it back”… comes in the form of mental musing or continued worrying over the problem.
Those anxious conversations that we have with ourselves in our mind that we act out in our imagination, will eventually spill over, disrupting and interrupting your day.
Therefore we have to catch those little “thought starters”, “anxiety provokers of doubt”… before they become long conversations in our minds and our self-talk.
This is what (2nd Corinthians 10:5) is referring to when it tells us “take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ Jesus”.
Four steps to leave a problem in God’s hands
1) After you leave your problem with the Lord, tune into your self-talk throughout the day.
Identify any little thought that wants to hang out with the problem you left with God.
After all, this isn’t your problem any more; its God’s — so stay out of God’s business and mind your own business.
2) Mentally grab the invading thought and hold it up against the truth of God’s Word.
Find and meditate, quote a scripture promise over the sneaky thought such as (Psalm 138:8), “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands”
3) Pray the scripture promise.
Talk it over in your self-talk, and use it to rebuke the enemy if necessary.
Personally, I like to find a Scripture promise for every problem that I leave with the Lord.
4) Put the problem behind you.
Where you place your focus will determine if your mind and emotions fixate on the problem, or on something more productive.
Consider this as well… If the problem seems to continually follow you home … out of the Lord’s hands and into your living room — perhaps you never really left it with the Lord in the first place.
Maybe you just had a discussion with God about the problem, and then you tucked the problem under your arm and left His presence taking it with you.
Consider spending some quality time with Jesus talking the problem over and getting all your fears, anxieties, and concerns expressed to Him in His quite counsel.
In order to truly “leave it in Gods Hands”… you must place your focus upon Him and not on this world (Hebrews 3:1)
“Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, set your minds on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.”
Why This Matters:
Scripture speaks plainly… the command is not optional.
Our minds determine our attitudes… words, and choices (Proverbs 4:23)
A steady gaze on Christ, guards us from drifting (Hebrews 2:1)
Isaiah 26:3) tells us that keeping our thoughts and our eyes on Christ fuels steadfast confidence.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you”
You are meant to be more than a conqueror in Christ…
Good Day
(Philippians 2:13) "It is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose."
(Psalm 37:23) Say’s “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord”.
By recognizing and fulfilling your God-given assignment in life, you free yourself from a sense of failure and incompleteness that causes restlessness and it give syou the ability to stop worrying about what others think.
Why?
Because your “self-worth”, no longer depends on people, but on God!
God told Jeremiah these following words which apply to each of us;
(Jeremiah 1:5) “from your mothers womb I knew you”
(Jeremiah 29:11) “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord”
That my friend is liberating… it produces a freedom that cannot be diminished in any way.
However, there are three things that must be realized.
(1) Be honest about your gifts and recognize your limitations.
Don’t go through life as a stranger to yourself.
Honestly assess your strengths and limitations.
Ask yourself the hard questions and be willing to live with the answers, even if it means letting some things go.
Michael Novak, an American Catholic philosopher, journalist, novelist, diplomat and author writes;
“God knows what’s in us for He put it there, and He intends for each of us to do something with it.”
Each of us has been given “a calling in life”, and happiness or true joy belongs to those who find and fulfill that calling.
(2) Allow God to work on you.
Sometimes amateur potters limit the potential of the clay they are working by seeing it only as a flowerpot.
But a master potter sees much more… he or she knows what it can become.
Watch them; they don’t merely impose a shape on it… they release the shape that’s already within.
And that’s what God does with us.
(3) Recognize your source.
Fulfilling your life’s assignment begins with identifying the desires God has placed within you.
“It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”
Who is at work within you… The answer is God?
Where do your desires come from… The answer is God?
Where do your abilities come from… Again the answer is God?
If you make “knowing” God and walking in step with Him your highest priority in life… you can experience the manifestation of joy that Jesus talked about when He said “I come that you might have life, and that more abundantly” (John 10:10)
I can’t make it more clear… life is complete, life is secure, life is filled with fulfilled purpose when it is hidden in the shelter of the Most High and we rest in the shadow of “the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1)
Good Day!
(Matthew 7:1) "Judge not, that you be not judged."
Why do we choose to be critics rather than cheerleaders?
Is it because it’s easier to point out the faults of others, than deal with our own!
By dwelling on the shortcomings of others, do we feel better about ourselves and possibly more superior to others?
But Jesus doesn’t let us off the hook.
(Matthew 7:4-5) “Hypocrite!” “How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck in your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?
Think of the person, group, or organization you’re most critical of and who you criticize them to.
Are you trying to increase your stature in the eyes of others?
Are you carrying within you unhealed wounds and unresolved issues, so you vent your anger at anyone who gets in your way?
In (Matthew 12:33-37), Jesus said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”.
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it on The Day Of Judgment”.
(Proverbs 18:21) teaches us that "life and death are in the power of the tongue".
The tongue” is used throughout Scripture in both literal and metaphorical ways, especially in Psalms, Proverbs and James.
(James 3:5) says The tongue is a “small part of the body”, and He goes on to say "If any man seems to himself to be a formal worshiper and yet does not bridle his tongue, but goes on deceiving his own heart, this man’s form of worship is futile." (James 1:26)
What is James saying here?
He’s saying, if you call yourself a believer in God, and yet you do not watch what comes out of your mouth, you are nothing more than a hypocrite!
Jesus said in (Matthew 12:34-37) “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned”
Listen folks, judgment and gossip, can kill a relationship as quick as any deadly disease.
The rhetoric, and the verbal cauldron of opinion, that I hear around me is poisonous and opposite of the attitude that we as Christians should be portraying as we live in this world
(Matthew 5:9) Jesus said "blessed are the peacemakers."
We are called to be "peacemakers among men", not dissenters stirring up strife and stoking the flames of rebellion and that’s what many are doing with their tongues today!
And that’s what you are doing, if you give in to the urge to let your tongue pronounce judgment and criticism during gossip!
We need to read this morning from (James 3:5-8) "So, too, the tongue is a little member and yet makes great brags.”
“Look how little a fire it takes to set so great a woodland on fire!”
“The tongue is a fire”.
“The tongue is constituted ‘a world of unrighteousness’ among our members, for it spots up all the body and sets the wheel of natural life aflame… and it is set aflame by Ge·hen´na or hell.”
“For every species of wild beast as well as bird and creeping thing and sea creature is to be tamed and has been tamed by humankind.”
“But the tongue, not one of mankind can get it tamed. An unruly injurious thing, it is full of death-dealing poison."
"Death-dealing poison"!
Interestingly in (Proverbs 12:18) we are shown the contrast of the uses of the tongue.
"There exists the one speaking thoughtlessly, as with the stabs of a sword, but the tongue of the wise one is a healing."
One of my daily routines as I get up and start my day is to read and study Gods word so that as I go thru my day, with my mind thoughts and attitude tuned into Gods will as revealed thru His Word so that I do not sin against my fellow man or let my thoughts consume and control my mind and tongue.
This is what James is talking about in the James Chapter 3.
My responsibility to my fellow man.
And it all begins with my attitude and my tongue.
Let’s all practice (James 3:17-18) and let it be the motivating thought and encouragement that controls our thoughts, attitude, and heart toward God and to our fellowman
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace, reap a harvest of righteousness”.
Here’s a prayer that we can all pray each morning as we start our day. “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord” (Psalm 19:14).
Good day!