JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
(Hebrews 9:28)… “So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many will appear a second time, not to deal with sin… but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him”.
It’s comforting to know that Christ has promised to offer salvation to those who wait for Him with eager hearts?
This verse reminds us of the hope and promise of Christ’s second coming, where He will bring ultimate redemption and fulfillment to those who have faithfully followed Him.
It speaks to the importance of endurance, with patient anticipation in our relationship with Christ, as we look forward to the day when He will come again.
This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our ultimate hope and salvation rest in Christ’s return as we navigate through the challenges and uncertainties of life.
It encourages us to live in “expectation” of His coming, staying faithful and steadfast in our commitment to Him.
So let us eagerly await His return with hope and joy, knowing that He will bring ultimate salvation to all who believe in Him.
This is “The Blessed Hope” of every believer.
The term “Blessed Hope” appears explicitly in (Titus 2:13) where we as believers are encouraged to await “the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Unlike ordinary hope, which may imply uncertainty… the “Blessed Hope” is a confident expectation.
Believers are assured that Jesus will return as promised in scripture (John 14:3) as well as (Acts 1:11)
It is both a present and future hope.
Currently believers experience salvation… that is the saving grace of God, deliverance and redemption from the judgement and penalty of sin… “for all have sinned and fallen short”… (Romans 3:23)
Why… because Christ fulfilled all the law on our behalf (Matthew 5:17)
In a sense He nullified the power of the law of sin.
(Romans 10:4) says that Christ is the culmination of the law bringing righteousness to everyone who believes.
(Galatians 3:24) explains that the law was a guardian trying to curb us from sin until Christ came.
(Hebrews 10:1) tells us that the law was only a shadow of the good things that are coming.
Through His actions Christ demonstrated that the law served as a guide to righteousness… and His fulfillment of all the law, reveals His love and the fulfillment of Gods promises.
Then God sent the Holy Spirit to lead us individually into a new way of living both in this life we are now living… and eventualy eternity in heaven.
The indwelling Holy Spirit… a fulfillment of (Acts 1:8) has become our guide, our friend, our resource as we wait for the fulfillment of Christ’s eventual return to catch His Bride the Church… (you and I whom have received Him and or believed in Him) to meet Him in the clouds of the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
And in the future we will see Christ face to face and share fully in His glory as Paul talks about in (1st Thessalonians 2:19) and (1st Corinthians 13:12)
In essence, the “Blessed Hope” is the joyful, steadfast expectation of Jesus Christ’s return, assuring believers of the completion of our salvation, resurrection and eternal life.
It is central to “Christian Faith”… shaping the believers outlook and daily conduct… providing a foundation of confidence, peace and purpose, in this present age we are living in.
So I encourage you today… keep your eyes thoughts and priorities focused on Him today… He is coming soon…
(Hebrews 9:28) to them that look for Him shall He appear…
Good Day!
(Matthew 24:13) Jesus says, “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved”
The above text or scripture verse comes from Jesus at what is called the “Olivet Discourse”, an explanation to His disciples about things to come.
Jesus told the disciples and His followers that the temple was going to be destroyed (Matthew 24:2), and in response they asked Him, “When will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age”?
That same question is being asked time and again in these days of moral, economical, and spiritual upheaval… concerning anything to do with the “absolutes that have guided human destiny thru out history.
Their question had two parts and so required two answers.
Jesus combined those answers into one long discourse about what was ahead before He returned.
Some of those prophecies were fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70… the remainder has yet to happen.
This specific verse is best understood when read in context...
(Matthew 24:9–14) says, “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.
At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
From God’s viewpoint and outside of our time frame, the “end times” began with the outpouring of “The Holy Spirit” of which we read about in (Acts 2:16-21)… when the disciples and Jesus followers were gathered together in the upper room after His ascension.
Peter describes this event as “the last days.”
The pouring out of the Holy Spirit, started the count down to the fulfillment of the last days.
From that perspective, it makes sense that Jesus combined events in AD 70 with those yet to come.
He then warns that as persecution increases, many who considered themselves His followers… will reveal their true spiritual condition when they turn away from the faith.
It was to this that Jesus instructed the seven Churches of Revelation to “hold on”, “hold fast”, and “endure till the end”.
Many had begun to forsake Him and were already falling away from following Him at the time of this discourse.
(John 6:66) “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with Him”… Jesus said this would escalate until the end.
Jesus also warned that “true Christian faith”, would be tested by deception, false prophets and the increase of wickedness.
Not only will there be some who turn away, but Jesus foretold, ‘the love of most will grow cold.”
In the midst of that, the implication is that those who “stand firm to the end” will be the minority (Matthew 7:14).
Those who endure to the end are the opposite of those in the previous verse whose love grows cold.
So what is the relevance of this portion of scripture, this text from Jesus concerning our society today?
Well the simple fact is this.
We are living in a time when those things Jesus spoke of, are happening this very day.
Our society is being shaken to its very roots.
The opinions of this world are undermining truth, as not seen in our society in the past.
All “absolutes” are being devalued, questioned, and ignored with an arrogant attitude of “secular disdain”.
And unfortunately many of todays “supposed” open minded, followers of “human secularization”, have bought into the lie and are forsaking anything that once stood for truth.
The question is still being asked today, that was asked at the trial of Christ, “What is truth”?
In answer to that question, we can only be sure, when we make Gods word the “pre-eminent authority“ over our lives.
His Word is truth! (John 17:17)
It is absolute, and does not change in its examples, instruction, and warning.
Paul told Timothy that in the last days “men would be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God”. (2nd Timothy 3:1-6) “But mark this… There will be terrible times in the last days.
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God… having a form of godliness but denying its power.
Have nothing to do with such people. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth”.
My point that I’d like to bring out his morning is this… We are to be followers that need to be ready, and be prepared, “watching therefore as a good soldier who does not entangle himself with the affairs of this world”.
Unfortunately many believers, Christians, children of God, have lost their focus on what our “priority and focus should be, as we live out our lives in the midst of these end times.
They are indicative of Jesus statement from (Matthew 24:48)… “My lord delayeth His coming”… and our society for the most part has become consumed with the affairs of this world, and have forgotten that our “first responsibility” as believes is to be witnesses of Christ, in all that we do and participate in.
Jesus taught us, “a tree would be known by the fruit you see on its branches”. (Luke 6:43)
So my question for you today is this.
What are the priorities in your life as a follower of Christ, as a child of God, as a professing Christian?
Are you involved in and consumed with the affairs of this world… or in the service and promotion of Gods Kingdom?
Many are falling away, many have fallen away, and many will fall way.
Will you be the next… or will you endure till the end?
Good Day!
(Psalm 119:97) “Oh how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day.”
I’ve found in my life that there is only one thing that will bring me true peace, comfort, joy, and hope in this life we live… amidst all of the chaos in this world… and that is quiet time with God!
Jesus said, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33)
But what kind of "things" was He talking about?
Things like money, houses, relationships, health, and jobs.
What did He mean by "the kingdom of God?"
The answer?
Living under the rule of Christ each moment and submitting to His will in all things.
When Jesus used the word "seek," He called for three things…
?(1) Intentionality.
When something important is lost, you must put aside other things and seek until you find it.
(2) Importance.
Position, performance, prosperity, and popularity can be good things when properly used… but without the rule of Christ in your life, you'll always be vulnerable to the devil.
(3) Importunity.
No matter how long it takes, how hard you must work, or what you must rearrange… restoring your quiet time with God is the most important.
?
The Psalmist wrote, "When You said, "Seek My face", my heart said to You… 'Your face' Lord, I will seek'" (Psalm 27:8)
"Quiet time" has been called many things throughout the history of the church.
The morning watch, daily devotions, appointment with God, or personal devotional time.
?
It really doesn't matter what you call it, as long as you have it regularly.
Your quiet time with God is simply daily fellowship with Him through His Word and prayer.
It's a time you deliberately set aside to meet with Him.
The goal is that you might grow in your personal relationship with God so that you can know Him, love Him, serve Him, and become more like Him.
That’s why I take the time each day to write and post these little mini sermons or thoughts for the day.
They are not only the fruit of my quiet time with God but they are insights I post to help you, my fellow man, find a way to begin a daily habit of quiet time with God.
With out it life is overwhelming to say the least.
Good Day!
(1st Samuel 3:6)... “And the Lord called again…”
So how do I know the voice of God?
How do I know when it’s God speaking to me?
This question has been asked by countless people throughout the ages.
Samuel heard the voice of God, but did not recognize it until he was instructed or taught by Eli the prophet how to recognize it. (1st Samuel 3:1–10)
(Judges 6:17-22… 36-40) Gideon had a physical meeting with God, and he still doubted what he had heard to the point of asking for a sign, not once, but three times.
When we are listening for God’s voice, how can we know that He is the one speaking?
First of all, we have something that Gideon and Samuel did not.
We have the complete Bible, the inspired Word of God, to read, study, and meditate on.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2nd Timothy 3:16–17)
The Bible is Gods written word… and when we have a question about a certain topic or decision in our lives, we should see what the Bible has to say about it.
God will never lead us contrary to what He has taught in His Word (Titus 1:2)
Secondly, to hear God’s voice we must “belong to God”.
Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice… I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27)
Those who hear God’s voice are those who belong to Him… those who have been saved by His grace through faith in the Lord Jesus.
These are the sheep “who hear and recognize” His voice, because they know Him as their Shepherd.
If we are to recognize God’s voice, we must “belong” to Him.
We hear His voice when we spend time in Bible study and quiet contemplation of His Word.
The more time we spend intimately with God and His Word, the easier it is to recognize His voice and His leading in our lives.
Employees at a bank are trained to recognize counterfeit bills by studying genuine money so closely, that it is easy to spot a fake.
We should be so familiar with God’s Word that when someone speaks error to us, it is clear that it is not the voice of God.
While God could speak audibly to people... today, He speaks primarily through His written Word.
Sometimes God’s leading can come through the Holy Spirit speaking through our conscience, through circumstances, and through the exhortations of other people.
By comparing what we hear, to the truth of Scripture, we can learn to recognize God’s voice.
But here is the catch… If you truly want to “hear the voice of God” in your life, you need to truly “want what God wants”.
And that is “a relationship” with each other!
You in Him and Him in you!
You truly must be one whom “seeks after God” with a pure and a contrite heart.
The reason God doesn’t speak and move audibly and reveal Himself as He did in the Old Testament of the Bible… is because people seldom seek His face any more.
Here is a thought and my opinion only.
We live in a quick fix society… by that I mean that we seldom are willing to wait for an answer to anything.
Whether it is money, a job, a wife, even the food we eat… we all want what we want and we want it now!
When it comes to our relationship with God… I know of few whom are willing to “take the time to wait before the Lord” in prayer, let alone wait for Him to speak to them.
What makes you think that God of heaven and earth, the God of eternity, the great God of Creation… is going to jump to your every whim at your beck and call?
Why should He take the time to meet you in your hurried, busy, selfish schedule at your every whim, or in your desperation, because of the wrong choices you have made in life.
Like He’s your little robot, there to fill all your needs to fix all your issues, on your schedule.
If you want to hear from God… if you want to hear Gods voice… you must have the right attitude.
Your going to have to reverse your thinking and realize that He is not your servant… but that you are His servant!
Yes God is there all the time.
Yes He is more than willing to pardon us of our sins and thankfully He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve.
But He is not our “genie in a bottle”.
The saints of old heard Gods voice personally and in some cases met God physically because of the attitude of their heart.
They “sought” God.
They “looked” for God!
They “defended” God!
They were “obedient” to the word of God!
They were willing and obedient to the instructions of the “Holy Word of God “recorded by the prophets of old on scrolls and manuscripts collected and stored and kept safe by the priests of the Old Testament.
The truth is, in this society we live in, we have little respect for, or willingness to submit to anything to do with God.
We live on our own time schedule, and friend of mine, that is not Gods way.
(Isaiah 55 6-9) says it this way, “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call on Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and He will have mercy on them, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”.
I meet many these days whom are wondering how they can “solicit” the help of our Creator.
Many whom are calling out, “is there a God”, “where is God”, “How do I find God”?
As Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well, God is looking for true worshippers who worship “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).
“For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy… ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones” (Isaiah 57:15).
“‘For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist,’ says the Lord. ‘But on this one will I look… on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at [reverences] My word’” (Isaiah 66:2).
What makes a person a Christian, is the connection that he has with Jesus Christ.
That connection shapes how he thinks and feels about sin and his relationship with God.
So let me ask you this morning, whom is in control… you or God?
He is willing but are you?
“The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
Believe me folks… “attitude is everything”!
Good Day!
(1st Timothy 2:4-7) “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings, and all who are in authority…
Hello friend, I remember a song from many years ago recorded by Canadian Country Music Artist Ann Murray.
The song title was called “A Little Good News” with the message of the song pleading for good news to be reported over the media rather than the constant barrage of negative information that assaults our senses every hour of every day.
No doubt all of us are worried about the state of our economy and global affairs that seem to be all heading in the wrong direction to bring about the peace and comfort we all want for our families and our selves… and I have to admit I’m even a little fearful about where our world and our society is headed.
Things going on in this world and decisions being made that we're not sure are correct, that are going to lead us to destruction or world war or the end of the world, we just don't know.
So this morning I've got a prescription for you and I, written by the Apostle Paul to a young friend of his named Timothy, written at a time when the world was in great upheaval as well… and hopefully it will bring some peace of mind to you and I.
The prescription that he gave for our peace of mind and peace of heart is found in (1st Timothy 2:4)… in which he writes the following prescription.
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings, and all who are in authority… that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence”
Paul writes that we might lead peaceable or peace filled lives if we pray for and thank God for those who are in authority.
And that has a direct connection to the peaceable and godly lives we all desire and want to live.
(God is waiting for us to call Him into the picture.)
And if we do, and if we will give thanks for all things and the people who are in positions of authority,
God will govern their thinking and bring about what we're praying for, which is a peaceful and godly life for ourselves our family and our country.
Paul says… “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth”.
After all… isn't this what we all want?
But it's up to us to ask God to come into the picture and operate on our behalf… even giving thanks for those that are in authority over us?
Yes, this is His prescription for peace in these troubling times!
God spoke thru the prophet saying… If my people which are called by my name shall humble themselves, seek my face, pray, and turn from their wicked ways… then will I hear form heaven and then will I heal their land” (2nd Chronicles 7:14)
If you don’t like what our politicians are doing or not doing, then its time to pray!
Good Day
(James 5:11) "The Lord is very compassionate."
When it comes to Christ like compassion, the Bible teaches us two things.
One, It “relates”… to the needs of others.
Paul wrote, “Jesus…this High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He
faced all of the same testings we do” (Hebrews 4:14-15)
Jesus understands… how comforting!
Whatever situation, challenge, or adversity we find ourselves in, Jesus is saying,
“I can relate. I’ve been there… pressure, rejection, pain, temptation, slander,
lies, I’ve experienced them all”
He understands them all because He’s been there.
Secondly, compassion “responds”… to the needs of others.
It’s not enough just to recognize and relate to the needs of others.
You’ve been called to action on a practical level… otherwise your compassion is meaningless.
Jesus responded to sick people with healing, to hungry people with food, and to
lost people with the good news of the gospel.
Compassion has no limits.
It sponsors a hungry child, helps change a tire for someone stranded on the side
of the road, brings a meal to someone who’s grieving, and listens patiently to
someone who needs a friend.
Compassion gets its hands dirty… it writes checks… it sacrifices its own agenda, schedule,
desires, and dreams to meet the needs of another.
The Bible says, “God anointed Jesus…with the Holy Spirit and with power, who
went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God
was with Him” (Acts 10:38)
What’s your main concern in life… looking good or doing good?
The early Church believers were called Christians by the world around them.
The word Christian means to be Christ like.
I wonder… do people around us see our faith in the things we do and allow ourselves to be involved in.
I think sometimes, as we celebrate and rejoice over our freedom and our salvation brought about by Gods grace and unmerited favor according to (Ephesians 2:8) “For by grace are ye saved through
The Bible says, “God anointed Jesus…with the Holy Spirit and with power, who
went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God
was with Him” (Acts 10:38)
What’s your main concern in life… looking good or doing good?
The early Church believers were called Christians by the world around them.
The word Christian means to be Christ like.
I wonder… do people around us see our faith in the things we do and allow ourselves to be involved in.
I think sometimes, as we celebrate and rejoice over our freedom and our salvation brought about by Gods grace and unmerited favor according to (Ephesians 2:8) “For by grace are ye saved through
faith, and that not of yourselves lest any man should boast but it is the gift of God”…
I wonder if we have overlook another one of the encouragements of that same text of scripture two verses forward which says “For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10)
Compassionate people and the compassion of Christ should motivate each of us
to be involved in and be an answer to, and for, and with the pain in our world.
(James 2:18) says this “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works
show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.”
In other words if you are a follower of Christ prove it!
(Romans 2:13) “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but
does not have works? Can that faith save him?
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of
you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled’, without giving them
the things needed for the body, what good is that?
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith
apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works’.
Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works
is useless?
Jesus said…“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the
Kingdom of Heaven… but the one who does the will of my Father who is in
Heaven” (Matthew 7:21)
It’s a great life this being a Child of God!
The blessings and the benefits are so fulfilling, but they must come with the realization that “we are not our own… we are bought with a price” (1st Corinthians 6:19-20)
That price is to have compassion on those around us whom have not yet
come to faith and learned to enjoy this relationship with God that is so
fulfilling… and then let that compassion move you to be the hand of
Jesus in helping meet their needs.
So let me ask you… do people “see” that you are a follower of Christ.
Are you “moved” with compassion for others?
Good Day!
I wonder if we have overlook another one of the encouragements of that same text of scripture two verses forward which says “For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10)
Compassionate people and the compassion of Christ should motivate each of us
to be involved in and be an answer to, and for, and with the pain in our world.
(James 2:18) says this “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works
show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.”
In other words if you are a follower of Christ prove it!
(Romans 2:13) “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but
does not have works? Can that faith save him?
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of
you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled’, without giving them
the things needed for the body, what good is that?
So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith
apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works’.
Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works
is useless?
Jesus said…“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the
Kingdom of Heaven… but the one who does the will of my Father who is in
Heaven” (Matthew 7:21)
It’s a great life this being a Child of God!
The blessings and the benefits are so fulfilling, but they must come with the realization that “we are not our own… we are bought with a price” (1st Corinthians 6:19-20)
That price is to have compassion on those around us whom have not yet
come to faith and learned to enjoy this relationship with God that is so
fulfilling… and then let that compassion move you to be the hand of
Jesus in helping meet their needs.
So let me ask you… do people “see” that you are a follower of Christ.
Are you “moved” with compassion for others?
Good Day!
(1st Corinthians 16:9) "A great door for effective work has opened to me…
We all have times in life when “opportunity knocks”.
But the problem is that many won’t open the door, because they are afraid of the challenges that come with opportunity.
Nothing becomes truly great until it overcomes something that looks insurmountable.
Paul wrote, “I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me”.
Great doors of opportunity come with great challenges, and each challenge calls for greater faith and tenacity.
Think about it… if outstanding success came easily, everyone would have it.
And if everyone had it, it wouldn’t be outstanding success.
How does a caterpillar become a butterfly?
By overcoming the cocoon.
And the cocoon is so essential to the process that the caterpillar actually creates it.
Wouldn’t it be easier just to stay in the warmth and comfort of the cocoon?
On days when the caterpillar struggles to get out of it, he probably thinks so!
But deep down, he knows the price of freedom.
Flight and discovery require struggle, development, and breakthrough.
There is no other way!
Why did Jesus send His disciples into a life-threatening storm?
To teach them to trust Him in all of life’s situations.
Soon He would be leaving them, and He was using every experience, every opportunity to teach them, prepare them for their future.
So what are you struggling to overcome right now?
Instead of complaining and asking God to take it away, see it for what it is… preparation.
Remember, your level of preparation indicates the level of blessing that awaits you on the other side of it.
So if God is opening doors of opportunity for you, be prepared for challenges, because you can’t have one without the other.
How ever with those challenges He will give you the needed wisdom, (James 1:5) if you call on Him and ask Him to help you and lead you.
The biggest struggle you’ll have is keeping your focus on Him.
So today, determine in your heart to look for the door of opportunity that God wants you to walk thru and then stay focused on Him.
He says (Mark 9:23) “all things are possible to them that believe”.
Good Day!