JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
(Daniel 6:27) "He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions."
I recall hearing an old time preacher sharing his testimony with some younger preachers saying,
“There have been times when I wanted God to rescue me from certain pits, but He didn’t.
Why you ask? Because He wanted me to learn that His grace was sufficient in the pit.
The question is never, what will God do when all around me spells destruction?
The question is, what will I do?
I may not be able to conquer the lions, but I don’t have to—that’s God’s job”.
Daniel said, “My God sent his angel, and…shut the mouths of the lions…” (Daniel 6:22)
I may not be able to stop legislation from being enacted against me, but like Daniel, I can call on my God.
“He prayed three times a day” (Daniel 6:10)
Stop exhausting yourself fighting the enemy and the conditions around you; they are too many.
The Bible says (Ephesians 6:12) “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
We need to learn to lean on God and be innocent of the charges made by those who are jealous or afraid because of your position with God and man.
It’s important to know and understand that God didn’t rescue Daniel from the pit!
He delivered him from the power of the enemy while he was in the pit.
The lions were still there when Daniel left, waiting for their next victim but they had no power over him… and as a redeemed child of God, they have no power over you either.
Daniel went on to prosper in the kingdom, and that’s what God plans for you too.”
The Bible tells us, “He rescues and saves his people…He…rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”
When you walk with God, you can count on Him to protect you.
The bible says He sets “angels around us to bear us up lest we dash our foot against a stone”.
(Psalm 91:9-16) If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways… they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the cobra... you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him... I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him... I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
This is what God promises to each of us if we are willing to forsake the “our way” of doing things, and truly trust and believe in Him.
Never forget that Jesus said to the crowd around him that day in (Mark 11:24) “Therefore, I say unto you, whatsoever things you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.
All of the world’s religions exhort men to pray, but it is only the Bible that requires men to “believe” when they pray.
This is the radical concept of the Bible… the requirement of “actually trusting God.”
This was first exhibited in the Old Testament, and further developed in the New Testament… the absolute necessity for one “to believe” when one prays.
Other religious systems are content with the motions of prayer, but the true Living God requires that we maintain a relationship with Him and that we trust Him.
Believing takes the religious emphasis off of prayer itself, and puts the emphasis entirely on God Himself.
It is all about Him and His faithfulness.
What the bible “does not teach” is to rely on prayer alone.
It teaches us to rely on Him.
Only when we can fully rely on Him can we fully pray believing.
We are to believe Him first, and then express that belief in prayer.
Faith must be in the heart, before the prayer comes out of the mouth.
Daniel had that kind of faith!
His life, his position, his future was not of concern to him.
He believed God and that was enough. God did the rest.
So will He do for you today, when you lay down your reliance and trust in this world and instead believe God!
Good Day!
(Nehemiah 8:10) "The joy of the Lord is your strength".
Did you realize that you can choose your outlook on each day when you get up in the morning?
It’s your choice to be happy or sappy… mad, glad or sad… anxious or confident… joyful or downcast.
Really the choice is yours its up to you and your attitude.
Now you might be saying that’s easy to say Jack but you don’t know what I am going thru!
Well, Gods Word tells us that He does... and He will be with us to help us bare these loads of care and trials we face.
(Matthew 11:28) “Jesus said come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest for your soul”.
And with Him on your side, you’ve got nothing to worry about!
Psychiatry tells us there are four common personality traits that rule or dictate our individual lives.
They are called the “proto-psychological theory” that suggests that there are four fundamental personality types.
Remember that these are a theory, and like all theories, they can tend to be incorrect or skewed in some areas.
1) Sanguine (optimistic and social),
2) Choleric (short-tempered or irritable),
3) Melancholic (analytical and quiet),
4) And phlegmatic (relaxed and peaceful)
Though we may exemplify some of these traits or temperaments in our life, we don't have to let them dictate or control our lives.
We can overcome them by making a choice!
Nehemiah realized that his confidence in God gave him the opportunity to choose wisely and change the outlook and the circumstance around him.
He chose not to look at the circumstances, but looked to the answer.
And in so doing experienced the "joy of the Lord", which gave him strength for each day, ultimately giving him the winning edge.
King David would often speak to "his soul", and tell it what it should do to change his outlook on the circumstances around him, as illustrated in his famous "Psalm 103"... "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me".
As he made the choice to be joyful, he found the strength to overcome.
Here are three things to observe and think about today:
1) A joyful outlook gives you the winning edge
When, World Heavyweight Champion”, “Joe Louis”, got knocked down by “Tony Two Ton’ Galento”, in his match at Yankee Stadium, he immediately jumped up and went after his opponent.
When his trainer yelled at him saying, “Why didn’t you stay down for nine like I’ve always taught you?”... Louis growled back saying “What? And give him all that time to rest?”
That is the attitude each of us needs to cultivate.
Just because life may knock you down at times, you don’t need to stay down!
And that happens by continually making the choice to not let life's trial's or setbacks hold you down.
Get up, put a smile on your face and remember that God has said “you are more than a conqueror in Christ” (Romans 8:31-39)
2) A joyful outlook determines how others respond to you.
When you smile, people tend to smile back.
But if you come across as hard-nosed, they’re likely to respond in kind.
If you want to enjoy people as you go through your day, if you want people to enjoy you throughout the day, think well of them and treat them well.
Choose to be “a sweet savor” in their life.
It will instantly change the atmosphere, like turning on a light.
But it’s your choice that makes it happen.
This isn’t rocket science, but it’s easily forgotten.
3) A joyful outlook brings happiness.
English literary figure Samuel Johnson said... “He who has so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition, will waste his life in fruitless efforts, and multiply the grief he proposes to remove”.
Choose to be happy!
Don’t worry… be happy!
4) A joyful outlook always brings the best result.
Successful people embrace this truth, whether it’s a surgeon going into the operating room, a pastor preparing a sermon, or an executive launching a new business venture.
Confidence increases your chance of success every time.
So when you approach a task, especially one you don’t relish... fix your mind on God’s promises and not your feelings.
Choosing to be joyful will get you back on track every time - guaranteed!
So today, choose to be joyful!
Good Day!
(Proverbs 16:3) "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
If all your life you’ve been warned about making bad decisions, then you quite probably have developed an inner fear that can cause you to miss "God-given opportunities".
The bible says, "If the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle"? (1st Corinthians 14:8).
Like it or not you will have to make decisions every day of your life and you have to be able to make decisions if your going to move forward in life.
A lot of people are like the mule standing between two bales of hay.
Unable to decide which one to eat and afraid of making the wrong choice, it starved to death.
In this life we have been given… we must all grow up, and come to maturity standing up to the challenges of life’s responsibilities making decisions about how we are going to live, what career we choose, where we reside, who we will marry!
Life demands that we respond to it and its many pathways.
You must act!
You must make decisions!
Choices are part of growing up and becoming mature taking your place in society.
And if you are one who is insecure and threatened and needs to do things perfectly… and you desire to be in control over every possible outcome…
Then it will keep you from making necessary decisions and you will stay stuck in the same rut all your life… causing you to miss out on the great opportunities and experiences that are part of the abundant life that Jesus said He came to bring you (John 10:10)
So here are three things to remember when making life decisions:
1) Stop trying to please everybody.
"Fear of man is a dangerous trap, but to trust in God means safety" (Proverbs 29:25) ?
Once you know what brings you fulfillment, as long as it’s in agreement with God’s word… chart your course accordingly and refuse to let the opinions of others stop you or color your view.
2) Remember, over time your goals can change. ?
What’s needed today may not be right for you a year from now.
So be willing to “reassess” your plans and be willing to change direction.
(Proverbs 16:9) says "We should make plans… counting on God to direct us".
When your spiritual gut says no… pay attention!
3) When God is on your side, you’ll prevail. ?
Somebody asked Abraham Lincoln if he was sure that God was on his side.
He replied, "I haven’t thought much about it. I just want to know I’m on God’s side".
It’s normal to speculate about how you’d like things to turn out, but God alone controls the future. ?
Just trust Him. (Proverbs 16:3) "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed".
One of my favorite instructions from the bible is as follows from (Psalm 37:4-5) "Delight yourself in the Lord… and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it”.
Like Abraham Lincoln said, "I want to be on Gods side"!
Believe me friend it is and always will be, "the winning team".
You can never fail when you make your choices based on His Word, His Spirit and His presence, so find it, stay in it and go for it.
“For with God all things are possible”. (Matthew 19:26)
Good Day!
(2nd Timothy 1:7) “for God has not given us a spirit of fear or timidity… but power, love, and a sound mind”
Before Paul’s death, Paul writes a letter of encouragement and exhortation to Timothy, his beloved protégé.
Timothy has a shy personality and feels uneasy about his weighty responsibilities.
Paul does not want fear to stifle Timothy’s ministry or his gift from God, so he addresses Timothy’s “spirit of fear”.
Paul says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2nd Timothy 1:7).
The Greek word for “fear” in this verse does not refer to reverential fear that is often associated with fear of the Lord.
Rather, the word refers to cowardice or timidity.
(Matthew 25:14-30) provides an example of this type of fear.
A certain master entrusts three servants with gold before embarking on a journey, and only two of the servants increase the master’s wealth during his absence.
The third servant fears the master and buries his gold instead of taking a risk with it as did the others.
The master responds to the servant’s cowardice by taking back the gold and giving it to the servant with the most gold.
The servant’s “fearful spirit” hindered his full devotion to the master and his ability to make wise decisions.
In the context of (2nd Timothy 1:7), Paul speaks of fear in sharing the gospel amidst persecution.
The frightening circumstances surrounding Timothy’s calling to share the gospel add additional anxiety to his already timid personality.
Paul encourages Timothy by reminding him of his heritage of faith.
His grandmother Lois and mother Eunice provided an example of devout faithfulness to God throughout Timothy’s life.
They likely taught him the Jewish Scriptures and showed him how to be an honorable man of God.
Paul writes that Lois and Eunice’s sincere faith lives inside Timothy.
Paul’s motivation in addressing Timothy’s spirit of fear is not that he doubts Timothy’s sincerity of faith.
Rather, he desires to restore or strengthen Timothy’s courage.
Paul goes on to exhort Timothy to fan into flame his “God-given” gift.
Gifts flourish when surrendered to God, and they decay when we allow fear to paralyze us.
Though fear can hinder a gift’s effectiveness… Paul is telling Timothy that Gods power, love, and peace that passes all understanding... will produce “a sound mind or confidence) aiding Timothy’s growth, boldness and maturity toward God’s glory.
Paul reminds Timothy that God has not given us “a spirit of fear”, but he focuses on the Spirit who gives us “power, love and self-discipline”.
The Spirit of power produces bravery… and the resolution necessary to face and endure danger and difficulty.
The “Spirit of love” fuels sacrificial service toward God and mankind.
The Spirit of God also gives us “a sound mind”, cultivating self-control, alertness, and truth.
Paul does not want fear of man or fear of death to keep Timothy from sharing the gospel.
For the rest of 2nd Timothy, Paul continues to prepare Timothy for a bold, gospel-focused life.
Like Timothy you and I… we should not give in to “a spirit of fear”.
When we focus on ourselves, its then that anxiety, fear of failure, self doubt in our own ability to obey and follow Christ, fear and timidity become the paralyzing result.
We must be a people whom depend, trust, and yield to the Spirit… whom gives us the power, the love, and the alertness… to focus and calm us.
It is only through God’s strength that we can boldly, lovingly, and accurately share the gospel.
May we never allow fear to hinder us from sharing the gospel, but instead rely on God to give us courage!
We must be a people whom totally rely on and are dependent upon God who is in us… (Colossians 1:27) “Christ in you our hope and our glory”
Good Day!
(2nd Corinthians 9:8) “God can pour on the blessings…so that you’re ready for anything and everything.”
Insecurity in the life of Gods people is a debilitating perception of ones self that literally paralyzes our ability to succeed in life, and in the plan of God.
And if your sense of well-being comes from any source other than God including yourself...
chances are you will always struggle with insecurity.
Paul wrote in (2nd Corinthians 9:8) “God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so…you’re ready for anything and everything... more than ready to do what needs to be done.”
Another translation puts it this way: “God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work”.
I read this quote a while back that is filled with some great insight,
“Christians are not necessarily better than other people ought to be... but they ought to be more confident than other people are."
Why?
Because as Paul writes in (Philippians 4:13)… “I can do all things thru Christ whom strengthens me”.
As long as you’re trusting in yourself, or others, you will struggle with uncertainty and self-doubt.
But once you start trusting in God… what He can do in you, with you, through you, and for you… you begin to feel differently about yourself.
Insecurity destroys your self-esteem by making you feel unqualified and undeserving.
And here is the worst part... often it means you can’t be taught because you can’t accept honest criticism,...and if you can’t except honest criticism, you will never grow to become all that you can be.
Paul wrote in (2nd Corinthians 9:8) “God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so…you’re ready for anything and everything... more than ready to do what needs to be done.”
Another translation puts it this way: “God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work”.
I read this quote a while back that is filled with some great insight,
“Christians are not necessarily better than other people ought to be... but they ought to be more confident than other people are."
Why?
Because as Paul writes in (Philippians 4:13)… “I can do all things thru Christ whom strengthens me”.
As long as you’re trusting in yourself, or others, you will struggle with uncertainty and self-doubt.
But once you start trusting in God… what He can do in you, with you, through you, and for you… you begin to feel differently about yourself.
Insecurity destroys your self-esteem by making you feel unqualified and undeserving.
And here is the worst part... often it means you can’t be taught because you can’t accept honest criticism,...and if you can’t except honest criticism, you will never grow to become all that you can be.
Let's face it…none of us has all the answers.
The thing you need most... “good input”... becomes the last thing you’re willing to accept, because you’re afraid to let anyone know you’re less than perfect.
Consequently, you find it hard to accept challenges and seize the opportunities that come your way.
Yet deep down, you continue to feel incompetent, unaccepted, disapproved of and rejected.
In short… insecurity is an “inside job”!
(Proverbs 23:7) says “as a man thinketh in his heart so is he”.
Jesus said (Mark 9:23) “if you can believe, all things are possible for them that believe”.
With that in mind, take an honest look at your life right now.
Go ahead… it’s safe... no one else is looking… its just you and me and the words on this screen.
Do you really believe that you are in Christ and Christ is in you?
Then what are you afraid of… what is causing your insecurities?
“Jesus said I am come that you might have life and that more abundantly” (John 10:10)
Listen to me this morning folks.
I don’t’ know who you are or where you are from.
But I believe those of you that are reading this devotion this morning, have been led to this writing for one purpose.
God wants you to know that you are highly favoured and He has a great plan for your life.
Like He told Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:11) “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”!
Ok so you’ve got some “self doubts”.
But you need to know that Gods Word is bigger than your doubts.
And here is what His Word says about you.
(Romans 8:26-37) “the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.
For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
And those He predestined, He also called… those He called, He also justified… those He justified, He also glorified.
What then shall we say in response to these things?
If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all… how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?
Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?
It is God who justifies.
Who then is the one who condemns?
No one! Christ Jesus who died…more than that, who was raised to life… is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
As it is written... “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
But No! In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord".
Now, turn to God and pray... agree with His word that you have just finished reading , “Lord, everything I need to succeed in life I have in You!”
Now go and by faith, with faith in Christ, pursue the dream that God has laid on your heart.
Good day!
(Isaiah 64:8) “And yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter. We all are formed by your hand”
Many years ago I heard a mentor pastor preach a message concerning the “Potter and the Clay” from my scripture text in Isaiah this morning.
He told us how he and his wife visited a local street fair where dozens of artisans were demonstrating their craft and talents for the visitors in attendance.
A crowed formed watching this one potter working with clay who was quite skilled in the art… a pleasure to watch.
As they watched she was finishing the top part of a vase.
As the wheel was spinning, her fingers and thumbs were smoothing, shaping, pulling, and pushing the clay that submitted to her every touch.
She never looked up at those who were watching her.
While finishing the process, the top of the vase displeased her so she gently reached over and with a little instrument, peeled off that part and remade it.
It still, wasn’t quite what she wanted it so she peeled it off again… and after a second time it still was’nt quite right so she remade it yet again…and the third time submitting to the pressure of her fingers… it magically became more beautiful than ever and what finally resulted, was this delicate flare at the top of the vase.
She gave a slight nod as if to say, “There, that’s what I wanted it to look like”… then she left it alone.
Our teacher/mentor told the class… “as we observed her artistry, we were impressed with the care she had demonstrated. No detail was unimportant… the clay had to be just right”.
Jeremiah witnessed that same process as he saw the potter at work.
(Jeremiah 18:5–6) “Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, “Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does?”
“Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.”
If you have ears to hear this morning… or eyes to see as you read this devotional… there is a message from God for all of us to heed.
The Bible teaches us that we are like clay in the Potters hand… the Potter being our Heavenly Father.
The Bible also teaches that God has a specific plan and will for each of us… 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” (Jeremiah 29:11)
As we are going thru much anxiety in our lives today… the high cost of living… aging and personal medical issues… an economy that is so volatile that many are fearing for their retirement savings and what retirement will look like a few years from now…
I encourage you to trust in God and His plan and will for your life.
Because of our relationship with Christ… as believers we have a heavenly Father that promises that He will look after us and meet our every need… notice I said need… not every want!
The Psalmist said it well in (Psalm 37:25) “I have been young and now I am old and in all that time… I have never seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging for bread”.
Paul sums it up well in (Romans 8:28) “For all things work together for good to those that love the Lord”.
In Christ you are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:31-39)… so today choose to submit to the tender hands of the Potter…
You won’t regret it in the long run…
Good Day!
(Matthew 25:28) "Give it to the one who risked the most",
Do you recall or remember the story in the bible of the three stewards who were each given a sum of money to invest?
The first two doubled theirs, while the third buried his in the ground.
The first two were promoted; the third was fired.
"The Master got rid of this play-it-safe individual who wouldn't go out on a limb” (Matthew 28-30)
Could there be a more powerful incentive to taking “a risk of faith”,
You say, "But what if I fail"?
Here’s a powerful motivational thought to remember folks.
“Failure trains you for success”!
It can show you what you need to change in order to move forward.
Think of it this way: as a redeemed child of God you have a security net that allows you to "fail safely".
But if your reputation and self-worth are all tied up in knots over some failed enterprise in the past, you’ll likely not be motivated to try again.
It’s human nature to want to feel good, to succeed, to win the prize, to move forward.
But just like a world-class athlete who backs up to gain the momentum to run faster, sometimes a few steps backward now and then can fuel your progress for later.
There is no wrong in failure… the wrong is in not trying again!
And here’s something else to keep in mind.
God assesses our accomplishments differently than people.
A failure in the eyes of men is often success in the eyes of God.
Remember Noah?
Before the flood he looked like a loser… afterward he became one of the most successful men in history.
And Samson, now there is a man whom was ruled by his feelings and succumbed to his human weaknesses and temptations… yet He did not hesitate to jump into the fray when it came to doing exploits for the Kingdom of God.
Look at Jacob who was a cheat and a conniving scoundrel in his younger years, yet became the father of Israel and the future “great ancestor” of Jesus.
Your most fulfilling reward isn’t human approval... it’s God’s... “well done thou good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:21)
Life isn't meant to be risk free.
It’s meant to do exploits!
You can't win if you don't run!
All through out the bible there are stories of "men and women of old" whom did "exploits" for their God.
They were not perfect, but they were men and women who did not let their "inability" effect their "availability".
Men like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Isaac, and Jacob, Deborah Ruth and Ester all whom trusted in God and went out at His word and God rewarded them for their exploits.
Hebrews chapter 11 is often referred to as the “Heroes of Faith” Hall Of Fame.
It is often called the "the faith chapter” of the bible.
It is filled with stories of people who were ordinary men and women who did exploits for the kingdom of God… whom did not let their humanity hinder their faith!
If they could do it… then you can too!
So take the risk today and get out there and chase your dream.
It doesn’t matter what your education is, it doesn’t matter what your experience is… it only matters where your heart is.
God will be there to catch you if you fall.
Better to try and fail than to have never tried at all.
(Psalm 37:24-25) says "for He upholds us in the palm of His right hand... I've never seen the righteous forsaken...)
(Hebrews 11:6) tells us “with out faith it is impossible to please God”.
So today I encourage you to take that “mustard seed of faith” or “the measure of faith” that Paul talks of in (Romans 12:3) that same faith that God has given you… and begin to exercise it… work it… and let God use you in ways you never dreamed possible.
Good Day!