JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
(Romans 8:31) "If God is for us, who can ever be against us?"
In this "dog eat dog" world we live in today, people are running out of options to survive.
Every day there are reports from the news media re people committing suicide.
The saddest thing about this report is the amount of young people whom are taking their own lives.
People are clearly losing hope.
And it amazes me that they will choose to end their lives in hopelessness and despair, rather than calling on God and let Him reveal His marvelous love, care, and provision for them.
Paul asks five all-important questions:
(1) “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
The assurance of God’s presence tilts the scales in your favor.
So whatever you’re facing today, remind yourself, “God is for me.”
(2) “Since [God] did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t [God]…give us everything else?” (Romans 8:32).
Think about it: Would God save your soul, then leave you to fend for yourself?
Or address your eternal needs and not your earthly ones? No!
(3) “Who dares accuse us…? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself” (Romans 8:33).
Every accusing voice, including your own, counts for nothing in the court of heaven.
God’s acceptance trumps everybody else’s rejection—and He accepts you because He sees you “in Christ.”
(4) “Who then will condemn us?…Christ Jesus died for us…he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us” (Romans 8:34).
When your accusers rise up and speak against you, Jesus, your defense attorney, silences them.
Why? Because His blood covers you!
(5) “Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love?” (Romans 8:35).
Paul answers his own question: “Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love…nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord”.
(Romans 8:38-39). Knowing these five truths will help you enjoy your day and sleep better at night!
Don't despair, and don't lose hope.
Call on the Lord today and let Him show you great and marvelous things that you can't imagine could be yours today.
(1st Corinthians 2:9) "However, as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" are the things God has prepared for those who love Him".
Good Day!
Psalm 23:3) “He restores my soul…”
The question is often asked, how does God “restore your soul” when you feel broken?
Often in our brokenness, we may hear that we aren't good enough, not worthy, abandoned, betrayed, and many more lies the enemy spews out into your mind.
But friend you are enough, you are worthy, you are loved, and you are secure in Gods love for you, and He goes to great length to restore you to Himself.
So much so that He provided His great love for all eternity by way of the cross and the resurrection of Jesus, “who now sits at the right hand of God ever making intercession for the saints” (Hebrews 7:25)
The Bible has much to say about God and His restorative work in the lives of human beings.
“The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves the crushed in spirit (Psalm 24:18).
“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite’.” (Isaiah 57:15).
Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all (Psalm 34:19).
Even when you don’t feel His presence, during the conflict and challenges of life; where there is Jesus, there is peace.
Have you ever noticed when you are in a difficult season in your life, you resort back to your old ways?
Maybe some of these ways are “coping mechanisms” or “self preservation” schemes that you have developed over the years to help you cope.
However (Proverbs 3:5-6) tells us to “Lean not on your own understanding and in all of your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths”.
When you rely in yourself and in the worlds mode or method of dealing with life’s issues, in reality, you are only delaying the obvious, and that is repeating the same cycle that you have been into for so long.
And you keep running on the same tread mill thru out life searching for answers for the situations that you can’t seem to gain victory over.
Either way, brokenness is a place where God can come into your life and lead you into His strength and His understanding.
God uses these tough times to draw you to Himself.
Jesus never promised us freedom from trouble in this life, He only promises peace that He can give you whether you are happy or sad, struggling or thriving.
In (James 1:2-4), the Bible says to “count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
So, while we are in these trials and struggles, there is a way of peace in the midst of all of them; there is an inner joy that can carry you in spite of the issues of life that have caused your brokenness.
It’s found by changing your focus from this life and yourself, to focusing on Him alone.
The Bible says in (Romans 5:1-5) “Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
We have also obtained access through Him by faith into a grace provided by God in which we can stand and have confidence in His care, protection and provision rejoicing in the hope of the glory of God.
And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope.
This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Hebrews says “we look unto Jesus the Author and the Finisher of our faith).
However God can’t restore if you are not willing to let the shepherd take care of you!
Now, I don’t say this to beat you down or degrade what you may be feeling but you need to “refocus” on the path that God has for you.
Jesus also says in (John 14:6), “I am the way, and the truth, and the life”.
It may be that God has taken away something or someone that you have relied upon in the past so that you will transfer that reliance instead to Him.
I know that at times the loss of something we have leaned on for so long can drive pain deep into the heart, and anger and questions arise because of it.
You may never know why these things happen, but know that God has a plan for all broken circumstances.
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).
“The one who lives under the protection of the Most High, dwells in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust” (Psalm 91:1-2).
Good day!
(John 1:1) “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”
Long before Bethlehem, before Mary and before the manger, Jesus already existed.
The apostle John opens his gospel not with a baby's birth, but with eternity itself.
Before Genesis ever began, Jesus, the Word, was there.
He wasn't created… He was and is “The Creator”.
As (John 1:3) says, “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that has been made”.
So, then the question arises… “was Jesus the God of the Old Testament”?
When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush and said, “I am who I am”, (Exodus 3.14)… He revealed the name that means “eternal existence”… the One who simply is.
Centuries later, Jesus used those same words.
In (John 8:58)… He said, “before Abraham was… I am”.
The crowd understood exactly what He meant, and they picked up stones ready to stone Him because he was claiming the divine name “I AM”… for himself.
Throughout the gospel of John, Jesus revealed His divine identity through seven “I Am” statements.
-I Am the bread of life, (John 6:35)
-I Am the light of the world, (John 8:12)
-I Am the good shepherd, (John 10:11-18)
-I Am the resurrection and the life,(John 11:25)
-I Am the way, (John 14:6)
-I Am the truth, (John 14:6)
-I Am the life, (John 14:6) (John 11:25)
Each echoes the voice that spoke to Moses.
The same “eternal God”… revealing himself in flesh.
The Apostle Paul confirmed it in (1st Corinthians 10:4)… “Israel drank from the spiritual rock that followed them… and that rock was Christ”,
The God who led Israel through the wilderness, who gave water from the rock, was the same Jesus who later offered living water to the world… “If any man thirst let him come unto me” (John 7:37)
Jesus didn't become God when He was born… No… He became flesh… “God incarnate”.
God in the flesh amongst humanity.
He has always been God.
The eternal Word took on flesh to redeem the people He had created.
He was the rock in the desert, the voice in the fire, the “I Am” who stepped into history to save His creation.
(Colossians 1:16–17) Paul affirms Jesus’ same teaching… “In him all things were created… things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities… all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”
Again (John 1:1) explicitly notes that Jesus was both with God in the beginning… and was God.
From the beginning to the end, the story of Scripture is the story of one God revealed as Father, Son, and Spirit.
Jesus stands at the center of it all!
Jesus said it clearly and plainly in Johns Gospel (John 10:30)…“I and My Father are One”.
Though I don’t understand it all with my own finite human
understanding… I do sense the “Spirit of Truth” at work.
(Isaiah 55:8-9) states, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts… neither are your ways my ways.
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”.
This verse emphasizes the vast difference between human perspective and divine wisdom.
God’s understanding, plans, and purposes operate on a level that surpasses our limited comprehension, highlighting His infinite knowledge and perfect judgment.
In essence, when you reflect on “my thoughts are higher”… it is a reminder of the infinite wisdom and perfect plans of God, encouraging trust, humility, and reliance on His guidance, even when we don’t understand the mystery of God the Father, God The Son, and God the Holy Spirit… the three in one.
“In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God” (John 1:1)
When we understand that He Jesus was more than just a man… hopefully it will change our attitude toward Him!
Good Day!
(Romans 8:28–29) “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them”.
Our world has become a large, impersonal, busy institution.
One of the draw backs of this worlds modern culture is that we are alienated from each other.
Although crowded, we are lonely.
Pushed together but uninvolved.
No longer do neighbours visit across the backyard fence.
The well-manicured front lawn is the modern moat that keeps barbarians at bay.
Hoarding and flaunting have replaced sharing and caring.
It’s like we are occupying common space but have no common interests.
As if we’re on an elevator with rules such as: “No talking, smiling, or eye contact allowed without written consent of the management.”
Painful though it may be for us to admit, we’re losing touch with one another.
The motivation to help, to encourage, yes, to serve our fellow human beings is waning.
People have even observed crimes in progress but refused to help so as not to be involved!
Our foundational values are getting lost in these confusing days… and yet, it is these things that form the essentials of a happy and fulfilled life.
Remember that grand declaration that Jesus commanded in (Mark 12:30-31) ““Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these”
Similarly, in (Luke 10:27), the same principle is affirmed, emphasizing that loving God and neighbour encompasses the full spectrum of human devotion—emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and physical.
The second commandment, “to love your neighbour as yourself”, extends this devotion for God outward to others.
It calls for empathy, compassion, and ethical action toward others, treating them with the same care and respect one naturally desires for oneself
This principle underlines social responsibility, justice, and mercy, loving others… the guiding principle for human relationships.
In essence, these two commandments summarize the heart of biblical teaching… that is “a life fully devoted to God naturally expresses itself in love and care for others, forming the foundation for moral and spiritual living”.
Deep down inside of our souls, our heart, our mind and our thinking, we all know that we need to be more motivated toward this kind of lifestyle.
Reaching out, going above and beyond, giving of ourselves… yes that’s the Christ like thing to do… but why do we hesitate.
What will our answer be, when we stand before God…
Soooo… before you move forward in your busy schedule today, maybe take a moment and ask God…”Lord what would you have me do to touch someone in my path today”?
Lord let me be your hands of mercy and compassion to someone you direct me to.
Remember… you might be the only bible another man or woman will ever read.
Do they see you Christ in you?
(Romans 8:28) tells us that God has ordained all things in our lives for good… so that we can be conformed to the image of His Son.
So again I ask… do people see Jesus when they see you?
Something to think about.
Good day!
Similarly, in (Luke 10:27), the same principle is affirmed, emphasizing that loving God and neighbour encompasses the full spectrum of human devotion—emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and physical.
The second commandment, “to love your neighbour as yourself”, extends this devotion for God outward to others.
It calls for empathy, compassion, and ethical action toward others, treating them with the same care and respect one naturally desires for oneself
This principle underlines social responsibility, justice, and mercy, loving others… the guiding principle for human relationships.
In essence, these two commandments summarize the heart of biblical teaching… that is “a life fully devoted to God naturally expresses itself in love and care for others, forming the foundation for moral and spiritual living”.
Deep down inside of our souls, our heart, our mind and our thinking, we all know that we need to be more motivated toward this kind of lifestyle.
Reaching out, going above and beyond, giving of ourselves… yes that’s the Christ like thing to do… but why do we hesitate.
What will our answer be, when we stand before God…
Soooo… before you move forward in your busy schedule today, maybe take a moment and ask God…”Lord what would you have me do to touch someone in my path today”?
Lord let me be your hands of mercy and compassion to someone you direct me to.
Remember… you might be the only bible another man or woman will ever read.
Do they see you Christ in you?
(Romans 8:28) tells us that God has ordained all things in our lives for good… so that we can be conformed to the image of His Son.
So again I ask… do people see Jesus when they see you?
Something to think about.
Good day!
(1st Corinthians 13:4) "Love cares more for others than for self".
We live in a loveless, selfish world filled with all kinds of philosophy about "my rights"
And if you or anyone else disagrees with me, or hinders my rights or my freedom's… then it seems that I can “sue” the perceived transgressor of my rights, for a various number of reasons that support his or her selfish interests, never mind my own rights.
We seem to be more in love with our selves than we are with our spouses, our children, or the world around us.
Never in my life have I seen more disrespect for parents by children.
Some statistics report that the divorce rate in our society now outnumber the number of weddings taking place in our society.
And seldom do we see people taking time for one another, or helping one another, or putting themselves out for one another, especially if it takes away from my priorities.
Now having said this, I do want to say that "my life has been blessed" with many "great friends" that sponsor my wife and I and our ministry because of their love for us.
Friends whom are there with a helping hand, or a financial gift to keep us going in our ministry and work.
Friends whom step up and give us their time and their helping hands when we can't do it on our own.
To those of you in our lives that have been there in the past for us, thank you!
Jesus said "greater love hath no man than this, he that would lay down his life for a friend". (John 15:3)
Some of the greatest insights on what it means "to love someone" come from the pen of the apostle Paul.
He writes, “No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head, doesn’t force itself on others.
Love isn’t always ‘me first,’ doesn’t fly off the handle, doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, doesn’t revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth.
Love puts up with anything and trusts God always.
Love always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end.
Love never dies” (1st Corinthians 3-8 from the message bible).
From my own “philosophical meanderings”… I have come up with this thought process.
Are you ready for it, here it is?
"We can choose to love, or we can choose not to love".
"Love is an action word"!
“Love is a choice”!
Here's a story I thought was cute and helps solidify the point I'd like to make this morning.
John had been married to Mary for fifty years.
One night in bed she said, “When we were young you used to hold my hand.”
A little irritated, he slowly reached out his hand.
“When we were young you used to snuggle up to me,” Mary said.
Even more slowly, John’s body creaked and turned, nestling against hers.
“When we were young you used to nibble on my ear,” she whispered.
Abruptly he threw back the covers and jumped out of bed.
Bewildered, Mary asked, “Where are you going?”
“To get my teeth!” he grumbled.
Though humorous, here is the point folks!
To nibble on an ear when you’re full of romance and bubbling hormones is one thing.
To nibble on that same ear years later when it holds a hearing aid, when the scent in the air is Vicks vapo rub, and when you have to get up to get your teeth—that’s love!
“Love is a choice”!
Here's a story I thought was cute and helps solidify the point I'd like to make this morning.
John had been married to Mary for fifty years.
One night in bed she said, “When we were young you used to hold my hand.”
A little irritated, he slowly reached out his hand.
“When we were young you used to snuggle up to me,” Mary said.
Even more slowly, John’s body creaked and turned, nestling against hers.
“When we were young you used to nibble on my ear,” she whispered.
Abruptly he threw back the covers and jumped out of bed.
Bewildered, Mary asked, “Where are you going?”
“To get my teeth!” he grumbled.
Though humorous, here is the point folks!
To nibble on an ear when you’re full of romance and bubbling hormones is one thing.
To nibble on that same ear years later when it holds a hearing aid, when the scent in the air is Vicks vapo rub, and when you have to get up to get your teeth—that’s love!
It is my daily prayer that I will be guilty of one thing!
That one thing is loving the people around me, unconditionally, with out hesitation, and with reckless abandonment for myself.
How about you, care to join me?
Lets change the world around us by loving one another!
Jesus taught us that the "greatest commandment",was to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… and the second greatest commandment is… "to love your neighbour as your self" (Matthew 27:37 - Luke 10:27 - Mark 12:30).
Good Day!
(Acts 1:8) “and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, Judea and to the uttermost parts of the earth”
Over the last couple of days we have been looking at a statement that spawned a teaching tool that has been very effective in helping our society be that witness of Jesus and His gospel message.
This statement or teaching tool is a booklet called…“Four Spiritual Laws”.
The introduction included in the little booklet states that “Just as there are physical laws that govern the physical universe, so are there ‘spiritual laws’ that govern our relationship with God.”
Now these “four Spiritual laws” are not to be confused with laws as in right and wrong or obedience to a set of rules… but like the law of gravity and the law of consequence ie… “for every action there is a consequence whether good or bad”
These four spiritual laws are something that are a fact and determine the end result.
Law #1 cited Gods nature and intent for humanity… (John 3:16) …“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that who so ever would believe might have eternal life”
Law #2 cites the reason that humanity was lost and separated from God…(Romans 3:23) “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
Law #3 shows the reader that the only way fallen mankind can ever reunite with a Holy God is through Jesus.
Jesus is the only bridge between sinful man and Holy God… He is the only means by which mankind can cross over the gulf that separates God from man.
Gods only Son died on the cross in our place, to pay the penalty for our sins.
Law #4 is the action step that provides readers with practical instruction to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
The following scriptures reveal that process…
(John 1:12) “To all that receive Him… to those whom believe on His name, gives He the right to become children of God”.
(Ephesians 2:8-9) “For by grace are ye saved thru faith, and that not of yourselves, but it is the gift of God”.
(John 3:1-8) “Jesus replied saying, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again”
“Jesus answered, ‘truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit…”
“You should not be surprised at my saying,.. You must be born again”.
These scriptures are used to explain what it means to receive Christ through faith and what it means to be born again.
The fourth spiritual law also reveals Christ’s invitation for salvation as outlined in (Revelation 3:20) “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
“Repentance and surrender” are emphasized as “crucial prerequisites”
for salvation… and a clear warning is issued about “emotion-based” or “half-hearted” decisions.
The Four Spiritual Laws illuminate the fact that “intellectual belief”, about God and the message of His great love toward humanity is not enough.
Nor is it enough to have an “emotional experience” as has happened to many that have met God at some point in their lives.
Jesus said even the devil and his demons believe in God but it does not save them.
(James 2:19) “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that…and shudder”.
One must receive Jesus Christ by faith… “it is an act of the will”!
One must repent, “agree with God” about our sin condition… and turn from a life of sinful practice, thru the power of the Holy Spirit.
Finally, this last law informs the reader that if salvation is the sincere desire of a person’s heart, they can receive Christ immediately by faith through a “sinners prayer”.
It is the believer’s responsibility, (every one of us), to be about “the Fathers business”.
That is, “to be a witness” of Christ and Gods love to and for the world around us.
I encourage you to get a copy or several copies of this little booklet, and use it to help you engage in the business of sharing Gods love and salvation to the lost in our world… to be His witness in Jerusalem, Judea, and the uttermost parts of the earth… as well as right here in your home community and neighbor hood.
You can order them thru Amazon or any Christian bookstore.
Again (Acts 1:8) “and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, Judea and to the uttermost parts of the earth…”
Good Day!
(Acts 1:8) “and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, Judea and to the uttermost parts of the earth”
Over the last couple of days we have been looking at a statement that spawned a teaching tool that has been very effective in helping our society be that witness of Jesus and His gospel message.
This statement or teaching tool is a booklet called…“Four Spiritual Laws”.
The introduction included in the little booklet states that “Just as there are physical laws that govern the physical universe, so are there ‘spiritual laws’ that govern our relationship with God.”
Now these “four Spiritual laws” are not to be confused with laws as in right and wrong or obedience to a set of rules… but like the law of gravity and the law of consequence ie… “for every action there is a consequence whether good or bad”
These four spiritual laws are something that are a fact and determine the end result.
Law #1 cited Gods nature and intent for humanity… (John 3:16) …“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that who so ever would believe might have eternal life”
Law #2 cites the reason that humanity was lost and separated from God…(Romans 3:23) “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
Law #3 shows the reader that the only way fallen mankind can ever reunite with a Holy God is through Jesus.
Jesus is the only bridge between sinful man and Holy God… He is the only means by which mankind can cross over the gulf that separates God from man.
Gods only Son died on the cross in our place, to pay the penalty for our sins.
Law #4 is the action step that provides readers with practical instruction to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
The following scriptures reveal that process…
(John 1:12) “To all that receive Him… to those whom believe on His name, gives He the right to become children of God”.
(Ephesians 2:8-9) “For by grace are ye saved thru faith, and that not of yourselves, but it is the gift of God”.
(John 3:1-8) “Jesus replied saying, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again”
“Jesus answered, ‘truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit…”
“You should not be surprised at my saying,.. You must be born again”.
These scriptures are used to explain what it means to receive Christ through faith and what it means to be born again.
The fourth spiritual law also reveals Christ’s invitation for salvation as outlined in (Revelation 3:20) “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
“Repentance and surrender” are emphasized as “crucial prerequisites”
for salvation… and a clear warning is issued about “emotion-based” or “half-hearted” decisions.
The Four Spiritual Laws illuminate the fact that “intellectual belief”, about God and the message of His great love toward humanity is not enough.
Nor is it enough to have an “emotional experience” as has happened to many that have met God at some point in their lives.
Jesus said even the devil and his demons believe in God but it does not save them.
(James 2:19) “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that…and shudder”.
One must receive Jesus Christ by faith… “it is an act of the will”!
One must repent, “agree with God” about our sin condition… and turn from a life of sinful practice, thru the power of the Holy Spirit.
Finally, this last law informs the reader that if salvation is the sincere desire of a person’s heart, they can receive Christ immediately by faith through a “sinners prayer”.
It is the believer’s responsibility, (every one of us), to be about “the Fathers business”.
That is, “to be a witness” of Christ and Gods love to and for the world around us.
I encourage you to get a copy or several copies of this little booklet, and use it to help you engage in the business of sharing Gods love and salvation to the lost in our world… to be His witness in Jerusalem, Judea, and the uttermost parts of the earth… as well as right here in your home community and neighbor hood.
You can order them thru Amazon or any Christian bookstore.
Again (Acts 1:8) “and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, Judea and to the uttermost parts of the earth…”
Good Day!