JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
(2nd Peter 1:4) ‘These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature.’
Did you ever hear the story about a pastor who was invited to dinner with one of the families in his congregation?
The woman of the house really wanted to impress him so after they finished their meal she invited the Pastor to read something inspiring to the family,
So she said to one of her children, “Please go and get the Good Book, the book we love, the book we read every day.”
The child returned with a shopping catalogue!
Seriously though we are all guilty of filling our minds with things,
information, and useless past times… that steal our time and interfere
with the things that are most important.
Just as you cannot thrive physically without a daily intake of good nutrition, you cannot thrive spiritually without a daily intake of God’s Word.
Everything you need for living a joyful and victorious Christian life is found in your Bible.
(2nd Peter 1:3-4) reads, “By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.
We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself…He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires”.
The “promises” spoken of here, are those found within the pages of “The Good Book”.
Do you remember what Jesus used to overcome Satan’s temptations in the wilderness? (Luke 4:1-13)
Intellect? Willpower? No… He used the Scriptures… because He knew Satan has no defense against them.
Do you want to succeed in your career, in your home, in your relationships, and everywhere else?
Then put into practice the words of Joshua to His family and the people of Israel.
(Joshua 1:8) “Study this book of instruction continually.
Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do”
(2nd Timothy 3:16) tells us, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right”.
If we live by the book… if we do it by the book… we can arrive in time, on time, at the right time, all the time, with lots of time, every time.
Good day
(Philippians 2:7) [Jesus] made himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself the form of a servant.’
One of the greatest challenges we all face is that of putting others first and ourselves second… because it is our basic instinct to look out for ourselves first.
“Self-preservation” is man’s first instinct… but it doesn’t work and it doesn’t satisfy.
I read or heard the following illustration many years ago from a wilderness guide whom was giving a presentation to a group of prospective sheep hunters.
He asked the group, “Do you know how two mountain goats respond when they meet on a narrow path above a river?
They can’t turn back, and they can’t pass each other because they lack even an inch of spare room.
The goats instinctively know that if they butt each other they’ll both fall into the river and drown.
So how do they handle it?
Nature has taught one goat to lie down so the other can pass over it… and as a result, both animals survive and arrive at their destination safe and sound.
Instead of seeing itself as a doormat to be walked on, the goat sees itself as a bridge to be crossed over, so it becomes a win-win situation for both of them”.
The Bible says Jesus “made himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7)
To do that you must "focus on other people’s needs" instead of your own “rights”.
President Calvin Coolidge once said: "No enterprise can exist for itself alone.
In order for it to survive and grow it must meet or minister to some great need.
It performs some great service, not for itself, but for others… or failing therein… it ceases to be profitable and ceases to exist".
And what’s true for any organization or business operation… is true for you.
But here’s the best part.
Every time you sacrifice in order to serve someone, you’re sowing seeds of blessing you will surely reap.
Today, try to find a need in your "sphere of influence"… and do your utmost to solve it or provide for it.
In (John 13:34-35) Jesus said “A new command I give you… love one another!
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
In (Luke 10:25-37) When asked what was needed to find eternal life Jesus asked in return “what do the commandments say”?
In response the individual answered “to love the Lord God with all your heart with all your strength and with all your soul, and your neighbor as yourself”!
Jesus then responded again by saying “you have answered rightly do this and you will live”.
Be the hands and feet of Jesus today, and reach out to someone in a selfless act of sacrificial love.
That is real Christianity to model!
Good Day!
Be the hands and feet of Jesus today, and reach out to someone in a selfless act of sacrificial love.
That is real Christianity to model!
Good Day!
(Psalm 39:7) "Where do I put my hope…?"
When it comes to hope and confidence in surviving this life and living successful productive lives, there is only one real source that will bring you to the end of your days knowing that “it is well with my soul”.
Society’s fascination with Hollywood and celebrities has gone more than a little crazy.
Millions idolize those who have achieved fame and fortune, yet stardom does not provide the satisfaction it advertises.
Marilyn Monroe could have told us that.
She died lonely and discarded by many lovers.
So could Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, and Kurt Cobain, lead guitarist for the idolized rock music super star group Nirvana,
Much loved comedian and actor Robin Williams shocked the world when even He gave up on life and committed suicide in 2014.
For all of their success and fame they still lived with an emptiness that drove them to give up on life.
Consider the adoration accorded to Mohammed Ali in his prime.
He was known as “the prize fighter who couldn’t be beaten.”
His picture appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated more than any other athlete in history and wherever he went, the cameras followed.
But wealth and fame cannot buy good health, and though no man could knock him down, the great prize fighter himself fell victim to the ravages of Parkinson’s Disease.
Sportswriter Gary Smith spent some time with the ailing fighter at his home and asked to see his trophy room. ?
Ali escorted him to a dark, damp barn beside his house and there, leaning against a wall was a board displaying mementoes and photos of the “Thrilla in Manila”.
Pictures of the great fighter Ali dancing and punching and hoisting championship belts he had won over his head.
But the pictures were smeared with white streaks caused by pigeons that had made their home in the rafters.
Ali picked up the board and turned it around, face to the wall.
Then, as he started to leave, Smith heard him mumble, “I had the whole world, and it wasn’t nuthin’. Look at me now.”
In (Psalm 39:6-7) The Psalmist wrote, “All our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it... and so Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you”
With all the knowledge that our world accumulated and all of the wealth people have, our days are still controlled by circumstances beyond our control.
If you look to the world for your hope and satisfaction, you will wind up disappointed and unfulfilled.
With all their wealth, and all of their physical prowess, and all their popularity, Ali, Elvis, Michael Jackson, Kurt Cobain, and Robin Williams could not find the answers, purpose, nor the hope they needed to live.
Yet the Bible says “those that hope in the Lord will not be disappointed”!
(Psalm 42:11) “Why art thou cast down, O my soul and why art thou disquieted within me?
Hope thou in God… for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance”.
(Isaiah 40:31) “but those who hope in The Lord… will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles… they will run and not grow weary… they will walk and not be faint”.
“For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord… plans to prosper you and give you a future, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Listen folks there is only one sure hope in life, its found in a relationship with the Heavenly Father… surrendered at His feet.
Good Day!
(Ecclesiastes 3:18) “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens”
We need to understand that God’s has His own agenda and timing… as well as a plan for each of us that is perfect just as all of God’s ways are perfect
God’s timing is never early, and it’s never been late.
In fact, from before our birth… until the moment we take our last earthly breath… our sovereign God is accomplishing His divine purposes in each of our lives according to His will and His plan!
He is in complete control of everything and everyone… from everlasting to everlasting.
No event in history has put so much as a wrinkle in the timing of God’s eternal plan for you and I which He designed before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4)
The problem though is that our “human nature” can make waiting for God’s perfect timing a difficult thing to do.
We are by nature impatient people, and if you don’t believe that just watch a new born baby as it develops and grows as a child.
It wants what it wants now… and if it doesn’t get what it wants, it will let you know now!
The fact is, that in the hustle and bustle of our frenzied lives, we often find it difficult to wait for anything or anyone.
We want what we want… and we all want it now!
And with our modern technological advances, we’re often able to get most of what we want now.
As a result, we are not only losing our ability to be patient, but also finding it increasingly difficult to discern God’s timing.
According to (Galatians 5:22) Patience is a spiritual fruit and scripture makes it clear that God is pleased with us when we display this virtue.
(Psalm 37:7) “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him”
(Lamentations 3:25) “for God is good to those who wait for Him”
Our ability to be patient… often reveals the degree of trust we have in God’s timing.
We must remember that God operates according to His perfect and foreordained eternal schedule, not ours.
We should take great comfort in knowing that while we “wait on the Lord”… Isaiah says we receive divine energy and strength.
“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength… they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).
The psalmist also encourages to, “Wait on the Lord… be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart… Wait I say, on the Lord” (Psalm 27:14).
Another key to understanding God’s timing is trust.
In fact, our ability to wait on the Lord is largely related to how much we trust Him.
When we trust in God with all of our heart… forgoing reliance on our own wisdom and skill… ingenuity… or misguided understanding of circumstances… the scripture says that He will indeed give us direction.
(Proverbs 3:5-6) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
(Proverbs 3:5-6) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make straight your paths”.
(Psalm 32:10) “The Lords unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts Him”.
However, to fully trust God, we need to know God!
And the best way to know Him is through His Word.
God’s divine energy is released in our lives through His inspired Word (1st Thessalonians 2:13).
The work of God’s Word includes…
“Salvation” (Romans 10:17) (1st Peter 1:23),
“Teaching and training” (2nd Timothy 3:16-17),
“Guidance” (Psalm 119:105),
“Protection” (Psalm 119:114,117),
“Strengthening” (Psalm 119:28),
As well as “making us wise”… (Psalm 119:97-100).
If we study and meditate on His Word daily… His timing will also become clear to us.
When we question God’s timing… it is often because we are looking for guidance or deliverance from a difficult situation.
We can be rest assured however, that our Heavenly Father knows exactly where we are at in our lives at every moment.
He either put us there or is allowing us to be there, all for His own perfect purpose.
In fact, God often uses trials to strengthen our patience, allowing our Christian faith to mature and become complete (James 1:3-4).
“And we know that all things including (including these difficult trials) work out for the good of those who love God” (Romans 8:28).
“A righteous man may have many troubles… the Lord delivers him from them all” (Psalm 34:19).
The plans God has for His children are good plans… to help us, not hurt us (Jeremiah 29:11).
So this morning as you start your day, know that God has something good that is going to happen to you.
He has a plan for you to fulfill… so in prayer, and in expectation, wait for it, for it will surely come!
Good Day!
(Psalm 32:10) “The Lords unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts Him”.
However, to fully trust God, we need to know God!
And the best way to know Him is through His Word.
God’s divine energy is released in our lives through His inspired Word (1st Thessalonians 2:13).
The work of God’s Word includes…
“Salvation” (Romans 10:17) (1st Peter 1:23),
“Teaching and training” (2nd Timothy 3:16-17),
“Guidance” (Psalm 119:105),
“Protection” (Psalm 119:114,117),
“Strengthening” (Psalm 119:28),
As well as “making us wise”… (Psalm 119:97-100).
If we study and meditate on His Word daily… His timing will also become clear to us.
When we question God’s timing… it is often because we are looking for guidance or deliverance from a difficult situation.
We can be rest assured however, that our Heavenly Father knows exactly where we are at in our lives at every moment.
He either put us there or is allowing us to be there, all for His own perfect purpose.
In fact, God often uses trials to strengthen our patience, allowing our Christian faith to mature and become complete (James 1:3-4).
“And we know that all things including (including these difficult trials) work out for the good of those who love God” (Romans 8:28).
“A righteous man may have many troubles… the Lord delivers him from them all” (Psalm 34:19).
The plans God has for His children are good plans… to help us, not hurt us (Jeremiah 29:11).
So this morning as you start your day, know that God has something good that is going to happen to you.
He has a plan for you to fulfill… so in prayer, and in expectation, wait for it, for it will surely come!
Good Day!
(Jude v. 22) "Others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire."
When someone you love gets into a situation that can hurt them… we are moved with great concern for them.
But we need to move beyond being concerned… to getting involved!
That’s why I use Country Music and entertainment to get amongst people.
It’s a way to get involved in the lives of people whom are in danger.
When they listen to me entertain them, they develop a bond with me that opens their heart …and it gives me, or allows me to build a relationship with them.
That gives me opportunity to plant "seeds of faith and righteousness in their mind.
It also gives me leverage to invite them to come hear “the rest of the story”… at our Cowboy Church services.
I could relegate myself to staying in one community and pastor a church in that community doing "the same old same old"… that many Christians have been doing for generations.
But we have to go beyond "preaching to the choir"… if we really want to be obedient to our Lords great commission… "Go Ye into all the world and preach the Gospel" (Mark 16:15-16)
That’s why I spend the time each day to put this little devotional together.
So I can reach people where they are at, and thereby get involved in their lives.
The Bible says, “On some have compassion, making a distinction… but others save with fear… pulling them out of the fire” (Jude verses 22-23).
The Greek word for “save” mean’s… “to take immediate, decisive, and continuous action”.
The word “fear”… means “a strong dose of respect for something that’s life-threatening, dangerous, or alarming.
And the phrase “pulling them out of the fire” means you don’t have a moment to waste!
The house is burning down and they’re asleep in it..
Break down the door and drag them out if you have to, but do what you must to save them!
I like Eugene Peterson paraphrased version of this verse from the Message Bible that says… “Go after those who take the wrong way” (Jude verse 22)
Don’t sit back and say, “It’s not my responsibility.”
The Good Shepherd left ninety-nine sheep to go after the one that was lost… and He didn’t stop until He found it.
Then He put it on His shoulders and brought it back to the safety of the fold.
Is there a chance you’ll be misunderstood, criticized, and rejected?
Most likely… but as Paul says, “The love of Christ controls, compels and drives us” (2nd Corinthians 5:14)
When you love the people Jesus loves, you don’t have a choice!
Perhaps your thinking, “But I don’t know what to say!”
Then ask God to fill your mouth.
Pray like this… “Lord, help me to know exactly what to say and do.
Give me the love, the concern, the wisdom and the boldness to say what needs to be said.
Help me to love others enough to tell them the truth while there’s still time.
Use me as an instrument of Your grace… to reach them before it’s too late.”
This ministry exists to help you be the voice, the hands, the image and the love of God in your community.
Lets get together and promote an effective outreach event in your community, utilizing all of our gifts together that will allow us to get involved in the lives of others.
We are running out of time, the sands in the hour-glass of time are quickly running out!
Jesus is coming soon!
Its time to get involved!
Good Day!
(2nd Corinthians 5:21) "For God made Christ who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin."
The Roman soldiers may have nailed Jesus to the cross, but it wasn’t the nails that held Him there?
The Bible tells us… “For God made Christ who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.”
The reason Jesus didn’t call an army of angels to save Him as He could have… was because He’d rather give up His own life than give up on you.
We struggle to comprehend such a love because we’ve nothing to measure it by or compare it to.
Nobody has ever loved us like Jesus, and nobody ever will!
His crucifixion and subsequent resurrection makes it possible for us to “come boldly to the throne of our gracious God”.
Its there and only there that we find and accept His mercy… the Bible teaches us that “we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:16).
Pastor W.A. Criswell former President for the Southern Baptist Convention in the USA writes the following experience…
“In a dream I saw the Savior…
His back was bare and there was a soldier lifting up his hand and bringing down that awful cat-o’-nine-tails on the back of my Saviour.
In this dream of mine I rose to grasp his arm and hold it back but when I did,
The soldier turned in astonishment and looked at me.
And when I looked back at him… I recognized myself.”
In the movie" The Passion", people worldwide were moved by the hideous nature of the crucifixion depicted on the movie screen..
Underlying the story were two clear messages:
(1) This was the price required to redeem each of us from sin… a price only Jesus could pay.
(2) This is what we need to stop and think about each time we’re tempted to sin and disobey God.
He didn’t have to stay on that cross.
He didn’t have to die.
He could have called ten thousand angels to destroy the world and protect Him during that awful and hideous time of torment.
But He didn’t!
And because He didn’t… and He went thru that hideous torture on out behalf… you and I can come freely into a relationship with the God who loves us and wants to have fellowship with us.
And on that final hour, when He was hanging between heaven and earth as the ransom for sin, as the sacrifice for sin, as the payment for the sin of humanity...
And when I looked back at him… I recognized myself.”
In the movie" The Passion", people worldwide were moved by the hideous nature of the crucifixion depicted on the movie screen..
Underlying the story were two clear messages:
(1) This was the price required to redeem each of us from sin… a price only Jesus could pay.
(2) This is what we need to stop and think about each time we’re tempted to sin and disobey God.
He didn’t have to stay on that cross.
He didn’t have to die.
He could have called ten thousand angels to destroy the world and protect Him during that awful and hideous time of torment.
But He didn’t!
And because He didn’t… and He went thru that hideous torture on out behalf… you and I can come freely into a relationship with the God who loves us and wants to have fellowship with us.
And on that final hour, when He was hanging between heaven and earth as the ransom for sin, as the sacrifice for sin, as the payment for the sin of humanity...
Jesus cried out… “it is finished”… and He gave up His spirit and died.
When He did that, you and I were set free from the punishment, the reproach, the guilt, and the debt of sin forever more.
Now we can stand boldly before the throne of grace as a child of God (Hebrews 4:16)… and find help to live life to the fullest, because of His great love and sacrifice for us.
Not because we are good or have done anything to deserve it!
No, it’s by grace that we have been saved thru faith and that not of ourselves but it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8)
Good Day!
When He did that, you and I were set free from the punishment, the reproach, the guilt, and the debt of sin forever more.
Now we can stand boldly before the throne of grace as a child of God (Hebrews 4:16)… and find help to live life to the fullest, because of His great love and sacrifice for us.
Not because we are good or have done anything to deserve it!
No, it’s by grace that we have been saved thru faith and that not of ourselves but it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8)
Good Day!
(Matthew 18:15) "If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense."
In other words "if your having a problem with some one whom has offended you, then go to them and mend the offense"!
After explaining the commandment that says, “Honor thy father and thy mother” (Exodus 20:12)… a Sunday school teacher asked her class of six-year-olds, “Can you think of a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters”? ?
Without missing a beat, a little boy answered, “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13)
Seriously though, Jesus made a big deal out of being "reconciled to our brothers and sisters in the faith"… instead of letting disputes between us fester?
I have seen more churches split… marriages that fall apart… and Christians whom dislike each other than I care to admit.
?
Because when there is "no unity"… that’s where the enemy gains a foot hold and causes us to become “powerless” in our war against the kingdom of darkness.
An army that is not unified cannot win the battle.
It takes every soldier working together… protecting each others back as they fight shoulder to shoulder to win a skirmish or battle.
In his book, "God Is Faithful"… David Wilkerson talks about the scripture from (2nd Corinthians 3:17)… "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty".
Wilkerson writes… "Where He (The Spirit of The Lord) abides… there is rest, peace, unspeakable joy and victory over the spirit of this world".
"We need to take back spiritual authority in our homes and our society as well".
"If a Christian husband and wife are not flowing together in the Spirit and the love of Jesus, there is extreme danger ahead".
“However… when both are seeking God in private prayer and devotion to God, the Spirit works His wonders".
When Gods people walk in unity, it terrorizes hell!
In (Matthew 18:19-20) Jesus said… “I also tell you this… if two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.
For where two or three gather together in my name, I am there among them”
When we seek reconciliation and come into or walk in unity with our fellow man, two wonderful things happen.
1) According to (1st John 5:14-15)… We can pray with confidence and get the results we need.
"This is the confidence which we have before Him… that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him”
2) We enjoy a sense of God’s “abiding peace and presence”… that’s not possible as long as disunity remains.
The Bible emphasizes the importance of unity among believers,
highlighting that this unity is a work of the Holy Spirit and essential for
the body of Christ.
This morning I’ve listed some “Key Scriptures” on the subject of Unity to help us understand the importance for all of us… to work tirelessly and passionately on building unity with each other… in every relationship that we have available at our finger tips.
(Ephesians 4:3-6)
"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
There is one body and one Spirit… one Lord , one faith, one baptism, and one God who is Father of all thru all and in all.
This passage underscores the theological foundation for unity, rooted in the oneness of God and the shared faith of believers.
(Philippians 2:2) "Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind."
This verse encourages believers to strive for harmony and shared
purpose reflecting the unity that should exist within the church and our individual relationships in life as well.
(1st Corinthians 1:10) "I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be
perfectly united in mind and thought."
This scripture highlights the call for unity and the avoidance of divisionamong believers.
(Colossians 3:14) "And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity”.
Love is presented as the essential element that fosters unity among believers.
(1st Corinthians 12:13: "For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free and we were all given the one Spirit to drink”.
This verse emphasizes that the Holy Spirit unites believers from diverse backgrounds into one body.
So the theological implications of this devotion this morning and these
Scripture texts I’ve listed is this…
Unity in the Spirit is not merely a human effort… but a divine work that reflects Gods nature and purpose for the Church.
It transcends cultural, ethnic, and social barriers, calling believers to
live in harmony and love with one another.
The Holy Spirit is the agent of this unity, enabling believers to work
together towards a common purpose embodying the love of Christ in their relationships.
These scriptures on “unity in the spirit” remind us of the shared identity we have in Christ… and the importance of fostering relationships characterized by love, peace, and mutual support.
Embracing this call to unity… is essential for the health and effectiveness of the Christian community together… as we share in the combined task of being witnesses for Christ in this world as He (Jesus) commissioned the church to go forward and be in (Acts 1:8)
God told Moses "My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest" (Exodus 33:14)
So if you want to walk in God’s blessing today, seek reconciliation.
Forgive offenses and let it go.
Good Day!