JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
OCTOBER 10TH 2026 THINGS JESUS NEVER SAID #2
(2nd Timothy 2:15) “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”
To “study to show thyself approved” is to engage in diligent, prayerful, and consistent Bible study, interpreting Scripture accurately and applying it faithfully in life.
It is a call to earnestly pursue spiritual growth, ensuring that your life reflects God’s truth and that you can stand unashamed before Him.
This principle remains relevant for modern Christians seeking to deepen their understanding and live according to God’s Word
There are five things Jesus never said, even though many believe He did, simply because they have a ring of truth to them.
Lets look at them over the next couple of days.
Yesterday we looked at the statement “Follow your heart” Jesus never said that. “He said follow me”…
#2 Number two is the statement… “do whatever makes you happy”.
Jesus never said that… He did say “deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24)
When a person carried a cross in Jesus’ day, no one thought of it as a persistent annoyance or symbolic burden.
To a person in the first century, the cross meant one thing and one thing only… death by crucifixion.
To carry a cross was to face the most painful and humiliating means of death human beings could develop.
Two thousand years later, Christians view the cross as a cherished symbol of atonement, forgiveness, grace, and love.
But Jesus’ command to “take up your cross and follow Me”… is a call to self-abasement and self-sacrifice.
One must be willing to die in order to follow Jesus.
Dying to self is an absolute surrender to God.
After Jesus commanded cross-bearing, He said… “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul… or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Matthew 16:25–26)
Although the call to take up our cross is tough, the reward is matchless.
Nothing in this world is worth passing up eternal life.
Wherever Jesus went, He drew crowds.
Their view of who the Messiah really was and what He would do was often distorted.
They thought the Christ would immediately usher in the restored kingdom (Luke 19:11).
They believed He would free them from the oppressive rule of their Roman occupiers.
Some hoped He would continue to provide free lunches for everyone (John 6:26).
Jesus’ statement “to follow Him” required taking up a cross of commitment and obedience to the Word of God.
It made people think twice about their motivations and level of commitment.
In (Luke 9:57–62) three people seemed willing to follow Jesus.
When Jesus pressed them, however, their commitment was shown to be half-hearted at best.
They failed to count the cost of following Him.
None were willing to take up their cross… and crucify upon it their own interests.
God is seeking “true worshipers [who] will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth” (John 4:23).
Jesus’ call to “take up your cross and follow Me” serves to screen out the disingenuous, double-minded, dissembling and half hearted.
Are you ready to take up your cross and follow Jesus?
Commitment to Christ means taking up your cross daily… giving up your hopes, dreams, possessions… even your very life if need be for the cause of Christ.
Only if you willingly take up your cross may you be called His disciple (Luke 14:27).
However the reward is worth the price.
Remember that, as Jesus called His disciples to “take up your cross and follow Me,”
He, too, bore a cross.
Our Lord led the way.
Are you following what people say Jesus said… or what Jesus actually said?
More tomorrow.
Good Day
(2nd Timothy 2:15) “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”
To “study to show thyself approved”, is to engage in diligent, prayerful, and consistent Bible study, interpreting Scripture accurately and applying it in life.
It is a call to earnestly pursue spiritual growth, ensuring that your life reflects God’s truth and that you can grow up in spiritual maturity before Him.
This principle remains relevant for modern Christians seeking to deepen their understanding and live according to God’s Word.
When studying the Word of God, interpretation and assumption have caused many to assume certain things concerning the statements Jesus made… thy may have a ring of truth to them but they are things Jesus never actually said causing many to fall into error on their journey to spiritual maturity.
Lets look at them over the next couple of days.
#1) Number one… follow your heart! Jesus never said that… He did said, “follow me”.
As a Christian for over 60 years, I'm passionate about following Jesus, and discovering how I can follow Him even more closely.
So how many times did Jesus say "follow me?"
Here's the list of instances where Jesus gives the command "follow me”.
1) (Matthew 4:19, Mark 1:17)… "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men."
2) (Matthew 8:22, Luke 9:59)… “To another he said, follow me.
But he said, Lord, let me first go and bury my father... to which Jesus
said… follow me and let the dead bury their own dead."
3) (Matthew 9:9, Mark 2:14, Luke 5:27)… “After this He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth… and he said to him, follow me.”
4) (Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23)… "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
5) (Matthew 19:21, Mark 10:21, Luke 18:22)… “Jesus said to him, If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven… and come, follow me.”
6) (Luke 14:27)… “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after (follow) me cannot be my disciple.
7) (John 1:43)… “The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “follow me.”
8) (John 10:27)… “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (I realize this one is not a command, but a statement of fact. I decided to include it anyway).
9) (John 12:26)… “If anyone serves me, he must follow me… and where I am, there will my servant be also.”
10) (John 13:36)… “Simon Peter said to him, Lord, where are you going? Jesus answered him, Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.”
11) (John 21:19)… “This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, Follow me.”
12) (John 21:22)… Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”
This list reflects instances where Jesus specifically uses the phrase "Follow me."
The context of each verse can involve calling his disciples, encouraging a deeper commitment from followers, or teaching about the costs and rewards of discipleship.
The point is the Bible teaches that we must not depend on our follow our heart… because the heart of man is desperately wicked.
(Jeremiah 17:9) “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately sick”
(Genesis 6:5) “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continueally
(Proverbs 18:23) “A fool has said in his heart there is no God”
These verses highlight the biblical perspective on the deceitfulness and wickedness in the human heart.
Are you following what people say Jesus said… or what Jesus actually said?
We’ll look at #2 tomorrow
Good Day
(Ephesians 2:8–9) “By grace are ye saved thru faith, and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God”
God saved you by His grace when you believed in his Son… and you can’t take credit for this… it is a gift from God.
The King James version puts it like this… “For by grace are ye saved thru faith, and that not of yourselves but it is the gift of God… not of works lest any man should boast”
We all have crucial questions about salvation… and many are concerned that they might have not lived up to certain expectations concerning keeping their salvation.
Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.
If it was by the things we do or keep up, then it would granted to us as wages.
Seems to me there are three crucial questions we must answer.
First question: Is there any hope for lost sinners? Yes, its found in Christ.
Not Christ and the church.
Not Christ and my being good or my good works.
Not Christ and sincerity… but Christ’s finished work on the cross and nothing more.
His blood was shed to wash us clean from sins stench, guilt, condemnation and penalty.
He died as a ransom for our sins and was placed in the grave as proof of His death.
His dead body rose from the grave miraculously, proof of His life and power over the grave, a victor over the sting of death and the grave.
If you believe that He died and rose for you, you have the gift of eternal life.
It’s as simple as that… it’s a gift of God for those willing to believe.
Second question: Isn’t there something I must do or continue to do to keep my salvation… the answer is no!
The Bible simply says “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved”. (Act 16:31)
One of my favorite illustrations of the importance of believing and not working for the gift of salvation is to consider a nice meal you and I enjoy together.
You invite me over…. I come to your home.
You have prepared a wonderful meal.
We dine and dialogue together.
What a thoroughly enjoyable evening!
Then, as I get up to leave, I reach into my pocket and say, “Now, what do I owe you?”
You’re shocked!
That’s an insult.
You knew what I needed, and out of love for me you fixed it and served it.
Part of being a good host is that you pick up the tab.
For me to suggest that I’ll pay for it is like a slap in the face.
Third question: Is there any way to lose the gift?
The answer is no, never!
Now stop and think before you disagree.
Stay with biblical logic, not human reasoning.
If you work for it, then you can certainly lose it.
And that would mean it is not a gift… it’s what you’ve earned.
We really confuse things when we try to turn a gift into a wage.
Furthermore, just as no one can say how much work is enough to earn it, no one can ever say how little work is enough to lose it.
Salvation is simply a gift.
It’s simple, but it wasn’t easy.
It’s free, but it wasn’t cheap.
It’s yours, but it isn’t automatic.
You must receive it…and when you do, it’s yours forever.
Thank you Jesus for your everlasting love and for your continued intersession before the throne of God on my behalf.
I am redeemed, I am saved I have the hope of eternal life in Heaven and its all because of you… Amen
Good Day!
(Psalm 5:3) “O Lord in the morning will I direct my prayer…”
Whether you dread mornings or cherish them, there’s no denying that the “dawn” brings the chance for a new day, a fresh start, and perhaps even a reset in you life and relationship with God
As I have repeatedly stated all week long… there is an old proverb that says “seven days with out prayer makes one weak”… so for this 1st week of October, we have been praying a specific prayer each day that can help us get our focus in the right place as you begin your day.
All week we have been starting our day with a specific prayer each morning.
We started on October 1st with “a prayer of gratitude” …
Day 2… we continued with “a prayer of belief”…
Day 3… we continued with a “prayer of contentment”…
Day 4… we continued with a prayer of “endurance in Christ”…
Day 5 … we continued with “a prayer of protection”…
Day 6… we pray for “Guidance”…
Today we pray a specific “prayer for our enemies”…
7. A Prayer for My Enemies
God of the Universe, God of all Creation, thank You for the life You have given me.
I am so thankful for the love we share.
Today, even though it might be difficult, help me to honour that love with a generous, and compassionate heart for others.
Help me to love, not only myself and those in my inner circle of family friends, and neighbours, but also those who despise me, those who’d wish me ill will, or see me fall or fail, or to experience calamity in my life.
Help my love for you, eclipse all my worries about what others think of me or about me so that the love I exhibit, your love shining thru me, shines so extravagantly and brightly, that people can look at me and know I belong to You.
Forgive those who hate or wrong me... and help me to forgive them.
Let my life be an inspiration to them so that they might be inspired to follow your path and walk in faith toward you, so we can all share in Your Kingdom forever.
In Your precious name I pray, Amen.
These have been just a few prayers to start your day.
I hope they have been instrumental in helping you start your day and help you focus on the One whom is the answer for every aspect of our lives.
I also hope you will continue with this practice in the days ahead and meet with me each morning as I continue to post these devotions and time of meeting with our good and gracious God.
Whether you read these prayers aloud or in your head, or whether they inspire you to offer your own words of gratitude, repentance, glory, and thanksgiving, know that God hears you and loves you.
Your words are never empty, but rather “a love offering” … proof of your confidence in Him and all that he has promised… from your heart to the Lord’s.
This is the day the Lord has made I will rejoice and be glad in it!
Good Day!
(Psalm 5:3) “O Lord in the morning will I direct my prayer…”
Whether you dread mornings or cherish them, there’s no denyin that the “dawn” brings the chance for a new day, a fresh start, and perhaps even a reset.
There is an old proverb that says “seven days with out prayer makes one weak”… so for this 1st week of October, here are some quick, encouraging morning prayers that can help you get your focus in the right place as you begin your day.
All week we have been starting our day with a specific prayer each morning.
We started on October 1st with “a prayer of gratitude” …
October 2nd … we continued with “a prayer of belief”…
October 3rd… we continued with a “prayer of contentment”…
October 4th … we continued with a prayer of “endurance in Christ”…
October 5th… we continued with “a prayer of protection”…
Today October 6th … we pray for “Guidance”
6. A Prayer for Guidance
Lord, I don’t know what you know.
I see the world thru different eyes than you, with all-too-human eyes, and I often miss the wider, taller and bigger perspective.
But you see all things, and you know the beginning from the ending.
My thoughts are not your thoughts and your ways are higher than my ways.
Guide my feet, my thoughts, my decisions, and my life so it all points to you and your plan for me.
Help me “fear not” when I am making tough decisions, for I know that if they are not according to your will, I can trust that you will speak truth into my life and steer me back on track.
Thank you that you have promised that “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord” and though he stumble he will not be utterly cast down for the Lord upholds him in the palm of His hand; so I trust you to direct my steps this day.
Guide me today and every day Lord, helping me remember with every breath I take, that my job each day is to draw nigh unto you aligning myself with You, Amen.
We’ve just about completed our week of focused prayer.
Remember that each morning prayer has been about focusing our thoughts on God in the morning to start our day in the right direction.
Whether you read these aloud or in your head, or whether they inspire you to offer your own words of gratitude, repentance, glory, and thanksgiving,
Know that God hears you and loves you.
Your words are never empty, but rather “a love offering” … proof of your confidence in Him and all that he has promised… from your heart to the Lord’s.
Good Day!
(Psalm 5:3) “O Lord in the morning will I direct my prayer…”
Whether you dread mornings or cherish them, there’s no denying that “dawn” brings the chance for a new day, a fresh start, and perhaps even a reset.
There is an old proverb that says seven days with out prayer makes one weak… so for this 1st week of October, here are some quick, encouraging morning prayers that can help you get your focus in the right place as you begin your day.
All week we have been starting our day with a specific prayer each morning.
We started on October 1st with “a prayer of gratitude” …
Day 2… we continued with “a prayer of belief”
Day 3 October 3rd we continued with a prayer of contentment…
Day 4, we continued with a prayer of “endurance in Christ.”
Today Day 5 we continue with “a prayer of protection”.
5. A Prayer for Protection
Heavenly Lord, wrap me in your loving, protective arms today.
When temptations press in, calling my name… keep me safe and empower me to resist their allure, knowing that in every temptation you have provided a way of escape.
Though I am surrounded on every side by pestilence, illnesses, diseases and toxins and other physical attacks as well, please set your angels round about me to bare me up lest I dash my foot against a stone.
Most importantly Lord, help me keep my gaze focused on You and trust that there is nothing on earth that can befall me that can possibly compare to Your great power and might.
You protect me with a passionate, perfect care, and I commit my soul to you now and always, Amen.
Each day this week we are going to continue with a specific prayer.
These are just a few prayers to start your day.
Whether you read these aloud or in your head, or whether they inspire you to offer your own words of gratitude, repentance, glory, and thanksgiving,
Know that God hears you and loves you.
Your words are never empty, but rather “a love offering” … proof of your confidence in Him and all that he has promised… from your heart to the Lord’s.
Good Day!
(Psalm 5:3) “O Lord in the morning will I direct my prayer…”
Whether you dread mornings or cherish them, there’s no denying that “dawn” brings the chance for a new day, a fresh start, and perhaps even a reset.
There is an old proverb that says seven days with out prayer makes one weak… so for this 1st week of October, here are some quick, encouraging morning prayers that can help you get your focus in the right place as you begin each day.
We started on October 1st with “a prayer of gratitude” …
Day 2 October 2nd … we continued with “a prayer of belief”
Day 3 October 3rd we continued with a prayer of contentment…
Today… day 4, I want to continue with a prayer of “endurance in Christ.”
4. A Prayer of Endurance
Lord God, sometimes the tasks before me loom high and insurmountable, like a wall I cannot possibly scale.
I grow weary in my humanity trying to deal with things beyond my abilities.
So I ask your for your abilities from above, to help me, guide me and lead me in my weaknesses today.
Your word says I can do all things thru Christ whom strengthens me.
With Your supernatural power, my faith can move mountains, because it rests in you, the author and the finisher of all things.
Please grant me strength, endurance, health, and stamina today.
Help me with the strength I need as I look to you and devote all I do to You… Amen.
Each day this week we are going to continue with a specific prayer.
These are just a few prayers to start your day.
Whether you read these aloud or in your head, or whether they inspire you to offer your own words of gratitude, repentance, glory, and thanksgiving,
Know that God hears you and loves you.
Your words are never empty, but rather “a love offering” … proof of your confidence in Him and all that he has promised… from your heart to the Lord’s.
Good Day!