JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
(Romans 8:32) “we are more than conquerors in Christ”
I believe that God wants all of us to be successful in life.
The bible says “we are more than conquerors in Christ” (Romans 8:32)
But being a conqueror takes work, and planning.
Don’t let circumstances rob you of victory!
I believe there are several things we have to do, to be an overcomer/conqueror, and one of those things we need to do and or learn to do, is to divide circumstances into situations you can change, and those you can’t.
Some once described as picking your battles.
Nearly everything in life can be changed, if approached in different ways.
So make a list of things you want changed.
Then divide them into two groups.
Things I can change, and things I can’t change.
Too many of us fail — and keep failing — because we persist in trying to change what can’t be altered.
As I said, nearly everything in life can be changed, if approached in a different way.
Some can’t be changed right now, so make a list of things you can change but may take some time.
As I said, too many of us fail — and keep failing — because we persist in trying to change what can’t be altered.
Stop banging your head against a wall and practice realistic thinking.
Understand the difference between faith and fantasy you can include wishful thinking into that as well.
Somebody said, “For every problem under the sun, there is a remedy or there is none. If there is a solution, go and find it, and if there isn’t, never mind it.”
God has given you certain gifts.
When you discover, develop, and deploy them, He’ll give you success in the face of seemingly impossible odds.
Ignore what you can’t change, focus on what you can, and opportunities will reveal themselves.
The second issue you’ll have to address is your emotions.
While they can be a gauge of how you feel, and a clue to what needs to be changed in your life, never let emotion alone dictate your decisions.
Ask anyone who has to perform at the top of their game, and you’ll find that much of their time is spent overriding their emotions or disciplining and governing themselves.
Listen to your emotions to get to the core of what’s bothering you… but don’t let your emotions dictate your response or your reaction.
The Apostle Paul wrote in (1st Corinthians 9:27) “I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself”
God wants you to be more than a conqueror!
But you must be motivated.
You must wake up get up, stand up, show up and start taking control of your life today.
And the best way you can be in control of life around you and ahead of you, is to put them into Gods hands.
You do that first by surrendering to His Word and His guidance; which is often presented thru His Word and by mature spiritual counsel or leadership of those of around you.
Thirdly by purpose of humility.
Submit, determine, practice, remind yourself continually that you are trusting in God (not this world); determine to ignore the conversations around you that promote or exalt an awareness of humanity or the worlds point of view… then seek to understand and know what Gods Word, Gods “point of view” is on the matters that are demanding your focus.
Stop looking back at the problem or issue that you have determined to put behind you.
Who doesn’t put something in God’s care and forget to leave it there?
Usually when we neglect to leave a problem in God’s hands the “stealing it back”… comes in the form of mental musing or continued worrying over the problem.
Those anxiety conversations that we have with ourselves in our mind that we act out in our imagination, they will eventually spill over onto someone’s peaceful day.
Therefore we have to catch those little “thought starters”, “anxiety provokers of doubt”… before they become long conversations in our minds and our self-talk.
This is what (2nd Corinthians 10:5) is referring to when it tells us to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ Jesus.
Four steps to leave a problem in God’s hands
1) After you leave your problem with the Lord, tune into your self-talk throughout the day.
Identify any little thought that wants to hang out with the problem you left with God.
After all, this isn’t your problem any more; its God’s — so stay out of God’s business and mind your own business.
2) Mentally grab the invading thought and hold it up against the truth of God’s Word.
Quote a Scripture promise at the sneaky thought such as (Psalm 138:8), “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands”
3) Pray the Scripture promise, talk it over in your self-talk, and use it to rebuke the enemy if necessary.
Personally, I like to find a Scripture promise for every problem that I leave with the Lord.
4) Put the problem behind you. Where you place your focus will determine if your mind and emotions fixate on the problem, or on something more productive.
If the problem seems to continually follow you home … out of the Lord’s hands and into your living room — perhaps you never really left it with the Lord in the first place.
Maybe you just had a discussion with God about the problem, and then you tucked the problem under your arm and left his presence.
Consider spending some quality time with Jesus talking the problem over and getting all your fears, anxieties, and concerns expressed.
In order to truly “leave it in Gods Hands”… you must place your focus upon Him and not on this world.
He will do the rest when you do that!
Good Day
(Romans 8:32) “we are more than conquerors in Christ”
I believe that God wants all of us to be successful in life.
Jesus said I am come that you might have life and that more abundantly (John 10:10)
The bible says “we are more than conquerors in Christ” (Romans 8:32)
But being a conqueror takes work, and planning.
Don’t let circumstances rob you of victory!
I believe there are several things we have to do, to be an overcomer/conqueror, and one of those things we need to do and or learn to do, is to divide circumstances into situations you can change, and those you can’t.
Some one once described it as picking your battles.
Nearly everything in life can be changed, if approached in different ways.
So make a list of things you want changed.
Then divide them into two groups… things I can change, and things I can’t change.
Too many of us fail — and keep failing — because we persist in trying to change what can’t be changed or altered things that are above my pay grade as it were.
Things that can only be changed or altered, by “the miracle working power of God”.
As I said, nearly everything in life can be changed, if approached in a different way.
Some can’t be changed right now, so make a list of those things you need God to intervene with.
As I said, too many of us fail — and keep failing — because we persist in trying to change what can’t be altered.
So number one is to stop banging your head against a wall and start practicing realistic thinking.
Understand the difference between faith and fantasy… you can include wishful thinking into that as well.
Somebody said, “For every problem under the sun, there is a remedy or there is none. If there is a solution, go and find it, and if there isn’t, never mind it.”
God has given you certain gifts.
When you discover, develop, and deploy them, He’ll give you success in the face of seemingly impossible odds.
Ignore what you can’t change, focus on what you can, and leave the rest with Him… opportunities will reveal themselves.
The second issue you’ll have to address is your emotions.
While they can be a gauge of how you feel, and a clue to what needs to be changed in your life, never let emotion alone dictate your decisions.
Ask anyone who has to perform at the top of their game, and you’ll find that much of their time is spent overriding their emotions or disciplining and governing themselves.
Listen to your emotions to get to the core of what’s bothering you… but don’t let your emotions dictate your response or your reaction.
The Apostle Paul wrote in (1st Corinthians 9:27) “I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself”
God wants you to be more than a conqueror!
But you must be motivated.
You must wake up get up, stand up, show up and start taking control of your life today.
And the best way you can be in control of life around you and ahead of you… is to put your life into Gods hands.
You do that by surrendering to His Word and His guidance, which is often presented thru His Word… and by mature spiritual counsel or leadership from those around you.
Thirdly becoming more than a conqueror is accomplished thru humility.
Submit, determine, practice, and remind yourself continually that you are trusting in God and not this world.
Determine to ignore the conversations around you that promote or exalt an awareness of humanity or the worlds point of view… then seek to understand and know what Gods Word, Gods “point of view” is, on the matters that are demanding your focus.
Stop looking back at the problem or issue that you have determined to put behind you.
We are all guilty of putting something into and under God’s care yet we forget to leave it there?
Usually when we neglect to leave a problem in God’s hands the “stealing it back”… comes in the form of mental musing or continued worrying over the problem.
Those anxious conversations that we have with ourselves in our mind that we act out in our imagination, will eventually spill over, disrupting and interrupting your day.
Therefore we have to catch those little “thought starters”, “anxiety provokers of doubt”… before they become long conversations in our minds and our self-talk.
This is what (2nd Corinthians 10:5) is referring to when it tells us “take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ Jesus”.
Four steps to leave a problem in God’s hands
1) After you leave your problem with the Lord, tune into your self-talk throughout the day.
Identify any little thought that wants to hang out with the problem you left with God.
After all, this isn’t your problem any more; its God’s — so stay out of God’s business and mind your own business.
2) Mentally grab the invading thought and hold it up against the truth of God’s Word.
Find and meditate, quote a scripture promise over the sneaky thought such as (Psalm 138:8), “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands”
3) Pray the scripture promise.
Talk it over in your self-talk, and use it to rebuke the enemy if necessary.
Personally, I like to find a Scripture promise for every problem that I leave with the Lord.
4) Put the problem behind you.
Where you place your focus will determine if your mind and emotions fixate on the problem, or on something more productive.
Consider this as well… If the problem seems to continually follow you home … out of the Lord’s hands and into your living room — perhaps you never really left it with the Lord in the first place.
Maybe you just had a discussion with God about the problem, and then you tucked the problem under your arm and left His presence taking it with you.
Consider spending some quality time with Jesus talking the problem over and getting all your fears, anxieties, and concerns expressed to Him in His quite counsel.
In order to truly “leave it in Gods Hands”… you must place your focus upon Him and not on this world (Hebrews 3:1)
“Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, set your minds on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.”
Why This Matters:
Scripture speaks plainly… the command is not optional.
Our minds determine our attitudes… words, and choices (Proverbs 4:23)
A steady gaze on Christ, guards us from drifting (Hebrews 2:1)
Isaiah 26:3) tells us that keeping our thoughts and our eyes on Christ fuels steadfast confidence.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you”
You are meant to be more than a conqueror in Christ…
Good Day
(Philippians 2:13) "It is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose."
(Psalm 37:23) Say’s “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord”.
By recognizing and fulfilling your God-given assignment in life, you free yourself from a sense of failure and incompleteness that causes restlessness and it give syou the ability to stop worrying about what others think.
Why?
Because your “self-worth”, no longer depends on people, but on God!
God told Jeremiah these following words which apply to each of us;
(Jeremiah 1:5) “from your mothers womb I knew you”
(Jeremiah 29:11) “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord”
That my friend is liberating… it produces a freedom that cannot be diminished in any way.
However, there are three things that must be realized.
(1) Be honest about your gifts and recognize your limitations.
Don’t go through life as a stranger to yourself.
Honestly assess your strengths and limitations.
Ask yourself the hard questions and be willing to live with the answers, even if it means letting some things go.
Michael Novak, an American Catholic philosopher, journalist, novelist, diplomat and author writes;
“God knows what’s in us for He put it there, and He intends for each of us to do something with it.”
Each of us has been given “a calling in life”, and happiness or true joy belongs to those who find and fulfill that calling.
(2) Allow God to work on you.
Sometimes amateur potters limit the potential of the clay they are working by seeing it only as a flowerpot.
But a master potter sees much more… he or she knows what it can become.
Watch them; they don’t merely impose a shape on it… they release the shape that’s already within.
And that’s what God does with us.
(3) Recognize your source.
Fulfilling your life’s assignment begins with identifying the desires God has placed within you.
“It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”
Who is at work within you… The answer is God?
Where do your desires come from… The answer is God?
Where do your abilities come from… Again the answer is God?
If you make “knowing” God and walking in step with Him your highest priority in life… you can experience the manifestation of joy that Jesus talked about when He said “I come that you might have life, and that more abundantly” (John 10:10)
I can’t make it more clear… life is complete, life is secure, life is filled with fulfilled purpose when it is hidden in the shelter of the Most High and we rest in the shadow of “the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1)
Good Day!
(Matthew 7:1) "Judge not, that you be not judged."
Why do we choose to be critics rather than cheerleaders?
Is it because it’s easier to point out the faults of others, than deal with our own!
By dwelling on the shortcomings of others, do we feel better about ourselves and possibly more superior to others?
But Jesus doesn’t let us off the hook.
(Matthew 7:4-5) “Hypocrite!” “How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck in your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?
Think of the person, group, or organization you’re most critical of and who you criticize them to.
Are you trying to increase your stature in the eyes of others?
Are you carrying within you unhealed wounds and unresolved issues, so you vent your anger at anyone who gets in your way?
In (Matthew 12:33-37), Jesus said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks”.
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it on The Day Of Judgment”.
(Proverbs 18:21) teaches us that "life and death are in the power of the tongue".
The tongue” is used throughout Scripture in both literal and metaphorical ways, especially in Psalms, Proverbs and James.
(James 3:5) says The tongue is a “small part of the body”, and He goes on to say "If any man seems to himself to be a formal worshiper and yet does not bridle his tongue, but goes on deceiving his own heart, this man’s form of worship is futile." (James 1:26)
What is James saying here?
He’s saying, if you call yourself a believer in God, and yet you do not watch what comes out of your mouth, you are nothing more than a hypocrite!
Jesus said in (Matthew 12:34-37) “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned”
Listen folks, judgment and gossip, can kill a relationship as quick as any deadly disease.
The rhetoric, and the verbal cauldron of opinion, that I hear around me is poisonous and opposite of the attitude that we as Christians should be portraying as we live in this world
(Matthew 5:9) Jesus said "blessed are the peacemakers."
We are called to be "peacemakers among men", not dissenters stirring up strife and stoking the flames of rebellion and that’s what many are doing with their tongues today!
And that’s what you are doing, if you give in to the urge to let your tongue pronounce judgment and criticism during gossip!
We need to read this morning from (James 3:5-8) "So, too, the tongue is a little member and yet makes great brags.”
“Look how little a fire it takes to set so great a woodland on fire!”
“The tongue is a fire”.
“The tongue is constituted ‘a world of unrighteousness’ among our members, for it spots up all the body and sets the wheel of natural life aflame… and it is set aflame by Ge·hen´na or hell.”
“For every species of wild beast as well as bird and creeping thing and sea creature is to be tamed and has been tamed by humankind.”
“But the tongue, not one of mankind can get it tamed. An unruly injurious thing, it is full of death-dealing poison."
"Death-dealing poison"!
Interestingly in (Proverbs 12:18) we are shown the contrast of the uses of the tongue.
"There exists the one speaking thoughtlessly, as with the stabs of a sword, but the tongue of the wise one is a healing."
One of my daily routines as I get up and start my day is to read and study Gods word so that as I go thru my day, with my mind thoughts and attitude tuned into Gods will as revealed thru His Word so that I do not sin against my fellow man or let my thoughts consume and control my mind and tongue.
This is what James is talking about in the James Chapter 3.
My responsibility to my fellow man.
And it all begins with my attitude and my tongue.
Let’s all practice (James 3:17-18) and let it be the motivating thought and encouragement that controls our thoughts, attitude, and heart toward God and to our fellowman
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace, reap a harvest of righteousness”.
Here’s a prayer that we can all pray each morning as we start our day. “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord” (Psalm 19:14).
Good day!
(Psalm 16:11) "In thy presence is fullness of joy."
I'm told the word “happiness” comes from the “Old English” word "happ", which was derived from
the same “Norse word “meaning good luck or “chance.”
It corresponds to the Latin word "fortuna" which means “luck.”
It also is derived form a “Germanic” word called “Kob” which means “to fit” or “to suit”.
The term has evolved in meaning over time originally meaning to a persons good fortune.
All three words, happ, fortuna and kob”…suggest that when thingshappen the way we want them to then we are happy… and when they don’t happen they way we wan them to... then we’re unhappy.
It corresponds to the Latin word "fortuna" which means “luck.”
It also is derived form a “Germanic” word called “Kob” which means “to fit” or “to suit”.
The term has evolved in meaning over time originally meaning to a persons good fortune.
All three words, happ, fortuna and kob”…suggest that when thingshappen the way we want them to then we are happy… and when they don’t happen they way we wan them to... then we’re unhappy.
The problem with such “happiness”, is that it is temporary and fickle.
True joy is permanent and settled.
Unfortunately there are many Christians or believers that are so serious and solemn they would lead you to believe that God cringes at laughter and hates anything that smacks of joy and delight.
They look and act like they have been baptized in pickle juice and attend the first church of the “frigidaire”.
The Psalmist wrote, “In thy presence is fullness of joy.”
C.S. Lewis observed, “Joy is ‘the serious business’ of heaven.”
The truth is, the Bible is one of the most “joy-filled” books ever written.
The words "joy" and "joyful" are found in it, no less than 245 times.
The word “rejoice” shows up 150 times, and we’re instructed to be joyful and rejoice nearly 400 times!
That means “joy” isn’t just an emotion manipulated by fortune or chance… it’s “an attitude”.
An emotion or feelings can be manipulated or influenced but they can’t be commanded.
No one can tell you to “feel happy” when you’re not.
But you can "choose" to be joyful regardless of your circumstances.
Also joy is not a "commodity" that can be bought.
Many people find out too late that money can’t buy happiness, much less joy.
Trying to find happiness and joy in money, new homes, cars, exotic travels etc… is like drinking salt water.
The more you drink, the thirstier you get.
No, the secret to lasting joy is in realizing that you’re “unconditionally” loved, valued, and accepted by God.
And when you bask in the shadow of the "Almighty"… you will experience the "fullness of joy"… as you experience the unconditional love of God!
(Psalm 16:11) "You will make known to me the path of life… In Your presence is fullness of joy… In Your right hand there are pleasures forever."
(John 17:13) “And these things I speak so that they may have My joy made full in themselves”.
Let me ask you this morning!
Have you found that joy that is unspeakable or indescribable?
It’s available to all who will trust in Him.
Good Day!
(Philippians 3:13) "Straining toward what is ahead, I press on."
Jesus said “I am come that you might have life and that more abundantly” (John 10:10)
However, it takes effort to partake of and enjoy the fruit of His promise.
In our scripture verse this morning, Paul says "straining toward what is ahead… I press on”.
He is saying that “it actually takes effort”, to receive Gods promises… and its faith that fuels the passion and tenacity to press forward.
Developing that kind of faith is like taking swimming lessons.
The ability or faith as (Romans 12:3) talks about has been given to each of us “For God has given unto every man the measure of faith”
But its up to us to develop that faith and use it!
Here are four observations about the art of swimming in relation to faith.
· Fear is like water; if you let it, it will take you under.
· You can only tread water for so long before you drown.
· When you reach a certain point, there’s no turning back.
· Faith is like the air in your lungs; it will sustain you and keep you afloat if you just relax.
Have you ever watched a seasoned swimmer?
Stroke after stroke, he/she takes what’s in front of them and pushes it behind letting it propel him or her toward their goal.
They literally take what stands between them (in this case water) and use it to propel themselves forward.
Sometimes we despair and say, “I’m just keeping my head above water,” and that’s okay as long as you keep “stroking” and propelling yourself or pressing on.
It’s when you feel backed into a corner with nowhere to turn that you have to take hold of the faith God has placed within you and propel yourself forward.
Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12)
The word violence suggests ferocity, passion, intensity and purpose.
You must be relentless and fight your way through, confident that God is on your side… because He is.
(Psalm 56:9-11) “You have taken account of my wanderings. Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?”
Then my enemies will retreat on the day I cry for help. By this I will know… that God is on my side.
In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise in God I trust; I will not be afraid”.
When Joshua and Caleb returned from spying out the promised land they said, "we are well able"!
They knew there was a battle to be fought, energy to be expended, and that quite possibly it would not be easy.
But they knew they were well able!
(Philippians 3:13) "forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,"
The waters you’re in don’t determine your destiny; they either carry you over or take you under.
It takes faith to keep going.
When you quit, God can do nothing more for you.
So today, whether you’re doing the breaststroke, the backstroke, or some other kind of stroke, keep pressing on.
God is there to see you and help you cross the finish line.
"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead",
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me, heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14)
Good Day!
(Philippians 4:6) "Don't worry about anything, but pray about everything."
I've heard it said by many different preachers and bible teachers, that the "pressures" of our times have many of us caught in a web of t acceptable yet "energy-draining sin" in the Christian family.
It’s called “the sin of worry”.
The bible says "be anxious for nothing".
(Philippians 4:6-8) "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”.
More than a dozen times in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Jesus said "fear not"!
In fact someone once said that there are some 365 "fear not" phrases in the bible.
One for every day!
Chances are good you woke up this morning, stepped out of bed, and before doing anything, strapped on your well-worn backpack of anxiety.
You started the day not with a prayer on your mind but loaded down by worry.
What a dreadful habit!
Jesus challenged His followers with the question, "Who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?" (Matthew 6:27)
Believe it or not worry is fear!
Worry solves nothing.
It creates unrest and uneasiness, and if left unchecked, it can churn our waves of anxiety into a “storm” of emotions.
Add a little imagination and creativity, and our worst fears come to life in technicolor brilliance.
The stress from worry drains our energy and preoccupies our minds, stripping us of our peace no matter whether they are big things or little things.
Some of us have a laundry list of concerns that feed our addiction to worry.
It’s a very unattractive addiction, yet we somehow manage to make a joke out of it.
I’ve heard people say with a smile, ‘If I don’t have something to worry about, I get worried about not having something to worry about.’
Anxiety has become a favorite pastime we love to hate.
And worse, we’re passing it on to our children.
As they see the worry on our faces and hear it from our lips, we’re mentoring them in the art of anxiety.”
So what’s the answer?
“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything.”
Jesus told the disciples to "ask the Father" "(John 14:13), (John 14:16), (John 16:23), the point being, that He was telling us its ok to trust God in the little things as well as the big things.
He also said if God so clothes the lilies of the field in all their array and splendor, and if He can care for the birds of the air, how much more will He care for you and I those that love Him.
You have great favour with God. (Luke 4:19)
Know that God cares for you, and you don't have to "care" about anything else, but trust and believe!
Good day!