JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
(James 5:16) "Confess your faults one to another."
The art of "self control" is not an easy one.
It’s usually only when addicts “hit bottom”, that they’re willing to embrace a twelve-step program of recovery and submit to the guidance of a “sponsor” who will help them by holding them accountable.
Being accountable is a great way to establish discipline and self control.
Where did the twelve-step principles originate… from Scripture?
From the scripture that I’ve chosen for my meditation today, James writes that it should be common practice for Christians to confess our sins/faults to each other, and to pray for each other so that we may be healed.
There are times in life when we all need a shoulder to lean on.
Some Bible scholars read the word "healed" as a reference to healing from physical illness.
Others understand it to mean healing from discouragement, depression and spiritual weakness.
In either case, healing requires two things.
(James 5:16) tells us “confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so the you may be healed, for the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective”
Confession as states here means “acknowledging sin honestly”… it means agreeing with Gods perspective on wrongdoing and turning away from it.
It is not about seeking absolution form another person, but about mutual support and intercession within the community of believers.
James offers no details about what this should look like in practice.
Are we to stand before the church congregation and announce all our sins from the prior week?
I don’t believe that is what he was suggesting!
More likely, James has in mind the idea of Christians being in “close relationship” with each other.
That’s one of the reasons that the bible teaches us “Not to forsake the assembling of our selves together (Hebrews10:25-27)
We need fellow believers with whom we can be vulnerable.
In that setting, each could acknowledge to the other what issues, faults, sins, are most difficult for them, and all could pray for each other to overcome them.
It seems likely, in the modern world, that very few Christians are practicing this in any specific way.
We are all just too afraid to be that vulnerable.
But James's instruction is extended to us today as much as it was for his original readers.
The church… (and I’m not talking about an institution or a building… but you and I the body of Christ)… would be a far healthier group if we prayed with and for each other in family love, to overcome our specific shortcomings and sins.
Again as James says… “prayer works!” (James 5:16) “the prayers of a righteous person is powerful and effective”
God listens and responds!
(Psalm 34:17): "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears… He delivers them from all their troubles."
(Proverbs 15:29): "The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous."
(Isaiah 65:24): "Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear."
(Jeremiah 29:12): "Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."
((Psalm 118:21): “I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.”
These verses serve as a reminder that our prayers are valued, and God is always attentive to our needs and concerns.
They encourage us to approach Him with confidence, knowing that He hears us and responds to our prayers.
Think about it… Have all the years you’ve spent hiding your problem helped you overcome them or find victory?
If your honest, you will probably admit that the answer is no.
So, an important step toward freedom, deliverance, self control... is having someone in your life who understands you, who cares for you, who wants to see you set free, who will stand by you, who will identify with your struggle, and who knows how to keep your confidence.
And it needs to be someone you trust and respect… otherwise you won’t take them seriously and you will always have doubts that will be a seed to continued mistrust.
There must be an agreement between you that you’ll work together until lasting change takes place.
That means finding someone who won’t be shocked by your problem and who won’t “shame” you, no matter what.
It’s the broken whom become masters at mending, so find someone who has won the same battle you are fighting.
Why do you need to share your struggle with someone?
Because we are only as “sick” as the secrets we keep!
In (Matthew 18:19-20) Jesus said, “If two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven... for where two or three come together in my name, there am I in the midst of them”
By opening up to another person and asking for help, you’ve taken a major step toward self control and victory in life.
In closing this morning… let me say that I am here if you ever need someone to talk to… “someone who is swift to hear and slow to speak”.
Thanks to technology today I am only a phone call or a short note away.
I am here if you need someone to talk to... you can fond my contact info by going to my web site at (www.jackjackson.ca)
But better still, ask God to send someone into your path whom you can open up to and whom you can trust to help you work thru these issues that cause us so much confusion and trouble in life.
Someone whom will stand by you and hold you accountable… a shoulder you can lean on.
(Matthew 11:28) “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest for your souls”
Good day!
(Isaiah 61:3) "The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness."
Praise works like a magnifying glass.
It causes what you’re focusing on to get bigger, to be “magnified.”
David said, “Magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:3-4).
It’s a mistake to wait until you’ve no problems, fewer problems or your problems are solved before you praise the Lord.
Praise is one of the great scriptural keys to problem solving because it gets your focus on God, the problem solver.
Charles Spurgeon said, “My happiest moments are when I am worshipping God, really adoring the Lord Jesus Christ. In that worship I forget the cares of the church and everything else.
To me it is the nearest approach to what it will be like in heaven.”
God has promised you “the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”
It works like this.
When you begin to praise Him with a heavy heart, you experience a new sense of hope and joy.
The song writer wrote, "and the things of earth grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace".
Through worship, we are reminded that God is bigger than the situation you face; that He’s not only capable of managing your concerns… but willing, wanting, and waiting to.
In (Psalm 119:164 ) The Psalmist wrote, “Seven times a day I praise You”.
So start filling your day with praise.
Don’t just take coffee breaks and tea breaks, take “praise breaks.”
David set the pattern in (Psalm 108:2) “Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.”
David determines to rouse musical instruments—and even the dawn itself—to celebrate God.
The verse models purposeful, early, wholehearted praise.
So why Launch the Day with Praise?
Praise focuses our minds on truth, not emotions
– Psalm 118:24: “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
– Praise anchors us to the unchanging character of God rather than the uncertainties of the day.
– Aligns our hearts with God’s mercies that are “new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23).
– Each dawn is fresh evidence of the Lord’s covenant
faithfulness; praising Him acknowledges that gift.
Praise Sets a pattern Jesus modeled
– Mark 1:35: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and went out to a solitary place, where He prayed.”
– If the sinless Son prioritized early worship, we can trust it is essential for us.
Praise invites the Spirit’s filling for the hours ahead
– Ephesians 5:18-20 links being filled with the Spirit to “speaking to one another with psalms… singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord.”
– Morning praise opens conduit for guidance, strength, and joy.
Praise guards against anxiety and complaint
– Philippians 4:4-7 ties rejoicing in the Lord to freedom from anxious thoughts.
– When gratitude is the first word of the day, grumbling finds little room.
Begin to praise God for two things:
(1) His attributes. His power, love, grace, favor, guidance, etc.
(2) His acts. Recall His goodness to you. Go ahead; take off the spirit of heaviness and put on the garment of praise.
In (1st Corinthians 1:31) Paul writes “as it is written… let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.
Man seems to have no problem boasting about His own exploits, but I would rather boast about the goodness of God, the faithfulness of God.
So today take some “praise breaks”.
Give thanks and boast to others, tell someone around you how good God is.
Good Day!
(Colossians 3:1) "Set your sights on the realities of heaven."
Five hundred years ago, sailors feared the horizon, believing if you sailed too far, you could fall off the edge of the world.
Today we smile at such an idea, but back then, they were deadly serious… so much so that they erected a monument at “The Strait of Gibraltar” to commemorate the concept.
At its narrowest point, Spaniards assembled a huge stone marker bearing the Latin inscription "Ne plus ultra", which means “No more beyond.”
Then in 1492, Christopher Columbus came along and blew their theory out of the water (no pun intended)!
The discovery of new worlds and new horizons changed everybody’s mind and thinking.
Spain even acknowledged this on its coinage, which came to bear the inscription “Plus ultra”—“More beyond.”
So here is my challenge for you today.
Have you limited yourself in your thinking?
Do you regret wasting seasons of life on foolish notions and pursuits?
Do you feel like your best years are gone by?
Friend, know this!
We will have eternity to make up for lost time in a glorified celestial body that knows no limitations.
Yes our greatest moments lie ahead waiting for us, on the other side of the grave.
However, we can start our victory walk today in this life by heeding the verse of scripture that I have chosen for today.
So “Set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven” (Colossians 3:1-2)
The Apostle John (the writer of the Book of Revelations) was a prisoner, surrounded by the sea on the tiny Island of Patmos.
Everywhere he went, the sea was there. It confined him. It hemmed him in and separated him from those he loved.
Then God showed him the glories of heaven and he wrote, “There was no more sea” (Revelation 21:1)
No more limitations—in heaven, you’ll be “free at last.”
Prior to Columbus there was no vision beyond what man could see.
Prior to Christ there was no vision or hope for the people.
But now in Christ, we have hope, vision, opportunity, purpose, and a future that no knows no limits.
Many people think of “heart-religion” or an emotionally-based faith as being superior to “head-religion” or faith with less emotional content.
While passionate faith can be a good thing, the Bible speaks much more frequently of what we might call “head-religion” than it does of “heart-religion.”
While “heart” is a literal translation of the Greek word “kardia”, the people of Biblical times thought of the heart “as the center of the intellect and will” rather than the emotions.
The Bible calls us over and over again “to believe”… a head-based activity.
Jesus said “If you can believe all things are possible” (Mark 9:23)
“If you can believe”?
”We should not wonder why the Bible places such an emphasis on the mind which is our intellect and our beliefs reside.
People tend to act, or respond based on their beliefs.
If they believe things that aren’t true, they will act on those false beliefs and will suffer the consequences.
If they have been well taught, so that they believe what is true, they will benefit immeasurably by their teaching… and by their true beliefs.
Furthermore, faith is rooted in believing, and faith is key to discipleship and salvation.
The book of Romans and Galatians is chock full of scripture endorsing this concept (Romans 3:28-30) (Romans 4:5) (Romans 5:1-2) (Romans 9:30-32) (Romans10:6-7) (Romans 11:16) (Galatians 2:16) (Galatians 3:85:5).
The writer of Romans focuses on this concept by telling us that “faith comes by hearing” (Romans 10:7)
From the hearing of the Word of God we move to acceptance of the Word God, and then to believing the Word Of God.
The writer of (Hebrews 11:6) also tells us that, “with out faith it is impossible to please God”.
With out the act of believing (which starts in your mind and moves to your heart which produces faith), you will be limited to earthly, worldly boundaries that are set in place by Satan and sin.
(1st Corinthians 2:9) "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.”
So “Set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven” (Colossians 3:1-2).
The Amplified bible opens this scripture verse up a little more when it says… “Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead]… keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your mind and keep focused habitually, on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].
The world clamors to be seen and to be noticed.
Satan’s agenda for every believer is to get our thoughts, our minds and our attention on the things of earth that have no value or eternal reward.
Don’t waste time with what the world offers you today!
Set your sights, your goals, your affections… on things which are above and in Christ.
That is what truly matters in life.
That is where victory in Jesus begins!
That is how we begin to live as “more than conquerors” in this life.
Good Day!
(Romans 10:17) "Faith comes from hearing."
The bible teaches us that we must be people that "walk by faith, and not by sight"… or our own abilities (2nd Corinthians 5:7)
Especially as we see “the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).
What is the day that is being referred to?
It’s “the day of the Lord” which within the confines of scripture talks about the judgment of God and or the “wrath of God poured out upon an unrighteous, sinfully wicked, unbelieving world”.
But the beauty of our “salvation” is that we don’t need to fear that day because we have not been appointed unto wrath but unto salvation.
(1st Thessalonians 5:9-10) “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him”.
We need "a closer walk with Him" and a closer walk with each other, and a confidence in Him that caries us over the doubts and confusion created by the chaos in this world.
You may doubt your own ability, but never doubt God’s… or His promises and His willingness to fulfill them.
God has said what He meant and He meant what He said.
The Psalmist wrote, “You have magnified Your word above… Your name” (Psalm 138:2)
The only thing in the universe that God has placed above His name… is His Word.
So fill your mind with it, speak it daily, and don’t ever question it.
Doubt often originates from our inclination or tendency to trust in our self and our own abilities.
Self-confidence is a concept touted by the world… it encourages us to rely on our own skills and abilities.
But the Bible says, “He who trusts in himself is a fool” (Proverbs 28:26)
I am told that the verse at the very center of the Bible is this… “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man” (Psalm 118:8)
Listen, if you are struggling with a tendency to doubt that which God has promised, remember that God does not hold that over your head.
In (John 20:25), despite having lived with Jesus for almost three years and hearing His promise that He’d rise again from the dead, Thomas still said, “Unless I can see his wounds and touch him, I will not believe”
Did Jesus turn His back on Thomas because of his doubts?
No, He never rejects a sincere, doubting heart!
Jesus showed up in person and resolved all of Thomas’ doubts.
But it is time that you, (yes you), begin to place a trust, and a hope and a faith in someone and something that is bigger than yourself and or any other human being.
That is the Lord Jesus Christ,
And as you read His Word and seek His face, He will alleviate your misgivings and qualms too.
When you stop living in the “sense”… realm and learn to “walk by faith,” in Gods Word and His promises to you and I, your doubts will begin to die and your confidence in Him will grow in ways you never dreamed of.
(2nd Corinthians 5:7) (for we walk by faith and not by sight)
(1st Corinthians 2:9) says “but as it is written “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor has it entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
But it will only happen when “you”, choose to walk with Him.
Good Day!
(Luke 9:62) "Anyone who looks behind him is useless for the kingdom of God."
Scripture encourages to always be looking ahead, not behind us!
That’s because if your always looking in the rearview mirror or behind you, you can't see what's in front of you and your likely to have a wreck!
Jesus sought out people prepared to do more than just believe in Him… He wanted people willing to follow Him.
His early ministry was marked by people like Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathaniel (John 1:35-52)… people "willing to leave" where they were and what they owned in order to follow Him.
Jesus called people to a life of radical commitment.
When He “called the crowd to Him… He said, If people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing even to give up their lives” (Mark 8:34)
No half-measures, but a willingness to follow Him full-time.
Trusting in Jesus will get you into heaven, but nothing less than following Him daily, will make you useful in His kingdom on earth.
Three different men told Jesus, “I’ll follow you, Lord” (Luke 9:61-62), but they weren’t willing to give up the comfort and the lure of their old lives.
And Jesus responded with this powerful metaphor: “Anyone who puts his hand to the plough and…looks behind him ,is useless for the kingdom of God.”
Following Jesus means whatever is back there, stays back there… old hang-ups, attachments, and lifestyles.
You can’t plough the straight furrow of discipleship looking back at the past.
Don’t let the gravitational pull of past failure, guilt, fear, shame, betrayal, loss, abuse, rejection, resentment, and un-forgiveness ruin your future.
Cut the cord… join those willing to “follow the Lamb wherever He goes” (Revelation 14:4)
That’s where purpose is fulfilled, satisfaction and peace are found, and deep down inner joy, (joy that is unspeakable or indescribable) and full of glory is found.
Believe me its the truth, I live it every day and there is no life like it.
That’s why the writer of Hebrews says “we look unto Jesus the Author and the Finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2)
You can do nothing about the past, the future is our hope and reward when it is approached with faith and confidence in God.
“Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward” (Hebrews 10:35)
Good day!
(John 4:14) "But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again."
We live in a world today filled with "relationship addicts".
These are people whom need love or are thirsting for someone in their life to bring a wholeness and fulfillment to their survival or purpose in life.
They cannot survive or function in life with out being "co-dependent"
on someone.
Jesus asked the woman at the well for a drink of water.
Surprised that a Jew would talk to a Samaritan, she asked Him why He was asking her for water.
He replied, “If you knew…who I am, you would be asking me for… living water.
Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give, will never thirst—not ever” (John 4:10-14).
Notice the distinction between “this water” and “the water I give.”
Jesus wasn’t discussing "regional" water qualities.
He was talking about her five failed marriages and the man she was currently living with.
The truth is, she had no idea how or where to find the satisfaction she thirsted for.
One disappointing relationship after another; no matter how often she drank from “this water,” her thirst could not be satisfied.
And her response to each failed relationship was another failed relationship… supposing as we often do… that doing more of what doesn’t work, will eventually make it work!
Jesus wasn’t criticizing her lack of morals.
No, He was offering her the only real cure for emptiness. “Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst again.”
Whatever you’re looking to for fulfillment, money, or popularity, drugs, alcohol, sex, pornography, co-dependent serial relationships,it’s all water that can never satisfy.
Focusing your life on Jesus, spending time with Him, talking with Him, and “drinking in” His Word daily, is the only way to fill the void within you.
Co-dependent people and or relationship addicts, will only find purpose, self-esteem and strength to live their lives with peace and joy, when they have met the one whom died to fill the void that sin has left in our lives.
His name is Jesus!
He said "come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest for your soul. (Matthew 11:28)
You don't need another relationship with a mortal human being to fulfill the void in your life.
You need Jesus!
Good Day!
(Genesis 11:31) "They set out...to go to Canaan… but when they came to Haran, they settled there."
Paul writes “I press toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”
It was an example and encouragement to the early church believers to continue in the good fight of faith, to press in and press on… never satisfied with where you are at in your Christian growth and maturity.
So I have to ask… are you “pressing on” toward the goal?
Or have you settled for second best, or this is good enough?
To win the prize for which God has called you to (Philippians 3:14), you have to press on… if you don’t, your settling for second best or worse.
God made a pact with Abraham — one that continues to influence even the modern world to this day.
A lesser-known fact is that years earlier, Abraham’s father, Terah, had set out to go to Canaan, the land of abundance where God later called Abraham.
But Terah never made it… do you know why?
“When they came to Haran, they settled there.”
No question, it couldn’t have been easy traveling hundreds of miles across rough terrain with flocks, herds, children, and servants.
Can you imagine the sheer logistics?
Remember, there were no professional movers to pack and load and move their stuff back then!
Finally Terah decided they couldn’t go any further, so they settled where they were comfortable.
I wonder how many times we do the same thing?
We all have a dream…to excel in all aspects of our lives, our careers, as parents…and in our walk with God.
We get started, but things get difficult and achieving our goal doesn’t happen as quickly as we hoped.
Perhaps similar to Abraham’s father, we say, “Let’s just settle here... it’s not really what we wanted, but it’s good enough.”
Listen friends don't fall into the, "that's good enough" trap.
That's "good enough" is a place that is just short of the intended blessings and rewards that God wants to pour out on you.
“I can live with it”… or… its "good enough"… “is not good enough”… when pursuing excellence!
You were created for more than "good enough”.
That’s why the bible encourages us in (Galatians 6:9) to “not be weary in well doing”.
Don’t lose sight of the goal… don’t lose sight of the dream!
For when we get weary and we settle where we are, then we settle for second best and that is not Gods plan for you!
Don’t settle for a little love and a little joy, a bit of peace and a bit of contentment, or a small helping of happiness…
Pull up stakes, pack your tents, get your belongings, and start moving forward.
God says I'll never leave you and I'll never forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5)
So today, I encourage you to “enlarge your vision”… renew your dream!
Reach out, step out, and let God lead you on to the place where His blessings overflow with an abundance of mercy, hope, joy, and happiness.
Paul wrote the following words for us to read in (Corinthians 2:9) “For the eye has not seen, and the ear has not heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man all the things that God has prepared for those that love Him.”
(Jeremiah 29:11) God says “for I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, plans to prosper you and give you a future, not plans for evil.”
Don't settle for less, God says “you will seek me and you will find me when you seek me with your whole heart”. (Jeremiah 29:13)
And His favor will open doors for you that you never thought possible.
But it won’t happen if you settle for second best or that’s good enough!
Good Day!