JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
(James 4:2) You do not have because you do not ask God."
How large is your “asking capacity” when it comes to prayer?
When Elijah asked Elisha, “What may I do for you before I am taken away?’… Elisha replied, ‘Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me’” (2nd Kings 2:9)
Some of us may be a little shocked by his response… pegging Elisha as arrogant, and presumptuous… may be even thinking “You need to humble yourself and be grateful for the privilege of serving a great prophet like Elijah and count yourself fortunate that God permits you to carry on his ministry.”
But Elisha wasn’t timid and Elijah wasn’t offended.
So how did it all turn out?
Elisha got his double portion and ended up performing twice as many miracles as Elijah.
Listen… when you pray, God doesn’t say… “Make your request reasonable and practical.”
He wants you to ask “largely and abundantly, not sparingly”
(James 1:5)" If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraideth not… and it shall be given him".
The term "upbraideth" is an archaic English word that appears in the King James Version of the Bible and is often translated in modern versions as "reproach" or "rebuke."
It conveys the idea of scolding, criticizing, or reproaching someone, often in a stern or severe manner.
In the context of Scripture, it is used to describe God's response to human actions or attitudes, as well as human interactions.
In this mornings teaching I want to emphasize the importance of believing and asking God for those things we consider impossible.
I want to encourage you to take the limits off of God because God does not put limits on you!
(John 16:24) Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
Jabez prayed this way… “And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.” (1st Chronicles 4:10)
How’s this for a big promise: “Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession” (Psalm 2:8)?
Think about it… if He’s willing to give you “the nations for your inheritance”…
He will surely save your loved ones, heal your body, or give you that job, that home, or that relationship you have been praying for.
It’s time to take the limits off God!
Jesus said “all things are possible to them that believe” (Mark 9:23)
Jesus said, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name” (John 14:13)
Twice in Scripture someone said or asked something that caused Jesus to marvel. (Matthew 8:8-10), (Matthew 15:28)
On both occasions, it was a demonstration of “audacious faith” by a Gentile… someone that the religious crowd thought had no right to God’s miraculous provision.
Hebrews says it like this; “without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
So listen folks… today, God wants you to ask of Him and believe Him for anything and everything that is of a concern for you! (John 14:14)
Pray large, pray big, pray with trust, pray with confidence and belief that He loves you and wants to meet your needs today.
Jesus said (Luke 11:9-13)… “So I say to you ask, and it will be given to you… seek, and you will find… knock, and it will be opened to you… for everyone who asks receives… and he who seeks finds… and to him who knocks it will be opened.
If a son asks forbread from any father among you, will he give him a stone?
Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish?
Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”
Folks I plead with you today to embrace the message of (Luke 11:9-13), where answered prayers and the Holy Spirit await.
Approach God with unwavering faith and perseverance, just as you tackle challenges at work or care for your loved ones at home.
Seek God’s wisdom and blessings with a determined spirit and unwavering trust.
Commit to praying earnestly… pray largely… pray with confidence, and ask your heavenly Father to fulfill those needs and plans and desires that you have thought you were incapable of.
Take the promise of God and believe and determine to walk in it and invite the Holy Spirit into your life today?
(Mark 9:23) Jesus said… “All things are possible to them that believe”
Good Day!
(Luke 8:43-44) "A woman having an issue...touched the border of His garment."
The Bible says that there was, “a woman who had ‘an issue of blood’ for twelve years… in fact she had spent all of her living upon physicians, and none could help her.
Like people that gather to see a parade three or four hours before it passes by, she heard that Jesus was coming to her town so she left her home early, made her way to where he was located in the city, crawled and pushed her way thru the crowd that was gathered to see Him, and finally got close enough to reach out and just barely touch the hem of His cloak… and immediately… her
“issue of blood” was stanched.
Suddenly, Jesus said to those who were close round Him, “Who touched me”
When all those gathered around Him denied touching Him, Peter and they that were with him said… “Master, see this great crowd around you all pushing and bumping into you and you ask “Who touched me?”’
Jesus said, “Somebody has touched me… for I perceive that virtue [healing power] is gone out of me”.
When the woman realized that Jesus knew what she had done, she cried out to Him for mercy and he said unto her, “Daughter, be of good comfort… thy faith hath made thee whole” (Luke 8:43-48).
It doesn’t matter what your need is today… Jesus knows and He cares.
This woman had an “issue” that was draining the life out of her… an issue that no doctor could cure.
So she did what you need to do… she took her issue to Jesus… touched Him by faith… and was made whole.
Think about what she had to overcome.
Twelve years of suffering.
A sense of hopelessness and despair… because she had spent all she had upon physicians, and no one could help.
Then there was the crowd that thronged Jesus and stood in her way.
Nevertheless, the moment her faith made contact with Jesus, she was made whole.
So what’s your biggest issue today?
Is it a long-term one?
Is it at home or on the job?
Is it a health issue or a stubborn habit?
When we look at the world with all of its trials, troubles, tribulations, and heartaches… we sometimes ask "Where is God?
Why doesn't He do something?"
Is it that God is not able?
Is the situation too large or too difficult for God?
God told Abraham that he was going to have a son in his old age, and Abraham was more than a little quizzical about it.
Seeing Abrahams doubt… God asked Abraham, "Is anything too hard for the Lord?" (Genesis 18:14)
In (Jeremiah 32:17) Again the question is asaked… “is anything to hard for the Lord to handle?”
Then Jeremiah answered the question by saying…
"Ah Lord GOD! You have made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm… and there is nothing too hard for thee." (Jeremiah 32:17)
Jeremiah gives the answer… "There is nothing too hard for thee."
There are over thirty thousand promises in the Bible, and God will keep His Word.
If God made the promise, He cannot lie.
There is no promise too hard for God to keep.
There's no prayer too hard for God to answer.
Jesus said in (Matthew 21:22), "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."
When you ask in prayer and believe, you'll receive.
There is no problem too hard for God to solve.
God specializes in things that seem impossible.
Now God may not solve your problem the way you want Him to… but there's no problem too hard for God to solve.
There's no person too hard for God to save.
God can save anyone if they'll come to Him.
(Luke 18:27) says,” is anything too difficult or too wonderful for the Lord?”
The old Andre Crouch song of the 70”s says, “Jesus is the answer, for the world today”.
He was the answer for that poor woman with the issue of blood, and He is still the answer for your issues today as well.
Don’t stop until you get to Jesus, even if that means getting down on your knees in prayer and pushing through every obstacle that stands in your way.
Get Him in your focus today, all day, and every day going forward… and don’t lose sight of Him.
Touch Jesus by faith today, and you too can be made whole.
Good Day!
(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!