JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
(2nd Timothy 3:15–17) “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work”
I believe that the Bible is all we need in life, to equip us for a successful life of faith and service.
It provides a clear demonstration of God’s intention to restore the broken relationship between Himself and humanity through His Son, Jesus Christ…accomplished through the gift of faith.
(Ephesians 2:8) “for by grace are ye saved thru faith and that not of yourselves… it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast”
No other writings are necessary for this good news to be understood, nor are any other writings required to equip us for a life of faith.
Jesus said “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds form the mouth of God. (Luke 4:4)
The Apostle Paul declared that the Holy Scriptures “are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus… for all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2nd Timothy 3:15–17)
If Scripture is “God-breathed,” then it is not man-breathed, and, although it was penned by men… those “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2nd Peter 1:21)
No man-made writing is sufficient to equip us for every good work… only the Word of God can do that.
Sadly the sufficiency of Scripture is under attack today, and, that attack comes far too often in our own churches.
Management techniques, worldly methods of drawing crowds, entertainment, extra-biblical revelations, mysticism, and some forms of psychological counseling… all declare that the Bible and its precepts are not adequate for the Christian life.
But Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me” (John 10:27)
His voice is all we need to hear and the Scriptures are His voice, completely and utterly sufficient.
Paul warned the church at Colosse… “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ” (Colossians 2:8).
Jude says it even more specifically when he writes, “Although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude 1:3)
Notice the phrase “once and for all”…
This makes it clear that no other writings, no matter how godly the pastor, theologian, or denominational church they may come from, are equal to the Word of God.
The Bible is all that is necessary for the believer to understand the character of God, the nature of man, and the doctrines of sin, heaven, hell, and salvation through Jesus Christ.
Paul’s words to the Galatians indicate the seriousness of delivering a message outside the Bible… “If we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!” (Galatians 1:8)
Perhaps the strongest verses on the issue of the sufficiency of the Bible come from the book of Psalms.
In (Psalm 19:7-14), David rejoices in God’s Word, declaring it to be
“perfect, trustworthy, right, radiant, enlightening, sure and altogether righteous”.
In this day and age where many have lost their direction concerning that which is normal, concerning morality and that which is right and wrong… and where there are so many questions about what is “normal” activity and “what is not” concerning life and Godliness… there needs to be some article of credibility and truth to give us direction.
There needs to be a truth north… a compass that will guide us…
That compass is Gods Word…
The bible is that article… and its directions will help us arrive in time, on time, at the right time, all the time, every time, with lots of time.
The bible is God’s road map for each of us to find our direction and way in life.
God wrote what He meant and He meant what He wrote.
Good day!
(2nd Timothy 1:7) "God has not given us a spirit of fear."
The Bible tells us that fear is a “spirit.”
That spirit has a mind that thinks and a voice that speaks, and if you allow it to, it will control you.
Today if you’re battling a “spirit of fear”, stop doing it in your own strength and on your own.
Start using “the weapons of our warfare, which are not carnal but mighty unto God to the pulling down of strong holds” (2nd Corinthians 10:4)
Use Gods word as your weapons of warfare and prayer as your air support.
Make the following your prayer… “Lord, Your Word says when I seek Your face, You’ll hear me and deliver me from all my fears… so I cast down every anxious thought that rises up against what I know about You and Your power (2 Corinthians 10:5).
“I stand on the promise that You’ll never leave me nor forsake me” (Hebrews 13:5).
“I rest in the truth that nothing is too hard for You” (Jeremiah 32:17).
“I rejoice in the assurance that You’ve already given Your angels responsibility for keeping and protecting me in all my ways” (Psalm 91:11).
“I resist the spirit of fear, and command it to flee in Jesus’ name” (James 4:7).
“By faith I declare that Your peace, which passes human understanding, will guard my heart and mind” (Philippians 4:7).
“Therefore, I will not let my heart be troubled or be afraid” (John 14:27).
“In Jesus name I pray… Amen.”
Now instead of focusing on the problem, focus on “the Problem Solver”… God!
That may not immediately resolve your difficulty, but it’ll keep you in a peaceful state of mind and help you keep the right attitude… while you wait for God to work.
Isaiah said, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!” (Isaiah 26:3).
Note the words “fixed on You”.
As you go through this day with your mind fixed on God, you’ll have “perfect and constant peace”.
There is no greater confidence than to live this life knowing that God has your back and is your problem solver.
“There for I will not fear, nor will I be anxious for or about anything… but in everything I will give thanks and be as obedient as I can, to His Word and His will”(Matthew 6:31-34)
Good Day!
(Isaiah 1:19) "If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land."
In the eleventh century, King Henry III of Bavaria became tired of his responsibilities as king, the pressures of international politics, and the mundane worldliness of court life.
He made an application to Prior Richard at a local monastery to be accepted as a contemplative and spend the rest of his life in prayer and meditation.
Prior Richard responded, “Your Majesty, do you understand that the pledge here is one of obedience?
That it will be hard, since you have been a king?”
Henry said, “I understand. The rest of my life I will be obedient to you, as Christ leads you.”
Prior Richard said to him, “Then I will tell you what to do. Go back to your throne and serve faithfully in the place where God has put you.”
After Henry died, this statement was written in his honor: “The king learned to rule by being obedient.”
Today and every day, we each have these decisions to make:
(1) Live by your own impulses, or live according to the instructions God has given you in His Word.
(2) Go according to your own best thinking, or submit yourself to the rule and the leading of the Holy Spirit who lives within you.
When you think about it, the answer is clear!
Obeying God leads to peace, progress, protection, and promotion.
(Isaiah 1:19) “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.”
Note the words “willing and obedient.”
Obedience is an act of your will, not a reflex of your emotions.
If you want to experience the blessing of God on your life… do what God says, for He has good things in mind for you.
(Jeremiah 29:11) “for I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to bless you and give you a future, not plans for evil.
God loves you!
He saved you for a purpose, and that purpose is to be His light in this dark world of sin.
He says “behold obedience is better than sacrifice” (1st Samuel 15:22)
Do you realize that obedience stems from acts of love, whereas sacrifice is often motivated from acts of service.
I am obedient to my God because I love Him, not for what He does for me.
(John 14:24) “Jesus said How can you say you love me and not do what I say”.
So today start proving your love for God by being obedient to His word.
Start complying to His will… not your own!
(Isaiah 1:19) "If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land."
Good Day!
(Nehemiah 8:10) “The joy of the Lord is your strength."
When you listen to a great choir sing the “Hallelujah Chorus,” you have to realize that Handel was inspired by God.
He wrote the entire “Messiah” in three weeks.
He said the music literally “came to him” in a flurry of notes and motifs.
He wrote feverishly and passionately as if driven by an unseen force to put pen to paper.
Yet he wrote it when his eyesight was failing and he was facing the threat of dying in a debtors’ prison because of a mountain of outstanding bills.
Most of us find it difficult to create under stress, especially when physical or financial problems are at the root of that stress.
And yet Handel did.
How?
He credits the completion of his masterpiece to one thing… “joy”.
He is quoted as saying that he felt as if he would “burst with joy” at what he was hearing in his mind and heart.
Instead of dying as he thought he would, he lived to see his oratorio become heralded as a masterpiece… not only a popular work but a cherished tradition.
And with that, he also saw it succeed in raising vast sums of money for the poor and destitute.
The Bible says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
And one of the first things Satan will attack is your joy.
He knows it’s the spiritual and emotional fuel we all need to run on.
Jesus said, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11)
Note the words “remain in you”… God does not want His children walking around on this planet with an attitude of anxiousness, worry and sorrow.
He tells us to be “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanks giving, 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. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Yes we will have trials, tests and face things we just don’t understand.
But having confidence in and holding on to the steadfast hope of Gods everlasting mercy and compassion for each of us… brings an inner joy that will led us forward thru the most trying of times.
So no matter what happens around you today or in your future… determine in your heart to keep your focus on God and His will for your life, and never let go of your joy!
Good Day!
(Psalm 51:17) says, “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.”
I wonder this morning if we understand what contrition is in our society anymore.
The opposite of contrition is arrogance!
(Genesis 4:4-5) "The Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain...he had not."
Cain cultivated the ground, planted the seed, gathered the harvest, and offered God the fruits of his labors.
He thought God would be impressed and that He would feel obligated to bless him.
But that’s not how it works!
Abel, on the other hand, told God, “I did nothing. You created the lamb I’m offering. I’m just giving You back what’s Yours and asking You to bless it.”
And God did!
You can tell a lot about someone by how they approach God.
Some of us act like God owes us something.
Others among us are so impressed with our spiritual status and accomplishments that we feel the need to approach Him with lofty prayers and high-sounding “thee’s” and “thou’s”.
From (Luke 18:11-12) Jesus told a story about a rich man and a publican (or a sinner) and their attitude toward God.
The rich man prayed thus within Himself “God, I thank thee that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get.
In the back of the temple, with eyes cast down, feeling unworthy to look up to heaven, the tax collector beat his breast and mumbled God, be merciful to me a sinner!”
Jesus then said “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God.
For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 18:11-14)
What we read in these above scriptures is a classic example of pride and arrogance, and humble contrition.
God isn’t impressed with our self-efforts or arrogant sacrifices, so let’s get real!
“The Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering.”
That’s because unlike his brother, Abel wasn’t seeking credit for anything.
He wanted God to have all the glory.
That’s the kind of offering that moves God’s heart and invites His blessing upon our lives.
Acknowledging God, focusing on God, giving Him the glory, giving Him honor and the lordship over our lives.
So what are you offering God today?
Your achievements, your denominational credentials, our self-reliance, our shallow emotion?
If you are, don’t bother!
The only thing He asks is that you humbly open your heart and let Him recreate you in the likeness of Jesus.
When you do that, something wonderful happens.
(Ephesians 2:8) “it is by grace we are saved thru faith and that not of ourselves… not of works lest any man should boast”.
By downplaying your own self-interests and giving God an acceptable offering, (and by that I mean your humble obedience), not only will He respect it, and receive it… He will bless you and equip you to bless others too.
God is not interested in what it is you can do, and how great your exploits and or self-righteousness might be,
He is interested in humble and contrite hearts that are open to Him and His desires.
(Psalm 51:17) says, “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.”
The meaning of this is connected with the verse just before it.
Verse 16 says, “You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it, you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.”
David is stating that there is nothing we can offer God to appease Him when we have sinned.
More animal sacrifices were not what God was looking for.
God desires true repentance.
Many people miss this truth.
Rather than repent, they try to "clean up their act"… give more, pray more, or they busy themselves in religious activity in the hopes that God will finally "get over" being mad at them.
In (Psalm 51), David is saying that “God wants none of that”.
External religious activity cannot replace internal, heartfelt contrition.
(1st Samuel 16:7) tells us “The Lord looks at the heart not the outward appearance or accomplishments of a man”
What is contrition you ask?
The dictionary defines it as “the state of feeling remorseful and penitent”!
Again Jesus illustrates what a contrite heart looks like in (Luke 18:10-14).
The humble repentance that God desires is contrasted with the self-righteousness in the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.
The “eloquent prayer” of the proud Pharisee did not reach the heart of God, but the “humble cry” of the repentant sinner brought forgiveness.
They both needed mercy, but only the contrite heart was in a position to receive it.
That’s how it works!
Good Day!
(2nd Corinthians 13:5) “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith”
We should never ever entertain the notion that we are saved or right with God by our good works!
Remember (Isaiah 64:6) tells us that our good works, our righteousness our efforts to be righteous are as filthy rags.
Behavior most definitely should not be the test of our salvation… although with out good behavior or moral uprightness… there is a good indication that there has been a breakdown in the “regeneration process” that comes with “salvation”… as in the old cliché… “that a tree is known but the fruit it produces”.
We already know our works do not save us (Ephesians 2:8-9). “For by grace ye are saved through faith not of works lest any man should boast”.
Paul knew that “actions” or “good works” could be a misleading indicator of mans relationship with God.
So rather than telling them to change their actions, he wanted them to examine their “relationship” with Christ/God.
(2nd Corinthians 13:5) Paul tells the church (you and I as well), “Test yourselves and see if ye be in the faith… . or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?”
What he was asking was whether they had a “genuine relationship” with Jesus.
In (2nd Corinthians 2:8) Paul pleads with believers…“So I beg you to reaffirm your love for Him.”
This idea is an interesting observation… that is how do you know you are in the faith?
Based on your works… or based on the regenerative work of the Spirit of God in a person’s soul?
This question is a directional question when sharing with and or providing spiritual truth with someone:
Are we focusing on “external direction” or “internal behaviors?
Are we focusing on “internal direction” as in affection for Jesus?
When you are examining your faith you want to be careful about observing “behavior” only.
Honestly, there are people in our culture who act nicer than some Christians, but the Christians are going to heaven because they are born again from above and within, not of flesh and blood but of the Spirit of God” (John 3:5)
Anybody can be nice.
While we may be able to persuade people to be nicer, this is not a “good test” when it comes to “a faith examination.”
I’m not looking to help people be “nicer” to one another.
I want them to have “genuine affection” for Jesus Christ… and out of that insatiable and ever-growing affection… there will be good works.
Works are not the test, but love for Christ who is living in them is.
For example, here is a question you can use to examine yourself to see whether you’re in the faith.
Where is your confidence… our confidence must be in Christ alone?
Our faith is not in what we do, but the One we trust in.
One of the best tests you can give yourself, is in examining the level at which you are trusting in the Savior.
How meaningful and powerful and beautiful is Christ to you?
To examine yourself as to whether you’re in the faith, you have to question where your heart is as it pertains to Christ.
What are your affection levels for Christ?
How would you describe your trust in Christ?
How would you evaluate your own personal confidence in God and His Word.
If these indicators are healthy, your faith is probably strong, and your faith will be revealed in your daily life through your works …not by your works.
Here are some excellent questions to ask yourself ,to see if you’re really in the faith.
I’ve centered the questions in this section on the idea of confidence in Christ alone, so as you read them… be honest with your self in answering them.
1) What is your attitude toward suffering?
When things don’t go your way, do you go your own way… or stick to God’s way?
While you don’t have to like your suffering, you can still trust in Him.
Pain will reveal your faith.
2) How concerned are you about your image?
Do you pretend to be more than you are and do you present yourself as more than you are?
Image-centered people are not Christ-centered people.
They are more concerned about how “others perceive them”, than caring about how folks see Christ through them.
3) Are you committed to a life of generosity?
Do you give out of your abundance or out of your poverty?
Do you give because of your confidence in Christ, knowing He will take care of you (Matthew 6:25-34)?
4) What is your attitude toward weakness?
How quickly do you confess your sins and repent of your sins?
Do you present yourself as stronger (more perfect) than you are?
Are you to proud to admit you might be wrong or that you might have made a mistake?
5) How quickly are you tempted to judge other people?
Do you see “your way”, as the only way… while looking down on other people who are different than you… or have a different opinion than yours?
These are just a few thoughts to help you examine yourself to make sure that you have your feet headed in the right direction… so that you can enjoy that wonderful fulfilling relationship with God that He promises all believers.
(1st Corinthians 2:9) “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.”
Do you truly love Him, or do you love being religious.
Good Day!
(Romans 8:31)… “in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
“More than conquerors”… what does that mean?
And further more, what are “all these things”… that the scripture is referring to?
First of all let me say that because of Jesus’s resurrection, all threats against you are tamed and harnessed.
Jesus conquered death… evil and wickedness that cause death and it’s sting aren’t the end of the story.
We can have hope… even in the midst of trial and suffering!
In Revelation, one of the key themes is “conquering through suffering”.
The number of occurrences of the verb “to conquer”, appears 17 times in this last book of the Bible
John describes amazing promises, addressing them specifically to
“those who conquer”.
“To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life…”(Revelation 2:7)
“The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death…” (Revelation 2:11)
“To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna…” (Revelation 2:17)
“The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end…” (Revelation 2:26)
“The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels” (Revelation 3:5)
“The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God…” (Revelation 3:12)
“The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne,…” (Revelation 3:21)
How will these staggering promises come to pass?
How will those who conquer… do so amid affliction and persecution?
How will they find strength to endure and overcome against all odds?
The apostle gives the answer in (Revelation 5:5-6)… “They will conquer by looking in faith… to the One who has already conquered”
John describes Jesus as both the kingly lion and the meek lamb who has conquered all his and our enemies.
He is “the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth”… and he’s also the One who “loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father” (Revelation 1:5-6).
We will reign with Him (Jesus) because he died and freed us and made us a kingdom for his glory.
This truth is meant to encourage you in the midst of suffering.
We follow a crucified Redeemer who, by his own death and resurrection, has triumphed over sin death and the grave.
(Revelation 1:17-18) “Fear not,” Jesus tells us. “I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades”
This image of the conquering Christ, prevailing through suffering, is also meant to give you and I hope.
In being united to Him, we too will conquer the many aspects of life and its challenges as we look with eyes of faith to the One who has accomplished everything in your place.
It is for this reason John writes: “And they have conquered him (the enemy of our soul)… by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…” (Revelation 12:11)
This truth is meant to free you to breathe a sigh of relief and thanksgiving instead of despair.
Because God’s plan is to never allow anything to separate you from
His love… you can face the worst of the world’s uncertainties with confidence.
As the apostle Paul declares in (Romans 8:31-39) “What then shall we say to these things… If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things…
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord”.
No opposition… no accusation... no condemnation... and no separation.
And since God refused to withhold His only Son, but gave him up for us all, He will most surely… without any doubt or possibility of failure… provide for you.
The wonder about this message of the Gospel is not only that God the Father gave His Son… but that He did so in this way… by sacrificing the one He loved.
It is astonishing that He gave His beloved Son for those who hated him.
See how highly he honours us.
If even when we hated him and were enemies… He still gave up His beloved Son, and if He did that… what will He not do for us now?
Because God’s plan for you is so certain, (2nd Peter 3:9) “God is not willing that any should perish”… you can face the most difficult circumstances, the most terrifying enemies, and the most devastating ordeals with confidence.
You don’t merely survive your trials… you’re “more than a conqueror” because absolutely nothing will be able to separate you from God’s endless love in Christ.
Good Day!