JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
(Acts 27:23-24) “An angel of God stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid’.”
While everyone else on board Paul’s ship was in a state of panic, he remained at peace.
Why?
Because of three great truths that serve as anchors for our souls… truths you can build your life on that will steady you in the storm.
The first is found in this truth… we are anchored by the presence of God.
Jesus said (Matthew 28:20) “lo I am with you always I will ever leave you or forsake you”
In the midst of the storm, Paul announced, “Last night an angel of…God to whom I belong and whom I serve… stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul.’”
Life’s storms can never conceal us from God.
(Matthew 14:22-31) “Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.
Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified.
'It’s a ghost' they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them... 'Take courage! It is I… Don’t be afraid'.
'Lord, if it’s you', Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on the water'.
'Come', he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'
Even when we don’t see Him… He sees us.
Jesus saw the trouble they were having with the great wind on the lake and the fear they were facing
We may feel like He is a million miles away… but He is always with us and is looking after us.
God dispatched a personal emissary, an angel to tell Paul… “I am with you. I see you in the stormy Mediterranean Sea in that little ship.”
The truth is, God is with you in the storm you’re going through today, and if you need assurance of His presence… then start meditating on these scriptures and stand on them.
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills…removed…my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you” (Isaiah 54:10).
“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go…I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Genesis 28:15).
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
So anchor your soul to God’s Word today and let nothing move you.
What Jesus says He will do… He will do!
Good Day!
(Psalm 141:3) Take control of what I say O Lord, and guard my lips.”
Reaction or response… retaliation or forgiveness… how do you handle circumstances that have embarrassed your reputation?
The story is told of British Politician William Gladstone who was in charge as Chancellor of overseeing the British Treasury.
In preparing for his yearly address to the British Parliament and the people of Great Britain… he had requested that the Treasury send him certain statistics upon which he might base his budget proposals.
Unfortunately, the statistician that sent the info made a mistake, and Gladstone was so certain of this man’s reputation for accuracy that he had’nt taken the time to verify his figures.
As a result, Gladstone went before the House of Commons and gave a speech based on the incorrect information given to him.
His speech was no sooner published… then the inaccuracies were exposed and he became the brunt of terrible public ridicule.
When the chancellor sent for the statistician who had given him the inaccurate information… the man arrived full of fear and shame, certain he was going to be fired.
Instead, Gladstone told him… “I know how much you must be disturbed over what has happened, so I have sent for you to put you at ease.
For a long time, you have been engaged in handling the intricacies of the national accounts, and this is the first mistake that you have made.
I want to congratulate you, and express to you my keen appreciation for your service and diligence.
Can you imagine the sense of relief, gratitude, and hope the man felt that day as he walked out of Gladstone’s office?
Now here is the lesson in todays story and devotional.
As children of God we are all called to be a people of forgiveness… mercy… and compassion… “the fruit of the Spirit” as described in (Gal. 5:22-23)… “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control”.
These qualities reflect God’s character and the behavior of those living according to God’s Spirit.
Its what happens as we are conformed to the image of Christ.
It takes “a Christ like person” to extend mercy… to listen, as well as talk… and to think before reacting or responding to any given situation… especially when our feelings are hurt or our reputation is effected.
So instead of retaliating in anger today, make this text your prayer as well… “Take control of what I say O Lord, and guard my lips.”
When this becomes your first response… and the desire for retaliation, self justification and revenge are no longer your reaction or motivation… then you can assure yourself that you are on the right journey.
Stay on this path… and you can be sure of hearing the words from our Master… "Well done though good and faithful servant… enter into the Joy of the Lord”
Good Day!
(Luke 6:38) “Give, and it will be given to you.”
If you want to experience the blessing of God financially… with a confidence that there will always be enough to take care of the financial needs you face in this life… then you must become a giver.
If you want to become a giver, think of yourself as a river instead of a reservoir.
Reservoirs continually take in water, but only to fill themselves up.
In contrast, a river flows… whatever water it receives… it gives away.
Note what Jesus said about giving… “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you”
When you give your time, expertise, and resources without expecting anything in return, you’re practicing what Jesus preached.
And here is an interesting truth: when you focus more on the wants and needs of others… more of your own wants and needs are met.
In contrast, when you choose to hoard what you have rather than give… you become the center of your own lonely universe.
And you become less content… not more.
As a result… you repel both people and potential blessing.
(Psalm 103:1-5) Is an account of the Psalmist giving thanks and gratitude for the blessings that he experienced… and gratitude leads to giving.
Ungrateful people aren’t givers.
They seldom think about others… they just think of themselves.
Their days comprise searching for others to assist them, give to them, and wait on them.
And whenever others fail to meet those expectations, they become bitter, angry, and selfishly protective.
Their selfishness prevents them from sowing, and their ingratitude causes them to question why they don’t reap in return.
In what way can you show gratitude?
By taking a portion of the blessings God has poured into your life and pouring them into the lives of others.
In other words, be a giver.
Remember the lessons learned from agriculture… if you don’t plant seed… there will never be a harvest.
Perhaps today your wondering why your cup is not over flowing and why things are so tough for you financially.
Let me ask you this… have you been planting?
Have you been giving?
If not… then how can you expect a harvest?
This is a concept and a spiritual law that our world will never be able to understand… but like the law of gravity … what goes up must come down.
Your security in this life is like that as well.
Whenever you give… however you give… there is a spiritual law that does not fail… its called the law of giving and receiving.
Once again… Jesus said… “Give, and it will be given unto you.
A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:33-35)
(Ecclesiastes 11:1) “Cast your bread upon the waters and after many days it shall return unto you”.
When we read (Ecclesiastes 11:1) we may notice that the verse uses a metaphor involving bread and water.
To “cast your bread upon the waters” signifies taking a risk by giving or sharing something we value, knowing that what we do today can yield fruit in the future.
This idea that what we set in motion today... will come back to us later... is a comforting and motivating thought.
Life revolves around decisions that often require us to step out in faith.
As we reflect on our actions, sharing what we have with others can produce blessings that we might not see immediately.
This verse encourages us to be open-handed and serves as a reminder that kindness and generosity can return to us in unexpected ways.
We might not see the immediate results of our actions, but it reassures us that goodness has a way of coming back around.
And what God says... He will do!
Good day!
Good day!
(John 6:35) Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger.”
After World War II, Europe was devastated with hungry, homeless children who had been orphaned by the battles.
They were put in large camps where they were given food and care.
Yet many didn’t sleep well at night.
They were nervous, fearful, and fidgety.
The caregivers were baffled until a psychologist suggested giving each of the children a piece of bread every night... not to eat… but to hold in bed.
The outcome was astonishing.
The children slept through the night because they realized they wouldn’t go hungry the next day.
Clutching the bread gave them a sense of protection (they were safe)… importance (somebody cared about them)… and happiness (there will be more bread tomorrow).
Those three things were what those children needed… in fact every one of us need it too… and all three of these needs can be found in a relationship with Jesus.
When Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger”… He was saying,
“I am to your soul what food is to your body.”
Bread is the one thing that most of us have in common.
Bread is the one thing that most of us have in common.
It doesn’t belong only to a particular region or nation.
It’s available in all shapes and sizes.
In the UK, it may be scones, in South America it may be tortillas, in New York it could be bagels, in Africa its called injera, with Native American First Nations it was bannock.
In a spiritual relationship with God… Jesus reminds us that He is our bread, He is our nourishment… spiritually, physically and emotionally… everywhere, every time anytime, at all times..
That’s why He said “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
So be sure to read your Bible every day… it’s your daily bread.
Good day!
(Psalm 91:4) “His faithful promises are your…protection.”
When our children are growing up, their protection and safety are uppermost in our minds.
But how about the families of emergency personnel, like police, paramedics, and firefighters?
Any day their loved one goes to work ... is a day they may not come home.
And how about the families of those in our armed forces, serving in foreign lands under constant threat and danger?
When it comes to the safety of the people we love, there are wonderful Bible promises we can stand on and have confidence in.
The bible says “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you… I have called you by name… you are Mine.
When you pass through the waters I will be with you… and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you… for I am the Lord your God… the Holy One of Israel… your Saviour” (Isaiah 43:1-3).
“You chart the path ahead of me, and tell me where to stop and rest.
Every moment you know where I am.
You know what I am going to say before I even say it.
You both precede and follow me, and place your hand of blessing on my head.
This is too glorious, too wonderful to believe! I can never be lost to your Spirit!
I can never get away from my God!” (Psalm 139:3-7).
No insurance company can come close to matching the protection God guarantees to those He loves.
So be at peace today… you can have confidence that God will keep your loved one safe.
Why can you be confident… “because God is not a man that He should lie… neither the son of a man, that he should repent.
Hath he said, and shall he not do it?
Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good”? (Numbers 23:19)
You your family and your loved ones can have confidence in the love of God and His individual love for each of us that confess, profess and hide in the shadow of the almighty Jesus our Lord and Savior.
Good day!
(Ecclesiastes 3:7) “A time to be quiet and a time to speak.”
Calvin Coolidge, the thirtieth President of the United States of America, was known as a reserved man who spoke very little.
One day when a reporter attempted to interview him, the conversation went like this…
Reporter: “Do you wish to say anything about the war threat in Europe?”
President Coolidge says “No.”
Reporter: “Do you have anything to say about the strike in the clothing factories?”
President Coolidge said “No.”
Reporter: “Do you have anything to say about the League of Nations?”
President Coolidge said “No.”
Reporter: “Would you care to comment on the farm production problem?”
President Coolidge again said “No.”
As the reporter was leaving the room Coolidge unexpectedly called him back and said with a smile… please “Don’t quote me!”
The Bible says, (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8) “For everything there is a season… a time for every activity under heaven… A time to be quiet and a time to speak”
Never allow yourself to be pressured into saying something you don’t want to say… or get drawn in when you don’t feel like talking.
Silence isn’t a lack of communication; it’s a form of communication and can be a very effective one!
(Proverbs 29:11) says, “A fool uttereth all his mind… but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.”
One thing is for sure… what you don’t say today… you won’t have to explain or apologize for tomorrow.
If your tendency is to speak without thinking, or when you have nothing constructive to add… weigh the situation carefully and ask God for wisdom before deciding if you should speak or be quiet.
From the Message Bible we read the following… (Proverbs 17:28) “Even dunces who keep quiet are thought to be wise; as long as they keep their mouths shut”.
There is an old addage that I have shared on this blog many times that still contains a relative amount of truth to this subject.
“Its better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool… than to open it and prove you are”.
I encourage you to make this prayer your prayer today and every day forward… “Lord Help me keep a watch over what comes out of my mouth so that I may be relevant, encouraging and inspirational in the lives of those whom hear me speak”.
Good Day
(Matthew 7:1) “Judge not, that you not be judged.”
The following story was shared by one of my most favourite teachers and preachers who had the following experience take place many years ago when he was speaking at a conference in California.
A certain individual came to him and said, ‘”I have waited so long for this week, I am going to eat up everything you have to say.”
Chuck Swindoll thanked him… and shook His hand.
However in the first session Sunday night… the man started nodding off.
Swindoll figured that he’d had a long drive and was probably tired.
But the same thing kept happening each night until the conference ended.
Now… as a preacher…it doesn’t inspire you or make you feel good to see someone falling asleep while your speaking and teaching.
On the final day of the conference, the lady who was sitting next to the man who kept falling asleep came to Swindoll and said… “I want to thank you for the ministry this week.
Oh, and by the way… I am sorry about my husband falling asleep on you.
He has terminal cancer and the doctors have just given him a couple of weeks to live.
She went on to say… “When we talked about what he wanted to do before he died, he said, ‘I want to go hear Chuck Swindoll.’
But you see Dr. Swindoll… the doctors gave him medicine to keep away the pain… but the medicine also makes him sleep”.
She continued… “I wanted to apologize to you that he has been sleeping, but I wanted you to know you made this the best week of the last part of his life.”
Swindoll later said he could have crawled under a rock… because he had made a judgment… and without any investigation and without knowing all the facts… he reacted.
Why did Jesus say, “Judge not... that you be not judged”?
The answer?
Because there may be circumstances and factors at work in a person’s life that you don’t understand.
But for the grace of God there go I.
So instead of judging them, extend to them the same grace and patience that God has extended to you.
Good day!