Re_Juice with Jesus: Devotion Book

By Brad Jackson

Re-Juice with Jesus was prayerfully written and designed to strengthen believers in Christ every day of the year. To keep a healthy body, one must be consistent daily with exercise and to eat and drink in some healthy nutrition. Doing these things makes us feel better physically and the mind gets sharpened as a result. In the mornings and throughout the day many people drink high protein and fruit drinks that helps provide physical energy. This devotional book will help give you a boost in your spiritual life and feed you with sound doctrine so that you may grow stronger in Christ. Like our physical bodies, each new day we need to be re-energized spiritually by prayer and time in the Word of God. This prepares us for our walk with Christ and to be ready to share the Word of God with others. So, let the Lord fill your cup as you Re-Juice with Jesus!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 2, 2020
• ISBN: 9781098028084

Book preview

January 1

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.

—Hebrews 12:1–2

I have arrived at the starting post of a new year. All the hosts of heaven, my family, friends, coworkers, and fellow Christians have their eyes on me. But wait a minute, I seem to be weighed down with various items that are going to hinder my run. As I look on my back, I see some things that I thought for sure I dropped off last year, but it seems that someone snuck up behind me and hung them there again. I see old jealousy has returned, along with a small amount of bitterness, and how did that spoonful of hate get there? The cares of this world just revealed itself. I cannot believe it, but being too busy for the Lord, His Word and prayer seem to have been planted in such a way that the roots are taking hold in my heart.

I am too embarrassed to mention the other weights that I have found. I cannot have these things in my life if I am going to run this race because they will hinder me, and I will fall under the weight of them. I will displease my Lord, and those that are watching me will be disappointed. So how can I carry these weights and be a blessing to others? I cannot, no way, it is impossible. But wait, there is a banner above the starting line that says looking unto Jesus. That’s it, I must keep my eyes on the Lord and drop these weights so that I can be free to run. Now I am ready, and I hear Jesus say, "On your mark, get set, go!"

January 2

Reading God’s Word

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

—2 Timothy 2:15

Reading the Bible through in one year is fine, but it is far better to read it in search of Jesus so that you can get to know Him better. It may take you two, maybe three, years to read it through, but your search will be well worth it. Getting to know Jesus intimately is like searching for precious jewels that just do not lay on top of the ground; you have to dig for them. Therefore, in this new year, if you want real change, get to know the Saviour. It is a fact that when you spend a large amount of time with someone, you may develop some of their qualities; and in this case, it would be Jesus.

There is not a problem if it takes you five years to make it through the Bible for the best reason of being more Christlike. We see in Acts 11:26 that the disciples were starting to be called Christians. It was because they had a peculiar way about themselves like Christ, conducted themselves as Christ, talked like Christ, and loved like Christ. It was all because they had been with Christ, learned from Christ, and lived like Christ would have them live.

For the average person that reads the Bible quickly through just to say they did it is all right. But if they did not grow in Christ, then their goal is really to no avail. Your schoolteacher tells you on Monday to read chapters 1 through 5 in the social studies book for a test on Friday, and if you read it fast without studying it, you probably will fail. It’s a good thing to read again and again some books of the Bible or chapters to absorb more of its meaning and application than to run right through them without learning. Take your time but be consistent with reading God’s Word.

January 3

Considering Thyself

Speak not evil one of another, brethren.

—James 4:11

No one likes to be spoken of in an ill way. It’s bad enough that most have a skeleton in the closet, but for someone to feel like it is their duty to make sure everyone knows they have it is not right. Satan has a cache full of tactics to tarnish the Christian’s character, and it is not another brother’s duty to reach into that surplus of schemes to hurt another brother. That is known as using the devil’s weapons, and a Christian ought to not be going into that gun cabinet to fire upon his brother. You may have heard this before: I want to tell you something about her/him so that you can pray for them. In most cases, that is just plain old shotgun gossip with the end result in hurting the brother or sister and maybe many more.

What are we to do? Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted (Galatians 6:1). First, thank God that by His grace you will not do as they have done and then go to the brother or sister, not to condemn them but to help lift them from the mire they are in. Be there through their struggle and pray with them and for them. Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend (Proverbs 27:17). It may be that you were once where they are now so you know how they feel. One of the marks of a spiritual Christian is to always follow God’s way of restoring brothers and sisters in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself.

January 4

Right Side Up

These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also.

—Acts 17:6

What an awesome statement made concerning the apostles. Their reputation had preceded these Christians, and many were getting saved as a result of their witness for Christ, but not everyone was happy about this. We know this because Christians were threatened with death like John the Baptist. Some went to jail, were beaten, and banished. What the undegenerated were saying about their world being turned upside down was true to a point because, in reality, the world had gotten upside down in sin. The preaching of God’s Word was turning it right side up. In the beginning, there was no sin, but man followed Satan, and the world began to flip over. Down through the centuries, there has been a battle between the forces of holiness and the forces of evil to take absolute control of the world.

Imagine the world as coin; at one time, it was heads up. But Satan entered the picture and implemented his plan on how to it flip the world upside down in sin like an alligator performs its death roll. Down through the centuries, the world has progressively been turning and, at one time, was on edge. Now it is leaning toward being totally upside down because Christian influence has been weakened. Eventually, it will be totally upside down during the tribulation period. Even though we know that Satan is one day going to have his day, we are still in the battle for souls in our little piece of the world, and we must do our best to turn it right side up for the cause of Christ. Effective Christians are seen on the outside of the church house with the tools of the Gospel doing their best to right the world even if it only means turning the upside-down world of a lost person’s world right side up. We must never lay our battle gear aside.

January 5

Respect and Honor

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.

—Romans 12:10

If you have had the opportunity to meet other Christians from other states and countries, you immediately sense the oneness with them in Christ. Our spirit bearing witness with their spirit. We are family though we have never met. We have the same Saviour, the same Heavenly Father, going to the same heaven, facing the same judgment seat of Christ, and all of us are going to sing together the song of the redeemed. Meeting a fellow Christian should automatically trigger kind affection to them as you would to a personal family member. You should want to pray for them, help them, fellowship with them, and enjoy your time together lifting one another in encouragement with brotherly love.

We are also to honor one another equally. Honoring men of God who preach the Word is fine, but elevating them to a position above the poor elderly widow is not what we are instructed to do. Respect and honor is to be equally given to all the members of God’s family. God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), which means that He doesn’t elevate any of His children above another. The Pharisees elevated themselves above the people, as does anyone who thinks they are better than others. When it comes to the lost, it is our responsibility to pull men out of the fire (Jude 1:23) and not be selective whom we throw the lifeline to, for all need Christ.

January 6

The Challenge

If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

—Romans 12:18

Immediately in this verse, we see one of the biggest little words in the dictionary: if. Webster defines it thus: In case that; granting, allowing, or supposing that; introducing a condition or supposition. The Bible states in our text that it is possible, but then again, it may not be. Then the verse gets personal: as much as lieth in you. This really challenges us because God is expecting us to live above the world’s standard and pull from a God’s resource within you that is kind, patient, understanding, and noncondemning. It is better to live in peace than in turmoil with anyone.

I have found that even some of the hardest people to get along with have a tender spot, something they hold dear. Search for it, and when you have found it, massage it, and then the possibility of winning them to Christ is a real good possibility. If we live at odds with people, it is going to be impossible to be a witness for Jesus. We are not wolves in sheep’s clothing, but we are to be sheep in sheep’s clothing. Jesus said in Matthew 10:16, Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. To win them to Christ, you have to win them to you first.

January 7

Turn the Cheek

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

—Romans 12:19

More than likely, sometime in your life, you wanted to get even with someone that has hurt you in some way. Maybe they didn’t repay you for the loan, or they outright stole from you. Perhaps they knowingly falsely accused you or lied about you. I have heard interviews from the survivor of a loved one that has been brutally murdered, and the person will say they hope the guilty burns in hell. They are wishing vengeance upon the accused. But then there are those that say, I forgive them for what they did. Reactions to actions vary, but what about you? What will you do the next time someone hurts you in some way? Keep in mind that we are not to use the devil’s weapons.

Paul addresses the Christian with dearly beloved. This reminds us who loves us even though we are sinners saved by grace—the Lord. He goes on to say avenge not yourselves, don’t plan a way to get even to satisfy yourself, but rather give place unto wrath. Move aside and let the Lord handle it, for He says, Vengeance is mine: I will repay. It is not our business to repay for wrong done to us, considering all the wrong we have done and do against the Lord. It is better to let God work things out, to pass on the judgment, and to execute what He knows is best. Jesus said, Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

January 8

Not a Superman

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

—Genesis 6:8–9

Leading up to these two verses, we read in verse 5: And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Noah was in the midst of all the wickedness and the people who imagined evil all day long, every day. For a child of God, this state of mankind would tend to lay a heavy burden upon his heart to rescue man from his impending doom. As we look around us, we can say that verse 5 applies our present generation. We must be careful not to let all the ungodly activity influence us and give in to its power. Many Christians fall by the wayside after yielding to the invitations to join in on the world’s idea of fun.

Noah was not a superman; he was a man that made the decision to walk with God. As he walked with the Lord, he couldn’t help but be influenced to live a holy life. He was a just man, honorable, of high integrity, a man of good quality and of honor. God noticed Noah’s walk, and that’s why Noah wasn’t destroyed like all the rest of the world. It is very possible for you and me to live the same kind of life. Something Noah did not have is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, but we do; plus, we have the written Word of God to teach and encourage us, and we have the opportunity to hear preaching and teaching. Therefore, we have no excuse why we can’t live as Noah did. The only one that can keep me from doing so is the man who owns the face I shave every morning. God help us all to make and keep the decision to walk with Him.

January 9

Coals of Fire

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

—Romans 12:20

Enemy is defined as an unfriendly opponent, somebody who hates or seeks to harm somebody or something. If you are one that has an enemy, you are in good company because Jesus has many enemies. That is, unless you have created your enemy because of your personal wrongdoing. Many of God’s prophets were sent to people to give a message from Him and then the messenger became the enemy. We are witnessing an intense rise of hate on Christians because of our faith in Jesus Christ and for standing upon what saith the Lord. In some neighborhoods, churches are surrounded by hateful enemies.

Are we to respond to our enemy with harsh words and with our fists ready to fight? Jesus said, But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Sometimes our flesh wants to rise to say and do mean things, but that is wrong. There are times when it is needful to avoid our enemy, but if the opportunity comes, do good to him; not because you want to heap coals of fire on his head in punishment. Coals of fire means that because of your kindness and testimony for the Lord, they may see their need and depravity. The door of opportunity may come to win them as a friend and then to the Saviour.

January 10

The Strongest Dog

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

—Romans 12:21

One of the most powerful contrast is light and darkness. God’s Word has established light as being that which is good and darkness evil. In the old Western movies, the cowboy who wore the white hat and rode the white horse was the good guy. The villain was portrayed by the one that wore the black hat and rode the black horse. The good cowboy would subdue the bad cowboy and take him to jail. In Romans 7, the apostle Paul tells of the battle between his good guy and the bad guy within known as the two natures we have since being saved. An Indian that was saved described his battle within as a white dog and a black dog. When asked which one usually wins, he said, the one that he fed the most would always win.

The Indian was wise to realize that the strongest dog would have the victory. What we feed on will either nurture our new nature or old nature. If all we chew on is worldliness, then the old nature will prevail; but if we feed on godliness, then the new nature will prevail. Some Christians are defeated most of the time and give in to the evil that tempts them, and that’s because they don’t feed on the things God offers for them to feed on. The only way to overcome evil with good is to feed on that which is good, such as the Bible, prayer, doctrinal teaching, preaching, and setting your affection on things above. Then when the black dog comes to attack, you can command the white dog in saying, Sic ’em, boy!

January 11

Better Bells and Whistles

Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me.

—Proverbs 30:8

To be content with what we have is sometimes a difficult condition to accept. With all the things that are shoved in front of us on a daily basis, unless we are in control with of our wants and needs, we will find ourselves buried in vanity. You buy a vehicle; it’s the one you wanted, and then the next year they come out with one you like better. You search for the electronic gizmo with all the bells and whistles and finally make the purchase, and the next day, a new one comes on the market that has better bells and whistles.

Our greatest need is to get things in order in our heart. First, seek God to help us stay away from vanity, things that are empty that, in reality, cannot make us happy. Next, keep integrity, honesty, and truth as your shield over our mind. Then let God supply your daily provisions convenient for you; that which, in reality, is attainable and sensible. It’s okay to not have what our neighbors have tangibly. To have peace, contentment, and joy may be things that our neighbors don’t have. They may lose sleep trying to figure out how to satisfy their wants, but contentment brings sweet sleep to us. Going in debt beyond our budget will eventually bring disaster; that you may count on. Live within your means and let others go in debt for the better bells and whistles.

January 12

Our Refuge

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

—Psalm 9:9

There are times that you may feel that your troubles are swallowing you up, and there seems to be nothing you can do about it. Perhaps you suffer with worry, or your feelings have been hurt, you miss someone, or could be that you have been crushed in a relationship. Now it is like a wound that will not stop bleeding no matter how you attempt to stop it. You may be losing sleep; some even can’t eat or get sick. Blessed are those that never have troubles like these, but for the rest of us, there is a place to get relief in the midst of it all: a place of rest and protection.

Not only did Jesus save your soul and is preparing a place for you beyond this life, but He cares for you now while you live this life day to day. Does Jesus really care that you have something going on in your life that is weighing you down? You may be thinking that He is too busy to be concerned with your problems right now. The truth is that He is never, ever too busy to be there for you. He is our present help in the time of need. He is our refuge, our fortress, a place of protection, our hospital where we can go so the balm of Gilead can be applied, and you can be healed. Today Jesus opens His arms so that you may fall into them where nothing, not even Satan, can get to you. If you are on top of the world today and this does not apply to you, then tuck this truth away, for one day you will need it.

January 13

A Good Name

A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

—Proverbs 22:1

Much is said about riches in the Word of God, how it can be good and bad. The love of money—not money itself but the love of money—is the root of all evil. Money brings power with it: no money, no power. The abundance of money can warp one’s thinking, ruin their integrity and character; and before they know it, their name is ruined. And in some cases, their name becomes synonymous with Judas Iscariot. To be poor or middle class is nothing to be ashamed of. But to be one that has lost favor because of mistrust, dishonesty, and aggression, whether rich or poor, is shameful.

Perhaps your name has been tarnished by something you did or the way you once were; it can be restored. However, there will be those who, no matter what you do to make things right, will still refer to your name with disdain. To rebuild a good name takes time, humility, tenderness toward others, God’s grace, and forgiveness toward yourself. Eventually, you will feel good about being you, and your name will bring a smile to people once again when they hear it. The apostle Paul, before he was saved, was known as Saul, and just his name brought fear to many Christians. But God changed his name to Paul, and from then on, his name was precious to those who heard it. Your name holds some point of rank with everyone that hears it, and only you are in charge of building a good name.

January 14

The Chief Cornerstone

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.

—Ephesians 2:20

The cornerstone is the beginning point of a foundation to a building. It is where two walls are joined together, and the mason weaves the brick back and forth upon the cornerstone to make a knitted seam. The two walls can be likened to man and God knitted together with the crimson thread of Christ’s blood. First Corinthians 3:11 reads, For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Many have tried to build their own religious organization founded upon the weakness of man, but sooner or later it will give way and fall. The mortar will decay, the bricks will crumble, and the storms will tear it apart because it is all man-made.

In Ephesians 2:19–20, we are told that we are of the household (family) of God built upon the foundation of God’s men with Jesus being the Chief Cornerstone. This is why it is vitally important that we study the Word and know it, search it out, and don’t just take someone’s word for it that they are telling you truth. Religious men and women can twist the truth of God’s Word with lies fabricated by the devil. We see this more and more in our day with those that have elevated themselves by their charisma, intellect, and wit as they give you enough truth mixed with the poison of hell’s brew. The foundation they are building on will one day crumble because they are their own carnal cornerstone. Many today do not want to hear about sin, Satan, and separation from God forever. They want the good feelings that man-made religion can give them. Some say that what we preach, believe, and practice is old-fashioned. Maybe so, but it was good enough for our fathers, and so it is good enough for us. Nothing compares to being built on the foundation that has Jesus as the Chief Cornerstone. See Acts 5:34–39.

January 15

Real Prosperity

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

—Proverbs 28:13

There are two ways to handle our sins: confess or cover. No matter what anyone tries to do with their sin—whether it be to justify it, flaunt it, spread it, or hide it—sin is still sin according to God Almighty, and confessing sin to Him is the best way to handle it. Jesus paid for every sin that we have done and will commit. He did not mask sin’s ugliness when He was nailed to His blood-soaked cross. He dealt with it the only way it could be taken care of for every person that has lived, is living, and will live. He overcame the power of sin through His life, death, and resurrection. You can cover a dent in the fender of your car with body filler, but the dent is still there. You can put lipstick and a dress on a pig, but it’s still a pig; and no matter what you try to do to mask sin, it is still sin in the eyes of God.

To prosper does not always mean in wealth, fame, or power. You prosper by receiving mercy when you confess and forsake your sins. Mercy is not getting what we deserve, and that prospers us. If you think you are doing a good job of covering your sins, ask your family members if they know of your hidden sin. It may surprise you that your talent of covering up isn’t as good as you think. God knows every hidden thing we do, what we think, where we go, and every idle word. It could be that you need to confess something to someone and ask forgiveness from them today. Prosperity comes to the heart of the individual who knows how to confess and forsake sin in their life. From there, God will give peace in the heart and real prosperity to His child that this world cannot give.

January 16

Two Ears and One Mouth

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak.

—James 1:19

Most moms and dads tell their children that they have one mouth and two ears, and to listen twice as much as you talk. They want their children to hear the teacher so that they can get an education. A lot of teenagers find it difficult to wait for graduation from school and get out of that learning establishment. Then they get a real eye-opener when they realize that school is still in session in other areas of life’s learning. As we grow older, we acquire more knowledge but then find out how little we really know because there is so much more to learn. Therefore, we must study to be quiet so we are able to get more education. Mom and dad are correct when they give instruction to listen twice as much as we talk.

We read in God’s Word, Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak. This sounds a lot like what mom and dad taught us. To be swift to hear means to be ready, anxious, and willing to listen. We find that the Lord has much for us to hear and that if we keep a little quieter, then we can hear His voice when He is speaking to us. There are so many ways in which to apply this truth, like when those that are hurting, we just need listen to them without trying to give them instruction. In doing so, they can hear God speak His comforting words to their afflicted heart. There is no one better for them to listen to. God, help us to be ready to hear and not try to talk over You.

January 17

I Am Glad It Happened

Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

—Proverbs 24:17–18

I am glad it happened is the response by many people, even by Christians, when their personal enemy falls victim to their own trap. A smile may appear, and perhaps rejoicing will erupt, as if to say, I am glad that my enemy has fallen. This attitude doesn’t reflect Romans 12:20: If thine enemy hunger feed him; if he thirst, give him drink. Or Matthew 5:44, where Jesus instructs us, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. We cannot sincerely pray for our enemy when we are rejoicing over their trouble.

Then there is the matter of displeasing the Lord because of our unkind attitude. While suffering at the hands of His crucifiers, Jesus forgave them and asked His Father to forgive them while His life’s blood was draining from His body. We must remind ourselves that if we have been unjustly treated not to let bitterness and hate grow in our heart. Make sure that you are not the one in the wrong and that you have become the enemy to someone else. Also, make yourself available to help lift your enemy from the ditch he or she has fallen into. It is better to be known as one who lifts the fallen than one that mocks them.

January 18

Why Do You Wait?

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

—Proverbs 18:10

Some of the famous and greatest fortresses still remain today around the world. These guarded fortresses were used as a safe place for its dwellers and military personnel. Such a place was the city of David, a safe haven for the weak, for families, and for the rulers to abide without fear from outside enemies who would want to break through, take captive or kill its dwellers, and steal whatever they wanted for their reward. To overtake a city fortress would be difficult, so the enemy knew he must find the most vulnerable in the wall and then formulate a plan to invade and overtake the inhabitants. But the fortress of the Lord is impenetrable. Satan himself cannot find a place to get in because it is guarded by God’s angels, just like Lot was in the city of Sodom.

We have a strong tower/fortress in the Lord. It is our safe place guarded by the angles of God. It is our city of refuge, our strong and mighty tower, our safe haven from all that seek to spoil and destroy us. The only way that you can become a citizen of this great fortress is by way of God’s Son, who is the Door, and you must come through Him. Our citizenship is never questioned once we have secured it by being washed from our sins in the blood of Christ. The wilderness of this world has no place of protection and will only leave you broken and abused. But when the citizens of God’s strong tower see the devils of hell sneaking up on them, they can run to the Lord in prayer and for protection. Jesus said, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. The song says, Bring me every burden, bring me every care, Casting all your care upon him; for He careth for you. So why do you wait to enter such a safe and secure place? God anticipates your arrival.

He is available to you even this very minute.

January 19

To Tell the Truth

I have