No More Fearful Timidity

“By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you-I, Paul, who am "timid" when face to face with you, but "bold" when away!” (2 Corinthians 10:1)

“Janet, please come to the platform.”

I got up out of my seat; my knees felt like overcooked spaghetti noodles—limp and mushy. Carefully walking to the front, a sweat broke out on my brow and my chest began to tighten…I couldn’t catch my breath. Dropping my notes on the way up the steps, I leaned over to pick them up and passed out cold.

Fear!

That ugly emotion literally paralyzed me—fear of being in front of a group of people, fear of every eye in the room on me, fear of being judged, fear of making a mistake, fear of people laughing at me, fear of stumbling over my words, fear of failing to accomplish the task, fear of the sound of my own voice. Fear literally choked me that morning over 40 years ago.

But, put a pen in my hand and a piece of paper in front of me and I was in my element. Better yet, bring me a typewriter and I could whip out an article or story or letter to anyone in a matter of minutes. Communication with the written word was as natural for me as talking was for most others.

Years have come and gone. Fear looms and lurks around corners waiting to trap me, but I’m wise to that old device. In an effort to defy old man fear, I have purposely allowed myself to be put in situations where I had to speak, not only in front of a ninth grade class, but in front of thousands.

When I came across 2 Corinthians 10:1, I understood all too well what Paul was saying. Today it is still much easier for me to communicate through writing. But I won’t let the enemy intimidate me with fear when it comes to speaking. As with Paul, sometimes I may appear “timid” when speaking face-to-face, now it is the gentleness and mercy of Christ speaking through me, not fearful timidity. My newfound “boldness” to speak openly is based on the authority I have as a believer communicating the Word of God.

Do I still struggle with fear before a crowd? Only if I take my eyes off Christ and put them on the circumstance. But when I’m speaking to one or thousands, if my eyes are on Christ and I am acting as His spokesperson, what have I to fear?

The life of Paul continues to amaze me as I study. He’s such a “normal” man with real issues that were overcome as Christ in him become more and he became less. I’d be willing to admit I’d like to be like Paul, but my true goal is to be like Jesus who is the reason Paul became such a powerful influence in the early church.

Nope … I don’t want to emulate Paul, I choose to be a reflection of Christ as His image is perfected in me for His glory and His alone.

God bless …

© Jan Ross 2007

Basic Science Lesson

“God made two great lights--the greater light to govern [to rule; to have dominion over] the day [continually] and the lesser light to govern [to rule; to have dominion over] the night [darkness]. He also made the stars.” (Genesis 1:16 NIV)

Deeply enfolded in the very beginning of creation’s account we find a picture that bears consideration … it has to do with light.

Before man became a living, breathing being, God had His people in mind. The record of God’s creation of the “greater light” and “lesser light” seem to prove this out. Bear with me as I attempt to articulate this truth.

Anyone who has taken a class in science understands basic principles about the sun and the moon, about light and darkness, and how they all relate to one another.

Let me explain. The sun never goes out, it is simply hidden from portions of the earth allowing the earth to “sleep”. But, the moon is not just a “little sun” in the sky. In and of itself, the moon has no light … it only reflects the light of the sun.

Darkness covered the face of the earth, but the light of the sun chased the darkness away, proving light dispels darkness.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12 NIV)

He also said, “apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NIV)

Without Jesus, we have no light. But, we can reflect His light and “have the light of life”, dispelling the darkness of this world. But failing to follow Him leaves us unable to be light—unable to reflect His light in the world around us.

“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:5-7 NIV)

It’s all about staying close to the Light. And, it will show if we’re not. We can “say” we have fellowship with Christ, but there if there is no light in us, we’re not being truthful with ourselves or with others. We walk into a room of “darkness” and blend in, shrouded by the darkness (sin) that surrounds us. But if we truly walk in His light, we can walk into a room of “darkness” and we will stand out—we will be different, and noticeably so.

There is no room for incognito Christianity. Genesis 1:16 calls us the “lesser light” as we reflect the Light of the sun/Son. But our job is to “govern the night”. We are living in the “night” – in a world of darkness – and we’re to bring light to the darkness, overpower the darkness with the light we reflect from the Son.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9 NIV)

We’ve been called out of the darkness of this world to walk in the marvelously wonderful light of Christ, reflecting His glory (light), as “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation”.

Let your light shine … reflect the glory of the Son of God and dispel the darkness that surrounds you. Don’t hide His light; don’t be afraid to let Him shine through you.

Be a Light-bearer to this sin-sick world and “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16 KJV)

God bless …

© Jan Ross 2007

Processing Stewed Tomatoes

"I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life." (Psalm 119:93 NIV)

This time of year is usually spent in the kitchen, canning fresh vegetables from the garden. It seems this year the Lord is speaking to me through tomatoes and beans along with the process of preserving them for the cold wintry days when fresh vegetables can only be found in the grocer's produce section.

I'm allergic to the vines of the beans, so my husband picks the beans and brings them in to me to break and preserve. On the other hand, I don't have a problem going out to the garden to pick tomatoes or corn or peppers although I admit my expertise is in the kitchen.

Right now I hear the water boiling in two large canners, processing stewed tomatoes. I added some onions and peppers to this batch since I usually add them to most dishes as I cook. But this has really spoken to me this afternoon ... preserving comes through processing in the hot water and pressure cooker.

Without the hot water and the pressure cooker, the vegetables would soon spoil. Any effort to preserve them without applying the hot water bath or the pressure cooker would be futile. Enzymes in the vegetables need to be killed in order for them to remain on the basement shelf until they're needed, and this only happens a certain way -- there's no short cut, no way around it.

The Psalmist understood the power of the Word of God. It worked like a hot water bath or a pressure cooker to preserve his own life. The Word is no different for us today ... it works to preserve our lives if we will approach it properly without trying to take shortcuts.

Our lives are not unlike the fresh vegetables. We have "enzymes" (our flesh) that will cause us to spoil quickly if we're not exposed to the Word of God, the divine "Pressure Cooker". But along with the Word comes the turbulence in the pot of boiling water, purifying us and killing our flesh so the power of the Word can properly preserve us until the day of His coming.

Don't avoid the pressure cooker or the rolling hot water bath of the Word. Submit to the precepts of godliness and holiness in the Word of God. It may be painful for a season, but the Word will purify us without "enzymes" that would otherwise ultimately cause us to spoil and rot.

The Word of God will preserve us. And, once we understand that, we can sing along with the Psalmist, "I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life."

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(c) Jan Ross 2007

The Bridegroom is Coming!

"Behold, I am coming soon!" (Revelation 22:7a)

Jesus said He would return soon. But many people will ask, "If He said He's coming soon, why hasn't He come yet?" And, that is a valid question ... why HASN'T Jesus come yet?

The problem isn't WHY Jesus hasn't come yet, the problem is that we have lost focus on the reality of Christ's soon appearing.

Jesus said He would return, and He will. John 14:1-3 says, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

But for the most part, Christians have lost focus. Most believe He is coming, but too many don't live like He could come today!

Be honest ... have you even thought about the possibility of Jesus' imminent return today? Did it even enter your mind that today may just be the day He returns?

I thought so! If you're in relationship with Christ, you likely got up, read your morning devotional, prayed a few minutes, grabbed a cup of coffee and headed out the door to work. Getting involved with your daily activities clouded any hint of anticipation ... there's simply too much to think about, too much to do, too much occupying your mind to sit and contemplate the return of Christ. Like most Christians, you acknowledge He's coming, but it's still a futuristic thought unaccompanied by any sense of urgency.

Years ago I asked my mother if she was ready for Jesus to return, she responded with a question: "People have been saying He's coming back for centuries; why should I think He's coming back now?" And generally, that's the feeling most have, if they even consider it at all.

When will He return? When the Father says it's time. We simply don't know. But we MUST live as if He is coming today, the very next minute, before the very next breath.

If we had a true longing for His return, we'd not lose sight of the fact that this is the season of His coming.

Many people sigh and say, "Oh, how I long for Jesus to come!"

His coming is not a means of escape from this sin-sick world. It's the culmination of the eternal plan of God to provide for His Son, Jesus Christ, a Bride ... a very special Bride that meets every need of her Bridegroom. Let's change our focus from looking for escape from the pressures of this life into looking for and longing with fervent anticipation the day we meet our Bridegroom face-to-face on the day of His glorious return where we will forever be with Him as His Bride. There's a huge difference -- a difference that's great enough to ignite the fires in the hearts of everyone we meet.

Spread the fire of anticipation. Live like He's coming today and share the good news of His imminent return with everyone you meet. The Bridegroom is coming!

God bless ...

_____________________
(c) Jan Ross 2007

Liar, Liar, Pants On Fire!

"He who conceals his sins does not prosper,but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy." (Proverbs 28:13 NIV)

This morning's sermon began a series on this scripture. The first thing that hit my mind was a little taunt my children sang when they thought one of the others was lying: "Liar, liar, pants on fire!"

Here is a brief summary of the sermon by Pastor Doc Burrows. I trust it will challenge you to examine your life as I've had to.

Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life..." If Jesus is Truth and Truth dwells in us, why do we lie? There are several reasons why Christians fall prey to the temptation to lie.

Oh, you say you don't? Let's see ...

Do you ever stretch the truth or exaggerate a fact?

Do you ever word things to lead people to believe one thing when, in fact, something totally opposite is true?

How about the last time your best friend asked if the new dress she bought looked good one her. Were you honest with her if it didn't look good? Or, did you smile and lead her to believe she looked great?

I guess the truth is you have lied, probably more than you would have cared to admit. But God hates lying.

Proverbs 12:22 says, "The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful." And, that means even when we think we have a good reason not to be totally truthful. Being anything less than truthful is "concealing sin" as explained in Proverbs 28:13.

The enemy wants us to believe his lies. He wants us to tell lies. Most of all, he wants us to live a lie. John 8:44 explains, "(Satan) was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there i no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language for he is a liar and the father of lies."

When we lie, for whatever reason, we are doing exactly what the enemy wants. He rejoices in our lies because for that moment-the moment the untruthful words leave our lips-we have reflected his personality and fallen into his trap.

Most people lie because, when confronted, they aren't secure in the truth and in God's ability to move in truth. Essentially, we lie because we don't completely trust God.

Aaron lied when Moses confronted him about the golden calf. His response was utterly ridiculous, as if Moses couldn't' see through the lie. (See Exodus 32:24)

Potiphar's wife lied in order to shift the blame off of her onto Joseph, the man who turned her proposition down. (See Genesis 39:14-17)

Ananias & Sapphira conspired to lie in order to steal from the church-they lied not only to the church but to the Holy Spirit; they were both struck dead. (See Acts 5:1-10)

1 John 1:9 tells us: "If we confess our sins, (God) is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." In other words, if we will simply admit (confess) our sins to God with a sincere heart, He will not only forgive us but help us through the problem of straightening out the mess we've made by our lies.

There are two things that bear consideration:

1. Honesty means that everything we say must be true, not that everything true must be said. Sometimes truth hurts. Simply don't say it, don't allow the enemy to use the occasion to lead you to lie.
2. Consider that the short term pain caused by confession might lead to deeper intimacy. In other words, momentary discomfort or embarrassment might be the sacrifice required for a closer relationship with the person.

Don't allow the enemy to lure you away from the truth ... a lie is only one step away from the truth. Displeasing God is simply one step away from the truth.

Truth is truth. Don't neglect the truth, but trust God enough to use the truth to bring freedom for you and for the one with whom you're talking. Don't get caught up in the enemy's trap by thinking a lie will make the answer softer. The lie always comes with a pricetag ... paying the price is far more uncomfortable than simply telling the truth from the beginning.

The Church at Laodicea was known for their lukewarmness. The problem is that they were wishy-washy. Apparently, they were so caught up with their prosperity and materialism that they lowered their standards. You can pretty much believe that truth was not found in them, or at the very least, only a semblance of truth which, in essence, is a lie.

Society will tell us that it's better to lie to prevent hurting some one's feelings. The Word of God tells us that God hates liars and it's a sin to bear false witness.

Who will you believe? Me ... I choose to believe the Word of God.

How Deep Is Your Well?

The pipe organ began to swell as a week of silence had just been broken by the familiar melody of the age-old hymn. The hymnal was reverently held by both young and old in the family of God assembled in the 19th century church.

The congregation reverently rose in unison while carefully taking note of the tempo and harmony as if they were about to perform before a royal audience.

The pews were lined with worshipers side by side, young and old, ready to begin the familiar refrain at the direction of the worship leader.

The worshipers stood in awe, obviously inspired by the familiar lyrics systematically wedged between the lines of musical notation on the yellowed and worn pages of the well-used hymnal. With great anticipation they listened carefully for their cue to join in, bringing their corporate offering of praise.

As with one voice and uninhibited zeal, the parts could be heard – the soprano, alto, tenor, and bass blended together in harmonic melody. A single high soprano offered an occasional descant with glorious yet delicate precision.

The bounteous offering of praise ascended from those who were intimately acquainted with the words they sang, reminiscing of the place where hope met faith . . .

When peace like a river, attendeth my way;
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well [echo] with my soul.
It is well; it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well [echo] with my soul.
It is well; it is well, with my soul.

He lives--oh, the bliss of this glorious thought;
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Oh my soul.

It is well [echo] with my soul.
It is well; it is well, with my soul.

And, Lord, haste the day when our faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trumpet shall sound, and the Lord shall descend;
Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well [echo] with my soul.
It is well; it is well, with my soul. (1)

In the awe-filled atmosphere impregnated with the fragrance of holiness, the Pastor arose and spoke with a soft and unassuming voice. “How deep is your well?”

Without disturbing the weighty presence of holiness, he opened the Sacred Book and began to read: "And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm." (Mark 4:39 KJV) An awesome hush filled the room as a gentle breeze seemed to momentarily capture their focus.

As he continued to share from his heart, tears flowed freely from the eyes of the aged saints who identified with the passion implicated by such an imposing question. Having lived through what the youthful onlookers might only experience on the pages of a history book, their elders were well acquainted with the tools that dug their wells deep . . . deep into the Source of the Rivers of Living Water ever flowing from the heart of God to the depth of their souls. The years of challenge, sorrow, trials, and tribulations led them to the peace that transcends human understanding as they determinedly persevered with sacrificial and unwavering faith, never questioning why.

The Pastor concluded after a few brief words: “Is it indeed well with your soul? How well is it? The depth of the well determines the breadth of your peace.”

Every eye glistened with tears while fixed on the empty cross towering above the altar. A still voice whispered to each heart the familiar words: “Peace be still.” Immediately, the storms were hushed and the winds stilled if for only a brief moment as the shalom of God blanketed the sanctuary.

Are the winds and waves billowing in your life? Listen to the echoes of “It Is Well” and ask yourself “How deep is my well?”

Then, remind yourself that trials and tribulations are the shovels designed to dig deep wells.

“The depth of the well determines the breadth of peace.”



__________________________
1 Horatio Gates Spafford [1873]
(c) Jan Ross 2006

Thoughts On the Vine

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned." (John 15:5-6 NIV)

Our garden is producing wonderfully this season. This has it's good points and bad ... the good point is that our pantry is filling up with beautifully canned vegetables; the bad point is that it's a lot of hard work. But nonetheless, we are incredibly grateful for bounteous harvest!

Ron is heading out to the garden once more to pick beans. Being a lover of this particular fruit of the vine drives him back time and time again to pick through the bushes to find choice beans and present them to me for canning or freezing. He just was commenting that two rows are about "picked out" ... there aren't many blossoms left on the vine. But, something else he said really struck me. When he was harvesting beans a few days ago, some of the plants became uprooted and some of the branches broke off. The next day he went out ot the garden and saw the vines laying there withering and dying, their fruit going limp and beginning to shrivel.

How profound! Or, is it? Didn't Jesus use this analogy in John 15 (above)? You see, apart from Him we are just like the vines laying there withering and dying with our fruit beginning to shrivel.

Have you ever tried to break beans that have been on a dying vine? They're rubbery and they just don't want to snap. Instead, they just bend and lay limp in your hand.

As Christians, we need to keep our "snap"! We need to be able to resist the enemy and cling to that which is good. When we become like the fruit of the dying vine, we lose our resistance to the enemy's schemes to wreak havoc in our lives. We'll follow him anywhere because we've lost our edge of resistance. We become like putty in his hands, all because we've become detached from the Vine.

Are you attached to the Vine? Or, have you become uprooted or broken off, still trying to look like you're attached but, in reality, your fruit has become limp and you've lost your ability to resist the schemes of the enemy?

Let's check our attachment to the Vine daily. Thankfully, we can quickly reattach to Jesus Christ, unlike the vines in our garden -- once they've detached, they're done and there's no hope. We have hope! We have the ability to repent -- to turn around and reattach to our Vine and once again grow healthy and strong and bear much fruit for the glory of God!

Well, there's the door ... Ron just left to check his vines. But, he already checked his attachment to the Vine, Jesus Christ, first thing this morning. He's now ready to survey and reap the harvest in the back yard!

God bless ...


(c) Jan Ross 2007

A Word Fitly Spoken

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." (Proverbs 25:11 KJV)

Words can be sweet like the juice of a fresh picked apple in late summer. Words can be to someone as valuable as pure gold or priceless as polished silver. Words "fitly spoken" can be the source of life to the hearer.

This scripture is precious to me in that it speaks of words, and I tend to be a woman of many words. Hopefully most of them are fitly spoken words. At times, however, words come out of my mouth that tend to be thoughtless and meaningless, not the kind of words spoken of in Proverbs 25:11.

Words frame pictures. Words express intangible thoughts. Words convey feelings and emotions. Words stir up response. Words, once spoken, can never be taken back but are forever loosed into the atmosphere with the potential to either propagate life or cut it off. Words either build up, encourage, edify, or inform, or they tear down, hurt, oppress, or kill. Our words have power to affect a situation, a life, a family, a community, and even the world. Words are powerful!

My goal today is to use words carefully, to be selective in my speech so as to encourage, build up, and edify my husband, my family, and those I communicate with locally and internationally.

What do your words do? What kind of power do your words have? Do you speak words of life? Take notice today and every day ... use only words that are fitly spoken.

God bless...

(c) Jan Ross 2007