Immediately Forgiven

"And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him."   (Luke 15:20)

Every time I read this story it reduces me to tears! As a parent who has a child walking in rebellion, it gives me hope beyond measure. This son had squandered everything his father had given him; he spent all his inheritance and partied until there was no partying left. But the depth of the father's love was untouched by the son's sin. He welcomed him home with arms opened wide.

The sinful state into which this son fell can be identified with several manifestations: (1) Departure and/or distance from his father; (2) Uncontrolled spending and riotous living; (3) Constant "wanting"; (4) Perpetual dissatisfaction; (5) Could find no relief; (6) Worthy of the punishment of death; and (7) State of madness or frenzy. Unfortunately, every one of these "symptoms" can be found at one time or another in our lives when we are willfully disobedient.

But, here's the good news. Just as the father of the prodigal son immediately forgave him upon his confession of sin, our Father will forgive us and welcome us back into fellowship with Him. All it takes is a humble confession when you run back to Him. He's always there for you, He's waiting for you, and He won't turn His back on you!

Are you out of fellowship with Him? Run back NOW, humbly confess your sin and you'll find that He's standing there looking for you. And, when He sees you, He'll run to meet you and throw His arms around you and welcome you back home.

What a beautiful example of His undying love for us. How much more does our Father in heaven rejoice at our "homecoming." This is such an incredible portrait of our Father's total love toward us. All He wants from us is to humbly acknowledge our sin and come back home to Him.

This parable demonstrates how pleasing it is to the Father to have sinners repent and return to Him. But, it also must cause us to think about how it pleases Him to see His children recognize His unparalleled love!

Father, there are many times when I choose to disobey and thus hinder our relationship. There are times when I seek my own will and not Yours, when I put my desires above Yours. Lord, forgive me! I want You to reign in my life, to sit on the throne of my heart, to be a part of every fiber of my being! Forgive me, Lord, when I allow these things in my life and allow our relationship to be hindered. Father, I confess I love You, Lord! There is none like You in all the earth! Amen!

"And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry." (Luke 15:23-24)

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© Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

With or Without

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.  (John 15:5)

Do you ever feel that you're "spinning your wheels" as fast as you can go, yet nothing seems to be working right for you? Do you ever feel like you've done everything you know to do, you've followed all the formulae, you've read all the "how-to" books, you've even sought the counsel of those you felt were more knowledgeable, yet your problem still exists?

Perhaps we've neglected the most important thing—to draw our strength from the Vine, "for without Me ye can do nothing!"

Just like a branch that has fallen off a tree will dry up and die within a very short time, so will we if we do not stay "attached" to the vine! We draw our life, our sustenance from the Vine and without Him we are nothing, we can do nothing . . . we are helpless. Life would be easier for us if we would learn the lesson quickly . . . apart from the Vine, we will die!

But, let's look at it another way. Attached to the Vine we can do anything! Philippians 4:13 reminds us, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Without Christ we can do nothing—with Him we can do ALL things! Without Him we will die, with Him we have life and life everlasting!

I'm so thankful for the Vine! I'm thankful that He abides in me! Without Him I can do nothing . . . with Him I can do all things! Lord, teach me to abide – to stay firmly attached to the Vine at all times in every area of my life! Amen!

Father, all too often I attempt to work things out on my when all along You are there waiting for me to just ask! Lord, help me to remember that as long as I draw my strength and nourishment from You, then I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Father, help me stay attached to the Vine in ALL areas of my life for You must be Lord of all, or You're not Lord at all. In the name that is above every name, Jesus Christ my Lord, Amen!

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© Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

“Based On Your Visit Today…”

I have to laugh and I'm sure you will as well. Here's the short article:

The Associated Press
updated 6:23 p.m. ET, Fri., Sept. 26, 2008

PORTLAND, Ore. - A patient treated for agonizing abdominal pain received this surprising news in the hospital’s paperwork: “Based on your visit today, we know you are pregnant.”

Surprising indeed for 71-year-old John Grady Pippen.

The staff at Curry General Hospital in Gold Beach gave the retired mechanic and logger the ridiculously happy news this month, along with some pain pills.

Hospital administrator William McMillan says an errant keystroke caused the hospital’s computer to spit out the wrong discharge instructions for the grandfather.

© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26907144/

"An errant keystroke caused the hospital's computer to spit out the wrong discharge instructions..." Can you imagine? Think about the consequences if this had been a situation where the hospital staff treated him for an illness he didn't have, or gave him medication to which he was allergic simply because of "an errant keystroke"!

I'm so incredibly grateful we can trust God's input through His infallible Word. We don't need to worry about "an errant keystroke" leading us astray or giving us a false remedy for sin-sick souls. God's Word is COMPLETELY trustworthy! The problem is, we don't believe it or somehow we believe it doesn't pertain to us.

The Word of God is absolutely truth. No errancy. No misleading information. No wrong instruction. No hint of fallibility.

Don't put your trust on any individual (even if they're a pastor or teacher) to replace the instruction and remedy for sin found in the Word of God.

Man fails. Computers fail. God never fails!

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(c) 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

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.

Father, I admit that I deal with fear—sometimes fear of speaking, sometimes fear of failure, sometimes fear of many different things. Thank you for the assurance that there is nothing to fear as long as I dwell in You. Lord, Christ must become more as I become less. I simply want to be more like Jesus every single day. In Jesus' Name and for His glory I pray. Amen

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18)

© Jan Ross 2007
All Rights Reserved

"If I Die, Please Take Care of My Family"

This morning I had the blessed opportunity to chat with Pastor in India. He wanted to enlist our prayers for the persecuted church in India; we've shared with you details of what is happening in previous posts. However, the terrorism continues to escalate. Pastor related to me that he has now been targeted because of the work of Heart of God in India in the tribal areas. Many people are denouncing Hinduism and accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as their Messiah; souls are being saved, new believers are being baptized, and new churches are being established. Pastor and his team take a large panel truck into the forest area along with sound equipment and elders from his church in order to preach and teach the Word of God, delivering convicting messages of the power of the Gospel to save.

To make a long conversation short, Pastor made three requests of us; I've left these in his own words:

1. Please pray because I will continue to evangelize and preach Gospel so many souls will be saved.
   
2. Please pray for protection for me and family because radicals have targeted us due to great work of evangelism in tribal areas.
   
3. Please take care of my family if I should be killed for the glory of God. I am ready to die and have no fear.
   

We praise God for our partners in India; they are courageous men because the Spirit of God is strong in them. Their lives are truly committed and they continue to make sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel. We urge all our friends and partners to enter into a season of prayer covering for Pastor and those who do the work of ministry with him.

God bless you as you stand with us for protection and shelter from the enemy of those who labor for the Lord. Please also remember those in the State of Orissa who are enduring unbelievable persecution because of their witness for Christ.

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© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

Mid's Point: Dark Portrait Painted

Mid's Point: Dark Portrait Painted
Mid Stutsman wrote this today ... please take a moment to read it and share your thoughts. America is at a crossroads; I keep saying that. But the signs are all around us. When will we wake up? It's time to realize that the American life may soon be a thing of the past. The handwriting is on the wall, but who will interpret it? Only those who are reading with spiritual eyes. ~Jan

Mid's Point: Dark Portrait Painted

Mid's Point: Dark Portrait Painted

Mid Stutsman wrote this today ... please take a moment to read it and share your thoughts.

Because You’re My Friend

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you."  (John 15:13-14 )

Friendship is something to be cherished and Jesus knew that quite well. While walking and talking with the people, one can hear Him saying:

When you are sad, I will dry your tears.
When you are scared, I will comfort your fears.
When you are worried, I will give you hope.
When you are confused, I will help you cope.
And when you are lost, And can't see the light.
I shall be your beacon, Shining ever so bright.
This is my oath I pledge till the end.
Why you may ask? Because you're my friend.
(Author Unknown)

What better example of a "friend" than the one Jesus set for us. He is a friend to us when we are unfriendly, when we are fearful, worried, confused, lost, and so much more.

All He requires for the status of "friend" is that we be obedient, a small price to pay for a GREAT reward—His "friendship."

It is interesting that many (if not most) people seek out friends in "high" places, people that have "positions" or "status". If we're honest with ourselves, we will have to admit that we've been guilty of this also, always looking to befriend the one in charge, the one with the power, or the one with the most popularity. It seems to fulfill a need deep within us. But, there is One who has more power, is totally in charge, and whom more people know or have known in the history of mankind . . . the Lord Jesus Christ!

Are you His friend? If not, you can meet Him today and establish a "friendship" born out of obedience to His Word. He longs to be your friend. We, in turn, should long to be His friend!

Father, I do long to be considered Your "Friend"! Help me, Lord, to be more obedient to You, to walk in Your ways, to heed Your call! Lord, when I think of what it means to be Your Friend, I am overwhelmed, again, of Your mercy toward me for without Your mercy, I could never enter into a "friendship" relationship with You. You are holy, righteous, and pure—I am reduced to nothing in Your sight except through the applied Blood of the Lamb! Thank you for the Blood which makes it possible for me to enter into Friendship Relationship with You! Hallelujah! Amen!

"And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God." (James 2:23)

© Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

More Than Meets the Eye

"Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."  (Psalm 37:4)

WOW, what a verse! When most people read this verse or hear it quoted, they immediately begin to think of all their desires and how thrilling it would be to have every dream fulfilled. But, there is much more to this verse than meets the eye.

The word "delight" literally means to be soft or pliable, to SUBMIT. In other words, the Psalmist was indicating that as we submit to the Lord, He shall give us the desires of our heart—he will not only place those desires IN our heart, but He will also fulfill them.

Submission is something that is not fun to think about ; it carries with it personal responsibilities to not only acknowledge the Word of God but to ACT on the Word of God. Submission is dying to our own desires and allowing God's desires to manifest themselves in our lives. But, submission is a fact of life for the Christian, not that we HAVE to, but that we WANT to in order to lead a life pleasing to our Father.

Do you have strong desires deep in your heart? Chances are they have been planted there by the Lord and as you submit to His will more and more each day, you will begin to see these "dreams" manifested in you. If you have (or had) young children, remember how much you longed for them just to submit to your will when you gave them instructions or a task to accomplish. Then, remember how proud you were when they finally caught on and began to submit. Our Father longs for our submission to His will much the same way, and He rejoices with us when our will becomes one with His!

Bless the Lord, submit to His will and He WILL give you the desires of your heart—the very desires He planted to bring Him the glory He deserves. Blessing Him also blesses us, but even if it doesn't bring a blessing in return, our heart must be determined to submit to His will regardless of the personal cost, just because He is who He is. Amen! 

Father, how I long to live a life that is pleasing to You! Lord, submission is not always easy for me, but it is my heart's desire to please You by determining that my will be one with Your will, that Your desires become my desires, that Your plan for my life becomes mine. Lord, as I daily grow more submissive to You, give me strength to deny my flesh, to die to my flesh, in order that Your purposes and plans for my life can be manifested for Your glory. Lord, those desires You have planted in my heart, let them become a praise to You as they are made manifest as a result of my submission and obedience to Your will for me. Lord, be glorified in my life. I love You and long to please You with all my heart! Amen! 

"Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established." (Proverbs 16:3)

____________________
© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

Pink Fingertips

I've learned to cherish pink fingertips, that's all there is to it! But, I'm sure you're wondering what on earth I'm talking about. Let me explain …

Two weeks ago, Dana and I left for Washington, DC to be with Andrew while he had surgery. We packed up the car, got little Ethan all settled in (he's not fond of the car seat), got our maps and backed out of the driveway. Only 427 miles to go … we were on our way.

We got down the road about six miles and I realized my foot was a bit heavy on the accelerator; I commented to Dana and immediately backed off to slow down just as I noticed a Highway Patrol car coming over the rise ahead. My stomach sunk. I knew … I just knew I got caught. I watched as the car passed me, the brake lights came on while the patrolwoman did a u-turn right past me, blue lights began flashing. I pulled over …

"Ma'am, may I have your license, registration, and proof of insurance? You were doing 65 in a 55."

Of course, I was rattled. I fumbled around finding all the documentation and handed it to the patrolwoman with a smile. I knew I was wrong—no excuses here! When done, I thanked her and told her to have a nice day and apologized for not paying closer attention. She smiled and said it happens to everyone from time to time.

Only 421 miles to go … we were on our way—again!

I debated whether I should call my husband or not. Nope! I wanted to tell him in person since news like that over the phone isn't always the best. After all, it was only a silly speeding ticket and he got one a few months back for going faster than me. His ticket was more expensive, so I felt somewhat justified. [ha ha]

We went on our trip and I mostly did better with my heavy foot. There were a couple times I thought I got caught again, but there were people around me with heavier foots! Again, I felt somewhat justified.

We had a wonderful trip and Andrew's surgery went better than expected. We made it home the following week with a little blue slip in my purse. I set aside some money from the trip to pay my ticket before the court date—there was no sense in appearing in court since I was guilty and fully admitted it to the patrolwoman. Days passed and it remained in the back of my mind to go pay the ticket. But for some reason, I thought I remembered the patrolwoman telling me the court date was September 29^th so I never checked.

Yesterday, I was cleaning up the kitchen and had that unmistakable nudge from the Lord … Go check the date on the ticket!

I remember answering audibly, "Ok, yes Sir!"

So, I walked over to my purse and unfolded the dreaded blue slip only to find the court date had already passed and I was in contempt of court. I panicked! What am I going to do? How will I explain this? How much will the penalties and court costs be? How can we afford it? Is there a bench warrant out for my arrest? Will they take me into custody and fingerprint me? Will I have a police record now?

Well, you can imagine how all these thoughts were bombarding me. Ron was at work; Dana was working in the living room. I told her about the situation and we both agreed to just be truthful and explain that I had the dates mixed up and pray for leniency.

I cautiously drove to City Hall (I couldn't afford to get stopped knowing there may be a bench warrant out for my arrest). As I arrived, I noticed my friend's van was there—she was working. Praise the Lord! So I parked and went on in and caught her attention. When she came out I had to fight back tears while telling her my story. "What's going to happen to me? Am I going to be arrested?"

She explained that it was no big deal and I wasn't in any trouble; the court here gives plenty of time for people to come in to pay their tickets. We walked to the desk and handed the clerk my ticket and cash, and before I could say thank her, I had a receipt in hand.

Praise the Lord! I mean, really … PRAISE THE LORD!

On the way out, I looked at my hands … my fingertips were still pink and not stained by ink from fingerprinting. I deserved so much worse. I was wrong. I broke the law and then I was late in paying my fine. I deserved the stain that comes from sin, but my hands were clean.

Mercy!

Forgiveness!

Cleansing!

Suddenly, I stopped and thanked the Lord for His mercy and forgiveness and cleansing. I so deserve to bear the stain of my own sin. But I stand before Him clean—not only with pink fingertips but my heart is cleansed by Jesus' righteous blood that was shed for me.

"Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" (Mark 1:41)

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© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

Thoroughly Merciful

"Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter." (Psalm 118:19-20)

David is a wonderful example of God's mercy which was continually displayed throughout David's life. When he deserved judgment, mercy was granted; when he deserved punishment, mercy was applied. As a matter of fact, David was so assured of God's eternal mercy that he could boldly proclaim himself as numbered in the ranks of the righteous . . . his sins had been thoroughly purged and cleansed.

It is so easy to allow our past to keep us from the presence of the Lord. I can think of so many things that I've done in my life which by all rights should keep me from entering into His presence and worshipping at His feet. Guilt. Shame. Feelings of unworthiness. But, it's His mercy—His grace—His blood that makes us righteous in His eyes.

David's testimony of God's grace is our key to victory over the past, over things that hinder our worship. Would that we all could grasp His understanding of God's unfailing love and tender mercy!

My prayer is that we grow to more fully comprehend the thoroughness of God's mercy and walk in the freedom granted to us into His holy presence where we will find fullness of joy!

Dear Lord, Your mercy is all-encompassing and ever present in my life. Help me, Father, to comprehend the depths of your merciful love toward me so I can unashamedly enter Your gates with thanksgiving in my heart for all you have done for me. Help me to remember when my thoughts return back to my past that You were there in my past, You are here in my present, and You will be with me in the future. Help me remember You have accepted me and forgiven me . . . thoroughly; washed me clean and purified me through the shed blood of Jesus. Remind me, dear Lord, that my life (including my past, present and future) is not about me in any way . . . it's about You! In the precious, holy Name of Jesus I pray, Amen!


"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever." (Psalm 23:6)

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© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

"This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:21-23)

This is one of my all-time favorite verses – it puts me in remembrance of one of my all-time favorite hymns . . . "Great Is Thy Faithfulness"!

Thomas Chisholm was born in 1866 in the state of Kentucky. He wrote over 1200 hymns, such as: "Living For Jesus," and "O, to be Like Thee." But the hymn we remember the most is "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." Chisholm did not write this hymn because something great and miraculous had taken place in his life. No, he wrote this because over his entire life he had learned to see the greatness of God. At the age of 75, he wrote:

"My income has not been large at any time due to impaired health
in the earlier years which has followed me on until now. Although I
must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant-keeping
God and that He has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care,
for which I am filled with astonishing gratefulness."

Think about the scripture . . . "This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope." If we could only discipline ourselves to bring this scripture to our minds, "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Remember it every time we are faced with doubt and unbelief. Keep it committed to memory for the times we come up against seemingly insurmountable situations. Remember, no matter what…Great is His faithfulness!

"Morning by morning, new mercies I see!" Those are Chisholm's words, but they must be our words as well. Oh yes! Our covenant-keeping God is faithful and His compassions fail not.

Read today's verse one more time . . . "This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Now read the words penned by Chisholm who framed this scripture so powerfully, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above,
Join with all nature in manifold witness,
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessing all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided -
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Can you join in the chorus? Can you add your sacrifice of praise for God's faithfulness? Can you look beyond your disabilities, your disappointments, and your disillusionments to proclaim that no matter what, "Great is Thy Faithfulness"?

Spend some time right now – find a place where you are alone for a few moments and pour out your praise as a drink offering before the Lord. He's so worthy…His faithfulness so great!

Father, I can't get past these words . . . great is Your faithfulness! I've never known anyone so faithful, anyone so tender, anyone so forgiving! Oh Lord, I'm overwhelmed with praise as it stirs within my heart . . . great is Your faithfulness! Father, when all my friends fail me, You are faithful! When those closest to me let me down, You are faithful! When my family has turned cold toward me, You are faithful! When it looks as if everything is crumbling at my feet, You are there. And, not only are you there, You are FAITHFUL! Great . . . GREAT is Your faithfulness, morning after morning Your mercies are new! I'm overwhelmed by Your love, Your provision, and Your merciful faithfulness! In Jesus' name, by His blood, and for His glory . . . Amen and Amen!

"Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds." (Psalm 36:5)

© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

I Love Fall!

I just took Gracie outside for her afternoon walk. Oh my goodness! It’s incredibly beautiful today. The sun, though a bit hazy, is bright, the air smells of fall … drying leaves, fields ready for harvest, and the sound of geese overhead. The tips of the leaves on the trees are beginning to turn ever so slightly. The breeze seems to announce that it’s ushering in change … change we know to expect almost like clockwork, but still refreshingly new each year.

When I was a little girl, my Dad would take me down to the metropolitan park on the west side of Cleveland. We’d walk along the trails and look for beautifully colored leaves, peer at the clouds overhead through the towering trees, skip stones in Rocky River, wade through the water on the fjord across the river. I have amazing memories of our fall walks together. Father and daughter together where we could talk, laugh, and love. Such a picture! Such a precious time this daughter has cherished all her life.

Even though my Dad is gone, the seasons still change. Time goes on. The seasons come and go like clockwork, but still bring with them memories of a childhood that was a precious gift to me by God Himself.

I wasn’t born to my parents—I was chosen by them. My biological parents’ rights were severed by the court systems when I was nearly two years old. My parents saw me and fell in love, took me home to raise me as their very own. I became their daughter and they became my parents – parents who spared me from a lifetime of pain and suffering that would have been mine if God had not intervened. You see, it was all God – I had no choice. I simply grew into my new family, bore their name, adopted their customs and behaviorisms, and became every wit there’s. As I grew to adulthood, there was never a question about whose daughter I was – I was my parent’s daughter.

This is such a perfect picture of how God becomes our Father. When we are born, we are abandoned and orphaned because of our sin—fatherless and illegitimate children. In His great love and mercy, God chooses us – not because we have anything to offer Him, but because He wants children upon whom He can lavish His love. He takes us as His own and spares us from a life of pain and agony that would have otherwise been our destiny if He had not intervened. It is all God – we have very little say in it. Our part – our only part in the entire equation is to make ourselves available to Him, to submit to His sovereign call, and to come to Him as broken vessels needing to be made new.

We are powerless to become His child on our own volition. The Spirit draws us, He calls us, He reaches down to rescue us, and we submit. Just like my Mom and Dad. I was too young to come to them and ask them to take me as their own. But when they reached out, I became part of their family just like we become part of God’s family, bearing His name, growing to resemble Him more and more as we mature, taking on His character as we spend more time with Him.

Isn’t it amazing how God calls us to be His own by drawing us and stirring in our hearts? Isn’t it amazing how He spends time with us—one on one—to nurture us and teach us and lavish His love on us? Isn’t it amazing how seasons come and go even in our relationship with Him … we have seasons of unexplainable joy as well as seasons of unbelievable pain. Yet, He’s right there with us through it all, being our Father in His steadfastness and committed way. Even when we mess us, He never abandons us, but He woos us back into right relationship with Him.

Oh, yes! I love fall because it reminds me of my Father’s love for me through the changing seasons of life. The fresh, fall winds lead me to yearn for the day I will be changed, in the twinkling of an eye, and forever be with my Father in His house, to bask in the Sonlight, and to walk along the streets of glory breathing in the winds of eternal life that have enraptured my soul.
__________________
© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

Created to Praise

Did you ever stop to think about it? He "knows" every animal, every beast, every creature that crawls on this earth.  Even the sparrow . . . His eye is on each one.  Take a moment before you continue reading, and just consider what it means to know that He is more than simply aware of all the life on this planet, He "knows" it!

"I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine."  (Psalm 50:11)

Yes, we serve an awesome God, a God who is too difficult to comprehend.  But what warrants even further consideration is the fact that if He knows every creature upon the face of the earth, how much MORE intimately He knows us.  He has invested so much into our lives; we have to understand that His concern for us goes far beyond what it does for the rest of creation.

Mankind . . . created to be a praise to Him, created to bring Him glory, created to worship Him.  All that, yet with a will of our own to make the choice. Will we be a praise to Him on this earth?  Will we bring Him glory in our lives?  Will we worship our Creator?  Consider the difference between the angelic host and mankind. When man begins to praise the Lord, to bring Him glory and to worship Him, He stretches out His arms and clears the throne room to make room for us to come into His presence.  While the throneroom is filled with angels praising Him day and night before His throne, they are secondary to one soul offering up a heartfelt word of praise. The Lord longs for and glories in the praise and worship of His people far above the worship of His angelic beings; it thrills His heart when we CHOOSE to praise Him!

He's already there waiting to hear you. Go ahead and praise Him, glorify Him and worship Him.  He's ready to clear the throne room to make way for you to come into His presence to minister your love to Him.  Why not take some time now and exercise your will. Open your mouth and all your heart to pour out your praise to the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords . . . the Majestic One who gave His all for you.  Amen!

Father, thank you for loving me and knowing me more than I could ever hope to understand.  I am so undeserving of your great and unmatchable love, but I want to love you in return.  Lord, I pray You will give me a greater revelation of Your love for mankind through Your Word and through intimate time spent in Your presence.  I want to know You more. I want to love You more.  The greatest thing in all my life is loving You…Amen!

"After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." (Genesis 15:1)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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The Walls Are Broken

Nehemiah's words capture our attention today: "...the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down..."

Looking at the Church today it is easy to make a comparison . . . the walls have been broken down and sin has been granted entrance with little resistance. Rather than the Church influencing today's society, today's society is influencing the Church. In other words, the Church looks more like the world than like a pure and spotless Bride preparing herself for her soon-coming Bridegroom.

"And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire."  (Nehemiah 1:3)

But, God is raising up Nehemiahs to repair the walls and to go into action rebuilding the standard which sin has torn down.  The modern-day Nehemiahs understand what it takes to rebuild.  Paul tells us that we need to be changed.  We need to have a major renovation take place in our thinking AND to have our thinking affect our actions and our lifestyles.  The key word is "transformation" . . . a word that comes from a Greek word similar to our word "metamorphosis" meaning a change in form and habits becoming something totally different from its original state.  Without transformation, our hearts will continue to harden against the Lord and society will continue to influence the Church until it is no longer recognizable as a holy and peculiar people set apart unto the Lord. 

It has to start with you and me . . . we can't wait for others to begin to change, we are not accountable for them.  Ask God today what areas in your life need to change.  Ask Him how your life can more clearly reflect the Light of the world.  Begin to search your own heart to see if your thinking and your behavior are pleasing to Him or if you have fallen in the trap of going along with the modern trends in today's culture leading you away from a holy lifestyle.

Nehemiah didn't just accept the circumstances of the broken walls of Jerusalem.   He sought the Lord and then he saw God supernaturally make a way for him to do what God had called him to do.  God will do the same for you.  Ask Him!  Let Him know you want to be part of the rebuilding of the true Church, not the broken down and ravaged body that has accepted the world's call to conformity.  Dare to be a Nehemiah . . . pray, confess sin, fast, wait before God, and storm the gates of heaven for yourself, your family, and on behalf of the Church. Be a part of the solution; doing nothing will only find you part of the growing problem.

Father, my heart is heavy when I think of the Church You built up to reign in and to dwell in and to use for Your holy purposes. The effects of sin have diminished the power You have intended the Church to display in order that Your glory might be manifest throughout the earth. Although I don't understand how it came to be this way, I do understand that if You are not glorified, if the Word of God is not revered, then the evil in this world has entered in because the walls have not been rebuilt. Help me to recognize those things in my own heart that need to be transformed into Your likeness and Your image.  I want to change, Lord, and I want to recognize those things in me which smell of conformity to this world's standards.  Lord, change me!  Lord, transform me!  Lord, let a true metamorphosis begin in me and spread to those around me.  But, start it in me, Lord . . . I need change!  In Jesus' name for His glory, amen!

"And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven" (Nehemiah 1:4)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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An Open Mission Field

"One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts."  (Psalm 145:4)

What are some of your fondest memories? Can you remember sitting on a grandparent's lap as they tell you some stories of how things were when they were growing up? I can easily remember my grandfather, who died when I was quite young, holding me in his lap. He gave me a gift I'll never forget. It was a very special moment between a granddaughter and a grandfather. His voice was kind and gentle – his hands were large and he reminded me of one so strong he could accomplish anything. These special moments with him were short-lived, but profound . . . so profound that now more than 50 years later I can still remember his voice, his smell, his love. He left a strong impact on my life.

These memorable moments with our children and grandchildren often linger in their memories for an entire lifetime. Whether it is from the intimacy of being held close by one they love, or whether it is the soft tone of your voice, or even just the story you tell, it makes a lasting impact on them – something that they may one day pass on to their own children and grandchildren.

Can you imagine if the stories you relate to your children and grandchildren were testimonies of God's grace and power? Can you imagine the impact that details of God's goodness would make on these small, impressionable minds? It is our heritage in the Lord that we should be declaring to our youth, whether we're a parent or a grandparent, or even a great-grandparent.

Our children's minds are an open mission field . . . ready to receive a heritage from the Lord that will stick with them throughout their lifetime – and they will in turn pass it along to their own children.

Be sure to tell your children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren of the mighty acts of God in your lifetime. Invest a small amount of time in their lives which will leave a lasting impact on them . . . one they will never forget or forsake. It will also build your own faith to recount the mighty works of God that He has wrought in your life. Don't neglect this mission field . . . impact the next generation and they will have a foundation on which to build their own faith in our awesome, holy God.

Father, please forgive me for neglecting a mission field found in the minds and memories of our youth. Lord, give me the opportunity to sit down and share with these young, impressionable little ones about Your mercy, Your goodness, Your mighty acts. Father, I do want to make an impression on them that will give them a foundation on which they will be able to build their own faith as they grow. Help me, Lord, to take this assignment seriously and to know that if I don't share with them, it is possible that no one else will. Lord, I want to praise Your works to every generation, for You have done wondrous things in my life and in the lives of my loved ones. Bless Your Holy Name Forever! Amen!

"But thou, O LORD, shalt endure for ever; and thy remembrance unto all generations." (Psalm 102:12)

© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

In Perfect Array

Row after row, in perfect array, the rolling hills bear the earmark of honor, patriotism, and sacrifice. Honor in life. Honor in death. Unsung heroes and high ranking military officials laid to rest side by side. White stones strategically erected in perfect military order. Line after line, row after row, section after section for as far as the eye can see. Each marker at Arlington National Cemetery represents freedom. Freedom of speech. Freedom of worship. Freedom to assemble. Freedom to bear arms. Freedom to exercise unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Rights enjoyed by all Americans.

The beauty and splendor of such perfection exudes a sublime sense of holiness, as if somehow there is more than meets the eye that beholds such hallowed ground.

Order—divine order. That's what I saw. Not simply gravestones intricately spaced and precisely uprighted in uniformity, but order. As we drove through the Cemetery, I was amazed that not one headstone was skewed, not one marker misplaced, not even a weed blemishing the perfectly groomed grass on its 600+ acres. A place for everything and everything in its place, meticulously planned and organized generation after generation. The earmark of divine order.

Why would such a display move me so? I questioned this over and over again on our drive home. It was more than inspiring. The sight was more than awesome. There was a message woven through each headstone set in perfect array. But, what was the message? What was God speaking to me? What aspect of His character did He unveil?

Suddenly, it began to make sense. It was a picture of how one takes care to align his or her life perfectly to the standard of the Word of God. Each headstone is perfectly aligned. No deviation. If wind blows one out of alignment, it is immediately adjusted and realigned. What a lesson for us. What a lesson for me!

So often my own life needs alignment. Simple winds of affliction or hardship or unexpected challenge seem to knock me out of alignment. It's so easy just remain misaligned, weak, out of sync with the Standard of the Word of God, resisting the work of the "Master Aligner" to realign my life. Oh, that I would be as meticulous about my heart's alignment to the Standard as the keepers of Arlington National Cemetery are to keep every single gravestone perfectly straight.

Amos had a vision of the Lord holding a plumb line in his hand. The Lord said, "Behold I am about to put a plumb line in the midst of My people Israel." This "plumb line" was a symbol of the testing Israel's conduct. No more would the Lord tolerate Israel's use of false gods, natural hills, or pagan influences to measure their uprightness. Now, God Himself would drop the plumb line and Israel would be measured accordingly.

The Lord has put a plumb line in the midst of His people: Yeshua Himself has become our "plumb line" as our lives are to be aligned to His example of righteousness and faith. We use His example to measure our conduct. No longer will the Lord tolerate our use of false gods or pagan influences to measure our goodness or uprightness. God Himself dropped the Plumb Line in our midst and we will all be measured accordingly.

How do I measure? How do you measure? Is Yeshua your Plumb Line? Or, do you measure your life against the standard of others' lives?

The next time you see a picture of a national cemetery, take a close look at the rows and rows of white stones, in perfect array. Consider, then, how your life should be in perfect alignment to the Plumb Line we have in Yeshua.

Father, I repent. Those words simply do not convey what I feel in my heart. I have a desperate need to be realigned to the Plumb Line provided in Yeshua. Father, challenge each reader to take note of their own lives and remind them that You have dropped the Plumb Line into their midst (into OUR midst) and that we will ALL be measured accordingly. In Jesus' name, amen.

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© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

Deliver a Meal

"He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep." (John 21:16)

If you go on to read the very next verse, you find Simon Peter more frustrated as once again Jesus asks him, "Do you love me?" Jesus then tells him "Feed my sheep!"

What greater gift can be given than food – life sustaining nourishment giving strength and bringing health to anyone who will eat? In fact, a great man of God spoke to me on this very subject a few days ago pointing out the necessity of ministering to the physical needs of man before they can receive spiritual nourishment.

My heart is deeply moved as I attempt to write this. In a land where devastating poverty exists, it is paralleled by spiritual poverty – one reflects the other with uncanny exactness. In Kenya, I witnessed the effects of nourishment. In small villages or communities where the Body of Christ was involved in the people's lives, ministering to them, working side by side with them, building the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, the fields were greener, the land itself appeared more nourished, and the people (although very poor according to our standards) were rich. However, in communities lacking the Bread of Life, the land was also lacking nourishment to sustain life essentially causing incomprehensible poverty.

The Bread of Life brings life to the physically and spiritually impoverished.

Jesus, when speaking with Peter, understood the relationship between spiritual and physical nourishment. His admonition to Peter to "feed My sheep" was more than merely offering a piece of bread to a hungry person, He spoke of the need to involve both the natural bread and the Bread of Life – where life sustaining nourishment which gives strength and brings health to all can be found.

We claim to love the Lord just as Peter answered, "Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee." When the Lord questions us in the same manner our immediate response is much the same: "Oh yes, Lord, you know that I love you." I declare that He then admonishes us all, "Then feed my sheep!" Don't just feed them physically – they have need of spiritual food. Don't just feed them spiritually – they have need of physical food.

Jump at every opportunity opened up to you to feed the hungry – first physically and then spiritually. If you meet the physical needs, you will have greater success ministering to the spiritual needs.

You don't need to go to Africa to find the hungry. Take a friend to lunch, take a meal to a shut-in, deliver a meal to a single mom overwhelmed with life's responsibilities. Then, give them Jesus. Show them the natural bread then introduce them to the Living Bread. Hear the passionate urgency in Jesus' voice: "Feed My Sheep!"

Father, my heart is so overwhelmed with the desperate need for daily bread – spiritually and naturally. Show me opportunities to feed Your sheep, to minister to physical needs as well as spiritual needs. Put within me a deep passion for those who are hungry; give me courage to accept this calling. Show me opportunities to reach Your sheep with Living Bread – the Bread that more than satisfies. Oh Lord, I pray for those who do not know You as the life-sustaining Bread of Life. Teach me how to reach them – teach them through my heart of compassion as I surrender once again to You all that I am and all that I do. In Jesus' name, amen and amen!

"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." (John 6:35)

© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

Dedicated To the One I Love

"Dedicated to the one I love . . . " an old song from the past! How about today? Was it "dedicated to the One [you] love"?

So often we take our days for granted. We wake up and immediately busy ourselves about the day's business, and very often our mind is on everything BUT the "One I love"!

"My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up."  (Psalm 5:3)

The Psalmist made a point of dedicating his day to the Lord . . . in the morning when he woke up, the first thing he did was to direct his prayer to the Lord! This simple act of submission and dedication helped him keep his eyes on the Lord all the day long. Obviously, it will work the same for us!

Tomorrow when you wake up . . . when you first open your eyes . . . whisper a prayer saying, "Lord, You have given me this day as a precious gift . . . I dedicate it to the One I love!"

Put Him first in your day and you will find that He's right there in your midst all the day long! Always remember, a day not dedicated to the Lord is a day dedicated to the flesh by default. The flesh will take control – the natural man will rule unless you put the Lord in His rightful place first thing when you awaken. The choice is yours . . . will your flesh rule or will the Lord rule your days? The choice is yours!

Father, I pray that my days will never again begin without first acknowledging You in them! Lord, since You are the One I love, I choose to dedicate each day to You from the very moment I awaken . . . and I look forward to being even more aware of your presence with me all the day long . . . every day! Amen!

"But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble." (Psalm 59:16)

© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

A Light Bulb Moment

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4 NIV)

The winter days were long; it seemed as cold inside as out. I felt locked inside a body that would give me no relief. Pain. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. I wanted to die. My world revolved around my own disability, my personal discomfort; my life had drastically changed.

Just weeks before, I was able to cope—mother of six, women's ministry president, band booster's president, adult Sunday School teacher, executive secretary. But suddenly my world came to a sudden halt. I was locked inside a body that failed me miserably.

Weeks passed and turned to months. The calls stopped. No more visits from friends. The mailbox was empty. Once vibrantly connected to church and community, I was now forgotten … my heart was broken.

One day the phone rang; it was my best friend. Oh, how her voice blessed me! But the words she spoke in the course of our conversation were hard to swallow: "Jan, you have turned inward and your world has become all about you." Then, she quoted Philippians 2:3-4.

It was a light bulb moment.

After she prayed with me, she assured me of her love and hung up. I began to seek the Lord and He showed me how inward I had become. It was pain that drew my focus off my love affair with Him, my family, my church, and my friends. My world had become all about me and my pain. I needed to change what I had the power to change … ME! I couldn't change the pain. I couldn't change the diagnosis. I couldn't even change others' response to my pain. But I could change me.

It's easy to get caught up in our disabilities, as if life itself revolves around our inabilities. But God challenges us to look outside our problems to focus on others' needs. Even in our days of depression and pain, we can reach out to someone—reach out beyond ourselves, and impart God's love and grace to them.

Prayer: Lord, help me to look beyond my own world of pain and disability to minister to the needs of others. Teach me and empower me to reach out to be an ambassador of love, mercy, and hope to the world who needs to see and know You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

Note:  As a way of acknowledging "National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week," this week's devotions will be of a nature that will encourage anyone who either suffers with or knows someone who suffers with an invisible chronic illness. You are encouraged to forward this week's devotions to anyone you know who might find encouragement as they deal with the pain and emotional burden associated with invisible chronic illness.

God’s Utter Faithfulness

"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions [mercies] never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Mornings are hard! Many mornings, I wake up barely able to walk to the bathroom, desperate to take my meds, sit down with a cup of coffee and wait until the pain and stiffness ease. And, every morning it's the same. No surprises, nothing new—the same routine day in and day out.

But, God has prepared something special, something specific for each new day even in the midst of our routinely difficult mornings. Mercies! Not just one mercy, but mercies. And, not the same mercies as yesterday … new mercies each and every morning.

The Lord proves His faithfulness to be great—greater than what we know. The word "great" comes from a Hebrew word meaning manifold or multiplied by myriads. In other words, God's love provides to us new mercies every morning because His faithfulness is manifold and multiplied by myriads.

It reminds me of another scripture: "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…" (Ephesians 3:20). It's His exceedingly immeasurable greatness that makes new mercies available to us every day, even when we're struggling with pain of chronic illness, more than we can ask or imagine.

I'm so thankful the Lord isn't like our everyday pain and stiffness. He gives NEW mercies proving His utter faithfulness resulting from His great love. Today's mercies will not be tomorrow's mercies. Today's compassion toward us will never become routine. Each new day contains new compassions—new mercies.

Did you happen to notice any new mercies today? Look for them … be aware of and thank the Lord for each new mercy He has extended toward you from His incredibly compassionate love.

Oh Lord, teach me to find new mercies for each new day. Teach me to exalt in Your great love and compassion toward me. Thank You, Father, for the greatness of Your faithfulness toward me. Amen!

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© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

Note:  As a way of acknowledging "National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week," this week's devotions will be of a nature that will encourage anyone who either suffers with or knows someone who suffers with an invisible chronic illness. You are encouraged to forward this week's devotions to anyone you know who might find encouragement as they deal with the pain and emotional burden associated with invisible chronic illness.

God Is In Control

"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." (Psalm 9:10)

Forsaken! Forgotten! Abandoned! These are the feelings so many of us encounter from time to time, especially during periods of increased pain, bad reports from the doctors, friends who don't understand, and family who seems to suffer from helplessness. These feelings are real, and they seem to overwhelm us like an ocean's waves, rising and receding in some form of unearthly, unmetered tempo.

Dealing with feelings like these is like caging a wild bear. We seem to capture them, get them tamed, and suddenly they rare up and break out of their boundaries to unsuspectingly attack.

There are two keys unlocking the door to security and assurance even during the seasons of attack: Knowing God and Trusting God.

Knowing God is more than merely acknowledging His existence—it's a very personal knowledge and pursuit of an intimate relationship through prayer and time in God's Word. Knowing God is learning His character and understanding who He is and the depth of His love toward us.

Trusting God is more than merely acknowledging that He is in control—nearly everyone will tell you, "God is in control." But, knowing God is in control by laying down our desires and allowing His plan and purpose to be developed and fulfilled in us is the form of trust to which the Psalmist is referring.

When we seek the Lord, we begin to understand the character of God and His unfailing love in a deeper way. When we seek the Lord, we begin to understand that our lives are secure in His most capable hands regardless of how we feel. When we seek the Lord, we learn to rest in the assurance that we will never be forsaken, forgotten, or abandoned.

Most precious Father, help me to remain secure in You even in the midst of times when I feel so insecure. I choose to believe that You will never forsake me…I choose to seek You to know You and trust You at all times. Amen!

© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

Note:  As a way of acknowledging "National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week," this week's devotions will be of a nature that will encourage anyone who either suffers with or knows someone who suffers with an invisible chronic illness. You are encouraged to forward this week's devotions to anyone you know who might find encouragement as they deal with the pain and emotional burden associated with invisible chronic illness.

Pillar of Fire

"Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people." (Exodus 13:22 NIV)

The fall of the year is my favorite season, by far.  I love the cooler temperatures and the smell of fall.  To me, there is nothing quite like it.  It's no wonder a night last fall was so incredible.

Gracie, my cockapoo, had to go outside.  It had been a dreary cloud-covered day with leaves blowing in the wind.  The cornfield across the road was ready for harvest, the beans in the field behind us had been picked and winter wheat sown.  The beauty of this season absolutely astounds me.

I grabbed Gracie's leash and we stepped out onto the front porch.  She began to walk into the yard as I looked up.  I literally gasped!  I mean, I audibly gasped.  The beauty of what I beheld with my own eyes was indescribable.

The sun was low in the western sky and brilliantly peering through small breaks in the cloud cover.  The rays lit the top of the trees bordering the family property like they were on fire—oranges and yellows and reds vibrantly aglow against the darkness of approaching nightfall.

Gracie finished her business and I went back inside and grabbed my camera.  My camera couldn't even hope to capture such an extraordinary scene.  But my heart did as I thought about it throughout the evening.

Darkness was dispelled by the brilliance of the sun's rays reflecting on the treetops.  Just like God does in our lives—He uses the backdrop of darkness to expose the light of His presence.

When our world is darkened by pain and suffering, God never fails to shine His light and reveal His presence.  We simply have to look for it.  His presence never left its place in front of the children of Israel as He led them through the wilderness. In like manner, His presence will never leave its place in front of us as he leads us through the dark and oppressing days of illness.

Father, help me to see Your light shining in my darkness when I am overcome with pain.  Let me see the light of Your presence.  Amen.

© Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

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Note:  As a way of acknowledging "National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week," this week's devotions will be of a nature that will encourage anyone who either suffers with or knows someone who suffers with an invisible chronic illness. You are encouraged to forward this week's devotions to anyone you know who might find encouragement as they deal with the pain and emotional burden associated with invisible chronic illness.

God’s Hand Is Upon Us

"...The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him."  (Ezra 8:22b)

Whatever God is, He is abundantly! In other words, God isn't a half-way God. He doesn't ride the fence; He doesn't start something and leave it unfinished. He excels in all He does.

The hand of God is upon us for good. If we stop there, though, we only have a half-truth. The phrase includes "if we seek Him". The Bible tells us that God is good and that it pleases Him to pour His goodness into the lives of His children who depend on Him!

I don't know of anyone who depends on Him more than the chronically ill. My experience has been that those who suffer either fall into one of two categories—trusting God with every bit of strength we have, or denying God and blaming our pain and helplessness on Him.

Nothing can happen to us that the will of God does not allow. The enemy cannot sneak in when God's not looking and strip us of all that belongs to us who are in covenant relationship with God. Remember, we serve an omnipotent God, more powerful than any devil ever thought to be. God can, and does, override the enemy's plans for our destruction time and time again. All He asks is that we seek Him.

Matthew 6:23 says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." The key is seeking God first, not the things He can give—not even His healing, but God Himself.

Are you seeking Him? Are you depending upon Him? If you can honestly answer "Yes", then know "the hand of God is upon you for good!"

Father, it is comforting to know that nothing can come against me that You are not aware of, that Your hand is upon me as I walk day by day seeking Your face. Help me to keep my eyes on You and not on my circumstances. Help me remember You are for me and not against me. Help me be quick to praise You for all that You have provided for me, even when I hurt, even when pain blocks my view of Your faithfulness. Strengthen me, Lord, to give You the praise You are so deserving of. Amen!

© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

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Note:  As a way of acknowledging "National Invisible Chronic Illness Awareness Week," this week's devotions will be of a nature that will encourage anyone who either suffers with or knows someone who suffers with an invisible chronic illness. You are encouraged to forward this week's devotions to anyone you know who might find encouragement as they deal with the pain and emotional burden associated with invisible chronic illness.

September 8: Eternal Glory

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." (2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV)

What? "Light and momentary troubles?" The Apostle Paul couldn't have known what it is to live with chronic pain. He couldn't have known what it is to live in today's world. After all, if he really understood he wouldn't have used those words. If it were me, I might have written, "For our unrelenting and debilitating troubles…"

But, let's not focus on those words. Look at the whole verse … these "light and momentary troubles achieve for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." The fact is that whether our troubles are "light and momentary" or "unrelenting and debilitating", they are fulfilling a purpose in our lives—achieving for us an eternal glory.

The Apostle Paul goes on to say, "So we fix our eyes on not what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." (v. 18)

That's the key for us on the good days and on the bad, during the "light and momentary troubles" and the "unrelenting and debilitating" troubles. Our eyes MUST be fixed, not on what is seen but what is unseen—not on our troubles but on the "eternal glory" that awaits us.

Admittedly this isn't always easy to do. But let's remember that "what is seen is temporary" and "what is unseen is eternal." Our pains and disabilities are temporary relative to eternity. This life is but a fleeting moment compared to eternity. The "unseen" that awaits us will be worth all the "light and momentary" and "unrelenting and debilitating" troubles we have experienced as well as those yet to come.

Let's fix our eyes, not on our troubles but on the cross of Jesus and His power to redeem us from this life. He purchased our salvation so one day the "unseen" will be our reward.

Father, there are days my troubles seem more than I can bear. Give me the courage to go on with my eyes fixed not on "what is seen, but on what is unseen". In Jesus' name, amen.

© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

Blogger Award Goes To ....

What a blessing! I'm delighted to accept my very first blog award. Thanks goes to Kathryn at Pure Wells. Kathryn has become such an encourager and blessing to me through her comments on the devotions and other posts on The Plumb Line. The really neat thing is that more than once we will unknowingly be posting the exact same topic as the Spirit leads us both in the same direction. Her insight into scripture and her heart are such a blessing; I know you will be blessed by visiting her site, too! (Be sure you do that!)

The rules say that, as a recipient of this award, I must pass it along to others, so the "I Love Your Blog" aware will now go to:

Mid Stutsman at The Israel Connection

Mid Stutsman at Mid's Point of View

LauraLee Shaw at LauraLee's Lifesong

Joanne Sher at An Open Book

Dee Yoder at My Heart's Dee-Light

Julie Arduini at Surrendered Scribe

Terri Tiffany at Terri's Treasures

For those of you who are recipients of the award, you are encouraged to paste the award on your blog. You'll have to save it to your hard drive (just right click-save) then use it as a picture on your blog. Then, be sure to pass it along to your favorite bloggers! (Better and more official rules can be found at Between Here and Home.)

Thanks again, Kathryn ... you're a blessing!
___________
© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

Before the First Word

How often do we take God for granted? How often do we get frustrated when He doesn't answer our prayers they way we think He should or when we think He should?

We so easily forget what an awesome God we serve. Indeed, where were we when He laid the foundations of the earth? Who can answer life's mysteries? We so easily become self-engrossed that we forget His plans were made before He laid the foundations of the earth or even measured out their span.

"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"  (Job 38:4-7)

We were in His mind and a part of His purposes before the first Word of creation was spoken. His ways are higher than ours, His thoughts higher than our thoughts. We only need to trust in His ability to care for us, to lead us, to direct us. He will never, ever let us down if we just TRUST Him in every aspect of our lives. After all, He has known us and the circumstances of our lives throughout eternity.

There are no words to describe Him. The best we can do, the greatest words we can find don't even begin to proclaim His expanse of His excellence. Awesome! Holy! Magnificent! Glorious! Righteous! Mighty! Omnipotent!

Oh Lord, how magnificent is Your name in all the earth! I confess that I lose sight of how magnificent You truly are; I become frustrated, impatient, and selfish, seeking my own will rather than desiring Your will be done not only in my life, but in the earth today. Help me trust You more; teach me to trust in Your ability to care for me, to guide me, and to lead me in Your paths. Help me to wait on You patiently, acknowledging You as my total source, my provider . . . my total care-giver. You truly are AWESOME, MAGNIFICENT, HOLY, GLORIOUS, RIGHTEOUS, MIGHTY, and OMNIPOTENT . . . and so much more! There is none like You! Amen!

"How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee." (Psalm 139:17-18)

© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

Words Cannot Describe

The mercy of God, His love, His forgiveness … no way to measure it, no way to explain it, no way to comprehend it, but it's there. We don't deserve it, yet He has provided it to us freely.

"For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."  (Psalm 103:11-12)

How far is the east from the west?

How high is the heaven above the earth?

Immeasurable? Yes! Unfathomable? Yes! Unexplainable? Absolutely! Unthinkable? Yes!

There is hardly anything left to say; the scripture says it all. His mercy is unfathomable. It is immeasurable. His mercy is unthinkable, unexplainable, and oh so undeserved. But it is great toward them that fear Him … and it's new every morning.

What a wonderful thought! What a humbling thought! The Psalmist has an unmistakable revelation of God's mercy: our sins are so far removed from us that the distance is unfathomable, immeasurable, unthinkable, unexplainable, and, oh, so undeserved.

What an awesome God we serve!

Lord, I stand in awe of your gift of mercy, so undeserved yet given so freely. Mercy . . . a gift which cost You so much, yet You give it to anyone who asks. I am overwhelmed as I stand and consider Your goodness and Your kindness. All I want to do is say, "Thank You for loving me so. I don't deserve it, but I am so grateful for your gift of Mercy." Oh Lord, Thank You!

"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Ephesians 1:7)

© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

Pure and Simple Faith

God has given us all a measure of faith. In this manner it is impossible for us NOT to please Him if we exercise faith. It is truly not the AMOUNT of faith that God is looking for, it's what we do with the measure He has dealt to us.

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."  (Hebrews 11:6)

We've heard it said many times that it seems a new Christian has the ability to believe God for anything and God answers their prayers almost instantly. Yet those of us who are "seasoned saints" seem to struggle to receive answers to prayer. Could it be that perhaps the new Christian is exercising pure faith . . . that which has not been defiled by "experience" or by feeling we've "earned" His attention and action on our behalf? The new Christian simply believes that He is and God rewards their diligence in seeking Him with zeal and enthusiasm as a result of their new-found love.

Oh, that we would all walk once again in the purity of our "new-found" love by revisiting the basics of our relationship with the Lord. Simply believe and receive . . . no pride, no haughtiness, no questions, no doubts, no fear, nothing other than pure and simple faith . . . undefiled and according to today's verse – pleasing to God.

Dear Lord, again I find myself at a loss for words. Help me to remember that faith in You is what is pleasing to You and it produces results! Help me also remember that faith is not something I need to "pump up" or that Your response is not something I need to "earn". Teach me once again, Lord, the very basics of simple faith, diligence in seeking You, and ultimately, bringing glory to You! It is my desire, Lord, to please You in all I do, every day in every way! Amen!

"And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God." (Mark 11:22)

© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

Our Best Gift

Being in ministry and constantly looking for ways to strengthen our international ministry (www.heartofgodinternational.com), the topic of giving comes up often. I was just thinking about the ways we give and how people (including me) most often associate giving with finances. But, isn't it true that giving means giving of ourselves, our gifts, our talents ... anything and everything we have to offer?

Last Thursday night in our Bible Study we took at brief look at the beginning of Psalm 103. It was incredible what we learned from the very first verse and it has EVERYTHING to do with giving -- giving of ourselves. In fact, all it took was the very first verse and we left there amazed ... let me share briefly:

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name."

Can you see our best gift in that verse? It's contained in the phrase "all that is within me".

Sir R. Baker put it well, speaking to his own soul:

"To bless the Lord is an eminent work, and requires not only many but very able agents to perform it; and therefore, my soul, when thou goest about it, go not alone; but, take with thee all the forces in my whole being, whether it be my heart, or my spirit; whether my will, or my affections; whether my understanding, or my memory; take them all with thee, and bless the Lord."

In other words, everything we are, everything that makes us 'us' is to be offered to the Lord as a blessing -- a sacrifice, an offering. No matter what we have or who we are, our God deserves our best gift ... our ENTIRE being.

How does this fit with missions or ministry? Easy! Whatever gifts you have, whoever you are, all your talents, all your influence, all your anointing, your thoughts, your prayers, your efforts, your undertakings ... they've all been given to you to offer back to God as a sacrifice--as a means of blessing the Lord for His great gift of salvation.

We are all missionaries and all have the ability to reach out to others with the gifts and abilities He's given us. To withhold a gift is to withhold blessing from the Lord.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME, bless His holy name!

Consider that verse the next time you're in the grocery and feel like someone needs a word of encouragement ... ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME must reach out to embrace that one.

Consider that verse the next time you're standing in line at the bank and someone appears discouraged ... ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME must reach out to bring encouragement.

Consider that verse the next time you're reminded of children in Africa and Asia who are so desperately needy ... ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME can reach out through prayer, through supporting a missionary, through writing an article to bring awareness to others, through sharing your heart with your Sunday School group and praying together. Any number of ways you can use your gifts for the glory of God.

Today, think about how ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME can bless the Lord. I challenge you to think of ways to use all who you are and all who you ever hope to be to bring blessing to the Lord by giving of yourself to Him.

© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

Our God Can Do Anything!

"Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear"  (Isaiah 59:1)

Our omnipotent Lord is able to do anything . . . there is nothing too difficult for Him. The rankest sinner is able to be saved; the filthiest life is able to be cleansed. The lowest depression is able to be lifted; the highest mountain is able to be climbed. There is NOTHING too difficult for Him.

The next time you feel that you have gone too far, or failed Him one too many times, remember that His arm cannot be shortened. Remember that His mercy endures forever. Remember that His blood is all-powerful and its purifying power is total and complete.

Finally, remember that His ear is never too heavy to hear your prayer . . . He will never turn a deaf ear to you. He has the answer . . . He IS the answer for all our problems. Our omnipresent Lord is in the midst of each situation before we even know there IS a "situation".

As you think about this verse today, take a moment to thank the Lord for His overwhelming love and mercy, and His tender care. Regardless of what things look like to us, nothing is too difficult for Him . . . absolutely nothing.

Father, so many times I find myself ashamed to approach You because of my behavior or my thoughts and I slowly begin to drift away from fellowship with You. Lord, forgive me for "shortening" your hand! Father, thank You for your overwhelming love and mercy . . . thank You for Your tender care . . . thank You that there is nothing too difficult for You. "Thank You Lord for saving my soul. Thank You, Lord, for making me whole. Thank You, Lord, for giving to me . . . Thy great salvation, so full and free." Amen.

"Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee" (Jeremiah 32:17)

© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved