Integrity and Rendering

"And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marveled at him." (Mark 12:17)

April 15 is a day dreaded by many Americans. It's a day on which many must reckon their dues to the IRS, a day when many make decisions in their heart to be honest or to "bend the rules" just a bit.

Integrity is a word that seems to have lost its meaning throughout the recent years. Not long ago it was common for a contract to be made binding on a "word" and a handshake. Now it seems that even though a signed document exists, notarized, certified, and filed in court, a good lawyer can find a loophole which will enable a promise or vow to be broken if one takes a notion and has enough money put away to pay the lawyer. So much for integrity! How our actions must grieve the Father!

Set an example for others around you. Be diligent to pay "Caesar" what is owed. Your diligence may not be noted here on earth, but your Father, who is in heaven, sees and will reward you openly for your truthfulness and example of integrity and responsibility.

Give unto Caesar that which is Caesars, but then be sure to give to God that which is God's . . . everything you are and everything you hope to be, totally, unreservedly, and unashamedly.

Father, integrity is something that I very much admire in people—when they say they will do something, they do it. Lord, You told us to render unto Caesar that which is his; I have done that. Now, Lord, help me to render unto You that which is Yours—all of Me. Lord, I give myself to You once again. I surrender my will, my hopes, my dreams, my purposes, my all. Accept all that I am and all that I ever hope to be as an offering; may it ascend to heaven as a sweet-smelling savor pleasing and acceptable to You. I love You, Lord . . . Amen!

"For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad." (Luke 8:17)

© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

Is Your Neck Stiff?

"Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way." (Exodus 33:3)

The Lord is talking to Moses; the people are stubborn and rebellious and God said He would not go with them because of His anger toward them. If anything, this passage shows the emotion of God when His people rebel against Him. Thank the Lord for His mercy and grace . . . thank the Lord for the blood of Jesus!

What an interesting term "stiff-necked" is. The Hebrew word actually is like a farming term – a term used when a farmer attempts to put a yoke on an animal and he won't turn his head in compliance – he holds his head stiff and resists the yoke. It's easy to see why the Lord called the children of Israel "stiff-necked." It's also easy to see how we could be called the same thing.

An interesting verse ties in with this reference to a "stiff-necked" people found in Matthew 11:28-30 . . . "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." But yet this verse is referring to rest and associating it with the yoke.

The children of Israel resisted the yoke of God's authority. Jesus tells us in Matthew 11 if we will take His yoke upon us that we will find rest, that His yoke is easy and burden light. In other words, if we accept the yoke of God's authority, we will find rest.

Have you ever noticed when you are struggling with frustration and disappointments and disillusionment in life, the very fact that you are struggling is a sign that the yoke of God's authority is being resisted? Yet, when God is in His rightful place in your life, the yoke of His authority brings peace and things seem to flow much easier—have you ever noticed this?

Jesus invites us to take on His yoke, to allow Him to place it on us without a struggle and without being "stiff-necked," and we will find we have rest for our souls and His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Obedience is the remedy for a stiff neck and, when mingled with humility, the stiff neck soon becomes compliant and easily submits to the yoke of God's authority.

God's authority—the authority of His Word is the yoke which brings ease and rest to your life. Lay your burden down; stop struggling with life's problems and let your obedience to God's authority produce in you the peace that passes all understanding!

Lord, forgive me. Change my heart and show me how I can submit to Your authority. Father, I long for the rest, the light burden, the easy yoke Jesus spoke of in Matthew. Help me to apply Your authority in my life every place and in every area I have appeared to have a stiff neck. Help me, through obedience and humility, become compliant and submissive to Your will in order for Your peace that passes all understanding to be produced in me. Show me Your ways, teach me Your will, and help me to obey with a grateful and joyful heart. In Jesus' name, amen.

"The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." (Exodus 33:14)

© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

April 4 – Luke 19:40

"And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." (Luke 19:40)

A survey of the Old Testament reveals a very interesting pattern. Stones were often used to mark an encounter with God, a reminder of God's covenant with man, or a reminder of victories won.

Joshua 24:27 is one such example, "And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God."

Is it no wonder that Jesus quickly rebuked the Pharisees for attempting to silence the praise of the people as he triumphantly entered the city of Jerusalem riding a colt amidst the waving palm branches acknowledging his majestic reign as King. The children of Israel understood the significance of Jesus' statement regarding the stones crying out.

You can well imagine that all around them stood stones which, according to what they had been taught from early childhood, were a memorial to God's faithfulness to their forefathers. And when Jesus proclaimed that if the people did not offer Him praise and adoration, all they had to do was look at the stones all throughout the region that had been set in place telling the story of God's provision and victory over their enemies.

It is also a proven scientific fact that stones are affected by sound. Joshua told the people that the stone "shall be a witness unto us for it hath heard all the words of the Lord which he spake unto us." The stone not only marked a tangible memorial, but also bore witness to the voice of the Lord to His people.

How marvelous is the Word of God! The Old Covenant and the New Covenant met together in Jesus Christ. He was the link between both covenants, and He still is. Psalm 85:10-11 says, "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven." Mercy . . . provision of our Righteous God to a people who never deserved it. Truth . . . Jesus Christ, the "way, the truth, and the life" springing out of the earth. Jesus said He did not come to do away with the law, but to fulfill the law. His reference to the stones crying out (testifying) is just one example how He fulfilled and brought clarity and understanding to the pages of the Old Testament.

Take some time to day and declare your praise and adoration for the Messiah, the King of kings and the Lord of lords . . . "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" And remember, there is a memorial set in Stone proclaiming God's faithfulness to all generations, the Stone which the builders rejected that has become the Chief Cornerstone of our faith.

Father, may my praise for you never cease. You are glorious. You are marvelous. There is none like you in all of creation. You are righteous. You are holy. You are mighty and full of strength. You are my hiding place. You are my strong tower. You are the Most High God. You are my Provider. You are my Protector. You are my Shield and Fortress. You are the praise on my lips. At your Word the world became. Glory be to your most Holy Name. Redeemer, Savior, King, Lord, Almighty God, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father, Healer, Deliverer, the Author and Finisher of my faith. My Victorious King, I worship You and praise You and give You all the glory due Your most marvelous name. Hosanna in the highest! Hallelujah! Amen!

"For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it." (Habakkuk 2:11)

© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

April Issue of JournEzine Now Online

We are excited to share the latest issue of JournEzine with you.

The traditional Resurrection Day celebration was very early this year, several weeks before Passover. In an attempt to focus on the Resurrection from a "less-than-traditional" point of view, this issue may be somewhat unusual.  We're honored to include some new authors this month who will lead us to a greater understanding of the meaning of Passover and how it relates to us as Christians.     

We are also thrilled this month to feature Mid Stutsman.  Mid is a precious friend of this ministry and an accomplished author.  But, before I give anymore away, let me simply encourage you to read her Interview
and her feature story, Behold, the Lamb
based on a true story in current headlines. 

There's something included in JournEzine
that is sure to touch your heart, we promise.  So, let's celebrate our Lord's resurrection together as you "open the pages" of April's issue of JournEzine.

CLICK HERE TO READ
April Issue of JournEzine

Jan Ross
Heart of God International

I'm Stirred

Yep! God is stirring in my heart about several things lately and sometimes it seems more than I can digest. Nothing is new, nothing has happened, but there is indeed a stirring going on.

I want to share a video clip with you because it is one of those things stirring me. When I viewed it, I couldn't help but think about the people in Kenya and India we met and ministered to. I couldn't help but think what a joke some of this modern "American" Christianity must be to people who live for a month on less than what it takes to buy one gallon of gas. Maybe I'm not making a lot of sense right now, so here's the video clip (about 3-4 minutes long) which will summarize at least one of the issues stirring in my heart:

Now you understand? I turn on the television and Christian programming (for the most part) is filled with the feel-good, what can God do for me message that lakes the call to purity, the need for living holy and upright before the Most Holy Lord. Instead, we watch "Christian" infomercials where pastors are begging for money so they can build bigger churches, ministry centers with the latest technology and gadgets, all complete with the frills and glamorous decoration which they claim will be more "pleasing to God".

How can they do that when people in this world are lost and going to hell? How can they invest millions and millions of dollars in buildings and "empires" when there are men, women, and children who have never heard the name of Jesus or even know there is a Savior who bled and died for their sins? How can they call their ministries "Christian" when it's all about growing to be the biggest and greatest "ministry" to draw more donors with fat pockets to pour into their offering plates?

We support pastors in India for $15/month. This small donation provides food and the necessities for life for an ENTIRE family for an ENTIRE month. And, it's like pulling teeth to find people who are willing to commit to reach out to these men who have given their lives sacrificially to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in dangerous tribal villages where the people are so incredibly lost. These men put themselves at great mortal risk by going into these areas -- the natives use witchcraft to kill people, they minister to cannibals, the walk miles through forest areas--where lions and bears are desperate for a meal--carrying microphones and a generator and sound equipment so they can preach the Gospel in a way that the entire village can hear.

I'm stirred and sickened at the same time. Not that I'm anyone special or that I know more than these big-shot preachers driving in their BMW's surrounded by body guards lest someone reach out and ask for prayer. No, that's not it at all. I'm simply stirred to adhere to the truth, to keep my heart pure, and to fix my eyes on Jesus the Messiah, the Author and Finisher of my faith.

Something has to give ... too many people believe they're "safe" and that they have their eternal destiny all wrapped up because God has favored them with nice homes, new cars, and a nice bank account. What a day it will be when the Messiah splits the Eastern sky to call His own home. I wonder if their cars and houses and bank accounts will deliver them from the wrath of God prophesied by John while exiled on the Isle of Patmos. I wonder if they'll be stirred enough then to repent and denounce their pagan belief that God wants everyone wealthy, healthy, and happy.

Oh, did I tell you I'm stirred?

Jan

March 27 – Isaiah 14:13-14

"For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High." (Isaiah 14:13-14)

Just reading these verses we get quite a clear picture of the evil intents of a heart dedicated to "I will!" Just listen to yourself as you carefully read the evidence of strife, bitterness, pride, boastfulness, and the very essence of evil:

"I will ascend . . . I will exalt . . . I will sit . . . I will ascend . . . I will be . . ."

Every day we have a battle going on in our minds . . . it is the battle between "I will" and "Thy will". H. G. Wells wrote a famous book entitled, "The War of the World's". The Bible could easily be considered the written record of "The War of the Wills".

Paul wrote to us in Romans 7:21-23 giving a description of this "war" raging within his own heart . . . "So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members." As you can easily see this struggle is common to mankind.

There is another One who struggled with this same war as it raged within His heart as well. Matthew 26:42 gives us but a glimpse of the pain involved with making the critical decision between our will and the Lord's will. "He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done." Jesus knew that the Lord's will had to be done, however, that didn't stop or lessen the struggle and agony He went through before finally saying, "Thy will be done."

Take careful note of the decisions (both great and small) you are required to make day after day. Make a conscious effort of making sure that it is "Thy will" that becomes your theme in life rather than "my will "or as Isaiah described so powerfully, "I will!"

Do you have a struggle you are facing in your life today? Ask yourself whose will will be done . . . will you do the will of your Father or will you do what you choose? "Choose this day whom you will serve" . . . make your choice by asking this question, "will I do my will, or will I do my Father's will".

Father, I stand before you so aware of the many, many times I chose my will as opposed to your will. Help me, Father, to always choose your will. As hard as it is, my life MUST bear witness to the will of my Father in heaven. Lord, help me to see clearly your will as opposed to my will. Help me to quickly determine who is speaking to me by judging the words whether they point to you or to me! Father, it is my desire that "Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven". Teach me to hear your voice more clearly. Help me to quickly recognize YOUR will, accept the challenge, and then do it! In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

"Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness." (Psalm 143:10)

© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

March 26 – Colossians 3:15

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

One way to true peace . . . thankfulness! To be truly thankful, we have to acknowledge the Source of every good thing! To acknowledge the Source of every good thing, we have to realize that we have nothing . . . that we are nothing . . . that we can do nothing . . . in and of ourselves! True thankfulness realizes that we have not earned His blessings, but rather that He lovingly chose to bestow them upon us . . . an outpouring of His grace!

Thankfulness comes from a heart of gratitude . . . adorned with humility! True thankfulness will change us . . . transform us . . . renew us into His likeness!

God designed the act of thanksgiving so we could show how much we love and appreciate Him for all He has done. But there is a higher calling . . . being thankful for the things for which we are standing in faith believing! Hebrews describes faith as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen.

Are there things you are thankful for which you don't yet see? Don't be dismayed when your prayer isn't answered immediately . . . look at it as an opportunity to take a step upward to a higher level of intimate communion through faith in Him who answers our prayers and provides our needs . . . in His time!

Be thankful . . . today and every day . . . and the peace of God will rule in your heart!

Father, I am thankful for all You have done as well as for all You will do for me. I realize that all that I have has come from You, not because I deserve it, but because of Your grace extended toward me. Why You should bless me so, I'll never truly know, but I am so thankful! Father, help my faith grow as I stand in faith for those things which I do not yet see . . . and let Your peace rule in my heart as I learn to live a life of thankfulness unto You! You truly are awesome . . . there is none like You! Amen!

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." (Psalm 100:4-5)

© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

The Way of the Cross – Jesus Takes Up His Cross (Thoene)

JOIN US TODAY AS WE FOLLOW JESUS TO THE HILL OF CALVARY WHERE HE WILL DIE AS THE FINAL SACRIFICE FOR OUR WRONG-DOING.

YOU WERE THERE:

We wait with the crowd beside the Roman executioners as Jesus is led out into the street to jeers and mocking.   Beneath a hail of spit,  blows, and  whips, Jesus hefts the Cross onto His shoulders...He is already bleeding from the lashes which tore away the flesh of His back.

As He shoulders the cross,  His kind and sorrowfilled eyes meet yours.    His look says to your heart..."I carry this for you..."

This cross has been thousands of years in the making.  Its weight grows greater each time I look for someone to blame for all that I lack within myself.   Each time I insist that a sin someone committed against me must be punished,  I add an ounce of weight to the burden my Savior carries for me. The cross He carries is the cross of BLAME...of VENGEANCE.

WHEN HAVE I SAID,  "Well he certainly deserved that!?"   When have I said,  "It's only fair.   Look what she did to deserve that...?"   Jesus, when have I,  through my inability to forgive,  laid more weight upon your innocent shoulders?

THINK ON THESE THINGS IN YOUR LIFE AS YOU WALK THE WAY OF THE CROSS WITH JESUS.

PRAY WITH US: 

Jesus, each step you take today is made harder by my hardess of heart.  You carry the weight of blame so that no one else ever will...not even me.  By the power of your Holy Spirit,  please give me the desire and the strength to forgive...to lighten your cross.  AMEN

Heavy was the gift of Pilate's soldiers.  Weight of the ages on His shoulder...Jesus carried this burden for me!

CHANGE THE WORLD FOR CHRIST:

Overcome the whip of unforgiveness which rips the back of your loving Savior!    Pray today for the blessings of repentance and revival and God's love in the lives of all those who have wounded you!  Remember Jesus carries the sins which others committed against you!   He carries the immorality, the cruelty, the lies, the deception, the anger and avarice of ALL who confess and ask Him for forgiveness and who REPENT and turn back to the Way of the Cross.  Would you, by your refusal to forgive,  withhold the blessings of heaven from anyone after your Savior walked the Way of the Cross for your sins? Heaven and Hell are real and the eternal destiny of every human will be either one place or the other.  Only The Way of the Cross leads to eternal life.  All other paths lead to eternal destruction.  For this reason Jesus said, "Father,  forgive them! For they don't know what they are doing!"

Shalom in the Name of Jesus!
Bodie Thoene

The Way of the Cross – History (Thoene)

Jesus has said to us, "I AM, the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE!  No one comes to the Father but by me."  (John 14:6)

In our blogs about defeating the Father of Lies, we have looked at Jesus as absolute TRUTH.  There is no deceit in Him.

Now we begin to consider what Jesus meant when He called Himself, THE WAY and THE LIFE.

How do we follow after Him as he marks  THE WAY  to eternal LIFE for us?

The goal of our spiritual enemy is to hide and block The Way to Life!   He throws up road blocks at every opportunity.  But Jesus says there are no alternate routes to salvation there is only ONE WAY!  

We have asked ourselves in the preceding weeks, 'How can I have victory over the spiritual battles I face every day?"

The ultimate proof of our victory over the Father of Lies, is the TRUTH of God's Word which is proven in the Way of the Cross.   

To truly find and follow The Way, travel now with us now to Jerusalem.  You will experience firsthand what it meant to walk with Jesus as he carried the cross to Golgotha.

Memory is powerful thing.  Like the rudder of a ship it can direct our lives.  Over the months, as Lori and others from the Zion Covenant have shared their personal memories, they have walked again along roads of memory to events which shaped and changed them forever.

I often walk into a store or restaurant and remember being there with my parents, both of whom are gone now.   I think of our conversations, our laughter, sometimes our prayers and I am comforted.

The first Christians did the same thing after Jesus died on the cross, was buried and then rose from dead.   From earliest days in Christianity, those who were present on the day He died, walked the Via Dolorosa, the Way of Sorrows, the Way of the Cross...the path to Calvary and then to the empty tomb.    Perhaps they stopped and remembered each incident along that path which led to their redemption and to our eternal salvation. 

As centuries passed, pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem would walk the steps that Jesus walked.   The Way of the Cross became a part of every pilgrimage. 

It wasn't always easy to get to Jerusalem, so pilgrims who had made the journey, brought back home the memories of their journey on the Via Dolorosa.  Soon every large Cathedral and tiny village church had pictures of the 14 significant events of the crucifixion lining the walls.   Christians who could not read and had no printed Bibles, would stand before those pictures and remember that  Jesus  carried the cross for them,  endured mockery and whipping for them,  was crucified for their personal sins.

Today we begin a journey along The Way of the Cross in Jerusalem.  In preparation for Palm Sunday, Passover week and the Resurrection, we will over the next 14 days stop and pray with you  at each of the  significant  places  where Jesus  walked on the day  He died for You.

Come join us each day in our journey to Jerusalem.  You will never be the same.

From your fellow pilgrims, Blessings in the Name of Jesus, our Savior!

Brock and Bodie and the Thoene family   
www.familyaudiolibrary.com

 

New Edition of JournEzine Now Online

We're really excited about this new edition of JournEzine … there's such a wide variety of articles available to all our readers. Each month we see the Lord giving us more direction, revealing to us what He wants us to do to provide some of the very best in Christian reading including a mixture of testimonies, short stories, poetry, devotionals, and news from the mission field.

Take a few minutes to visit www.journezine.com and read the latest. Share it with others and/or drop us a note to tell us what has touched your heart this month.

If you like to write, consider submitting an article or story for a future issue of JournEzine. The submission guidelines are found on the website under the "Submissions" tab.

Enjoy!