Visual Creatures

"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Corinthians 5:7)

We are visual creatures! Once we see something, it's easier to believe it. But that's not faith! The essence of faith believes something is real without having seen it – seeing it with the eyes of faith rather than natural eyes!

This short verse gives us a lot to think about! Paul wrote these words knowing that we all have a tendency to walk by sight rather than by faith! Although his letter was directed to the Corinthians, these eight short words still reverberate throughout the centuries . . . faith is seeing that which cannot be seen with our natural eyes and believing that it is!

Our eyes tell us that our circumstance is too difficult and we're defeated! Faith tells us that there is nothing too difficult for our God and He has already won for us the victory! Our eyes tell us that the doctor's report gives us little hope. Faith says "I will believe the report of the Lord"! Our eyes tell us that our children are lost. Faith tells us that God's promises are true and "when they are old they will not depart" from the Lord.

Keep in mind that God leads us into and through times where our faith is tested and tried. We need to walk through this in order for the Lord to show us His mighty arm in the midst of our circumstances, revealing to us His ability to perform His Word and proving His integrity. It's a necessary part of the process of growing in our knowledge of Him – growing in a relationship that gives us the strength to endure knowing that we are never alone or forsaken!

If you think about it, fixing our gaze on the Author and Finisher of our faith will certainly cause awareness of our life's circumstances to fade. Faith will spring forth and doubt will flee. Standing on the promises of God, clinging to Him through faith, and pursuing relationship with Him will lead us to victory over fear and doubt! Those things which are seen by sight will give way to that which is seen by faith!

We have a commission to walk by faith knowing that our Heavenly Father is very able to keep us even in the midst of our darkest hour. Don't let your eyes deceive you but cling to His promises . . . "walk by faith, not by sight!" Turn your eyes upon Jesus . . . and the things of earth will grow strangely dim . . . "

Heavenly Father, my flesh grows weak and my faith fades so easily. Lord, help me to keep my gaze fixed on You and Your promises so my circumstances won't overwhelm me. My heart's sole desire is to serve You, to love You, to worship You, not only in deed, but through steadfast faith in Your ability to keep me through it all. I love you, Lord! Amen!

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)

© Jan Ross
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Make Up Your Mind

"...How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him..." (1 Kings 18:21)

Whoever said there are no absolutes was sorely mistaken. Black or white! Right or wrong! Hot or cold! God or Baal!

How many times have you wanted to shake someone and tell them they have to make up their minds—either serve God wholeheartedly or don't bother trying.

God is merciful, God is love, God is full of compassion and grace. BUT, God is holy; He is a jealous God. He will not tolerate gray. He will not tolerate mediocrity. He will not tolerate lukewarmness. He will not tolerate half-heartedness in a relationship with Him.

God is drawing us to a level of relationship with Him like never before. It is one of singlemindedness . . . sold out, submitted and consecrated to Him. He is preparing His Bride for His soon appearing by strengthening the relationship . . . causing the yearning for Him to increase day by day as we anticipate His coming!

Before you shake someone else for being double-minded, check your own heart. Are you single-minded toward God or are you walking in the lukewarm, middle-of-the road state that breaks the heart of God? We all need to examine our hearts in response to the drawing of His Spirit.

Father, forgive me, Lord, for not always being single-minded toward You. Forgive me, Father, for trying to live as the world while I try to live a Christian life. I realize, Father, that I cannot continue to live like this . . . help me to make a choice to serve You with ALL my heart, mind, soul and strength regardless of the cost to me personally. Father, as I anxiously look for the day when You tell Your Son to come get His Bride, cleanse me and make me ready to be presented to Him as pure and spotless. Lord, may my consecrated and set-apart life be a praise to You bringing You glory. Amen!

"Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils." (1 Corinthians 10:21)

© Jan Ross
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Seeds of Stinking Thinking

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

Very little else can be said about our verse today. Paul, in his letter to the Church at Philippi, clearly defined a Godly thought life. The mind seems to be the arena that the enemy attacks through the most. He plants seeds in our thoughts, and then it is up to us what we're going to do with them.

Will we allow the enemy's seeds of "stinking thinking" to take root and grow, or will we cast out those seeds before they can ever take root?

Our flesh wants to entertain gossip, slander, lies, etc., but we have authority through the shed blood of Jesus Christ our Lord and Master to cast down those thoughts which are not according to God's standard. It is our duty to train ourselves to quickly recognize thoughts that are contrary to the mind of Christ and deal with them immediately, not giving them any opportunity to take root and grow.

It is has been said that the human mind has about three to five seconds after a thought enters the mind when a decision must be made; if it isn't dealt with in that time, it's likely to cause or affect the individual's behavior. That doesn't give much time for decision-making . . . we need to quickly recognize "stinking thinking" and change our thought pattern!

Take note today of what thoughts you allow yourself to dwell on and use the authority vested in you by Jesus Christ to "Cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." (2 Cor. 10:5)

Dear Lord, my thoughts are not always your thoughts or even pleasing to you. Help me exercise the authority you gave me over my thought life and help me think only on those things which are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report, full of virtue and full of praise. May my life including my thoughts bring glory to You in every way every day!

"And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever." (1 Chronicles 28:9)

© Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

Consider …

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Have you ever given any thought to how important timing is to God? God not only has a "reason" for everything He does, but He has a "season" for everything He does. We tend to do things on the spur of the moment, but God works with design and with purpose, yet that is so hard for us to comprehend in our finite minds.

In God's infinite plans, He has laid out an intricate plan. Everything God has declared must come to pass as He has said it will. He doesn't act according to our timetable.

Think about the prophets of old. They listened, declared the Word of God, and then waited for the coming of the Messiah.

They waited . . . and waited . . . and waited!

But although God's word had been spoken and the prophecies recorded, the manifestation of God's plan was not to be for many years; generations passed before the prophesied Messiah was born.

Consider Abraham. Years passed before Isaac was born.

Consider Zacharias and Elizabeth. Years passed before their son was born.

Consider Simeon. years passed before he saw the manifestation of God's promise in his life.

And, there are more examples too numerous to mention. God's plan was never thwarted by any trick of the enemy; it always came to pass "in His time."

If you sometimes wonder what God is doing, just be patient and walk faithfully and obediently. As God's sons and daughters, if we have committed our lives to Him, He is going to bring things to pass at the right place, at the right time! It's a promise!

Father, I must confess that I am anxious to see Your promises made manifest in my life, in this time, in this place. Lord, please forgive my anxiousness and help me to be patient, waiting on You to move in Your time. Father, help me to be still, and to be confident in Your promises, knowing that You will fulfill all that You have promised, not only in my life, but in this world, in this time. Your ways are so far above mine, Your wisdom so much greater than mine. I praise You for Who You are and for what You have promised. You are trustworthy . . . You are faithful. Amen.

"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." (Proverbs 19:21)

© Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

Bold Proclamation

"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ . . ." (Galatians 6:14)

Paul was bold in his proclamation of faith, not wavering, but holding fast to that which he believed with all his heart.

Why? Because he truly embraced the cross of Christ and all it stands for—His sufferings, His death, and our salvation through a crucified Redeemer. As a matter of fact, Paul was so far from being offended or ashamed at the cross of Christ, that he desired to glory in nothing else and it was his determination to preach the cross till he drew his dying breath regardless of the cost to him personally. Paul knew that without the cross there would have been no redemption, no joy, and no hope.

How do we compare today? Are we offended or ashamed when someone asks us about our faith? Do we find our solace and comfort at the foot of the cross where our sins were washed pure in the crimson flow? Do our lives show that we "glory" in the cross of Christ by esteeming nothing or no one higher than Him and regarding His sacrifice as the most important gift ever given to us?

Take a few moments to examine your heart today, then answer this question: In whom or in what do I glory most? Can I boldly proclaim with Paul, "I GLORY in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ!"

Father, my desire is to be like Paul in his pursuit of the riches contained in the cross of Christ. Forgive me for when I have been ashamed or even timid and teach me to be bold. But more than anything today, Lord, teach me to glory in the cross esteeming the sacrifice of Christ above all else. Thank you Lord for your immeasurable gift of love that I'm learning to cherish more and more as each day passes! I love You, Lord! Amen!

"But, "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends." (2 Corinthians 10:17-18)

© Jan Ross
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Suffering Can Be Our Friend

"But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (I Peter 5:10-11)

We were never promised a rose garden. Suffering is as much a part of the Christian's life as faith; it comes in different ways and it produces fruit in our lives.

When we think of "suffering" we immediately think of physical pain. Although that is one aspect of suffering – a very REAL aspect of suffering – it is not the only one. It also has to do with feelings, passions, impressions, pressures, and sensations. Suffering has everything to do with discomfort, disappointment, disillusionment. But even amidst all this, suffering can be our most cherished friend.

Enduring suffering will make you perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. A diamond is made only through intense pressure being applied for a very long time. But after the pressure is gone, a beautiful gem appears which is perfect and strong. In order to get to this point, however, the stone had to endure intense pressure . . . it had to allow the applied pressure to do its perfect work. Then it needs to be cut, polished, and handled with masterful perfection in order that its unequalled beauty can truly be appreciated.

Are you under pressure . . . are you suffering? Rejoice for what you are experiencing is the process of creating something beautiful in your life. Endure suffering and see the handiwork of God as He "presses" you into a beautiful gem, as He cuts and polishes and handles you with Masterful perfection. Allow Him the privilege of making you stablished, strengthened, and settled . . . reflecting the brilliant, magnificent glory of your Creator!

Father, I don't like to suffer . . . I don't want to suffer! Help me to endure the discomfort of suffering, help me to count it a privilege to be found worthy to suffer so my life may shine brightly as a beautifully polished gem. Father, have Your way in my life regardless of what path You choose for me to walk! I love You, Lord . . . there is no one like You . . . I trust you, Lord, to know what's best for me! Amen!

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." (Matthew 16:24-25)

© Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

God is Truth: Circumstances Lie

"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

We've all been there! The bills are due and there's not enough money; the children are sick, the car won't run, there's not enough groceries to feed the family, the garden didn't produce the yield expected, those that owe you money don't have it to pay back, the bank account is depleted, the utilities are about to be turned off, everything that could go wrong is (or has) gone wrong.

At this point we have two choices. We can do as Job's wife advised and curse God and die, or we can keep our eyes fixed on our Provider and choose to "rejoice in the Lord, [and] joy in the God of my salvation." It's a hard decision, but it is OUR decision nonetheless.

All too many people have fallen beneath their circumstances only to say that they "can't" take any more or they don't see any way out. What they're not seeing is the fact that God is our total care-giver and our temporal circumstances have absolutely NOTHING to do with Who He is. In that, we can rejoice in the Lord and joy in the God of our salvation. He is Lord whether we "see" Him working in our situations or not. He is Lord whether we "feel" it or not. The fact is He is Lord … period. There is none other AND He is all we need!

So when the storms of life seem to overtake you, just remember He is LORD. Then, go on and rejoice in that knowledge. He knows our circumstances, He knows our weaknesses and our strengths, He knows US. Rejoice in the Lord and joy in the God of your salvation; He is worthy of ALL our praise.

Father, though life's circumstances would seem to overwhelm me, I choose this day to rejoice in You and take joy in the God of my salvation. The things of this earth fall into perspective when I remember Who you are and Whom I serve; help me to remember these things. Finally, Lord, I rejoice in what You have done, in what You mean to me, in what You have accomplished on my behalf. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on You and not my circumstances. Circumstances are a lie . . . You are TRUTH! Amen!

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." (Psalm 42:11)

© Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

Hiding from God

"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (2 Timothy 2:19)

As a child I can remember when I did something wrong, I would run and hide or try to keep the thing I did wrong from my parents. I knew that I had disobeyed them and was ashamed, hurt, and afraid of the consequences I knew were about to befall me. But even as a child, I knew there was no place I could hide that my parents could not find me, or if I attempted to hide the object I broke or ruined or whatever I'd done wrong, somehow they always found out. It was a fact of life, no doubt about it.

In a child's eyes, parents are the ultimate authority, the ones they love the most and the ones they fear the most. Many times we, as Christians, act the same way in the eyes of our Heavenly Father. We do something wrong and immediately we want to hide. Of course, we know we cannot hide from Him, but we have a tendency to "sweep things under the rug" and not deal with them, a way of hiding from Him. Why do we do this? Most times it's because we don't want to suffer the consequences for what we've done wrong and by denying it we hope that the problem will just "disappear".

The Lord knows us. He knows where we are at all times, what we are doing, what we are thinking. He knows what motivates our actions. Actually, He knows more about us than we know or are willing to acknowledge. He knows our strengths and our weaknesses . . . He knows us.

Take special note today of the ways you "hide" from God by not coming to terms with sin in your life. Then, quickly repent and thank Him that you are covered by the Blood of the Lamb and accept His cleansing and purifying. Respect Him and "fear" Him as a child, love Him and honor Him in all you set your hand to, today and every day.

Dear Father, I never realized it but so many times I can see myself "hiding" from You so I don't have to deal with my problems or my sin, not because I don't love You but because I fear the consequences. Lord, help me to trust You and to be secure in our love—Your love for me and mine for You. Lord, I love You more than anything or anyone . . . help me, Lord, to show my love by running TO You rather than AWAY from You when I have missed the mark. Amen.

"Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD." (Jeremiah 23:24)

© Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

Ignite Your Passion Conference

IGNITE YOUR PASSION

CONFERENCE

SALINA, KANSAS

April 24-25

Salina Heights Christian Church

801 E. Cloud Street, Salina

Friday Night: 6:30 PM

Saturday Morning: 10:00 AM

Book Signing at the Community Learning Center

308 W. Elm, Salina

2:00 PM to 4:00 PM Saturday

* * * * * * * * * *

Guest Speakers:

Kandy Crosby-Hastings

Jeanice McDade

Jan Ross



Based on the Award-Winning Book
Women of Passions

www.womenofpassions.net



For More Information: 618-927-7317
jeanice@heartofgodinternational.com

Pressing On

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)

The dictionary has many meanings for the word "press" some of which include "to use force or weight, to push, to squeeze, to apply pressure, to exert great effort, to stress, to plead insistently". To press in the context of today's verse is to use strength to push your way toward a specific goal, that being the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

There's another type of "press" that we need to be constantly aware of also. A missionary from Kenya visited our church a while back and made a profound statement, "What is birthed in prayer must be sustained in prayer!" In other words, when you realize a victory in response to prayer, you must keep that victory bathed in prayer. You can't afford to let up simply because you have the victory!

How many times we, as Christians, have seen a great need and began to pray earnestly for God to intervene and to change the circumstances. Soon, we see the circumstances begin to change, and we claim victory, forget it, and move on only to find that within a short period of time the situation appears to have grown worse! We can probably all identify with that. Why did it happen? The answer is simple . . . we didn't continue to "press".

The Amplified Bible says "I press on . . ." which gives us the indication that the pressing needs to continue relentlessly. And, even when we have realized a victory along the way, we need to keep on pressing on. Years ago our pastor used the analogy of being in a boat rowing upstream against the flow. The progress was slow but steady as long as he kept rowing. However, once he stopped, he immediately lost ground. He then would have to begin rowing again and keep on rowing just to regain the ground he had lost. In order to maintain steady progress toward his final destination, however, all along the way he would make it his goal to make it to a certain landmark. When he accomplished that goal, he set another goal to another landmark farther upstream and continued this till he arrived. But in order to "press" toward his mark, he couldn't let go of the oars or stop rowing; the "press" had to remain constant and steady.

Each victory we realize along our path in life brings us closer to the ultimate prize. But our "press" needs to be constant, steady, and relentless till we receive the prize and the goal that we reach for—the Victor's Crown. So, just remember, no matter what, "PRESS ON"!

Father, You and You alone are my ultimate goal, the prize that I reach for, that I "press" toward! Lord, sometimes it seems as if I'm rowing upstream against the flow, as if I'm climbing the steepest of all hills as the winds blow against me, but I know that with Your strength I will endure as I press on. Father, help me to remember that when I realize small victories along the way that I need to keep pressing on and to not let up in my striving for the goal that I'm reaching toward! Father, I make a commitment right here and now to "press" on with all that is within me until I have attained the ultimate prize, the highest calling of God in Christ Jesus . . . the Victor's Crown! Amen!

"I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies." (Psalm 18:1-3)

© Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved