A Timeless Portrait of Grace

Have you ever looked closely at a stained glass window? The hand blown, manually cut, leaded pieces fit together to form beautiful artwork which, when done, conveys a message from the heart of the Master Artist. When the sun beams its radiance through the carefully structured artwork, the sight is breathtaking. No two hand-made windows are alike; each tell a story of their own!

Our lives are much like this stained glass artwork. We once were fractured pieces of glass which appeared meaningless, lacking any type of radiant beauty. As the Lord picked up each piece, one by one, and applied His grace and His mercy as the "lead" which secures the pieces together, a beautiful picture began to form.

Day by day, moment by moment, the Master Artist is fitting the pieces of our lives together. As He shines His glory through us, a most magnificent message is revealed. It's a timeless portrait of Grace and Mercy; it's a portrait of a Father's Love for His child!

If your life seems a bit "abstract" or "fractured" at times, it's only because another piece of the picture is being put in place and secured by the mercy of God. Remember that whatever you're going through, God will use every little piece of your life to complete the portrait which will radiate His beauty, His glory. The brilliance of His love shines through a submitted and committed life revealing His master craftsmanship through which His light dispels the darkness.

"For
now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." (1 Corinthians 13:12)

Father, thank You for picking up the pieces of my life, applying Your mercy and grace, and fitting me back together to where Your glory can be seen through me, Your radiance can shine through me, and Your mercy can flow through me! I can't say it enough, Lord, You are truly awesome and I love you! Amen!

"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." (Ephesians 4:15-16)

© Jan Ross
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Mercy Me!

The Psalmist paints such a beautiful picture of mercy in its application to our lives.

"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"....."When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up." (Psalm 23:6 and 94:18)

God's mercy is manifest in the life of David. Even though he was a "man after God's own heart," David knew the extent of God's mercy; it had everything to do with God and nothing to do with him.

Today's verses also paint a picture of God's character, of His total provision for us in our less-than-perfect state. Psalm 23 shows us that mercy follows us all the days of our lives. As we journey through this life, we all have a tendency to slip, to mess up, to fall short. But as Psalm 94:18 points out, when we fall, His mercy is there –it follows us and holds us up!

No matter what the circumstances, no matter what the cause, if we are pursuing God's will for our lives, His mercy will follow us all the days of our lives so when we do slip, it will hold us up!

Father, Your Mercy is unsearchable, yet such a treasured gift! There are so many times I fall short of your glory, so many times my foot slips on my path toward You. Yet, Your Mercy is there to hold me up and set me back on my journey. Thank you for showing me Mercy when I deserve it the least, and thank You for reminding me that Mercy has everything to do with You, nothing whatsoever to do with me, what I do, where I go, or who I am, for I am nothing—absolutely nothing without You! Amen!

"For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth; That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me." (Psalm 108:4-6)

© Jan Ross
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Persistent Presence

As long as God is with us, we will make it! God is in our midst. He will make a way. He's not like our friends, or family, or even our church leaders … He is God and He will NEVER fail!

"… for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee..."(Hosea 11:9)

He is in our midst. It's a hard concept to comprehend. He is in your midst, He is in my midst ... He is everywhere! And, where He is, there is an abiding assurance that He has a plan, that He will protect us, and that His provision is sufficient.

We all encounter problems, many of which seem earth-shattering and even insurmountable at times. We are plagued with pain, discomfort, problems of every sort. Life brings a plethora of changes which we may not anticipate, many of which are very difficult if not impossible. But our comfort comes from knowing He's already in the midst of our crisis even before we know the problem exists.

The Christian walk may be a rough one at times, but our comfort comes from knowing He is so intimately acquainted with us that there is no place where He is not.

He is our Peace—Jehovah Shalom! Surrounding us with His persistent presence.

Be at peace knowing that He is aware of everything that concerns you and that He is in your midst ... yesterday, today and tomorrow, no matter what comes your way.

Praise Him, love Him, and thank Him for being "God, the Holy One in the midst of thee!"

Father, thank you for Your presence, for being in our midst yesterday, today, and tomorrow! You are Holy. You are wonderful. You are worthy. You are in our midst. Hallelujah! With You, Lord, nothing is impossible, amen!

"The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)

© Jan Ross
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Building Plans

God commanded Moses to build a Tabernacle for Him. He gave Moses specific directions to follow, details that likely seemed overwhelming, but Moses understood that when God spoke, it was time to listen. The Lord does nothing without purpose, says nothing without reason, and reveals nothing without a plan. He never utters an empty word. We can be assured that there is a reason for all things.

"According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work. And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they have done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them." (Exodus 39:42-43)

Moses understood the importance of obedience. He was a man sold out to the will of God. He was completely and fully obedient to the details for constructing the Tabernacle, fulfilling God's instruction to the letter. In fact, we can find a progression in Moses' actions where we can learn something very important:

• Moses did "as the Lord commanded". If you carefully read through Exodus 39 and 40, you'll find at least seventeen times we're told that Moses did "as the Lord commanded Moses".
  
• Moses finished the work. Moses didn't start and then quit, he didn't have his own timetable or agenda. He finished what God instructed Him to do, in God's timetable, according to God's specific instructions.
  
• The "Cloud of Glory filled the Tabernacle" (Exodus 40:34-38); the reward was God's presence.
  

God can only fully bless and be glorified in that which is done according to His Word and divine pattern. Moses carefully followed the Word of the Lord. How careful are we? We expect the same results, but we want it our own way. We expect God's blessings, but we take shortcuts or fail to complete what God instructed us to do through the whole counsel of His Word.

If all of these three qualities were so necessary in building of a tabernacle, how much more are they requirements in the building of a life dedicated to be the dwelling place of God? God no is no longer seated on the Mercy Seat behind the veil in the temple; He dwells in the hearts of those who have offered their hearts to Him as His holy dwelling place. In other words, if God blessed Moses and His glory was seen in that which Moses built according to God's design, how much more will God's blessings be with us and His glory seen in us if we model our lives according to God's design – the Word of God.

Let the Lord of Glory dwell in you richly. Let your life be built on the Solid Rock as you prepare for Him a dwelling place fit for the presence of the King by closely following the pattern given to us in the Word of God.

Father, may my heart be fashioned and formed after Your will, a suitable dwelling place for Your holy presence. Teach me to hunger and thirst after the righteousness of Christ Jesus, the Spotless Lamb offered once for all. Make me a sanctuary for You, my Lord, that Your glory will be seen and all will know that You are Lord. In the precious name of Jesus, the Brightness of Your Glory, amen and amen.

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

© Jan Ross
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Knowing God’s Will For Your Life

If you want to know what the will of God for your life is, take a moment to read 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18; this verse outlines it perfectly. Prayer and thanksgiving are not only isolated words of petition and gratefulness to the Lord, they are a lifestyle; they are the will of God for your life.

"Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18)

This verse has always been one to raise the defense mechanism in the heart of the believer. How can I pray without ceasing? I have work to do and I have my family and other things to tend to!

But prayer is a lifestyle, being in constant communion with the Lord, aware of His presence, talking with Him, and loving Him moment by moment throughout the day and even through the night hours.

Much the same with thanksgiving. We are admonished to live a life of gratitude and praise to the Lord for His mercy and His goodness. So often in the morning the words don't come to pray for things, but to simply be amazed at God and His goodness and mercy. My heart pours out thanksgiving and praise for Who He is. What's on your mind first thing in the morning? Throughout the day? When you lay down and close your eyes at night? Praise and thanksgiving should be constant on our lips, amazement at our God should be in our hearts day and night. Surely we must never become complacent and unmoved by His goodness! Offering ourselves as a sacrifice holy and acceptable to Him certainly includes living a lifestyle of prayer and thanksgiving.

So, pray without ceasing, and in every thing, and at all times live a life of thanksgiving and praise. He is so worthy!

Father in heaven, although I set my petitions before You when I pray, Lord help me remember to keep my mind stayed on You, to commune with You day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment. May I never lose my amazement and gratefulness for all that You do and all who You are. What a priceless privilege I have found in living a life of thanksgiving to You, for You are worthy of my total praise. You are worthy of all the glory. You are worthy! Amen.

"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." (Luke 21:36)

© Jan Ross
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His Name is Truth

If you had to convince an unbeliever that Jesus Christ is the Risen Lord, the Son of the Most High God, the King of all Creation, could you do it? What would you say to someone who had been taught differently all their life or perhaps had never had any teaching at all?

"He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:15-16)

Jesus Christ. Who is He? First off, there is not one man in all of history that has caused such controversy throughout the ages with the exception of Jesus the Christ. From the Genesis account of the fall of man to the last words of the prophet from the Isle of Patmos recorded in Revelation, the scriptures testify of Him before, during, and after His ministry here on earth. The Old Testament paints a detailed picture of His conception, birth, life, death, burial and resurrection and it is proven through the detailed account of the same in the New Testament. One only needs to look and Jesus, the Son of God, is found. The statistical chances of every Old Testament prophecy of the Messiah being fulfilled in the life of one solitary Man are astronomically absurd.

There are over 300 prophecies in the Old Testament about Christ. These include:

1. Christ will be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)
2. Christ will be preceded by a messenger, John the Baptist (Malachi 3:1)
3. Jesus would enter Jerusalem on a donkey (Zech 9:9)
4. He would be wounded in his hands and betrayed by a friend (Zech 13:6)
5. The betrayal would be for 30 pieces of silver (Zech 11:12)
6. The silver would not be returned and would be given to the potter (Zech 11:13)
7. He would not defend himself at trial (Isa 53:7)
8. He would be crucified (Ps 22:16)

. . . and the list goes on to include over 300 prophecies.

If each of those prophecies had a chance of one in ten (and many of them are very specific and would have much higher odds) the total odds become 10 times 10 times 10 (continued for 298 more times) or written in mathematical short hand is 10³⁰⁰. Given the odds of one in 10³⁰⁰ that one man would be able to fulfill all the prophecies from the Old Testament, which were written over thousands of years, and we know from history that one man did fulfill those prophecies - the evidence is clear. Christ is the Messiah, He is Lord.

Of course, this is just one way to build a case for Jesus being who He says He is. We can spend hours upon hours, day after day, recording specific arguments leaving no room for doubt. But ultimately the proof is seen in the lives of individuals who have been touched by His love. If someone wants proof, all they need to do is peer into the heart of one who has been transformed by His power and cleansed by His shed blood. The proof is in the heart of man, bearing witness to the Truth.

Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father but by me." There is no other truth . . . Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, the Resurrected and Risen Lord is TRUTH HIMSELF.

Father, teach me to let the proof of the Resurrected Christ be evident in my life to all who cross my path. Let Your light shine through me unhindered by disobedience or rebellion. I need to know you more intimately, I need to grow closer to You, to fix my gaze upon You and not take my eyes off You. Father, let me be like the moon that has no light of its own but only reflects the light of the sun ~ may my life reflect the brightness of the glory of the Son of the Living God, Jesus Christ the Only Begotten Son of the Most High God. I love you, Jesus, amen and amen.

"Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also." (1 John 2:22-23)

© Jan Ross
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Rose and Lily

The Rose of Sharon and Lily of the Valleys, named to remind us of the beauty and sweetness we find in His relationship with Jesus. The rose, fragrance sweeter than honey, chief of flowers. The lily, preferred by our Christ as clothing even above that of Solomon in all his glory.

Sharon is probably where the best roses grew and in most plenty; some have termed it the "rose of the field" depicting the gospel of salvation for all. A common salvation, that whosoever will may come and gather the rose-buds of privileges, comforts, sweetness, fragrance, that grow in the covenant of grace.

"I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys." (Song of Solomon 2:1)

He is not a show rose, not one to be locked up in a garden, but one in whom all may come and find comfort.

He is a lily for the whiteness, and a lily of the valleys for sweetness. For when we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death, His fragrance will linger and lead us to His protection, comfort and strength.

He is the lily of the valleys, or low places, in His humiliation and "crushing" experienced on the cross of Calvary.

As you walk through your valleys (notice the plural—we're promised there will be more than one), take heed of His fragrance. It will be there.

As you hit the low points in your life, remember that He is a rose that has been bruised and crushed and His fragrance is become sweeter and stronger. Look for Him there also.

In the darkest of days and the longest of nights, you will find Him with you there as well.

The fragrance of His love will lead you through and remind you that He is in your midst regardless where you are.

He loves you, He yearns for you, He's bidding you to come into His chamber where He can lavish His love upon you ... from now throughout eternity.

Precious Lord, I am overwhelmed at the thought of your awesome love toward me. I can almost hear You say, "Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away" (Song of Solomon 2:10). Lord, I will follow you wherever You lead. I will respond to Your passion for me with an ever-growing passion for You. Lord, I love you and I will stop and seek out Your sweet fragrance in the flourishing fields as well as in the dark valleys. And in whatever circumstance or situation I find myself, I will know beyond a shadow of doubt that You, my precious Lord, have not left me. Rather, You are with me alway, even unto the end of the world (ref. Matthew 28:20). Amen!

"I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon." (Hosea 14:5-6)

© Jan Ross
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A Stench or a Fragrance?

In the days when Paul wrote much of the New Testament, and certainly in the ancient history of man, it was a very common occurrence especially among Roman rulers, that when they had taken their army and had overcome the enemy, they would come back to their own village or community in a parade…a processional of sorts. The watchman on the wall could see them coming for miles. The commander in chief would be on a horse, a white horse specifically, and leading his army. Behind him would follow the captives from the conquered city. His soldiers would gather beside them to keep them in line and several of them would roll huge vessels of incense that would continue to burn as the parade would march through town.

Finally on the other side of town they would put the captives in a prison or jail to keep them there and the soldiers would perhaps go home to their families to celebrate the victory. The parade was over. But, there was still a lingering scent in the air of the incense that had come through town along with the victory procession.

The vessels of incense were included in the march so there would be a reminder that there had been victory. The scent of victory lingered in the air; it was a very thick aromatic and sweet smell. All day long through the street remained the reminder that there had been a victory.

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing." (2 Corinthians 2:14-15)

Paul bases this scripture on his military experience which included the lingering fragrance of incense.

We are to be the aroma of Christ, that's why we're here. However, this begs a question: Is your life evidence of His victory?

As the "fragrance" (lingering evidence) of Christ's victory, we are called to spread the reminder of the Conquering King wherever we go. Paul reminds us that the Lord always leads us into triumphal procession, but do we always follow where He leads? We are guaranteed victory if we follow Him since He always leads us in that victory march. There is no other path that guarantees victory!

Regardless of what you are facing in your life, there is victory for you. It has been set aside for you. You do not have inevitable defeat in front of you. Defeat is not of God! He is incapable of leading you to defeat. Christ only marches in victor; He is the Sovereign Victorious One. It is our responsibility to find where He's marching and get in line with Him as our Commander in Chief.

Be the evidence that He has overcome the world and allow the lingering aroma of His victory to remain everywhere you go.

Dear Father, may Your victory be witnessed in my life bringing glory to You, always! In Jesus' name I pray, amen and amen!

"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 15:57)

© Jan Ross
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Boundless Mercy

Mercy. Unmerited favor. Unearned forgiveness. Undeserved love.

Where else could we go to receive such a priceless gift but to the Father who has pledged His unchanging love toward those created in His image?

All of us deserve the lowest hell. There is not one of us who would be able to escape eternal damnation without the mercy of our Lord applied to our lives.

"I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell." (Psalm 86:12-13)

Consider the depths of hell you deserved as compared with "[He] hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6)

Our response to the mercy of God comes in many forms: praise, worship, obedience, sacrifice, humility, all of which glorify Him, edify Him and exalt Him.

Take some time today to reflect on the awesome benefits of His mercy toward you.

"For great is thy mercy toward me..."

Father, I am so undeserving of Your mercy toward me. I realize more today than ever before that all that I am and ever hope to be is a result of Your boundless love and mercy toward me—so undeserved, so mercifully extended toward me. Thank You for loving me enough to make a way for me to escape the depths of hell I deserve. Your mercy absolutely amazes me. Mercy. Unmerited favor. Unearned forgiveness. Undeserved love.

I stand in awe when I think of Your gift so freely given for such a one as I. Amen!

"O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever." (1 Chronicles 16:34)

© Jan Ross
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Sweeter Communion

Jesus Christ, our Shepherd, knows us better than we know ourselves, inside and out. He knows our hearts, our motives, our strengths, and our weaknesses. As sheep in His fold we, too, must know Him "inside and out" through daily relationship with Him.

We can't possibly know someone we don't spend time with. It is much like a courtship, we've met and He has made his intentions known toward us. Now, it's up to us to get to know Him as He knows us intimately, just as He knows the Father, as if we were one with Him just as He is with the Father.

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father . . . " (John 10:14-15)

Although many of us set aside time on a regular basis to read His Word and/or to pray, we very often fail in our endeavors to really know Him. The more time we spend with Him and include Him in all our daily activities, the more we will know Him. We are in a marriage relationship with our Lord; those whose marriages are marked by deep and abiding love are known to have worked on truly knowing one another, trusting one another, serving one another, and looking for every opportunity to spend time together.

Since He reveals Himself to us through His Word, search the pages of Your Bible and learn His love for you…learn His personality. Your relationship with Him will grow to be better day by day, each day better than the day before, filled with expectation and anticipation for sweeter communion.

Don't allow yourself to believe the lie of the enemy. You are NOT alone, you have the Good Shepherd leading you, looking after you, walking life's journey with you as His rod and staff bring you comfort.

Shepherd of my soul, a place of intimacy and sweet communion with You is my fiercest desire! As the days go by, things of this world are beginning to fade into the background and the need for a greater relationship with You has become my passion! My soul longs to know You as You know me, to hear Your voice above all others, and to walk in the path You have set before me. Lead me, O Shepherd, protect me, guide me, and feed me through Your Word as I hide it in my heart in daily communion with You, amen.

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 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)

© Jan Ross
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