"A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn."  (Proverbs 12:2)

One cannot be a "good man" on his own. It is only through the mercy and grace of God that mankind could ever be called "good" or find the favor of the Lord. Only those who are covered by the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb of God can truly find favor in the eyes of God . . . the blood purchased their goodness!

The wicked . . . well, they have their favor from man and from the systems of this world. They may receive the applause of men, the unexplained promotions, the wealth of this world, but they are miserable . . . and they are condemned to die.

"Choose you this day whom ye will serve" . . . will you find favor with God, or will you pursue favor from man? Remember that God's favor is eternal . . . man's is for a moment.

Father, to find favor with God has always been my goal as I have endeavored to be "good". Father forgive me for often taking my life into my own hands and help me to allow You to make me and mold me into a vessel of honor pleasing to You!  Father, grant me Your favor as I learn to be more like You day by day.  Amen!

"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods" (Joshua 24:15-16)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word."
(Psalm 119:114)

Hope . . . a desire of some good, accompanied with an expectation of obtaining it, or a belief that it is obtainable; an expectation of something that is thought to be desirable; confidence; pleasing expectancy.

Indeed, Webster has much to say about "Hope". In the context of the Word of God, we can see that it is very similar to Faith . . . "expectation of obtaining before actually seeing it manifested".

As we learn to be "hidden" in the Word of God, and use it as our "shield", we will find a level of hope arising within us that we never thought possible! And, with that hope will come the manifestation of our faith . . . the evidence of things unseen and the essence of things "hoped" for! But, the key is using the Word of God to build up our most holy faith in God's ability to shield us, to protect us, to provide for us, to help us . . . and so much more!

Are you depressed or despondent today, treat yourself to David's remedy . . . "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? "HOPE" thou in God..." (Psalm 42:5).

Father, You are my hiding place and my shield. Help me, Lord, to HOPE in your Word as I work to read more, to study more, and to commit more to my memory! Father, my desire is that your Word becomes a PART of me through daily fellowship with you in it so I will know exactly where my hope lies in times of need! And, when my soul is "disquieted within me," HOPE will rise up and give me the strength to go on. Thank you Lord, for HOPE!

"For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock."
(Psalm 27:5)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart . . ." (Proverbs 3:5)

Trust . . . a small word with a big meaning!

A child finds it so easy to trust his parents for they have given him everything he needs to sustain him in life plus they have given him unconditional love and affection.

Our level of trust is solely dependent upon our level of intimacy and communion with the Lord. Once we have realized that He has given us everything we need to sustain us . . . once we have found Him to be the source of unconditional love and affection, then our level of trust will exceed and surpass any doubt or fear in the midst of life's sorrows and disappointments.

Press in to Him today and begin to see Him as the source of everything you need to sustain you in life, including the love and affection only a Father can give to His children!

If you expect people to meet your needs, you will be sorely disappointed; however, if you allow Abba Father to be your All in All, trust in the Lord will not only be easy, but constant!

Abba, Father, there are times I find it very hard to trust You as my total source. Draw me close and hold me so I may find comfort and sweet communion with You. It is there that my trust will develop into total confidence in Your ability to care for me even in the midst of life's biggest disappointments. Just to be close to You, that's all I desire ... draw me close to You! In Jesus' Name, Amen!

"In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness." (Psalm 31:1)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account." (Philippians 4:17)

A servant's heart . . . what does that have to do with this verse? Everything!

Paul had a servant's heart; he had a heart to minister to the people, to spread the good news of Jesus Christ, to see people's lives changed, to witness the miracle of precious, holy fruit growing in the lives of all those who heard his message. Although the need may have been there for Paul to receive a monetary blessing from the people he ministered to, his heart . . . his servant's heart . . . so much more desired to see fruit abounding in the lives of these people.

Today, we seem to get caught up in pursuing the "hand" of God rather than the "heart" of God! We want to know how we can be blessed, what is the "button" that triggers God's material blessings. But unfortunately we all too often lose our zeal to pursue the heart of God . . . our longing is not after Him alone, it's after what He can do for us!

We serve a holy, magnificent King who has given us all there is to give; He's made provision for us in every area of our lives. He knew us before the foundations of the earth; He knew what we would need to lead a fulfilling life. He did all this by giving us His heart! All we need to do to walk in His abundant blessings is to apprehend the heart of God and cherish it more than silver and gold, more than houses and cars, more than life itself!

Inspect your heart today. Are you seeking after God's "hand" or are you pursuing His "heart"? Paul didn't want anything material gift for his labor of love, He wanted to be sure the people bare fruit . . . the fruit that grows from a servant's heart turned toward and ever pursuing His Master!

Father, I love you more than yesterday, but not as much as I will tomorrow. Lord, please forgive me when I lose sight of my goal, the desire to apprehend Your heart! Help me to always seek You and acknowledge You in everything. Help me to desire fruit in others' lives as well as my own rather than pursuing material riches and gain! Lord, help me keep my eyes focused on You, desiring You, and pursuing You from a servant's heart . . . a heart always pursuing His Master! Amen and Amen!

"Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." (John 15:8)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." (Jude 1:21)

The Cross . . . where Mercy met Justice!

We should have received death, yet we've been given life! We should have been beaten and crucified, yet we've been set free from the penalty of sin!

Jude fully understood Mercy as he admonished us to "look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."

In all that we do, everywhere that we go, all that we set our hand to, in every circumstance in life . . . "look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ" . . . recognize it, acknowledge it, thank Him for it, walk in it!

When we should have received justice, mercy that bought us eternal life is ours because of Calvary.

Never lose sight of it . . . never forget it!

Dear Lord, God of Mercy . . . how can I ever thank You for such an awesome gift! I could never have deserved such Mercy, yet You bought it, paid for it, and have given it so freely to me! I will praise You from now throughout eternity for making a way for me to receive the greatest gift of all . . . Mercy from the One who gave His all so we could call You, Abba, Father!

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt" (Exodus 13:17)

The Israelites had just been delivered from the hand of Pharaoh, the relentless ruler whose heart was hardened toward them. God had a plan for His people , a plan that would take time – His time!

God visibly led the children of Israel in their journey with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He could easily have led them to their destination in a very short time; however, they would not have been prepared for the battle that awaited them. The children of Israel, during their time of captivity, had been laborers not warriors! Their spirits were broken because of life's circumstances while in captivity, much like we were!

It amazes me to think that God, when we were delivered from bondage by the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, could have led us directly to the fulfillment of His promises to us! But He knew we wouldn't be ready for the giants we would encounter without a time of learning and growing and building up of our faith . . . without a time in the wilderness!

God knows our frame and He understands our weaknesses. As He leads us away from our former captivity, God portions His peoples' trials according to their strength, not allowing them to face more than what He has enabled and equipped them to face. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

While the children of Israel went about their journey out of bondage into the Promised Land for forty long years, it was a time of testing and preparation for the giants they would encounter when they arrived.

God is preparing us one day at a time to face the giants found in our tomorrows. We need not worry about not being able to deal with what our future may bring for God has proven Himself faithful time and time and time again. Just as He brought the children of Israel out of bondage and planned their journey for His purposes in strengthening them and preparing them for what was to come, so has the Lord brought you and me out of bondage having planned our journey through this life for His purpose. Sometimes His plans involve battles and warfare and difficulties we'd rather not face, but rest assured that every enemy we encounter along the way will only prove to strengthen us and prepare us for the Promised Land.

Take a moment and thank the Lord for His abundant love for you, a love that causes Him to lead us every moment of every day and night. He has a plan that will prepare you for what tomorrow brings while He gives you the strength to walk through today. In other words, He's got you covered.

Lord, You amaze me! Thank You for loving me enough to purchase my freedom from the "captor" and to lead me through this life's journey to my destiny. Father, thank You—it's obvious that You've got me covered. By the blood of Jesus and in His name I pray, amen and amen!

"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. The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him." (Lamentations 3:22-24)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit." (Romans 8:5)

Separating the "flesh" from the "spirit" can be a difficult task when confronted with questions that we have along the path of life. But, God has instilled in us a unique way of knowing when we have wandered off the path of the Spirit!

That small, still voice within us will never fail to guide us in the midst of life's uncertainties. Our response to the "voice" will help us determine whether or not we walk after the flesh or after the Spirit. If we ignore the "voice" long enough, it will finally go away to bother us no longer, and we will have successfully quenched the Spirit! However, if we will seek the will of God in the circumstances we are "questioning," we will be found in the center of His will by walking after the Spirit, not after the flesh!

How many times have we encountered a situation that suddenly we feel a "check" in our spirit, or a hesitation about doing it, yet without regarding that warning, we go right ahead only to find out later we shouldn't have followed through with it? I can personally think of numerous times that my "hindsight" allowed me to know the exact moment when I made the wrong decision and wishing I had just listened to that small, still voice!

If we dare to be honest with ourselves, we have to admit that we ignore that voice all too often! We are quick to recognize a little child's struggle with simple obedience. However, as adults we find that we ourselves are still on that life-long journey learning to walk in obedience and total surrender to God's will.

Oh, that we would learn to be quick to respond to the sound of His voice!

In my pursuit to become more like You, Oh Lord, I long to follow after You rather than allow my flesh to rise up and lead me astray! Lord, I long to be obedient, to follow closely to that still, small voice that guides me day by day! Oh Father, help me be quick to respond to your voice and subdue my own desires that I may become a mere shadow in the light of Your glory! Amen!

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." (John 10:27-28)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul." (Psalm 66:16)

The Lord has been dealing with me and teaching me about the "fear of God". In many ways, throughout my day, He is revealing to me areas in which I have become casual toward His Sovereignty, Holiness, and Righteousness. If we would be truthful with ourselves, we would ALL feel the burden of conviction when it comes to recognizing and revering the Sovereignty, Holiness, and Righteousness of our Creator!

In the times when Temple Worship was still going on with the daily sacrifices and other rituals, etc., we can only imagine a High Priest, standing on the outside of the veil which separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies where the presence of God was manifest. As he was about to enter in, a terrible fear came over him. He was afraid! He knew that if he didn't follow the "procedure" just right that he may enter in behind the veil and possibly never come out. It is a traditional teaching that many times the High Priest even tied a rope around his ankle in case he died in the presence of such a Holy God, that he could be pulled out since no one else was able to actually enter in there.

Now since the veil is rent, we walk in and out of the presence of such a Holy God, not giving it another thought! We don't fear His power . . . we don't have a healthy respect for Him. As Christians in this generation, we have become casual about who God really is. The enemy has blinded us through the teachings of contemporary Christianity and we no longer "fear" God as we ought!

Do we tremble at the thought of His mighty hand? Yes, the veil is rent so we can come into His presence through the sacrifice of our Passover Lamb, but does that mean we can take His Holy Presence lightly? God forbid!

We are all unworthy of His love and acceptance. Any worthiness we have is only through Jesus Christ and His blood; anything else in us or about us is but dung. We are nothing . . . He is everything!

May the realization of just Who He is become so vivid in our minds that we will never take the invitation to come into His Holy presence lightly again!

Father, forgive us all for taking You for granted . . . for not standing in awe, for not trembling at the sound of Your voice through Your Word as it speaks to our spirit. Father, teach us as modern-day, end-times Christians to fear You as You reveal Yourself to us in a deeper and more intimate way than ever before. May Your presence be something we treasure, that we not take it for granted another instant. Father, forgive me . . . forgive Your people and teach us all! Amen!

"Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him." (Psalm 33:8)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." (John 13:14-17)

One of the hardest things in life is to cast down pride and a self-serving attitude to concentrate on being a servant to others.

In today's world, everywhere you look you see something encouraging you to consider yourself before anyone else. The world is full of it . . . abortion serves self, homosexuality serves self, drug and alcohol abuse serve self, divorce in many instances serves self!

Jesus, through His example of love and humility, challenged us to consider others more highly than ourselves through service. John F. Kennedy once said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country!" This easily applies to us as Christians: "Ask not what others can do for you, but ask what you can do for others!" If we can only learn to focus on others' needs, to serve them with an unselfish heart, our needs will be met as well. "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed." (James 5:16a) In other words, focus on the needs of others and our needs will be met as well!

To have a "servant's heart" allows God to use us as His instruments to minister to all those around us. Oh, that we would all learn to have such selfless compassion!

Lord, help me to remember that being a servant, having a servant's heart, and serving others is what pleases you. Help me to follow your example of love, humility, and selflessness -- becoming less aware of self and more aware of others. Because of Your love and in Your precious Name I pray, Amen!

"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another" (Romans 12:10)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea."
(Psalm 93:4)

The Lord on high . . . He is an immovable anchor cast in the storm. The Lord does more wondrous things than the noise of many waters; they cannot disturb His rest or rule; they cannot defeat His designs and purposes. God is mighty to preserve His people from being ruined by these many waters and His people's spirits from being terrified by the noise of them. He can, when He pleases, command peace in our lives. The unlimited sovereignty and relentless power of the awesome God we serve encourages His people, even in all the storms we face in life!

Who is mightier than the waves of any trial in our lives? The Lord on High!

Who can calm the raging storms in our lives? The Lord on High!

Whose love knows no end? The Lord on High!

Who is mightier than the mighty waves of the sea? The Lord on High!

Who is the soon coming King? The Lord on High!

Hallelujah to the Lord on High!

"O LORD our Lord, how majestic is thy name in all the earth!" (Ps. 8:9) You ARE mightier than the waves of any trial in my life for You ARE the Lord on High. There is none like You in all the earth or in the heavens above the earth! You are the immovable anchor in the midst of my storms. Help me remember when the waves billow out their deafening sound in my life that You will be there to calm the sea for Your voice is mightier than the noise of many waters! Hallelujah, Amen!

"Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah." (Psalm 24:10)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." (Isaiah 12:2-3)

If God is truly our salvation, we must trust, and not be afraid that the God we trust in will fail us. Is the Lord Jehovah our salvation? Then he will be our strength and our song. He surely will strengthen us with all might by His Spirit for He is our strength. We can depend upon him to comfort us in all our tribulations for He is our song! He will put a song in our hearts even in the darkest hours we walk through!

We all experience those dark hours when God seems so far away. But, it's comforting to know that it's all in our perception. God hasn't moved away from us . . . if anyone has done the moving, it's US! When we feel our weakest, He is His strongest in our lives. When we feel so far away, He is His closest to us. When we feel so very all alone in life, He is there in the midst of us! When we want to run and hide, He's there with His arms open wide!

He is our salvation . . . He is the One in whom we trust . . . He is our strength . . . He is the song in our heart! He causes joy to spring forth from the midst of us . . . He is everything we need . . . He is our very life . . . He is our All in All!

"Out of the wells of salvation," God's favor shall flow forth to you. With pleasure, satisfaction and JOY, let us draw water out of the wells of salvation! Aren't you glad you are walking in His favor? I know I am!

Father, I rejoice in the precious gift of salvation You have given me! I choose today to trust and not to fear, knowing that You are my strength! There is a song in my heart today because of You, there's a song TO YOU bubbling up in my soul for great is your salvation and your favor toward me. Help me to draw from the wells of salvation every day of my life so my life will be a continuous praise unto You. Amen!

"For God has said, "I will never leave you; I will never abandon you." (Hebrews 13:5)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.  (1 John 4:7-8)

Valentine's Day is one day in the year set aside where everyone is reminded of "Love"! When the world thinks of this day, love can usually be interchanged with "lust"! Of course, we know that in the verse for today "love" is from the word "agape" which means to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly in a social or moral sense.

Love is a central theme in the Bible, from the very beginning to the very end! God's love toward mankind has prompted everything He has done to redeem us from our fallen state. It's no wonder He speaks so much of "love"! The Bible tells us that "God is Love"! So, if we don't have love in us . . . "agape" love . . . then we cannot know God!

Take some time today and concentrate on your actions and the way you present yourself to all those with whom you come in contact. Do they see "agape" flowing from your innermost being toward them . . . or, do they see something less? If it's not the God-kind of love flowing from you to all those you associate with, perhaps you need to spend some quality time getting to know the God who is Love for without Him you cannot truly love anyone!

Have a "love feast" today . . . show forth His lovingkindness to all today and let them know that "God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."

Father, teach me to love with Your kind of love! Show me how to go beyond my own will and reach out to all those I come in contact with "agape" love. Your love is so precious to me because it is an everlasting love and it reminds me that You would stop at nothing to make a way to redeem my life from destruction. Father, I love you with all my heart! Amen!

"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." (I John 4:16)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." (Philippians 4:11)

One of the hardest things for many of us to deal with is adversity. For some reason, Christians have come to believe that their lives will run smoothly and trials and tribulations will not come nigh them if they live a good life. Nothing, however, could be farther from the truth.

Adversity is to become our friend, not our enemy. Adversity, trials, hardships, brokenness, etc., are tools God uses to reshape, remold, and fashion us after His image. This is why Paul said in Philippians 4:12-13, "I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Paul's sufferings and adversities were not unlike ours . . . he lived in the flesh and dealt with the flesh on a daily basis. Yet, regardless of the degree of suffering, Paul knew that his source of strength was in Christ.

Where is your source of strength today? Is it in Christ as Paul so beautifully explained, or are you having a difficult time maintaining stability in the midst of adversity? If you are having difficulties, just remember again Paul's words . . . "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Surely this includes trials, temptations, adversities, hardships, and brokenness. Recognize these things as God's work in your life, and don't despise what God is doing . . . allow Him to have His perfect will to perfect all things which concern you! Amen!

Father, teach me to submit to Your will for my life, to be content in whatever situation I find myself, and to grow through adversity. Lord, total submission means allowing You to have Your way in Every area of my life . . . help me to give myself totally to You for there is where I will find perfect peace even in the midst of trials and hardships. Thank You, Lord, for loving me enough to give me the strength and courage to endure adversity. Amen!

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." (Ephesians 5:31)

Today is our Wedding Anniversary! On February 12, 1972 we were united in marriage having entered into a covenant with one another and with God making a formal and public commitment to love, honor, and cherish each other in the good times and in the bad. And believe me, having raised six children has given us the opportunity to experience both the good times and bad! Praise God for His faithfulness through it all!

Since that memorable day our lives have been woven together time and time again to the extent that although we are uniquely individual, we are also uniquely one! It's a mystery how this happens. Paul said in Ephesians 5:32 that the mystery is akin to the relationship between Christ and the church. During the course of our marriage, we have taken on attributes and characteristics that belong to each other. We think alike, we act alike, we respond alike! We are very much alike and more so as time goes on!

I can remember as a young girl, there was a family two houses up the street from us. They were unusual just like our family—they had adopted children! Our mothers would occasionally get together for coffee while we played together. The families stayed close all through my childhood until I married and moved away. The mothers would often share their stories of people who didn't know that we were all adopted would comment on how much we looked like our mothers! I can remember them laughing to the point of tears at times; they would just get so tickled!

When I was about eight years old my mother took me to the dentist for a regular check-up. He had been the family dentist for many years and knew the family well . . . at least he thought he did! After my check-up, he turned to my mother and told her that he felt so sorry for me—my teeth were just like hers! He went on to explain how often he could tell immediately which parent passed down the genetic code for teeth, their shape, size, color, etc. Being the wise woman she was, she just let him talk. On the way back home, she laughed and laughed. The dentist never even knew that I was adopted! I was my mother's daughter and he could prove it by the characteristics he witnessed!

This is the same mystery with the church . . . the more we spend time with the Lord, the more closely we will resemble Him, being woven together as one, intertwined, and inseparable!

Take some time today and examine your life. Do you bear a family resemblance to your "Betrothed"? Is your life more like Christ than like your old nature? Can He be seen in every aspect of your life? Are people convinced by your behavior that you belong to Him?

Father, I want to be more like You; I long to have people see You in me as my flesh fades in the glory of Your presence that surrounds me and dwells within me. Lord, just as I take on some of the attributes and character of those with whom I am close, my desire is to be like You and even more so with each new passing day! Father, let Your character, Your integrity, Your love, Your compassion, Your mercy . . . let Your life be seen in me so that all will know that I am part of Your family as they see You in me! In Jesus' name, amen!

"And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." (Matthew 19:5-6)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." (Isaiah 65:24)

How mortal mind can begin to comprehend the ways of our Lord? He has no bounds; there is no limit to His understanding and knowledge! There is no place He hasn't been or anything He hasn't considered! He knows all . . . past, present and future.

That's an interesting thought . . . He knows everything past, present and future. Some would want to attribute this type of time-transcending knowledge to those with "psychic powers", the enemy's counterfeit for the omniscience and omnipresence of the Most High God!

God is eternal . . . not bound by segments of time. God is omnipresent . . . He exists everywhere at all times, including in our past, in our present, and in our future! He's present in yesterday (He knew us personally before we were born) . . . He's present in today (He has personal knowledge of or a personal relationship with us today). . . AND He's present in tomorrow (He's already there in our tomorrow as He is not constrained by time). So, when the Lord says, "before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear" we know that He has already heard the call and seen the need before we even knew it existed. It's true . . . "your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." (Matthew 6:8)

Let faith arise in your hearts . . . there is no situation that can befall you of which He is not aware and in which He has not already intervened. He has eternity in the palm of His hands! Hallelujah!

Father, You are more wonderful and glorious and Your ways are so much higher and awesome than I had ever imagined. Lord, each day as I read Your Word and I meditate on You I see a greater depth of Who You are than I had ever seen before. Lord, thank You for loving me so much that You would make provision for my needs before I even realize I have them! You are truly amazing to me and Your love and provision is overwhelming and humbling. All I can say is, "Thank You, Lord!" Amen!

"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." (Matthew 6:6-8)

© Jan Ross 2008
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"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3)

Peace . . . perfect peace, inward peace, outward peace, peace with God, peace of conscience, peace at all times, under all circumstances. This peace is promised to and shall be kept by all whose mind is stayed on God!

Those that trust in God must have their minds stayed upon Him, must trust Him at all times, must firmly and faithfully cling to Him, with total satisfaction in Him . . . and those that do, God will keep in perfect peace!

When trouble is near, those who have peace will not be surprised by the event, will not be disturbed by it and will completely trust God through it.

Put your total confidence in Him. Trust Him forever and at all times. When you have nothing else to trust, trust in Him . . . cling to Him forever, for in Him, who was and is and is to come, there is a Rock . . . a solid and lasting Foundation for faith. Those who trust in God shall not only find Him, but also receive from Him everlasting strength that will carry them to everlasting life.

Do you have perfect peace? Is your trust in Him and Him alone? Trust Him today and never allow that trust to waiver and you will find yourself in the midst of that "perfect peace" which passes all understanding!

Father, I need your peace . . . I need your everlasting peace! I confess, Lord, that my mind is not always "stayed on Thee". Help me take hold of the reins of my mind and keep it stayed on You so I, too, can find that place of total and perfect peace . . . the peace that passes all understanding! Amen!

"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)

© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake." (Matthew 5:11)

Everyday people face ridicule for the sake of Christ. It comes in many forms but the source of the attack is the same in ALL cases. This has been the scheme of the enemy since the time of righteous Abel; it has been ongoing from the Old Testament times and it is continuing throughout the Church age. Persecution comes in many shapes, forms and fashions, but the result is the same. It will undoubtedly make you stronger! God allows us to go through persecution so we will seek Him more, so He can reveal Himself to us in greater measure, and so we will see a greater extent of His great mercies toward us.

There is an attitude in many Christian communities today that we as Christians are to live above ridicule, poverty, defamation, etc. The Word of God is full of examples of some of the strongest men and women of God enduring torment, ridicule, defamation, and affliction. But, then why are those who suffer in such manner "Blessed" according to our verse today?

If you encounter such opposition in your daily life, friend, count it a blessing that you are found worthy to suffer persecution. Stand firm, and take the example of our Lord as He stood in front of His accusers . . . be silent. Allow God to fight the battle for you as He says, "Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, I will repay." The battle is the Lord's, not ours! Endure persecution and be blessed, for this life shall quickly pass, a small price to pay for the glorious bliss that awaits us in eternity.

Father, help me endure whatever persecution comes my way, whether it be ridicule, name-calling, false accusations, etc. Lord, help me to excel in virtue regardless of what men say to me, about me, or do to me. Help me to remember that vengeance is Yours and the battle is Yours! Father, be glorified in my life, my attitudes, my actions, my words, my thoughts, and my deeds! Amen!

"For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake" (Philippians 1:29)

© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved

"And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence." (Exodus 33:15)

"If your presence will not go with me, don't send me!"

Moses, a man who knew the importance of the presence of God, who found safety and security in the presence of God, who realized there was a price to be paid for the presence of God, was determined not to go forward without the presence of the Lord!

When was the last time we told the Lord, "If your presence doesn't go with me, I won't go"? That's exactly what Moses was saying . . . he was convinced that he didn't want to go anywhere that God wouldn't be with him. He understood just how important God's presence was in accomplishing anything he set his hand to.

The Old Testament word for "presence" means essentially, "the face". It speaks of intimacy, of closeness, of knowing. Moses wanted to see God face-to-face wherever He led him!

The presence of God is precious as we pursue Him or seek Him out. 1 Chronicles 16:11 tells us to "Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually." The word "seek" means to search out in worship and prayer!

Adopt a Moses-like attitude and be stubborn! Let God know you will go nowhere that He doesn't lead, that you want His presence to be with you everywhere you go, in everything you do, at all times! A familiar commercial ad on television tells us not to leave home without a specific credit card . . . adopt the same tenacity when it comes to the presence of God -- Don't leave home without it! In fact, don't do ANYTHING without the presence of God going before you, going with you, and surrounding you! Seek His face and know that His presence is near!

Father I'm so aware that many, many times I go about my daily routine totally oblivious to Your will for me, not having spent the time to seek Your face and invite You presence! Forgive me, Father, because I long to be like Moses . . . I long to know that Your presence is with me wherever I go. And, if it's not, Lord, give me the courage to stay still until I know that You are with me, leading the way! How I long to dwell in Your presence, Lord, knowing that You are with me and that You have prepared the way before me! Father, it is You whom I seek, it is You whom I love, it is Your presence that I need, every hour of every day that I live! In Jesus' name, amen!

"When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek." (Psalm 27:8)

© 2008 Jan Ross
All Rights Reserved