"He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God." (Romans 4:20)

Abraham through his display of faith brought glory to God. Here was a man ripe with old age not only still waiting but expecting the manifestation of a promise God had given him many years earlier. Everything was against him, yet he stood strong knowing God was not a liar and would perfect that which concerned him even if it meant doing something extraordinary in his life.

The challenge to us today is to bring glory to God through our example of faith. God has made us promises; we are in covenant with Him, yet we all too often doubt His provision for us by fearing He will not keep His promises for whatever reason.

Since "fear" is the opposite of "faith", do a check on your life and see if you are walking in expectation or walking in fear. Then go ahead and transform your "fear" into "faith."

"Perfect love casteth out fear" . . . if you love Him, you'll bring glory to Him by casting out fear and allowing faith to arise in your heart regardless what you're facing or what circumstances you find yourself in.

Trust the Lord. He is more than able to do that which He promised He would do. He is FAITHFUL!

Father, forgive my unbelief, forgive my fear, forgive my lack of trust! I long to glorify you through my faith—help thou my unbelief! Teach me how to cast out fear far from me and walk in faith in all which concerns you so you will be glorified through my life also. In my life, Lord, be glorified today! Amen!

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the LORD our God is holy." (Psalm 99:9)

Our God is holy . . . worship Him!

This message remains the same throughout eternity. There is no changing, no modernizing, no updating, no altering its truth. God is holy and He deserves our worship!

Worship is born out of a love relationship. If we love Him, we will worship Him! Actually, our acts of love ARE worship! True worship takes place on the inside . . . in the heart or spirit of the worshipper. Worship pleasing to God must be offered with a pure heart, transparent and humble!

But, even more than that, worship is connected to Truth . . . the Truth of the gospel, the Truth about the sacrificial act of Jesus Christ and its necessity to purchase for us the right and ability to worship!

David understood the importance of worshiping in truth when he wrote, "Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear (worship) your name" (Psalm 86:11).

Finally, worship must become a part of our daily lives because worship is a lifestyle! If we say we love Him, then we will worship Him in "spirit" and in "truth"!

Do you love Him? Then, "Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at his holy hill; for the Lord our God is holy." Worship Him! He is so worthy!

Father, I love You, I adore You, I praise You for You alone are Holy! Help me live according to Your Word; help me learn to live a lifestyle of Worship before You through my obedience to Your Word and through offering my praise and adoration to You with a clean and pure heart! Lord, I love You . . . I worship You, for You alone are Holy! Amen!

"Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore." (Psalm 86:11-12)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." (Ephesians 4:29)

Have you ever stopped to listen to what comes out of your mouth and suddenly feel ashamed for the words you've uttered? Most of us have and regret ever opening our mouth!

Our words minister to those who hear them ... they either minister grace or they cause people to turn away hurt, dejected and may even bear the scars from our words for an entire life. Words, once they are released from our lips travel at the speed of sound; nothing can be done to reverse their affect once they've been spoken. Your words bear witness of what is truly in your heart: "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matt. 12:34)

Next time you open your mouth to react to something, think twice and minister grace! Great will be your reward. You may never know the impact your gracious response will have on the person with whom you're talking!

Father, help me by putting a guard over my mouth to speak those things which only minister grace to the hearer. Help me remember that as a representative of my Lord, Jesus Christ, that it is my obligation to point everyone to Him in everything I do, everything I say, and everywhere I go. Help me minister grace to all I come in contact with! Amen!

"Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." (Psalm 141:3)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil." (Proverbs 16:6)

Have you ever wondered why there seems to be so much evil in the world today? According to today's verse, it could be that the answer is simple: There is no fear of the Lord!

The "fear of God" referred to here indicates much more than reverential awe and respect. The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 25:14 that we can't know the revelation of God's covenant until his fear is deeply rooted in us: "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant". This verse connects an understanding of the covenant with the fear of God. In short, revelation is tied to his holy fear.

Mankind cannot truly "fear" God until they know Him and His nature. Because this age we live in is so self-centered, self-sufficient, and self-serving, few are found who truly set their heart to KNOW God as He reveals Himself to us in His Word.

Is your heart set to KNOW God? Is your desire for Him stronger than your desire for anything this world can offer?

Separation. Consecration. Desire. These three will open the door to an ever-increasing revelation of Who He Is!

Seek Him.

Serve Him.

Love Him.

Fear Him.

Father, my desire for You is growing day by day as I spend time with You in a loving relationship with You. Lord help me to further consecrate my life for Your use . . . I long to be a vessel fit for Your use! Lord, teach me your Word, teach me Your ways, help me to understand the depth of Your love shown through Your covenants, your promises, your Word. I am like a child eager to learn from You! Teach me, Father, till this world has no more hold on me and I am totally Yours in every way! Father I love you with my whole heart! Amen!

"Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day." (Psalm 25:4-5)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:12-13)

Are you walking in obedience to His commandment? Do you love others as our Lord loves you? Are you willing to deny yourself everything including your very life for your friends?

Have you ever thought about how deeply you love your own children – even to the extent of giving your own life for them? It would be hard but if it were necessary most parents would willingly lay down their lives for their children. But this love that Jesus talks about in our verse today demands an answer to a much harder question: Could I ever be able to give of myself to such an extent for someone I don't know, or for someone whom I don't really like? This is what the Lord is asking us . . . how much are we willing to give out of love for others. I know that it requires far more than we can ever hope to imagine!

There was a secular song years ago that asked, "How deep is your love?" These words can also be applied to what the Lord is asking us . . . "How deep is your love toward each other…how deep is your love toward Me?" Is it deep enough for you to be willing to lay down your life for your friends? The Lord did it for us; how could we be satisfied to give any less?

We all need to take time on a regular basis to examine our own lives, our own hearts, our own motives, and our own level of love for one another. Then answer ourselves, "Just how deep is my love?" If we fail this love test, we need to meditate on the depth of God's love for us! It will put things in perspective FAST!

Dear Father, my love for my brothers and sisters needs to grow deep. Lord help me develop and maintain a loving spirit, gentle and kind yet firm and unwavering toward my friends and loved ones. Help me be an extension of Your love on this earth by loving all those I interact with, putting their needs ahead of mine! Touch through me, work through me, love through me . . . that You may be glorified in me! In Jesus' Precious Name, Amen!

"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God." (Ephesians 3:14-19)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"The day is thine, the night also is thine: thou hast prepared the light and the sun". (Psalm 74:16)

A declaration of God's faithfulness to His covenant!

Ask yourself this question: "If God is faithful to His covenant with the earth, the sun, the moon, the seasons, and even time, will He not be faithful to His covenant with me as His child?" The answer is easy, of course He will!

He promises never to leave us or forsake us. His Word is true and unchanging. That which He promises, He will of a certainty perform, in your life and in mine!

And what is the sign of His covenant with us? The written Word, signed and sealed by the blood of Jesus, affirming His promises to us that His love and mercy endure forever!

What a totally awesome God we serve that He keeps covenants through His abiding love!

Oh Majestic Father, how excellent is Your Name in all the earth! You, who own the day, who prepared the light and the sun, are also able to keep me in the midst of all my circumstances. Help me, Lord, to remember how magnificent, how awesome, how great Thou art! Amen!

"Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name." (1 Chronicles 29:11-13)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God." (Ephesians 3:16-19)

Love that surpasses knowledge. It's very difficult to explain, but when you have loved your spouse for decades you experience what this means. When you love a child and do what you never dreamed you could do for another human being, you understand this phrase. And when you stand before God, adopted as a full heir of all his great riches, a full sibling to Jesus Christ the Lord, and know you are seen as holy, without reproach, and blameless, you begin to understand this phrase.

Sometimes the mere thought of the love God has toward us is more than overwhelming. When I think of my shortcomings, when I consider my struggles, when temptations cause me to stumble I wonder how could a God so holy and so divine still love me! Then I turn and look into the eyes of my husband of 36 years, my children and grandchildren . . . they are not perfect, they miss the mark more than just a few times every day, they stumble and fall because of imperfect motives and desires, but my love for them not only remains strong in spite of it all, it grows with each passing day! And yet, this devoted and faithful love I have toward them pales in comparison to the love God has for us!

Take some time today to consider just how greatly our God loves us. Contemplate His faithfulness even when we're not so faithful! Consider the purity of His love and the promise He has made to us that His love will never fail! He deserves our love, worship, and sacrificial obedience in return! Where else can we find a love so perfect and so complete? Who on earth can possibly love us like our God? What will you offer Him today as your reasonable act of worship in response to His great and abundant and perfect love toward you?

Holy and incredible God, help me to comprehend the depth of Your love toward me and teach me to return that same love to You! Lord, forgive me when I fall, pick me up when I stumble, and restore me when I fail, teach me to show my love toward You in a greater way with each new day! Father, words are not enough to express, deeds seem empty and meaningless . . . all I do to show my love toward You seems meaningless in comparison to all You have done for me. Father, my heart's desire is to know You in experience just as I know You in faith, that I might be more like You with each new day because of Your endless love toward me! Teach me to love as You have loved me . . . in Jesus' name, amen!

"Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!" (Psalm 31:19)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?" (Ruth 2:10)

How many times have we asked the same question: "Why have I found grace in thine eyes?"

As we look into His holiness, we become so very aware of our unholiness! The closer we grow to Him the more we realize how far we are from what and who He wants for us to be. His desire for us is to be "holy even as He is holy". Yet we live in flesh that is corruptible, flesh that is as filthy rags in light of His righteousness and holiness. Isaiah summed it up well with his reaction to seeing the holiness of God. His words were, "Woe is me for I am undone . . ."

It is necessary for us to realize that we are absolutely nothing without Him for in Him and Him only do we live and move and have our being. Without Him we can do no good thing.

Keep pressing into Him as He continues to draw you closer into a relationship that grows more and more intimate as each day passes.

Why have you found grace in His eyes? He loves you more than you can ever know.

Father, I continually question why I have found grace in Your eyes, yet I somehow know that it's because of a love for me that I can't comprehend. All I know is that I am so thankful that You have blessed me with Your grace. I stand in awe of your unfathomable love! Amen!

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them." (Psalm 89:9)

Such awesome power that when the waves of the sea rise up, He can still them! No small miracle, for who else can claim to control even the winds and the rains? None . . . no one but our God!

But the waves and rage of the seas are not the only tumults He calms by the mere raising His hand. As you go through difficult times in your life, it is His arm that stills the waves of depression, poverty, sickness, disappointment and disillusionment. Take a few moments and meditate on today's verse. Our God is so mighty! He's so powerful! He loves us so much!

Quit trying to control your own circumstances. Rather, allow God to intervene; allow Him to still the hand of the enemy, to calm the storm, the winds and the rains! The Lord is with you, waiting to lead you through the storm. Let Him have His way and trust Him rule your raging seas!

Father, I face waves in my life of various magnitude. I pray, though, Lord, that I would be quicker to recognize the waves and the roars of the seas as a means to inch my way in closer to You. Help me, Lord, to quit trying to control my circumstances and to meet my own needs! Teach me to wait on You by letting go and once again giving You the place of Lord of my life! Father, all I need is You . . . all I want is You! Amen!

"And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" (Mark 4:39-41)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform."
(Romans 4:20-21)

Non-wavering, unshakable, strong, and true was the faith of Abraham. He knew beyond a doubt that God was fully able to do everything that He had promised. He was so persuaded by God's ability, that he never questioned God's timing for the fulfillment of God's promises to him.

God has made many promises to us which are found in His Word. Would that we all had the faith of Abraham when it comes to seeing the fulfillment of His promises to us!

The next time you are clinging to a promise of God, stop and consider Abraham and his response to God's promises: "he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that what He had promised He was able also to perform."

God will make a way where there seems to be no way. He's a God of covenant—a God of promise! The things He said He will do, He will do! Amen!

Father, when I think of Abraham and what he had endured while holding fast to your promises, I am encouraged that you will do the same for me. I thank you, Lord, that you are the same yesterday, today, and forever. That which you promised in your Word to me, You are able also to perform. Amen!

"I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King. Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters . . . I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:15-19)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"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)

Have you ever looked closely at a stained glass window? The hand blown, manually cut, leaded pieces fit together to form beautiful artwork which very often tells a story. 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 scene is revealed. It's a picture 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 . . . His love to a world that is lost and dying as His brightness shines through you for all to see.

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)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"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)

Mercy follows us all of our days . . . it is greater than our worst sins! The Psalmist paints such a beautiful picture of mercy in its application to our lives.

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)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Ephesians 1:7)

The sacrificial blood of Jesus is the most precious gift ever given to mankind. Purer than the purest gold. More precious than the finest silver. More costly than any jewel. More significant than any man's accomplishments could ever hope to be!

The blood of Jesus which was spilled at Calvary is the most unique, complete, perfect, sufficient, and effective sacrifice ever made or ever could be made.

The blood of Jesus saves, heals, delivers, cleanses, purifies, washes, redeems, restores, renews, atones, and totally provides for mankind whatever is necessary for total and complete redemption and restoration! And, it's all available to any who would repent of their sins and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. A simple transaction, 100% guaranteed – surrender all and lose nothing but gain more than words can describe!

Oh, the blood of Jesus . . . it still washes white as snow!

Father, I thank you for the blood of Jesus for without it I would never have had access to You, I would never have experienced a relationship with You, and I never would have had anything to celebrate. But because of the blood that my Precious Jesus spilled, I can celebrate the new life You have given me through its cleansing power. Thank You, Lord, again and again and again for the Blood of the Spotless Lamb, Jesus Christ, my Redeemer . . . my Lord! Amen!

"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." (Revelation 12:11)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies." (Psalm 18:3)

Every one of us has storms in our lives; each of us has to deal with those who pursue us in one way or another. Each of us interacts with people who do not understand us or try to judge us. We all have "enemies"!

David gives us some help dealing with those who come against us for whatever reason: PRAISE! He acknowledges his praise of the Lord whom he calls upon and THEN he shall be saved from his enemies!

This is NOT an attempt to put together a simple formula for having all your problems disappear, but it is a call to the body of Christ to praise Him who is worthy of ALL praise! Praise Him when you don't feel like it. Praise Him when everyone seems to be against you. Praise Him when it looks like you're on the losing side of the battle. Praise Him when it is the hardest to praise Him, when the words won't come and it's hard to make yourself do it. When the greatest resistance comes against you, press through and praise Him for victory is just around the corner, and "so shall you be saved from your enemies." Praise Him! He is worthy!

Father, I praise You for Who You are and for what You've done, not only in my life but in the lives of all those who rise up against me! Father, I'm learning, day by day, to give You more and more praise, even when I don't feel like it, even when it seems useless, even when the doors of heaven seem shut! Father, You are worthy of my praise. I will praise You in the morning, in the noonday, and in the evening time and so shall I be saved from my enemies! Praise the Lord! Amen!

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

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you." (John 20:26)

The disciples were locked up in a room. Eight days the doors were shut. Their faith was being tried. They wondered why things happened the way they did, recounting the incredible miracle of His death and resurrection. Then, suddenly, as if from no where, He appeared to them. No door opened. No window opened. Yet, He was in their midst!

How many times have you been in the midst of circumstances which seemed confusing? You knew the Lord heard your cries, you knew He answered prayer, yet you felt so far from Him. But then, in the midst of "closed doors", in the privacy of your "prayer closet", you suddenly realized you were there in His presence. He opened no door. He threw open no widow. He just appeared. And, suddenly, the peace that testified of His awesome presence flooded your heart, mind, and soul. You knew without a doubt that He was near, that He cared, and that everything was going to be alright.

Each encounter with the living God is one that leaves an imprint through answered prayer and increased faith. His presence is where confusion cannot remain, where doubt and unbelief are dispelled, and where faith is nurtured and cultivated. But, why is it that we resist the drawing of His Spirit? Why do we continually attempt to work things out on our own? Why do we busy ourselves with fretfulness and frenzied worry rather than scheduling time in our prayer closet to meet with the One who holds the key to our victory?

Why not schedule some time there today and every day! And, when you need to meet with Him, when you're desperate for answers, you'll find everything you need "behind the closed doors" of your prayer closet!

Lord, I long to meet with You, to fellowship with You. I long to know You more and more every day. Although my schedule is busy, Father, help me set aside time each day to meet with you "behind closed doors" for it is there that all my doubts will be dispelled as Your presence is made manifest in the midst of my circumstances! Amen and 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." (Matthew 6:6)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"And an angel of the LORD came up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, I made you to go up out of Egypt, and have brought you unto the land which I sware unto your fathers; and I said, I will never break my covenant with you." (Judges 2:1)

A covenant between God and man is a binding contract; it is a promise, a divine ordinance, an alliance, a pledge. When the Lord took us to be His peculiar people, it was never His intention to cast us away. Rather His intentions were that we should find Him unchangeably constant to us. He told us plainly that the covenant He entered into with us would NEVER be broken by Him . . . it was forever!

He loves us with an everlasting love . . . His mercies endure forever . . . He's the same yesterday, today, and forever . . . in Him there is no variableness or changing . . . He will never leave us nor forsake us . . . His love toward us is perfect!

When you feel all alone, when you're going through that that valley, when the clouds seem to engulf you, remember His Words . . . "I will never break My covenant with you."

We serve an awesome God, for sure!

Many times, Lord, I find myself questioning Your love for me when I'm going through a deep valley and when circumstances in life seem to overwhelm me. Help me remember that You are the One on Whom I can depend regardless of any situation or circumstance I may face. Finally, Lord, thank You for Your ageless and unchangeable promise that You will never break Your covenant with me! Amen and Amen!

"The LORD made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day." (Deuteronomy 5:3)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18)

If you want to know what the will of God for your life is, 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!

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 in our innermost being!

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. This is not to say there shouldn't be special times when we set out to pray and make our petitions known to God, but 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! 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)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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"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)

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?

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 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 . . . I need to fix my gaze upon You and not take my eyes off! 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)

© 2008 Jan Ross
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