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 on 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.

"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)

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, like the children of Israel, 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 limits our trials according to our strength, not allowing us to face more than what He has enabled and equipped us 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, the Lord brought us out of bondage strengthening and preparing us for journey toward our destiny.

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

© Jan Ross
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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 we look we're enticed to consider ourselves before anyone else. Abortion serves self, homosexuality serves self, drug and alcohol abuse serve self; even divorce in most instances serves self in one way or another.

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 could only learn to focus on others' needs, to serve them with an unselfish heart, our needs would 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 God will make sure our needs are met as well.

To have a "servant's heart" allows God to use us as His instruments to minister to all those around us.

"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).

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).

© Jan Ross
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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 we look we're enticed to consider ourselves before anyone else. Abortion serves self, homosexuality serves self, drug and alcohol abuse serve self; even divorce in most 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 could only learn to focus on others' needs, to serve them with an unselfish heart, our needs would 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 God will make sure our needs are met as well.

To have a "servant's heart" allows God to use us as His instruments to minister to all those around us.

"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).

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).

© Jan Ross
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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 unrelenting power of the awesome God we serve encourages His people, even in the midst of the most difficult storms of 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!

The Psalmist summed it up perfectly … "The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea." (Psalm 93:4)

Hallelujah to the Lord on High!

Lord, 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 soul that You will be there to calm the sea for Your voice is mightier than the noise of many waters. Thank You for such an awesome assurance, amen.

© Jan Ross
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He makes "grass to grow upon the mountains" . . . meditate on that for just a moment.

A while back as I listened to a guest pastor share the Word of God at our local church, my heart suddenly leapt within me. God opened my eyes to an important truth through his simple sharing. Although he used this illustration in a slightly different context, today's verse brought life to it as God stirred within my heart.

"Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains." (Psalm 147:8)

Having been from South Carolina, this pastor's family often traveled through the Blue Ridge Mountains to his home. His wife and daughter were usually in the car saying things like, "Ahhhhhhhh.....such beauty! Look at the flowers! Look at the river rustling as it leaps over the rocks! Look at the sun peeping through the towering trees."

In fact, they usually very audibly and descriptively enjoyed the picturesque testimony of God's greatness that was so prominent along the way. But, while in the driver's seat, all he could see was the mountain ahead as together they ascended on the long and winding road to the top of one mountain only to descend and repeat the ups and downs over and over again until they reached their final destination.

The difference between the passengers and the driver was the focal point. This begs the question: In our journey through life, what is OUR focal point? Do we focus on the beauty of life's "scenery" as we journey along the way? Or, is our focus on the arduous task of climbing the mountain that seems to never end?

Our choice of focal points will frame our attitudes, bringing us either sheer delight in seeing God in every step we take or dismay as we contemplate the hard climb ahead. It's purely a matter of perspective.

Through every mountain there are joys. We just have to take our eyes off the mountainous road ahead of us and enjoy the scenery displayed each step of the way. God is everywhere! He's with us, manifesting His blessings, sharing His beauty, and giving us joy along the way as we make our way up and down each mountain. And, never forget He's even in the valley between the mountains. It's all in our perspective.

Psalm 148:7-9 says, "Praise the LORD from the earth . . . mountains, and all hills . . ."

Let's join in praise to Him who not only created the mountains but who also is in our very midst as we climb, showing us His glory each step along the way. If we don't praise Him in the midst of our mountains, the rocks and the mountains themselves will proclaim praise in our stead for our God WILL be praised!

Father, it is in realizing that You have created the mountains that I can learn to praise you for them while going up and while going down. Help me to stop along the way, admiring the beauty of Your majesty as I behold Your presence with each step I take. Teach me to look for You every day in all places, both the easy and the hard, the steep and the level, the mountains and the valleys. Thank You, Lord, for the grass upon the mountains—the evidence of Your Hand along the way. I offer my praise to You, oh Lord, amen!

"And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen." (Psalm 72:19)

© Jan Ross
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There are few if any significant events in our lives that would surpass our wedding day. The bride in her white gown and the groom eagerly waiting the moment their eyes meet as they enter into a covenant with each other and with God. Preparation for the wedding took a lot of time and careful planning, paying attention to each detail so as to not overlook anything. The bride takes special care to prepare herself for her new husband. Her hair has to be just right; her nails groomed perfectly, her dress without wrinkle or spot, her veil carefully positioned to express her innocence and purity. All in all, the wedding day is one that is long anticipated, and its memory is one that lasts throughout a lifetime.

"And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." (Revelation 19:8)

The Bride of Christ can be similarly compared, however. Her dress is not one purchased by her; it is one that is GRANTED to her because she has made herself ready. The fine linen garment is a gift from the Bridegroom Himself, lavished upon His bride. It is fitting that the garment is linen as it represents the righteousness of the saints. We need to realize, however, that the garment is NOT hers by personal merit or gain; it actually belongs to her Groom as His righteousness is her covering. It is the gracious bestowment of the Lord; the reference here must be to that righteousness which is obtained by faith, the righteousness that results from justification through the merits of the Redeemer.

Have you made yourself ready? Are you positioned to be granted the garment made of fine linen, clean and white? Are you clothed with His righteousness?

These questions are the most important you could ever ask yourself. Set your sights upon Him as you begin your preparation for the day you will hear the blowing of the shofar and the message proclaimed, "Behold the Bridegroom Cometh . . . prepare ye the way of the Lord!"

Lord, what a beautiful picture of Your bride! Lord, help me remember that being granted the privilege of wearing the robe of white linen has nothing to do with me and EVERYTHING to do with You. Your righteousness is given freely to those who bear Your name and are walking in Your light. Lord, I long for the day when I will hear, "Behold the Bridegroom Cometh . . . prepare ye the way of the Lord!" Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen and Amen!

© Jan Ross
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We have something new and exciting we'd like to share with you!  It's the new Heart of God International Ministries toolbar – once added to IE or Firefox, each time you shop at more than 1,300 stores (from Amazon to Zazzle!) a percentage of your purchase will automatically be donated to Heart of God International Ministries – at no cost to you (and you may even save money as the toolbar provides coupons and deals as well!).  The toolbar also has a search box and each time you search the Internet, about a penny is donated to Heart of God International Ministries.  http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/heart-of-god-international-ministries

The prophet Isaiah said, "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. The God we trust in will never 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 place our 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.

© Jan Ross
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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! We praise God for His faithfulness through it all.

"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)

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, and more so as time passes.

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 get so tickled.

When I was about eight years old my mother took me to our 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 I was adopted. I was my mother's daughter and he thought 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 to 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)

No matter where we are, no matter how far we are from home, we can cry to the Lord for help and He'll hear our cry. Wherever we are, we have access to the throne of grace where we will find help in the time of need. That's a promise, one that will lead us to the Rock every time there's a need. One commentator said, "That which separates us from our other comforts should drive us so much the nearer to God, the fountain of all comfort."

No matter how overwhelmed our heart may feel at times, it must be lifted up to God in prayer. There is no other solution for life's problems, and He's always there with arms opened wide; many times He's waiting for us just to ask for His help.

The next time you're at the end of your rope, or your circumstances seem to be swallowing you up, or problems are overwhelming you, be sure to run to Him in prayer. No amount of wishing and hoping and positive thinking will rescue you like the arm of the Most High reaching down and guiding you to the path of deliverance from your situation.

Remember, if He leads you to the Rock (and He will), you will be on top of your problems and see your circumstances from a far different perspective. This Rock is Christ, and we are safe if we are in Him.

"From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I." (Psalm 61:2)

Father, thank You for reminding me that You are always near, that I can, at any moment, reach out to You and You will concern Yourself about my business. Father, I must confess that many times I am overwhelmed, but I thank You and praise You for the assurance that there is a Rock that is higher than I. It is Your desire to meet my every need regardless of where I am, what the situation is, and how difficult the circumstances are. Lord, thank You for all You've done, amen!

"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." (Psalm 18:2)

©Jan Ross
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God is good. He's constantly working on our behalf, showing Himself strong in our weakness, making provision for us when we are lacking, shining a light on our path when we are blinded. Our God never ceases to amaze us with His wisdom and grace.

As a wife and mother, nothing pleases me more than hearing my husband or children tell others about the special things I do for them or how much I mean to them, and I'm sure that fathers/husbands feel much the same way. But, how often do we tell others about the special things the Lord has done for us or just how much He means to us? He is the Lover of our Souls; He loves us with an everlasting love. His love cannot be matched, not even by the love of a spouse or children or a parent, yet we find it so hard to tell others what He really means to us.

"I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me." (Daniel 4:2) Speak of His wonders, tell of His love, and show His goodness through your testimony of His greatness! Faith will arise in your heart and the Lord will be glorified through your conversation.

1 Peter 1:15 says, "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation." What better way to be holy in all manner of conversation than to declare His works and tell of His wonders to the world.

Father, forgive me for not freely telling others of Your wondrous works in my life, of Your everlasting love for me, and of Your goodness and mercy. Lord, help me to open my mouth and show forth thy praises; help me to order my conversation aright by sharing Your love with the world. There is none like You, O Lord, in all the universe. You are worthy to be praised. Amen!

"Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods." (Psalm 96:3-4)

© Jan Ross
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Friendship is a gift of God, it is precious, it is priceless, and it is to be cherished. A friend is one with whom you are intimately acquainted, one with whom you can associate at any time or under any circumstances, one with whom you trust your confidences. A friend will love you when you're unlovable, lift you up when you are down, encourage you, laugh with you, cry with you, and even challenge you to rise above life's circumstances.

According to Proverbs 17:17, a brother is even closer than a friend.

"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

As a member of the Family of God, we have a Friend and a Brother; He was not only born for adversity, He was born in adversity. He's our precious companion, our intimate acquaintance, our cherished associate, and our trustworthy confidant. He even loves us when we're unlovable. He's our Brother; we're joint heirs with Him. The closer we draw to Him the stronger the family resemblance and the more we look like Him, act like Him, and talk like Him—His image can be seen in every aspect of our lives! Because of His sacrificial love toward us, we share a kinship which denotes a blood relationship and a family resemblance.

We have a Friend and Brother in Jesus Christ today. He is truly precious, priceless and to be cherished. Take time to thank Him and acknowledge Him for all that He is to you in every way, not just today but every day. And, remember…He's there at any time, under any circumstances, ready to lift you up, encourage you, laugh with you, cry with you, and challenge you to rise above life's circumstances. He's closer than a friend…He's a brother!

"What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!"

Father, I thank you for the friend I have found in Jesus, my Brother, my Lord. I thank You that I'm accepted in Your family and made joint heir with my Brother. What more could I ever want or need? My Savior, Redeemer, Confidante, and Friend, truly precious, priceless and cherished, a Brother through the good times and the bad, at all times and forevermore. What a privilege to be in relationship with You! Amen.

© Jan Ross
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Sometimes our emotions are far from being responsive to God in praise. But the Psalmist makes it very clear that we have control over our emotions...that we can deliberately turn our despair into praise and bless the Lord!

David asked himself a question, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance." (Psalm 42:5) If we can inquire about our soul's disquieted state, what prevents us from changing it by an act of our will! For the most part, we are not victims of our emotions; our emotions are subject to us! They are a choice!

Emotions in and of themselves are not bad; however, they can be a tool in the hand of the enemy to hide the victory we have in Christ and to distract us from enjoying the benefits of being joint heirs with Him, accepted in the beloved.

The next time you are feeling low, defeated, or less than the victorious Christian you are, take control of your emotions and begin to bless the Lord by letting praise pour forth from your lips. Refuse yourself the luxury of focusing on all the negative that surrounds you and touches your life. Change your focus and your thoughts toward the goodness of God and all He has done for you! Make a conscious effort to think on that which is full of truth, that which is honest and just and pure! Think on things that are lovely and of a good report. And, if there be anything worthy of praise...think on these things! (Philippians 4:8) Soon find yourself, and all that is within you, caught up in praising Him for He is Holy, Righteous, and Worthy of all our praise!

Use your emotions for His glory and soon you will ask yourself, "Why were you so disquieted?" Your hope is anchored in God, your joy is complete, and blessing the Lord with all that is within you is your response!

"Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name." (Psalm 103:1)

Father, Your name is Holy! Your name is Wonderful! Your name is Worthy to be praised! When my soul is disquieted, when I'm overwhelmed with the world and its problems, help me to break forth into praise and adoration of the One whom I love more than anything—Jesus my Lord and my Saviour, the Holy, Righteous, Anointed One, amen!

"I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." (Psalm 34:1)

© Jan Ross
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"If God be for us, who can be against us?"

Is God really for us? How many times have we asked ourselves that question when things don't go our way or when we see things happen that we don't understand, especially after we've prayed about them?

The fact is, God is not only FOR us, He's reconciled TO us. He's not against us, He's in covenant WITH us, He's working FOR us on our behalf. All that He is and all that He has; all that He does and all that He plans to do is for us. Even when it seems that His acts are against us, you can be assured that they are for us, someway or somehow.

So, if all this is true, who can really be against us? Who can stand in the face of the Almighty God and dare to challenge Him in His dealing with us? Nothing—no one—can prevail against Him regardless of how great, strong, malicious, or evil they appear to be.

Who dares to fight against us while God Himself is fighting for us? The enemy may try his hardest and do his worst in this world to undermine the power of God, but we must remember that he is conquered; principalities and powers are spoiled and disarmed, and triumphed over in the Cross of Christ. The enemy is a defeated foe and the victory is won. It's already done.

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)

If God is for us, and He is, no one or nothing can stand against us; God is in control.

Father, forgive me for allowing fear of what the enemy can do to me take my focus off what You have already done. Thank you, Lord, for Your sacrifice on the cross, for conquering principalities and powers, for defeating the enemy and winning the victory for me. Help me remember, Lord, that You are for me and NOTHING can stand against me because You are in control. Hallelujah!

© Jan Ross
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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!

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

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 about it. 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, abiding in 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 remain still until I know that You are with me, leading the way. In Jesus' name, amen!

© Jan Ross
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Understanding the depth of love and the forgiveness of God leads us into fear of God. Not fear in the sense of being afraid of Him, but awe, reverence, and the deepest respect! However, coming to understand the depth of His love comes only by spending time with Him, thirsting after Him on a daily basis, never allowing our thirst to be quenched!

"If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." (Psalm 130:3-4)

Who are we that we deserve such a love? We say we have a "fear" of God, yet we live in disobedience. How many of us have heard that "small still voice" gently guiding us in a particular situation yet we ignored it to do the very thing that our own logic dictated. This goes on in the life of most believers because we have not learned the "art" of fearing God for Who He is through our acts of total submission and obedience.

The fear of God will produce obedience in our lives, obedience to His Word, obedience to the gentle leading of the Holy Spirit . . . obedience.

Do you fear the Lord? Then obey His word, diligently seek His face, and become everything He has intended you to be.

Father, I love you more than anything else in this world. Forgive me, Lord for the times that I have not been obedient to do the things you ask, to go where you lead, and to follow the leading of that small, still voice. I need your help to become an obedient vessel that the fear of God will rule in my heart at all times. Father, You alone are holy, righteous, majestic, marvelous, wonderful, awesome, and so much more. To honor you with my obedience and utmost respect and reverence is my desire for You are so worthy, Lord, You are worthy. Amen.

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Corinthians 7:1)

© Jan Ross
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