God's grace. What a gift!

In these last days we're seeing sin abound. Some even say that the state of this world would make Sodom & Gomorra blush. Whether or not that's the case, it still remains that this generation has surpassed previous ones in its ability to perpetrate evil in unthinkable ways without conscience!

The good news is, however, that as sin increases, so does the Grace of God!

"Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound" (Romans 5:20).

Greater measures of God's grace can be found in:

Grace to Endure. When the sinfulness of those around us seems to have increased, we can praise God that His grace has also increased our ability to endure persecution.

Grace to Shine. When it seems like there's nothing to be happy about, God's grace gives us the ability to keep smiling, to keep praise on our lips and a song in our heart . . . not because of the condition of this world, but because of Who He is!

Grace to Evangelize. An increased measure to share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is being found in the hearts of believers today. It seems the more we see God's goodness and grace in our lives, the more we want all those around to share in His amazing love!

Grace to Go Through What's Happening In the World Today. Persecution, trials, tribulations. An extra measure of God's grace enables us to face whatever comes our way!

Grace Inwardly and Outwardly. God gives us a supernatural ability to resist sin and temptation by His Grace.

When you feel evil all around you, when you feel the weight of oppression bearing down on your life, look up. God's Grace has made a way for you to endure whatever you're facing. His Grace is absolutely and unquestionably sufficient!

Father, thank you for your Grace. When I'm in need, when things around me seem to be falling apart, when I'm weighed down with oppression, when I feel that I can't go on any longer, your Grace becomes my way through. What a wonderful expression of Your love toward us--toward me! Your Grace is so completely sufficient! Amen!

"But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." (James 4:6-8)

© Jan Ross
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Paul was bold in his proclamation of faith, not wavering, but holding fast to that which he believed with all his heart. He truly embraced the cross of Christ and all it stands for—His sufferings, His death, and our salvation through a crucified Redeemer. As a matter of fact, Paul was so far from being offended or ashamed at the cross of Christ, that he desired to glory in nothing else and it was his determination to preach the cross till he drew his dying breath regardless of the cost to him personally. Paul knew that without the cross there would have been no redemption, no joy, and no hope.

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

How do we compare today? Do we consider our faith to be a "private matter" and, therefore, never discuss it publicly? Are we offended or ashamed when someone asks us about our faith? Do we get nervous or shaky when we're asked about the reason for our joy? Can we openly express our faith in public, in one-on-one conversations, and with those we come in contact during our day-to-day encounters? Do we find our solace and comfort at the foot of the cross where our sins were washed pure in the crimson flow? Do our lives show that we "glory" in the cross of Christ by esteeming nothing or no one higher than Him and regarding His sacrifice as the most important gift ever given to us?

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

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

© Jan Ross
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Most of us have been there at one time or another. Many are experiencing hardships now. The bills are due and there's not enough money; the children are sick, the car won't run, there's not enough groceries to feed the family, the garden didn't produce the yield expected, those that owe you money don't have it to pay back, the bank account is depleted, the utilities are about to be turned off, everything that could go wrong is going or has gone wrong.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In a child's eyes, parents are the ultimate authority, the ones they love the most, while at the same time, the ones they fear the most! Many times we, as Christians, act the same way toward Heavenly Father. We do something wrong and immediately we want to hide. Of course, we know we cannot hide from Him, but we have a tendency to "sweep things under the rug" and not deal with them, a way of hiding from Him.

Why do we do this? Most times it's because we don't want to suffer the consequences for what we've done wrong. By denying it we hope that the problem will just "disappear".

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

Take special note today of the ways you "hide" from God by not coming to terms with the times you miss the mark. Then, quickly repent and thank Him that you are covered by the Blood of the Lamb and accept His cleansing and purifying forgiveness.

Respect Him and "fear" Him as a child, love Him and honor Him in all you set your hand to, today and every day.

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

Dear Father, so many times I find myself "hiding" from You so I don't have to deal with my problems or my sin, not because I don't love You but because I fear the consequences. Lord, help me to trust You and to be secure in our love—Your love for me and mine for You! Lord, I love You more than anything or anyone . . . help me, Lord, to show my love by running TO You rather than AWAY from You when I have missed the mark. Amen!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

© Jan Ross
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There is a vast difference between admitting or confessing your sin and feeling true sorrow for your sin. In fact, there is good reason to believe many of us probably have unconfessed sin our lives.

"And Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." (2 Corinthians 7:10)

A heart that is truly seeking the Lord will feel a sense of sorrow for sin.

We can look at the children of Israel for an example. Exodus 33:4 contains a key word – "mourn."

"When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments."

The children of Israel were a very expressive people. When they celebrated, they really celebrated. When they mourned, they really mourned. The word "mourn" in this verse speaks expressly about wailing and lamenting with great sorrow. Why were they mourning? God revealed to them their sin. We see in them a pattern for us, teaching us how to respond to God when confronted with sin. It is important that we learn from their example, as we tie these two verses together.

I personally can think of times I have done wrong and I have casually asked the Lord to forgive me but there was no change of attitude in my heart, there was no sorrow, there was no lamenting, there was certainly no mourning. I never thought twice about it and just went on with whatever I was doing, subconsciously satisfied with my casual act of repentance. But the Bible teaches something very different. "Godly sorrow" brings repentance, not a casual admission of wrongdoing.

Repentance can come with responses of sorrowful emotions from the extreme wailing and mourning the children of Israel experienced, or deep regret, or sincere sadness for having offended the Lord.

Take some time today to search your heart, asking the Lord to reveal to you any areas of wrongdoing to which you need to apply "Godly sorrow." It may be that you need to ask God for a sense of sorrow for the sin for which you are repenting. We know that if we ask according to God's will, that He will give it to us; we are batting 1000 when we ask of Him something that He desires from us.

Allow yourself the privilege of experiencing true sorrow for your sins. You will find a burden lifted that you never realized was there. Don't back away from this opportunity to bless the Lord and to reap the benefits of living with "no regret".

Forgive me, Lord, for not approaching You with heart of true sorrow. Lord, help me to approach You sincerely and honestly with a heart determined to please You even when I miss the mark. I want nothing more than to stand before You pure and free from any chains that might bind me to this old world. Lord, I ask You to teach me Godly sorrow and help me to quickly recognize when I offend You. Purify my heart, oh God, and help me to be a pleasing and submitted vessel of honor set apart to glorify You. There is nothing I would rather do! In Jesus name, amen!

"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12)

© Jan Ross
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April 15 is a day dreaded by many Americans. It's a day on which many must reckon their dues to the IRS, a day when many make decisions in their heart to be honest or to "bend the rules" just a bit.

Integrity is a word that seems to have lost its meaning throughout the recent years. Not long ago it was common for a contract to be made binding on a word and/or a handshake. Now it seems that even though a signed document exists, notarized, certified, and filed in court, a good lawyer can find a loophole which will enable a promise or vow to be broken if one takes a notion and has enough money put away to pay the lawyer. So much for integrity! How our actions must grieve the Father!

"And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marveled at him." (Mark 12:17)

Set an example for others around you. Be diligent to pay "Caesar" what is owed. Your diligence may not be noted here on hearth, but your Father, who is in heaven, sees and will reward you openly for your truthfulness and example of integrity and responsibility.

Give unto Caesar that which is Caesars, but then be sure to give to God that which is God's—everything you are and everything you hope to be, totally, unreservedly, and unashamedly.

Father, integrity is something that I very much admire in people—when they say they will do something, they do it. Lord, You told us to render unto Caesar that which is his; I have done that. Now, Lord, help me to render unto You that which is Yours—all of Me. Lord, I give myself to You once again. I surrender my will, my hopes, my dreams, my purposes, my all. Accept all that I am and all that I ever hope to be as an offering; may it ascend to heaven as a sweet-smelling savor pleasing and acceptable to You. I love You, Lord, amen.

"For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad." (Luke 8:17)

© Jan Ross
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The Lord is talking to Moses. The people are stubborn and rebellious. God said He would not go with them. He is angry.

"Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way." (Exodus 33:3)

If nothing else, we learn from the Israelite's behavior how God feels when His people rebel against Him. Thank the Lord for His mercy and grace. Thank the Lord for the blood of Jesus!

What an interesting term "stiff-necked" is. The Hebrew word actually is like a farming term—a term used when a farmer attempts to put a yoke on an animal that won't turn its head in compliance. Instead, it holds its head stiff and resists the yoke. It's easy to see why the Lord called the children of Israel "stiff-necked." It's also easy to see how we could be called the same thing.

An interesting verse ties in with this reference to a "stiff-necked" people found in Matthew 11:28-30 . . . "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Notice this verse is referring to rest and associating it with the yoke. The children of Israel resisted the yoke of God's authority. Jesus tells us in Matthew 11 if we will take His yoke upon us that we will find rest, that His yoke is easy and burden light. In other words, if we accept the yoke of God's authority, we will find rest.

Have you ever considered that when you are struggling with frustration and disappointments and disillusionment in life, the very fact you are struggling is a sign that the yoke of God's authority is being resisted? Yet, when God is in His rightful place in your life and you are allowing Him to lead you and guide you according to His will, the yoke of His authority brings peace and things seem to flow much easier.

Jesus invites us to take on His yoke, to allow Him to place it on us without a struggle and without being "stiff-necked." Obedience is the remedy for a stiff neck. When mingled with humility, the stiff neck soon becomes compliant and easily submits to the yoke of God's authority.

God's authority—the authority of His Word is the yoke which brings ease and rest to our lives. Lay your burden down; stop struggling with life's problems. Let your obedience to God's authority produce in you the peace that passes all understanding!

Lord, forgive me for resisting You so often. Change my heart and show me how I can submit to Your authority. Father, I long for the rest, the light burden, the easy yoke Jesus spoke of in Matthew. Help me to apply Your authority in my life every place and in every area I have had a stiff neck. Help me, through obedience and humility, become compliant and submissive to Your will. Show me Your ways; teach me Your will. Help me obey with a grateful and joyful heart. In Jesus' name, amen.

"The LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." (Exodus 33:14)

© Jan Ross
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It doesn't matter how long you have been serving the Lord, it is quite likely that you have gone through a period of time were you have felt like you are facing the impossible. The feelings and emotions of being alone and far from God seem to overwhelm us during these seasons. You are not unique if you have struggled with these feelings from time to time; you are not alone in these struggles you are facing right now.

Oh, how blessed is the Lord! He never fails to give us something to cling to in the time of despair.

"Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me." (Isaiah 49:16)

The palm is one of the tenderest places on the body being the very innermost part of the hand. The word "engrave" actually means in the Hebrew to cut or to trace – "I have cut you into my hand, I have traced you into my hand." The picture actually is like holding something so tightly in your hand that it finally makes its mark there.

For instance, if you held an object tightly in your hand long enough, an image or tracing of that object would remain in your palm when you open your hand. But the Hebrew word used in this verse for "engrave" talks about cutting or tracing, taking the impression left by holding something tightly to another level. Not only are we imprinted in His hand, our image is permanently cut in the palm of His hand where He holds us ever so securely yet tenderly, giving us protection, comfort, and rest.

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine yourself wrapped tightly and hidden securely, tucked away the palm of the unfailing hand of God. No enemy can find you; you are hidden as in a cleft of a rock. The hand of God is more than enough to keep you in your time of distress. And, as a reminder to Him of His great love for you, your image is permanently engraved in the palm of His hand.

The next time you feel like you are all alone facing a battle too hard for you, a mountain too hard to climb, the valley too deep to go through, remember that you are engraved in the palm of His hand as a result of being held tightly and tucked away safely in the cleft of the Rock. He will never leave you nor forsake you; neither will He forget that you are His child, the object of His affection, the one whom He loves.

How can I ever thank You for such great love that I have found tucked away securely in the palm of Your hand? Help me to never forget that I am never alone and that you are never far from me. What a comforting reminder You have given me today that Your love encompasses me and keeps me safe in the midst of the storm. There are truly no words that are adequate to convey the thankfulness and praise I feel in my heart toward You. You are awesome, oh Lord, and I love You with all my heart! In Jesus name, amen!

"Then the LORD said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by." (Exodus 33:21-22)

© Jan Ross
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