From the moment I was put into my parent's arms, they intended to make sure I grew to understand the importance of serving God. As an adult, my husband and I have remained actively involved in a local congregation regardless where we've lived, and we made sure our children were given the same opportunity I was as a child. Our goal was to teach them that serving God doesn't depend on anything except their personal heart response to the Holy Spirit at work in them—in all of us.

For several years we attended "The Potter's House," a powerful church in Columbus, Ohio. Across the front of the sanctuary were the words, "Where Broken Vessels Are Made New". The Word preached by Pastor Tim Oldfield is powerful, pure, and packed with Life-Giving truth that literally transforms the heart of those willing to respond with a submitted and committed heart.

Jeremiah 18:2 speaks of the potter's house: "Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words."

The Master Potter works on each vessel individually to refine, to strengthen, to mend, to reshape and to prepare us to be the beautiful, useful, unique vessel He purposes us be.

It is His sovereign right to form our lives as He pleases. "As the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand." How often do we have a preconceived opinion of the course our lives will take only to have the Master Potter change everything? Through circumstances, situations, and other influences in our life, He Himself sets the course for us, most often not the direction WE would like to go, but the direction He has planned and purposed for us. It is so awesome to realize that we are part of the Sovereign Creator's plan for all of mankind.

Isaiah penned the words that continue to be my personal prayer, especially when I feel myself resisting the work of the Master Potter: "Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." (Isaiah 64:8)

We need not be dismayed when we feel the reworking and transforming work of the Master Potter in our lives but rather rejoice that His purposes are continuing to be accomplished as we remain submitted and pliable in the Master's hands.

My desire, O Lord, is to be used of You, to please You, and to remain submitted to You all the days of my life. I submit to Your masterful work in my life as You mold me and make me after Your will. You are the Potter, and I am the clay . . . have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way! Amen!

© Jan Ross
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We recently attended a writers conference (by the way, it was wonderful) where an interesting point was brought up. When a cover of a book is designed, particular attention should be paid to the spine since it is usually the only thing that shows when a book is on a bookshelf. When a reader is looking for a good book, the binding of the book will catch their attention and cause them to stop and read the title, then pick up the book to look at the entire cover and read the back. The cover is the first point of focus.

Consider for a moment the advertisements we see on the television. We're drawn to the cleverest and most appealing presentation of products. It's those we have a tendency to look for when we shop. The best labels. The brightest colors. The most appealing packaging. The advertising industry makes its living on our judgment by appearance.

Jesus, however, teaches us something totally different. Matthew 23:26 says, ""Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also." He knew men judge by the cover without paying much attention to what's inside. We are all too often concerned about how things look, so much so that we take more time cleaning and preparing that which is outside than we do that which is inside.

I'm reminded of the Psalmist as he wrote: "God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary." (Psalm 63:1-2) The Psalmist is desperate to cleanse the inside of his vessel first, not only first, but EARLY in the morning. He longed for that encounter with the Father every day so much so that he likened his heart to a dry and thirsty land yearning for the heavenly outpouring.

As we learn to prioritize our time, using it wisely with more focus and attention on what's inside the "cup and platter," we will find that we will outwardly begin bear a glorious resemblance to our Father, an appearance that will be noticeable to all with whom we interact.

Take the Psalmist's advice . . . seek Him early EVERY DAY. It's a worthwhile priority that has eternal consequences.

Father, help me to respond to Your gentle nudge every morning as You invite me to take care of inner cleansing first as I spend time in Your presence. Lord, teach me to always keep my priorities in order, regarding my time with You as most important in every day. In Jesus' name, by His blood, for His glory I pray . . . amen and amen.

© Jan Ross
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How many times have we seen people promoted while we felt we deserved the promotion instead? I know it happened to me more than once and it's not easy to deal with.

Whether in the workplace, in ministry, in clubs and organizations, or in the church, promotion comes from God. Any attempt to promote ourselves is counterproductive to the will and plan of God in our lives and will likely end in failure or, at the very least, become burdensome and less than fulfilling. He calls us to be humble and to allow Him the privilege of promoting us according to His plan and purpose so He might be glorified through our skillful and anointed work.

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time" (1 Peter 5:6)

Humility is reducing oneself to lower circumstances. Humility presents itself as behaving in an unassuming manner devoid of all haughtiness. And, humility accepts less even when more is deserved!

Consider some definitions of the word "humble":

1. Marked by meekness or modesty in behavior, attitude, or spirit; not arrogant or prideful.
   
2. Showing deferential or submissive respect.
   
3. Low in rank, quality, or station; unpretentious or lowly.
   
4. To bring low; to reduce the power, independence, or exaltation of; to lower; to abase; to humiliate.
   
5. To make humble or lowly in mind; to abase the pride or arrogance of; to reduce the self-sufficiently of; to make meek and submissive.
   
6. To abase; lower; depress; humiliate; mortify; disgrace; degrade.
   
7. Thinking lowly of one's self; claiming little for one's self; not proud, arrogant, or assuming; thinking one's self ill-deserving or unworthy, when judged by the demands of God; lowly; weak; modest.
   

With an honest time of self-examination, how many of these definitions of "humble" do others see in your life? Don't be surprised if you find yourself lacking some of these qualities in your life. Don't be surprised if you feel the Holy Spirit shining His spotlight on some issues in your heart even now as you read this.

To be Christ-like is to be humble; the result of humility is in God's very capable hands and it will be realized in the hearts of those who have learned true humility.

"And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Matthew 23:12)

Lord, my desire is to be a humble servant, willing to accept any circumstance I may find myself in. My flesh is weak but, Lord, my spirit is willing to seek after humility. Help me, teach me, lead me, Oh Father, in the way that is most pleasing to you, regardless of the cost to me personally. Help me to submit my heart to You; do Your perfect work within me and be glorified. Amen!

© Jan Ross
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We sang a song this past Sunday morning about God's mercy. It keeps rolling over in my heart: "Your mercy goes much deeper, father than I can see."

When I first heard the song, I was reminded of Psalm 36:5. "Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds."

God's mercy and faithfulness toward us is totally unmerited and undeserved. Mercy and faithfulness are attributes of God which are passed on to us because of His goodness and for His pleasure.

What an awesome thought! It is for His own pleasure that He is merciful. It pleases Him to be forever faithful toward us. To receive His mercy and to recognize and truth in His faithfulness is a form of praise to the Most High God. He is glorified as we learn to walk in the fullness of all He gave us so freely.

His hand of mercy can be seen in our lives each day as we sense His faithfulness to us in spite of our shortcomings. With humility of heart and meekness of spirit, we offer our sacrifice of praise to One who gives such a precious, costly gift. Our gift back to Him consists of our love, devotion, adoration and most importantly, our obedience.

Take a few moments right now to thank Him for His MERCY and FAITHFULNESS. God IS good and His mercy endures forever. I need His mercy more every day and am so grateful it goes so much deeper, farther than we can see.

Your mercy, Lord, is deep, reaching parts of our lives we aren't even aware of, cleansing us and accepting us wholly and deeply. Your faithfulness is beyond measure. Thank you, Lord for Your mercy which goes much deeper, farther than I can see. Amen.

© Jan Ross
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Have you ever opened your mouth and said something, immediately wishing you could take it back? I think we've all been there, and probaby more than once!

Words can be sweet like the juice of a fresh picked apple in late summer. Words can be to someone as valuable as pure gold or priceless as polished silver. Words fitly spoken can be the source of life to the hearer.

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." (Proverbs 25:11 KJV)

This scripture is precious to me in that it speaks of words, and I tend to be a woman of many words. Hopefully most of them are fitly spoken words. At times, however, words come out of my mouth that tend to be thoughtless and meaningless, not the kind of words spoken of in Proverbs 25:11.

Words frame pictures. Words express intangible thoughts. Words convey feelings and emotions. Words stir up response. Words, once spoken, can never be taken back but are forever loosed into the atmosphere with the potential to either propagate life or cut it off. Words build up, encourage, edify, or inform, or they tear down, hurt, oppress, or kill. Our words have power to affect a situation, a life, a family, a community, and even the world. Words are powerful!

My goal today is to use words carefully, to be selective in my speech so as to encourage, build up, and edify my husband, my family, and those with whom I communicate both locally and internationally.

What do your words do? What kind of power do your words have? Do you speak words of life? Take notice today and every day ... use only words that are fitly spoken.

Father, forgive me for often being careless with my words. Lord, help me to carefully choose my words so they will produce life in the ear of the hearer. Help me to speak only words that are "fitly spoken." Amen!

© Jan Ross
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Ok, I admit I need help! A chocolate donut or two ... or three with my coffee in the morning is about as good as it comes. The combinations of flavors tickle my taste buds. But, tell me, why is it that the things which bring us so much pleasure are so bad for us? Obviously, there's something wrong with me. Normal women don't indulge in such fattening, artery-clogging fancies in the morning. And, it's not like I do this every morning, but when a chocolate donut graces my kitchen counter, it calls out to me to "Come and dine!" I'm powerless to resist.

The Bibles tells me to "resist the chocolate donut and he'll flee" [TJV-The Jan Version]. But, have you ever seen a donut flee? I mean, does it suddenly grow little legs and scamper off into some hidden place where it will no longer be a temptation to me? Surely, the little round fellow would leave a trail of chocolate and I'd simply follow it to its hiding place, consume it, and that would be the end of it. Actually, the thrill of the hunt may make the prize even sweeter, so wouldn't it be better just to eat it before it gets even sweeter? After all, it's already packed full of sugar and calories without the added sweet thrill of victory!

In all seriousness, I rarely indulge but when I do, I live with regrets. I know I've opened the door to trouble because I've allowed myself to yield to temptation. Actually, the chocolate donut is a silly example of how we allow sinful thoughts to lead to sinful actions. Our eyes fix on the forbidden fruit, we fail to resist, we make excuses and justify our sin, and we partake only to find ourselves plagued with guilt and shame after the fact.

James 4:7-8 officially says, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (NIV) We have a remedy for temptation that's been tried and proven over and over and over throughout the centuries. The power is not in resisting temptation; rather, the power is in submitting ourselves to God.

When we position ourselves near to God with submitted hearts, we find strength to resist temptation, even if it's a luscious chocolate donut with morning coffee. James tells us if we come near to God, He will come near to us. We have to make the first move toward Him to find that place of strength in the face of such great temptation.

Although my taste buds may disagree, there's nothing sweeter and more satisfying than being close to the Lord, sheltered under His wings, and infused with power to resist temptation. So, today I'll let those little chocolate donuts sit there on the counter as I've found the place of true guilt-free pleasure and shame-free satisfaction in Christ.

Tomorrow, well, Lord help me stay strong!

"Blessed
is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." (James 1:12 KJV)

© Jan Ross
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Deeply enfolded in the very beginning of creation's account we find a picture that bears consideration ... it has to do with light.

"God made two great lights--the greater light to govern [to rule; to have dominion over] the day [continually] and the lesser light to govern [to rule; to have dominion over] the night [darkness]. He also made the stars." (Genesis 1:16 NIV)

Before man became a living, breathing being, God had His people in mind. The record of God's creation of the "greater light" and "lesser light" seem to prove this out.

Anyone who has taken a class in science understands basic principles about the sun and the moon, about light and darkness, and how they all relate to one another.

Let me explain. The sun never goes out; it is simply hidden from portions of the earth allowing the earth to "sleep". But, the moon is not just a "little sun" in the sky. In and of itself, the moon has no light ... it only reflects the light of the sun.

Darkness covered the face of the earth, but the light of the sun chased the darkness away, proving light dispels darkness.

Jesus said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:12 NIV)

He also said, "apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5 NIV)

Without Jesus, we have no light. But, we can reflect His light and "have the light of life", dispelling the darkness of this world. But failing to follow Him leaves us unable to be light--unable to reflect His light in the world around us.

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." (1 John 1:5-7 NIV)

It's all about staying close to the Light. And, it will show if we're not. We can "say" we have fellowship with Christ, but there if there is no light in us, we're not being truthful with ourselves or with others. We walk into a room of "darkness" and blend in, shrouded by the darkness (sin) that surrounds us. But if we truly walk in His light, we can walk into a room of "darkness" and we will stand out--we will be different, and noticeably so.

There is no room for incognito Christianity. Genesis 1:16 calls us the "lesser light" as we reflect the Light of the sun/Son. But our job is to "govern the night". We are living in the "night" - in a world of darkness - and we're to bring light to the darkness, overpower the darkness with the light we reflect from the Son.

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9 NIV)

We've been called out of the darkness of this world to walk in the marvelously wonderful light of Christ, reflecting His glory (light), as "a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation".

Let your light shine ... reflect the glory of the Son of God and dispel the darkness that surrounds you. Don't hide His light; don't be afraid to let Him shine through you.

Be a Light-bearer to this sin-sick world and "let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16 KJV)

Father, it is my greatest desire to let Your light shine through me, reflect off me, and lead others to You. Make me a reflection of Your glory in the midst of the darkness of this world. Remove from my life anything and everything that obstructs Your brilliance so Christ who lives in me may be visible at all times. Amen.

© Jan Ross
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There's nothing quite like the taste of fresh-picked corn, rolled in fresh hand-churned butter, and sprinkled with just a touch of salt. Oh, how sweet it is! I actually caught myself singing "Amazing corn, how sweet the taste!" to the tune of "Amazing Grace."

Fiddlestix! What was I thinking? How could corn compare to the sweet and precious grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ?

Ahhh, maybe it's not that much of a stretch to think that corn and grace are connected after all. While each ear of corn begins as a single kernel, our life in Christ begins with a single element--grace...unmerited favor.

God's grace planted in our hearts grows or increases as it is fertilized, watered, and cultivated by the Word of God. Much like that single kernel of corn is planted, fertilized, watered, and cultivated, grace multiplies exponentially as we put our faith into action, growing in the Truth of God's Word, and walking daily in fellowship with Him.

This afternoon I was freezing some corn and noticed some ears were underdeveloped. They came from the same single kernel, planted in the same field, given the same fertilizer, watered with the same water, and cultivated with the same hoe. But some of the ears failed to fill out completely. Could it be those ears were like those of us who fail to fulfill our commitment to Christ?

As I look at my life, I am compelled to ask myself, is grace in me multiplying as much as that one kernel multiplies into an entire ear of corn or is my walk with God underdeveloped and unproductive? What about you? Are you multiplying in grace?

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2 Peter 3:18 KJV)

Father, I want to grow in grace and multiply like the ear of corn. May my life be as sweet as the fresh corn dipped in butter and sprinkled with salt...fruitful, abundant, and pleasing to You. For Your glory, Lord, amen.

© Jan Ross
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A very special bond often exists between a grandson and his grandfather. As grandparents, we may go through life and not realize how profoundly we impact our grandchildren until one day a word is spoken and that which has been held captive in the heart is revealed. One such moment recently brought a proud smile to my husband's face and wrapped his heart in the bonds of a very special love.

Our grandson was going through some challenging times at school. He got caught up with the wrong crowd and began to emulate some of these unfortunate kids' vocabulary. A word here and there soon grew to a flurry of text messages with, well you know how kids try to outdo each other.

But, soon his secret was out. Mom learned all about it and confronted him as well as the parents of these so-called friends. You can imagine the look on the other parents' faces as they, too, checked their son's phones, revealing the truth. The boys were in trouble.

After taking away the phone and having some deep discussions, our grandson broke down. Not because he had disgraced his mom or dad, but because he suddenly learned he had hurt his grandfather. Once he realized his behavior wounded his grandfather's heart and deeply grieved him, the tears began to flow and repentance soon followed, complete with verbal and written apologies and distance from his undesirable friends.

Sin must evoke some form of sorrow in order for true repentance. Paul spoke of this specifically in 2 Corinthians 7:10 when he was bringing correction to the church at Corinth. He didn't want to hurt them or to alienate them, but he knew the need for true godly sorrow.

"Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."

Where there is no sorrow, there can be no repentance. When our grandson realized how he had let his grandfather down, the deep love between them became the motivating factor in his true repentance.

This begs the question for us today? How deep is our love relationship with our Father? When we sin and wound His heart, are we truly sorrowful for offending Him and bringing hurt to Him? Are we so moved with sorrow that we repent and work to change our ways? How much do we value the love relationship with our God?

The Holy Spirit continually leads us to examine our hearts much like our daughter examines the children's cell phones, looking for things that might challenge their well-being, their safety, and their opportunity to grow to be strong in character. Do we resist the Lord's correction with our attempts to justify our actions? Or do we respond with godly sorrow leading to true repentance?

"Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty" (Job 5:17 KJV).

Father, so many times I do wrong and fail to stop and thoroughly contemplate how my actions, or lack thereof, grieve You. You desire good for me. You desire that I be strong and of good character so Your image can readily be seen in me. Forgive me, Father, as I learn to yield to Your correction more readily with the assurance that it is because of Your love that You discipline me. I surrender to Your love. In Jesus' name, amen.

© Jan Ross
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Freeway traffic on a Sunday afternoon. Everyone with a destination in mind. Cars flying by. Road construction. Detours. Sports cars, trucks, motorcycles, compact cars, trailers, campers, and … feet in the windshield.

On the way to our daughter's house about two hours away, I happened to look in my rearview mirror; following close behind was a vehicle with feet in the windshield. Not just feet, but bare feet.

The apostle Paul talked instructed us very specifically about our feet: "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace…" (Ephesians 6:14-15 KJV)

How often do we leave the house without shoes … without preparing ourselves to carry the gospel of peace wherever we go?

The bare feet in the windshield spoke volumes to me. We begin our days taking time to shower, fix our hair, put on clean clothes, brush our teeth, and more. We make the bed, take out the dog, grab our cup of coffee and run out the door. However, too often we neglect to prepare ourselves spiritually. So many believers fail to take the time to make sure their "shoes" are on.

We have an obligation, as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, to complete our daily adornment which includes (among other things) preparation of our feet. The feet others see should never be bare but should always be "shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace."

"How beautiful on the mountains
are the feet of those who bring good news,
who proclaim peace,
who bring good tidings,
who proclaim salvation,
who say to Zion,
"Your God reigns!"
(Isaiah 52:7 NIV)

Are you prepared to bring the good tidings of Jesus Christ? Are you ready to proclaim peace and salvation? Does your presence in the midst of unbelievers proclaim, "Our God reigns!" Will your feet carry you into every encounter fully prepared to share the Gospel?

If your feet were in the windshield in my rearview mirror, what would they look like? Would they be fully "shod" or would they be bare?

Father, I confess that too many times my feet are like those in the windshield … bare and unprepared. Forgive me, Lord, for not always taking the time to prepare myself properly before starting my day. Lord, I want to have beautiful feet, carrying the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ to all. In Jesus' name, amen.

© Jan Ross
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