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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Father, please forgive me when I lose sight of my goal—he desire to apprehend Your heart. Help me to always seek You and acknowledge You in everything. Help me to desire fruit in others' lives as well as my own rather than pursuing material riches and gain. Lord, help me keep my eyes focused on You, desiring You, and pursuing You from a servant's heart . . . a heart always pursuing the Master. Amen and Amen.

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

© 2009 Jan Ross
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"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." (Jude 1:21)

The Cross . . . where Mercy met Justice!

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

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

In all that we do, everywhere that we go, all that we set our hand to, in every circumstance in life, "look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ". When we should have received justice, mercy that bought us eternal life is ours because of Calvary.

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

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

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

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

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

God visibly led the children of Israel 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.

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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"And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech." (Genesis 11:6-7)

Nimrod, whose name means "rebellion", sought to build a tower reaching the heavens so they could make a name for themselves. The earth was of one language, the people were one, and because of that they were powerful; there was nothing they could not accomplish because they were in one accord.

Matthew 18:19 says, "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." Oh, if we could only grasp this truth!

God looked down upon Nimrod as the people of the earth were in one accord and He knew that they could accomplish anything. Not only were two of them in agreement, they were ALL one voice, one tongue, one purpose. Unfortunately, their purpose was to build a tower (Babel), which was an act of pride and rebellion.

Jesus told us that if we could possibly come into agreement with each other, that nothing would be impossible for us . . . it would be done for us. Our agreement must be bidirectional; we must be in agreement vertically (agreeing with the Word of God and His promises to us), and we must be in agreement horizontally (agreeing – in unity – with each other).

There is power in unity; anointing flows in unity. Psalm 132 gives us a glorious picture of unity . . . "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore." The body in unity allows the anointing to flow and opens the door for blessing. The perfect picture of unity.

Have you ever asked why your prayers aren't answered even when you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are asking according to God's will? Do a self-check and examine your heart. Are relationships in your life partitioned by jealousy or strife? Are there walls of division in your associations and relationships because of selfishness or pride?

Tear those partitions down—those walls of division. Come into agreement with God's promises and with your brothers and sisters. Become one voice with one purpose so that "nothing will be restrained" from you. It's God's plan that we be one voice with one purpose in one Body.

Lord, teach me to walk in unity and in the flow of the anointing from the Head on down so whatever I ask in Your name as I stand in total agreement with Your Word and with Your Body will be done and You will be glorified in the midst of Your undivided church. Teach us, Lord, to walk according to Your will as one voice with one purpose. In Jesus name, by His blood I pray, amen and amen.

"That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one" (John 17:21-22).

© Jan Ross
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There are few passages in my Bible that speak into my life any more profoundly than James 1:2-3: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience (KJV). Hardly a day goes by that I don't draw on this scripture to maintain my sanity in one way or another. As a woman, wife, mother, and grandmother, each day brings with it at least one (and most times, many) opportunities to "count it all joy" when, in fact, there is hardly anything to be joyful about!

There's a huge difference in 'knowing' this scripture and 'doing' this scripture. The knowing is easy, the doing, however, is not so easy. The phrase "count it all joy" speaks to being HAPPY and REJOICING rather than considering our difficult circumstances as punishment or a curse or even a calamity. Joy! Joy! Joy!

As women, we tend to think we have to bear up and not let our true feelings show. Oftentimes we put on a fake smile to let the world know everything is just fine in our lives when, in fact, down deep inside we're full of sorrow, heaviness, and oppression.

This isn't the kind of joy James is talking about. He's talking about the joy that gives us strength, the joy that reflects the inner transformation that comes from knowing and experiencing God's great salvation. The joy that insists that we can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us because we understand we no longer live or move or have our being in our own strength.

James is speaking of genuine joy. He's not telling us to cover up our sorrow or pain, but to allow the root of our joy--the Lord Jesus Christ--to shine through even in the midst of our difficult circumstances. James is admonishing us to be CONVINCED from the depths of our heart that whatever we're facing is going to produce something in our lives that is profitable for us and for the Kingdom of God.

But, how do we do this?

Our children are being kidnapped by the secular influence of public schools.

Our family income is suddenly disappearing because of a failing economy.

Our bills are piling up because we've charged simple living expenses and now there's no way to pay the bills.

The food prices are rising, the cost of living is skyrocketing, we're presented with so many choices for a quick-fix that we know will only lead us down a road to disaster if we can't keep up with our commitments.

The list could go on and on ... divorce rates are escalating, homes are falling apart, natural disasters everywhere we look, churches depending on us to keep them afloat by our financial giving, and more. And, all the while, we're supposed to be JOYFUL!

It would be tempting to think that James didn't understand the times in which we live. But, we also understand that James was only an instrument in the Hand of God to write His Words to us -- His eternal word that is not bound by time, generation, or society. It is as pertinent today as the day James picked up a pen and scribed the words on parchment.

So, how do we do it? How do we accomplish such a difficult task considering the challenges we're facing?

Easy? No!

Necessary? Yes!

Ouch! That means change and change is just another stressor in an already stressful life. But, it's a necessary stressor that will relieve the pressure mounting inside.

My husband and I have a garden each summer ... he does the outside work and I take care of preserving and canning the produce. I love canning! I get huge pots of veggies on the stove, make all kinds of concoctions and can them for use during the winter months. One of my favorite ways of preserving is using the pressure canner. In fact, I'll get two of them going at the same time.

But, being the impatient person that I am, after the food has processed its proper time, I'm already anxious to get the next batch in the canner. I'll take the tongs and jiggle the pressure gauge to check the reduction in pressure, wait a few minutes and do it again. Finally, I'm so tired of waiting, I'll stand there and jiggle the pressure weight until there's no pressure left in the canner, remove the jars and refill the canner with the next batch.

Don't laugh because this is a perfect analogy of how JOY relieves the pressure of all the stressors in our lives.

Our lives can be like the pressure canner. We hold things in and allow pressure to build up until we're ready to explode. We put a "cap" on ourselves by not allowing JOY to have its perfect work in us, releasing pressure. We hold everything inside, allowing things to frustrate us without any release. Obviously, our challenging circumstances in life are nothing to be joyful about. We're not going to laugh when our teenage son is arrested for drug paraphernalia. We're not going to jump ecstatically when our husbands are terminated after years of dedicated employment. We're not going to shout a hearty 'hallelujah' when we learn our unmarried daughter is pregnant, etc.

Circumstances do NOT bring joy; true joy comes from within. When we depend on circumstances to make us happy or bring us joy, we will undoubtedly live swallowed up by sorrow upon sorrow. However, Nehemiah 8:10 reminds us that "the joy of the Lord is your strength". Our strength to endure whatever this life brings our way comes from the true joy of the Lord.

We can cry and grieve circumstances and will have a joy on the inside knowing God is in control, He will see us through, and His strength will grow within us in the midst of our weakness. The key is to separate circumstances from the foundation of joy planted deep in our hearts through relationship with Christ.

There is nothing wrong with grief or tears or sorrow as long as we never allow them to overshadow the joy of the cross--the joy of our salvation. This kind of joy works as the gauge on top of the pressure canner. Circumstances cause the pressure to build up but as long as we don't cover that pressure outlet, we can survive the circumstances. However, when we allow our challenges and trials and persecutions to cover or overshadow our lives, the pressure will mount until we explode.

As you walk through whatever you're facing, never lose sight of the joy of the Cross. Keep your eyes fixed on the Author and Finisher of your faith. Focus on the freedom wrought through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that allows us to rejoice and be exceedingly glad in our hearts while dealing with whatever comes our way.

Let the joy of the Lord be your release even when the world around you seems to be falling apart. It is God's provision for us as women, wives, mothers, and grandmothers who feel the pain of watching those we love and nurture suffer in this life.

It's not impossible ... this is very doable for each of us as long as we keep our focus, train our thoughts to dwell on the gift of joy so freely given to us to carry us through the dark valleys, over the insurmountable obstacles, and along the path set before us.

Joy in the God we love and serve.

Never lose sight of His provision even in the midst of the greatest sorrow we are faced with.

Release the pressures that tend to overwhelm by focusing on the joy of such great salvation and provision -- the promises of our God and King to provide a way of escape with every trial that comes our way (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Our God has not left us helpless. Rather, He's given us a reason to joy with exceeding great joy even in the toughest of times.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In today's world, everywhere we look we're enticed to consider ourselves before anyone else. Abortion serves self, homosexuality serves self, drug and alcohol abuse serve self, divorce in many instances serves self!

Jesus, through His example of love and humility, challenged us to consider others more highly than ourselves through service. John F. Kennedy once said, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." This easily applies to us as Christians . . . "Ask not what others can do for you, but ask what you can do for others."

If we 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.

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 is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea." (Psalm 93:4)

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

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

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

Whose love knows no end? The Lord on High!

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

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

Hallelujah to the Lord on High!

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

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

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

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 leaped 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.

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 rustling river 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. But, in our journey through life, what is OUR focal point? Is it the scenery each step of the way? Or, is it 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.

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, 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 along the way! If we don't praise Him in the midst of our mountains, the mountains themselves will proclaim praise in our stead!

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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