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Todays Devotion: Audience of One … “David turned to them with a passion not understood by his Levites and said, “No, no, you’re not playing for me – it’s for God, an audience of One. He wants us to worship Him continually. There will never be a time when we’ve done it enough.”

Jan Ross — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:02:45 +0000

“Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.” (Psalm 40:16)

After they had gotten the ark situated and the tabernacle built, the Levites assumed their work was done and began to walk off. David immediately stopped them, telling them that their work had only just begun. You can hear the Levites complaining to David: “But, David! We just walked miles with the ark on our shoulders; we’ve prepared and sacrificed thousands of animals to the Lord. Aren’t we done yet? And besides, there’s no veil or Holy of Holies!”

David told them, “No. I didn’t restore the Levitical office only to have the ark abandoned here like it was abandoned in Shiloh. Put your ephods back on. Get out your psalteries and harps again. Some of you can go eat lunch, but the rest of you are staying right here!”

The Levites, stunned at his command responded, “Well, who are we staying here for, King David? Do you want to listen to us play again? You hear us play all the time; we’re tired and we’ve done enough.”

David turned to them with a passion not understood by his Levites and said, “No, no, you’re not playing for me – it’s for God, an audience of One. He wants us to worship Him continually. There will never be a time when we’ve done it enough.”

David appointed psalmists to tend to the ark day and night with musical praise, worship, and celebration.

We are so used to coming into the presence of the Lord. We feel His presence, acknowledge it with a few tears and words of praise, and we simply say, “Gotta go!” and we’re on our way. Too often we want just enough of God to make us feel good or to give us the tingles or chill bumps up our spine. But He is asking, “Will you stay … will you spend time with me?”

Worship … an audience of One. It’s not about us, our time schedules, our distractions, or our energy level. It’s not even about whether we worship Him 5 minutes or 5 hours without ceasing.

God’s passion is to be with us; He desires for us to have that same passion to be with Him.

God isn’t asking for temporary visitation rights; He won’t be satisfied until He has full custody.

Use David as your example and pursue the same passion for worship that David had and don’t settle for less.

Father, please forgive me for being in a hurry, for not taking the time to linger in Your presence, for not seeking Your face with a passionate desire. Lord, forgive me for taking You for granted and for forgetting that my praise and my worship is for none other than You. Lord, You are my audience … my “Audience of One.” Father, be blessed and exalted as I devote my life to worshiping You, amen.

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” (Psalm 27:14)

Jan Ross

“We are debtors to every man to give him the gospel in the same measure in which we have received it.” This quote by P. F. Bresee sums up the motive of Jan’s heart. Whether through her speaking, teaching, pen and paper, her trusty laptop, or music score, spreading the Gospel is of paramount importance. Whether a Bible study, devotional, short story, poem, website copy, testimonies, or new songs from the depth of her heart in worship, the presentation of the Gospel creativity flows from her heart with passion, purpose, and proof that the Lord is the central focus of her entire life. Jan’s heart beats in constant rhythm of encouragement for today along with hope for tomorrow based on her love for the Word of God, His Body, and those who have yet to hear the the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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Todays Devotion: Because I Love You … “There is hardly anything more pleasing than to tell a youngster to do something and to have them obey without question. Very often, if you ask the child why he did what he did, his answer would be, “Because I love you!”

Jan Ross — Tue, 15 May 2012 12:27:05 +0000

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

Those of us who are parents may have a bit of insight into today’s verse that may be helpful to those who don’t yet have “little blessings”! There is hardly anything more pleasing than to tell a youngster to do something and to have them obey without question. Very often, if you ask the child why he did what he did, his answer would be, “Because I love you!”

Have you even given thought to how your obedience pleases the Father? Obedience is an act of love. It’s an act of submission. It’s an act of humility. An obedient child doesn’t try to find the “easy way out”, or attempt to “cut corners”, or even to “procrastinate”.

Abraham was given a task to do. His obedience was called “worship” (see Genesis 22:5) which is the purest expression of love.

Do you love Him today? “If you love [him], keep [his] commandments”!

Father, I love You, yet so often I fall short, not taking care to be obedient to Your commands. Help me, Father, to walk in Your ways, to follow in Your path, to obey Your Word! Help me to express my love to You through my obedience. You are worthy of all my love. You are worthy of my obedience! I love you, Lord! Amen!

“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.” (John 14:21)

Jan Ross

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Todays Devotion: Is God Ignoring You? “You feel that God has removed Himself from you, He turned his back on you or, at the very least, just not responded to your pleas for help. Nothing can overwhelm us more than life’s circumstances—family, job, friends, health, money, decisions, ministry … the list goes on!”

Jan Ross — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:30:35 +0000

“Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah.” (Psalm 77:9)

We’ve all been there. Perhaps you’re there right now. You feel that God has removed Himself from you, He turned his back on you or, at the very least, just not responded to your pleas for help. Nothing can overwhelm us more than life’s circumstances—family, job, friends, health, money, decisions, ministry … the list goes on!

Please be assured: God has NOT shut up His bowels of compassion toward you, He has not removed His presence from your life, AND He hears your cries for help. He has never left; He has never forgotten to be gracious. God’s presence is with us always … everywhere, every time, in everything.

There is a place of maturity toward which each of us must strive. On that road to maturity, there are times when we may feel all alone, when life’s circumstances seem to overwhelm us. These times are given to us for a purpose, to allow His will for us to be perfected in us. We can’t be on a spiritual “high” every day of our lives. We have to learn to “maintain” while walking through those dark areas on the road to maturity. We need to learn to trust Him when we “feel” Him and when we don’t. It all boils down to FAITH. Take Abraham, for instance. He went years and never saw the manifestation of God’s promise in his life, yet He believed God, he believed His promise to him and it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Exercise the arm of faith while in the midst of your difficult time. Trust God that He knows exactly what He’s doing in your life and that it will bring about fruit that is mature and pleasing in His sight.

Father, help me to trust You even when You seem so far away. Help me to hold on to You even when the doors of heaven seem shut as I pray. Lord, I thank You that Your mercies are never-ending, that Your love is steadfast and never ceases, and that Your faithfulness toward me is great. amen!

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Jan Ross

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Todays Devotion: Faithfulness To All Generations … “Today I celebrate another year of life, another year of service, and another year of mercy granted by my Father. As others wish me well, it is my deepest desire to see all my children and my children’s children walking in the knowledge of Him who loves them most.”

Jan Ross — Sat, 05 May 2012 12:06:39 +0000

“I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 89:1)

Praise … not much will put a song in your heart and a spring in your step like praising the Lord all the day long.

A song stirring in your heart can dictate the mood of your day when it’s a song of praise that’s welling up within you. You can be working in the worst of circumstances, but no one can take that song out of your heart. You can be facing the worst circumstances in life, but when there’s a song of praise in your heart, you can face anything.

Nehemiah said, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.” Thankfully, praise keeps us in touch with the joy of the Lord, which continually gives us the strength we need to face our problems.

What better way to praise the Lord than to sing of His mercies. After all, it is His mercy that bought our deliverance from the bondage of sin and death. It is His mercy that gives us hope.

And, finally, what better way to give hope to your children and your children’s children than to teach them to sing of the mercies of the Lord, and to make known His faithfulness to ALL generations.

Today I celebrate another year of life, another year of service, and another year of mercy granted by my Father. As others wish me well, it is my deepest desire to see all my children and my children’s children walking in the knowledge of Him who loves them most. I thank God for making Himself known to MY generations as well, giving me yet another reason to sing of the mercies of the Lord … today and every day!

Father, my mind is bombarded with thoughts that would consume me and silence the song of praise in my heart. Help me to recognize those attacks quickly and to take hold of the reins of my mind and cast down all thoughts that prevent me from singing of your mercies continually. Father, teach me to keep that fire burning – the fire that consumes all the wood, hay and stubble but that purifies all that is precious to you. Let a new song spring forth from my heart declaring your mercies and proclaiming your goodness to all generations. I love You, Lord, and I give you all my Praise … amen.

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” (Hebrews 13:15-16

Jan Ross

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Todays Devotion: Consider Holiness … “The Word of God will lead us and guide us on our path toward holiness. The Word of God is alive and is able to cut away from us all that which is unpleasing in the sight of the Lord.”

Jan Ross — Fri, 04 May 2012 12:59:10 +0000

Yesterday we talked about Grace … such a precious gift of God! (see http://hgimnetwork.org/2012/05/todays-devotion-what-a-gift/) Today, we’re going to touch on a word that, in many instances, evokes a rather negative mental response, especially by those who don’t understand what it really is. The word is “holiness”. Let’s take a look at this peculiar word.

Leviticus 11:44 says, “For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy”.

Lev 19:2 says “Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.”

Lev 20:7 says “Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.”

Matt 5:48 says, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

The question is what is holiness? It appears that holiness is not fashioning ourselves according to the former lusts in our ignorance … as obedient children. (See Romans 12:2 and Ephesians 2:3.)

Holiness is living a life that is set apart from the world’s influence and separated from sin while being yoked together with Christ. In essence, holiness is righteousness in action.

Holiness is not based on outward appearance, although your outward appearance will most definitely reflect the Righteous One living within.

Holiness is not a rigid set of do’s and don’ts, although one walking in holiness will refrain from all appearance of evil and do all as unto the Lord.

Living a life of holiness is the duty and should be the desire of every Christian. We should strive to be holy in all manner of conversation, in every area of our lives, toward all people, in business affairs, and in all circumstances – when we’re prosperous or otherwise.

We are to imitate God … God is holy. He is perfectly, unchangeably, and eternally holy; and we should desire to be like Him.

The Word of God will lead us and guide us on our path toward holiness. The Word of God is alive and is able to cut away from us all that which is unpleasing in the sight of the Lord. Read it and accept its convicting power; follow it and give God the glory due His name by living a life holy unto the Lord.

Father, my desire to live a life holy and acceptable to You grows day by day … “take my heart and form it. Take my mind and transform it; take my will and conform it to You. Holiness is what I long for; Holiness is what I need. Holiness is what You want from me.” Help me be pleasing unto You. Lord; help me to be holy even as You are holy…amen.

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

Jan Ross

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Todays Devotion: What a Gift! … “God’s Grace has made a way for you to endure whatever you’re facing. His Grace is absolutely and unquestionably sufficient!”

Jan Ross — Thu, 03 May 2012 13:29:11 +0000

God’s grace.

In this day and age 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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Todays Devotion: Be Strong. Be Rooted. Be Wise. “Judge everything you hear, read, and see against the Word of God. If you’re not sure, pray and ask the Lord to reveal His truth to you; He will always respond to that prayer!”

Jan Ross — Tue, 01 May 2012 13:34:59 +0000

“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Ephesians 4:14)

We are told in Matthew 10:16 to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” The day and time in which we are living has made it necessary for us to more carefully than ever consider the words of our Lord. We have to be so cautious what we accept as truth.

We are called to maturity. We can no longer remain as spiritual infants. We have to know the Word of God, how to rightly divide the Truth. We can no longer depend on someone else to “spoon-feed” us our Bible lessons. We have to “hide the Word” in our hearts through fellowshipping with God in His Word.

We have all seen and heard things that we wonder about, whether they’re really “of God” or not. But how does one really know if they don’t judge it according to the Word of God? The television is full of preachers and teachers … we are able (if one should so choose) to listen to one sermon or teaching after the other next all day long. But do you really know if the words they are speaking are truth?

Today’s verse admonishes us to be on the lookout for slight of man, cunning craftiness, and deceitfulness, not only in the worldly settings, but also among Christians. Judge everything you hear, read, and see against the Word of God. If you’re not sure, pray and ask the Lord to reveal His truth to you; He will always respond to that prayer!

Be strong. Be rooted. Be wise.

Father, my hunger to learn more of You increases day by day. Help me, Lord, to discern truth from all that I hear. Help me to hear Your voice clearly. Lord, I love you and I don’t want to accept anything that is NOT from You. Teach me through Your Word to be mature, not tossed to and fro, and to not be deceived. Lord, I want Your truth and nothing less! Amen!

“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” (1 John 2:27)

Jan Ross

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Todays Devotion: Being Word-Minded … “It is our duty to keep fueled up on the Word of God so when we hear the negative reports, we will not lose our ability to see God’s handiwork in the circumstances.”

Jan Ross — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:45:25 +0000

“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.” (2 Timothy 3:13)

If you have been keeping up with the news lately, you can see there is “bad news” all around us, so much so that it can become very depressing.

It is so easy to slip into a state of negativism, a feeling that nothing you could ever say or do would prove to change anything. This, in fact, is hopelessness … right where the enemy wants us.

Concentrating on the negatives in this world will eventually blind us to the faithfulness of God. We soon become so aware of the evil surrounding us that we cannot see the goodness of God or His promises being fulfilled … in fact, we lose heart, we lose sight, and we lose faith.

Regardless of what the news reports say, God is faithful, He is merciful, and His goodness exceeds anything we could ever hope for. It is our duty to keep fueled up on the Word of God so when we hear the negative reports, we will not lose our ability to see God’s handiwork in the circumstances.

Study to show yourself approved, and look up for your redemption draweth nigh. We are living in the midnight hour … don’t allow the negative to overshadow the goodness and faithfulness of our Loving Lord.

Father, we must admit that at times we become so overwhelmed by current events and lose sight of the fact that You are Lord of All. You hold our future in Your hands. Lord, forgive us all of failing to keep our eyes fixed on You, on Your faithfulness, on Your goodness, on Your promises. You have never failed us. You will never fail us. Help us, Lord, keep our hearts fixed on Your Word—to be Word-minded in all things. We can trust You with everything we see and hear and even experience because You are Lord and King of the universe … You are in control! 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.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Jan Ross

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Todays Devotion: Make Up Your Mind! … “How many times have you wanted to shake someone and tell them they have to make up their minds—either serve God wholeheartedly or don’t bother trying.”

Jan Ross — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 12:37:46 +0000

“…How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him…” (1 Kings 18:21)

Whoever said there are no absolutes was sorely mistaken. Black or white! Right or wrong! Hot or cold! God or Baal!

How many times have you wanted to shake someone and tell them they have to make up their minds—either serve God wholeheartedly or don’t bother trying.

God is merciful. God is love. God is full of compassion and grace. BUT, God is holy. He is a jealous God. He will not tolerate gray. He will not tolerate mediocrity. He will not tolerate lukewarmness. He will not tolerate half-heartedness in a relationship with Him.

God is drawing us to a level of relationship with Him like never before. It is one of singlemindedness … sold out, submitted and consecrated to Him. He is preparing His Bride for His soon appearing by strengthening the relationship, causing the yearning for Him to increase day by day as we anticipate His coming.

Before you shake someone else for being double-minded, check your own heart. Are you single-minded toward God or are you walking in the lukewarm, middle-of-the road state that breaks the heart of God? We all need to examine our hearts in response to the drawing of His Spirit.

Father, forgive me, Lord, for not always being single-minded toward You. Forgive me, Father, for compromise. Father, help me to make a choice to serve You with ALL my heart, mind, soul and strength regardless of the cost to me personally. Lord, may my consecrated and set-apart life be a praise to You bringing You glory. Amen!

“Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.” (1 Corinthians 10:21)

Jan Ross

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Todays Devotion: Say “No!” to Stinkin’ Thinkin’ … “The mind seems to be the arena through which the enemy attacks most. He plants seeds in our thoughts, and then it is up to us what we’re going to do with them.”

Jan Ross — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 11:39:08 +0000

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

Very little else can be said about our verse today. Paul, in his letter to the Church at Philippi, clearly defined a Godly thought life. The mind seems to be the arena through which the enemy attacks most. He plants seeds in our thoughts, and then it is up to us what we’re going to do with them.

Will we allow the enemy’s seeds of “stinking thinking” to take root and grow, or will we cast out those seeds before they can ever take root?

Our flesh wants to entertain gossip, slander, lies, etc., but we have authority through the shed blood of Jesus Christ our Lord and Master to cast down those thoughts which are not according to God’s standard. It is our duty to train ourselves to quickly recognize thoughts that are contrary to the mind of Christ and deal with them immediately, not giving them any opportunity to take root and grow.

It is has been said that the human mind has about three to five seconds after a thought enters the mind when a decision must be made; if it isn’t dealt with in that time, it’s likely to cause or affect the individual’s behavior. That doesn’t give much time for decision-making. We need to quickly recognize “stinking thinking” and change our thought patterns.

Take note today of what thoughts you allow yourself to dwell on and use the authority vested in you by Jesus Christ to “Cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5)

Lord, my thoughts are not always Your thoughts or even pleasing to You. Help me exercise the authority You gave me over my thought life and help me think only on those things which are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report, full of virtue and full of praise. May my life, including my thoughts, bring glory to You in every way every day!

“And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.” (1 Chronicles 28:9)

Jan Ross

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