Finish the Race!

THANKFUL FOR HIS WORD...

Two roads diverged in a wood and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My husband is a real estate agent.  So, the other day he invited me to join him in walking off some property that he is listing.  He took me on a very long, two hour, hike of over a hundred and seventy-six acres of forest and fields.  Honestly, had I known, at the beginning of our journey, that we were setting out to walk that far - and through such difficult terrain that included creeks, rocks, logs, steep hills, tall grass, potholes and thick woods - I am not sure if I would have agreed to follow him so eagerly.  His excitement in exploring this property was so intense that I had to keep up the pace - or get left behind!  I focused on his every step, making sure I went "only" where he had, first, proven safe.  I trusted him completely.

As I was walking, I was earnestly praying, "Lord, speak to me; I am longing to hear your voice!"  Even though I heard nothing at all from the Lord that entire two hours, I continued to seek Him at every new adventure.  Much like Elijah, I was listening to see if God's voice was in the wind, in the birds, in the sun, or in the creek.  While His majesty was certainly revealed to me through all of nature, still, I had a strong desire to hear a special word from Him that day; something just for me.  I wanted to hear the voice of my Daddy (Abba Father).  I was longing to enter into the Secret Place of the Most High, to bask in the love of my heavenly Father's words of encouragement and affirmation.

As we trekked over, and up, and around, and through... many times we would come to a dead end that required us to look for an alternate passage.  Other times, thick weeds and tall grass blocked our view and made it difficult for us to push through with sure footing.  Never-the-less, we kept walking.  We didn't talk much; we just pressed onward, enjoying the fresh air and all of nature's beauty as we stayed true to our course.

I guess we could have stopped to rest at some point.  We could have even stopped to talk.  But, something inside of each of us kept moving our feet in rhythmic motion as we determined to roam this property in one constant movement of anticipation.  All the while, I was secretly praying - longing to hear the voice of the Lord.

At the end of our long excursion - and just before we emerged from the woods onto a country road that would lead us back to our point of entry - I was just about to tell my husband, "I can't go any further.  My feet are aching... I am thirsty and hungry!  Let's take a rest!"  That's when I suddenly I realized that our walk was almost complete and so I decided to keep silent, instead.  My resolve to march forward with great anticipation set in as the thought of relaxing - once and for all - catapulted me down that country road and through the open field that led back to our car.  I was dead set on finishing my journey in the comfort of the front seat of my car.

That's when I heard the Lord's voice!  Just as my red car - which seemed like an oasis in the desert - came into view, the Lord spoke to my heart and said, "Well done thou good and faithful servant.  You have finished the race!" 


Wow!  The Lord used our day in the woods as an object lesson concerning His written Word to teach me the importance of staying the course, persevering, and following Him with every step. 

Here is how He unfolded His message to me:  My husband represented the Lord.  As I kept my eyes on my husband's every step, trusting him for safe footing, it was an example of how I am to keep my eyes on the Master - trusting Him in every decision.  Then, as we overcame the many obstacles we encountered throughout our exploration while continuing to move forward, we were creating a visual life-lesson of how we should live by faith, everyday.  We are to press toward the mark, the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14)!  Finally, as we determined to keep our pace in the woods that day, we were creating, yet another, object lesson of what it means to not grow weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9).

The Lord revealed to me how each of our lives are much like that hike in the woods.  Our adversary, the devil, has laid before us many road blocks, many detours, many briers, and many potholes.  In addition, the world we live in has a busy and long drawn-out way of doing things that often times wears us down.  Still, when we keep our eyes on the Lord and stay in constant movement toward the thing that He has called us to do, we are assured that He will bring us to an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11).  That's when we'll hear Him say...

Matthew 25:21

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." 

You know, I believe this promise is just as true for the life we now live as it is for the life we will live in all of eternity.  God's Word has persuaded me to believe that pressing on in the midst of difficult circumstances leads to our breakthrough!  We will enter into the joy of the Lord - even on earth - and actually begin to rule those areas of our lives that were once oppressively overwhelming... if we just keep on, keepin' on.

God is so thorough.  To solidify my spiritual lesson that day, the Lord inspired my husband (unknowingly) to take me to see the movie, Secretariat.  What a wonderful seal from the Lord as He used that movie to nail down His message of faith and perseverance that I had learned in the woods earlier that day.  Each of our lives contain various cross roads that require us to choose between the status quo of a "sure thing" or a faith walk that involves potential risks.  God's call is usually that of selling-out to the cause and never looking back.  Oh, the richness of a life that has taken chances, lived to the fullest, trusted God, and stayed the course.  (That's the broad theme of the movie.  I'll keep the rest a secret and let you see it for yourself.  It's really good!)

I pray that YOU will be encouraged today to run the race that is set before YOU.  What is it that the Lord has asked you to do that, perhaps, seems too big or maybe even impossible?  Would you pledge to trust Him like never before?  Would you trust Him to bring to pass that thing in your heart that will require total faith and commitment in His Word to achieve?  Would you give it all to Him and begin to walk in rhythm on the journey of faith that He has designed - specifically - just for you?

He loves you, and He has good gifts for you (Matthew 7:11).  Now go!  Take a chance.  Live on the edge.  Trust Him.  Finish your race!

I am thankful for His Word, because His Word is true...

1 Corinthians 9:24 

"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain."

In Christ,
Deborah Ross
Strengthening Families & Encouraging Women
http://www.deborahrossministries.org/

Everyone's Guide to Demons & Spiritual Warfare

Have you read any good books lately?  I have! 

Ron Phillips, a Holy Ghost filled Southern Baptist Minister, shares scriptural truths concerning the reality of Satan's demonic influence and how we - as Christians - should be ready, willing and able to do spiritual battle in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ for the sake of those who are oppressed, possessed, or harassed by the enemy.  In his new book, Everyone's Guide to Demons & Spiritual Warfare, Ron begins by revealing his personal journey to understanding the unseen spiritual world.  The Lord awakened this seasoned pastor with fresh oil after a bout from "ministry burn-out" that almost drove him to go AWOL and abandon his call altogether.

As Ron emerges from his "life-changing encounter with the Lord" this Spirit-filled, fire baptized preacher of the gospel comes face to face - not only with a deeper worship experience - but also, a full blown attack from the enemy that was sent to scare him back into mediocrity.  In his two year journey of spiritual combat, the Lord taught Ron about the very present reality of the demonic and how Christians are to win the victory. 

This book is 278 pages of teaching that will help believers to walk in freedom.  Ron unfolds scripture to expose Satan's strategies.  God says that we are "more than conquerors", but if we don't know how to apply His word to our situation, many times we - as Christians - live in slavery to the devils wiles.  Then, there are those who willfully open themselves up to demonic spirits through sinful, godless lifestyles.  Jesus came to heal the sick, restore sight to the blind, and set the captives FREE.  The church needs to wake-up to the sobering fact that the devil still exists and that he is adamant on taking as many people (who are made in God's image) down, as possible.  If he can't stop them from becoming a born-again Christian, his next tactic is to thwart God's plan for their life by keeping them in bondage. 

Ron does an excellent job of teaching the church how to prepare for battle.  His book is easy to read, informative, powerful, uplifting, and scriptural.  Nothing spooky - just sound, biblical understanding of the power of the gospel when it is "applied" as a medicine.      

Sadly, when the church chooses to either remain "ignorant of" or "afraid of" this important aspect of the ministry of Christ called deliverance, many will suffer a life-time of crippling mind and body offenses that Jesus has already given them the victory over.

A great book!   

Presumption Leads to Death

RIGHTEOUS OR RELIGIOUS...

Psalm 19:13 KJV

"Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression."

FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING, READ THE ENTIRE EZEKIEL 33 BEFORE READING THIS POST

Do you go to church because you like to see who will be there?  Or, maybe you go because it makes you "feel good" to hear a sermon.  Perhaps, you are one of those that really enjoys the music.  You could even be going just because it is "the thing to do" on Sunday mornings.

I sure hope the above suggestions don't, in any way, describe your attitude about church.  Going to the house of the Lord should be much more than a casual past time.  Why?  Because God is Holy and we should worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.  If we call ourselves Christian, we should have a deep longing to know more about the Word of God.  We should love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, and strength.  Born-again believers should want to "do" the will of God.  They should desire to be Holy, because He is Holy (1 Peter 1:16).

Take a look at Ezekiel 33:30-33...

Ezekiel 33:31 KJV

"And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness."

God says that there are MANY who will sit and listen to His Word with glad hearts.  They will even go back and talk about the message with favor saying, "That sure was a good message we heard this morning."  To many, sermons are simply music to the ears, giving lovely sounds and uplifting notes - but not causing CHANGE in the heart of the hearer.  Unfortunately, many people hear the Word of God, but then they have no idea of how to "apply" the Word of God.  Still again, many would not even consider "doing" what they heard...it just seems too hard.

The Word of God is sure.  Whatever is declared by the apostle, the prophet, the evangelist, the preacher, or the teacher is sure to be the judgement of God if the people of God fail to adhere to the sound doctrine of TRUTH that is sent forth.  God's Word is not preached to put people in bondage (as the devil tries to make them think), but rather, to give them LIFE and to give them LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY! 

Even so, the Lord has STANDARDS...but, His standards are not to make us feel inadequate.  Oh no!  His standards are for us to live up to, so that we can receive the full blessing that He has for us, as Children of the King. 

Now go back and read Ezekiel 33:11. 

Ezekiel 33:11 KJV

"Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?"

God says that He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked.  He just wants the wicked to TURN FROM HIS WICKEDNESS and LIVE IN THE ABUNDANCE OF HIS GRACE.  The Lord does not want anyone to die.  That means both physical death and spiritual death.  So why do people die?  Dying is the result of sin - not the result of God's will.  The good news is that, even in death, the Lord makes a way of escape as He offers ETERNAL LIFE to those who are sealed unto salvation by the blood of Jesus.  So you see, God wants us to LIVE... now and forever!

As we read on in Ezekiel 33:12-20, we learn that God tells Ezekiel to warn the people that their righteousness will not be remembered in their day of iniquity... they will surely die!  In other words, those that profess Christianity, go to church regularly, sing in the choir, and even tithe, who turn their back on God to live a lifestyle of sin - they shall surely die. 

I know this is not a popular message, but I think it is one that the church needs to hear.  Not only is our Lord the God of Grace, but He is also the God of Righteousness and Judgment.  God hates sin.  On the flip side of this passage, God tells Ezekiel to announce that when the wicked turn from their wickedness - they shall live!

Ezekiel 33:13 KJV

"When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it."

You might be saying, "That's not God's way.  That's not even fair."  That's exactly what the children of Israel said!  They didn't like the strong Word of the Lord that Ezekiel spoke.  In verse 24, they "presumed" that since they were Abraham's seed, they should inherit the blessing... just because.  Isn't that just like the church today?  Being presumptuous about the GRACE of God.

You see, GRACE is not a license to sin.  Rather, GRACE is the POWER TO STOP SINNING!  The Strong's concordance says that GRACE is God exerting his holy influence upon souls, turning them to Christ, keeping them, strengthening them, and increasing them in their Christian faith.  Contrary to the church doctrine of many today, Grace is not a "GET OUT OF JAIL FREE" pass.  We must meet the conditions of Grace through repentance, or we will live a lie and continue to be lost... even though we might "think" we are saved.  The devil loves to play with God's Word in such a way that he twists and manipulates the minds of humanity so that they fall prey to cliche's that Jesus called "doctrines of devils".  If Satan is successful in causing someone to live a lie, believing that they are right with God - when, in fact, they are simply RELIGIOUS - he will succeed in luring yet another beguiled soul into an eternal hell.

Then again, if Satan can't claim a soul for eternal separation from God (hell), he will go for the next best thing and that is shutting them up so that they will be ineffective in the Kingdom of God.  You see, Satan knows that sin causes death - all death.  So, he is forever placing stumbling blocks of temptation before the believer, hoping they will fall into his trap of a lifestyle of iniquity.  If he can just get them to FALL INTO SIN he can have access to a host of curses (even death) in their life and thwart their destiny as a Child of God.

I know this message is not popular and I know that many will say, "No, God is full of Mercy and Grace."  And He is!!!  He is full of mercy and grace, but He is still a Holy God.  New Testament teachings don't take away from the Old Testament character of God.  Christ came to "fulfill the law", not do away with it.  The character of God has not changed. 

Being presumptuous concerning the Grace of God is, in my opinion, like spitting in the face of Jesus (see Hebrews 6:6).  Christ died so that we might live!  The scriptures say that he was bruised for our iniquity (Isaiah 53:5).  He took upon Himself the power of sin and the guilt that sin brings over us so that we can be more than conquerors.  He made a way for His Children to live above the curse of sin.  For us to preach a weak gospel or to offer a sympathetic stronghold to the sinner is a slap in the face to the POWER OF THE GOSPEL. 

Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith" (KJV). 

We cannot have pure faith unless we are freed from the guilt of sin.  So as long as we have a sin problem... we are going to have a faith problem. 

This is why repentance is so important.  Repentance is a true remorse over sin and a sincere humility toward Holy God.  Repentance is not being sorry that sin has been exposed.  Instead, rrepentance means that we turn from that sin and turn to Christ.  When a sinner comes to Christ, he or she is saying, "Lord, I have sinned against You!  I am wrong.  Please forgive me, cleanse me, and make me righteous in your sight.  I never want to return to that sin (or way of life) again." 

I like to look at it like this:

REPENTANCE ignites FAITH
FAITH ignites GRACE
GRACE ignites HOLINESS
HOLINESS ignites LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY

Even in Titus 2:11, the Word of God says, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, TEACHING us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (KJV). 

So here we see that GRACE...

BRINGS SALVATION
TEACHES US
HELPS US TO DENY UNGODLINESS AND WORLDLY LUSTS
HELPS US TO LIVE SOBERLY, RIGHTEOUSLY, AND GODLY

So when someone who claims to be a Christian says, "I CAN'T LIVE GODLY.  SIN HAS POWER OVER ME"  They are rehearsing a lie sent straight from hell.  If they are truly a Child of God, they have been empowered - by grace - to be righteous.  And living righteous - glory to God - means that we LIVE ABUNDANTLY!  That's where the blessings are!

So my friend, let's don't be presumptuous about the things of God any longer and let's don't teach others to be that way, either.  God is Holy!  He has commanded us to be Holy!  The Lord has no pleasure in the death of the wicked!  He has made a way for us to LIVE life ABUNDANTLY... in this life and in the life to come! 

But... we must live by His STANDARDS.  His standards are just.  They are fair.  They are true.

So REPENT!  Come out from among them!  Be Holy!  Turn from idolatry!  Turn from lusts!. Turn from worldly ideologies!  Turn from spiritual apathy! 

Turn to God.  Read His Word.  Obey His Word.  ...AND LIVE!

1 Peter 1:16 KJV 

"Because it is written , Be ye holy; for I am holy."

Deborah Ross

Deborah Ross Ministries, Inc.

www.DeborahRossMinistries.org

News from Deborah Ross Ministries

News from Deborah Ross Ministries

BELIEVING FOR GOD'S BEST

Romans 12:2

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that GOOD, and ACCEPTABLE, and PERFECT, will of God."

Do you think everything that comes down the pipe is God's PERFECT Will? If you do, I am afraid you will miss some great blessings that the Lord has in store for you throughout your earthly journey.

All through scripture we read of story after story where God's people were to conquer, fight, stand, believe, defeat the enemy, take back what was stolen, receive, obey, walk in holiness, and proclaim the victory. With overwhelming obstacles and impossible circumstances, people (leaders, prophets, priests, those sick, those surrounded, those held captive - really, ALL people) were commanded to overcome. Unfortunately, with this commandment most often came warfare.

It can seem so much easier to shrink back and settle for something that is just "a part of life" or settle for "the results of some sin" rather than humble ourselves, seek God's face, and turn from our wicked ways (maybe even wicked ways of doubt) to be miraculously delivered, healed or restored.

The forces of darkness have always been adamant about thwarting God's plan. This being said, I have found that in order for me to gain new territory in the path that God has predestined for my life, I must be willing to step out of my comfort zone, ready to encounter resistance. Notice I said "ready" to encounter resistance. Too often, Christians are not prepared for battle because they have spent their time prior to Satan's attack - or God's challenge - drinking milk and not searching the deep things of God. Many will even allow a little leaven (religious doctrine - Matthew 6:12) to water down the power of God's Word working in their lives. Then, once the enemy hits, they simply aren't equipped to fight, nor win the victory.

In addition, strongholds of the mind will cause many Christians to lay lifeless as Satan works them over with lies that he masquerades as truth. Sadly, this is where so many well meaning Christian people will compromise, justify, settle for, and propagate their weak interpretation of scripture as they fold in battle.

God wants to show Himself strong in our lives so that His glory will prick the hearts of those watching. He wants to use our struggles and our victories to spread His fame throughout the entire earth. Sure, God can (and will) get the glory in every situation of a Christian's life - whether in victory or in defeat - however, I believe He is always encouraging us to travel the road to victory. He wants to do a miracle on our behalf!

The scriptures say, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" - Hosea 4:6. This is why it is imperative to study God's Word diligently with childlike faith. God doesn't want any of His children to be defeated. He always makes a way of escape, but we must find it AND we must choose to take it.

Are you trusting God as Moses did by:
*persevering through difficult times;
*believing God's Word against all odds;
*stepping out in faith to ACT on His instruction;
*and by standing your ground until deliverance comes?

Like Pharaoh, the devil will fight you tooth and nail to keep you in bondage, sickness, poverty, and spiritual complacency. You must be willing to fight the good fight of faith in a radical way if you want to live in the Promised Land of this earthly life. Sadly, far too many Christians choose to die in the wilderness either because of lack of knowledge, doubt, fear, unbelief, or they'll simply grow weary in well-doing.

Let's look at Exodus 6:3. It says, "And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them." God Almighty or El Shaddai means He is the One True God - He is the Most Powerful God. Jehovah or Yahweh means the Existing One. "Name" means reputation, fame, and glory. In other words when Moses asked God, "Why have you brought trouble upon these people?", speaking of the Israelites in bondage to Pharaoh - Exodus 5:22-23. God replied, "I am going to make Myself known as the One And Only True God to all nations by showing my undeniable glory through signs, wonders, and miracles. Everyone will SEE that "I AM, THAT I AM" - my paraphrased version.

As Moses obeys the Lord in commanding Pharaoh to let God's people go, things seem to get worse instead of better. Plague after plague, God shows miraculous signs and wonders to give the Egyptian people and the Pharaoh an opportunity to repent of their evil ways. God also uses this time to prepare the Israelites for a journey of faith into the Promised Land. I am sure the Israelites would have much rather received their deliverance without such warfare but God had a long-term plan that was much more beneficial to both them and their captors.

Pharaoh tried long and hard to win the battle. He was so adamant about not surrendering to God's might that he even offered some "easy" ways out for Moses and the children of God. First, he offered to let God's people make their sacrifices and worship in the Egyptian land. While this may sound reasonable at first glance, it was not God's PERFECT WILL. God wanted to set his children FREE so that they could worship freely in a land that was abundantly fruitful. He didn't want them to have regulations on their worship and he surely didn't want them to remain in bondage to the Egyptians. God wanted to take them to a land flowing with milk and honey and had they compromised their determination to win the battle, they would have forfeited the goodness to come of the Promised Land.

Then another time, Pharaoh said he would let them go and worship in the desert, but he said they "couldn't go very far". Again, the Pharaoh was putting a stipulation on God's deliverance. This was not God's PERFECT WILL. God doesn't want his people on a leash. He wants them free! John 8:36 says, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."

Later in the Exodus account, we read where Pharaoh agrees to let only the men go, but not the women and children. Pharaoh goes on to twist the words of Moses by saying, "That is all you asked for, anyway." That was a lie! Moses had said from day one, "Let my people go." I think the Pharaoh was trying to make Moses doubt his own intent. Furthermore, he was still pressuring Moses to accept only half of God's will. This was not God's plan; it was not His PERFECT WILL.

Finally, Pharaoh says, "You can all go, but you must leave all of your wealth with me." Here, Pharaoh tries to tempt Moses into accepting poverty as a trade off for God's deliverance. How many times does the devil use this one on us? Satan always wants us in lack, but God wants us in plenty. The Promised Land was a land of plenty. By instructing the Israelites to plunder the wealth of the Egyptians just before they escaped bondage, He was showing them - and us today - that His desire is to bless us. God says we are to be the head and not the tail, the first and not the last, the lender and not the borrower (Deuteronomy 28)!

Once again, IT WAS NOT GOD'S PERFECT WILL for Moses to accept poverty as a trade off for the victory. Anything less that 100% of what God had clearly told Moses earlier in Horeb (the mountain of God) was not to be considered. Thankfully, Moses didn't buy into these bail-outs offered by the Pharaoh. He kept on believing God - for His best!

With this lesson from Exodus chapters 1-13, we should easily see that it is our duty to believe for God's best. But, once we have believed for God's best we should, also, expect resistance. The devil hates for God's children to progress. He hates for us to obtain God's best. Satan does not want us to win and ultimately does not want God to show forth His glory with signs, wonders, and miracles.

I wonder if the devil's ploy could have something to do with so many Christians remaining milk fed, traditional, and religious - thus, never truly believing in the supernatural power of God for their deliverance? Perhaps the devil has helped them create strongholds in their mind that prevent them from believing for a miracle. Unfortunately, choosing to remain a babe in Christ - whether by ignorance or by deliberate stubbornness - can bring consequences of failure in the Christian life.

Friend, everything in life that is worth having will usually cost us something. Receiving God's best may take years or even a lifetime to achieve (take the example of Moses and the Israelites wondering in the wilderness for 40 years trying to get to the Promised Land). Just the same, I am convinced that as we:
*grow in Christ;
*walk in faith;
*speak God's promises;
*stand our ground;
*live in holiness;
*and purge the ways of the world (like the Israelites had to purge the ways of Egypt), we can AND WILL obtain the blessings of the Promised Land - even on earth.

Learning to see our troubles as grasshoppers instead of giants, we can be like Joshua to become The Remnant of God's people who receive complete deliverance. Hallelujah!


(Note: When I write these articles, I am teaching myself just as much as I am teaching you. I must remind myself, daily, that I am more than a conqueror. Our earthly journey requires each of us to hold each other up with the standard of the Lord.)

With Love in Christ,

Deborah Ross
http://www.deborahrossministries.org/

LIVING IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN... FOREVER

I am headed out to preach and sing in the SC Prisons and thought I'd share my Bible study notes with you before leaving. This post is one that helps us to see that God desires for us to take "responsibility" for our wrong doing, repent, and then worship Him. His desire is for us to be innocent in our conscious so that we will have full confidence in His love toward us.


When we sin against Him, we become ashamed and, consequently, see ourselves as cursed - undeserving of being able to receive anything good from God. Because of our broken relationship with our heavenly Father through sin, our consciouses are seared and we lose all confidence in our faith. On the other hand, it is through the redemptive power of the blood of Jesus that we are made holy, and have no need to be ashamed. We are clothed in robes of righteousness that cover our nakedness. As children of the King, we can come boldly to the throne of grace knowing that whatsoever we ask the Father (in Jesus name), He will do for us.


My encouragement for you today is that you confess your sins, turn from anything that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind as being against God, and that you RECEIVE God's forgiveness. Receive His cleansing power. Receive His blessings.


Here are my Bible study notes for my message this weekend...
___________________________________


The 7 stages of SIN that bring forth death VERSES the 7 principles of redemption that bring forth life...

Deuteronomy 30:19 -

"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:"

PROVERBS 13:13 - "Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded."

Perhaps you've said...

NO ONE EVER TOLD ME THAT BEFORE. OR, MAYBE THEY DID BUT YOU...
1) QUESTIONED THE MEANING OF THE INSTRUCTION
2) ANALYZED THEIR ADVICE
3) DOUBTED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THEIR INSTRUCTION
4) LUSTED AFTER THAT EXPERIENCE
5) JUSTIFIED YOUR REBELLION
6) HID YOUR SIN
7) BLAMED EVERYONE ELSE FOR YOUR ACTIONS

GOD WANTS US TO...
1) ACKNOWLEDGE OUR WRONG DOING
2) TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR ACTIONS
3) REPENT (CHANGE OUR MIND & ACTIONS)
4) RECEIVE FORGIVENESS
5) READ HIS WORD
6) WORSHIP HIM CONTINUALLY
7) LIVE FOREVER

PROVERBS 13:18 - "Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured."

SIN is conceived and then birthed as we refuse instruction.

PROVERBS 13:20 - "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed."

Hang out with the wrong crowd and you'll soon be destroyed. Hang out with godly people and you'll gain wisdom.

GENESIS 2:25 AND 3:1-13 - READ

God's original plan was for us to be:
*Naked & Not Ashamed
*To Have Pure Thoughts
*Innocent
*Live Forever

GENESIS 3:11 - "And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?"

Satan's illegal entrance into the garden of Eden through a talking snake - to thwart God's plan for humanity - proved fatal as Eve was tempted to do what God had told her not to do. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time, looking at things she shouldn't have been looking at. Satan took advantage of her while she was alone, yet, much too close to sin.

God had said... eat from...

TREE OF LIFE = Live Forever - Naked and Unashamed
TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD & EVIL = Innocence Lost; Perversion

WHAT WERE SATAN'S TACTICS...

GENESIS 3:1 -
THE LIE - Questioned God's Word
"... Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?"

GENESIS 3:3-4
THE LIE - Analyzed God's Word / Twisted God's Word / Doubted the Significance of God's Instruction...
"The word 'die' doesn't really mean 'death'.???"

GENESIS 3:5
THE LIE - Lusted after this experience. God is keeping something from you.
"He knows that if you eat from 'this' tree, you will see more and know more."

GENESIS 3:6
THE LIE - Justified sin. It's good for food. Pretty to look at. This experience will make you wiser. "I don't see anything wrong with just one little taste. After-all, it is food. God made food to eat... right?"

GENESIS 3:3
God had told Adam and Eve not to eat of... DON'T EVEN TOUCH... the tree of knowledge.

PEER PRESSURE / DEVIL / FLESH
You won't really die. You'll know good from evil - good experience. You'll be wiser... like God... maybe you can even be your own god! Be open minded. Your eyes can be opened to endless possibilities (of sin). It's fun. It's pretty. It feels good. Everybody is doing it.

ONCE THEIR EYES WERE OPEN... they became...
Ashamed - Naked - Hid From God - Tried to Cover Their Sin with Fig Leaves

THEY STILL HEARD THE VOICE OF GOD AFTER THEIR SIN... Genesis 3:8
THE LIE = They HID FROM GOD. They tried to hide their sin.

THEY BECOME AFRAID OF GOD...
*Not God's plan.
*God wants to bless us, not curse us.
*Sin makes us live in fear.
*Sin makes us live in self-condemnation.

GENESIS 3:11-13
THE LIE - Blame Game. Perhaps it is the truth, but it is not repentance.
"It wasn't my fault. They tricked me. I was born this way. No one ever told me."


The Lord wants us to admit, repent, and believe. Not, live in the lie.

VERSES 14-19 Speaks of the CURSE because of SIN. Sin always brings a curse. Only the blood of Jesus can cover our nakedness... our sin. See verse 21.

THE APPLIED BLOOD OF JESUS BREAKS THE POWER OF THE CURSE.

GENESIS 3:22 - GOD DOESN'T WANT US TO LIVE FOREVER... IN A SINFUL STATE. Instead, He wants us to live eternally with him without spot, blemish, or wrinkle... covered in the blood... living in holiness... full of His Word... worshipping Him.

GENESIS 3:24 - The cherubim (SPIRIT) and the flaming sword (WORD) keep the "Tree of Life". We can only have eternal life through the SPIRIT (the born-again experience) and the WORD (the transformation of our minds). - John 3:5

The Lord DOES NOT want us to live eternally as broken creatures, so He guards the Tree of Life for our own good. If we eat from it in our broken state, we would live forever... broken, deformed, and apart from Him. Instead, He makes a way for us to be made whole, first. Through the cross, our conscious is healed from SIN as we acknowledge and confess our wrong doing, turn from our wicked ways, and believe in the power of the cleansing blood of Jesus to wash us clean and make us a new creature. It is through this one and only door that we are eligible to eat from the Tree of Life. Our eyes are, then, opened to understand God's Word, and our spirit's are made new to worship God alone for all eternity.






CHERUBIM - In immediate contact with Jehovah. Spiritual beings who worship God continually. FLAMING SWORD - The bible is the sword. The word of God is sword of the Spirit.

GOD WANTS US TO... (7 principles)
1) ACKNOWLEDGE OUR WRONG DOING
2) TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUR ACTIONS
3) REPENT (CHANGE OUR MIND & ACTIONS)
4) RECEIVE FORGIVENESS
5) READ HIS WORD
6) WORSHIP HIM CONTINUALLY
7) LIVE FOREVER WITH HIM

PROVERBS 13:13 - "Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded."

Do YOU despise instruction? Or, are YOU aiming to seek the truth; God's truth?

Do YOU know Him? Do YOU love His Word? Are YOU a worshipper?

What will YOU do? Die or Live?

He wants us to LIVE THE ABUNDANT LIFE now and in the life to come! AMEN!

Deuteronomy 30:19 -

"I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:"

By:  Deborah Ross

http://www.deborahrossministries.org/

Healing a Broken Marriage

OBTAINING THE VICTORY

QUICK BIBLE STUDY NOTES ON OBTAINING THE VICTORY...

Settle it in Your Heart!
John 14:21He 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 (I) WILL MANIFEST MYSELF TO HIM.

Do you want God to MANIFEST Himself to you? I do! He says that if we will "keep His commandments" - He will!

Question: But, how do we keep His commandments?

Answer: By obeying the Holy Spirit!

The Holy Spirit always speaks in accordance with God's Word. If we question the voice that we hear, we should check God's Word to see if the voice we heard testifies of the character of God. We also keep His commandments by BELIEVING HIS WORD.

Question: What is the character of God?
Answer: God is love! He loves YOU and YOUR FAMILY! He wants to manifest Himself to you. He wants to bless you!

According to John 14:21, your part of the agreement (covenant) is that you will...

A) Have His Commandments in your heart

B) Keep His Commandments

C) Love Him - (If you don't keep His Commandments, the Bible says you don't know Him.)

1 John 2:4He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Boy, that's some strong words. But it is the truth... because God's word is true. Hallelujah!

MANIFEST: Strong's Concordance: To show one's self, come to view, appear, be manifest to indicate, disclose, declare, make known (emfanidzo = Greek) - Dictionary: To prove; to put beyond doubt or question

I like that! God wants to put your doubts to silence. He wants to tell you some things; disclose some information; make some things known to you; give you an indication of what to do or where to go. He wants to MANIFEST Himself to YOU and reveal the VICTORY!
Your part... KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS and LOVE HIM.

Do you really BELIEVE His Word? I mean, deep down in your heart, when all hell brakes loose and it "appears" His word is not true... do you believe His Word?

If you are holding on for a miracle in any situation, I've got a Word for you: "Like Queen Esther, you need to BELIEVE that you were chosen for the assignment of winning the victory."

You were chosen to win every family member to Christ. (Esther 4:14)

*Commit yourself to be VICTORIOUS

*Commit to SEEKING GOD & His Will

*Commit to NEVER look back (Luke 9:62) Forget about the "what ifs"

*Commit to FORGIVE

____________________________

My new book lists 8 ACTION STEPS that are needed to prepare you for VICTORY.

Get your copy of Healing a Broken Marriage: Love Never Fails.

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Hebrews 11:6

But without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

THINGS TO REMEMBER FOR MARRIAGE VICTORY:

a) God wants you and your family WHOLE!

b) Marriage is God's idea. It "is" His Will for you to stay married until "death do you part"

c) Marriage is a PICTURE of our commitment to the Lord... through thick and thin.

d) Someone must go first! Will you be Jesus toward others, even if they don't deserve it?

________________________________

To learn more about How to Obtain the Victory, consider a LIVE message at your next event. I can be booked to speak for your next event through STACY@THEROBINSONAGENCY.COM or by calling 1.800.782.2995.

Honorarium Negotiable.

FOR MORE ABOUT DEBORAH CLICK HERE

http://www.deborahrossministries.org/

Mother in Zion Series - # 2

PRACTICAL & BIBLICAL ADVICE FOR A HEALTHY MARRIAGE by Deborah Ross

Today's study is based on various Proverbs from God's Word.

After an overwhelming response from the Mother in Zion Series #1, I am eager to share more nuggets of truth that will help wives - both young and old - to cultivate a healthy marriage that will last a lifetime. I believe that Satan's number one target is the family. It is only by being INTENTIONAL about our marriage that we can ever expect to truly weather the storms of life.

Below are 10 points to ponder...

#1 - Money isn't everything! While we all need money to survive - and I certainly do believe that God wants to bless us financially - still, as wives, we should never allow our primary focus to be on our financial status. Too often, I'll see women getting caught up in worldly desires of wanting more, charging more, expecting more... all the while being satisfied - LESS! Remember, even though it IS God's desire to bless you and your family financially, you should never allow money to dictate your happiness. In fact, some of life's most precious moments will actually stem from times of financial hardship in your marriage. When you said, "For richer, for poorer", those words were meant to be a promise kept forever - no matter how difficult the circumstance. Arguments over money have destroyed way too many homes. Don't let it destroy yours!

Proverbs 15:16
"Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith."

#2 - Study your husband! A godly wife has studied her husband's likes and dislikes. She knows how to please him. Remember, Satan is sure to have someone "else" studying your husband at various points throughout your married life. I would not want anyone to know more about my husband's thoughts, desires, habits, likes or dislikes than ME and the only way to be sure of this is to "study" my own husband. Do you know YOUR HUSBAND'S deepest desires?

Proverbs 15:28
"The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things."

#3 - Boob jobs, tummy tucks, face lifts, body sculpting, body piercings, tattoos, make-up, high heels, low cut blouses, micro-mini skirts and so on should not be necessary for your husband to find you attractive. While I don't believe the Lord is against women looking their best, I am certain He would not have us consumed with adjusting our physical appearance in unhealthy or seductive ways. The Word of God is very clear that our inner beauty is much more important than our outward looks. Of course, the "world" says to: lift it, tuck it, change it, flaunt it and shake it. But, God says that true beauty is elegant, graceful, pure, holy and modest. If you are feeling the need to compete with pornographic pictures, television and magazine commercials or even worldly girlfriends who don't know Christ in order to keep your husband's attention, there is something seriously wrong with either your marriage or your self-esteem. Make grooming your inner self (being transformed by God's Word) a top priority. Of course, you should not neglect to keep your outward appearance pretty and well-maintained with good hygiene. But remember, in looking your best for your husband you should NEVER allow the latest "beauty trend" to lure you into compromising your dignity, your health, or your testimony.

Proverbs 11:22
"As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion."

#4 - I asked my husband what he would like to contribute to this article and his response was...

"Tell them, DON'T NAG. Men hate it!"

Are you a nagging wife? If you are, I pray that you will ask God to help you bridle your tongue, IMMEDIATELY! One of the quickest ways to kill a marriage is to be a continuous nag toward your husband. Once he officially TURNS YOU OFF, you will really wonder "why" he never responds to your requests.

Proverbs 21:19
"It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman."

#5 - Ladies, pouting doesn't solve anything. I know, we all like to play charades once in a while, especially when our feelings get hurt. Your man may be clueless about "why" you are upset. He may truly want to make things better, but just doesn't know where to start. This DOES NOT mean that he doesn't care. This simply means that he didn't notice what he did (or, did not do) to offend you. It is always better to discuss your insecurities and offences BEFORE you stew over them. Remember, your husband usually just wants to have fun and be loved. He is a man... and men don't think with their emotions in the same way that women do. So, stop the pouting. It only leads to an argument.

Proverbs 15:17
"Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith."

#6 - Are you in the habit of drinking alcohol or abusing prescription or non-prescription drugs? One sure way to kill a marriage is to drown it, numb it, or escape from it! I wonder just how many homes have been destroyed because of alcohol or drug abuse? You know the routine: a few drinks... next, suspicions and distorted judgements that lead to arguing... then, you call each other hurtful names... eventually, you might even wind up hitting one another. Don't say, "That won't ever happen to us. We can control ourselves. Besides, we only drink (or take these drugs) - sometimes." My friend, I pray that you won't play with fire any longer! The Bible says that we should be drunk with the Holy Ghost and not drunk with wine. The devil always has a counterfeit for everything that God does, and drinking alcohol is Satan's fake "high". He knows there is a real "high" that can only be found in being a born-again, spirit-filled, Child of the King and he doesn't want you to live in that realm. Drinking and taking drugs to relax is bad for your testimony, a careless example toward your children, and it is damaging to your marriage. The best advice is... Don't do it!

Proverbs 23:31-33
"Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things."

#7 - Living on credit is a trick of the devil. While the world tells us that credit is the American way, the Lord says that we should live by faith and pay as we go. Granted, buying a house or maybe even buying a car can require one to rely on using credit in the US. Even so, Americans - as a whole - are buried in loans from credit card companies and banks because of over-spending. There are three main things that couples most often argue about: money, sex, and the children. Don't allow Satan to wedge his way into your marriage by biting into the alluring apple of debt. My husband and I have learned the hard way that there are many things we can live without. We have learned to be happy whether we have a pocket full of money and even if we're flat broke. Strengthen your marriage. Live by faith AND not on credit!

Proverbs 28:22
"He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him."

#8 - Adultery is not an option for anyone who is married... no matter how unhappy you think you are! Media has made the word "adultery" to be a watered down, digestible term referred to as an "affair". There is nothing about adultery that is watered down - nor digestible. God abhors it! Not only will adultery defile your marriage but it also mars the children, hurts relatives, confuses the church, and poisons YOU! Nothing good ever comes out of extra-marital relationships. Don't let your guard down. Flirty gestures and lewd comments can be lethal to your marriage. Adultery is the most painful of all sins in a marriage and, in most cases, it is unrepairable. The voices that you are hearing in your head about how much better your life would be with this other person - verses your spouse -ARE NOT FROM GOD.

TAKE THOSE THOUGHTS CAPTIVE... RUN THE OTHER WAY!

Proverbs 23:27
"For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit."

#9 - Honesty is always the best policy! If you are having trouble with something that your spouse said or did, tell them. The Bible teaches us to speak the truth in a loving way. That means, we should avoid bringing anger, resentment and hostility into our relationship. A good marriage has an open line of communication that isn't afraid of confrontation.

Proverbs 27:5
"Open rebuke is better than secret love."

#10 - Everyone loves gifts! Even your husband. Don't give him gifts because he deserves it or just because it is a special occasion. Give him gifts because you are working toward having a great marriage and you want to show him how much you love him. With men, gift giving can be really easy. Think sporting equipment... to a nice romantic dinner followed by a couples bubble bath! Yes, YOU can even BE THE PACKAGE! Keep your marriage alive by surprising your spouse with gifts throughout the year.

Proverbs 17:8
"A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth."

To read the Mother in Zion Series - # 1... CLICK HERE

http://www.deborahrossministries.org/

WALK IN YOUR DESTINY!

Our study today comes from Genesis, Chapters 12-21. I hope this speaks to some of you today!

In Genesis 12, verses one and two, God tells Abram to go to a foreign land where He will make Abram a great nation. God said he will bless anyone who blesses Abram, but He will curse anyone who cursed him. I think this was God's way of saying, "Don't worry about the people you encounter in the place where I am sending you, because I will protect you."

When Abram arrived in Canaan, God said, "Unto thy seed will I give this land." But because the Canaanite was already living in this new land, Abram decided to keep traveling. I guess he forgot about God telling him not to worry about "people". Besides, these Canaanites were probably not too excited about Abram moving into town. They certainly did not want him to posses "their land".

Did you notice God said He would give that land to Abram's seed? That sounds like God was telling Abram he would have children! Abram was around 75 years old at this time (vs. 12:4). Pretty far-fetched, huh?

When Abram "moved" from where God said stay, he ran into trouble… FAMINE. So in an attempt to provide for the needs of his family, he gives his wife (Sarai) to the Pharaoh of Egypt; claiming she is his "sister" so that they can have peace and wealth for a season. It makes no sense, but to Abram it was the only way. Yuk!

Abram was not being obedient to the Lord. He was not living in the "destiny" God had spoken into his heart back in Genesis 12:1. Even so, in compassion God delivered Abram and his wife from the Egyptians. He even gave them cattle, silver and gold as spoils from the Egyptian people. God had a plan for Abram and even Abram's immaturity of how to stand on His Word couldn't stop God's plan from coming to pass.

Chapter 13: When back in Canaan, once again God told Abram to look around because everything he saw was to be the inheritance of both him and his seed. In Chapter 15, verses two and three, Abram questions God for prolonging his ability to have children (seed). God reassures Abram that his seed will surely be as numerous as the stars of the heavens. God reminds Abram that He brought him out of his homeland to bless him in the promised land.

You know the story… Sarai, his wife, becomes impatient and tries to help God. She gave her handmaid, Hagar, to her husband, Abram, so that God's seed promise would come to pass. Even though Sarai and Abram were disobedient in trying to force the Will of God to come to pass "in their time", God still had a plan. Abram and Sarai's immaturity did not stop His plan.

Yet again in Chapter 17, when Abram is ninety-nine years old, God tells him, "I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan…" God even changed Sarai and Abram's names to be called Sarah and Abraham, further reminding them of their position in His eyes. Here again, Abram didn't quite get it. In verses 17 and 18, Abram actually laughed at God saying surely you must be talking about Ishmael. Is he the seed that will inherit the land of Canaan? (Ishmael was the son born out of disobedience.)

Finally, in Chapter 18, God appears as three men (FATHER, SON and HOLY GHOST) before Abraham to tell him that this time next year, they will have a son (Isaac). Now Sarah was very old "she" laughed within herself at God! Still, her doubt didn't stop God from pursuing them. He wanted them to take their rightful position in His plan to bless them.

For some reason Abraham "moved" again. This time he came to a place where he felt he had to lie (again) saying Sarah was his sister. (Well, it wasn't a complete lie. After-all, he and Sarah did have the same father.) Although God had told Abraham time and time and time again that his seed would inherit the land of Canaan, Abraham continued wandering aimlessly; not realizing his position as Sarah's husband and a man chosen to have favor by God. Still, in spite of Abraham's immaturity, God delivered Sarah and Abraham out of the hand of Abimelech. God even gave them favor to receive silver from this experience.

In Chapter 20, verse sixteen, Abimelech goes on to rebuke Sarah and Abraham by saying, "He is a covering to your eyes". In other words, Abraham was a "husband", not a brother! He was the man who God appointed to be an heir to God's promises. Sarah and Abraham needed to stand tall and to "be" who God had called them to be. It seems (up until this point) while they knew God had spoken to them and promised them land and children, they did not fully receive their positional standing of who God called them to be. He had called them to be man and wife in a land where He would send them. Yet, they kept holding onto their past, saying they were brother and sister.

Is there something God has called you to be? You know you have heard the voice of the Lord many times speaking to your heart about the inheritance He has for you; yet, you are immature (afraid, fearful, insecure, or timid) over accepting the position He has appointed just for you. Will you be reproved right now by the Word of the Lord and begin to confidently proclaim the thing He has spoken to your heart?

Yes, even in old age (or at least old to you) God will perform that thing He has promised! So PROCLAIM your position. Stand strong. Believe. And, walk in your destiny!

In Christ,
Deboah Ross
http://www.deborahrossministries.org/

ARE YOU DATING FOR JESUS?

WITNESSING AND PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

2 Corinthians 6:14

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"

Have you ever wanted to change the world? I have! In fact, in my teens and early twenties, I really thought that I could convince anyone to change. I thought the power was within me to transform a person from thinking negative to thinking positive... from acting like a loser to acting like a winner... from living as a sinner to living as a saint. If only they would listen to me!

While I do believe that God has gifted me with the ability to influence others, I have also come to realize that I DO NOT have the ability to "change" anyone. Only God can transform a life, and even then, a human being must be willing to be changed by the power of the gospel, in order to receive the free gift of salvation. Indeed, when one becomes a born-again Child of the King, they are made a new person; old things are passed away and, behold, all things become new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

While God "is" into changing people (taking them from glory to glory in their everyday life) He never expects us to take on the all-consuming burden of working wretchedly to change someone else. Clearly, we are instructed to spread the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, and with this passion certainly does come a deep desire to see people changed; changed from a life of sin and darkness to a life of freedom. Still, we need to keep our witnessing in perspective.

I believe that as we truly begin to understand how the Kingdom of God operates, we free ourselves from our own exhausting plans of trying to convince others to change; we are freed from the wearisome assignment of being responsible for someone else's actions. Only God can cause someone to desire to choose the best path for their life. We are simply called to be messengers and example setters, leaving the care of other's souls in the hands of an All-Knowing, All-Caring God who is more than able to bring that person to Himself.

Once we understand some basic principles of how His Kingdom operates, where: one person plants the seed (of how awesome a new life in Christ really is); another person waters that seed (by sharing more about the Lord); and, still another person reaps the harvest (they have the privilege of leading them to Christ)... responsibility is then shifted from being "our burden" to being that of a team effort - God's team!

Even so, there still continues to be numerous well-meaning Christians who will, inevitably, get caught in the trap of unhealthy opposite sex relationships, in which, someone is compelled to "date" an individual with the subconscious intent of saving them. Another more familiar term often used to describe this type of behavior might be referred to as a "co-dependant" dating relationship, where one person in the relationship is obsessed with the idea of "changing", or, at least, "influencing the other one to change."

This is never a healthy way to start out a dating relationship with the opposite sex. God never intended for us to be paired up with someone who continually drains us - ultimately, distracting us - from our own personal relationship with Him. He never intended for us to be hindered in our God-given potential, due to dating someone who repeatedly causes us to: run to their rescue, defend, or excuse their behavior... over and over and over... time and time, again.

It is so important for singles to realize how dating someone is actually a preliminary relationship to the marriage vow. Think about it. Eventually, most everyone will end up marrying someone that they are currently dating. Since dating is a progressive step toward marriage, it is imperative that God's Word, God's Will, and God's Voice be considered before going out with anyone of the opposite sex.

Unfortunately - and all to often, Christians will choose to "settle" for a broken love relationship: perhaps out of fear; perhaps because of loneliness; or maybe even, because of an all-out conscious choice to "help God out." The Lord has never instructed us to date and, especially, to marry ministry projects. Instead, He has told us to "wait" on His perfect will.

You see my friend, once married to someone, we are then joined together with them for life. At that point, God's Will is to stay married... even in the course of difficult situations. So, if you choose to date someone who is not in the same boat (so to speak) as you are concerning the things of God, you are only setting yourself up for a potential long life of heartache and pain, as you spend days, months, or even years praying and believing for the salvation of your mate... praying for them to CHANGE! Instead of your marriage taking flight from the day of your wedding vows - as God intends - it will poke along. You will be continually hindered in the things that God has called you to do - both individually and as a couple.

Mark 3:25

"And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand."

On the other hand, when two people who are sold out to Jesus begin to date, their relationship has great potential. It could even turn out to be a match made in heaven! As two people grow to love one another with one common goal of living for Christ in all of their ways, they will have a head start on life, as, together, they aim to reach goals, dream dreams, and build upon the solid foundation of God's Word. There is no limit as to the things that the two of them can accomplish in their life-time.

Divorce is not even an option. Two become one. Children. Grandchildren. Great grand-children. This is God's plan. This is God's best.

Remember, dating someone that you have no intentions of marrying is only wasting valuable time. It's risky - in that, you are taking the chance of falling in love with someone who is not in God's Will for your life.

The Lord does not need for us to date people so that we can lead them to Himself. So be choosy. Train your heart to separate godly compassion and empathy from true vibes of interest before dating. Dating is a preliminary to marriage, so always ask yourself, "Is this someone that I might consider marrying?",, before saying "yes" to that first date.

Proverbs 3:5-6

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

Psalm 111:10

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: "

CLICK HERE to read more on Christian dating

Deborah Ross Ministries

Strengthening Families & Encouraging Women

www.DeborahRossMinistries.org

HEALING SCRIPTURES

Does Jesus Still Heal Today?

HEBREWS 13:8 - Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.




MATTHEW 4:23 - And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

MATTHEW 9:35 - And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

LUKE 9:6 - And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

LUKE 9:11 - And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.

ACTS 4:22 - For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed. (Here Jesus healed a man who was over 40 and had lived with a condition all of his life. See: Acts 3:2 - And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple..... Most people would say, that is God's plan for him... but Jesus healed him!!!!!! I love this passage!)

ACTS 10:38- How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:9 - To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit.

JEREMIAH 30:17 - For I will restore health unto thee, and I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the LORD; because they called thee an Outcast, saying, This is Zion, whom no man seeketh after.

JEREMIAH 33:6 - Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.

ACTS 27:34 - Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.

3 JOHN 1:2 - Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

PSALM 30:2 - O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

PSALM 107:20 - He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

ISAIAH 53:5 - But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

JEREMIAH 17:4 - Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.

MATTHEW 4:24 - And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.

MATTHEW 8:8 - The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.

MATTHEW 8:13- And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

MATTHEW 8:16 - When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:

MATTHEW 12:15 - But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

MATTHEW 12:22 - Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

MATTHEW 14:14 - And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. (Jesus is moved with compassion to heal us. As believers who lay hands on the sick... we are moved with compassion "just like Jesus" to pray healing over them.)

MATTHEW 15:30 - And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and he healed them:

MATTHEW 19:2 - And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.

MATTHEW 21:14 - And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.

MARK 1:34 - And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

MARK 3:10 - For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues.

MARK 5:23 - And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

MARK 5:29 - And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

MARK 6:5 - And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. (Here, Jesus could not do many miracles because of their unbelief. To them, he was just Joseph's son, not the son of God. Mark 6:1 - 1And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.)

MARK 6:13 - And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

LUKE 4:40 - Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases (many kinds of diseases) brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.

LUKE 5:15 - But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.

LUKE 6:19 - And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. (These people "sought to touch Jesus". Therefore, they all were healed. They believed!)

LUKE 7:7 - Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. (Great faith. This man knew the Word of God alone would heal.)

LUKE 8:47 - And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. (Doctors couldn't heal her but Jesus could and HE DID.)

LUKE 9:11 - And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing. (Healing is part of the Kingdom of God. That is God's plan.)

LUKE 9:42 - And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father.

LUKE 13:14 - And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. (Religion will never get anyone healed. The teachings of Jesus goes against religion & tradition. Church Denominations can be a form of religious traditions if the denomination and its beliefs are exalted above the Word of God. We must let all of our preconceived - negative- ideas about healing go and surrender to the WORD OF GOD... which is healing. Just Believe!)

LUKE 14:4 - And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;

LUKE 17:15 - And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, (Be sure to glorify God with a loud voice after you receive your healing!!!)

ACTS 5:16 - There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.

ACTS 8:7 - For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

ACTS 14:9 - The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, (This is why I am not at liberty to pray healing over anyone unless they want it and believe in it.)

ACTS 28:8 - And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

ACTS 28:9 - So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed:

JAMES 5:16 - Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

1 PETER 2:24 - Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

MARK 1:40 - And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. ( I love this! When the leper said, "Jesus, is it your will?" Jesus answered and said, "YES!")

MATTHEW 13:58 - And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.

MATTHEW 17:20 - And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

MARK 6:6 - And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching


"... I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days ..." (Deuteronomy 30:19)

"For by Me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you." (Proverbs 9:11)

"You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess." (Deuteronomy 5:33)

"My son, do not forget My law, but let your heart keep My commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you." (Proverbs 3:1)

"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you." (Exodus 20:12)

GENESIS 6:3 - Then the Lord said, My Spirit shall not forever dwell and strive with man, for he also is flesh; but his days shall yet be 120 years.

PSALM 90:10 - The days of our years are threescore years and ten (70 years); and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

MARK 9:24 - And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

YES! Jesus still heals today!

Deborah Ross
Deborah Ross Ministries
Strengthening Families & Encouraging Women
www.DeborahRossMinistries.org