A New Year's Challenge...

PUTTING HIM FIRST PLACE

John 21:15-17 -

"So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep."

I - like most of you - have spent the past few weeks reflecting on 2009, while anticipating the future of 2010 with all of life's decisions, plans, twists and turns. Now that I am 47, I feel the need - more than ever - to press into life's most sacred journey; the path that God has specifically ordained for "my" life. I don't want to waste one minute of my days on fleshly goals that lead to perpetual dead ends of momentary bliss; all the while, lacking any real inner peace of knowing that I am doing "exactly" what God has planned for His Kingdom and for my best interest. I want to leave a legacy; I want to hit the mark.

So in my deepest thoughts and prayers, I am sitting quietly, seeking to hear the voice of my Lord to know what direction He desires for me to move in as I begin my expedition into the year... 2010. As I proceed into the new calendar, which rolls ahead - ready or not - my first Sunday of the New Year brings me to a wonderful time of worship at my local church where I diligently sought the Lord's presence: to hear His voice; to sense His direction; to clearly see Him like never before. I love to worship the Lord.

Then it happened! I heard a Rhema Word from the Lord that thrilled my innermost being. As I was listening to our Life Group Teacher on being and ensample and not an example (ensample = being a vessel of Christ who shows forth godly fruit; example = being a billboard of worldliness) and as we were reading some text from John 21:15-17 about Peter being questioned three times by Jesus concerning the depth of his love for Him and subsequently being instructed to "feed the Lord's sheep", I stumbled across a passage that God illuminated to me for such a time as this. I found the answer to my New Year prayer that was so deep within my heart.

As I began (silently) reading ahead to verse 18 which says:

John 21:18-19 -

"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, when thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst wither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, FOLLOW ME."

I wondered, "What does this verse have to do with Peter understanding the importance of loving Jesus with an agape love? What does it have to do with Peter learning to feed the Lord's sheep?" That's when the Lord answered my question and supernaturally revealed to me His direction for my life. He explained to me that it is the immature - or, as the text says "young" - who continually insist on doing things their own way. They forge ahead with their own plans and then hope - and even pray - the Lord will bless it. On the other hand: those who really love the Lord with a deep agape love (a love that stays faithful through thick and thin); those who desire to do His will (feed His sheep); and those who are willing to follow Him; they are referred to as "old" because they are more mature in their understanding of the Kingdom of God. The text reveals that these "older ones" (more mature ones) must "stretch out their hands" to be "carried" by another.

So what the Lord is saying is, "Don't go into 2010 doing fleshly 'good works'. Instead, enter into this New Year with your arms outstretched and your eyes (spiritually speaking) closed. Trust me (Jesus) wholeheartedly to lead you into the perfect destiny designed specifically for you. As you do this, I will use you to 'feed my sheep'." Notice the verse says He will carry you where you "wouldest not." God will carry us through new, unfamiliar, territory where we would not ordinarily adventure to travel as we trust Him. The Lord wants to show us "new things." He wants to break us away from the mundane and give us a life of fresh, new, fate that brings with it joy and abundant peace.

So then, as I am reading verse 19, I am still having trouble understanding the significance of Jesus speaking of Peters death as being glory to God. That's when it hit me. Jesus was not speaking of Peters natural death, but rather, teaching him the importance of "dying to self." It is only after we learn to put to death our personal agenda's, fleshly desires, and carnal works that we can ever expect to glorify God. Once we truly "die to self", we are then positioned to "follow Jesus" the way that He desires to be followed. Just as Peter was exhorted to LOVE DEEPLY, FEED THE SHEEP, DIE TO SELF and FOLLOW JESUS, we too, are to do the same.

That's it! The Lord's instructions for 2010 are LOUD and CLEAR. Putting Christ first is so much more than "saying" this is a New Year's resolution. Yes, putting Christ first requires laying everything else down... EVERYTHING. Once we get to that place in our spiritual journey where we "really" lay it all down, we step into a mature position of "following the Lord" in such a way that the Kingdom of God is revealed in our every step.

So my prayer for 2010 is, "Lord, help me to die to self. Teach me to follow you... and only you. Help me to not be moved by the arm of the flesh or great ideas that are not part of your plans for my life. This year, I want to LOVE DEEPLY, FEED THE SHEEP, DIE TO SELF, and FOLLOW YOU. I want to put You first, not in word, but in deed. May my life be an 'ensample' to a lost world as you lead me through unknown territory and new adventures that bring ultimate peace and purpose to my life on earth. Amen."

Would you join me, by laying down your life and taking up your cross... daily? The Lord is good (Psalm 118:1). He has good things in store for His children (Matthew 7:11 & Luke 11:13). His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). Hallelujah!

Matthew 16:24 -

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me."

Deborah Ross

Speaker / Singer / Author / Choreographer

Strengthening Families & Encouraging Women

www.DeborahRossMinistries.org

MARRIAGE - Bible Study Notes

Removing the Beam to Deal with the Dust

Luke 6:39-42 - KJV
"And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye."

MOTE = (what you see wrong with others)
Dictionary - a small particle or speck, esp. of dust
Strong's - dry stalk or twig; a straw; chaff

BEAM = (what God says needs to be addressed in our own lives)
Dictionary - any of various relatively long pieces of metal, wood, stone, etc.
Strong's - a beam; through the idea of holding up (could it be "holding up of ideas about ourselves that are not pure, true, holy, or the way God wants us to be)

LIFE LESSONS:
*In order to effectively PRAY for your wayward spouse, you will need to come to terms with the ROOT OF THE PROBLEM.
*Finding the ROOT will involve peeling away layers of masks: things normally “swept under the rug”, excuses, preconceived ideas, and even denominational theologies that have hindered your ability to see things through the eyes of God.
*As you pull down these strongholds, your understanding will be enlightened, creating a flow of prayer that is honest and unwavering.

***My Double Disc CD Series entitled ROOT DIGGER, NOT A RUG SWEEPER is a great resource for learning more about getting to the root of your problem. This study is available on my web-site at http://www.deborahrossministries.org/.***

We should ALWAYS examine ourselves before we examine our mate!

READ: PSALM 51 in its entirety - Point out 10-13...amplified version below…

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Your presence and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Then will I teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted and return to You."

How do you “teach” transgressors God’s ways? First, YOU must start with a clean heart. Then, God can use you to teach others. His promise is that sinners will be converted and turn to Him!!!

LIFE APPLICATION:
Marriage is a covenant. Once you are made one flesh by the supernatural power of God, you must work through difficulties that arise throughout life, no matter how painful. As you do your part - by doing what God commands of YOU - the Lord will do His part by arranging circumstances in your favor.

READ - 1 Peter 3:1-14 ... before continuing on with these study notes...

VS 1 – Be in SUBJECTION = dictionary: Under the power of; owing allegiance to another; not independent; liable; under the power of another.
_LOVE YOUR OWN HUSBAND, don’t wish he were like another man
_We should win them with our SWEET CONVERSATION (also VS 3) that causes them to fear God because they see you speaking in the fear of God.

VS 3 & 4 = Your husbands’ should love the inner person more than the outward person. Keep a meek and quiet spirit to win his affection.

VS 5 & 6 = Sara, Abraham’s wife, reverenced her husband and called him Lord. Sara was an outwardly beautiful woman even in old age, however, her inner beauty is what made her husband trust her.

VS 7 – Husbands honor your wife as the weaker vessel. God will show GRACE (give what’s not deserved) to you and ANSWER YOUR PRAYERS.

VS 8 & 9 – AGREE! Be of one mind. Give blessing to your husband, even if he doesn’t deserve it! YOU WILL INHERIT A BLESSING IF YOU DO!

VS 10 – Watch your MOUTH!! Watch your TONE!!! Speak kind words. In disagreements, use pleasant tones.

VS 11 & 12 – The Lord will bless YOU and answer your prayers, if you seek PEACE!

VS 13 – Don’t worry about what the world says about your sufferings for this season. Jesus suffered for our sins. We too, should be ready and willing to suffer for our mates sins, knowing that the Lord will REWARD US in due season. God has all power to CHANGE your situation.

God's Word says in 1 Corinthians 13:8, "Charity never faileth". LOVE NEVER FAILS! This means that the love of God coming toward us will not fail and it also means that the love of God flowing out of us will not fail.

*Are you "loving" that wayward spouse into the kingdom?

*Are you speaking the truth in a loving manner, or are you nagging? Men turn off the volume on women who nag... don't do it! (James 1:26)

*Are you praying effectively? Praying without wavering? Praying about the "root" of your problem? Praying about the "root" of your husband's problem? (James 1:5-6)

*Have you allowed the Holy Spirit to reveal YOUR shortcomings and then repented of those things which may be hindering your ministry toward your spouse?

*Are you a "doer" of the Word and not just a "hearer" only? (James 1:22)

READ - James 1 - Entire Chapter

God is FOR YOUR MARRIAGE! He wants your marriage whole. He wants your mate saved. Will you be strong and of good courage? Will you walk in love, pray in faith, live in truth, and break generational curses... as you BELIEVE FOR GOD'S BEST... knowing He has good plans for you, your spouse, and your children.

Friends, my husband was an alcoholic, gambler, druggie, lying, cheating fool - for eighteen years of marriage - before Jesus transformed him into a gloriously new creature. Praise the Lord! Now, our family is whole.

Yes, I had to forgive (and it was not easy). Did you know forgiveness is a commandment, it is not an option? I figured, if I had to forgive, I wanted the prize! I wanted to be with my husband... until death do us part. Another great resource on "forgiving" is my CD Faith, Forgiveness, Future. You can order a copy at http://www.deborahrossministries.org/.

There is nothing that is too hard for God!

... so there it is... Love Never Fails! Your Prayer: "Lord help me get the BEAM out of my own eye, so that I can deal with the DUST in my mate's eye. Help me, Lord, to see things clearly through YOUR EYES. Take me up to the high place so that I may look down upon my situation to see things from your perspective. Thank you, Lord, for loving my family. Thank you for making us whole. I believe your Word is the truth and I stand in faith that my miracle will come to pass. In Jesus Name, Amen."

Revelation 12:11 - KJV
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."

GET YOUR COPY TODAY!

MY NEW BOOK IS REAL AND IT IS RAW.

A powerful testimonial of believing God for my marriage to be healed... against all odds... this book teaches you how to "apply" Gods Word to your situation while waiting for your miracle. Precept upon precept, you will laugh and you will cry as you journey down a familiar road of intimate thoughts, secret pain, and shattered dreams. Even so, you will be ENCOURAGED and EMPOWERED to fight the good fight of faith in your own marriage knowing...

"What He did for me, He'll do for you. Just believe!"

Hebrews 11:1

Todays mini-study corresponds to Chapter 2 of my new book -

Healing a Broken Marriage / Love Never Fails.

• To order your copy, mail $16.00 (includes shipping & handling in the USA) to the address below.
• For donations of $50.00 or more, a SIGNED COPY from the first print press run will be shipped to you immediately following the books release - FALL/WINTER 2009.
• Be sure to include your check along with your: MAILING ADDRESS, STATE, AND ZIP CODE. In addition, including your PHONE NUMBER with AREA CODE will expedite the process of your order.
• Mail in your order or donation today: Deborah Ross Ministries, P.O. Box 2186, Indian Trail, NC 28079

Yours In Christ,

Deborah Ross

Deborah Ross Ministries

http://www.deborahrossministries.org/