The Plumb Line

Beauty Bowed Low

contact@janross.org — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:29:15 GMT

A few years ago my Pastor did an awesome series of sermons on "The Anointing".

"Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Take thou also unto thee principal spices . . . of cassia five hundred shekels . . . and thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil." (Exodus 30:22-25)

Many things stood out to me in that series that have caused me to do further study. The "cassia" as one of the ingredients in the holy anointing oil prescribed by the Lord through Moses is something that has just kept stirring in my heart. In order to walk in God's anointing, we need to understand that each ingredient divinely prescribed by the Lord has a purpose that still speaks to us today. Here is a brief overview of this one spice that obviously had great importance to the Lord.

The word "cassia" is translated from the Hebrew word "qiddah" and comes from the root word "qadad" meaning to bow down the head. A brief study of "cassia" will lead you to discover that cassia has a delicate yellow flower that "bows down". It comes from a tropical evergreen tree having aromatic bark. The spice was harvested from the bark of these tropical trees and it is a source of "senna", a natural purgative or laxative. Keeping that in mind, let's think about the "anointing" and what it means to be "anointed" according to what we find in the study of the "cassia".

"Cassia" tells us that first we must be humble (bowed down) and our humility is beautiful to the Lord. "Beauty bowed low!" What could be more beautiful to the Lord than worship? Psalm 95:6 says, "O come let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our maker." "Cassia" is a picture of reverence, worship, and humility!

The bark of the tropical tree is the source of senna, a purgative or laxative agent. Our lives are to be purged of all that is contrary to the Word of God! Psalm 79:9 says, "Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake." Purging speaks of cleansing and cleansing is the basis for everyone's relationship with Christ . . . by His blood we are cleansed and made whole!

Finally, "Cassia" was extracted from the bark of the trees – the bark is stripped from the trees much like we must be "stripped" of all that is at enmity with God, i.e., our flesh. But even more than that, we must come "naked and unashamed" unto our God, hiding nothing, without pretense, and without shame – stripped of the veil of our flesh that stands in the way of the glory of God being seen in us and through us!

As you can see, the "cassia" tells a story in itself of worship in humility and beauty, being purged of sin and cleansed by the Blood of the Spotless Lamb, and being "naked and unashamed" in front of our God, hiding nothing, without pretense, allowing the glory of God to be seen in us and through us!

The beauty of the anointing, the power of the anointing, the cleansing of the anointing, and the cost of the anointing can be found in this one ingredient of the original anointing oil. Let's walk in the fullness of the "cassia" as revealed to us in the Word of God. As kings and priests were anointed as they were appointed, so too have we been anointed "as kings and priests unto our God" (Revelation 1:5-6). He which established us is Christ and He who has anointed us is God who also has sealed us and given us as a deposit of what is to come, His Holy Spirit in our hearts (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).

Father, help me to understand all that You have to say to me through the "cassia". Teach me to be "beauty bowed low" as I am ever learning humility in my bowing down before You. Father, purge me of all that is not of You; help me to walk worthy of the calling You have on my life. Take away all excess and burn out the dross, Lord, as Your all-consuming fire purges me and purifies me! Lord, help me to come before You without pretense, hiding nothing, naked and unashamed, so that nothing in me will hide the brightness of Your glory shining in me and through me! In Jesus' name, by His blood, and for His glory, amen and amen!

"As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit-just as it has taught you, remain in him." (1 John 2:27-28)

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Focus on Others

contact@janross.org — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:26:09 GMT

Paul a prisoner, under the most adverse conditions, found opportunity to serve the Lord. And, even though he was about to be put on trial for his life, he never forgot to remember a Christian brother who was far away in distance from him, and to cover him in prayer.

"I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints". (Philemon 4-5)

Read today's scripture again ... I love this! It shows such compassion for others, something that is much lacking in the Body of Christ today. Everywhere we go, the focus is on "us"! Lord, bless ME. Lord, supply MY needs. Lord, save MY kids. Lord, heal MY body. Me, My, and Mine. It's everywhere! Yet in Paul's prayer we see an exhortation that focuses on others. How would you like to have been the first-hand recipient of such a letter from someone who has been imprisoned for his faith and who suffered persecution beyond our ability to comprehend because of his love of the Lord? What an honor Paul pays to Philemon, a co-laborer and brother in the Lord!

Paul's example to us is one of a man of much prayer. And, the prayer wasn't selfish in nature in the least. Throughout the epistles, we find many instances where Paul is praying for others while imprisoned or off in some remote place. Today's society lives by the adage: "Out of sight, out of mind!" Not Paul!

Here's another example: "[I] cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers" (Ephesians 1:16) And, another: "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy" (Phil 1:3-4).

Let's follow Paul's example and make a habit of blessing others through prayer, not just occasionally, but regularly, passionately, and fervently. Then, let those for whom you are praying know that you are praying for them. Lift them up, call them up, and build them up using Paul's pattern ... he prayed for them, he contacted them, and he built them up with encouraging words, acknowledging their faith, their fervor, and their zeal. Can you imagine what the Body of Christ would be like if we followed this example daily?

"But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." (Hebrews 3:13)

Father, I fall so short with so many of my prayers focusing on me, mine, and all that pertains to us while You have plainly given us the example through Paul to lift up our brothers and sisters, to exhort them and to encourage them. Father, forgive me for my selfish ways; put me in remembrance of others daily who need Your touch, who need to hear that they are prayed for, and whose lives are important to me as well as to You. Father, teach us Your ways and help us turn from our self-awareness and give us the gift of Kingdom awareness. In Jesus' precious name we pray, amen and amen!

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Yesterday’s Clothes Stink!

contact@janross.org — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:55:24 GMT

Many years ago I had a precious friend. She didn't have much in this life but several small children and a husband who believed it was more important for him to be everywhere else other than home. She struggled with daily routines yet she was so sweet. I determined in my heart to help her as much as I could since we didn't have any children at that time. I can easily remember going to her apartment and finding dishes several days old in the sink, children running around in soiled clothes, beds unmade, bathrooms needing scrubbed – in other words, the house needed a LOT of help. My friend loved the Lord, but she couldn't rise above her lack of daily disciplines to care for her family in a way that would be pleasing to Him. I spoke with her often about it, loving her through it all, but she had a difficult time making any change last. As awful as it sounds, I know of times she would take dirty clothes out of the laundry pile and put them on to go to the store or to church. Obviously, it was no secret to those around her that daily disciplines were an issue for her. I lost touch with her after we moved away and often wonder if things ever changed for her.

It does us no good to take a bath and wear yesterday's soiled clothes. We have to adorn ourselves DAILY with the garment of salvation as we work out our salvation with trembling and fear (ref. Philippians 2:12). A daily cleansing is necessary, inside and out. Perhaps it isn't the entire reason for my unusual friendship, but the Holy Spirit taught me a valuable lesson through it.

"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation…" (Isaiah 61:10a)

"He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation"! There's no doubt that a great change comes over us when we're saved. Our most difficult task, however, is the change we must determine to work through with daily disciplines that help us grow in Christlikeness.

Look at Ephesians 4:24 ~ "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Here's another verse in Colossians 3:10 ~ "And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." The "Garment of Salvation" in Isaiah is speaking of putting on the "new man."

We can't wear yesterday's clothes – yesterday's clothes stink. Our Bridegoom is coming after a Bride whose garments are spotless and unwrinkled. He didn't just say "without wrinkle" else we could have just ironed out yesterday's soiled clothes. No! He said, "spotless and without wrinkle" – cleansed by the blood of the Pure and Spotless Lamb.

The garment of salvation . . . a daily dressing and a daily following. Don't let this priceless garment hang in your closet; prefer it over the robe of carnality and flesh. Let's separate ourselves from our soiled clothing of sin and carnality, and wear the garment of salvation and glorify our Father in heaven who purchased this precious garment for us with the highest price possible – the blood of His Beloved Son!

Father, I never realized how often I try to iron out yesterday's soiled clothing in an attempt to "appear" clean. Help me to daily put on afresh the Garment of Salvation as a Bride making herself ready for her Husband. Help me to walk worthy of the Garment of Salvation wherewith You have clothed me, for Your glory and Your pleasure. In Jesus' name, amen and amen.

"So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows." (Psalm 61:8)

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A Timeless Portrait of Grace

contact@janross.org — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 11:18:16 GMT

Have you ever looked closely at a stained glass window? The hand blown, manually cut, leaded pieces fit together to form beautiful artwork which, when done, conveys a message from the heart of the Master Artist. When the sun beams its radiance through the carefully structured artwork, the sight is breathtaking. No two hand-made windows are alike; each tell a story of their own!

Our lives are much like this stained glass artwork. We once were fractured pieces of glass which appeared meaningless, lacking any type of radiant beauty. As the Lord picked up each piece, one by one, and applied His grace and His mercy as the "lead" which secures the pieces together, a beautiful picture began to form.

Day by day, moment by moment, the Master Artist is fitting the pieces of our lives together. As He shines His glory through us, a most magnificent message is revealed. It's a timeless portrait of Grace and Mercy; it's a portrait of a Father's Love for His child!

If your life seems a bit "abstract" or "fractured" at times, it's only because another piece of the picture is being put in place and secured by the mercy of God. Remember that whatever you're going through, God will use every little piece of your life to complete the portrait which will radiate His beauty, His glory. The brilliance of His love shines through a submitted and committed life revealing His master craftsmanship through which His light dispels the darkness.

"For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." (1 Corinthians 13:12)

Father, thank You for picking up the pieces of my life, applying Your mercy and grace, and fitting me back together to where Your glory can be seen through me, Your radiance can shine through me, and Your mercy can flow through me! I can't say it enough, Lord, You are truly awesome and I love you! Amen!

"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." (Ephesians 4:15-16)

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Mercy Me!

contact@janross.org — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:35:42 GMT

The Psalmist paints such a beautiful picture of mercy in its application to our lives.

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever"....."When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up." (Psalm 23:6 and 94:18)

God's mercy is manifest in the life of David. Even though he was a "man after God's own heart," David knew the extent of God's mercy; it had everything to do with God and nothing to do with him.

Today's verses also paint a picture of God's character, of His total provision for us in our less-than-perfect state. Psalm 23 shows us that mercy follows us all the days of our lives. As we journey through this life, we all have a tendency to slip, to mess up, to fall short. But as Psalm 94:18 points out, when we fall, His mercy is there –it follows us and holds us up!

No matter what the circumstances, no matter what the cause, if we are pursuing God's will for our lives, His mercy will follow us all the days of our lives so when we do slip, it will hold us up!

Father, Your Mercy is unsearchable, yet such a treasured gift! There are so many times I fall short of your glory, so many times my foot slips on my path toward You. Yet, Your Mercy is there to hold me up and set me back on my journey. Thank you for showing me Mercy when I deserve it the least, and thank You for reminding me that Mercy has everything to do with You, nothing whatsoever to do with me, what I do, where I go, or who I am, for I am nothing—absolutely nothing without You! Amen!

"For thy mercy is great above the heavens: and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: and thy glory above all the earth; That thy beloved may be delivered: save with thy right hand, and answer me." (Psalm 108:4-6)

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Persistent Presence

contact@janross.org — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:24:41 GMT

As long as God is with us, we will make it! God is in our midst. He will make a way. He's not like our friends, or family, or even our church leaders … He is God and He will NEVER fail!

"… for I am God, and not man; the Holy One in the midst of thee..."(Hosea 11:9)

He is in our midst. It's a hard concept to comprehend. He is in your midst, He is in my midst ... He is everywhere! And, where He is, there is an abiding assurance that He has a plan, that He will protect us, and that His provision is sufficient.

We all encounter problems, many of which seem earth-shattering and even insurmountable at times. We are plagued with pain, discomfort, problems of every sort. Life brings a plethora of changes which we may not anticipate, many of which are very difficult if not impossible. But our comfort comes from knowing He's already in the midst of our crisis even before we know the problem exists.

The Christian walk may be a rough one at times, but our comfort comes from knowing He is so intimately acquainted with us that there is no place where He is not.

He is our Peace—Jehovah Shalom! Surrounding us with His persistent presence.

Be at peace knowing that He is aware of everything that concerns you and that He is in your midst ... yesterday, today and tomorrow, no matter what comes your way.

Praise Him, love Him, and thank Him for being "God, the Holy One in the midst of thee!"

Father, thank you for Your presence, for being in our midst yesterday, today, and tomorrow! You are Holy. You are wonderful. You are worthy. You are in our midst. Hallelujah! With You, Lord, nothing is impossible, amen!

"The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)

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Building Plans

contact@janross.org — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 12:04:25 GMT

God commanded Moses to build a Tabernacle for Him. He gave Moses specific directions to follow, details that likely seemed overwhelming, but Moses understood that when God spoke, it was time to listen. The Lord does nothing without purpose, says nothing without reason, and reveals nothing without a plan. He never utters an empty word. We can be assured that there is a reason for all things.

"According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work. And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they have done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them." (Exodus 39:42-43)

Moses understood the importance of obedience. He was a man sold out to the will of God. He was completely and fully obedient to the details for constructing the Tabernacle, fulfilling God's instruction to the letter. In fact, we can find a progression in Moses' actions where we can learn something very important:

Moses did "as the Lord commanded". If you carefully read through Exodus 39 and 40, you'll find at least seventeen times we're told that Moses did "as the Lord commanded Moses".
Moses finished the work. Moses didn't start and then quit, he didn't have his own timetable or agenda. He finished what God instructed Him to do, in God's timetable, according to God's specific instructions.
The "Cloud of Glory filled the Tabernacle" (Exodus 40:34-38); the reward was God's presence.

God can only fully bless and be glorified in that which is done according to His Word and divine pattern. Moses carefully followed the Word of the Lord. How careful are we? We expect the same results, but we want it our own way. We expect God's blessings, but we take shortcuts or fail to complete what God instructed us to do through the whole counsel of His Word.

If all of these three qualities were so necessary in building of a tabernacle, how much more are they requirements in the building of a life dedicated to be the dwelling place of God? God no is no longer seated on the Mercy Seat behind the veil in the temple; He dwells in the hearts of those who have offered their hearts to Him as His holy dwelling place. In other words, if God blessed Moses and His glory was seen in that which Moses built according to God's design, how much more will God's blessings be with us and His glory seen in us if we model our lives according to God's design – the Word of God.

Let the Lord of Glory dwell in you richly. Let your life be built on the Solid Rock as you prepare for Him a dwelling place fit for the presence of the King by closely following the pattern given to us in the Word of God.

Father, may my heart be fashioned and formed after Your will, a suitable dwelling place for Your holy presence. Teach me to hunger and thirst after the righteousness of Christ Jesus, the Spotless Lamb offered once for all. Make me a sanctuary for You, my Lord, that Your glory will be seen and all will know that You are Lord. In the precious name of Jesus, the Brightness of Your Glory, amen and amen.

"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

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Knowing God’s Will For Your Life

contact@janross.org — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 12:54:49 GMT

If you want to know what the will of God for your life is, take a moment to read 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18; this verse outlines it perfectly. Prayer and thanksgiving are not only isolated words of petition and gratefulness to the Lord, they are a lifestyle; they are the will of God for your life.

"Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18)

This verse has always been one to raise the defense mechanism in the heart of the believer. How can I pray without ceasing? I have work to do and I have my family and other things to tend to!

But prayer is a lifestyle, being in constant communion with the Lord, aware of His presence, talking with Him, and loving Him moment by moment throughout the day and even through the night hours.

Much the same with thanksgiving. We are admonished to live a life of gratitude and praise to the Lord for His mercy and His goodness. So often in the morning the words don't come to pray for things, but to simply be amazed at God and His goodness and mercy. My heart pours out thanksgiving and praise for Who He is. What's on your mind first thing in the morning? Throughout the day? When you lay down and close your eyes at night? Praise and thanksgiving should be constant on our lips, amazement at our God should be in our hearts day and night. Surely we must never become complacent and unmoved by His goodness! Offering ourselves as a sacrifice holy and acceptable to Him certainly includes living a lifestyle of prayer and thanksgiving.

So, pray without ceasing, and in every thing, and at all times live a life of thanksgiving and praise. He is so worthy!

Father in heaven, although I set my petitions before You when I pray, Lord help me remember to keep my mind stayed on You, to commune with You day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment. May I never lose my amazement and gratefulness for all that You do and all who You are. What a priceless privilege I have found in living a life of thanksgiving to You, for You are worthy of my total praise. You are worthy of all the glory. You are worthy! Amen.

"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man." (Luke 21:36)

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His Name is Truth

contact@janross.org — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 13:03:35 GMT

If you had to convince an unbeliever that Jesus Christ is the Risen Lord, the Son of the Most High God, the King of all Creation, could you do it? What would you say to someone who had been taught differently all their life or perhaps had never had any teaching at all?

"He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:15-16)

Jesus Christ. Who is He? First off, there is not one man in all of history that has caused such controversy throughout the ages with the exception of Jesus the Christ. From the Genesis account of the fall of man to the last words of the prophet from the Isle of Patmos recorded in Revelation, the scriptures testify of Him before, during, and after His ministry here on earth. The Old Testament paints a detailed picture of His conception, birth, life, death, burial and resurrection and it is proven through the detailed account of the same in the New Testament. One only needs to look and Jesus, the Son of God, is found. The statistical chances of every Old Testament prophecy of the Messiah being fulfilled in the life of one solitary Man are astronomically absurd.

There are over 300 prophecies in the Old Testament about Christ. These include:

1. Christ will be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)
2. Christ will be preceded by a messenger, John the Baptist (Malachi 3:1)
3. Jesus would enter Jerusalem on a donkey (Zech 9:9)
4. He would be wounded in his hands and betrayed by a friend (Zech 13:6)
5. The betrayal would be for 30 pieces of silver (Zech 11:12)
6. The silver would not be returned and would be given to the potter (Zech 11:13)
7. He would not defend himself at trial (Isa 53:7)
8. He would be crucified (Ps 22:16)

. . . and the list goes on to include over 300 prophecies.

If each of those prophecies had a chance of one in ten (and many of them are very specific and would have much higher odds) the total odds become 10 times 10 times 10 (continued for 298 more times) or written in mathematical short hand is 10³⁰⁰. Given the odds of one in 10³⁰⁰ that one man would be able to fulfill all the prophecies from the Old Testament, which were written over thousands of years, and we know from history that one man did fulfill those prophecies - the evidence is clear. Christ is the Messiah, He is Lord.

Of course, this is just one way to build a case for Jesus being who He says He is. We can spend hours upon hours, day after day, recording specific arguments leaving no room for doubt. But ultimately the proof is seen in the lives of individuals who have been touched by His love. If someone wants proof, all they need to do is peer into the heart of one who has been transformed by His power and cleansed by His shed blood. The proof is in the heart of man, bearing witness to the Truth.

Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man comes to the Father but by me." There is no other truth . . . Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, the Resurrected and Risen Lord is TRUTH HIMSELF.

Father, teach me to let the proof of the Resurrected Christ be evident in my life to all who cross my path. Let Your light shine through me unhindered by disobedience or rebellion. I need to know you more intimately, I need to grow closer to You, to fix my gaze upon You and not take my eyes off You. Father, let me be like the moon that has no light of its own but only reflects the light of the sun ~ may my life reflect the brightness of the glory of the Son of the Living God, Jesus Christ the Only Begotten Son of the Most High God. I love you, Jesus, amen and amen.

"Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also." (1 John 2:22-23)

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Rose and Lily

contact@janross.org — Fri, 28 May 2010 11:34:24 GMT

The Rose of Sharon and Lily of the Valleys, named to remind us of the beauty and sweetness we find in His relationship with Jesus. The rose, fragrance sweeter than honey, chief of flowers. The lily, preferred by our Christ as clothing even above that of Solomon in all his glory.

Sharon is probably where the best roses grew and in most plenty; some have termed it the "rose of the field" depicting the gospel of salvation for all. A common salvation, that whosoever will may come and gather the rose-buds of privileges, comforts, sweetness, fragrance, that grow in the covenant of grace.

"I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys." (Song of Solomon 2:1)

He is not a show rose, not one to be locked up in a garden, but one in whom all may come and find comfort.

He is a lily for the whiteness, and a lily of the valleys for sweetness. For when we are walking through the valley of the shadow of death, His fragrance will linger and lead us to His protection, comfort and strength.

He is the lily of the valleys, or low places, in His humiliation and "crushing" experienced on the cross of Calvary.

As you walk through your valleys (notice the plural—we're promised there will be more than one), take heed of His fragrance. It will be there.

As you hit the low points in your life, remember that He is a rose that has been bruised and crushed and His fragrance is become sweeter and stronger. Look for Him there also.

In the darkest of days and the longest of nights, you will find Him with you there as well.

The fragrance of His love will lead you through and remind you that He is in your midst regardless where you are.

He loves you, He yearns for you, He's bidding you to come into His chamber where He can lavish His love upon you ... from now throughout eternity.

Precious Lord, I am overwhelmed at the thought of your awesome love toward me. I can almost hear You say, "Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away" (Song of Solomon 2:10). Lord, I will follow you wherever You lead. I will respond to Your passion for me with an ever-growing passion for You. Lord, I love you and I will stop and seek out Your sweet fragrance in the flourishing fields as well as in the dark valleys. And in whatever circumstance or situation I find myself, I will know beyond a shadow of doubt that You, my precious Lord, have not left me. Rather, You are with me alway, even unto the end of the world (ref. Matthew 28:20). Amen!

"I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon." (Hosea 14:5-6)

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