Ross Ministry

11/27/2022

John 1:4-5
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Back when we lived on the farm the electrical power would be abrupted during the storms, if there was no stars or moonlight, we would find ourselves in complete darkness, sometime you even felt suffocated by the darkness. On clear nights the stars of the Milky Way and the moon provided light across the yard. Let us all be reminded that God is light and is the source of all light. I realized that because I belong to God and God's light is within me, I always carry that light even when I may not be able to physically see it. God is my constant light within. I am tempted to fear when I see the evil in the world, but scripture again reminds me that God's light dwells in me. I can find peace in God's light and shine it so that others can find peace when darkness seems to be closing in.

Pray:
Thank you, Father, for the gift of light you have given us through your Son. Amen

11/26/2022

11/26/2022

Acts 4:25-26
25: Who, through the Holy Spirit, thought the mouth of our father David. Your servant, has said, "Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples devise vain things? 26: The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ."

The Bible tells us about a young man named Timothy who was mentored by a famous missionary named Paul. There are even two books of the Bible - 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy named after him. Both books are letters written to him by Paul. Timothy's life wasn't always easy. For example, we know that he was imprisoned for being a Christian. Hebrews 13:23 says, "I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released." That's not commonly talked about when Timothy is remembered, but it shouldn't surprise us.
David, who lived a thousand years before Jesus died, said that kings of the earth rise up against the Lord. Just twenty years after Jesus rose from the dead, rulers banded together to have Timothy and others arrested. It is still going on today. Whole nations rage against the Lord, rejecting the morality of the Bible and scoffing at the news of forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus. But not so with you. Like Timothy, who remained faithful to the end, you have no reason to rage or plot against the Lord. Instead, you can take comfort that God is stonger than any nation, king, or ruler.
When government officials thought they had put an end to Jesus' work by killing him, he rose from the dead and demonstrated how God uses even powerful opposition to carry out his purpose. God's purpose is to love you. God's purpose is to save you. No ruler can prevent him from doing that for you.

Pray:
Lord God, I do not have power over governments, but you do. Grant us a peaceful society where we are free to learn about your love for us in Jesus. Amen.

11/25/2022

Romans 8:37-39
1 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loves us
2 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
3 Neither height nor depth, nor anything esle in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In all we face in life, be it temptations, persecution of different types, we all must know that we are still a victor. We should be strong in the Lord because Christ is our strength . As you grow in your christian walk, you will definitely fight some fights of faith; it is a must for every Christian. The Bible calls this kind of fight a good fight and that's because you are sure to win. These fights may come in different forms, to some, it comes as challenges, situations which make them cry. To some also, it may come in the form of flustration, disappointment, and even as a failure. When these come to you, you should know that you must fight them and you will definitely win.
You don't have to sit back and start crying when these appear. Satin loves to see Christians crying because he feels they are the weak ones, but instead, prove him wrong by standing up against all odds and fight the good fight which is the fight of faith and through Christ that strengthens you, you are more than a conqueror. When you get out there today, don't put on a face of defeat but rather put on a smiling face and then fight with faith and you shall aways win.

Pray:
I believe in you word Lord, and your word says I am more than a conqueror through him that loves us. Christ loves us, for this reason, I am more than a concqueror and with this belief, I overcome all challenges that me come my way today. I declare myself a victory over every situation of my life, over my battles, and over temptations. Lord, I receive encouragement from you to fight with the mind of victory and help me to overcome my battles just like you helped Joshua by giving him his encouragement. Amen

11/24/2022

11/24/2022

Psalms 92:1-3
1 It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High,
2 proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night,
3 to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp.

Its good to show some appreciation. If someone helps us with something and we appreciate it and give thanks, that person would be moved to help next time. But if otherwise, we might not receive any help from the same person because he will tag us as ungrateful. So also God, when we show heart of thanksgiving, he would be moved to bless us more.
Ten lepers were healed by Jesus Christ when he went to Jerusalem. Out of the ten lepers, only one came back to give thanks. Luke 17:16 "And he fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks; and he was Samaritan." This thanks the one these lepers gave made him perfectly healed.

Pray:
Lord, teach me to offer you a heart of thanksgiving and praise in all my daily experiences of life. Teach me to be joyful always and to do away with sorrow, to pray continually and to give thanks in all my circumstances. I accept them as your will for my life. I want to bring pleasure to your heart daily. Teach me to be satisfied with what you do and never to complain Lord. Give me a heart of thanksgiving in Jesus name. Amen.

11/23/2022

2 Timothy 4:2-3
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lust shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Imagine that you are given a new job but are told that you will fail. A prophet in the Bible named Ezekiel had a job like that. God said, "Speak this message, but the people won't listen." Other prophets like Jeremiah and Isaiah didn't fare much better. In today's Bible verse, a pastor named Paul was giving instruction and encouragement to a young pastor named Timothy. But it doesn't sound entirely encourageing: People won't want to listen to you. They'll go to others who tell them what they want to hear. Paul wanted Timothy to know the agenda God had for him. It wasn't to tell people what they wanted to hear. It wasn't to compromise the teaching of the Bible. How much easier his job would have been if that's what God told him to do. But too much was at stake for that! What people wanted to hear is that they are good people and are able to correct whatever might be wrong with their lives. No one wants to hear that they deserve punishment, certainly not the punishment of hell. But that is the truth about every one of us. Why is it so important that we hear that? Because, if we don't know how serious our situation is, we won't realize how much we need what God has so generously provided for us in Jesus. Jesus is the Savior of the world. The world's biggest problem is sin that leads to death. Its only solution is Jesus. Jesus paid the full price necessary - his own innocent life and death - to remove our sins and guilt forever. God wants us to patiently and lovingly teach the whole truth of his Word so that people everywhere hear that awesome truth of Jesus loud and clear.

Pray:
Gracious God, thank you for uncovering the truth about my sin and my Savior. When I speak your truth to others, Help me do it with patience and love, but without compromise. Amen.

11/22/2022

Psalm 23:1-3 -- The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. (NIV)