God-Sight

How is your spiritual vision? Did you know that through the “eyes” of the heart God-sight is available? What is God-sight? It is the ability to see all of life from the vantage point of His perspective. There is no higher or clearer perspective possible!

This “God-sight” is only and always illumined by faith! And it

 Allows us to “know” what we "know" beyond the scope of mere intellect or understanding. For example; we can know we are securely seated with Jesus in Heavenly Father’s lap of love apart from any physical sensation.

Here (in the "knowing" of God-sight) we are also invited by Jesus into the Heavenly opportunity of continuous enjoyment of Father’s affirming watch-care. And ‘wonder of wonders’, we can forever look full into His wonderful face with an unhindered view. 

Tragically, too many are distracted and focused everywhere but there. Why would we allow our spiritual sight to be lowered and miss His passionate gaze? Can you dare to believe that His eyes will never contain a hint of rejection, disdain, disgust or dis-approval? The “perfect love” that explodes through His eyes will drive out all doubt and fear. 

Being able to see yourself in the light of Father’s loving eyes is truly a mystery. You can’t define, program, explain, understand, or manipulate God-sight. The only option is to continually receive by faith; through the “spiritual eyes” of a regenerated heart His awesome, loving, embracing, constant gaze.

“To as many as received Him, to them gave he the power to become the children of God (with a new heart that comes equipped with ‘spiritual eyes’), even to those who believed on his name.” John 1:12 KJV

“This is the crisis we’re in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won’t come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyoneworking and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is.”

“This is how much God loved the world: (desiring for any and all who will to see that love in His eyes) He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed (by a darkened mindset and understanding).

By believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.” (John 3: 19-21 and 16-17, The Message, emphasis and parentheses added.) 

Many live in the delusion of enlightenment apart from God-sight. He is not seen in the pursuit of knowledge. You will not be enabled to peer into his awesome eyes by the mastery of the intellect. Father’s vision defies all of our intellectual boxes.

You must have the “eyes’ of your heart enlightened. This comes only through a Spirit of revelation: “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge (meaning personal intimate knowing) of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart be enlightened…” (Ephesians 1: 17-18a, NASB, parenthesis added.) 

We live in a most unique time in history. The ability to know about God has never been more accessible. There is a plethora of printed, audio, video, and digital-cyberspace programs being produced. State of the art curricula materials about God abound and are more available than ever before.

Tragically and truthfully; increased access to knowledge about God does not necessarily lead you to a more intimate relationship with Him. The Father Jesus came to reveal and share is only known by faith, through seeing the salvation in His eyes, through the eyes of our heart.

“But God himself took charge of his people, took Jacob on as his personal concern. He found him (including all whose heart eyes are fixed on his redemptive gaze) out in the wilderness; in an empty, windswept wasteland (boy does that define where he found me). He threw his arms around him, lavished attention on him, guarding him as the apple of his eye.

He was like an eagle hovering over its nest, overshadowing its young, and then spreading its wings, lifting them into the air, teaching them to fly.” Deuteronomy 32: 9-11, The Message, emphasis and parenthesis added.

What a picture of his watchful care and oversight! The eyes of an eagle watching over you and me until our eyes perceive that we are the “apple of his eye”. Once there, we will soar into the heights of “whom” and “whose” we are in Christ!

In the grip of Papa’s loving, watchful gaze! Ron Ross

Road Revealed

by Linda Hagen

I found a new road last week. More accurately, I discovered an old road that I had not seen before. While on a walkabout, I paused to catch my breath, and there it was. Revealed.

Sure, there were big trees and brush growing within its boundaries, but the old wheel ruts were still faintly visible. The natural slope of the mountainside subtly interrupted. Yup. It was a road alright. Like a truth revealed, once I saw it, I could not "unsee"it. "Come and follow me," the road beckoned. "Have courage. Have faith."

This was not the first revealed road in my life here in this mountainside "kingdom." There have been many. Some remain from when the property was timbered decades ago. Others, much older and only faintly visible, are left over from times past when there were vast orchards tended by men with mules and two wheeled carts. In some places there are stones piled up just so, used to provide stability along the roads where fruit trees grew. It is said that the stones may have been placed there by slaves so long ago. And of course, everywhere are the wildlife trails traversed daily by the natural inhabitants.

Who has gone here before, I wonder as I wander. Loggers, mountain folk, laborers, freemen and slave, and before that, The Native American hunter. Sometimes, I find evidence of them left like little signs along the way. A rusty rifle barrel, an iron wheel, a stone foundation. What joys were theirs to discover? What obstacles were theirs to suffer?

The mountain has been here from the beginning. 

Trekking ever upward, one notices that the roads crisscross back and forth over each other, forming intersections of old and older, the narrow way and the wide open, the obvious and the obscure, the sunlit and the shadowed. The wanderer must decide-left or right? Forward or turn back? Standing at an intersection, there is no clear indication of all that lies ahead in any direction.

I have come to think of these roads as chapters in a life. The glorious, the shocking, and the everyday. But never what you expected when you started out. I have, however, learned a profound truth. All roads  in the kingdom eventually lead to the top of the mountain; an otherwordly place graced with ancient trees, giant rock slabs, and cushions of grass. On the top there is rest for the body and relief for the soul. Peace floats in on the breeze like a gift , carrying with it hope for God's eternal plan, in defiance of everything going on down below.  His presence is thick all around. I don't yet make my home on the top, but I visit often. I look forward to the day when all who lived and died here in the kingdom will gather there.

In the winter when all seems bleak and lifeless is actually the best time for a liferoad walk. One sees further and more clearly through the trees. What might be revealed? Sometimes, I like to go "offroad" and just take off across the mountainside, exploring as I go.

Once, coming across the faintest of game trails, I followed it to discover a secret clearing known only to the deer. Perfection complete with a rock cliff, trickling waterfall and green moss carpeting.  Circle depressions in the grass told of the deer that had slept there the night before.

A glorious secret. Revealed!

Another time, following a beckoning life road, the road abruptly ended. I went on a good ways through the trees expecting to find a cross road, a way to the top, but rock cliffs blocked the way.

I turned back, intending to return to the road, but absolutely could not find it. Being strong, I decided to go straight up. Slippery slopes, hidden holes, sliding rocks, and saw briars that tear at the flesh met me at every step. Losing my footing, I slid out of control down the steep and rocky slope. Stomach churning, head spinning fear took over. My descent ended abruptly at a tree. Fear and Regret  said, "How did this happen? You have never been in this situation before. You have lost your way! What will happen now? How will you find your way?  You should have turned left early on, not right. Maybe this wouldn't have happened at all."

Getting up (you've got to get up) I tried to collect myself, but the shock of it all caused me to lose my bearings. The familiar landmarks were not where they belonged. Taking a new direction, I found a crossroad. All roads in the kingdom eventually lead to the top, and I found myself there.   ( It was not far at all.) I arrived battered and bruised, cut and bleeding, but reassurance waited for me there. Hope floated in on the breeze. Bearing and perspective slowly returned, though scars remain.

Having lived in this kingdom for many years, I still don't know the answers to some of the basic questions. Do I claim a victorious road and exult in my cleverness (a gift from God) at the revealed secret place of the deer. Did I choose the path or was I led there, allowing the gift of discovery.

On the other hand, how do I explain being blindsided by loss and falling so far? Did I choose that road, or was it chosen for me? Why?

This I do know. All roads in the Kingdom eventually lead to the mountaintop.

So now, I am contemplating this newly discovered road. I cannot know what glorious secrets or grave dangers wait. Who has gone before and what signs did they leave along the way to cheer me on? "Have courage, have faith" the road beckons.

Yes, I will explore the newly revealed road. I know where it ends.

Nurtured by Grandeur and Commonplace

Only in Papa can we ascend the heights of grandeur, while at the same time plumbing the depths of commonness. That sums up my journey in Christ. The expectations of greatness have far exceeded my wildest dreams or imaginations and the simplicity has astounded me-a simpleton (not meaning that in a self-deprecating way).

At times I've literally pinched myself to see if I was only imagining where I was being allowed to sojourn. And at other times I've slapped myself to make sure I wasn't asleep at the wheel of life. I know you can track with me. You can, can't you? Or am I the craziest of the King of Kings, Kingdom Kids?

The royal helpmate he gave me to share the journey with...the offspring (natural and spirit born) that have so far exceeded any dream I could have held for their life in Christ...the people he's allowed me to walk with and know...the lifelong friends who have loved me through the 'best and worst' of times (you know who you are)...the exotic and also awful places on this planet I have followed him to...the absolutely insane investment he continues to make in my life...on and on it goes!

"For God who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shown in our hearts so as to beam forth the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and Glory of God as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed in the face of Jesus Christ the Messiah. However, we possess this precious treasure, the divine Light of the Gospel in frail, human vessels of earth that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves." 2 Corinthians 4:6-7.

4:6 The light is sourced in the same God who said, “Light, be!” And light shone out of darkness! He lit the lamp in our understanding so that we may clearly recognize the features of his likeness in the face of Jesus Christ reflected within us. 4:7  We have discovered this treasure where it was hidden all along, in these frail skin-suits made of clay. We take no credit for finding it there! It took the enormous power of God in the achievement of Christ to rescue our minds from the lies it believed. (Mirror Word)
The frail, human vessels we are contain the mystery hidden from the ages. Allow yourself to become broken again; enough, for the grandeur of the treasure to pour out on a dry and thirsty land/heart. May we take the lids off, whatever they are! May we burst forth as fountains and gushers of living water!

In the grip of a grand and simple Grace! Ron Ross

Nurtured Defined

Simple and Pure Devotion=Nurture

Were you nurtured? Are you presently embracing nurture? Are you a nurturer?  Let's define nurture...      

…to support by way of encouragement, (as one does for another during a period of training or development) ensuring its success

…to coach what is the fore seen in another (as with destiny, potential and promising giftedness), calling it forth to completion

…to feed or protect one's offspring (as a parent does for a child) until empowered to care for oneself and another

Who among us doesn't need nurture? Who among us doesn't fit somewhere; at any given time, in one of these definitions? Who among us has made it to maturity (in any given area of life) apart from the “nurture” of spiritual parents, mentors and/or friends? Wow! I am blessed with all three!

As the scripture says; “The end of all things is near; therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:7-8, NIV emphasis mine. These difficult “end” times call for the Body of Christ to cover each other-not expose or exploit one another's weaknesses.

The Apostle Paul defined the unique "nurture" we must embrace every day! "I hope you will put up with a little of my foolishness; But you are already doing that. I am jealous for you with a Godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I mat present you as a pure virgin to him. 'But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpents cunning your minds may from your simple and pure devotion to Christ."  2nd Corinthians 11: 1-3, NIV 

You and I are being "nurtured" by Heavenly Father to become the Bride of Christ!

Nurturing love does not point out faults hidden from the light or seek to expose secret struggles and "sins‟. Neither does it condemn, judge, accuse, or religiously exploit another's inconsistencies. True and authentic love in the Body of Christ is tender, humble and circumspect. “But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted." Gal. 6:1b, NIV emphasis mine. Nurturing love offers a helping hand and a cup of cool water!

“I, Jude, am a slave to Jesus Christ and brother to James, writing to those loved by God the Father, called and kept safe by Jesus Christ. Relax (What! Did he say relax?) Everything's going to be alright; rest, everything's coming together; open your hearts, love is on the way! Jude 1:1-2, The Message, parenthesis mine. 

We can't look for bail-outs, monetary windfalls, unflawed relationships, entitlements, the lottery, government or anything else to be on the way-God's love is on the way. His love is more than enough!

Relax, rest, open your hearts; love is on the way. And it is “nurture for the heart”! His words are always incalculably comforting. Did you get it? Love is on the way. Love covers. Therefore, rest, relax and open your hearts! The only response (logical or otherwise) is to spend the rest of our lives receiving and giving nurturing words.

Our "nurtured‟ lives are proof positive in a spiritually starving and hurting world, that this living word is authentic and available. It trumps anything and everything else, and is for all, 'now‟ and forever!

Focus your heart on these prophetic words; “The heart of God sees me as His beauty! Live as one who is outrageously loved by a "nurturing‟ God. He has so many places to take us in his heart!” One brother put it this way; “I would rather live in His affection, than in His anointing.” Then, Papa's response is to whisper to our hearts, “Living in my affection is also living in my anointing”.

“All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times (who among us aren't/hasn't?) and before you know it, He brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times--so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of His healing comfort— we get a full measure of that, too.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, The Message, parenthesis mine.

May His nurturing heart beat with His redemptive blood through ours! May His nurturing words pulsate through ours!  I can hear His heart beating—faintly at first. It is getting louder and louder and is beginning to deafen the enemy's lies of defeat and death. Beat heart of love and "nurture‟! Beat in and through the Body of Christ!

In the grip of the "nurturing” grace of Papa! Ron Ross 

Warning-Contagious

Contagious with Love (by Ron Ross)

Contagious: communicable by contact, catching, exciting similar emotions or conduct (i.e. your enthusiasm is contagious)

Will those I come in contact with today catch love from me? Will my presence be communicable with love? Will my loving character entice and excite others to experience the emotions and conduct of love? Christ in us is contagious and enticing!

“Mimic God; you are his offspring. This is how: let the love of Christ be in your life; remember how he abandoned himself to us. His love is contagious, not reluctant but extravagant. Sacrificial love pleases God like the sweet aroma of worship.” Eph. 5:1-2, Mirror [to read more please click here]

Great Grace for 2014

"See to it that no one misses the grace of God." (Hebrews 12:15, NIV) What a sobering admonition. But, it does not mean that grace is elusive or fleeting! Quite the opposite is the case--for a multitude of reasons we think we can 'do' life apart from grace. We actually choose to cut the umbilical cord of Father's continuous, unconditional, empowerment of "Great Grace"! Talk about shooting yourself in the foot--yikes and ouch to the 'nth' degree!
Believe me, I have too much experience in 'grace-less' living. It isn't a pretty picture. The damage left in its wake is far reaching and can even tarnish the best of intentions. Neglect of grace or "missing the grace of God" opens the door to a life of regrets...even if you are a professing believer in Christ. Call my crazy; but to deny yourself of the grace of God in this challenge called life might even be...(with all due respect) stupid. To persist in graceless living is best defined as stuck on stupid!
As Max Lucado says: 'Grace is more than we deserve, (and) greater than we imagine. Grace is God's best idea. His decision to ravage a people by love, to rescue passionately, and to restore justly--what rivals it? Of all his wondrous works, grace, in my estimation, is the magnum opus!' Ezekiel captures this grace with laser accuracy, "I'll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that's God-willed, not self-willed." (Ezekiel 36:26, Msg)" What marvelous grace; to give us a heart that is responsive to the grace of God!
"God's Grace has a drenching about it. A wildness about it. A white-water, riptide, turn-you-upside-downness about it. Grace comes after you!" (Max Lucado) My counsel to me and you; unashamedly stop, turn around, and embrace grace every moment of 2014. His abundance of grace; if you receive and embrace it, will put brilliant color into the meaning of life, the wasted years of life, and the poor choices of life. God answers the 'mess' of life with one word: grace.
"Here's what I want you to do (stop being a human doing and become by grace a human being): find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God (or your mirror). Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace." (Matthew 6:6, Msg) This "grace focus" will become a secure GPS; gracing guidance for each step of 2014. 
"Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus...All we (need) to do is trust him enough to let him do it. (Grace) is God's gift from start to finish!" (Ephesians 2:7-8, Msg) He loves to teach us the 'unforced rhythms of grace'! Can you become a student of grace in 2014? Father, please enroll me afresh. How about you? Don't miss the grace of God one more second!
In the school of grace, Ron Ross

You Are Abba's Child in 2014

Just a gentle reminder of whose opinion really matters as to your worth, value, identity and destiny in 2014.

You are an unrepeatable and entirely unique masterpiece of Heavenly Father’s, Lord Jesus and Holy Spirit’s creative love! You are; in no way, a mistake or of inferior pedigree. You are; in no measure lacking anything or flawed. You are Abba’s child!

And as such, you are a sought after and romanced love child. You are forever adopted into the bosom of Father’s heart of mercy, grace and un-ending, un-compromising, un-mitigating (meaning-no one can bring up anything before Father that will ever change His mind about you) un-changing and un-conditional LOVE! They-The Triune God are head over heels madly in love with you!

You are indelibly imprinted with His D.N.A. That D.N.A. is their Divine Natured Added and it is forever emanating from the core of who and whose you are!  You have Jesus on the Throne of your heart and you are thus always at all times Regal.

Therefore you have been hewn from the depths of His loving and matchless character. You are the mirror image of Jesus Christ! Your identity is a reflection of His identity! You are secure in Him with Father’s loving arms enfolding you forever. You are so secure that your life is hidden with Christ, in God (Colossians 3).

Your value, worth, expected end and life purpose are all tied directly to Christ in you! That makes you more valuable than the wildest imagination can fathom! Gold paves the streets you walk with Him on every day! Faith always activates the eternal reality of all you are! ‘To seal our Son-ship the spirit of His Son echo’s Abba Father in your heart’!

What crazy authority do I represent to you with these audacious declarations as to your identity? Read the following and you will get a glimpse of God’s scandalous plan for you!

Ephesians 1:2-11 (The Mirror).  

1:2 I greet you with the grace and peace that precede from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1:3 Let’s celebrate God! Every spiritual blessing in heavenly places has found its definition in the fact that we are in Christ.

1:4 This association goes back to before the fall of the world, His love knew that He would present us again face to face before Him, identified in Christ in blameless innocence.

1:5 He is the architect of our design; His heart dream realized our coming of age in Christ. (See Gal.4:1-6 “…and to seal our Son-ship the Spirit of His Son echoes Abba Father in our hearts.”)

1:6 His grace-plan is to be celebrated: He greatly endeared us and highly favored us in Christ; His love for His Son is His love for us. 

1:7 Since we are (fully represented) in Him, His blood is the ransom that secures our redemption. His forgiving us our sins measures the wealth of His grace.

1:8 This grace shown towards us communicates a wisdom and discernment of our worth that completely surpasses any definition.

1:9 The secret is out! His cherished love-dream now unfolds in front of our very eyes.

1:10 In the economy of the fullness of time, everything culminates in Christ; all that is in heaven and all that is on earth is reconciled in Him.

1:11 This is how we fit into God's picture, Christ is the measure of our portion; we are in Him; invented and defined in Him. God's blueprint intention is on exhibition in us, everything He accomplishes is inspired by the energy and intent of His affection. (The Mirror Bible)

ANY QUESTIONS? Take them up with God. What then should be my response to this awesome mystery of Loving, Embracing, and Adopting Grace? The following Scripture might provide some insight as to an appropriate starting point. Make and Keep your heart fully committed to Him this New Year.

2 Chronicles 16:9 (NLT) “The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”

Abba is continuously on the search for hearts to completely bless and flow through. Herein is the ‘strength’ of Grace needed for each day’s opportunities and faith challenges in 2014!

“Now we all with new understanding see ourselves in him as in a mirror; thus we are changed from an inferior mindset to the revealed opinion of our true Origin. (2 Cor. 3:18 The Mirror)

Loving living the Mystery! Ron Ross

http://youtu.be/lX5139rmgGw