Acrostic, 12

 

Introduction To The Series ~ This series is all about memory devices (heavily oriented toward acrostics) which help in remembering word meanings or concepts. Most of these are not my originals and where the originator is known they are named. For the most part they are sequenced alphabetically.

 

Acrostic ~ P.O.W.E.R.

 

The Result of the Application of the “Christian Life Model” [Part of the book: “GOD’S DESIRE: How to Please God”]  

 

Pray. In order to grow, a Christian must communicate with God through time in prayer. We must express our gratitude, confess our sins, and intercede on behalf of others. We must boldly ask, seek, and knock in prayer.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

 

Obey. Jesus said that our obedience to His commands is the key indicator of our love for Him (John 14:15, 21, 23). In order to obey, we must yield to the Holy Spirit which He has given us (John 14:16-17). As we yield to Him, the Spirit provides the power for us to live our lives in a manner characterized by obedience to God.

And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-25, see verses 16-25

 

Worship. Our devotion to God is to be continuous. Privately we are to maintain an intimacy with God in all our thoughts and prayers (Psalm 34:1). Publicly we are to unite in fellowship with Christians and in so doing bring praise to God (Psalm 111:1, Hebrews 10:24-25).

That you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3

 

Evangelize. The good news of the plan of salvation is to be shared. A key ingredient of personal spiritual growth is found in witness to others regarding what Christ has done for you and what the Spirit of God is doing in you.

“Therefore go and make disciples … baptizing them … teaching them to obey.” Matthew 28:19-20

 

Read. The most direct source for spiritual growth and power is the Bible. It must be read, contemplated, studied, and applied regularly. It provides a balanced diet of both milk and strong meat (1 Peter 2:2, Hebrews 5:12-14). The Word is our guide for daily living (Psalm 119:105). It is God speaking directly to man today. It is not optional, rather it is imperative that we study the Word if we desire to become conformed to the image of Christ (the “Living Word”).

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

 

Power is available to us. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth (Psalm 145:18). In order to appropriate it, we are to realize our total dependence upon God while remembering our responsibility before God. His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). As we apply discipline to our lives in appropriating His provisions for us, we become true disciples of Christ. Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples” (John 8:31).

~ From the book: “GOD’S DESIRE: How to Please God”

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

Bible Version: Quotations are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.  Emphasis is added.

FREE Author Newsletter: Subscribe today and receive a FREE welcome gift followed by occasional news and special offers. https://www.booksrlr.com/connect/  Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way and you can easily unsubscribe at any time. 

Author web page: “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell” http://booksrlr.com/ – 11 national and international book awards.

Daily blog page: “Abundant Life Now” http://robertlloydrussell.blogspot.com/

·         An INDEX of past topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.

·         The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.

·         His personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog. 

Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/robertlloyd.russell 

~~~~~~~~~~~   

Acrostic, 11

 

~ Obedience ~

 

Introduction To The Series ~ This series is all about memory devices (heavily oriented toward acrostics) which help in remembering word meanings or concepts. Most of these are not my originals and where the originator is known they are named. For the most part they are sequenced alphabetically.

 

Acrostic ~ O.B.E.D.I.E.N.C.E.

 

The Key to the Abundant Life Provided by Christ

 

Order is brought out of chaos. Meaningless confusion gives way to an understandable purpose in life when a life is lived in obedience to the Word of God.

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.”  Matthew 6:24

 

Belief and trust in Christ are essential components of true obedience. If you had complete trust (faith) in your ability to walk a tight rope, it would not matter if the rope was six inches off a carpet or stretched across Niagara Falls. So too, if you trust Christ completely, making Him Lord of your life, it won't matter how major the problem or decision that faces you; you will have the perfect peace of God with you at all times as you obey Him.

You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3

 

Elevation of your sight from the temporal world to the world that is yet to come. With Heaven in view you will not sacrifice the permanent on the altar of the immediate, and obedience will be the natural outcome.

And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 1 John 3:3

 

Dependence upon God and the authority of His Word will result in a deep prayer life. And the natural result of such a prayer life is a life of absolute obedience to God.

For in Him we live, and move, and have our being. Acts 17:28

 

Indwelling Spirit of God. The Spirit is yours to comfort, guide, convict, and control in every aspect of your life. Without God's Spirit, sustained obedience is impossible. With God's Spirit you have the gentleness of God's love, as well as His almighty power.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

 

Expectation. Expect great things from Him who not only created the world but also knows the number of hairs on your head, the All-Powerful One.

“Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20

 

Newness of life. The Christian has new life, literally is born anew! It is not a modified life, but rather a new life is born which coexists with your former life. Life (old or new) must be fed to grow. Spiritual growth is essential—it is a result of obedience. Obedience yields a totally new and abundant life.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.  2 Corinthians 5:17

 

Confidence in the One that has proved, is proving, and will yet prove Himself worthy of your complete trust. Can you not trust the course of your small life to the One who laid the foundations of the universe? 

Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it. Philippians 1:6

 

Enlightenment. You must seek to practice that which you already know if you desire additional growth. Only as you are obedient to God will He through His Spirit enlighten your understanding with additional spiritual truth.

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe.  Ephesians 1:18-19

 

Continuous sensitivity to God's Spirit, nourishing and feeding your new life in Christ, and maintaining an attitude of prayer will yield a life that is obedient and exceedingly happy, while it anticipates Christ's return.

~ From the book: “GOD’S DESIRE: How to Please God”

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

Bible Version: Quotations are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.  Emphasis is added.

FREE Author Newsletter: Subscribe today and receive a FREE welcome gift followed by occasional news and special offers. https://www.booksrlr.com/connect/  Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way and you can easily unsubscribe at any time. 

Author web page: “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell” http://booksrlr.com/ – 11 national and international book awards.

Daily blog page: “Abundant Life Now” http://robertlloydrussell.blogspot.com/

·         An INDEX of past topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.

·         The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.

·         His personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog. 

Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/robertlloyd.russell 

~~~~~~~~~~~