Christ Listens, 1of2

~ Do You Regularly Report Back to Your Savior? ~

Passage  ~  “Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.  And He said to them, ‘Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.’  For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.  So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves” (Mark 6:30-32). 

Applications  ~  Am I following the disciples example?  Do I report back to my Savior the results of each day?  Do I honestly admit my failures?  Do I include the temptations I faced?  Do I include sins of omission as well as those of commission?  Do I sincerely ask for feedback regarding what I could have done more effectively for Him?  Do I share my frustrations with well-intentioned efforts which seemingly failed?

When the disciples had toiled all day and caught nothing were they tempted to avoid interaction with their Master?  On fruitless days do we avoid communing with our Savior? 

Conclusion  ~  Tell your Savior everything!  That is the kind of end-of-day which is meaningful and will bring greater blessing to your life.  A side benefits of such daily prayer is that it will maintain our intimacy, we may well receive direct instructions from Him (see part 2 of this post), and it will strengthen us for improved service for Him. 

the key question:  “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Word of God Acronym

~ The Impact of The WORD of God Summarized ~

W O R D

The Word of God – Handbook for Daily Living

Wonder is the first step in a four-step progression which results from a study of the Word of God.  Wonder at the God who created the universe. Wonder that the same God who created all, including you, is enough interested in you to provide this written communication to you. Wonder and amazement that this same God desires fellowship with you and because of that was willing to allow His only begotten Son to be cruelly crucified in order that you might have direct access to Him.

“They were all amazed at the majesty of God.  But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He said to His disciples, ‘Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men’” (Luke 9:43-44).  

Obligation.  The wonder of it all progresses to a deep sense of obligation.  Since God not only created you but bought you back at Calvary, you owe Him a life that is surrendered and obedient to Him. He has rights to you by virtue of having created you.  He further owns you by outright purchase at the cross of Calvary.  You owe Him a loving response of fellowship with Him and a life which is lived in obedience to Him.

“That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.  And these things we write to you that your joy may be full” (1 John 1:3-4).  

Relationship to Him.  Having realized your obligation to Him, it is up to you to respond in love and gratitude to Him.  You must accept the authority of His Word; realize, confess, and repent of your sins; ask Him to forgive you and to make you His child, as you seek to make Him Lord of your life.  As you do, God has promised to make you His child.  Since you are His child, then you are His heir—and He owns the cattle on a thousand hills.  Since you are His heir, you are a co-heir with His own Son, your Savior, your Lord Jesus Christ.

“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:16-17).    

Discipleship is the fourth phase of the progression.  True discipleship yields the greatest satisfaction and joy that you can ever achieve in this life.  As a disciple you are physically, mentally, emotionally, and most importantly spiritually in tune with life, and with your Creator.  You are satisfying the purpose and the function for which you were created.  You are experiencing the abundant life as you translate what the Word of God tells you into your daily life.  You, as a disciple, are being controlled in every action by the Word of God.

“If you abide in My Word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them] you are truly My disciples.  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32 Amplified).  

The Word of God is not only a book (the Book of Books), but also a person (John 1:1) who deserves your thoughtful allegiance and obedience.  He is the source of wisdom and He freely imparts knowledge and power to those who truly put their trust and confidence in Him.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, Thy Will Be Done On Earth: Understanding God’s Will for You, pages 28-29

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Fear God, 60

~ Job Feared God ~

God does not want His children living in fear.  “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:2-3).  However, God does want His children to have a proper respect and reverence for Him.  We are told in many places in Scripture to “fear God.”  

This Week’s Passage  ~  “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil” (Job 1:1). 

Comment  ~  The fear of God causes avoidance of wrong actions.  It affects the lifestyle. 

Fearing God Results in Salvation  ~  “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).  “A wise person fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident” (Proverbs 14:16).  This does not mean the Christian is to live a fearful life—but a life which reverences God and seeks to do His will. 

Fearing God Results in Fearlessness  ~  “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).  The answer is: only God.  With the gift of salvation comes responsibility.

Fearing God Results in Witnessing  ~  “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul” (Psalm 66:16). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .