Mom

~ Everyone Owes a Debt To Their Mom ~

Introduction  ~  Everyone of us have a Mother!  For most of us we have fond memories of our experiences with “Mom.”  Unfortunately, for some mom is not a good memory.  Perhaps they were abandoned, unloved, or other difficult issues to deal with.  But everyone owes the appreciation to the mom who brought them into this world full of anticipation and excitement. 

Reality  ~  Being a mom and tackling the related huge responsibilities is not only challenging but a God-given opportunity to have more effect on young person’s future than any other person.  Unfortunately, sometimes, regardless of best practices and best efforts results do not work out as planned. 

Mother’s Day  ~  Some will be with their moms.  Others have fond memories of their Mom who has passed on.  Some moms will be grieving a child who has wandered away or passed before their time.  Motherhood is a God-given opportunity and responsibility.  Leave the results with the sovereign God.  He knows your joy, and He knows your pain. 

Critical Difference  ~  There are many careers but a mom has a job that is unceasing and unending.  Reflect on the truth of the statement, “a mother’s job is never done.”

Action Step  ~  Not only enjoy your children but also reach out to those moms who are hurting.  Also, reach out to those who wanted to be a mom—but never saw it come to reality.  Also, how about reaching out to those children you may know who are missing out on a normal relationship with their mom.  If you are hurting, thank God for life and the blessings you do have. 

Normal (not necessarily average)  ~  “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.  She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.  Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her” (Proverbs 31:26-28).

~ 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/ .

Myth, 46

~ Success Will Bring God’s Approval ~

Man’s View  ~  Accomplishments and appearance (such as “Dress for Success”) are clear indicators of success.  Today we have some tongue-in-cheek expressions that help us bring back to reality such as “He who dies with the most toys wins!”  However in times of sober thinking we all know there are no U-Hauls in heaven.

God’s View  ~  God looks on the heart, not the outward appearance.  “The Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him.  For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart’” (1 Samuel 16:7).

Reality  ~  It is spiritual growth that brings God’s approval.  “But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia.  But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing” (1 Thessalonians 4:9-12).

Biblical Example  ~  The Book of Job tells the account of a Godly man who suffered terribly as others looked on. 

~ 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, 170

~ The Centurion Guard 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  ~  “So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’” (Matthew 27:54).

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/ .