Question – Jesus, 78

 ~ Regarding Mission ~

Introduction  ~  This series is about questions involving Jesus.  Some were asked by individuals involved with Jesus Christ while He walked on earth.  Others are questions that Jesus Christ asked others.  We will look at questions on about 130 topics (some may split into two or more posts).  Even so, it is far from an exhaustive list. 

Scripture  ~  “When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered.  And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples.  Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.

“Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, ‘Whom are you seeking?’  They answered Him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am He.’  And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them.  Now when He said to them, ‘I am He,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.

“Then He asked them again, ‘Whom are you seeking?’  And they said, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’

“Jesus answered, ‘I have told you that I am He.  Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way,’ that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, ‘Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.’

“Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear.  The servant’s name was Malchus.  So Jesus said to Peter, ‘Put your sword into the sheath.  Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?’” (John 18:1-11).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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God Is My… (Psalms), 49

 ~ God Is My Savior, 5 ~

Introduction  ~  Previously from July 16, 2017 through January 6, 2019 ALN posted a series of 60 posts of “Jesus is…,” and now we look exclusively at who “God is…” from the Book of Psalms.  While not a complete list these posts occur are in the same order they are in the Psalms. 

Passage  ~  “My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.  He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.  In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God” (Psalm 62:5-7).    

Prior Passages  ~  “You are my King, O God; command victories for Jacob.  Through You we will push down our enemies; through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us.  For I will not trust in my bow, nor shall my sword save me.  But You have saved us from our enemies, and have put to shame those who hated us.  In God we boast all day long, and praise Your name forever” (Psalm 44:4-8).

“I will love You, O Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies” (Psalm 18:1-3).

“But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble.  And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him” (Psalm 37:39-40).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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Myth, 83

 ~ I’ll Will Witness Later ~

Myth  ~  This particular myths is manifested in many ways, but the essence of this myth is that I can wait and evangelize or witness others at a later time. 

Reality  ~  First, contrary to common teachings not all Christians are called to be evangelists – which is a specific spiritual gift.  However, all Christians are called to be witnesses to others of who God is and what He has done in their lives.

The word evangelist only occurs three times in the New Testament and each time it is referring to the gift of evangelism.  In the Old Testament Israel was God’s witness on earth and in the New Testament all Christians are God’s witnesses.  A witness is not required to have specialized knowledge.  The responsibility of a witness is to tell of their firsthand experience. 

Scripture  ~  “Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, ‘Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’  And He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.  But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth’” (Acts 1:6-8).

“We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says: ‘In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.’  Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:1-2). 

Summary  ~  Your responsibility is to witness about what you know about what God has done in your life.  The time to witness is now!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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