God Is My… (Psalms), 82of82

 ~ God Is My Refuge, 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  ~  “Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle —  my lovingkindness and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer, my shield and the One in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me” (Psalm 144:1-2).   

 

Other Passages  ~  “In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness.  Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me” (Psalm 31:1-2) 

 

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling” (Psalm 46:1-3). 

 

“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). 

 

“Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us” (Psalm 62:8). 

 

Comment  ~  While this post concludes this series regarding who God is, according to the Psalms, it has not been an exhaustive list!  We will now pick up on what some other Scriptures say regarding who God is for the believer.  

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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Myth, 121

 ~ Guardian Angels Are Not Biblical ~

 

Myth  ~  The whole concept of personal guardian angels is not real. 

 

Anecdote  ~  Several years ago a neighbor of mine said that she considered me to be her guardian angel.  I was astonished since I had never given much thought to the topic of guardian angels, let alone that it was possible that I could be one!  I had tended to think the concept of guardian angels was not be founded in Scripture.  Since then, the more I have looked at the subject the more I realize there is Scriptural justification for the concept.  Having said that a definitive absolute answer is difficult to arrive at.

 

Reality  ~  “We have not the wrestling with blood and flesh, but with the principalities, with the authorities, with the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, with the spiritual things of the evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).

 

A Basic Truth  ~  The root concept of angels in Scripture is that they are ministers – as such they often provide guidance and direction, comfort, or encouragement for others of God’s children. 

 

Scripture 1  ~  Consider this interesting passage: “And when Peter had come to himself, he said, ‘Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.’  So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.  And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer.  When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate.  But they said to her, ‘You are beside yourself!’  Yet she kept insisting that it was so.  So they said, ‘It is his angel.’” (Acts 12:11-15). 

 

Scripture 2  ~  Jesus said, “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.  For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost” (Matthew 18:10-11).  This passage indicates that angels are indeed assigned to individuals on earth. 

 

Comments  ~  (1) While I may not understand much about the concept of specific angels guarding specific individuals it seems clear that the concept is taught in the New Testament. 

(2) Whether specific human beings on earth can be a guardian angel to another specific human being is not at all clear to me. 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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7 Life Essentials, 5

 ~ Critical Factor: Rest ~ 

Introduction  ~  In this series we will look at the four most basic physical needs for a human to survive, and how Jesus Christ satisfies the parallel spiritual needs.  Then we will look at three additional critical factors related to both our physical and spiritual needs.

 

Physical Needs  ~  According to basic physiological understanding mankind needs four basic elements in order to survive physically: water, air, food, and light.  Jesus satisfies the parallel spiritual needs.  Jesus is the Living Water (John 4:10-11, 7:38).  Jesus provides the Breath of Life (Genesis 2:7, Colossians 1:16-17).  Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6:35, 48).  Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12, 9:5).  

 

There are three additional critical factors necessary for physical life: rest, healing, and blood.  Once again, we find that Jesus satisfies both the physical and the parallel spiritual needs.  Jesus provides rest (Matthew 11:25-30).  Jesus is the great healer (Matthew 4:23-25).  It is only the blood of Jesus which provides true success in life not only on earth but more importantly in the life to come (Ephesians 2:11-13).  

 

Key Scriptures  ~  “At that time Jesus answered and said, ‘I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.  Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.  All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father.  Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.  Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light’” (Matthew 11:25-30).   

 

“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 parallel passages in Matthew 14:13-21; Luke 9:10-17; and John 6:1-14). 

 

Comment  ~  During creation God gave us the example of the need for rest.  After six days of work He rested.  The divine concept of the Sabbath being a change of pace and a day of rest follows this important principle. 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

* * * * *

·         Be an insider!  Sign up for his Author Newsletter and receive occasional news and special offers.  His books have won national and international literary awards.  Subscribe today and receive a welcome gift.  Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way.  You can easily unsubscribe at any time.  https://www.subscribepage.com/rlr 

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

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

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

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