God Is My… , 17

 ~ God Is My Source of Eternal Life, 5 ~

 

Introduction  ~  Previously (July 16, 2017 – January 6, 2019) ALN posted a series of 82 posts of “Jesus is…,” and then we looked exclusively at who “God is…” from the Book of Psalms (February 9, 2020 – December 5, 2021).  We are now considering “God is…” statements from non-Psalms passages. 

 

Passage  ~  “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.  And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.  Do you believe this?’  She said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world’” (John 11:25-27).

 

Other Passages  ~  “And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ.  This is the true God and eternal life” (1 John 5:20).

 

“And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.   These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:11-13).

 

“Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning.  If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.  And this is the promise that He has promised us — eternal life” (1 John 2:24-25).

 

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life — the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us” (1 John 1:1-2).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

* * * * *

Myth, 136

 ~ Christians Need Greater Strength ~

 

Myth  ~  The Christian life is impossible because of the lack of strength and talents that are needed. 

 

Reality  ~  From the human perspective this is true.  But with the spiritual strength and resources possessed by all Christians all that is needed is provided. 

 

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).

 

Scripture  ~  “And lest I [the Apostle Paul} should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.  Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.  And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in [your] weakness.’  Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake.  For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). 

 

Quotes  ~  “God does not need your strength: He has more than enough of power of His own.   He asks our weakness: He has not of that Himself, and He is longing therefore, to take your weakness, and use it as the instrument in His own mighty hand.  Will you not yield your weakness to Him, and receive His strength?  ~ Charles Spurgeon 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

* * * * *

Fool Defined

 ~ Focused On The Now Instead Of The Future ~

 

“Then he [Jesus] told them this story: ‘The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop.  He talked to himself: “What can I do?  My barn isn’t big enough for this harvest.”  Then he said, “Here's what I'll do: I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones.  Then I’ll gather in all my grain and goods, and I’ll say to myself, Self, you've done well!  You've got it made and can now retire.  Take it easy and have the time of your life!”  Just then God showed up and said, ‘Fool!  Tonight you die.  And your barnful of goods — who gets it?’  That's what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God” (Luke 12:16-21 msg).

 

Comment  ~  There are at least three kinds of human behavior that God considers to be completely foolish.  The above passage is one of them.  Does it apply to you?  Are you sacrificing your eternal future destination for short-term cravings and satisfactions?

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *