Mothers

 ~ All Women Are Called To Mother ~

 

Introduction ~ God has both masculine and feminine characteristics.  Consider how Jesus cried over Jerusalem: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her!  How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!  See!  Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Matthew 23:37-39, also Luke 13:34-35).

 

Scripture ~ “I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.  Therefore, I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:3-7).

 

Comment ~ As Christians we are all called to be more like Him.  Many who are Christians today were influenced mightily by one of their grandparents.  On this Mother’s Day it is good realize that all women (in fact all Christians) are called to mother the young that they are in contact with.    

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Called by God, 4

 ~ The Obedience Call As A Conqueror ~

 

Series Note  ~  In this set of postings we will look at the calling of God from three aspects.  First there is the Universal Call to all mankind for salvation.  Second there is the call that all Christians receive—the Obedience Call.  Finally, there is a call which all Christians receive, but sadly few accept, the Career Call. 

 

In the first post in this series, we considered the Universal Call.  In posts 2-5 we look at the new responsibilities for Christians who have accepted the Obedience Call.  In posts 6-12 we examine the new roles of Christians who have accepted the Obedience Call. 

 

Scripture  ~  “What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?  Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect?  It is God who justifies.  Who is he who condemns?  It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written:

‘For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.’

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:31-39).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Conscience, 4

 ~ Conscience Without Offense ~

 

Series Note ~ The conscience plays a crucial role in human behavior.  The Scripture has much to say about our conscience.  In these early posts of this series, we are looking at various Biblical Descriptions of our conscience. 

 

Scripture ~ “This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men” (Acts 24:16). 

 

“And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men” (Acts 24:16 KJV).

 

Comment ~ Can you make this statement with a clear conscience?

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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