Pause and Reflect

 

~ Honor Those Who Gave Their All For You ~

 

Introduction ~ Many countries have set aside a day each year to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice—dying in war—for the benefit of others.  In the United States it is called Memorial Day, and it happens every year on the last Monday of May.

 

Memorial Day is to remember those who never made it out of their uniform.  Memorial Day is a day when we pause to give thanks and pay tribute to all who fought and died for the things we often take for granted.

 

Scripture ~ Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.  This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.  You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:11-15).

 

Comment ~ The ultimate test of love is sacrifice.  Jesus Christ gave the ultimate sacrifice to save us from the eternal punishment we deserve for our sins.  As Christians today we are called to make daily sacrifices.  Most are small but sometimes they are very large.  May we always remember our role model, Jesus Christ, who showed us the ultimate sacrifice.

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

God Is My… , 23

 

~ God Is My Living Bread ~

 

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, “Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead.  This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die.  I am the living bread which came down from heaven.  If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world” (John 6:41-51).  

 

Other Passages  ~  “And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.  But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe.  All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.  For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.  This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.  And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day’” (John 6:35-40).

 

“The Jews then complained about Him, because He said, ‘I am the bread which came down from heaven.’  And they said, ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know?  How is it then that He says, “I have come down from heaven”?’  Jesus therefore answered and said to them, ‘Do not murmur among yourselves.  No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.  It is written in the prophets, “And they shall all be taught by God.” Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.  Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father.  Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life’” (John 6:41-48)

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

Called by God, 7

 

~ The Obedience Call As A Citizen of Heaven ~

 

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. 

 

Comment  ~  A citizen has an identity and an allegiance to a specific country.  As a citizen of any country, including heaven, there are expectations and obligations. 

 

Scripture  ~  “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself” (Philippians 3:20-21). 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *