God Is My… , 27

 

~ God Is My Guide ~

 

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 him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6).

 

Comment  ~  This passage is primarily about salvation and the way to eternal life.  But God is also our guide while we are on earth as seen in the following Old Testament passage. 

 

“Then I said to you, ‘Do not be terrified, or afraid of them.  The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place’  Yet, for all that, you did not believe the Lord your God, Who went in the way before you to search out a place for you to pitch your tents, to show you the way you should go, in the fire by night and in the cloud by day” (Deuteronomy 1:29-33).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Called by God, 12

 

~ The Obedience Call As One Of His Own Special People ~

 

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  ~  “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10).

 

Comment  ~  How often do you reflect upon being named one of God’s own “special people”?  God considers you very special indeed.  While it would be a wonderful honor to be a special agent protecting the President of the United States – think for a moment about the responsibility you have as a special person representing and protecting the reputation of the King of Kings! 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Conscience, 12

 

~ A Good Conscience, 4of6 ~

 

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. 

 

Overview ~ To possess a good conscience means that you are free from such things as guilt, jealousy, greed, anger, and other traits of our sinful nature.  To be in this condition requires that we are “walking in the Spirit.”

 

“Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law” (Galatians 5:16-18).

 

When you are walking in the Spirit you are in constant unhindered communion with God. 

 

Scripture ~ “Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.  But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner” (Hebrews 13:18-19).

 

Other Scripture ~ “Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, ‘Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day’” (Acts 23:1).

 

“Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5).

 

“This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck” (1 Timothy 1:18-19). 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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