Called by God, 15

 ~ The Career Call To Be A Missionary ~

 

Series Note  ~  In the first post in this series, we considered the Universal Call to all mankind.  Then we addressed those who accepted that call.  In posts 2-5 we looked at the new responsibilities to accept the Obedience Call.  In posts 6-12 we examined some new roles of those who accepted that initial call.  In posts 13-17 we are considering a sampling of specific career calls.

 

Scripture  ~  “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?  And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach unless they are sent?  As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’” (Romans 10:14-15).

 

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’  Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20).

 

Quote  ~  “Never pity missionaries: envy them.  They are where the real action is – where life and death, sin and grace, heaven and hell converge.” –Robert C. Shannon  

 

Comment  ~  The Gospel is for all ethic groups and all nations.  Don’t forget that includes those around you wherever you are. 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Conscience, 15

  ~ Guilty Conscience ~

 

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 ~ The exact phrase “guilty conscience” is not found in Scripture (to my awareness), but the concept is clearly implied in Scripture.  Consider for example, “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). 

 

Comment ~ There can be several reasons for feeling guilty, but the most likely reason is that you are guilty!  If so, meditate on the verse immediately above.

 

One of the overall messages of The Holy Bible is we are all guilty.  God knows this and He provided a way to cleanse all sin from you.

 

A Story ~ According to historical accounts one day Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes author) decided to play a joke on twelve friends by sending each of them a message that read, “Flee at once.  All is discovered.”  Within 24 hours, all twelve of those friends had left the country.   

 

Comment ~ Guilt is a good mechanism that our Creator has given us.  If you have a guilty conscience why not get it squared away with God today?  He will give you peace beyond your imagination. 

 

“Let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6b-7).

 

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Binary, 26

  ~ Binary: Mocking or Listening ~

 

Series Comment  ~  When it comes to spiritual paths it is strictly a binary choice. 

(1)   It is a choice between the True or False.  “Jesus said to him [Thomas], ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6).  [See Post #1 in this series.]

(2)   It is a choice between Do or Done.  Jesus said, “It [the work of salvation] is finished!” (John 19:30).  Your Doing can add nothing to what Christ has Done for you.  [See Post #2 in this series.]

(3)   It is your choice between Religion or Relationship.  Religions are geared toward self-effort whereas Christianity is an intimacy with the only One who can save.  Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).  [See Post #3 in this series.]

 

Important Note  ~  We are currently in a binary sub-series of quoting short sections from books that draw parallels between physical light (the sun) and spiritual light (the Son) by Robert Lloyd Russell.

 

Quote  ~  In this binary situation of attraction or repulsion, it is the question of acceptance or rejection. “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, ‘We will hear you again on this matter.’  So Paul departed from among them.  However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them” (Acts 17:32-34).  Some were mocking while others were believing.

 

Reference  ~  We are now in the process of quoting short sections from the ebook: “GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight” (https://books2read.com/GodsNature).

 

Also from the print book: “GOD LIGHT: Sunlight Sonlight” (https://booksrlr.com/printbooks/god-light-sunlight-sonlight/).  ­­­­­­­­­­

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW 

 

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