Called by God, 21

 ~ Overview: Calling Past & Future Posts ~

 

Series Note  ~  This series is all about the call of God upon individuals. The first, and vital, step in being a true servant of God is being called by God.  It is God, Himself, who places a call upon your life. 

 

Review  ~  What follows is a recap and categorization of past posts in this series.  If you would like to review any of them you can easily find them in the date index in the left column of this blog. 

 

Everyone Is Called: Universal Call

1. The Universal Call To Salvation ~ 4/16/22

All Christians Are called: Obedience Call

New Responsibilities

2. The Obedience Call To Be A Disciple ~ 4/23/22
3. The Obedience Call As A Temple of The Holy Spirit ~ 4/30/22
4. The Obedience Call As A Conqueror ~ 5/7/22
5. The Obedience Call As An Heir of All Creation ~ 5/14/22

New Roles

6. The Obedience Call As A “Christian” ~ 5/21/22
7. The Obedience Call As A Citizen of Heaven ~ 5/28/22
8. The Obedience Call As His Ambassador ~ 6/4/22
9. The Obedience Call As A Member Of His Chosen Generation ~ 6/11/22
10. The Obedience Call As His Priest ~ 6/18/22
11. The Obedience Call As A Member Of His Holy Nation ~ 6/25/22
12. The Obedience Call As One Of His Own Special People ~ 7/2/22

Christians Are Called: Career Call

“Full-time Christian Service”

13. The Career Call To Be A Pastor To God’s Sheep ~ 7/9/22
14. The Career Call To Be A Teacher Of God’s Word ~ 7/16/22
15. The Career Call To Be A Missionary ~ 7/23/22
16. The Career Call To Be Active In A Para-Church Organization ~ 7/30/22

Salt and Light in the World 

17. The Career Call To A Secular Career ~ 8/6/22
18. The Career Call With No Regret ~ 8/13/22    

Summary

19.   God Calls – Your Responsibility ~ 8/20/22

20.  God Calls – Your Responsibility ~ 8/27/22 

21.  Overview: Calling Past & Future Posts ~ 9/3/22

 

Next  ~  In the Bible we find specific examples of God calling men and women to Himself and His service. 

In coming posts we will look at individual examples. 

 

Comment  ~  If you have never received a call from God why not reach out to Him?  If you sincerely seek Him, He will respond.  It is as simple as an honest prayer such as: God I want to know You.  In fact, I’m not convinced you are real.  Would you please show Yourself to me?  If you are sincere He will respond (perhaps in a way you are not expecting). 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Conscience, 21

 ~ Anger Degrades Your Conscience ~

 

Series Note ~ The conscience plays a crucial role in human behavior.  The Scripture has much to say about our conscience.  In posts 1—20 of this series, we looked at various descriptions of conscience.  Beginning in post 21 we look at emotional factors that have a very negative impact on our consciences. 

 

Scripture ~ “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:30-32).

 

Comment ~ When you are angry you are upset at part of God’s creation and sovereignty (except of course true righteous anger).  Anger spreads – rarely only effecting the two parties directly involved. 

 

Solution ~ Forgiveness. 

 

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do” (Colossians 3:12-13).

 

“Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another.  "Be angry, and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:25-28).

 

Question ~ Are you quick to become angry?

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Binary, 31

 ~ Binary: Growth or Death ~

 

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  ~  We know that the physical sun gives light, and in so doing provides life, but sunstroke can cause death. “As for man, his days are like grass” (Psalm 103:15) is literally true. Not only is his life short in relation to eternity but his sustenance is dependent on plant growth. The weary desert traveler without water soon finds only death. The same is true with spiritual life. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). Jesus also clearly taught that those who fail to acknowledge Him will be condemned. “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36). Healthy growing plants turn toward the light. Rotting dead plants are consumed. The choice is between growth and death.

 

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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