God Is My… , 37

 ~ God Is My Source of Peace ~

 

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  ~  “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength” (Isaiah 26:3-4).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Called by God, 22

 ~ The Call of Amos ~

 

Introduction ~ Posts 1 – 21 (beginning on April 16, 2022) of this series looked at aspects of the Christian calling.  Specifically, we viewed 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. 

 

Beginning in post 22 (this post) we look at Biblical examples of God calling an individual. 

 

Scripture ~ “Surely the Lord God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.  A lion has roared!  Who will not fear?  The Lord God has spoken!  Who can but prophesy?” (Amos 3:7-8).  

 

“Then Amaziah said to Amos: ‘Go, you seer!  Flee to the land of Judah.  There eat bread, and there prophesy.  But never again prophesy at Bethel, for it is the king's sanctuary, and it is the royal residence. 

 

“Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: ‘I was no prophet, nor was I a son of a prophet, but I was a sheep breeder and a tender of sycamore fruit.  Then the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said to me, “Go, prophesy to My people Israel.”  Now therefore, hear the word of the Lord: You say, “Do not prophesy against Israel, and do not spout against the house of Isaac”’ (Amos 7:12-16). 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Conscience, 22

  ~ Greed 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 ~ “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness.  Foolish ones!  Did not He who made the outside make the inside also?  But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you” (Luke 11:39-41).

 

Comment ~ Greed breeds dissatisfaction.  It is a cancer to your soul. 

 

Solution ~ Give. 

 

The more tightly you hold earthly things the tighter they hold you.  Greed is often much different than just in the financial area of life.  It may be regarding possessions or many other things.  One of the best ways of letting go of your desire for more is to give to others or organizations. 

 

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works” (Matthew 16:24-27).

 

Jesus said, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For after all these things the Gentiles seek.  For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things.  Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (Matthew 6:31-34).

 

Question ~ Are you a greedy person?

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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