God Attribute, 44

 ~ Hope ~

 

This Series  ~  This series of posts looks at some of the many attributes of God.  Generally, we move in alphabetical order.

 

Introduction  ~ While hope is not a direct attribute of God it is almost as if one of God’s names is hope!

 

Scripture  ~  “For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance” (Romans 8:24-25).

 

“If indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister” (Colossians 1:23).

 

“For You are my hope, O Lord God; You are my trust from my youth.  By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother’s womb.  My praise shall be continually of You” (Psalm 71:5-6).

 

“To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

 

Additional Scripture (about hope)  ~  "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.  For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8). 

 

“Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will rest in hope.  For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.  You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:9-11).

“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord” (Psalm 31:24).

 

“Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You” (Psalm 33:22).

 

“Why are you cast down, O my soul?  And why are you disquieted within me?  Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him” (Psalms 42:5, 11, 43:5).  

 

“But I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more” (Psalm 71:14).

 

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope” (1 Timothy 1:1).

 

Responsibility ~ “Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3).

 

Quote  ~  “Hope is the medicine I use more than any other—hope can cure nearly anything.” (Dr. Robert McNair Wilson, a British cardiologist)

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Why Trust God? 34

 ~ God Rewards Trust ~

 

Introduction  ~  “Abundant Life Now” previously provided a list of Biblical of examples of fearing / reverencing God (217 posts).  In this current series we look at Biblical accounts that demonstrate that we can fully trust God.  Initially we posted seven general reasons for trusting God.  We are currently looking at passages from all 66 books of Scripture which demonstrate a reason for trusting our Creator. 

 

Scripture  ~  “But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes; and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying: ‘The land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land.  If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, “a land which flows with milk and honey.” Only do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the Lord is with us.  Do not fear them’” (Numbers 14:6-9).

 

“Now the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land, who returned and made all the congregation complain against him by bringing a bad report of the land, those very men who brought the evil report about the land, died by the plague before the Lord.  But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive, of the men who went to spy out the land” (Numbers 14:36-38).

 

Note  ~  For context I suggest you read Numbers 13:1—14:38

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Question – Jesus, 160

 ~ Regarding “What If” ~

 

Introduction  ~  This series is about questions involving Jesus.  Some were asked by individuals involved with Jesus Christ while He walked on earth.  Others are questions that Jesus Christ asked others.  We will look at questions on over 160 topics (some may split into two or more posts).  Even so, it is far from an exhaustive list. 

 

Scripture  ~  “Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can understand it?’  

 

“When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, ‘Does this offend you?  What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before?  It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.  The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.  But there are some of you who do not believe.’

 

“For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. And He said, ‘Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.’  

 

“From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.  Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’  

 

“But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’

 

“Jesus answered them, ‘Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?’  He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve” (John 6:60-71).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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God Is My… , 47

 ~ God Is My Living Water ~

 

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 answered and said to her, ;If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, “Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water”’” (John 4:10).    

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Called by God, 32

 ~ The Call of Peter ~

 

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 we started looking at Biblical examples of God calling an individual. 

 

Scripture ~ “And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.  Then He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’  They immediately left their nets and followed Him” (Matthew 4:18-20). 

 

Comment ~ As we have seen in these examples, God’s call can be very different for different individuals and circumstances.  This call was to call Peter to move from being a commercial fisherman to a fisher of men on behalf of God.

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Conscience, 31

 ~ Realize There Are Deceivers, 1 ~

 

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.  In posts 21—25 we looked at the Big Four Emotional factors that have a very negative impact on our consciences.  Finally starting with post 26 we look at dangers to the conscience. 

 

Scripture ~ God is light and Satan tries to imitate Him.

 

True ~ “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.  If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:5-7). 

 

Fake ~ “But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast.  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.  And no wonder!  For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.  Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:12-15).

 

Note ~ The author has written about and showed parallels between many characteristics of natural light compared to spiritual light.  “GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight” (https://books2read.com/GodsNature).

 

Solution ~ Know God not just know about God.  Be intimate with Him.  If you need assistance, I suggest the websites www.HeavenOrNot.org or www.three-two-one.org.

 

Question ~ On a scale of 1-10 (10 is the best) how is our intimacy with God?

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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