Tuesday, December 31, 2013

8 Biblical Resolutions



~ Make 2014 Count Eternally! ~

Why not begin the new year and continue through it with a full confession of your faith? 

Trust  ~  “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’ Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:2-3). 

Grow  ~   Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.  Who is the man who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?  Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.  Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:11-14). 

Love  ~  I will love You, O Lord, my strength.  The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (Psalm 18:1-2).

Pray  ~  I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies” (Psalm 18:3). 

Obey  ~  Hear me, O Lord!  I will keep Your statutes” (Psalm 119:145b).

Walk  ~  “For You have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.  I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalm 116:8-9). 

Praise  ~  “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.  I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well” (Psalm 139:13-14).  I will sing of mercy and justice; to You, O Lord, I will sing praises” (Psalm 101:1). 

Walk Wisely  ~  I will behave wisely in a perfect way.  Oh, when will You come to me?  I will walk within my house with a perfect heart” (Psalm 101:2). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Christ-Son of God



~ An Overview of His Life ~

Eternity Past  ~  The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!  This is He of whom I said, “After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.”  I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water’” (John 1:29-31).  Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM’” (John 8:58).  Jesus said, “And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was” (John 17:5). 

Given to the World  ~  Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).  “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh” (Romans 8:3).

Born of a Virgin  ~  And the angel answered and said to her [Mary], ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God’” (Luke 1:35).  In the beginning was the Word [Jesus Christ], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God” (John 1:1-2).  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). 

Loved by God the Father  ~  And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’” (Matthew 3:17).  “And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son.  Hear Him!’” (Luke 9:35). 

Confessed by Men  ~  Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God’” (Matthew 16:16).  Immediately he [Saul who became Paul] preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20). 

Betrayed in Gethsemane  ~  “Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, ‘Sit here while I go and pray over there.’  And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.  Then He said to them, ‘My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death.  Stay here and watch with Me’ …  Then He came to His disciples and said to them, ‘Are you still sleeping and resting?  Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.  Rise, let us be going.  See, My betrayer is at hand’” (Matthew 26:36-46, see also Mark 14:32-42). 

And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people.  Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.’  Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed Him” (Matthew 26:47-49). 

Sentenced at Gabbatha  ~  “Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate.  Then Pilate asked Him, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’” (Mark 15:1-2a).  When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus out and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called The Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha.  Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, and about the sixth hour.  And he said to the Jews, ‘Behold your King!’  But they cried out, ‘Away with Him, away with Him!  Crucify Him!’  Pilate said to them, ‘Shall I crucify your King?’  The chief priests answered, ‘We have no king but Caesar!’  Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified.  Then they took Jesus and led Him away” (John 19:13-16). 

Crucified on Golgatha  ~  “And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center” (John 19:17-18).  Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet:They divided My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots’” (Matthew 27:35).

Raised from the Dead  ~  But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed.  You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.  He is risen!  He is not here.  See the place where they laid Him’” (Mark 16:6).

Presently Sits at the Right of God the Father  ~  “Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3). 

Soon He Will Return for His Children  ~  Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.  And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:2-3). 

Eternity Future  ~  Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.  And thus we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:17-18).

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Messiah, 132



~ Messiah Is Eternal ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”
— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)
                                        
The Scripture
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:6-7).

The Messiah 
But when she [Mary] saw him [the angel Gabriel], she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end’” (Luke 1:29-33). 

~~~ EXPLANATORY “MESSIAH” NOTES ~~~   
(1)  Each Saturday ALN posts an example of a Hebrew Scriptures prophecy (or foreshadowing) related to the coming Messiah which was fulfilled in the birth, life, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ.
(2)  While extensive it will not be a complete list—there are hundreds of prophecies of the coming Messiah which have been fulfilled by one man—Jesus Christ at His First Coming.
(3)  It is important that there are many more prophecies of the Messiah, yet unfulfilled, which Christians believe will be fulfilled at the time of His Second Coming.  A particularly relevant Scripture verse in this regard is: “Do not despise prophesies” (1 Thessalonians 5:20).
(4)  These posts will typically consist only of Scripture—which speaks for itself.  Sometimes italicized or bold font will be used by ALN for emphasis.
(5)  The numbering of these fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah is used to differentiate individual posts. It is not chronological (either by time of the prophecy or by sequence in the life of the Messiah).  The posting sequence will, for the most part, be in the order that the prophecies appear in Scripture.
(6)  Because of the chosen methodology (#5 above) we will find many specific prophecies repeated multiple times throughout the Scriptures.
(7)  These serial posts are in addition to our regular Tuesday ALN postings on random topics.
(8)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Thursday, December 26, 2013

“I Have No Need”



~ In Reality You Have No Excuse! ~

note:  This is one in a series of Biblical answers to objections some individuals raise when presented with the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. 

 “I will not bother to personally conduct a serious investigation of Jesus Christ because I really don’t need anything—and I certainly do not need a ‘Savior.’” 

This is like saying, “I will not bother to personally conduct a serious investigation of Jesus Christ because I am perfectly okay as I am.” Such a response doesn’t stand up to the test of logic. But logic is not the main issue. What does God say?

You Are Guilty Before God  ~  All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them’” (Galatians 3:10).

The Penalty of Your Guilt Is Spiritual Death  ~  The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

In Your Present Condition You Will Incur the Wrath of God  ~  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).

Refusing to Investigate the Claims of Christ Is No Excuse  ~  Jesus said, “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18).

God Has Provided for Your Salvation Making You Accountable  ~  How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him” (Hebrews 2:3). 

You Cannot Earn Salvation On Your Own  ~  As Jesus was teaching He gave an illustration, “‘I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’  And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:12-14).

If You Accept God’s Provision You Will Be Saved Eternally  ~  Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. As it is written:Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, and whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame’” (Romans 9:32-33).

There Is Only One Path To Salvation  ~  They don't seem to realize that this comprehensive setting-things-right that is salvation is God's business, and a most flourishing business it is. Right across the street they set up their own salvation shops and noisily hawk their wares. After all these years of refusing to really deal with God on his terms, insisting instead on making their own deals, they have nothing to show for it” (Romans 10:3, The Message). 

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

summary:The basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! By taking a long and thoughtful look at what God has created, people have always been able to see what their eyes as such can't see: eternal power, for instance, and the mystery of His divine being.
So nobody has a good excuse.
What happened was this: People knew God perfectly well, but when they didn't treat him like God, refusing to worship him, they trivialized themselves into silliness and confusion so that there was neither sense nor direction left in their lives. They pretended to know it all, but were illiterate regarding life” (Romans 1:19-22, The Message).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW