Pea Patch

~ Pay Attention to the P’s in Your Life ~   

Many are gardeners, others by necessity must spend time working with the soil—whether preparing the soil, watering, weeding or planting. In our daily lives we should also be consistent about cultivating our thoughts, watering good thoughts, weeding out other thoughts, and planting the Word of God. Consider a pea patch based on what the Word of God tells us. 

Pride  ~  Pride is a core root of all sin! The first sin in the Garden of Eden had a root of Pride—wanting to be like God—and so has every sin since. Pride easily enters our life regarding Possessions, Position, Power, and Prestige. Pride tends to cause us to be Picky about minor things with others and to become quite Petty. “First pride, then the crash—the bigger the ego, the harder the fall” (Proverbs 16:18, The Message). “If anyone respects and fears God, he will hate evil. For wisdom hates pride, arrogance, corruption, and deceit of every kind” (Proverbs 8:13, The Living Bible).

Perspective  ~  Perspective is critically important for the Christian. “Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude [perspective on life] that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to… He took the humble position… He humbled Himself in obedience to God. Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor” (Philippians 2:3-9, New Living Translation).

Prayer  ~  Praying on a regular basis is critical to a reduction in Pride, maintaining a Biblical Perspective, and allowing you to abide in Peace. With the Prayer of a righteous person comes Perseverance, Proper Priorities, Patience, a suitable People-orientation, Productivity, and perhaps most important great Passion to know Him better, for our families, and for the lost all around us. “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, New International Version). “The earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power and wonderful results” (James 5:16b, The Living Bible).

Peace  ~  Perfect Peace is the result of reduced Pride, a Proper Perspective, and Purposeful Prayer. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, 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 4:6-7, New King James Version). “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3, New King James Version). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Messiah, 9

~ Messiah Would Be a Descendant of Abraham, 3 ~  

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“And the Lord said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?’” (Genesis 18:17-18).

The Messiah  

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1).

“Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age … the Son of Abraham” (Luke 3:23, 34).

~~~ 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.

Lettuce Patch

~ The Encouragement of Lettuce ~   

“Let us” occurs thirteen times in the book of Hebrews and each time it comes with encouragement. On the other hand “lest” occurs seven times in the book and every time with a warning. “Let us” carries the connotation of letting the Holy Spirit work in our lives and “lest” the implication of not hindering the work of the Holy Spirit. 

Lettuce Lifestyle (Hebrews 4) our danger, our duty, our doctrine, and our approach ~ “Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear [our danger] lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it” (4:1-2).  “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest [our duty], lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [our doctrine]. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly [our approach] to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (4:11-16).  

Lettuce Growth (Hebrews 6) our maturity ~ “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection [our maturity], not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits” (6:1-3).

Lettuce Salvation (Hebrews 10) our salvation, our assurance, our fellowship ~ “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water [our salvation]. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful [our assurance]. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching [our fellowship]” (10:22-24).

Lettuce Work (Hebrews 12) ~ our responsibility, our task, our method ~ “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us [our responsibility], and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us [our task], looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (12:1-2). “Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace [our method], by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (12:28).

Lettuce Association (Hebrews 13) our identification, our response ~ “Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach [our identification]. For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name [our response]. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (13:12-16).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Messiah, 8

~ Messiah Would Be a Descendant of Isaac ~  

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture  

“But God said, ‘That's not what I mean. Your wife, Sarah, will have a baby, a son. Name him Isaac (which means “Laughter”). I'll establish My covenant with him and his descendants, a covenant that lasts forever” (Genesis 17:19).

The Messiah  

“Jesus was about thirty years old when he began His public ministry. Jesus was known as the Son of Joseph. Joseph was the son of Heli. … Jacob was the son of Isaac. Isaac was the son of Abraham” (Luke 3:23, 34).

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers” (Matthew 1:1-2). 

~~~ 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.

EXTRA: Book Review – OPP, 3

~ A Review of “One Precious Pearl” by Maggie Harding ~

In the short time since “ONE PRECIOUS PEARL: God’s Design for His Church” was released, it has received many accolades including being named

“2011 Book-Of-The-Year” by Reader Views Literary Awards,

“2011 Runner-up” by the International Book Awards, and

“2011 Winner” by The Word Guild. 

Reproduced immediately below is one of the many positive reviews the book has received. 

One Precious Pearl

by Robert Lloyd Russell

Infinity Publishing

Reviewed by Maggie Harding

 

"The pearl is the only gem that is perfect without additional work by man.”  Discover what the precious pearl is.  

In One Precious Pearl the author clearly demonstrates that, though Biblical principles are simple, they are not simplistic.  Anyone can understand the concept of a man seeking pearls and finding one so precious that he sells everything he has to buy it.  But, I believe, it is God's desire that we delve into His word in order to go beyond the obvious so that we can know Him better.  The author presents several versions of what the pearl represents.  Is it Salvation?  Is it the Kingdom of Heaven?  Or is it the Church, the body of believers in Christ?  Digging more deeply into the content and context of the parable of the precious pearl reveals the many layers that lie beneath the apparent interpretation.

Too often religious leaders are willing to accept doctrine based on phrases in the Bible that are not only out of context but also fail to consider the constancy of God's character.  This has lead to the formation of many denominations as well as many false sects that attract CINO's, Christians in name only.  Just as cultured pearls mimic natural pearls and can mislead even the most accomplished gemologists, so false teachings mislead many who consider themselves to be Biblical scholars.

Russell is an accomplished writer who has taken some difficult concepts and presented them in an informative and interesting way.  Whether you are a believer or a seeker, you'll never look at a pearl the same way after reading One Precious Pearl. 

The US Review of Books
PO Box 11, Titusville, NJ 08560

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

There is more information about One Precious Pearl at the author’swebsite. 

You may order directly from Amazon or from Infinity Publishing.