Messiah, 65

~ Messiah Would Entrust His Spirit to God ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“Into Your hand I commit My spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth” (Psalm 31:5). 

The Messiah  

“And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last (Luke 23:46). 

~~~ 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

7 Successes of Peter

~ Peter’s 7 Upward Steps to Restoration ~

Many of us identify with Peter’s failings. The Word of God also shows us the path of restoration from being a coward to being bold for Jesus Christ.

Praying  ~  The Lord prayed for Peter—just as He is praying for you! “But I [Jesus] have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren” (Luke 22:32).

Repenting  ~  Later, after Peter’s denials, we read: “And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ So Peter went out and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:61-62). Peter’s failures caused repentance and drew him into a closer relationship with his Lord.

Hearing  ~  Peter hears, and more importantly, listens to the report. “Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.’ Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb” (John 20:1-3).  

Acting  ~  After receiving the report, Peter took action and headed for the empty tomb. “Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first” (John 20:3-4). 

Understanding  ~  Peter receives a message from the Lord and understands its truth and significance. “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. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you’” (Mark 16:6-7).

Communing  ~  Peter now has a private meeting with the Lord! “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” (Luke 24:34).

Consider how Peter is restored publicly  ~  “So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Feed My lambs.’ He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep’” (John 21:15-17).

Testifying  ~  Peter gives evidence of his restoration as he boldly testifies about Christ. “So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: ‘Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all’” (Acts 3:12-16). 

Peter was changed from a coward to a bold witness of Jesus Christ. Do you have the boldness of the restored Peter?

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Book Review – JE, 2

~ A Review of “Jim Elliot” by About.com ~

Reproduced immediately below is one of the many positive reviews the book “Jim Elliot” has received.

BOOK REVIEW: 
Jim Elliot: A Christian Martyr Speaks to You

User Rating:  5 Star Rating

Quick Facts:  Release Date 2010; Xulon Press; Paperback; 136 pages. 

What I liked Most & Least About this Book / Author:  My favorite chapters were the first two, which present a clear explanation of our need for a desire for God, and the effects of sin on the life of an individual.

I do not have any dislikes of the book, but I do have a warning (see below).

ISBN Number:  978-16157976-4-6

My Review:  Jim Elliot was one of the five martyred missionaries in the 1950s. The work of these five and their deaths have had a tremendous impact on thousands of Christians. Many related books have been written, but this is only the second book which contains the actual words of Jim Elliot. (The other is The Journals of Jim Elliot.)

I would highly recommend this book to all Christians who seek a closer relationship with Jesus Christ—especially those in junior high through age 40. It will positively impact lives.

The book provides great insight into the thinking of Jim Elliot and also provides a lot of notable and quotable material. Anyone interested in Christian history or Christian missions will really appreciate the book.

I do have a warning. This book was transcribed from old wire recordings (which predated magnetic tape) and it was a different era when Jim was alive. Jim Elliot was on fire for God and had a fervency which was rare then, and even more rare today. He was a true student of the Word of God and it shows in his messages.

In summary, I cannot recommend this book highly enough for all who are interested in strengthening their Christian life.

Would you recommend this to a friend?   Yes

Mary Fairchild, Christianity Guide, says:  Think you might like to purchase this book?

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

There is more information about the book Jim Elliot at the author’s website. 

You may order directly from Amazon or from Xulon Press. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Messiah, 64

~ Messiah’s Dying Words Were Foretold, 2 ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“Into Your hand I commit My spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth” (Psalm 31:5). 

The Messiah 

“And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” Having said this, He breathed His last (Luke 23:46). 

~~~ 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