They Gave All

 ~ Give Thanks ~

Introductory Scripture  ~  There is “A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace” (Ecclesiastes 3:8).

Special Tribute  ~  In the U.S.A. during the last year we have seen many individual Americans give their lives to protect others.  Special honor this year is owed to our Police who have given their all during senseless riots and to our first responders who have cared for those with the COVID virus and lost their lives in the process.

Scripture  ~  Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.  This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:11-13).

Comment  ~  Many of our police and first responders gave their lives to help or better citizens they did not know – unknown people who were not their friends. 

Give Thanks  ~  For all who so gave as themselves to have given the ultimate price for others.  Thank you, most of all, to the Lord Jesus Christ who gave His all to redeem his enemies from their sin.

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:5-11).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

* * * * *

God Is My… (Psalms), 61

 ~ God Is My Provider, 2 ~

Introduction  ~  Previously from July 16, 2017 through January 6, 2019 ALN posted a series of 60 posts of “Jesus is…,” and now we look exclusively at who “God is…” from the Book of Psalms.  While not a complete list these posts occur are in the same order they are in the Psalms. 

Passage  ~  “Therefore the Lord heard this and was furious; so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel, because they did not believe in God, and did not trust in His salvation.  Yet He had commanded the clouds above, and opened the doors of heaven, had rained down manna on them to eat, and given them of the bread of heaven.  Men ate angels' food; He sent them food to the full. 

“He caused an east wind to blow in the heavens; and by His power He brought in the south wind.  He also rained meat on them like the dust, feathered fowl like the sand of the seas; and He let them fall in the midst of their camp, all around their dwellings.  So they ate and were well filled, for He gave them their own desire.  They were not deprived of their craving” (Psalm 78:21-30a).   

Prior Passage  ~  “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:5-6).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

* * * * *

Myth, 99

 ~ Bible Study Is For Scholars ~

Myth  ~  Sometimes newcomers to the Bible are overwhelmed and develop the belief that its study is best left to the professionals, Pastors, seminary Professors and so on.  This can also develop into believing you need to attend a Bible School or Seminary to effectively study the Bible.

Reality  ~  Nothing could be further from the truth.  The best teacher of the Word of God is the Spirit of God who indwells all believers. 

Scripture  ~  Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.  Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’  If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I” (John 14:25-28).

“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.  Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, 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” (Hebrews 4:9-12).

Comment  ~  Don’t expect to understand all of Scripture in a short period of time.  There are strong academic theological scholars who have spent their entire lives studying the Word of God and yet find they have not yet grasped its totality. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

* * * * *