Monday, July 31, 2023

Fellowship With God

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~ The Purpose of Divine Fellowship ~

 

Introduction  ~  The Christian who is “walking worthy of his calling” (1 Thessalonians 1:11-12) is in fellowship with all three members of the Godhead and with other believers.

 

Fellowship With The Father (for will and purpose)  ~  “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).

 

Fellowship With The Son (for walk and practice)  ~  “I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:4-9).

 

Fellowship With The Spirit (for witness and power)  ~  “Finally, brethren, farewell.  Become complete.  Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.  Greet one another with a holy kiss.  All the saints greet you.  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.  Amen” (2 Corinthians 13:11-14).

 

Fellowship With The Saints (for word and perseverance) ~  Clearly, the obedient Christian is in fellowship with all three members of the Trinity as well as in fellowship with other Christians.  “And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’  Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.  And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship [with their brothers and sisters in Christ], in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:40-42).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

Free Books ~ Right now you can obtain any, or all, of my eBooks for FREE (epub). Only at https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=robert+lloyd+russell 

Choose From:

Christian Concepts Series

GOD’S CHURCH: Christ’s Pearl

GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight

GOD’S CHILD: Like A Tree

            Christian Growth Series

GOD’S DESIRE: How to Finish Strong

GOD’S LIGHT: How to Respond

CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How to Finish Strong

            Christian Theology Series

CHRIST’S BLOOD: 7+ Amazing Benefits

PRIDE: Good and Bad

TEMPTATION: 50+ Tips

            Bible Character Series

SAMSON: Spirit-Controlled to Self-Centered

            Missions

JIM ELLIOT: Recorded Messages 

 

* * * * *


Sunday, July 30, 2023

In Jesus We Have… , 27

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~ In Jesus We Have Forgiveness, 5 ~

 

Introduction  ~  In this series we look at a few of the verses which state what we have when we are “in Christ.”  Consider our series theme verse: 

 

“God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:4-10).

 

Scripture  ~  To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him.  We have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets” (Daniel 9:9-10).

 

Comment  ~  I like to consider one-word descriptions of the Bible.  There are many but my favorite is “forgiveness.” 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

Free Books ~ Right now you can obtain any, or all, of my eBooks for FREE (epub). Only at https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=robert+lloyd+russell 

Choose From:

Christian Concepts Series

GOD’S CHURCH: Christ’s Pearl

GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight

GOD’S CHILD: Like A Tree

            Christian Growth Series

GOD’S DESIRE: How to Finish Strong

GOD’S LIGHT: How to Respond

CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How to Finish Strong

            Christian Theology Series

CHRIST’S BLOOD: 7+ Amazing Benefits

PRIDE: Good and Bad

TEMPTATION: 50+ Tips

            Bible Character Series

SAMSON: Spirit-Controlled to Self-Centered

            Missions

JIM ELLIOT: Recorded Messages 

 

* * * * *


Saturday, July 29, 2023

Adornment, 31

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~ Makeup, 1 ~

 

Series Note ~ In this series we look at some of the Scriptures which mention human physical adornment—pretty much without comment.  These posts will include clothing, head (including hair and wigs), jewelry (including accessories), makeup (including tattoos), and perfume (including incense).  It is important to note that some of these passages are culturally related to a specific culture and time period. 

 

Two Principles ~ (1) Focus on the long-term: Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.  Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates” (Proverbs 31:30-31).

 

(2) Exercise modesty: “Women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works” (1 Timothy 2:9b-10).

 

Scripture For This Week ~ You shall not shave around the sides of your head, nor shall you disfigure the edges of your beard. 28 You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:27-28).

 

Two Keys ~ (1) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

 

(2) “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

Free Books ~ Right now you can obtain any, or all, of my eBooks for FREE (epub). Only at https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=robert+lloyd+russell 

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Christian Concepts Series

GOD’S CHURCH: Christ’s Pearl

GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight

GOD’S CHILD: Like A Tree

            Christian Growth Series

GOD’S DESIRE: How to Finish Strong

GOD’S LIGHT: How to Respond

CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How to Finish Strong

            Christian Theology Series

CHRIST’S BLOOD: 7+ Amazing Benefits

PRIDE: Good and Bad

TEMPTATION: 50+ Tips

            Bible Character Series

SAMSON: Spirit-Controlled to Self-Centered

            Missions

JIM ELLIOT: Recorded Messages 

 

* * * * *

Friday, July 28, 2023

Fool Characteristics, 18

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~ Fools Are Foolish ~

 

Series Note  ~  In this series we look at some of the passages in the Book of Proverbs – wise sayings that are generally true – that describe a fool from God’s perspective.  Some may surprise you. 

 

Scripture  ~  “Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs, rather than a fool in his folly” (Proverbs 17:12).

 

Comment  ~  This is self-evident: Fools, Foolish, and Folly.

 

Important Truth  ~  “The fool has said in his heart, ‘there is no God’” (Psalm 53:1a).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Christian Concepts Series

GOD’S CHURCH: Christ’s Pearl

GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight

GOD’S CHILD: Like A Tree

            Christian Growth Series

GOD’S DESIRE: How to Finish Strong

GOD’S LIGHT: How to Respond

CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How to Finish Strong

            Christian Theology Series

CHRIST’S BLOOD: 7+ Amazing Benefits

PRIDE: Good and Bad

TEMPTATION: 50+ Tips

            Bible Character Series

SAMSON: Spirit-Controlled to Self-Centered

            Missions

JIM ELLIOT: Recorded Messages 

 

* * * * *

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Contrast: Child of, 10of10

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~ A Child that Will Die or a Child to Be Resurrected ~

 

Series Comment ~ A person can be a child of their mother, but also a child of their father.  They may also have adopted parents.  They may also be a child of incest or a child of other “parents” – in this series we look at Biblical descriptions of various “parents.”

 

Scripture 1 ~ “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many…” (Hebrews 9:27).

 

Scripture 2 ~ “…To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (Hebrews 9:28).

 

“Jesus answered and said to them, ‘The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage.  But those who are counted worthy to attain that age, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage; nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection’” (Luke 20:34-36)

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW 

 

Free Books ~ Right now you can obtain any, or all, of my eBooks for FREE (epub). Only at https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=robert+lloyd+russell 

Choose From:

Christian Concepts Series

GOD’S CHURCH: Christ’s Pearl

GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight

GOD’S CHILD: Like A Tree

            Christian Growth Series

GOD’S DESIRE: How to Finish Strong

GOD’S LIGHT: How to Respond

CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How to Finish Strong

            Christian Theology Series

CHRIST’S BLOOD: 7+ Amazing Benefits

PRIDE: Good and Bad

TEMPTATION: 50+ Tips

            Bible Character Series

SAMSON: Spirit-Controlled to Self-Centered

            Missions

JIM ELLIOT: Recorded Messages 

 

*****


Wednesday, July 26, 2023

God Attribute, 78

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~ Omniscient ~

 

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

 

Introduction  ~  Omniscience is the theological term for God who is all knowing.

 

Scripture  ~  “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor? Or who has first given to Him

and it shall be repaid to him? For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:33-36).

 

“Woe to those who seek deep to hide their counsel far from the Lord, and their works are in the dark; they say, ‘Who sees us?’ and, ‘Who knows us?’ Surely you have things turned around! Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay; for shall the thing made say of him who made it, ‘He did not make me?’ Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it, ‘He has no understanding’?” (Isaiah 29:15-16).

 

“Remember this, and show yourselves men; recall to mind, O you transgressors. Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure’” (Isaiah 46:8-10).

 

Comment  ~  The author has written an eBook about the many of the attributes of God entitled: “GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight” ISBN: 978-1393359371, ASIN: B083L97PZV.

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

Free Books ~ Right now you can obtain any, or all, of my eBooks for FREE (epub). Only at https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=robert+lloyd+russell 

Choose From:

Christian Concepts Series

GOD’S CHURCH: Christ’s Pearl

GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight

GOD’S CHILD: Like A Tree

            Christian Growth Series

GOD’S DESIRE: How to Finish Strong

GOD’S LIGHT: How to Respond

CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How to Finish Strong

            Christian Theology Series

CHRIST’S BLOOD: 7+ Amazing Benefits

PRIDE: Good and Bad

TEMPTATION: 50+ Tips

            Bible Character Series

SAMSON: Spirit-Controlled to Self-Centered

            Missions

JIM ELLIOT: Recorded Messages 

 

* * * * *

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Why Trust God? 58

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~ God Restores Bountifully ~

 

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  ~  “Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys.  He also had seven sons and three daughters.  And he called the name of the first Jemimah, the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-Happuch.  In all the land were found no women so beautiful as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers.  After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations.  So Job died, old and full of days” (Job 42:12-17).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

Free Books ~ Right now you can obtain any, or all, of my eBooks for FREE (epub). Only at https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=robert+lloyd+russell 

Choose From:

Christian Concepts Series

GOD’S CHURCH: Christ’s Pearl

GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight

GOD’S CHILD: Like A Tree

            Christian Growth Series

GOD’S DESIRE: How to Finish Strong

GOD’S LIGHT: How to Respond

CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How to Finish Strong

            Christian Theology Series

CHRIST’S BLOOD: 7+ Amazing Benefits

PRIDE: Good and Bad

TEMPTATION: 50+ Tips

            Bible Character Series

SAMSON: Spirit-Controlled to Self-Centered

            Missions

JIM ELLIOT: Recorded Messages 

 

***** 

Monday, July 24, 2023

7 Aspects of Christian Service

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~ How’s Your Christian Service? ~

 

The Commission  ~  “Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20).  And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’  And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’  And let him who thirsts come.  Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).

 

The Condition  ~  “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).

 

The Motive  ~  For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died” (2 Corinthians 5:14).  And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey?” (Hebrews 3:18).

 

The Resources  ~  Jesus said, “Take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.  For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.  And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness.  There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:28-30).

 

The Preparation  ~  “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

 

The Power  ~  “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5).  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

 

The Spirit  ~  “Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.  He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalm 126:5-6).

 

additional note:  For those interested in looking deeper at the subject of Christian Service the ALN Index in the left column lists a 5-part post in May of 2014.

 

sidebar: This is the 100th ALN post of 7 things.

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

Free Books ~ Right now you can obtain any, or all, of my eBooks for FREE (epub). Only at https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=robert+lloyd+russell 

Choose From:

Christian Concepts Series

GOD’S CHURCH: Christ’s Pearl

GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight

GOD’S CHILD: Like A Tree

            Christian Growth Series

GOD’S DESIRE: How to Finish Strong

GOD’S LIGHT: How to Respond

CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How to Finish Strong

            Christian Theology Series

CHRIST’S BLOOD: 7+ Amazing Benefits

PRIDE: Good and Bad

TEMPTATION: 50+ Tips

            Bible Character Series

SAMSON: Spirit-Controlled to Self-Centered

            Missions

JIM ELLIOT: Recorded Messages 

 

* * * * *