Newness In Christ, 5

~ As Believers We Have New Orders ~

 

Scripture  ~  “So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him.  If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately.  Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer.  You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, “Where I am going, you cannot come,” so now I say to you.  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:31-35).

 

“Jesus said to him, ‘“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets’” (Matthew 22:37-40).

 

Comment  ~  Such easy concepts to grasp, but difficult to consistently carry out.  It is our God given marching orders – we are responsible to carry out these two commands.

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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God Attribute, 96

~ God Is Relational ~

 

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

 

Introduction  ~  This is one of the most important of God’s attributes. He wants a personal relationship with you. Christianity is not a religion but a relationship with God Himself.

 

Scripture  ~  “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8a).

 

“So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (Exodus 33:11a).

 

“Then He said, ‘I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion’” (Exodus 33:19)

 

“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, 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” (Hebrews 10:19-22).

 

Fellowship  ~  The Christian can, and should, have fellowship with all three members of the Triune God.

 

Fellowship with the Holy Spirit? (Philippians 2:1; 2 Corinthians 13:14)

Fellowship with Jesus Christ? (1 John 1:3; Philippians 3:10)

Fellowship with God the Father? (1 John 1:3)

 

Comment  ~  Thomas Jay Oord has listed a variety of verses (not an exhaustive list) which show God is relational:

·         God “sees” that the created world and in which creatures “bring forth” creatures is a “good” world, even saying some are “very good” (Genesis 1).

·         God first considers the animals as possible companions for Adam but finds them unsuitable. So God decides to create another human (Genesis 2).

·         The Lord “regrets” that he made humans, and “his heart was deeply troubled” (Genesis 6:6).

·         God “hears” the cries of Israel and is “concerned about their suffering” (Exodus 3:7).

·         God “hears the groaning of the sons of Israel” and remembers the covenant (Exodus 6:5).

·         God self-identifies as a “jealous God” and “unswervingly loyal” (Exodus 20:5, 6).

·         God encounters “a stiff-necked people,” has anger that “burns,” but “relents” and does not bring disaster (Exodus 32:9-14).

·         Being “a compassionate God,” God will “not forget the covenant with your fathers” (Deuteronomy 4:31).

·         The Lord foretells Hezekiah’s imminent death; Hezekiah prays and asks for more time; the Lord responds by adding years to Hezekiah’s life (2 Kings 20:1-7).

·         God “remembers his covenant” and “relents according to the greatness of his lovingkindness” (Psalm 106:45).

·         “My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, and my covenant of peace will not be shaken,” says the Lord of compassion (Isaiah 54:10).

·         God feels sorrow about the disaster brought on Judah (Jeremiah 42:10).

·         God is “jealous” and “takes pity” on the people (Joel 2:18).

·         God “has compassion” for Israel (Hosea 11:8-9).

·         God takes “great delight” and “rejoices” (Zephaniah 3:17).

·         God gets “extremely angry” when the nations make disasters worse (Zechariah 1:15).

·         Mary says God helps “in remembrance of His mercy” (Luke 1:54).

·         The apostle Paul warns his readers: “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God” (Ephesians 4:30), which implies that creaturely action can sadden God.

·         James says, “The Lord is full of compassion and is merciful” (Ephesians 5:11).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Why Trust God? 71

~ We Can Have A Personal Relationship With Him ~

 

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  ~  “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah — not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord.  But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.  No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord.  For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more” (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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The Christian Walk, 3

 ~ Walk In Christ ~

 

Series Introduction  ~  The New Testament has much to say about how a believer should live their life.  Christians should never have to guess about the life that pleases God.  In this series we look at a variety of passages that speak about the Christian walk on earth. 

 

Scripture  ~ “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6-7).

 

Comment  ~  In our last post in this series we are instructed to walk with God our Heavenly Father—the first member of the Trinity.  In this Scripture we are to walk with Jesus Christ, our Savior—the second member of the Trinity. 

 

Quote  ~  “To walk with someone means you are aware of their presence.  And this is true with God.  If you’re to walk with Him, you must be continually aware of His presence.” —Kay Smith {Pleasing God)

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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In Jesus We Have… , 44

~ In Jesus We Have Eternal Life, 9 ~

 

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).

 

Currently we are posting some of the many verses which talk about eternal life?

 

What is your definition of “eternal”?

 

Scripture ~ “Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, “There are still four months and then comes the harvest?” Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!  And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: “One sows and another reaps.” I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors” (John 4:34-38).

 

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.

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Satan in Matthew 4, 7of9

~ Satan Shows ~

 

Series Note:  Matthew 4 is a well-known chapter which gives an account of Satan tempting Jesus Christ in the wilderness.  There has been a lot written and discussed regarding these three temptations (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life). 

 

While the study of Matthew 4 is a rich study regarding our Savior Jesus Christ it also allows us to have insight into some of Satan’s abilities and actions.  This series contains nine examples which make it clear that Satan is a real personality. 

 

Scripture ~ “Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.  And he said to Him, ‘All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me’ (Matthew 4:8-9).

 

Comment ~ Think of Satan as the first to use “show and tell.” 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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Fool Characteristics, 35

~ Don’t Trust A Fool ~

 

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. 

 

Chapter Note  ~  Eleven of the first twelve verses of Proverbs 26 contain a comment about fools (only verse 2 does not).

 

Scripture  ~  “He who sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence” (Proverbs 26:6).

 

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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Thanksgiving, 2023

~ “The Prince of Preachers” Reminds Us… ~

 

“The offering of the heart is better than the gift from the purse. The praise and thanksgiving that come out of the very soul, these God will accept.”

 

—Charles Spurgeon, (commentary on Psalm 50)

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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God Attribute, 95

~ God Is A Refuge ~

 

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

 

Introduction  ~  Those who know God have a 24/7 refuge.

 

Scripture  ~  “The Lord is their strength, and He is the saving refuge of His anointed” (Psalm 28:8).

 

“The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You” (Psalm 9:9-10).

 

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, and will say, ‘Destroy’!” (Deuteronomy 33:27).

 

“The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge” (Psalm 46:11).

 

“In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God” (Psalm 62:7 and 11).

 

“The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies” (2 Samuel 22:3-4).

 

“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by” (Psalm 57:1).

 

“O Lord, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in the day of affliction” (Jeremiah 16:19a).

 

“Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us” (Hebrews 6:17-18).

 

Questions  ~  Is God your refuge? If not, why not go to Him today?

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

Why Trust God? 70

~ God Prophesies Accurately ~

 

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  ~  “‘Comfort, yes, comfort My people!’ says your God.  ‘Speak comfort to Jerusalem, and cry out to her, that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned; for she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.’

 

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.  Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low; the crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth; the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken’” (Isaiah 40:1-5).

 

Comment  ~  The Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah have come true.

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

The Christian Walk, 2

~ Walk With God The Father ~

 

Series Introduction  ~  The New Testament has much to say about how a believer should live their life.  Christians should never have to guess about the life that pleases God.  In this series we look at a variety of passages that speak about the Christian walk on earth. 

 

Scripture  ~  “For you are the temple of the living God.  As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them.  I will be their God, and they shall be My people” (2 Corinthians 6:16b).

 

Additional Scripture  ~ “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

 

Comment  ~  We are to walk with God our Heavenly Father—the first member of the Trinity.

 

Quote  ~  “To walk with someone means you are aware of their presence.  And this is true with God.  If you’re to walk with Him, you must be continually aware of His presence.” —Kay Smith {Pleasing God)

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

In Jesus We Have… , 43

~ In Jesus We Have Eternal Life, 8 ~ 

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).

 

Currently we are posting some of the many verses which talk about eternal life?

 

What is your definition of “eternal”?

 

Scripture ~ “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 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 3:14-17).

 

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.

 

Satan in Matthew 4, 6of9

~ Satan Sows Doubts ~

 

Series Note:  Matthew 4 is a well-known chapter which gives an account of Satan tempting Jesus Christ in the wilderness.  There has been a lot written and discussed regarding these three temptations (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life). 

 

While the study of Matthew 4 is a rich study regarding our Savior Jesus Christ it also allows us to have insight into some of Satan’s abilities and actions.  This series contains nine examples which make it clear that Satan is a real personality. 

 

Scripture ~ “Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread’” (Matthew 4:3).

 

“Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down.  For it is written: “He shall give His angels charge over you,” and, “In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone”’” (Matthew 4:5-6).

 

Comment ~ Remember this has been a key tactic of Satan since the Garden of Eden where we read “Has God really said?” (Genesis3:1).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

Fool Characteristics, 34

~ Be Careful How You Answer A Fool ~

 

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. 

 

Chapter Note  ~  Eleven of the first twelve verses of Proverbs 26 contain a comment about fools (only verse 2 does not).

 

Scripture  ~  “Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes” (Proverbs 26:5).

 

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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