God Attribute, 105

~ God Is Self-Existent ~

 

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

 

Introduction  ~  God has life in Himself and depends on no one or anything.

 

Scripture  ~ “For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself” (John 5:26).

 

“Then Moses said to God, ‘Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, “The God of your fathers has sent me to you,” and they say to me, “What is His name?” what shall I say to them?’ And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you.’’” (Exodus 3:13-15).

 

Comments  ~  1.) Without getting too technical is sufficient to say that the meaning of the Great “I AM’ in the original language makes it clear that God is self-existing.

 

2. Jesus Christ clarifies how He, the Son of God, is the Great “I AM” in a number of explicit statements in the Gospel of John. 

 

Quote  ~  [Chapter] 14  True Perpetual Motion: Self-Existent

 

“Like many people, I enjoy good food. I especially like to go out to a fine restaurant with my wife or with friends and enjoy a time of fellowship around the table. Have you ever considered how different our lives would be if we did not have to eat? But eat we must! But why do we eat?

 

“Our bodies derive necessary energy for survival from the food that we eat. Horses eat their hay and their oats. We put gasoline into our cars to provide the energy to propel us down our highways. We live in an energy-conscious age and are becoming increasingly more sensitive to the amount of energy we use and the way in which we use it.

 

“The universe runs on energy. The great ocean liner the Queen Mary propelled itself thirteen feet forward for each gallon of fuel consumed; and maybe for a ship that weighed in excess of eighty thousand tons and pushed a depth of thirty-nine feet of water aside at a speed of 30 knots, that’s not too bad. But thirteen feet per gallon is over 400 gallons per mile.

 

“The first space shuttle, Columbia, consumed approximately eight tons of fuel per second during lift-off. This is approximately equivalent to the fuel consumed by 25 fully loaded 747 jumbo jets. We live in an age of energy consumption, and we have been told there is an energy crisis.

 

“We have seen previously that the sun is giving off vast quantities of energy. But we must be careful to note that because of the vast size of our star, it is for practical purposes remaining unchanged, that is, it does not require constant refueling. “We may say that each square inch of the sun’s surface is only losing about a twentieth of an ounce a century.”

 

“Compared to man’s frame of reference and time scales, the sun, our source of physical light, is self-existing. It has no need of external refueling.

 

“While we live in an energy-conscious age, we are also great consumers of energy. Provision of suitable sources of energy is becoming a worldwide concern. The sun, the ultimate supplier of all our energy, is giving off vast quantities of energy. Even so, by any human time standard, the sun is in no need of refueling.

 

“The amount of energy being given off by the sun is of little consequence because of its enormous size. The sun is perhaps changing slower than anything else that we can possibly observe. Even though the sun is giving off vast amounts of energy, it will take a period of about two billion years for it to lose one seven-thousandth of its total matter. “The lifetime of a human being is measured in decades; the lifetime of the sun is a hundred million times longer.”

 

“For all practical purposes the sun symbolizes true perpetual motion.

In a universe where everything is dependent upon something else in order to exist, the sun is the most self-existent object that could be used for analogy to a self-existent God. (The theological term is “aseity.”)

 

“When we contemplate the majesty and uniqueness of the self-existent God, it should humble us. He has given us a written record, the Holy Bible, so that we may learn of Him. John in three words, “God is light,” provides us a profound image of the self-existent God of the cosmos.

 

“Sunlight / Sonlight

 

“Sunlight exists without the need for care, maintenance, or refueling.

“Sonlight is self-existing without the need of any outside resources.

 

—From the book “GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight” (eBook ISBN: 978-1393359371, ASIN: B083L97PZV ~ print book ISBN: 979-8223228738)

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Why Trust God? 78

~ God’s People Win In The End ~

 

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  ~  “‘But on Mount Zion there shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.  The house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame; but the house of Esau shall be stubble; they shall kindle them and devour them, and no survivor shall remain of the house of Esau,’ for the Lord has spoken.

 

“The South shall possess the mountains of Esau, and the Lowland shall possess Philistia.  They shall possess the fields of Ephraim and the fields of Samaria.  Benjamin shall possess Gilead.  And the captives of this host of the children of Israel shall possess the land of the Canaanites as far as Zarephath.  The captives of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad shall possess the cities of the South.  Then saviors shall come to Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s” (Obadiah 17-21).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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The Christian Walk, 10

~ Walk According To His Commandments ~

 

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  ~ “This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it” (2 John 6).

 

Comment  ~  This is the second of two posts that relate directly to God our Father.

 

Comment  ~  This is the last of four sequential posts that refer to Christ’s life on earth as our example of how to live our lives. 

 

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… , 52

~ In Jesus We Have Eternal Life, 17 ~

 

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 ~ “Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:20-21).

 

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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Promise of God, 4

~ God Will Help You ~

 

This Series ~ God has made many promises to His people. This series of posts looks at some (100) of the many attributes of God.  It is not an exhaustive list.

 

Key Factor ~ God not only makes promises to His people but He also keeps all of His promises.

 

Scripture ~ “Behold, all those who were incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced; they shall be as nothing, and those who strive with you shall perish. You shall seek them and not find them — those who contended with you. Those who war against you shall be as nothing, as a nonexistent thing. For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you’” (Isaiah 41:11-13).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Fool Characteristics, 44

~ Arguing With A Fool Provides No Peace ~

 

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  ~  “If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace” (Proverbs 29:9).

 

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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Stewardship, 3of5

~ 7 Key Resources of Godly Stewardship ~

 

The Commission  ~  “And 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).

 

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 Responsibility  ~  “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 Motivation  ~  “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

 

The Attitude  ~  “Those who sow in tears [somberness] 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).   

 

The Power  ~  “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:5-6). “ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).   

 

The Rewards  ~  “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.  So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.  So 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’” (Matthew 25:26-29).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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God Attribute, 105

~ God Sees ~

 

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

 

Scripture  ~  “Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, ‘You are a God who sees;’ for she said, ‘Have I even remained alive here after seeing Him?’ Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered” (Genesis 16:13-14 nasu).

 

“So she called the name of the Lord Who spoke to her, You are a God of seeing, for she said, Have I [not] even here [in the wilderness] looked upon Him Who sees me [and lived]? Or have I here also seen [the future purposes or designs of] Him Who sees me? Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai- roi [A well to the Living One Who sees me]” (Genesis 16:13-14 amp).

 

“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3).

 

“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him” (2 Chronicles 16:9 nlt).

 

“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” (Hebrews 4:12-13).

 

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight” (Hebrews 4:13a niv)

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Why Trust God? 77

 ~ God Brings Judgment To His People’s Enemies ~

 

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  ~  “The words of Amos, who was among the sheep breeders of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.  And he said: ‘The Lord roars from Zion, and utters His voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the top of Carmel withers.’

 

“Thus says the Lord: ‘For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they have threshed Gilead with implements of iron.  But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, which shall devour the palaces of Ben-Hadad.  I will also break the gate bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitant from the Valley of Aven, and the one who holds the scepter from Beth Eden.  The people of Syria shall go captive to Kir,’ Says the Lord.

 

“Thus says the Lord: ‘For three transgressions of Gaza, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they took captive the whole captivity to deliver them up to Edom.  But I will send a fire upon the wall of Gaza, which shall devour its palaces.  I will cut off the inhabitant from Ashdod, and the one who holds the scepter from Ashkelon; I will turn My hand against Ekron, and the remnant of the Philistines shall perish,’ Says the Lord God.

 

“Thus says the Lord: ‘For three transgressions of Tyre, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and did not remember the covenant of brotherhood.  But I will send a fire upon the wall of Tyre, which shall devour its palaces.’

 

“Thus says the Lord: ‘For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because he pursued his brother with the sword, and cast off all pity; his anger tore perpetually, and he kept his wrath forever.  But I will send a fire upon Teman, which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah.’

 

“Thus says the Lord: ‘For three transgressions of the people of Ammon, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment, because they ripped open the women with child in Gilead, that they might enlarge their territory.  But I will kindle a fire in the wall of Rabbah, and it shall devour its palaces, amid shouting in the day of battle, and a tempest in the day of the whirlwind.  Their king shall go into captivity, he and his princes together,’ Says the Lord” (Amos 1:1-15).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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The Christian Walk, 9

~ Walk Pleasing God ~

 

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  ~ “Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:1-2).

 

Comment  ~  This is the first of two posts that relate directly to God our Father.

 

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… , 51

~ In Jesus We Have Eternal Life, 16 ~

 

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 ~ “But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who ‘will render to each one according to his deeds:’ eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness — indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God” (Romans 2:5-11).

 

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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Promise of God, 3

~ God Renews Your Strength ~

 

This Series ~ God has made many promises to His people. This series of posts looks at some (100) of the many attributes of God.  It is not an exhaustive list.

 

Key Factor ~ God not only makes promises to His people but He also keeps all of His promises.

 

Scripture ~ “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:29-31).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Fool Characteristics, 43

~ “Follow Your Heart” Is A Way Of Fools ~

 

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  ~  “He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, but he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.  He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered” (Proverbs 28:25-26).

 

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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Stewardship, 2of5

~ 4 Key Aspects of Godly Stewardship ~

 

A Steward of God (a high honor)  ~  “For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict” (Titus 1:7-9).

 

A Good Steward (a great trust)  ~  “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.  As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:9-10).

 

A Faithful Steward (a noble aim)  ~  “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.  Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).  

 

A Wise Steward (a discerning mind)  ~  “And the Lord said, ‘Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?  Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes’” (Luke 12:42-43).

 

Warning:  Do not be a dishonoring steward of God!

 

An Unjust Steward (a selfish motive)  ~  “He also said to His disciples: ‘There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.  So he called him and said to him, “What is this I hear about you?  Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward”’” (Luke 16:1-2).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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God Attribute, 103

~ God Is Savior ~

 

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

 

       S.A.V.I.O.R.

 

Sent from above

 

All to claim

 

Valiant warrior

 

In humbleness came

 

Oh, Prince of Peace

 

Redeeming through Your Name. 

 

(original source is unknown)

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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