Something To Consider

~ A Reversal ~

 

|||* BOOKS EXTRAVAGANZA: See Below *|||

 

*****

A thousand times in history a baby has become a king to rule a nation. 

 

Only one time has a King become a Baby so save ALL nations.” 

 

*****

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

AWARD-WINNING CHRISTIAN NON-FICTION

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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

PETER: Failure to Faith

 

                     Missions

JIM ELLIOT: Recorded Messages 

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Resurrection Sunday

~ The Central Point ~

 

Easter is the central pivot of three historically great events!

 

Christmas (God with us) ~ “‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us’” (Matthew 1:23).

 

Easter (God for us) ~ Jesus said, “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.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

 

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.  But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God” (John 3:14-21).

 

Pentecost (God in us) ~ Jesus said, "If you love Me, keep My commandments.  And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.  I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.  A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me.  Because I live, you will live also” (John 14:15-19).

 

“But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you.  Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.  And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.  But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” (Romans 8:9-11).

 

Questions ~ Do you understand the extreme importance of these three events?  If so, what have you done about it?  Do you know without a doubt where you will spend eternity?

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

The Total Story…

 ~ Four Cs Summarize It ~

 

CHRISTMAS  ~  Almost everyone knows “The Christmas Story” but not many fully understand “the rest of the story.”  It can be summarized with four C words.

 

He Created  ~  The historical account of creation. 

 

“We look at this Son [of God – Jesus Christ] and see the God who cannot be seen.  We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created.  For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels — everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.  He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment.  And when it comes to the church, He organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body” (Colossians 1:15-18a msg).

 

He Came  ~  The historical account of the birth of Jesus Christ – the first Christmas.

 

“Watch for this — a virgin will get pregnant and bear a Son; they will name Him Emmanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”).

 

“About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire.  This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria.  Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for.  So, Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census.  As a descendant of David, he had to go there.  He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.

 

“While they were there, the time came for her to give birth.  Mary gave birth to a Son, her firstborn.  She wrapped Him in a blanket and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel” (Matthew 1:23 & Luke 2:1-7 msg).

 

He Conquered  ~  The historical Cross of Calvary account.

 

“When they crucified Him, the Roman soldiers took His clothes and divided them up four ways, to each soldier a fourth.  But His robe was seamless, a single piece of weaving, so they said to each other, “Let's not tear it up.  Let’s throw dice to see who gets it.”  This confirmed the Scripture that said, “They divided up My clothes among them and threw dice for My coat.”  [Note that the soldiers validated the Scriptures!]

 

“While the soldiers were looking after themselves, Jesus’ mother, His aunt, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene stood at the foot of the Cross.  Jesus saw His mother and the disciple He loved standing near her.  He said to His mother, ‘Woman, here is your Son.’  Then to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’  From that moment the disciple accepted her as his own mother.

 

“Jesus, seeing that everything had been completed so that the Scripture record might also be complete, then said, ‘I’m thirsty.’

 

“A jug of sour wine was standing by.  Someone put a sponge soaked with the wine on a javelin and lifted it to His mouth.  After He took the wine, Jesus said, ‘It’s done…  complete.’  Bowing His head, He offered up His spirit” (John 19:23-30 msg). 

 

He’s Coming  ~  The most important promised conclusion to the end of human history. This is the critically important “rest of the story! – the climax of human life on earth as we know it.”

 

“Jesus said, ‘Don't let this throw you.  You trust God, don’t you?  Trust Me.  There is plenty of room for you in My Father’s home.  If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you?  And if I’m on My way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live.’

 

“Jesus also said, ‘For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works’” (John 14:1-3 msg & Matthew 16:26-27 nkjv).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

The REAL “Reason for the Season”

 ~ What If Jesus is NOT the “Reason for the Season”? ~

 

Introduction  ~  It has been common for well-meaning individuals to proudly proclaim that “Jesus is the Reason” for Christmas.

 

Comments  ~  (1) This is a well-meant statement and is often used as part of an effort to bring Christ back into the CHRISTmas season.  (2) Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.  (3) Is the Christian view of Christ’s birth mainly about the birth of a baby in Bethlehem over two millennium ago?

 

An Alternative View  ~  Consider the reason Jesus Christ was born on that first Christmas day. 

 

Scripture  ~  Jesus, Himself, said, “For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost” (Matthew 18:11).

 

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder.  And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).   

 

“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). 

 

Conclusions  ~  We are the reason for the birth of Christ and therefore the “reason for the season.”

 

The point of the season is not His birth but that we can have rebirth!

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

Santa Claus vs. Jesus Christ, 4

 ~ Consider Critical Differences ~

Location  ~  santa claus lives at the North Pole. 

Jesus Christ is omnipresent (everywhere at once).  “‘Am I a God near at hand,’ says the Lord, ‘And not a God afar off?  Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall not see him?’ says the Lord; ‘Do I not fill heaven and earth?’ says the Lord” (Jeremiah 23:23-24).

Physical Characteristics  ~  santa claus has “a bowl full of jelly.” 

Jesus Christ has a heart full of love.   “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us.  God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16).

Availability  ~  santa claus is only available once a year. 

Jesus Christ is always available and willing to help.  “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).  “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b).

Access  ~  santa claus enters your home through your chimney. 

Jesus Christ is at the door to His Kingdom waiting for your acceptance of His invitation.  “Then Jesus said to them again, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep…  I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture…  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:7, 9, 10b).

Timeliness  ~  santa claus requires you to wait in a line to see him. 

Jesus Christ is instantly available for those who call upon His name.  “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.  I will be found by you, says the Lord” (Jeremiah 29:12-14b)

Interaction  ~  santa claus allows you to sit on his lap. 

Jesus Christ carries you, allows you to rest in His arms, and shelters you.  Jesus said, “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?  And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing” (Luke 15:4-6).  “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deuteronomy 33:27a).   “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).

Intimacy  ~  santa claus asks, “And what is your name?”  

Jesus Christ knew your name before you were born.  “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5).

Jesus Christ knows all about you—every detail—even how many hairs are on your head.  Jesus said, “The very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Do not fear therefore” (Luke 12:7a).

Instructions  ~  santa claus warns, “You better not cry.” 

Jesus Christ asks you to give him all your cares.  “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).

Movement  ~  santa claus rides on a sleigh. 

Jesus Christ walks on water.  “…the disciples saw Him walking on the sea… those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God’” (Matthew 14:26, 33).

Supplies  ~  santa claus fills your stockings with presents and goodies.

 Jesus Christ supplies all your needs.  “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).  Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b)

Builds  ~  santa claus requires many little helpers to make gifts. 

Jesus Christ personally mends broken homes, wounded hearts, and gives an entirely new life.  He is also preparing mansions for us.  Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29).  And, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1-4).

Offers  ~  santa claus says, “Ho, Ho, Ho.” 

Jesus Christ is “Holy, Holy, Holy!” (Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 4:8). 

Gifts  ~  santa claus puts gifts under your Christmas tree. 

Jesus Christ gave us the gift of salvation by dying on a tree.  Jesus said, “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.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:14-17).

santa claus is jolly and chuckles. 

Jesus Christ provides a true inner joy which becomes your strength.  “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10b).

Real vs. Fiction  ~  The most important difference of all!  Have you ever heard of any wide-spread anti santa claus groups.  The reason they don’t exist is they know those are fictional characters.  On the other hand, Jesus Christ is attacked because He is real—and to admit He is real has consequences!

additional note  ~  If you appreciated this post you might like previous posts entitled “Santa Claus vs. Jesus Christ” (December 24, 2015), “Santa Claus vs. Jesus Christ, 2” (December 25, 2016), and “Santa Claus vs. Jesus Christ, 3” (December 24, 2017).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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