EXTRA: 3 Great Christmas Gift Suggestions

~ Everyone Appreciates a Great Book ~

Here are three great book suggestions for three kinds of people.

(1) For those who enjoy a truly inspiring book, consider…
ONE PRECIOUS PEARL: God’s Design for His Church (ISBN: 9780741462329)
This ground-breaking book provides a clear interpretation of a misunderstood and rarely taught New Testament parable. Fascinating analogies teach profound truth in simple language. Written in short easily digestible segments, it is ideal reading for the person on the go. After reading this book, the reader will never look at a pearl or the church in quite the same way.

Early reviewers say: “…content is superior throughout… I have learned a great deal about the concept of a pearl and have appreciated more the concept of the Church as the Pearl of Christ.” (Ronald Barclay Allen, Senior Professor of Bible Exposition, Dallas Theological Seminary) ~ “I will never think of a pearl in the same light again. I absolutely love the way you have drawn a parallel between the pearl and the Church. This is inspired!” (Elizabeth Hightower, Women’s Ministries Leader, Laurelwood Baptist Church) ~ “We have been Christians for over 40 years, but never have been so enlightened and enriched as we have been by the in-depth study of the One Precious Pearl. You have given us new meaning and insight.” (Jerry & Maureen Shoop, retired Senior Pastor)

Just released November 12, 2010.
Currently available from Infinity Publishing (soon available at Amazon and other online sites).

(2) For those who want to increase their intimacy with God or to be more confident in decision-making, consider…
THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH: Understanding God’s Will for You (ISBN: 9781606474303)
For more information check out the TWBDOE tab at the top. The latest independent review of this book is by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. Check it out here.

(3) For those who have an interest in Church history or Christian missions, consider…
JIM ELLIOT: A Christian Martyr Speaks to You (ISBN: 9781615797646)
For more information check out the JE tab at the top.

Everyday Christian Life

~ Quick Check: How Are You Doing? ~

The “normal” Christian life—life as God wants it—includes a number of everyday activities. Unfortunately the “average” Christian life falls short of God’s desire for us. Here are a few of the daily activities of a normal Christian.

Daily reading of the Word of God ~ “Ezra read from God’s Word daily, from the first day to the last day” (Nehemiah 8:18). ~ Are you growing daily in your knowledge of God because of a regular pattern of being in God’s Word?

Constant prayer to the Lord about everything ~ “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere” (1 Timothy 2:8). “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). ~ Are you in continual prayer?

Constant praising of the Lord ~ “There will be constant praise for Him. His people will bless Him all day long” (Psalm 72:15). ~ Are you in a constant worshipful attitude? Are you continually aware of all the blessings God sends your way?

Daily exhortation of one another ~ “Exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13). ~ Do you regularly go out of your way to seek opportunities to encourage another Christian? Are you mentally and emotionally helpful to your brothers and sisters in Christ?

Daily cross to bear ~ “Then Jesus said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels’” (Luke 9:23-26). ~ Is it your habit to put God’s will ahead of your own will?

Daily renewal of our spirituality ~ “We do not become discouraged—utterly spiritless, exhausted, and wearied out through fear. Though our outer man is progressively decaying and wasting away, yet our inner self is being progressively renewed day after day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). ~ Did you grow in your spiritual strength yesterday? Are you today? Will you tomorrow? Essential parts of the solution to spiritual growth are the regular activities listed above.

CONTEMPLATE: How are you doing in your Christian life? Would God evaluate your progress the same way? If you were on trial for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you?

EXTRA: The Little Old Lady From Pasadena

~ Guest Blog from Greg Laurie ~

The Bible tells us that, one day, all Christians will stand before the judgment seat of Jesus Christ. Don't let that frighten you, because this particular judgment happens in heaven, which means you made it!

The Bible says, "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad" (2 Corinthians 5:10 NKJV).

It will be about how you lived your life and what you did with your time and resources.

Perhaps we can better understand this judgment if we compare it to an awards ceremony like the Oscars, Emmys, or Grammys. Rewards will be given out for faithfulness on this day.

We may expect that the great saints whom God has used over the years will reap all the awards—people like Corrie ten Boom, Jim Elliot, and Billy Graham.

But we may be surprised by the rewards won by "the little old lady from Pasadena!"

Yes, there really was one, and her name was Pearle Goode. When Billy was doing his crusade in Pasadena, he attributed the success of these events, going back 56 years, to prayer.

If the Graham team had anything close to a personal intercessor, it was Pearle Goode of Pasadena. For many years, she prayed in secret for Graham until he heard about her and made provision for her to attend his crusades so she could pray on-site.

Goode lived to be 90. At her funeral, Billy's wife, Ruth, paid her this tribute: "Here lie the mortal remains of much of the secret of Bill's ministry."

Pearle Goode wasn't a preacher, missionary, or author. She didn't have a hit song on Christian radio. But Pearle did her part, just as surely as Billy Graham did his.

While Billy was out preaching, Pearle was praying. While Billy was doing his part, Pearle was doing hers.

Don't worry about what God has called someone else to do. What has He called you to do?

We all have a part to play in getting the gospel out. Make sure you do yours.

Used by permission from Harvest Ministries with Greg Laurie, PO Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514

How To Pray

~ Prayer Principles – Philippians 4 ~

Packed into six short verses of Philippians 4:4-9 we find Six Attitudes of Prayer.

Rejoicing ~ “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (4:4). In prayer we should always be rejoicing. We do this by focusing on our Father rather than our problems. It is a great practice to start prayer by focusing on God, His love, and His attributes. “Rejoice always … for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

Humility ~ “Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand” (4:5). The very act of prayer should be a humbling experience. By focusing on God we realize how inept we are and that we have no right to approach the Father—except by the blood of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Expecting ~ “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (4:6). Anxiety has no place in prayer—expect God to do what is best in your long range interest. “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28-29).

Quietness ~ “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (4:7). Focus your thoughts not only on God the Father but also on His Son Jesus Christ. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus … He humbled Himself … and became obedient ” (Philippians 2:5-8).

Realism ~ “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things” (4:8). As you pray, try to see things as they are, not as you perceive them to be. Never assume motivations for others. Remember that you are not as bad, nor as good, as some people tell you. “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (Romans 11:29).

Application ~ “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you” (4:9). Just do it! Feelings follow actions. Do what you know to be the will of God for you while waiting for any further specific instructions. “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:17).

ADDITIONAL COMMENT: The book Thy Will Be Done On Earth (see the TWBDOE tab at the top of the page) contains an informative chapter on prayer from a different perspective including God’s four answers to prayer.

Shepherds – Types of Christ

~ 5 Old Testament Shepherds ~

A Biblical “type” is like a word picture. It is a “foreshadowing” or image of something which is yet to come (Colossians 2:17). There are a number of shepherds in the Old Testament which the Holy Spirit uses as types of the coming Good Shepherd. Here are five examples:

Abel was a sacrificing shepherd, who gave his life and shed his blood at the hands of his own brother. Abel was rejected by his brother and put to death. This resulted in his brother Cain being banished from the land and becoming a wanderer. But God in grace supernaturally preserved him against his enemies. In the rejection of Abel, we see a type of the Lord Jesus. His death was also at the hands of His brethren, who were then scattered around the earth, but God has preserved them for centuries.

Jacob was a toiling shepherd, who left his father’s house to dwell in a distant land. He fled from the wrath of his brother. Because of the hated of his brother, he was driven into exile where he married and then returned to claim his possession.

Joseph was an exalted shepherd, who was rejected by his brethren – yet he became the savior of men. His brethren thought they had killed him. He was exiled to a distant land where he was exalted to the throne. There he obtained a bride, and later he returned to redeem his brethren who had sold him.

Moses was a delivering shepherd. He also was rejected the first time by his brethren, banished into a distant land where he found a Gentile bride before returning and being accepted by his own at his second coming.

David was a royal shepherd who reigned. David was anointed king, but rejected by his own. He was forced to flee into the land of the Philistines, where he received a Gentile bride. He returned after the death of Saul, to be accepted and acclaimed by his own nation.

In each of these Old Testament personalities we plainly see the record of the One who was rejected by His own the first time He came. While in rejection Jesus Christ is assembling His Gentile bride (the Church). When the Church (universal) is complete, He will return and be accepted by His own people (Israel), and He will set up the glorious millennial Kingdom.

EXTRA: 1-Year Feedback

~ A Big Thank You To All ALN Readers! ~

Wow!!! It is amazing to see what God has done in my first year of blogging for Him. I am truly humbled at your response.

Biggest Surprise ~ The breadth of readers including a Buddhist and a Muslim who stated that he was “interested to know about [the] Christian way to God.” I have also been pleasantly surprised at all who have taken time to write a comment—it has been a blessing to my heart and soul. Especially encouraging have been the comments which make note of a blog that has caused a desire to study a topic further on their own.

Another interesting note is that the particular blog entries which I personally thought would generate some comments almost never did. Some of the blogs which I did not expect a comment generated multiple comments! It is one more evidence that we are only channels and it is the Holy Spirit that causes the stirrings of the human heart.

Statistics ~ Another “wow” from the depths of my being! Abundant Life Now has been read in some 68 known countries plus some unidentified ones (a listing is on the right side bar). It has been translated into at least 22 languages. Within in the United States it has been read in all but one of the states as well as the District of Columbia (no one from Wyoming unless they are in the “unidentified” category).

Schedule ~ From the start my intention was to write a weekly blog. I would like to blog more often but I wanted to be predictable and not be under the pressure of a more frequent blog. My first blog “Introduction to Abundant Life Now” was on Wednesday, October 21, 2009. By the end of that week I decided to make it a Tuesday morning blog which it has been since. When I feel compelled to insert additional blogs, I insert a prefix of “EXTRA” in the title (like this entry). During the 52 weeks of my first year there were 61 postings with 40 comments added by readers.

Miscellaneous ~ Throughout the first year the format and appearance of the blog underwent a somewhat continual evolution regarding layout and side content. On March 25 ALN underwent a major visual transformation.

Biggest Satisfaction ~ There are a handful of happenings which show that God has been pleased to use my simple words to bless others and cause spiritual growth in their lives.

Looking Forward ~ If Abundant Life Now has been a blessing to you, please pass the information along to your friends and acquaintances so that more individuals might be blessed by the simple concepts and truths presented here.

May God bless all of you as you seek His face and we seek to minister for Him together in these last days.

Christ Our Shepherd

~ A Biblical Trilogy – He Satisfies All Our Needs ~

Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd of Psalm 22, the Great Shepherd of Psalm 23, and the Chief Shepherd of Psalm 24.

The Good Shepherd (Psalm 22) ~ The Good Shepherd died to save us. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11, see verses 1-18.) Psalm 22 is a picture of God’s Prophet and our Suffering Savior. It is a past event!

Psalm 22 is also a Messianic psalm—a psalm with clear prophecies of Jesus Christ. It is The Psalm of the Cross.

The Great Shepherd (Psalm 23) ~ The Great Shepherd lives to guide us. “Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21). Psalm 23 is a picture of our Living Savior and Present Priest. This is current—now!

Psalm 23 is known as The Shepherd Psalm. Every angle of our needs are supplied by our Great Shepherd (note the Abundant Life Now blog on December 15, 2009).

The Chief Shepherd (Psalm 24) ~ The Chief Shepherd will come for us and we will be glorified at that time. “When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” (1 Peter 5:4). In that day He will truly be the Sovereign One and exalted King of Kings. This is still future!

Psalm 24 is one of the royal psalms. It is a Psalm of Praise to the King of glory.

These three psalms can be thought of in the following additional ways:
22 a Dying Savior ~ 23 a Living Shepherd ~ 24 a Coming Sovereign.
22 our Savior’s Cross ~ 23 our Shepherd’s Crook ~ 24 the Sovereign’s Crown.
22 a soldier’s Sword ~ 23 our Shepherd’s Staff ~ 24 our King’s Scepter.
22 gives His Life ~ 23 gives His Love ~ 24 gives His Light.
22 God’s Grace ~ 23 our Shepherd’s Guidance ~ 24 our King’s Glory.
22 God’s Provision ~ 23 our Protection ~ 24 our Prospect.
22 yesterday / past ~ 23 today / present ~ 24 forever / future.

SUGGESTED FOLLOW-UP: Read John 10:1-30.

Christ in the Pentateuch

~ Jesus Christ is the Theme of the Entire Bible ~

The Bible is a book of the progressive revelation of Jesus Christ (John 5:39) and contains many “types” of things to come. Biblical types are metaphors or symbols of something else. Types are not only interesting but are part of the reason why the Bible is such an integrated whole. While a collection of 66 books, the Bible is in a very real way one book, one story, and one integrated package. For example, there are many amazing parallels between the Old Testament contents and that which is found in the New Testament writings.

Jesus Christ can be seen in every book of the Bible. Consider for example the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.

Genesis ~ In chapter 22 (many consider it one of the top ten chapters of the Bible) we see a father (Abraham) offering up his mature son (Isaac was not a small boy but was in his 30s) as an offering for sin. It took them three days to arrive at the place of sacrifice. Isaac was dead in Abraham’s mind for three long days! Isaac carried the wood for his death and Christ carried His own cross. Isaac was spared after the three day journey. Christ rose from the dead after three days.

Exodus ~ In chapter 12 we find the lamb slain and its blood sprinkled upon the houses as a shelter for men who are facing the judgment of God. The blood of the slain lamb is a type of the future blood of the Lamb of God. Each individual family member was required to receive a part of the lamb (12:4)—a picture of how every individual must accept the sacrifice of Christ for themselves—it is a personal decision. No one was saved because of being in the right house. Today no one is a child of God because they have Christian parents or live in a “Christian nation.” The fire (12:8-9) represented judgment which is still ahead for those of us living today. Bread made without yeast (yeast symbolizes sin) represents Christ, the bread of life. It is important to note that no one was saved because of “doing good” or “doing the best they can.”

Leviticus ~ Chapter 16 presents the ordinances of the Day of Atonement, which is a type of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament God did not remove sin but covered it, waiting for the only truly acceptable sacrifice—Jesus Christ. Only the high priest could provide this atonement and in doing so he laid aside his beautiful garments. Christ our great high priest laid aside His glory in heaven to come to earth to provide a sacrifice for us.

Numbers ~ The serpent of brass which is lifted up for all to see in chapter 21 is a picture of Jesus Christ who would be lifted up on the Cross of Calvary for all to see. To be saved they were required to look up at the serpent in faith just like today we must look up to the Cross in faith. To be saved one must begin by acknowledging their need if a Savior because of their sin.

Deuteronomy ~ In chapter 21 we find a man who was murdered outside the city—Jesus Christ was murdered outside the city of Jerusalem. You and I and the entire human race are responsible for His death. He died in our place so that we might live eternally.

Additional Comment ~ Jesus Christ while on earth quoted from all five books of the Pentateuch.

7 Symbols of God’s Care

~ God Cares for YOU ~

We serve a caring God who meets all our needs.

Like a hen He gathers and protects ~ Our Lord stated in reference to His chosen people, “How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37).

Like an eagle He protects and leads ~ “As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings, so the LORD alone led him” (Deuteronomy 32:11-12).

Like a shepherd He watches and delivers ~ “As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day” (Ezekiel 34:12).

Like a father He pities and shows compassion ~ “Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:13).

Like a mother He consoles and comforts ~ “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you” (Isaiah 66:13).

Like a nursing mother He is gentle and provides ~ As His disciples we are also to love others as He loved us (John 13:34). We are to gently care for and provide for the needs of the Christian community. “But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children” (1 Thessalonians 2:7).

Like a bridegroom He delights and rejoices ~ “As the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you” (Isaiah 62:5). One day Jesus Christ will return to gather His bride, the Church, to be with Him forever!

SUMMARY: “So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; He'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; He is most careful with you. Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You're not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It's the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won't last forever. It won't be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ — eternal and glorious plans they are! — will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, He does” (1 Peter 5:6-11, The Message).

QUOTE: Being in church does not make you a Christian any more than being in a garage makes you a car! (Original source is unknown.)

3 Kinds of Spiritual Warfare

~ The Tri-fold Christian Fight ~

The Christian soldier is unique in that every individual Christian soldier is fighting on three different front lines—actually fighting three different wars—at the same time. In other wars individual soldiers are only on one front line at a time!

We know that our military has different weapons for different wars. Even their uniforms change—for example there is a vast difference in the camouflage uniforms used in a jungle compared to the camouflage uniforms used in open desert. Fortunately we too have different provisions including three armors for our three wars.

Internal War ~ We have ongoing, everyday, skirmishes with our old nature which is called “the flesh.” Our sin nature which we inherited from the first Adam tries to take control of our lives. The Bible tells us that “our sinful nature fights against our spiritual nature” (Galatians 5:17). But this war can never be won by the old nature and its tactics, but only as the new man is possessed by the Spirit of God. To win this war we need to rethink our strategy (2 Corinthians 10:3). But we can win this war by putting on “the armor of light” (Romans 13:12).

External War ~ Meanwhile we are also waging a battle with the world around us which is constantly seeking to mold us into its pattern. As we fight this war it is easy to be stressed—almost to the breaking point—but in the midst of it all we can have peace (John 16:33). This war cannot be won by the brute force of our human resistance, but only by submission to the new nature which we received from our Savior, the Last Adam, and spiritual realities (James 4:7a). This war must be resisted and can be won with the “armor of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 6:7).

Infernal War ~ Simultaneously Christians are fighting on a third front in a war with the devil and his warriors (Ephesians 6:12). In one sense this infernal war is opposite of our external war in that this battle cannot be won by submission but rather by resistance through the aid of the Holy Spirit (James 4:7b). To win this most crucial war we must put on the “entire armor of God” (Ephesians 6:13) which we have been provided.

CONTEMPLATE: “You spiritual adulterer! Don't you realize that being a friend of the world and its lifestyle makes you an enemy of God? Let me say it another way: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. What do you think the Bible means when it says that the Spirit God has placed within us is filled with envy, greed, and all kinds of sin? But remember that God gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Bible says, ‘God opposes the proud but He favors the humble.’ So humble yourselves before God” (James 4:4-7).