How’s Your Schedule This Week?

~ Are You Busy Enough for God to Use? ~

Have you ever wondered why God seldom goes to a lazy or idle person when He wants someone to perform a great or noble act of service? When He has such special work, the Lord chooses someone who is already very busy faithfully executing their prescribed task.

Anonymous once wrote, “Those who tread the path of labor, follow where Christ’s feet have trod; they who work without complaining, do the holy will of God.” The Word of God says, “The soul of the diligent shall be made fat” (Proverbs 13:4). Are you a busy person?

One of my favorite poems, The Busy Man, was also written by our mutual friend Anonymous.

   

“The man of leisure never has a moment he can spare;

He’s always putting off until his friends are in despair.

But he whose every waking hour is crowded full of work,

Forgets the art of wasting time—he cannot stop to shirk.

So when you want a favor done and want it right away,

Go the man who works with zeal lo, many hours a day.

He’ll find a moment sure somewhere that has no other use,

And help you while the idle man is framing an excuse.”

Have you found this poem to be true in your life experiences?

God knows this truth. Consider the following examples of individuals God used:

Moses was busy with his flock at Horeb – Exodus 3:1-10

Gideon was threshing wheat at the winepress – Judges 6:11-14

Old Testament Saul was searching for his father’s lost donkeys – 1 Samuel 9:1-16

David was caring for his father’s sheep – 1 Samuel 16:1-13

Elisha was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen – 1 Kings 19:15-21

Nehemiah was bearing the king’s wine cup – Nehemiah 1:1-3, 11

Amos was busy following the flock – Amos 7:14-15

Peter and Andrew were busy with their fishing business – Matthew 4:18-20

Likewise, James and John were mending their fishing nets – Matthew 4:21-22

Matthew was busy collecting taxes – Matthew 9:9

New Testament Saul was actively persecuting the friends of Jesus – Acts 9:1-9

Are you busy enough for God to use? God calls individuals when they are busy—Satan does so when they are idle! Our prolific author friend, Anonymous, also once said, “You cannot ‘kill time’ without affecting eternity!” 

What does your calendar look like this week?

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

EXTRA: The Word Guild Book Awards

~ One Precious Pearl Wins! ~

June 16, 2011 –  Canada’s top Christian writing awards were presented at a black-tie Gala Dinner at World Vision Canada Headquarters near Toronto. One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of the “The Leslie K. Tarr Award” for career achievement to Dr. J. I. Packer.    

One Precious Pearl: God’s Design for His Church by Robert Lloyd Russell was the WINNER in the “Book: Biblical Studies” category.

The awards are sponsored by The Word Guild, a national association with the mandate of connecting, developing and promoting Canadian writers and editors who are Christian. Formerly known as the God Uses Ink Awards, these writing prizes have been awarded annually since 1988.

During the judging process the judges looked for underlying evidence that the writer's Christian worldview informed and influenced the writing. Entries were judged according to excellence of writing; impact (the inspirational or informational value); fulfillment of stated purpose; suitability to target audience; originality; and freshness of style.

Earlier this year One Precious Pearl received two other recognitions. It was awarded 2011 Book of the Year by Reader Views Literary Awards in their “Religion (Eastern/Western)” category. It was also named the 2011 Runner-up in “Religion: Christianity” of International Book Awards. 

For more information about One Precious Pearl click on the OPP tab at the top of this blog or see the author’s website (link at top right of the Abundant Life Now blog). You may order directly from Amazon. 

Genesis Genealogy Gospel

~ 10 Men Weave The Greatest Story Ever Told ~   

In a previous blog (4-May-2010) we found the message of salvation in the first book of the New Testament by looking at a genealogy of Christ. Christ and the story of redemption are also found in the first book of the Old Testament in a genealogy of Adam!  (Genesis 5)

In Genesis 5 we find a genealogy from the Creation of man until the Flood—at which time only a few on earth were lifted above the devastation and therefore saved from physical death.  In a future day God will rescue His own by lifting them above to meet Jesus Christ in the air—those who have been saved from spiritual death. 

Genesis 5 records ten men in the following order:

Adam ~ As we know Adam, was the father of mankind—as the first man he represents mankind (Genesis 2:7-18). 

Seth ~ Seth was appointed by God to be in the blood line of Christ (Genesis 4:25).

Enosh / Enos ~ The meaning of his name carries the idea of sickness and mortality. 

Cainan / Kenan ~ It has been suggested by a number of commentators that his life was characterized by suffering and sorrow. 

Mahalalel / Mahaleleel ~ His name has the root “el” meaning God, and the overall name has the context of being blessed of God or praising God. 

Jared ~ Jared’s name carries the idea of a ruling or command, coming down, or shall come down. 

Enoch ~ The thing we all remember about Enoch is that he did not die but was taken by God or translated (Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5). Enoch is a picture of the future rapture of true believers. 

Methuselah ~ Every Sunday school student knows Methuselah to be the longest living man in history—yet he too died! All of mankind are mortal—we are all destined to die (Hebrews 9:27).

Lamech ~ His name means poor or made low—and carries the concept of despair. Our word lament comes from the same root as Lamech. 

Noah ~ Noah’s name contains the concept of repose, consolation, relief, rest, comfort, or grace.

We can greatly simplify the combined story of these ten men in a simple paragraph as follows: 

Man [Noah] was appointed [Seth] by God to rule the earth. With man’s mortality [Enosh] came suffering and sorrow [Cainan].  But praise [Mahalalel] be to God, there shall be One who shall come down [Jared] to die [Methuselah] on man’s behalf that some may be translated [Enoch] to be with God forever. Life on earth brings sorrow and lament [Lamech] but there is consolation, comfort, grace, and relief [Noah] in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

The genealogy of Genesis 5 can further be simplified to the following summary of the Gospel message: 

Man was appointed as God’s representatives.  He is mortal and lives with suffering. But praise be to God who came down to earth. His death brought provision for the Christian’s rapture (future), removed Christians from despair (past), and brings comfort (present) to Christians.

contemplate:  The number 10 is often associated in Scripture with the completion of divine order or simply completion. In the lives of 10 men in Genesis 5 we see the Gospel message (John 19:30) and this message is a summary of the Bible. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

The Holy Bible

~ The Bible Contains… ~

The original source of this statement is unknown. 

The Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. 

Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. 

Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. 

It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you.

It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. 

Here Paradise is restored, Heaven is opened, and the gates of hell disclosed.

Jesus Christ is its grand subject, our good is its design, and the glory of God its end.

It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. 

Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully.  It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure.

It is given you in life, will be opened in judgment, and be remembered forever. 

It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred content. 

EXTRA: The Word Guild Finalists

~ One Precious Pearl Wins Third Award ~

May 30, 2011, MISSISSAGUGA, ON  –  The Word Guild has selected One Precious Pearl: God’s Design for His Church by Robert Lloyd Russell as a FINALIST for the Book of the Year in their “Book: Biblical Studies” category. Category winners will be announced at a black-tie Gala Dinner at World Vision Canada Headquarters near Toronto on June 15.

The Word Guild is the prestigious literary award program for Canadian authors. (Robert Lloyd Russell often remarks that he is a tri-citizen: Canada, his native country; the United States where he lives; and heaven.) 

One Precious Pearl: God’s Design for His Church has received two prior significant recognitions:

BOOK OF THE YEAR – “Religion (Eastern/Western)”

Reader Views; Literary Awards; 1-March-2011

RUNNER-UP – “Religion: Christianity”

International Book Awards; 11-May-2011

Since its release One Precious Pearl has received many excellent reviews. For example, Dianne Taylor of Foreword Clarion Reviews wrote: “5 Stars (out of 5)… That Russell’s explication is exhaustive there can be little doubt… Though Russell’s parsing of the pearl analogy is extensive, the book remains solidly grounded in the land of the laity, making it accessible to virtually anyone who picks it up… A simple but intelligent analysis of an often overlooked parable in the New Testament, One Precious Pearl can be appreciated by a wide range of readers, none of whom will ever look at a pearl quite the same again.”   

For more information about One Precious Pearl click on the OPP tab at the top of this blog or see the author’s website (link at top right of the Abundant Life Now blog). You may order directly from Amazon. 

The Core Message of the Bible, 3

~ 4 Psalms ~   

A previous ALN blog entitled “The Core Message of the Bible” based on Isaiah 53:5-6 (posted June 1, 2010) has proven to be a very popular post (the 10 most popular posts are listed at the bottom of this page).  The Psalms also provide a clear view of the Bible’s core message. The content has to do with the Fruitful and Forsaken Man and what He did for Fallen mankind and the Forgiveness He provides to mankind. Consider how four Psalms provide a great summary of the Core Message of the Bible.

The Fruitful Man  ~  Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers…  For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish (Psalm 1:1-3, 6). (Only Jesus Christ has lived this kind of life perfectly.)

The Fallen Man  ~  The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good…  All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. Will evildoers never learn—those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on the Lord? (Psalm 14:1, 3-4). 

The Forsaken Man  ~  My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from saving Me, so far from the words of My groaning? … They divide My garments among them and cast lots for My clothing. But You, O Lord, be not far off; O My Strength, come quickly to help Me. Deliver My life from the sword (Psalm 22:1, 18-20). (A prophetic psalm about Calvary.)

The Forgiven Man  ~  Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”—and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah… Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to You while You may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach Him. You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.  Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him. Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! (Psalm 32:1-2, 5-7, 10-11)

SUMMARY ~

“The Fruitful Man of Psalm 1 became

The Forsaken Man of Psalm 22 in order that I

The Fallen Man of Psalm 14 might become

The Forgiven Man of Psalm 32.” 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW