Messiah, 4

~ Messiah Would Be a Descendant of Abraham ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture  

“God had told Abram, ‘Leave your own country behind you, and your own people, and go to the land I will guide you to. If you do, I will cause you to become the father of a great nation; I will bless you and make your name famous, and you will be a blessing to many others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you; and the entire world will be blessed because of you’” (Genesis 12:1-3). 

The Messiah  

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac… and Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations” (Matthew 1:1-2, 16-17).

  

“Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being… 

the son of Abraham” (Luke 3:23, 34).

“But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled.  …which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you.  And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days. You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’  To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities” (Acts 3:18, 21-26).

       

“I speak the truth in Christ…  for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised! Amen” (Romans 9:1, 3-5).

~~~ EXPLANATORY “MESSIAH” NOTES ~~~   

(1)  Each Saturday ALN posts an example of a Hebrew Scriptures prophecy (or foreshadowing) related to the coming Messiah which was fulfilled in the birth, life, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(2)  While extensive it will not be a complete list—there are hundreds of prophecies of the coming Messiah which have been fulfilled by one man—Jesus Christ at His First Coming.

(3)  It is important that there are many more prophecies of the Messiah, yet unfulfilled, which Christians believe will be fulfilled at the time of His Second Coming.  A particularly relevant Scripture verse in this regard is: “Do not despise prophesies” (1 Thessalonians 5:20).

(4)  These posts will typically consist only of Scripture—which speaks for itself.  Sometimes italicized or bold font will be used by ALN for emphasis.

(5)  The numbering of these fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah is used to differentiate individual posts. It is not chronological (either by time of the prophecy or by sequence in the life of the Messiah).  The posting sequence will, for the most part, be in the order that the prophecies appear in Scripture.

(6)  Because of the chosen methodology (#5 above) we will find many specific prophecies repeated multiple times throughout the Scriptures.

(7)  These serial posts are in addition to our regular Tuesday ALN postings on random topics.

(8)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

EXTRA: Book Review – OPP, 2

~ A Review of “One Precious Pearl” by Todd Rutherford ~

In the short time since “ONE PRECIOUS PEARL: God’s Design for His Church” was released, it has received many accolades including being named “2011 Book-Of-The-Year” by Reader Views Literary Awards, "2011 Runner-up" by the International Book Awards, and “2011 Winner” by The Word Guild.  Reproduced immediately below is one of the many positive reviews the book has received.

One Precious Pearl by Robert Lloyd Russell

Reviewed by Todd Rutherford

The Publishing Guru

AfterWord Marketing Group

5-Star 

Robert Lloyd Russell’s One Precious Pearl: God’s Design for His Church is a fusion of biblical scripture and natural science. The book is an interpretation of the parable of Matthew 13:45-46: “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he had found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had, and bought it.” One Precious Pearl is divided into two parts: scripture-based and lesson-based material. Essentially, Russell’s purpose in writing this book is two-fold. For those who are believers in the kingdom of heaven, the book strives to instill a deeper appreciation for the Church. The second purpose is to “demystify a passage” that is too often misinterpreted. Ultimately, One Precious Pearl: God’s Design for His Church is designed to be an enlightening experience for one and all.

Throughout the ages, even in modern times, the pearl is a symbol of elegance and value. In fact, “historically pearls were only possessed by kings and monarchs. The one precious pearl—the finest of all pearls—belongs to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” Essentially, various interpretations conclude that the pearl could be a symbol of salvation, the kingdom of heaven, or the Church on earth.

In practical terms, the growth of a pearl is likened to the growth of the Church. The one precious pearl represents the unity within the Church of Jesus Christ. The bottom line is that, on earth, the pearl is the Church because it will nurture the one precious thing that every man needs: acceptance of Christ.

Ultimately, “the pearl is the only gem that is perfect without additional work by man. Provision for the Church was complete with Christ’s death on the Cross. Man cannot improve upon either a pearl or the Church.” Therefore, the pearl is a representation of all that is pure and perfect, like the great white throne of God.

Overall, Robert Lloyd Russell’s One Precious Pearl: God’s Design for His Church is a simple, yet profound read for any age. Also, Russell inserts a “Think and Grow” section that discusses the key concepts of the lesson. One Precious Pearl belongs in Sunday school, Bible Study classes, and many other church settings.  It’s a must read for Christians everywhere.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

There is more information about One Precious Pearl at the author’s website. 

You may order directly from Amazon or from Infinity Publishing.

7 Steps to Overcoming the World

~ James 4 ~

In just one chapter we find a straightforward procedure for obtaining “Abundant Life Now” and victorious Christian living even though there is a war between good and evil present in our lives (all quotations in this posting are from The Message). 

The introduction to the principles (James 4:1-6) ~ “Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don't have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn't yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.

“You wouldn't think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you'd be asking for what you have no right to. You're spoiled children, each wanting your own way.

“You're cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and His way. And do you suppose God doesn't care? The proverb has it that ‘He's a fiercely jealous lover.’ And what He gives in love is far better than anything else you'll find. It's common knowledge that ‘God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.’”  

(1) Submit to your Creator (4:7a) ~ “So let God work His will in you.”

(2) Choose to rebuff sin in your life (v. 7b) ~ “Yell a loud ‘no’ to the Devil and watch him scamper.”

(3) Choose to be intimate with God (v. 8a) ~ “Say a quiet ‘yes’ to God and He'll be there in no time.”

(4) Seek righteousness and holy living (v. 8b) ~ “Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field.” 

(5) Hate sin just like God hates sin (v. 9) ~ “Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious.”

(6) Have a realistic view of yourself (v. 10) ~ “Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet.”  

(7) All your words about others should be uplifting (v.11-12) ~ “Don't bad-mouth each other, friends. It's God's Word, His Message, His Royal Rule, that takes a beating in that kind of talk. You're supposed to be honoring the Message, not writing graffiti all over it. God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do you think you are to meddle in the destiny of others?”

The rest of the chapter (vs. 12-17) ~ “And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, ‘Today—at the latest, tomorrow—we're off to such and such a city for the year. We're going to start a business and make a lot of money.’ You don't know the first thing about tomorrow. You're nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, ‘If the Master wills it and we're still alive, we'll do this or that.’ As it is, you are full of your grandiose selves. All such vaunting self-importance is evil. In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don't do it, that, for you, is evil.” 

Summary ~ “Abundant Life Now” and victorious Christian living (and James 4) begin and end with doing the will of God to the best of your ability.

ADDITIONAL COMMENT: For those who would like to look at the subject of God’s will in greater depth the tab TWBDOE at the top of this page describes Robert Lloyd Russell’s book on the How To’s of God’s will. 

Messiah, 3

~ Messiah Would Ultimately Win ~  

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her Offspring; He will bruise and tread your head underfoot, and you will lie in wait and bruise His heel" (Genesis 3:15).

The Messiah  

"Since we, God's children, are human beings—made of flesh and blood—He became flesh and blood too by being born in human form; for only as a human being could He die and in dying break the power of the devil who had the power of death. Only in that way could He deliver those who through fear of death have been living all their lives as slaves to constant dread" (Hebrews 2:14-15). 

"But the Son of God came to destroy these works of the devil" (1 John 3:8). 

The Future Complete Fulfillment

"And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down — that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray" (Revelation 12:7-9a).

~~~ EXPLANATORY “MESSIAH” NOTES ~~~   

(1)  Each Saturday ALN posts an example of a Hebrew Scriptures prophecy (or foreshadowing) related to the coming Messiah which was fulfilled in the birth, life, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(2)  While extensive it will not be a complete list—there are hundreds of prophecies of the coming Messiah which have been fulfilled by one man—Jesus Christ at His First Coming.

(3)  It is important that there are many more prophecies of the Messiah, yet unfulfilled, which Christians believe will be fulfilled at the time of His Second Coming.  A particularly relevant Scripture verse in this regard is: “Do not despise prophesies” (1 Thessalonians 5:20).

(4)  These posts will typically consist only of Scripture—which speaks for itself.  Sometimes italicized or bold font will be used by ALN for emphasis.

(5)  The numbering of these fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah is used to differentiate individual posts. It is not chronological (either by time of the prophecy or by sequence in the life of the Messiah).  The posting sequence will, for the most part, be in the order that the prophecies appear in Scripture.

(6)  Because of the chosen methodology (#5 above) we will find many specific prophecies repeated multiple times throughout the Scriptures.

(7)  These serial posts are in addition to our regular Tuesday ALN postings on random topics.

(8)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

In the beginning God

~ 5 Profound Concepts in 10 Words! ~

There are five great things which man has relentlessly studied. Each of the five is knowable to a degree. The five are: time, force, action, space, and matter. Interestingly, God has given us information about all five in the very first verse of the Bible. Scientists commonly discuss time, space, and matter. A significant portion of science is concerned largely about cause (force) and effect (the resulting action).

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

TIME—“In the beginning”   ~   The Word of God tells us that God is an eternal being—He has an eternal past and an eternal future. In these first three words of Scripture we find that time begins. “All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen One who never dies; He alone is God” (1 Timothy 1:17). 

FORCE—“God”   ~   The Bible tells us that God is omnipotent, or all-powerful. God’s power is without limit. “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist” (Colossians 1:16-17). 

ACTION—“created”   ~   The Scripture tells us that mankind was created “in the image of God” (Genesis 1:27). Man as he was created reflected his creative Maker. Sin entered and man died spiritually. Today, those who have accepted God’s plan of salvation are becoming increasingly like God. “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).  

SPACE—“the heavens”   ~   Every day astronomers are discovering greater magnitudes of glory in space than ever imagined. The Word of God tells us that “the heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1a).

MATTER—“and the earth.”   ~   God created the earth with all its beauty for mankind. Even today scientists and researchers in many fields are daily discovering greater depths of intricacy of design on this marvelous planet we call earth.  “The earth displays His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1b).

“In the beginning [time] God [force] created [action] the heavens [space] and the earth [matter]” (Genesis 1:1).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Messiah, 2

~ Messiah Would Come From a Woman ~  

"Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me."

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture  

"And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel" (Genesis 3:15).

The Messiah  

"But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under law" (Galatians 4:4).

"And she [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn, a Son [Jesus Christ]. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7).

~~~ EXPLANATORY “MESSIAH” NOTES ~~~   

(1)  Each Saturday ALN posts an example of a Hebrew Scriptures prophecy (or foreshadowing) related to the coming Messiah which was fulfilled in the birth, life, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(2)  While extensive it will not be a complete list—there are hundreds of prophecies of the coming Messiah which have been fulfilled by one man—Jesus Christ at His First Coming.

(3)  It is important that there are many more prophecies of the Messiah, yet unfulfilled, which Christians believe will be fulfilled at the time of His Second Coming.  A particularly relevant Scripture verse in this regard is: “Do not despise prophesies” (1 Thessalonians 5:20).

(4)  These posts will typically consist only of Scripture—which speaks for itself.  Sometimes italicized or bold font will be used by ALN for emphasis.

(5)  The numbering of these fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah is used to differentiate individual posts. It is not chronological (either by time of the prophecy or by sequence in the life of the Messiah).  The posting sequence will, for the most part, be in the order that the prophecies appear in Scripture.

(6)  Because of the chosen methodology (#5 above) we will find many specific prophecies repeated multiple times throughout the Scriptures.

(7)  These serial posts are in addition to our regular Tuesday ALN postings on random topics.

(8)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

Law versus Grace, 2

~ Both are Necessary for Salvation! ~   

Background ~ A previous “Law versus Grace” posting was published by ALN a year ago (on July 6, 2010). It has proven to be among the most frequently read postings and can be accessed from the left column of this page (either by date or by topic). That posting was from a traditional viewpoint—the thrust was comparisons between the Law contained in the Old Testament and the emphasis on grace in the New Testament.

Concern ~ Unfortunately, the modern Christian message often downplays the role of the Law in the process of individual conversion. Even the title of my two postings, “Law vs. Grace” implies that the two are opposing factors. In reality both are vital and critical to the salvation of any individual. Better titles would be “Law and Grace” or “The Interaction of Law and Grace.” However, I continue to use “Law vs. Grace” since that is the common topic of wide interest. 

Premise ~ It is a sick man who seeks the doctor! Unfortunately millions die every year around the world because they are unaware of their illness. Millions more die because they have no access to adequate medical care. 

Salvation is like that (Matthew 9:12). First you must realize you are sick at your very core—you have an illness. Second, you must seek help and apply the remedy. Mankind, since the Fall (Genesis 3), has an incurable disease. God the Father has provided the solution through the death of His absolutely sinless Son Jesus Christ on your behalf.

In other words, without the Law an individual will never receive or understand their correct diagnosis. The correct diagnosis includes a personal understanding that “you have sinned and fallen short of God’s demands” (Romans 3:23). Without the grace of the one true God there is no remedy! (Acts 4:12).    

Our Example ~ Jesus Christ, while on earth and confronting sinners, first dealt with the pride of their human hearts by using the Law. God’s concern is that we understand our lack of true righteousness. Notice that in Christ’s ministry He did not initially emphasize our happiness. He said that unless our righteousness exceeded that of the religious people of His day (Scribes and Pharisees) we could not enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:20). In the next chapter He said that we must pursue the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). But He also assures us that those who are sincerely hungering and thirsting for righteousness will have their appetite filled (Matthew 5:6).

Now this is at the heart of the problem. In our natural state we do not seek God or His righteousness. We are too proud. No one seeks after God (Romans 3:11, John 3:19-20). It is God who seeks the sinner (Luke 19:10). A realistic understanding of the Law and God’s standards strips away our pride. In other words, it is “Law for the Proud.” Take a quick review of the Law now.    

    

The 10 Commandments ~ Consider a key part of God’s Law—the Ten Commandments. Note that these are not the 10 “suggestions.” Here is Exodus 20:1-17.

[1]  Worship only Me—the one and only true God.  

[2]  No idols—nothing should be more important to you than I am. ** Has anything ever been more important to you than your relationship with God?   

[3]  Never use my name carelessly—no cursing using My name.

[4]  On Sundays be sure to remember and honor your Creator.

(Notice that the first four commandments relate to our relationship with our Maker!)   

[5]  Always honor your parents.  

[6]  Do not murder. ** “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ [Idiot] shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire” (Matthew 5:21-22).

[7]  Be sexually pure—no adultery. ** Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28). 

[8]  Do not steal.   

[9]  Never lie. ** White lies and half truths are lies in God’s eyes!    

[10]  Do not be envious or jealous. ** On the contrary when our rival succeeds we are to be joyful. “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:14-15).

About 1400 years after the Law was given, Jesus Christ summarized it when He said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40).

Once an individual understands his inner corruptness and inability to save himself, he is ready to receive the grace of God. It is a matter of “Grace for the humble.” 

Basic Principle #1 ~ “Law for the Proud and Grace for the Humble.”

Basic Principle #2 ~ “Effective witness or evangelism begins with the Law.” Grace is meaningless to the self-righteous and proud. 

Summary ~ “Law for the Proud and Grace for the Humble.” Jesus Christ on earth never offered grace to the proud. “God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5). “Those who are proud are despicable to God” (Proverbs 16:5). 

Throughout history God has used the Law to humble people in order that they are capable of responding to His grace. Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the great English preacher of the 1800s, put it this way, “They must be slain by the Law before they can be made alive by the gospel.”   

“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” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Jesus Christ said, “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. I am the Good Shepherd” (John 10:10-11). This is the path to “Abundant Life Now” and an eternal future with God.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Messiah, 1

~ Spiritual War Is Underway ~  

NOTE:  Beginning today and for the foreseeable future, each Saturday ALN will post a prophetic Scripture which was fulfilled in the birth, life, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ. These posts will usually consist only of Scripture—which speaks for itself. This series of posts regarding the Messiah will be in addition to our regular Tuesday ALN posts on various topics.

"Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me."

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture  

“I'm declaring war between you [Satan] and the Woman [Eve], between your offspring [Satan’s, c.f. John 8:44] and hers [Jesus Christ—the Messiah]. He'll [Jesus Christ] wound your [Satan’s] head [a fatal blow], you'll [Satan] wound His [Jesus Christ’s] heel [a non-fatal blow]” (Genesis 3:15).

The Messiah  

“Jesus spoke to those who had come—high priests, Temple police, religion leaders: ‘What is this, jumping Me with swords and clubs as if I were a dangerous criminal? Day after day I've been with you in the Temple and you’ve not so much as lifted a hand against Me. But do it your way—it's a dark night, a dark hour’” (Luke 22:52-53). 

“But the angel answered and said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay’” (Matthew 28:5-6).

“And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him’” (Mark 16:5-6). 

“And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, ‘Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again’” (Luke 24:4-7).

“But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.’ Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, ‘Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to Him, ‘Rabboni!’ (which is to say, Teacher). Jesus said to her, ‘Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, “I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.”’ Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken these things to her” (John 20:11-18).

The Future Complete Fulfillment

“The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10). 

~~~ EXPLANATORY “MESSIAH” NOTES ~~~   

(1)  Each Saturday ALN posts an example of a Hebrew Scriptures prophecy (or foreshadowing) related to the coming Messiah which was fulfilled in the birth, life, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(2)  While extensive it will not be a complete list—there are hundreds of prophecies of the coming Messiah which have been fulfilled by one man—Jesus Christ at His First Coming.

(3)  It is important that there are many more prophecies of the Messiah, yet unfulfilled, which Christians believe will be fulfilled at the time of His Second Coming.  A particularly relevant Scripture verse in this regard is: “Do not despise prophesies” (1 Thessalonians 5:20).

(4)  These posts will typically consist only of Scripture—which speaks for itself.  Sometimes italicized or bold font will be used by ALN for emphasis.

(5)  The numbering of these fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah is used to differentiate individual posts. It is not chronological (either by time of the prophecy or by sequence in the life of the Messiah).  The posting sequence will, for the most part, be in the order that the prophecies appear in Scripture.

(6)  Because of the chosen methodology (#5 above) we will find many specific prophecies repeated multiple times throughout the Scriptures.

(7)  These serial posts are in addition to our regular Tuesday ALN postings on random topics.

(8)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

A Prayer for the Fourth

~ Freedom from Sin is the Greatest Independence ~

George Washington wrote: 

“Oh, most glorious God, in Jesus Christ my merciful and loving Father, I acknowledge and confess my guilt, in the weak and imperfect performance of the duties of this day. I have called on Thee for pardon and forgiveness of sins…  Let me live according to those holy rules which Thou hast this day prescribed in Thy holy Word; make me to know what is acceptable in Thy sight, and therein to delight; open my eyes of understanding, and help me thoroughly to examine myself concerning my knowledge, faith and repentance, increase my faith, and direct me to the true object Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life. These weak petitions I humbly implore Thee to hear, accept, and answer to the true object, Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life. These weak petitions I humbly implore Thee to hear, accept, and answer.”  

“It is impossible to rightly govern... without God and the Bible.” 

“I now make it my earnest prayer that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in His holy protection; that He would incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and  obedience to government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow-citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for brethren who have served in the field; and finally that He would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind, which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.”

Billy Graham wrote:

“Our Father and Our God, we praise You for Your goodness to our nation, giving us blessings far beyond what we deserve. Yet we know all is not right with America. Convict us of sin. Help us to turn to You in repentance and faith. Set our feet on the path of Your righteousness and peace. We pray today for our nation's leaders. Give them the wisdom to know what is right, and the courage to do it. You have said, ‘Blessed is the nation whose God is Lord.’ May this be a new era for America, as we humble ourselves and acknowledge You alone as our Savior and Lord. This we pray in Your holy name, Amen.”   

contemplate:  Freedom provides the opportunity to make decisions. Our character determines the ability to make right decisions!