7 Cs of Christian Living

~ How Do You Measure Up? ~

Acts 2 provides seven glimpses of an authentic Christian life. 

Confessing Life  ~  During this time of the early church a miracle was evidenced and we read that “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them” (verse 4). Clearly they were expressing their faith in God and what He had done in their lives. Today we should be witnessing with words about what we have experienced in Christ. “One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see” (John 9:24). 

Convicting Life  ~   Those observing the scene were convinced that something special was occurring. “Utterly amazed, they asked: ‘Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans?’” (verse 7). Today we are to have a lifestyle which is convicting to others because of our love for one another. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). Today we are witnessing by our lives regarding the reality of what we have experienced in Christ.

Converting Life  ~  “‘Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.’ When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’” (verses 36-37). Because of the reality of what was heard and observed, others were converted by putting their faith in Christ. 

Constant Life  ~  “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (verse 42). Their conversions had a consistent impact on their lifestyle.

Continuing Life  ~  “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts” (verse 46a). Clearly “every day” indicates that this was not a flash-in-the-pan experience. 

Communing Life  ~  “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts” (verse 46b). Are you regularly meeting with fellow believers in Jesus Christ?

Contagious Life  ~  “Praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (verse 47). The natural result of authentic Christianity will be others wanting what we have and coming to know our Lord as their personal Savior.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Messiah, 17

~ Messiah Would Be a Blessing to Gentiles, 4 ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture  

I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father. And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws (Genesis 26:3-5).

The Messiah  

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 3:25-26).

   

And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham” (Galatians 3:8-9).

~~~ 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, 4

~ A Review of “One Precious Pearl” by Richard R. Blake ~

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" (Religion: Eastern/Western) by Reader Views Literary Awards,

“2011 Runner-up" (Religion: Christianity) by the International Book Awards, and

“2011 Winner" (Book: Biblical Studies) by The Word Guild. 

Reproduced immediately below is one of the many positive reviews the book has received.

One Precious Pearl: God’s Design for His Church

Robert Lloyd Russell
Infinity Publishing (2010)
ISBN 9780741462329
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake

Robert Lloyd Russell draws from the lessons and insights he has gleaned from his forty years in Christian Leadership and Bible Teaching. One Precious Pearl guides the reader into a deeper understanding of God’s Design for His Church. It is Russell’s prayer that the reader will personally recognize Christ’s sacrificial gift for their individual salvation as well as the importance of becoming a part of the true church.

Russell demystifies the content of the seven parables from Jesus’ teaching in Matthew chapter thirteen. The book is divided into two parts made up of short chapters to accommodate the pace of today’s busy reader. Each of the twenty-two chapters can be read as a devotional, as the basis for a foundation for discussion, or as an adult Bible lesson for small groups. Part One is a commentary on the thirteenth chapter of Matthew. Part Two is made up of “Lessons from the One Precious Pearl” and contains some interesting analogies. Russell combines natural science with Biblical truth to provide an in depth study.

The Key Concepts and questions for consideration, at the end of each chapter, are ideal for further meditation, application, and assimilation. I found the evaluations, summaries, and commentary used throughout the format of the book to be stimulating, practical, and well thought out.

I found the epilogue with thoughts for contemplation on the symbolism of the gifts of the Wise Men interesting and informative. The Gospel message included as an appendix was clear and persuasive.

One Precious Pearl: God’s Design for His Church is inspiration devotional reading made up of changeless truths presented from a contemporary perspective. This book is highly recommended.

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. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Two Inheritances

~ Do You Possess Two Inheritances? ~   

Has your faith made you a part of Christ’s inheritance? If so, are you aware of your personal fantastic inheritance—far better than any lottery winnings?

(1)  Our Inheritance—Rejoice that you are a joint-heir with Christ of all things.  ~  Jesus Christ owns all things and you are a joint-heir of all things with Him!

“The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:16-17a).

“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise… and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir” (Galatians 3:29,4:7b).  

“In Christ we also have obtained an inheritance… you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory” (Ephesians 1:11, 13b-14).  

 “That is why He is the One who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called will receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them” (Hebrews 9:15). 

“We have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay” (1 Peter 1:4).

Our Resulting Responsibility  ~  “Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ” (Colossians 3:22b-24).

“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:9-14).

(2)  Christ’s Inheritance—Rejoice that you are part of Christ’s inheritance!  ~  As a blood-bought sinner who has accepted Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation you are part of the inheritance which Jesus Christ Himself receives!

“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe” (Ephesians 1:18-19a). “For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10).

“But in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe” (Hebrews 1:2).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Messiah, 16

~ Messiah Would Be a Descendant of Abraham, 4 ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: ‘By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son—blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice’” (Genesis 22:15-18).

The Messiah  

“For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen” (Romans 9:3-5).

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1). 

~~~ 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: Good in Wash DC

~ Positive News from Our Capital! ~

It is really easy to be cynical about our national politicians these days. But wait—there is some good news! Are you aware of the Congressional Prayer Caucus? Here is a summary directly from their website. 

Purpose  ~  Throughout the more than 200-year history of our nation, prayer has played a vital role in strengthening the fabric of our society.

The purposes of the Congressional Prayer Caucus are to

1) recognize the vital role that prayer by individuals of all faiths has played in uniting us as a people and in making us a more generous, more cooperative, and more forgiving people than we might otherwise have been;

2) collect, exchange, and disseminate information about prayer as a fundamental and enduring feature of American life;

3) use the legislative process – both through sponsorship of affirmative legislation and through opposition to detrimental legislation – to assist the nation and its people in continuing to draw upon and benefit from this essential source of our strength and well-being.

Members of the Congressional Prayer Caucus also work together to preserve the presence of religion, faith, and morality in the marketplace of ideas.

History  ~  In 2005, Congressman J. Randy Forbes gathered a small group of members of the U.S. House of Representatives who began meeting in Room 219 of the Capitol to pray for our nation. These Members later formed The Congressional Prayer Caucus – an official Caucus of the U.S. House of Representatives – to formally acknowledge the important role that prayer plays in American life and history and to monitor and work to guard the right of individuals in America to pray.

Currently, Congressman Forbes and Congressman Mike McIntyre serve as the co-chairmen of this Caucus. Today, the Prayer Caucus has grown to a bipartisan group of 98 Members dedicated to protecting religious liberty and recognizing our nations’ rich, spiritual history.

To find out more go the Congressional PrayerCaucus website (http://forbes.house.gov/PrayerCaucus/).

The “Goodness of Man” Myth

~ Have You Bought Into This Lie? ~   

One of the basic tenets of modern society is that man is basically good. The conclusion from this belief is that problems in society will be solved with more education and  more money! But this raises questions.  Why do the more developed and sophisticated societies of the world—those with more money and education—have as much bad (God calls it sin) as many third-world countries? How can this be explained? What is the truth? 

America has a huge industry of self-help books, recordings, and seminars built on pop psychology with the belief that people can “pull themselves up with their own bootstraps.” By the way, even the imagery is interesting—have you tried lifting yourself off the floor by pulling on your shoelaces? 

Christians know that true hope is found not in good politics or good psychology but in good theology!

The Bible tells the truth about mankind. Adam and Eve enjoyed fellowship with God, their Creator.  But they both sinned in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). They have passed that sin nature on to each of their descendants making it impossible for any of us to live a sinless (good) life. If you doubt the truth of our inner sin nature, just ask any parent. Ask what they did to teach seemingly innocent and good infants to become selfish, to disobey, to throw a temper tantrum, to display their inner propensity toward bad (sinful) behavior. 

According to the Word of God, even an infant is born with a sin nature. “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51:5).  The newborn baby already has a sin nature and begins to demonstrate that sin nature early in life. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Any parent can confirm this truth!

Because of our propensity towards sinning, God, because of His holy nature, cannot fellowship with us. But He provides a remedy. In mercy, love, and grace He provides us a way to have fellowship restored with Him. He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to earth as a fully human being to live a perfect life and to die for our sins. By accepting this provision, our fellowship with God is restored and we receive 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 3:16-17). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW