Messiah, 21

~ Messiah is the True Bread from Heaven ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture  

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day’” (Exodus 16:4a).

The Messiah  

“Our fathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'  Then Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” (John 6:31-33). 

~~~ 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: Carrots – Eggs – Coffee

~ How Big Is Your God? ~

The original source of this material is unknown. 

You may never look at a cup of coffee the same way again. It's one of my favorite beverages—now I know why.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed that as one problem was solved a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water.

In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners.

She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl.

She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl.

Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, “Tell me what do you see?”

“Carrots, eggs, and coffee,” she replied.

She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft.  She then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee.

The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked. “What's the point, Mother?”

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity—boiling water—but each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water they had changed the water.

“Which are you?” she asked her daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?”

Think of this: Which are you?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat but hardens with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you.

When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate to another level?

How do you handle adversity?

Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?

Don't tell God how big your storm is—tell the storm how big your God is!

2 Births

~ “Born Again” Has Judaic Roots ~

November 2011 Tuesday Countdown:  4 – 3 – 2 – 1 – 0 

One of the basic tenets of Christianity is the concept of a second birth or being “born again.”

Natural Birth  ~  Initially each human being is “born of a woman” as a baby. This natural birth is also known as “born of flesh.” This first birth is outside the realm of individual choice; however, the second birth is a direct result of individual choice (to make no choice is to choose). 

Spiritual Birth  ~   The choice to be born a second time or “born again” results in salvation and eternal life with God. This is only possible because of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ as the penalty for our sin. This supernatural birth is also known as “born of the Spirit.” But individuals must make this personal choice for themselves.    

For many it may be helpful to realize the term “born again” has its roots in Judaism. The term was used in reference to a Gentile who was formally converted to Judaism. The Talmud, or oral law, states, “One who has become a proselyte is like a child newly born” (Yevamot 48b).

Nicodemus was genuinely confused as he interacted with Jesus. Since Nicodemus knew Jesus was not only a Jew but a Master Teacher of Israel, he understood that Jesus was not asking him to convert to Judaism.

Understanding the second birth in Judaism helps explain later verses. “Nicodemus answered and said to Him, ‘How can these things be?’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?’” ( John 3:9-11).

Jesus was telling Nicodemus he must be born again. His underlying confusion was, “How can I convert to Judaism if I am already a Jew?” Therefore he replies to Jesus, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?” (John 3:4).

Remember what Jesus, the Messiah, answered, “A man must be born of water and Spirit” (John 3:5). Natural man understands that natural birth is accompanied by the breaking of the water. The man with spiritual understanding knows that the second birth is accompanied by the Spirit of God breaking through their spiritual blindness. 

Jesus was explaining to Nicodemus that he could not rely on his Jewish heritage as a means of entering into the kingdom of heaven.  In a similar way we cannot rely on being born in a Christian nation, church attendance, or any other factor, as a means of gaining salvation. The bottom line is the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ sacrificed for you. Individual conversion of the heart is necessary for salvation.

The Bottom Line  ~  “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because ‘All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever.’ Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you” (1 Peter 1:22-25).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Messiah, 20

~ Not a Bone Would Be Broken ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture  

“Do not break any of the bones” (Exodus 12:46).    

The Messiah  

“Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: ‘Not one of His bones will be broken’” (John 19:31-36).

~~~ 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.

3 Deaths

~ Typified in the Three Crosses of Luke 23 ~

November 2011 Tuesday Countdown:  4 – 3 – 2 – 1 – 0 

Dead IN Sin (the sinner)  ~   The first death is the natural condition of all mankind. The natural man who has not been born of the Spirit of God is “dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).

One thief on the cross died IN sin. “Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying,  ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’ But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?’” (Luke 23:39-40).

Died FOR Sin (the Savior)  ~   The second death is the Gospel of God available to all mankind. “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3).

The Savior died on the middle Cross FOR sin. “But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise’” (Luke 23:40-43).

Dead TO Sin (the saint)  ~   The third death is the result of faith and obedience in the Gospel of God. “How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:2).

One thief on the cross died TO sin. “Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise’” (Luke 23:42-43).

Summary  ~  There were two thieves crucified alongside Jesus Christ. Both had a common background, common frustration with life, and both needed abundant life. They had a common reaction but with conflicting results. Both tried prayer – one was sincere, the other was not. One was granted eternal life, the other was not! Our good friend Anonymous has put it this way, “One thief was saved that none should despair, but only one that none should presume!” 

contemplate:  The first man, Adam, was a thief (forbidden fruit) and the first convert was a thief.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Quote: Jim Elliot, 1

~ Good Lust! ~  

Should lust characterize a Christian?

The following is an excerpt from a book.

“Christians today haven’t got what the New Testament calls ‘singleness of heart.’ They haven’t got one constant desire. And that one desire I will name ‘the lust for God.’ I am using the word ‘lust’ rather than the love for God because the phrase ‘love for God’ has become almost trite. It is the lust for God that we are missing. You lust only after those things that you desire intensely.

“The lust for God is the thing that should characterize a Christian. Not that you’ve attained. Not that you’ve arrived. The apostle Paul says, ‘I haven’t arrived. I don’t pretend to have apprehended. But I press toward the mark.’ Paul had huge desires, and that’s what we ought to have.”

 

~ from “JIM ELLIOT: A Christian Martyr Speaks to You” edited by Robert Lloyd Russell, pg 25 (ISBN: 9781615797646)

Learn more about this important book at Amazon, the Publisher, or the Author’s website.