0 To Do

~ What Must YOU Do To Be Saved? ~

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

Is belief in Christ sufficient for your salvation or do you need to do something after receiving His free “gift of salvation”?  Some groups teach that once you have put your faith in Christ you must do something to make your salvation secure. But what did our Master say? “It is finished!” (John 19:30). 

Claiming that an individual must do something to earn their place in heaven is saying that the life, death,  and resurrection of Jesus Christ was not enough! What an insult to God! 

It is not Do, but Done.

It is not for us to Try, but to Trust.

It is not by Attainment, but by Atonement.

It is not by our Merit, but by God's Mercy.

Jesus took our Place that we might have His Peace.

He took our Sin that we might have His Salvation.

Jesus died among Sinners, that we might dwell among Saints.

Christ became the Son of Man, that we might become the Sons of God!

Jesus Christ came to a world in which there is no light, that He might take us to a world in which there is no darkness. 

When it comes to spiritual issues a key question is: Is the work of salvation complete, or can we add anything to His finished work?  

I remember a story told to me many years ago. It seems that an old man once said it took him forty years to learn three simple things. The first was that he could not do anything to save himself; the second was that God did not expect him to; and the third was that Christ had done it all, and all he had to do was to accept the accomplished fact. 

contemplate: 

(1) You can’t; God never said you could. – He can; He always said He would! 

(2) You will never feel gratitude for things you feel entitled to. 

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

comments: 

(1) Nothing to do is true with regard to earning salvation. The normal response of one who has gained salvation is to respond in love to their Savior which includes loving service and work on His behalf.

(2) This is a recycled/modified ALN post (used previously in early 2010 by a different title).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Quote: Moral Integrity

~ A Basic Issue of the Christian Life ~

It is a lifelong issue!  

The following is an excerpt from a book.

The basic issue of the Christian life is His will or mine! When the will of God for you aligns with your personal desire, keeping His will is easy. It is when God’s desire and your desire differ that conflict arises and decisions are critical.

There is an old story of a humble man who moved to a new community. His faith was strong even though his doctrinal knowledge was light. After he visited a local church the pastor made a visit to his home. To the pastor’s delight the man expressed a desire to become a member of the congregation. In order to be sure of this man’s relationship to Jesus Christ, the pastor began to ask a few questions.

“What do you believe regarding the doctrine of election?” The man thought carefully for quite a while. Finally, in a low soft voice the man replied, “Well, the way I see it, the Lord votes one way, the devil votes another way, and … well, whichever way I vote—that decides the election!”   

This man may not have had his doctrinal terminology correct, but more importantly, he knew about the essence of life on earth for the Christian. Regardless of what decision you are facing, it is a war between Christ and Satan. Your mind and heart may be saying, “Yes, Lord,” but your body (and all the cares of this life) may be saying, “Not now, Lord,” or “I won’t pay the costs of making the right decision.” In the final analysis, the choice is yours.

Developing the moral integrity of making the right choices, regardless of cost, is a lifelong exercise. This personal inner strength is formed by a thousand small decisions that demonstrate a commitment to the Lordship of Christ.

~ from “THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH: Understanding God’s Will for You” by Robert Lloyd Russell, pgs 147-148 (ISBN: 9781606474303)

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

Messiah, 22

~ Messiah’s Blood Would Be Shed ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“When Moses went and told the people all the Lord's words and laws, they responded with one voice, ‘Everything the Lord has said we will do.’ Moses then wrote down everything the Lord had said. He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as fellowship offerings to the Lord. Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he sprinkled on the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, ‘We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.’ Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, ‘This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words’” (Exodus 24:3-8).   

The Messiah  

“But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. Therefore not even the first covenant was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water, scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, ‘This is the blood of the covenant which God has commanded you.’ Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another—He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation (Hebrews 9:11-28).

~~~ 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.

1 Life

~ A Grain of Sand on a Huge Beach ~

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

Consider a single grain of sand on a vast ocean beach. Proportionately that speck of sand is huge in relation to its beach when compared to your physical life on earth compared to your eternal future! 

Christian missionary C.T. Studd put it his way in his famous poem:

ONLY ONE LIFE

Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill, Living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done;”
And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say “‘twas worth it all;”
Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

comment:  Have you considered what a small part of your total life your time on earth is?

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Jesus Christ, Matthew 6:19-21).

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose” (Jim Elliot, Christian missionary).

“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?” (Jesus Christ, Luke 9:25, New Living Translation).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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!