Quote: Your Dreams

~ Do You Need To Get Back On Track? ~

Has life turned out differently than you anticipated?

The following is an excerpt from a book.

What happened to your dreams? How did they get sidetracked? Most importantly, how can you still fulfill your dreams and God’s desires for you?

“Live life, then, with a sense of responsibility, not as men who do not know the meaning and purpose of life but as those who do. Make the best use of your time, despite all the evil of these days. Don’t be vague but grasp firmly what you know to be the will of God” (Ephesians 5:15-17 Phillips). In this passage the Apostle Paul clearly states “what you know to be the will of God.” Before you can “grasp firmly” the will of God, you must understand the will of God. This is what the rest of the book will provide—illustrations that show you how to live closer to the Creator’s ideal for your life. It will also make it much easier to confidently make the right decisions in your future.

I believe that the greatest, most glorious thing any of us can ever do is to glorify God by obeying His will for us.

~ from “THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH: Understanding God’s Will for You” by Robert Lloyd Russell, pgs 10-11 (ISBN: 9781606474303)

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

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Messiah, 45

~ Messiah Would Be Lower Than Angels ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“You made Him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned Him with glory and honor” (Psalm 8:5).

The Messiah  

“But one testified in a certain place, saying: ‘What is man that You are mindful of him, or the Son of Man that You take care of Him? You have made Him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned Him with glory and honor, and set Him over the works of Your hands. You have put all things in subjection under His feet.’  For in that He put all in subjection under Him, He left nothing that is not put under Him. But now we do not yet see all things put under Him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:6-9). 

~~~ 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.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

7 Traits of a Godly Mother

~ The Proverbs 31 Mother ~

A Godly woman is a precious thing in God’s eyes! Consider some aspects of such a woman described in the epilogue of the Book of Proverbs. This passage begins by noting how difficult it is to find such a woman. “Who can find?” (verse 10).

She Portrays Excellence in All Her Activities ~ She is an ideal person of wisdom and insight in all her activities. She is the person personified in much of Proverbs as wisdom and is here identified as “a virtuous woman” (verse 10).

She Works Hard on Behalf of Others ~ She not only works hard but has acquired significant skills along the way. She enjoys her work and finds fulfillment in her life. “She rises early” (verse 15).

She is a Frugal Shopper ~ What a remarkable description considering the treatment of women in the day in which Solomon wrote this! “She considers a field” (verse 16).

She Produces Quality Output ~ Perhaps she is an entrepreneur with a cottage industry. Maybe she home schools her children. Whatever her activities, she seems to be able to function effectively and independently. “Her output is good” (verse 18).

She is Caring and Compassionate ~ She not only cares for her family but finds time to care for and serve others who are less fortunate. She “gives to the poor” (verse 20).

She Contributes to the Family Financial Position ~ This is already seen in previous traits (such as her frugal shopping) but here the implication is greater than the example given of sewing. “She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants” (verse 24).

She has True Insight ~ Interesting in light of all the content in the Book of Proverbs about the use and misuse of speech that this woman knows how to choose her words carefully and fitly for the occasion. “Opens her mouth with wisdom” (v. 26). 

And what is the end result? Her husband trusts her (verse 11). She has earned and receives praise and respect from not only her husband but also her children. She is truly blessed and fulfilled in her life. “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her” (verse 28). 

This epilogue of Proverbs describes the ideal woman. What a challenge for all who would seek to be truly a woman of God!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Messiah, 44

~ Messiah Would Be Praised by Children ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger” (Psalm 8:1-2).

The Messiah  

“But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ they were indignant and said to Him, ‘Do You hear what these are saying?’And Jesus said to them, ‘Yes. Have you never read, “Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise”?’” (Matthew 21:15-16).

~~~ 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.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Truth in 4G

~ God Gives Good Gifts ~

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures” (James 1:17-18). 

God is good… all the time! 

If we could see the big picture we would understand this practically as well as theologically. In a simpler way human parents often deny their children some of what the children feel is in their best interests because the parent sees the bigger picture. Two passages seem particularly relevant. 

“Don't bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn't a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we're in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn't think of such a thing. You're at least decent to your own children. So don't you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?” (Matthew 7:7-11, The Message).

“For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:26b-28).

Your daily activities are under God’s watchful eye. Your God is sovereign. Aren’t you glad that you are God’s child, He loves you, and He will not allow anything to occur in your life which is not ultimately for good? 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW