Messiah, 58

~ Messiah’s Clothing Would Be Gambled Away ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“They divide My garments among them and cast lots for My clothing” (Psalm 22:18). 

The Messiah  

“Then they crucified Him, and divided His garments, casting lots, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet: ‘They divided My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots’” (Matthew 27:35).

“And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take” (Mark 15:24).

“Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.’

And they divided His garments and cast lots” (Luke 23:34).

“Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took His garments and made four parts, to each soldier a part, and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top in one piece. They said therefore among themselves, ‘Let us not tear it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be,’ that the Scripture might be fulfilled which says: ‘They divided My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.’ Therefore the soldiers did these things” (John 19:23-24).

~~~ 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

Never Be Discouraged!

~ 20 Cans of Spiritual Success ~

Someone has said that “success comes in cans and failure in cannots.” Consider for example the following 20 cans of spiritual success. 

The “20 Cans of Spiritual Success” taken from God’s Word will expand your knowledge of the object of our faith, the Almighty God. Building your faith by internalizing these truths will help lift you from the miry clay of the “cannots” to the reality that in Christ you can do all things—because He will strengthen you.  

NOTE:  The source of the original list of Bible “cans” is unknown.

1.  Why should I say I can’t when the Bible says “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13)? 

2.  Why should I lack when I know that “God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19)?

3.  Why should I fear when the Bible says “God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7)? 

4.  Why should I lack faith to fulfill my calling, knowing that God has allotted to me a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)? 

5.  Why should I be weak when the Bible says that the Lord is the strength of my life and that I will display strength and take action because I know God (Psalm 27:1, Daniel 11:32)? 

6.  Why should I allow Satan supremacy over my life when “He that is in me is greater than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4)? 

7.  Why should I accept defeat when the Bible says that “God always leads me in triumph” (2 Corinthians 2:14)?

8.  Why should I lack wisdom when Christ became wisdom to me from God and God gives wisdom to me generously when I ask Him for it (1 Corinthians 1:30, James 1:5)? 

9.  Why should I be depressed when I can recall to mind God’s loving kindness, compassion, and faithfulness, and have hope (Lamentations 3:21-23)? 

10.  Why should I worry and fret when I can “cast all my anxiety on Christ who cares for me” (1 Peter 5:7)? 

11.  Why should I ever be in bondage knowing that “there is liberty where the Spirit of the Lord is” (2 Corinthians 3:17)?

12.  Why should I feel condemned when the Bible says I am not condemned because I am in Christ (Romans 8:1)? 

13.  Why should I feel alone when Jesus said He is with me always and He will never leave me nor forsake me (Matthew 28:20, Hebrews 13:5)? 

14.  Why should I feel accursed or that I am the victim of bad luck when the Bible says that Christ redeemed me from the curse of the law that I might receive His Spirit (Galatians 3:13-14)?

15.  Why should I be discontented when I, like Paul, can learn to be content in all my circumstances (Philippians 4:11)?

16.  Why should I feel worthless when Christ became sin on my behalf that I might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21)?

17.  Why should I have a persecution complex knowing that nobody can be against me when God is for me (Romans 8:31)?

18.  Why should I be confused when God is the author of peace and He gives me knowledge through His indwelling Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:33, 2:12)?

19.  Why should I feel like a failure when I am a conqueror in all things through Christ (Romans 8:37)?

20.  Why should I let the pressures of life bother me when I can take courage knowing that Jesus has overcome the world and its tribulations (John 16:33)?

“I do believe, help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Messiah, 57

~ Onlookers Stared at Messiah ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“They look and stare at Me” (Psalm 22:17b).

The Messiah  

“And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, ‘He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God’” (Luke 23:35).

~~~ 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

Inspiration of Scripture, 2of2

~ External Evidence of Inspiration ~

This is the second of two postings about the inspiration of the Holy Bible. Our prior focus was on what the Bible says about its inspiration. Today’s focus regards empirical evidence of the inspiration of the Holy Bible.

Fulfillment of Prophecies  ~  There are well over 300 predictions of Christ in the Old Covenant which were made over a period of 4,000 years—all of which were fulfilled in the life of one person. A statistician has calculated the odds of that happening as 1 out of 8.4 times 10⁹⁸—now that is a lot of zeros!

Amazing Unity  ~  It was written on 3 different continents by more than 40 writers over a time period of about 1,600 years. These varied writers included fishermen, herdsmen, physicians, judges, priests, prophets, poets, scribes, scholars, and kings. Amazingly, the Bible is one book telling one story. For example, a reader cannot understand the New Testament Book of Revelation without understanding the Book of Daniel in the Old Covenant. Consider that about 630 years passed between the writing of these two books and they were written in different locations about 1,200 miles apart.

Survival Against Constant Attack  ~  No other book has been attacked by so many adversaries or for so many centuries and survived. Today, the Bible continues to be near the top of sales every year.

Perennial Freshness / Never Ending Interest  ~  One of the many reasons for its survival is its continuing message. It is an ancient book with eternal truths which are applicable for humankind today.

Extreme Antiquity  ~  The average life of books in our society is less than 10 years. Most new books sell less than 500 copies over their life and 70% of all books printed are thrown out within 90 days of purchase.

Remarkable Influence On Mankind  ~  No other book has had such a positive influence on mankind. Virtually all of modern civil law can be traced to origins in the Bible. It teaches love for one another and the highest values. Because of its teachings thousands of educational facilities and hospitals were founded.

Transforming Power / “Living Oracles” of God  ~  The greatest empirical evidence of all is the miracle of changed lives. Those who have listened and responded to the message of the Word of God find a power for good on earth while waiting for their eternal destiny with God. We read the story of the blind man in the Gospel of John and we realize that his testimony represents all who have responded to the love of God at Calvary. “One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25b). He was physically blind and received his physical sight. Untold millions who were spiritually blind have received spiritual sight.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Messiah, 56

~ Not a Bone Would Be Broken, 3 ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“I can count all My bones” (Psalm 22:17a).  

The Messiah  

“Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs” (John 19:31-33). 

~~~ 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.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW