Jesus Christ, 12

~ Have You Really Seen Jesus Christ ~  

Have You Really Seen the Dying One  ~  “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29). The dying Savior offers salvation to all who believe on His name.

   

Have You Really Seen the Risen One  ~  “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). The risen Savior offers transformation to those who belong to Him.  

Have You Really Seen the Coming One  ~  “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:2-3). In this passage we see the glorification of His believers.

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Quote: God Light, 1

~ Do You Have Faith? ~

True Faith Involves Action!

The following is an excerpt from a book.

Driving to work without a concern, I cross over the large Interstate 205 bridge across the Columbia River—it was structurally engineered by civil engineers. I trust they knew what they were doing when they designed the bridge. Over the years the bridge was being built, the workmen followed the specifications exactly—at least I assume they did. I do not have the education to assure me the engineers did their jobs perfectly. Even if I did, I have no access to their specifications or drawings. I have learned to trust the I-205 bridge since every day without fail it has allowed thousands of vehicles to pass over to the other side.

On our spiritual journeys some individuals stumble over the idea of “faith.” They have no problem sitting in a chair and trusting it to hold them. Faith, or trust, in the spiritual realm is no different than in the natural realm. Based on personal experience or the observed experiences of others, we are willing cross the bridge.

Years ago as a young boy in a Sunday school class, I heard a reportedly true story which I have never forgotten. A tight-wire walker had set up his wire across Niagara Falls and a large crowd sat in bleachers on both sides. The crowd anxiously watched as he slowly made his way across the treacherous waterfall—carefully utilizing the long balancing rod he carried.

After making a roundtrip he asked the crowd, “How many of you think I could push a wheel barrow across to the other side?” The crowd was hushed; then one, and another began shouting, “I do!” He took his wheelbarrow, with its special cupped wheel, and again slowly, with anxious moments, made his way across and back again.

Now the tight-wire artist raised the ante. “How many of you think I could do this again, but this time with two 90-pound sacks of cement in the wheelbarrow?” This time, based on what had been witnessed, the majority of the crowd soon began cheering and shouting, “Yes!” He loaded the wheelbarrow and started across.

Once again, as in the two previous efforts, there were a number of anxious moments. Eventually he made his way all the way across and back.

Now he asked another question. “How many believe I could replace those two sacks of cement with a person and make it across and back?” By now the crowd had witnessed enough that they were into it. Almost instantaneously the entire crowd erupted with, “We believe! We believe!”

This time the artist looked directly at the crowd for a few moments until a hush came over them. His eyes began to rove and then locked in on a gentleman seated in the third row—one of the most boisterous of the respondents. “You! Get into the wheelbarrow.”

At this, the man rose, carefully moved to the front of the crowd, turned to his right away from the artist and took off running.

Faith is not an emotion or feeling. True faith requires a confidence. Just as in the physical realm, intellectual belief alone without action is not the type of faith—trust—required in our spiritual journeys.

The person who must “have all the answers” before acting will always be on the sidelines unwilling to act.

~ from “GOD LIGHT: Sunlight Sonlight, pages 97-99 (ISBN: 9780741475534). 

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

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Messiah, 71

~ Messiah Delighted in Doing God’s Will ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. Then I said, ‘Behold, I come; in the scroll of the book it is written of Me. I delight to do Your will, O My God, and Your law is within My heart’” (Psalm 40:6-8).

The Messiah  

“Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: ‘Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me. In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure. Then I said, “Behold, I have come—in the volume of the book it is written of Me—to do Your will, O God.”’ Previously saying, ‘Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them’ (which are offered according to the law), then He said, ‘Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.’ He takes away the first that He may establish the second”(Hebrews 10:5-9).

“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38).

~~~ 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

Christian Life is Tough

~ The Christian Life Described as Hard Work 4 Ways ~       

The Apostle Paul in his instructions to Timothy, his son in the Lord, had much to say about the reality of being a Christian. Paul was not afraid to talk about the life of a Christian being very difficult at times.

Hard Work for His Gospel  ~  “Don't be embarrassed to speak up for our Master or for me, his prisoner. Take your share of suffering for the Message along with the rest of us. We can only keep on going, after all, by the power of God, who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it” (2 Timothy 1:8-9, The Message). 

Hard Work as His Soldier  ~  “My son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me — the whole congregation saying Amen! — to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others. When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did. A soldier on duty doesn't get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders” (2 Timothy 2:1-4, The Message). 

Hard Work Can Be Misunderstood  ~  “Fix this picture firmly in your mind: Jesus, descended from the line of David, raised from the dead. It's what you've heard from me all along. It's what I'm sitting in jail for right now — but God's Word isn't in jail!” (2 Timothy 2:8-9, The Message).

Hard Work as His Witness  ~  “You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food — catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you — keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God's servant” (2 Timothy 4:3-5, The Message). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Messiah, 70

~ Messiah Would Remain Silent When Accused ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; and I am like a mute who does not open his mouth. Thus I am like a man who does not hear, and in whose mouth is no response” (Psalm 38:13-14). 

The Messiah  

“And the high priest arose and said to Him, ‘Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?’ But Jesus kept silent” (Matthew 26:62-63a).

“And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. Then Pilate said to Him, ‘Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?’ But He answered him not one word, so that the governor marveled greatly” (Matthew 27:12-14).

~~~ 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