3 Ws for 2013

~ Correct Current Christian Activity in 2013 ~        

There are three critical activities which all Christians should regularly be doing while they wait for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Worshippers  ~  Regularly remember the Lord’s death until He comes again! “For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’ For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). 

Warriors  ~  Hold fast the truth of the Word of God until He comes again! “But hold fast what you have till I come. And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; they shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels’—as I also have received from My Father; and I will give him the morning star. ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches’” Revelation 2:25-29).

Workers  ~  Engage in His work until He comes again! “Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. Therefore He said: ‘A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.  So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, “Do business till I come”’”  (Luke 19:11-13).

self-test:  Are you busy in God’s work while waiting for His return? Are you busy doing the right things? Are you worshipping your Creator? Are you a warrior for Him fighting the spiritual darkness all around you? Are you working in His business as a good steward? 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Messiah, 78

~ Messiah Would Rise From Death, 4 ~

 “Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“But God will redeem My soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive Me” (Psalm 49:15). 

The Messiah  

“And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and His clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of Him, and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you’” (Matthew 28:2-7). 

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken. Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’ Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses” (Acts 2:22-32). 

~~~ 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

Xmas – Bah Hum Bug!

~ What I Don’t Like About Christmas! ~    

Taking Christ Out of Christmas  ~  Shortening the word Christmas to Xmas, whether intentionally or not, removes Christ from CHRISTmas. Aren’t we celebrating His birth?

It is a subtle thing, but it has an impact, when we greet one another with Seasons Greetings or Happy Holidays, rather than Merry Christmas!    

By the way, “Where have all the nativity scenes gone?” There was a time, not that long ago, when all the department stores and many public places (including government) prominently displayed nativity scenes. But that was before the emphasis on political correctness. 

Society has turned Christmas into a commercial focus on gift-buying—increasingly expensive gifts—often for people who do not need what they are given. 

Suggestions  ~  (1) This Christmas choose to deliberately take your holiday back.

(2) Avoid the politically correct greetings and wish people a “Merry Christmas” or remind them that there is “Joy to the World” since the Savior has come!

(3) When you find a nativity scene in retail outlets and other public places, make your thankfulness known to the organization. In some nativity-less situations you might politely express your disappointment at the lack of a nativity scene.

(4) Do all the Christmas cards you send out have a clear spiritual message?

(5) How about your Christmas decorations inside and outside your home? Do you display stars and nativity scenes or is prominence given to Frosty, Rudolph, reindeer, and Santa Claus?

(6) Cut back on the gift-giving and use your savings to give to Him through Christian organizations which work to honor Him.

(7) Re-evaluate your own life with regard to your time, finances, activities, and priorities.  Ask yourself if He would desire that you make permanent changes.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Messiah, 77

~ Messiah Is Anointed ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions” (Psalm 45:7).

The Messiah  

“You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions’ (Hebrews 1:9).

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:18-19).

~~~ 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