Show & Tell

~ The Double Testimony ~

Those of us who are parents are familiar with elementary school “show and tell,” when the student brings something visible to show to their fellow students and then tells about the object. The Scripture also provides many show and tells. 

Tell—Use Your Lips  ~  “And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him [Jesus] that he might be with Him. However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, ‘Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.’  And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled” (Mark 5:18-20, emphasis added). 

Luke emphasizes the telling even more, “Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, ‘Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.’ And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him” (Luke 8:38-39,emphasis added). 

For those of you not familiar with this passage (Matthew 8:28-9:1, Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39), it includes the first recorded incident of “deviled ham.”

Show—Physically Demonstrate  ~  It is clear from the above accounts that telling was effective because of what the hearers saw—a new cleansed and normal man! Seeing is often very important. Think of Thomas who would not believe unless he saw for himself. Think of Jesus Christ and the miracles He performed—visual evidences of His reality. 

“Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’ So he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.’

“And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, ‘Peace to you!’ Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.’ And Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’

“Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’

“And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:24-31).

Do you have a personal story you can show and tell? 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Jesus Christ Manifested

~ Christ as Seen in 1 John ~

The Apostle John speaks about how Jesus Christ has been “manifested” or seen.

Jesus Christ Manifested as The Life  ~  “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full” (1 John 1:1-4). 

Jesus Christ Manifested as The One Who Takes Away Sin  ~  “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God” (1 John 3:4-9). 

Jesus Christ Will Be Manifested In Glory  ~  “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 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 3:1-3).

The child of God shall take on His glory at His appearing. What a future we have!

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

Messiah, 100

~ Messiah’s Betrayer Would Be Close To Him ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“Set a wicked man over Him, and let an accuser stand at his right hand. When he is judged, let him be found guilty, and let his prayer become sin. Let his days be few, and let another take his office. Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow” (Psalm 109:6-9).

    

The Messiah  

“And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, ‘Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.’ (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.) ‘For it is written in the Book of Psalms: “Let his dwelling place be desolate, and let no one live in it;” and, “Let another take his office”’” (Acts 1:15-20). 

~~~ 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

“An Incredible Tool”

~ Book Review of “Thy Will Be Done On Earth” by The Old Schoolhouse ~

Reproduced immediately below is one of the many positive reviews the book” Thy Will Be Done On Earth” has received.

BOOK REVIEW
Thy Will Be Done On Earth by Robert Lloyd Russell

Product review by Jennifer Harrison, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

Ever struggle with making a decision?  Generally, when I hear someone mention desiring God’s will, I think of high school graduates trying to decide on a college, singles looking for their perfect mate, or couples contemplating becoming parents—you know, the really big issues.  But the truth is, everyday decisions/struggles also fall under the blanket of God's will.  We serve an awesome God who cares just as much about our tiny moments as He does our major moments.  It’s overwhelming to recognize that the almighty Creator of the universe actively cares about which math curriculum best fits your child, and it’s a relief to realize He isn't being cryptic with His answers

Thy Will Be Done on Earth is a refreshing book that tackles the topic of God's will; more specifically, it tackles the topic of understanding God's will for you.  It is an easy read, but the material is worth chewing on slowly.  Every part of the book relies on scripture, and is very diligent to refer readers to the source of its content.  The book is divided into four sections.  The first part is an enlightening look at the three aspects of God's will: God's sovereign will (His big-picture plans for all mankind,) God's general will (His desire for mankind as laid out in Scripture,) and God's specific will (God's specific desire for you.)  These aspects are laid out as a foundation for the rest of the book to build upon.  The author even shares them in a chart for easy reference.

After the foundation has been established, Part Two discusses the “general will,” helping readers to understand the model God has lined out for us in Scripture and the importance of relationship and of obedience.  Many of us are eager to discover God’s specific plans for us without a willingness to acknowledge His sovereign will or his general will.  These first two portions of the book gently guide readers to that acknowledgement and a deeper relationship with Christ.  One of my favorite quotes from this portion sums it up well: “With Heaven in view you will not sacrifice the permanent on the altar of the immediate, and obedience will be the natural outcome.”

Part Three enters the realm of discernment and illustrates how to make decisions that consistently fall in line with God's specific will for your life.  Part Four reveals the beauty of a life lived for the glory of God, helping readers to accept the grace given for our previous decisions and to recognize the benefits of walking in God’s will.  Both sections establish a model for continuous growth in Christ.

While an excellent book for individual study, Thy Will Be Done on Earth would also make a nice book for a study group.  Short chapters are followed by Think and Grow questions that send you directly to the Bible for answers.  An appendix at the back of the book outlines a plan for creating either a 13-lesson or a 6-lesson group study.  It’s staggering to think about what could be accomplished if church groups actively and collectively sought God’s will.

Whether in a group, as a couple, or completely alone with God, Thy Will Be Done on Earth is an incredible tool as a gentle but firm-footed guide to pulling aside the shroud of mystery and walking in the freedom of God's will.

~ Review by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

There is more information about Thy Will Be Done On Earth at the author’s website. 

You may order directly from Amazon or from Xulon Press. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW