Our Truth

~ 3 Vital Christian Truths ~

This is the first part of a three part blog series which presents, “3 Vital Christian Truths,” “3 Purposes of Christian Service,” and “3 Aspects of Christian Service.”

The Truth About The Christ  ~  While we learn about Christ throughout the New Testament and especially in the four Gospels, no writer provides a deeper look into the Messiah than John, the beloved apostle. Consider this passage, “In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word [Jesus] was with God, and the Word [Jesus] was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:1-5). 

The Truth About The Church  ~  No New Testament writer provides more depth of understanding about the true Church of Jesus Christ than the Apostle Paul. He is an example, “For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles—if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power” (Ephesians 3:1-7). 

The Truth About The Kingdom  ~  We learn about the Kingdom throughout portions of the New Testament, primarily from Peter, James, and Jude. “They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:8b-10).  

There is the future kingdom which every Christian should look forward to with great anticipation. Jesus Christ, the Messiah, will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Meanwhile there is the kingdom of God on earth in individual lives as we submit ourselves to God’s desires (His will) for us.

application:  Are you submitting to God now—making Him your pilot in all you do? Are you sure you will reign with Him in the future kingdom of God?

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

5 Valuable Items

~ Peter’s “Precious” Things ~

Precious Blood  ~  “And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:17-19). 

The precious blood of Christ was poured out to redeem mankind who was alienated from God.

Precious Faith  ~  “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love” (1 Peter 1:6-8a).  The precious faith of God’s children is tried and tested as we live out our time on earth. 

Precious Stone  ~  “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:4-5).  As precious living stones, Christians are to uphold the truth. 

Precious Christ  ~  “Therefore, to you who believe, He [Jesus Christ] is precious; but to those who are disobedient, ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,’ and ‘a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.’ They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed” (1 Peter 2:7-8).  As Christians we are to love our precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Precious Promises  ~  “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:2-4).  As Christians we have been given precious promises for which we can ask at the throne of grace through prayer.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

Bible Answer, 5

~ Did You Get It Right?  ~

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~~~~ bible answer ~~~~

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question 5:  How many Bible heroes killed lions?  

answer:    At least three …

(1)  Samson  ~  “So Samson went down to Timnah with his father and mother, and came to the vineyards of Timnah. Now to his surprise, a young lion came roaring against him. And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he tore the lion apart as one would have torn apart a young goat, though he had nothing in his hand. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done” (Judges 14:5-6).  

(2)  David  ~  “But David said to Saul, ‘Your servant used to keep his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Our servant has killed both lion and bear” (1 Samuel 17:34-36a).   

(3)  Benaiah  ~  “Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day” (2 Samuel 23:20).  

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

Christ—Like His Father

~ A Father’s Protection for His Children ~

The Key Passage  ~  “At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, ‘Who gets the highest rank in God’s kingdom?’  For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom He stood in the middle of the room, and said, ‘I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in.  Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom.  What’s more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it’s the same as receiving Me.

‘But if you give them a hard time, bullying or taking advantage of their simple trust, you’ll soon wish you hadn’t.  You'd be better off dropped in the middle of the lake with a millstone around your neck.  Doom to the world for giving these God-believing children a hard time!  Hard times are inevitable, but you don't have to make it worse—and it’s doomsday to you if you do.

‘If your hand or your foot gets in the way of God, chop it off and throw it away.  You’re better off maimed or lame and alive than the proud owners of two hands and two feet, godless in a furnace of eternal fire.  And if your eye distracts you from God, pull it out and throw it away.  You’re better off one-eyed and alive than exercising your twenty-twenty vision from inside the fire of hell.

‘Watch that you don’t treat a single one of these childlike believers arrogantly.  You realize, don’t you, that their personal angels are constantly in touch with My Father in heaven?’” (Matthew 18:1-10, The Message).

Observations  ~  (1) A true Father is ever vigilant watching over his children.  (2) We need to not complicate simple things (i.e., the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a straight-forward thing).  (3) By observing and listening to children, adults could learn a lot about correct behavior (i.e., trust and confidence).  (4) Sincerity is a critical issue in God’s eyes.  (5) In God’s point of view men should exhibit tenderness and compassion to others—especially those who need protection.  Most importantly, (5) let God be God in our lives and recognize that we are in desperate need of Him, His love, and His protection. 

Other Key Passages  ~  Jesus said, “The Father is in Me, and I in Him” (John 10:38b).  “Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip?  He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, “Show us the Father?”  Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me?  The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.  Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves’” (John 14:9-11).  Jesus also said, “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love” (John 15:9). 

Application  ~  Jesus Christ is the Christian’s role model.  Do your children see the Heavenly Father in you?  Does He abide in you and you in Him? 

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

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).