“Chock-Full of Information”

~ Book Review of “God Light” by Readers’ Favorite ~

Reproduced immediately below is one of the independent book reviews “God Light” has received.

Book Reviews 

"5 Stars"  

God Light
Sunlight Sonlight
by Robert Lloyd Russell
Christian - Non Fiction
Reviewed on 05/27/2013

Reviewed by Joy Hannabass for Readers' Favorite

Apostle John’s statement in I John 1:5, “God Is Light,” intrigued this author enough to start questioning just what John really meant by these three words.  Having studied physical light, Robert Russell started to understand that some of the characteristics of physical light help us to understand God’s nature and give us new meaning to the phrase in I John.  Therefore Russell writes this book giving us parallels between natural physical light and spiritual light to help us understand what the real meaning of this three-word phrase is.  “God is Light” is chock-full of information about how God is Light.  It is in three parts: ‘Sunlight Sonlight Attributes,’ showing us the character of God; ‘Sunlight Sonlight of the World,’ an overview of light in scriptures; and ‘Sunlight Sonlight Interactions,’ application to what we have learned.  I have heard this phrase all of my life, and I never dreamed of it being so involved and never bothered to know what this is all about.

This book is very well-written and formatted.  At the end of each chapter, the Sunlight\Sonlight parallels are explained, and there is a Think and Grow section with a few questions to answer.  “God Light” could easily be used as a personal Bible study, or a study for small groups or Sunday school class.  Though there is a lot of information, on account of the way the book is written, it is easy to read and understand.  Each chapter is pretty short so that it can be read and discussed in one sitting.  I highly recommend “God Light” to help with any type of Bible study.

Robert Lloyd Russell is a popular Bible teacher and seminar leader. Bobs personal goal is to help others develop a living theology and dynamic discipleship.  His writings have been described as encouraging, enlightening, and entertaining.  In his career as a professionally certified management consultant, he is acclaimed for reducing complex topics to easy-to-understand ideas, concepts, and actions.  His Christian writings also have that characteristic.  He has served on a number of boards including non-profit organizations.  He earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Portland and a Master of Christian Leadership from Western Seminary.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

In the time since “GOD LIGHT: Sunlight Sonlight” was released, it has received accolades including being named:

“Gold Medal Winner” (Christian non-fiction) by the “2013 Readers’ Favorite Awards”

“Best Book” (Religion: Christianity) by the “2012 World Book Awards”

“Winner” (Religion non-fiction) by the “2012 Beverly Hills Book Awards” 

“1st Place” (Religion: Eastern-Western) by the “2012 Reader Views Awards”

“Runner-up” (Religion: Christianity) by the “2012 USA Best Books Awards”

“Finalist” (Book: Biblical Studies) by the “2013 Word Guild Awards” (Canada)

There is more information about God Light at the author’s website.

You may order directly from Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Infinity Publishing, and other retailers.

~ 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/).

Effectiveness

~ 6 Cs Of An Effective Christian Life From Ezekiel 1 ~         

The book of Ezekiel is about the glory of God sitting on His throne.  It is all about His presence. One interesting aspect of this book is we find the word “living” at least 40 times. It is clear from Scripture that there is no effectiveness in the Christian life unless one pays strong attention to his spiritual life. Physical activity without spiritual depth is ineffective in God’s view.

This book, like the entire canon of Scripture, is directly from God Himself. “The word of the Lord came expressly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the River Chebar; and the hand of the Lord was upon him there” (Ezekiel 1:3).

A Consistent Life  ~  “Their legs were straight” (1:7a). They were careful where they went and they walked uprightly in a manner pleasing to God.  

A Consecrated Life  ~  “And each one went straight forward” (v. 12). They made their personal desires secondary to the will of God. The clear implication is an unwavering in their decision to follow God.  

A Controlled Life  ~  “They went wherever the Spirit wanted to go, and they did not turn when they went” (v. 12b). They made their personal desires secondary to the will of God.  

A Convincing Life  ~  “When they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of many waters, like the voice of the Almighty, a tumult like the noise of an army; and when they stood still, they let down their wings” (v. 24). They were noticed by those around. 

A Contemplative Life  ~  “A voice came from above the firmament that was over their heads; whenever they stood, they let down their wings” (v. 25).  The implication is taking time aside to rest, reflect, and listen to God above. 

A Crowned Life  ~  “And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it” (v. 26). The end of all true service for God is a crown!

~ 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’s Suffering

~ 3 Aspects Of His Suffering ~

He Suffered For Sins (at the hand of God)  ~  “Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole garrison around Him.  And they stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him.  When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand.   And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’  Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head.  And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.  …  They gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink.  But when He had tasted it, He would not drink” (Matthew 27:27-31, 34).  “Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18). 

He Suffered For Righteousness (at the hands of men)   ~  “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth;’ who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed” (1 Peter 2:21-24). 

He Suffered By Temptation (from Satan)   ~  “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.  For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:17-18). 

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/).

Messiah, 158

~ Messiah Would Be A Judge ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“In mercy the throne will be established; and One will sit on it in truth, in the tabernacle of David, judging and seeking justice and hastening righteousness” (Isaiah 16:5). 

The Messiah  

Jesus said, “You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one.  And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me” (John 8:15-16).  Jesus also said, “I can of Myself do nothing.  As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me” (John 5:30). 

The Future Complete Fulfillment

The only long-term effective government is one that is led by a perfectly just and righteous dictator.  The problem is that only one individual fits that description—Jesus Christ.  Jesus said, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). 

Christians understand that in a future day Jesus Christ will rule overall as the Righteous One.  In that day everyone will acknowledge that He is truly the ultimate ruler and rightly has the title “King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.”   

~~~ 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

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/).