Myth: Religion & Politics

~ Have You Bought Into Satan’s Lie? ~

The Myth  ~  “Don’t mix religion and politics.” What a lie! This is much like “you can’t legislate morality” and there should be “separation of church and state.” Unfortunately when something is stated frequently enough it becomes accepted as reality.  Then over time it is assumed to be fact! Satan is the master deceiver and uses lies frequently enough that they become accepted as truth!

The Result  ~  Satan uses false beliefs not only in society at large but also inside the church. These devastating ideas are like a virus that mutates and multiplies to the extent that it affects our very core. They are like spiritual cancers.

Look around at the moral condition of our nation and our world. Our societal leaders are secular, unprincipled, ungodly, misguided, and incapable of being stewards of the blessings of God so freely bestowed on society. 

Secular nations have ignored and spurned the Bible. It has not always been so. The Bible was revered by most of the founders of the United States of America. The Bible strongly influenced the founding documents. Today the United States and most “developed nations” are in a headlong death spiral led by ungodly leaders.

The Remedy  ~  One of the great things about Jesus’ ministry while on earth was that He was not afraid to dispel popular myths. For example, in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) He repeatedly said, “You have heard it said,” and then countered with, “but I say unto you.” Jesus then set the matter straight by speaking the truth. The remedy for error is truth!

When Jesus Christ was tempted by Satan, He quoted the truth (in the form of Scripture) to refute each of Satan’s distorted arguments (Luke 4:1-13). We must know the Scripture and the One who is Truth (John 14:6) in order to combat the disastrous path of our churches and society as a whole. 

contemplate:   “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

“But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction” (Psalm 1, New Living Translation).

~ 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/).

Truth In Advertising

~ God Has A Logo & A Slogan ~   

Please do not take this blog post as sacrilegious, but may I suggest that only God advertises without hyperbole or exaggeration.

First He advertises His power and work in natural revelation—nature itself. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).

Second He advertises His power and work in special revelation—especially through His written Word—the Scriptures. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

If you look around today, it is clear that the logo of God in our age is the symbol of the Cross of Calvary—representing the sacrificial death of His Son for your sins and mine.  The slogan, or that phrase which is most associated with the one true God in our period of time, is John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall never perish but have everlasting life.”

conclusion:  As in all advertising some respond and some don’t. Have you personally investigated the reality of God?

~ Credit for the concepts behind this post go to my Pastor, Dr. Mike Wilde.

~ 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 in The Psalms

~ Jesus Christ Is Our Shepherd and Much More ~

The Bible is about Jesus Christ  ~  “Jesus said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself” (Luke 24:25-27).

Christ in The Psalms  ~  In the Jewish Song Book our Messiah is seen as our Shepherd, our fortress, our Rock, our All in All, and the Beloved of God.  He is our Morning  Song.  The Book of Psalms looks forward to the ultimate glorious and righteous King.  “Who is this King of Glory?” (Psalm 24:8a) – None other than the Messiah, Jesus Christ—the Anointed One.

The Basic Key  ~  To understand the Book of Psalms and its relationship with the rest of the Bible is to understand the difference between Christianity and other religions—it is a relationship, not a religion!   Throughout  Psalms we find a God who understands the emotional side of human life and invites us to have an intimate relationship with Him.   While on earth the Messiah identified Himself with the human experience.  He understands our plight on earth and He is our Great High Priest.  “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16). 

Comment  ~  We have only touched the surface of Christ in The Psalms.  Much more could be said about the Messiah in Israel’s songbook.

additional comment: There are many references to Jesus Christ, the Messiah, throughout the Book of Psalms.  Consider the following three examples (not intended to be a complete list):

Psalm 2:7 with Hebrews 1:5

Psalm 45:6-7 with Hebrews 1:8-9

Psalm 104:4 with Hebrews 1:7

additional comment: While on earth Jesus Christ often quoted the Scriptures including (not intended to be a complete list):

Psalm 8:2 in Matthew 21:16

Psalm 22:1 in Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34

Psalm 31:5 in Luke 23:46

Psalm 41:9 in John 13:18

Psalm 69:4 in John 15:25

Psalm 82:6 in John 10:34

Psalm 118:22-23 in Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10-11, and Luke 20:17

Psalm 110:1 in Matthew 22:44, Mark 12:36, and Luke 20:42-43

additional comment: The Book of Psalms is often quoted in the New Testament.  Compare the following examples (not intended to be a complete list): 

Psalm 2:1-2 with Acts 4:25

Psalm 2:7 with Acts 13:33, Hebrews 1:5, and Hebrews 5:5 

Psalm 2:9 with Revelation 2:27 

Psalm 4:4 with Ephesians 4:26

Psalm 5:9-10 with Romans 3:10-18

Psalm 8:4-6 with I Corinthians 15:27 and Hebrews 2:6-8

Psalm 10:7 with Romans 3:10-18

Psalm 14:1-3 with Romans 3:10-18

Psalm 16:8-11 with Acts 2:25-28 and Acts 13:35 

Psalm 18:49 with Romans 15:9

Psalm 19:4 with Romans 10:18

Psalm 22:18 with Matthew 27:35 and John 19:24

Psalm 22:22 with Hebrews 2:12 

Psalm 27:1 with Hebrews 13:6

Psalm 32:1-2 with Romans 4:7-8

Psalm 34:12-16 with 1 Peter 3:10-12

Psalm 34:20 with John 19:36

Psalm 36:1-2 with Romans 3:10-18

Psalm 40:6-8 with Hebrews 10:5-7 and 10:8-9 

Psalm 44:22 with Romans 8:36

Psalm 51:4 with Romans 3:4 

Psalm 53:1-3 with Romans 3:10-18

Psalm 55:22  with 1 Peter 5:7

Psalm 62:12 with Romans 2:6 

Psalm 68:18 with Ephesians 4:8

Psalm 69:9 with John 2:17 and Romans 25:3

Psalm 69:22-23 with Romans 11:9

Psalm 69:25 with Acts 1:20

Psalm 78:2 with Matthew 13:35

Psalm 89:20 with Acts 13:22

Psalm 91:11-12 with Matthew 4:6 and Luke 4:10-11

Psalm 94:11 with 1 Corinthians 3:20

Psalm 95:7-11 with Hebrews 3:7-11, 15, 4:3, 5, and 4:7

Psalm 102:25-27 with Hebrews 1:10-12

Psalm 109:8 with Acts 1:20

Psalm 110:1 with Acts 2:34-35, and Hebrews 1:13

Psalm 110:4 with Hebrews 5:6, 10, 7:17, and 7:21

Psalm 112:9 with 2 Corinthians 9:9

Psalm 116:10 with 2 Corinthians 4:13

Psalm 117:1 with Romans 15:11

Psalm 118:6 with Hebrews 13:6 

Psalm 118:22-23 with Acts 4:11, and 1 Peter 2:7

Psalm 118:26 with Matthew 21:9, Mark 11:9, Luke 13:35, 19:38, and John 12:13

Psalm 140:3 with Romans 3:10-18

The Apostle Paul told us the Scriptures present many shadows of things to come but the reality is found in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:17). 

~~~ EXPLANATORY “JESUS CHRIST IN EVERY BOOK OF THE BIBLE” SERIES ~~~  

(1)  Approximately once a month ALN posts an overview of how Jesus Christ is seen in a specific book of the Bible.

(2)  In most cases these posts only scratch the surface regarding Jesus Christ in the particular book.

(3)  These posts will typically be in the same order as the books are found in the Bible.

(4)  These serial posts are in addition to our other ALN postings.

(5)  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/).

Messiah, 159

~ Messiah Would Judge Justly ~

“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, “My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me” (John 8:16). 

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/).