Fear Not, 7

~ Joseph’s Brothers Were Again Given God’s Peace ~

God does not want His children living in fear.  “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” (2 Peter 1:2-3). 

“Fear not,” or its equivalent, is recorded many times in Scripture—ALN will post one “fear not” each week during this calendar year. 

This Week’s Verse  ~  “Then his [Joseph’s] brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, ‘Behold, we are your servants.’  Joseph said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God?  But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.  Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.’  And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them” (Genesis 50:18-21).

The Foundation Of Peace  ~  “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid” (Psalm 27:1). 

The Solution If You Lack Peace  ~  “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble” (Psalm 119:165).  “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You” (Isaiah 26:3).  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). 

Summary  ~  “No Christ = No Peace” versus “Know Christ = Know Peace”

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but 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 at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Today & Tomorrow

~ Do You Know Whose Terms They Are? ~

Background  ~  (1) In one sense yesterday, today, and tomorrow are all God’s terms.  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrew 13:8).  (2) In a different sense none of these terms are Gods terms since He is eternal—there is no time, as we understand it, with God.  (3) There is a third concept that is important to recognize; “today” is God’s word while “tomorrow” is Satan’s word. 

Amplification  ~  Satan seeks to have us procrastinate on eternal matters!  This is absolutely true!  First, regarding salvation for those who don’t believe—Satan desperately seeks to keep individuals from seeking truth [Jesus Christ].  Secondly, Satan strives hard to make Christians procrastinate in all aspects of obedience to Jesus Christ. 

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2b).  “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness, where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, and saw My works forty years.  Therefore I was angry with that generation, and said, “They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known My ways.”  So I swore in My wrath, “They shall not enter My rest.”’  Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, while it is said: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion’” (Hebrews 3:7-15).  “Again He designates a certain day, saying in David, ‘Today,’ after such a long time, as it has been said: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts’” (Hebrews 4:7). 

Quotation  ~  Between God’s command and our obedience is the wasteland of Satan.  When we hear what God tells us to do, we should say, “I will obey today.”  If we don’t say that, we will hear “tomorrow” ringing in our ears.  And one of those days our tomorrow will be gone!

When D.L. Moody first started to preach the Gospel in Chicago, he would say at the end of each service, “I want you to go home tonight and think about what I’ve said and come back tomorrow night ready to make a decision.”  For years that was his standard procedure.

On the night of the Great Chicago Fire, he gave the same instruction.  And many of the people who were in his congregation that night perished in the fire, never having responded to Moody’s message. 

From that day until he died, Moody never gain said those closing words.  He learned the power of today.  He realized that the message of the Gospel usually comes home to our hearts when we first hear it.  Maybe a light goes on.  Maybe we realized, I’ve known about Jesus, but I’ve never trusted Him as my Savior.  When that happens and you know God is speaking to you, the time to do something about it is not tomorrow, not the next time you meet with God’s people, but today.   ~ I Never Thought I’d See the Day! – Culture at the Crossroads, Dr. David Jeremiah, page 89. 

Application  ~  (1) For Christians:  Is your Christianity ancient history or current events? 

(2) For those who do not know Jesus Christ personally:  How about today?  You may not be given any tomorrows!  “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.  Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6-7). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post but 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/).

Occupational Hymns

~ Do You Know the Hymn of Your Profession? ~

note:  The original source of this material is unknown. 

Contractor’s Hymn:  The Church's One Foundation

Convicted Murderer’s Hymn:  Take My Life

Dentist’s Hymn:  Crown Him With Many Crowns

Electrician’s Hymn:  This Little Light of Mine and/or Send The Light

Fisherman’s Hymn:  I Will Make You Fishers of Men

Golfer’s Hymn:  There is a Green Hill Far Away

Gossip’s Hymn:  Pass It On

IRS Agent’s Hymn:  I Surrender All

Mason’s Hymn:  Rock of Ages

Optometrist’s Hymn:  Open My Eyes That I May See

Politician’s Hymn:  Standing On The Promises

Shopper’s Hymn:  Sweet By And By

Tailor’s Hymn:  Holy, Holy, Holy

Weatherman’s Hymn:  There Shall Be Showers of Blessings

additional note:  If you know of, or can think of, others please comment!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post but 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/).