EXTRA: 1,000 Posts

~ “Thank You” To All My Readers! ~

INTRODUCTION  ~  Before I give a more typical summary of this syndicated Christian blog I will answer a question that is sometimes asked. 

Question  ~  The question is similar to this:  “I’ve noticed that ALN tends to have a heavy concentration of Scripture quotation compared to many other Christian blogs.  Why is that?”

Answer  ~  There are some interrelated factors.  First, Jesus Christ gave the parable of the sower which clearly shows that results vary depending on the condition of the soil where the seed is planted.  The seed is the Word of God.  Nothing can grow without seed first being planted.  Second, I have a strong belief that only the Word of God combined with the Spirit of God can change lives in a supernatural way which results in spiritual fruit.  Third, think about the power of a single seed.  An apple, guava, pomegranate, and other fruits have many seeds.  Each seed is capable of producing a new tree each of which can produce many more fruits each with many more seeds each.  The power of multiplication is potentially huge.  Fourth, as I read the Apostle Paul’s final instructions from prison to those who would follow in his footsteps (particularly his protégé Timothy) his main instruction is to “preach the Word” (2 Timothy 4:2).  He did not tell him to be politically correct, but rather to be true to his Lord and the Word of God.  Finally, God requires His servants to be faithful, but does not hold them accountable for results (that is up to Him). 

Also, I am sometimes asked why I always spell out the entire name of the book of the Bible which I quote from.  The answer is simple.  Some of my readers do not come from a Biblical background and so it is imperative for me to make it easy for them to get into the Word of God themselves to read the context of the Scripture passages which are quoted. 

Key Passage  ~  “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11).

Comment  ~  The Gideons International is one example of an organization which believes in the eternal value of distributing God’s Word.  Every week their headquarters receives hundreds of testimonies of changed lives as the result of the Word of God.  Earlier this year they distributed their two billionth copy of Scripture. 

REVIEW  ~  ALN’s first post was on November 11, 2009.  Since that time there have been many satisfying and rewarding moments.  Each year the number of posts has increased.  Here are some statistics:

Audience  ~  ALN has been read in over 200 countries and in more than 90 languages.  Interestingly, there has been a significant uptick in readership in Slavic and Russian countries over the past two or three years. 

Readers’ Favorite Posts  ~  The top ten listed by popularity at the time of this writing:  (1) Are You an April Fool? …an Everyday Fool?, (2) 7 Benefits of the Blood of Christ,  (3) Spiritual 7-Up,  (4) The Shortest Man (humor),  (5) The Christian’s 3 Choices,  (6) The Core Message of the Bible,  (7) 10 Failures of Samson, (8) “Evangelist” vs. “Witness” - 2of2, and (9) 7 Traits of a Godly Father, and (10)  EXTRA: Comment to a Comment.

My Personal Favorite Posts  ~  The top six listed chronologically:  (1) Genealogy Gospel, (2) For All Christian Graduates, (3) Answered Prayer, (4) God’s Gender, (5) Lead Leads to Lead, (6) EXTRA: Super Bowl Lessons., and (7) 12 Successes of Samson.

Looking Forward  ~  Plans are to continue daily posts (Lord willing) throughout all of 2015.  As the year winds down we will reassess and make plans for next year. 

~ 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/ .

Christ in Obadiah

~ Jesus Christ Is the Lord Our Savior ~

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).

In the Book of Obadiah we find Jesus Christ as the Savior and Judge (including the Executor of Divine Retribution).  The primary image is of the Lord our Savior—He is mighty to save!

Comment  ~  Obadiah concludes his prophecy by saying, “Then saviors shall come to Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lord’s” (Obadiah 21).  Obadiah ends his message with the promise of the future reign of Jesus Christ.  We have only touched the surface of Christ in the Book of Obadiah.

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

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/ .

Messiah, 211

~ Messiah Would Come From Zion ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“‘The Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,’ says the Lord” (Isaiah 59:20).

The Messiah  

“And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins’” (Romans 11:26-27).

The Future Complete Fulfillment

In a future day many Israelites will come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn” (Zechariah 12:10).

~~~ 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

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/ .