Christ’s Work, 2of2

~ 4 Aspects of Christ’s Work On Our Behalf ~

He Found Us (conversion–Christ the Savior)  ~  “He found him in a desert land and in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye.  As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings, so the Lord alone led him, and there was no foreign god with him” (Deuteronomy 32:10-12). 

Jesus said, “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?  And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’  I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:4-7). 

He Leads Us (obedience–Christ the Shepherd)  ~  “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.  He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake” (Psalm 23:1-3). 

Jesus said, “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). 

He Instructs Us (discipleship–Christ the Teacher)  ~   “He found him in a desert land and in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye.  As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings, so the Lord alone led him, and there was no foreign god with him” (Deuteronomy 32:10-12). 

“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’” (John 8:31-32). 

He Keeps Us (preservation–Christ the Preserver)  ~  “I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.  Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand, O You who save those who trust in You from those who rise up against them.  Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings, from the wicked who oppress me, from my deadly enemies who surround me” (Psalm 17:6-9). 

“He found him in a desert land and in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye.  As an eagle stirs up its nest, hovers over its young, spreading out its wings, taking them up, carrying them on its wings, so the Lord alone led him, and there was no foreign god with him” (Deuteronomy 32:10-12). 

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 you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ 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/ .

Bible Introduction

Bible Introduction

~ We Live In A Binary Population ~

This is the first of a series of weekly posts about The Holy Bible, the Written Word of God.

Two Kinds of People  ~  As we begin our look at the Word of God it is important to recognize that there are two kinds of people on earth.  It is a binary situation—one or the other—with no third choice.  Many individuals throughout history believe the Bible is the Word of God and therefore seek to read, understand, and apply it to their lives.  There are many others who do not believe that the Bible is truly God’s written Word to mankind.

This series of posts will seek to provide meaningful information for both types of individuals.  For those who believe the Bible is what it says it is, it is my desire to provide confirmation and further insight.  For those who are not convinced the Bible is what it claims to be it is my desire that meaningful doubts will arise and that they will hear the Spirit of God speaking to them personally and that He will illuminate their understanding in new and thoughtful ways. 

Three Important “I” Words  ~  There are three critical concepts to understand if, as believed, the Holy Bible is in fact God’s Word.

Inspiration  ~  We believe that the Bible is inspired by God—literally “breathed by God” (from God into the minds of men).  “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God [God breathed], 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).

Inerrant  ~  We believe that the Bible is without error (in the original manuscripts).  Inerrancy in a simple statement means there are no errors contained in the Bible, the Word of God. 

Infallible  ~  We believe that the Bible is incapable of error.  This is a much stronger term than inerrant.  It recognizes that the God who is Truth cannot contain or propagate error and  since He is the author of the Bible there cannot be any errors in His writing.    

summary: 

The Written Word of God  ~  “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 3:15-17).  note: For a closer look at this verse see “Prophets Provide Profit.”  For a look at evidence that the Bible is inspired by God—in fact is God’s Word—see “Internal Evidence of Inspiration” and “External Evidence of Inspiration.”

The Living Word of God  ~  “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

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/ .

Fear God, 58

~ Nehemiah Feared God ~ 

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).  However, God does want His children to have a proper respect and reverence for Him.  We are told in many places in Scripture to “fear God.”  

This Week’s Passage  ~  “Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year until the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the governor’s provisions.  But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and took from them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver.  Yes, even their servants bore rule over the people, but I did not do so, because of the fear of God.  Indeed, I also continued the work on this wall, and we did not buy any land.  All my servants were gathered there for the work” (Nehemiah 5:14-16).

Comment  ~  The fear of God causes careful attention to our daily actions.  

Fearing God Results in Salvation  ~  “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).  “A wise person fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident” (Proverbs 14:16).  This does not mean the Christian is to live a fearful life—but a life which reverences God and seeks to do His will. 

Fearing God Results in Fearlessness  ~  “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 answer is: only God.  With the gift of salvation comes responsibility.

Fearing God Results in Witnessing  ~  “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul” (Psalm 66:16). 

~ 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/ .