Fact Check, 44

~ Christians Don’t Enjoy Life ~

People Think  ~  Once you become a Christian you live a dull life.

God Answers  ~  Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b).

Jesus also said, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11).

The Apostle John wrote: “That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.  And these things we write to you that your joy may be full” (1 John 1:3-4).

The Significance  ~  God has given all things on earth to be enjoyed by mankind. 

Comment  ~  The key is not holding on to the material things of earth tightly—we should use and benefit from what God has provided but never worship anything but God. 

“Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:6-10).

Job was a good example in this regard: “Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped, and he said: ‘Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there.  The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’  In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong” (Job 1:20-22). 

~ 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/ .

Learn From Gideon, 8

~ God Is All You Need For Victory ~

The Biblical account of the life of Gideon provides for one of the most interesting character studies in all of Scripture.  In this series we will discover practical lessons for living the Christian life today.  

Scripture  ~  “Then the Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites.  Have I not sent you?’” (Judges 6:14).

Learn From Gideon  ~  If God calls then God will equip! 

1. God does not accomplish His purposes through man’s strength.  “Go in this might of yours” is only meaningful when God is in it. 
2. God accomplishes His work through His attributes of knowledge, power, and through the working of the Holy Spirit. 
3. In the process the weak confound the strong, the first become last and the last first, and death leads to life. 

concluding comment  ~  We learn about Gideon primarily from Judges 6-8, but also Isaiah 9:1-7, and Hebrews 11:1-3, 32-34.

~ 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/ .

Him

~ What, or Who, Is It YOU Seek? ~

Once it was the blessing; Now it is the Lord;

Once it was the feeling, Now it is His Word;

Once His gifts I wanted, Now the Giver own;

Once I sought for healing, Now Himself alone.

Once ’twas painful trying, Now ’tis perfect trust;

Once a half salvation, Now the uttermost;

Once ’twas ceaseless holding; Now He holds me fast;

Once ’twas constant drifting, Now my anchor’s cast.

Once ’twas busy planning, Now ’tis trustful prayer;

Once ’twas anxious caring; Now He has the care;

Once ’twas what I wanted, Now what Jesus says;

Once ’twas constant asking, Now ’tis ceaseless praise

Once it was my working, His it hence shall be;

Once I tried to use Him; Now He uses me;

Once the power I wanted, Now the Mighty One;

Once for self I labored, Now for Him alone.

Once I hoped in Jesus; Now I know He’s mine;

Once my lamps were dying; Now they brightly shine;

Once for death I waited, Now His coming hail,

And my hopes are anchored safe within the veil.   ~ Anonymous

Question  ~  What are you seeking?

~ 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/ .