Salvation, 12

~ 3 Aspects of Salvation ~

Salvation is not a Reward for the Righteous.

It is an available Gift for those who understand their Guilt!

Salvation Worked Out By Jehovah (God is the Initiator) ~  “And Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid.  Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today.  For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.’  …  Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided” (Exodus 14:13, 21).  “Though Jesus was the Son of God, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.  And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:8-9). 

Salvation Appropriated By Faith (individuals may respond)  ~  “So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.  …  But the children of Israel had walked on dry land in the midst of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left” (Exodus 14:22, 29).  “O Lord, I will praise You; though You were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me.  Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘for Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation’” (Isaiah 12:1-2).   

Salvation Results In Praise (benefits are huge)  ~  “Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the Lord, and spoke, saying: ‘I will sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously!” (Exodus 15:1).  “Thus Israel saw the great work which the Lord had done in Egypt; so the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord and His servant Moses” (Exodus 14:31).  “He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord” (Psalm 40:3).  

Closing Thought  ~  “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).  “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).

~ 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, 48

~ Man’s Heart Is Desperately Wicked ~

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  ~  “So it was, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel again played the harlot with the Baals, and made Baal-Berith their god” (Judges 8:33).

Learn From Gideon  ~  Do you know your own heart?  Do you understand your own behavior? 

1. It’s been the same old story that is repeated since the Garden of Eden.  Man has a propensity to forget the lessons of history.
2. Here is a summary of mankind’s cycle:  
1. Serving God >>
2. Allowing sin and evil (entering into spiritual slavery) >>
3. God forsakes them >>
4. Turning to false gods (and religions) >>
5. God allows them to enter physical slavery >>
6. In distress they call out to God >>
7. They repent >>
8. God raises up a spiritual leader >>
9. (The cycle repeats!)

Challenge For Us  ~  This cycle is not just with nations but also plays out in individuals.  Where are you right now in this cycle? 

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/ .

Water In John’s Gospel, 11of11

~ John 21 – Breakfast By The Sea ~

Introduction  ~  The Gospel of John contains numerous references to water.  In fact over half (11 of 21) the chapters reference water.  We are looking at these passages in this series.

Scripture  ~  “After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together.  Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’  They said to him, ‘We are going with you also.’  They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. 

But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.  Then Jesus said to them, ‘Children, have you any food?’   They answered Him, ‘No.’  And He said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’  So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. 

Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’  Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.  But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from land, but about two hundred cubits), dragging the net with fish.  Then, as soon as they had come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it, and bread. 

Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.’ 

Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken.  Jesus said to them, ‘Come and eat breakfast.’  Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, ‘Who are You?’—knowing that it was the Lord.  Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.  This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead” (John 21:1-14). 

Notes  ~  1. When Peter said “I’m going fishing” was it an indication that he was returning to his old life—now that Jesus had died on the Cross?

2. These commercial fishermen caught nothing—our own efforts are futile.

3. Jesus asked, “Have you any food?”  The last question these professional fisherman wanted to answer!

4. At first these seven disciples did not recognize Jesus—later they did.  Often we do not recognize divine work in our lives until later. 

5. “Cast your net on the right side”–we need divine guidance in all aspects of our lives.

6. Jesus controls all of creation. 

7. Jesus provides for His disciples: “Come and eat breakfast.”  Jesus is often recorded eating with His disciples—especially post-resurrection—a picture of fellowship.

The Key Question  ~  Do you possess the abundance of “living water” which is only available through Jesus Christ. 

~ 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/ .