7-Even As

~ 7 Challenging Challenges ~

The Even As of Sinners  ~   “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.  Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest” (Ephesians 2:1-3)

The Even As of Calling  ~  “There is one body and one Spirit, even as you were called in one hope of your calling;  one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Ephesians 4:4-6). 

The Even As of Following  ~  “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). 

The Even As of Headship  ~  “For the husband is head of the wife, even as Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body” (Ephesians 5:23). 

The Even As of Love  ~  “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25). 

The Even As of Care  ~  “For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church” (Ephesians 5:29).

The Even As of Identity  ~  “Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife even as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband” (Ephesians 5:33).

~ 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/ .

Fellowship, 2of4

~ 3 Kinds of God Fellowship ~

Fellowship with The Trinity    

Fellowship with God The Father  ~  “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—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 1:1-4). 

Fellowship of the Son of God  ~  “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9). 

“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.  Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:7-11). 

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us—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 1:1-4). 

Fellowship of The Holy Spirit  ~  “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Philippians 2:1-2). 

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.  Amen” (2 Corinthians 13:14).

~ 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/ .

Spiritual War, 8of20

~ Spiritual War: Tactics ~

Tactic #1 (Reliance)  ~  “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10).  Rely on His strength, His power, and His might.  Part of the strength that comes from God is the ability to be controlled by His Spirit.  “Be filled [controlled] with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18b).  Also, we have the power of prayer.  “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:18a).  When the Christian learns to habitually rely on God’s strength rather than his own, victory is assured. 

Tactic #2 (Equip)  ~  “Put on the whole armor of God…  Take up the whole armor of God…” (Ephesians 6:11a, 13a).  To win spiritual battles we must take up all of the available armor including all the defensive armor (6:13-16) and especially the primary offensive weapon which is the Word of God (6:17). 

Tactic #3 (Acknowledge)  ~  “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).  Acknowledge who the enemy of Christ and Christians is.  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  Resist him” (1 Peter 5:8-9a).  To be successful we must recognize, understand, and acknowledge that we are in a spiritual battle. 

Tactic #4 (Defend)  ~  “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13).  When we are wearing the whole armor of God, we able to stand firm, defend, and not give up ground to the enemy.  

Tactic #5 (Attack)  ~  “You, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:11-13).

~ 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/ .