EXTRA: 2020 Election

 ~ Nation’s Historical Cycle Throughout History ~

Introduction  ~  With the U.S. elections on the horizon this is a very sobering post!

The Simplified Version ~ 

Hard times create strong men.

   Strong men create good times.

   Good times create weak men.

Weak men create hard times.  

 

The Comprehensive Version (this has been posted previously by ALN) ~ 

There is a portrayal of a circular cycle which has been around for many decades (original source is unknown).  It indicates that mankind never really learns from past mistakes—we repeat the same mistakes over and over again.  A careful evaluation of the Biblical narrative and of secular history reveals much support for this simple circular pattern. 

This historical pattern is as follows…  

1  from Bondage to SPIRITUAL FAITH

…2  from Spiritual Faith to COURAGE

……3  from Courage to FREEDOM

………4  from Freedom to ABUNDANCE

………5’  from Abundance to SELFISHNESS

……6’  from Selfishness to APATHY

…7’  from Apathy to DEPENDENCY

8’  from Dependency to BONDAGE

 

Questions (and Answers) for Contemplation… 

Q.  Assuming this is an accurate historical reality, where would you place your nation on this circle today?

A.  “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14). 

Q.  Assuming this cycle also applies to individuals, where would you place yourself on this circle today? 

A.  “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9).

Comment  ~  Abundant Life Now has previously published introverted outlines (or parallel outlines known as chiasms).  For those who would like to review them here are the links to those prior posts. 

Does History Repeat Itself? ~  Around and around we go! ~ January 25, 2011  

Bible Introversion  ~ Introversion Outline of the Bible ~ April 15, 2017

Bible Hourglass   ~ This Bible Outline Encompasses All Time ~ April 22, 2017

10 Commandments Today, 14of14  ~ Notice the Introversion of the Ten Commandments ~ June 28, 2018

Bible Introversion, 2 ~ Introversion Outline of the Bible, 2 ~ September 10, 2020

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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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/ .

 

God’s Gifts, 12of15

 ~ The Gift of Labor & It’s Rewards ~

God’s Gifts Series  ~  God has given mankind many gifts.  In this series we will look at just a few of them.  There are so many aspects of God’s gifts which we regularly receive and give little or no thought to—such as the air we breathe and the light which enables us to see (and the capability to do both). 

Scripture  ~  “What profit has the worker from that in which he labors?  I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied.  He has made everything beautiful in its time.  Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.  I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor — it is the gift of God. (Ecclesiastes 3:9-13).

Closing Comment  ~  “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15).  In one sense God’s “gift” is singular but His gifts are many with many facets (read 9:8-15). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

Be an insider!  Sign up for his author NEWSLETTER and receive occasional news and special offers.  His books have won national and international literary awards.  Subscribe today and receive a welcome gift.  Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way.  You can easily unsubscribe at any time. 

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/ .

 

Question – Jesus, 62

 ~ Regarding Kingship ~

Introduction  ~  This series is about questions involving Jesus.  Some were asked by individuals involved with Jesus Christ while He walked on earth.  Others are questions that Jesus Christ asked others.  We will look at questions on about 130 topics (some may split into two or more posts).  Even so, it is far from an exhaustive list. 

Scripture  ~  “Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover.  Pilate then went out to them and said, ‘What accusation do you bring against this Man?’  They answered and said to him, ‘If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.’   

“Then Pilate said to them, ‘You take Him and judge Him according to your law.’  Therefore the Jews said to him, ‘It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death,’ that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die.

“Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, ‘Are You the King of the Jews?’  Jesus answered him, ‘Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?’  Pilate answered, ‘Am I a Jew?  Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me.  What have You done?’

“Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world.  If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.’   

“Pilate therefore said to Him, ‘Are You a king then?’

“Jesus answered, ‘You say rightly that I am a king.  For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.  Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’   

“Pilate said to Him, ‘What is truth?’  And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, ‘I find no fault in Him at all’” (John 18:28-38). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

Be an insider!  Sign up for his author NEWSLETTER and receive occasional news and special offers.  His books have won national and international literary awards.  Subscribe today and receive a welcome gift.  Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way.  You can easily unsubscribe at any time. 

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/ .