Myth, 93

 ~ Angels And Demons Are Eternal ~

Myth  ~  Angels and demons are eternal without beginning or end.  If true, this would give them somewhat equality with God.

Scripture  ~  “Praise the Lord!  Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise Him in the heights!  Praise Him, all His angels; praise Him, all His hosts!  Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars of light!  Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens!  Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created.  He also established them forever and ever; He made a decree which shall not pass away” (Psalm 148:1-6).

“For by Him [Jesus Christ] all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.  All things were created through Him and for Him.  And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist” (Colossians 1:16-18).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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Fear God, 215

 ~ Lessons From Proverbs 21 ~

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  ~  “My son, if you receive my [wisdom] words [1], and treasure my commands within you [2], so that you incline your ear to wisdom [3], and apply your heart to understanding [4]; yes, if you cry out for discernment [5], and lift up your voice for understanding [6], if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures [7]; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.  For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, and preserves the way of His saints.  Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path” (Proverbs 2:1-9).

Important Points  ~  There are a number of important points in this short passage including, but not limited to:

[1]  You cannot receive God’s Word if you are not reading and studying God’s written Word the Bible.

[2]  Allow the Word of God to penetrate your thinking, conscience, and action. 

[3]  Really listen to the wisdom from above. 

[4]  The goal is application.  How can you apply what you are learning?

[5]  Spend time alone with God in prayer seeking His guidance. 

[6]  Be specific in asking God for direction in specific situations you face.

[7]  Be observant of how God is directing and working. 

Summary  ~  Seek wisdom!  That is seek God’s face and His direction in all of your life’s activities.

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 blog.

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3 Blessings

 ~ 3 Great Blessings of John 10:9 ~

Prolog  ~  If you are a true believer in Jesus Christ you have these three tremendous blessings—and many more! 

Salvation  ~  Jesus said, “I am the door.  If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.  The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.  ‘I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep’” (John 10:9-11).

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).  

Freedom  ~  Jesus said, “I am the door.  If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.  The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.  ‘I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep’” (John 10:9-11).

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:22-23).  “Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate.  Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach” (Hebrews 13:12-13).

Sustenance  ~  Jesus said, “I am the door.  If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.  The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.  ‘I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep’” (John 10:9-11).

“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).

Epilog  ~  This passage of Scripture (John 10:10-11) is the theme verse of the Abundant Life Now blog. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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