Question – Jesus, 92

 ~ Regarding Patience ~

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  ~  “And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them.  Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him.  And He asked the scribes, ‘What are you discussing with them?’  Then one of the crowd answered and said, ‘Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit.  And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid.  So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.’

“He answered him and said, ‘O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you?  How long shall I bear with you?  Bring him to Me.’  Then they brought him to Him.  And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.  So He asked his father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ 

“And he said, ‘From childhood.  And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him.  But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.’  Jesus said to him, ‘If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.’  Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, ‘Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!’

“When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, ‘Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!’  Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him.  And he became as one dead, so that many said, ‘He is dead.’  But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.  And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’  So He said to them, ‘This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting’” (Mark 9:14-29).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

* * * * *

God Is My… (Psalms), 59

 ~ God Is My Fortress, 4 ~

Introduction  ~  Previously from July 16, 2017 through January 6, 2019 ALN posted a series of 60 posts of “Jesus is…,” and now we look exclusively at who “God is…” from the Book of Psalms.  While not a complete list these posts occur are in the same order they are in the Psalms. 

Passage  ~  “Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress” (Psalm 71:3).     

Prior Passages  ~  “For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me.  Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength.  Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth” (Psalm 31:3-5).

I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my Rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies” (Psalm 18:1-3).

“In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness.  Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my Rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me” (Psalm 31:1-2).   

Significance  ~  A fortress implies protection from enemies.  “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

* * * * *

Myth, 97

 ~ Weekly Leisure Is Not Necessary ~

Myth  ~  This concept of being constantly on-the-go is harmful to the mind, spirit, and body.  It is often the cause of depression and other physical ailments.  Perhaps this is why our Creator gave us the example of resting on the seventh day following six days of His creative work. 

Old Testament Believers  ~  In the Old Testament the Sabbath was a firmly established reality.  It was meant to be a day of changing the pace, of rest, of refreshment, most importantly reflecting upon and worshipping God.  Fellowshipping with His people was also a key component. 

The Early Church  ~  In the New Testament the disciples changed this day or reflection to the first day of the week (Acts 20:7) as they now included a focus on the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the first day of the week. 

Scripture  ~  “And He [Jesus] said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.  Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath’” (Mark 2:27-28).  I believe that one of the intents of this verse is to remind us that the weekly day of rest was for our benefit. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

* * * * *