7 Checkpoints

 ~ Evaluate Your Christian Life By Acts 2 Standards ~

Confessing Life  ~  “When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.  Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4). …

Convicting Life  ~  … “And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.  And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language.  Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, ‘Look, are not all these who speak Galileans?’” (Acts 2:5-7).

Converting Life  ~  “‘Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.’  Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’  Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.’  And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’  Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them” (Acts 2:36-41). …

Constant Life  ~  … “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). …

Continuing Life  ~  … “Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.  Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.  So continuing daily with one accord in the temple” (Acts 2:43-46a). …

Communing Life  ~  … “and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart” (Acts 2:46b). …

Contagious Life  ~  … “praising God and having favor with all the people.  And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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7 Called Outs

 ~ Changes As A Child Of God ~

Introduction  ~ Looking back at the history of “Abundant Life Now” posts, we discovered that there have been 60 posts entitled “7 [topic]” through June 2021.  Surprisingly, that equals two months’ worth of daily posts since the beginning of ALN on October 21, 2009.  During each day of this seventh month of 2021, each ALN post is a “7 [topic].”     

The Church  ~  The common English translation of the Greek word for the Church universal in the New Testament is Ecclesia which contains two root concepts: the preposition ek means “out from” of “out of” while the verb kaleo means “summoned” or “called.”  Combining the two we find the meaning of the Church of Jesus Christ is those who are “the called-out ones.”  This raises the question of called out from what?  There are at least seven areas of our calling out. 

Called-Out From Death To Life  ~  “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.  But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)” (Ephesians 2:1-5). 

Called-Out From Darkness Into Light  ~  “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10).

Called-Out From Impurity To Holiness  ~  “For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness” (1 Thessalonians 4:7).  “Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began” (2 Timothy 1:9).

Called-Out From Satan’s Kingdom Into God’s Kingdom  ~  “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14). 

Called-Out From Our Sin For Honorable Use  ~  “Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?” (Romans 9:21). 

Called-Out Through The Gospel Of Jesus Christ  ~  “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the Word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

Called-Out From A Nations On Earth To A Heavenly Citizenship  ~  Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant [Jesus Christ] seeking beautiful pearls, who, when He had found one pearl of great price [His Church], went and sold all that he had and bought it” (Matthew 13:45-46).  Note: pearls come from the sea which in the Bible is often a term to describe the masses of humanity in the nations of the world.  This particular parallel is often misunderstood but there are very solid Scriptural reasons for interpreting the pearl as the true universal Church of Jesus Christ. 

Closing Comment  ~  If you would like to understand the true Church of Jesus Christ more fully I would recommend the eBook “GOD’S CHURCH: Christ’s Pearl” which is widely available internationally. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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EXTRA: 7 Growth Opportunities

 ~ 7 Meaningful Books ~

Consider these 7 Christian non-fiction books by an award-winning author.

Christ  ~  “GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight“ ~ “The wealth of detail included in this book is astounding, … A beautiful book, which invites the reader to reflect on the influence of both physical and spiritual light.”

ISBN: 978-1393359371 ~ 1 John 1:5 ~ https://books2read.com/GodsNature

The Christ  ~  “God’s Church: Christ’s Pearl” ~ ”This is an excellent Bible study. Mr. Russell really develops insights that I hadn’t appreciated before in One Precious Pearl.  He writes clearly so that the material is easily understood by both clergy and laity. It was very edifying for me to read.”    

ISBN: 978-1393268093 ~ Matthew 13:45-46 ~ https://books2read.com/GodsChurch

The Christian  ~  “GOD’S CHILD: Like a Tree” ~ “The definitive work on Psalm One.”

ISBN: 978-1393518266 ~ Psalm 1:3 ~ https://books2read.com/GodsChild

Missions  ~  “JIM ELLIOT: Recorded Messages” ~ Six transcribed messages spoken by this well-known martyr spoken before he left for the mission field.  “Amazingly deep and edifying.”

ISBN: 978-1393887959 ~ (Revelation 12:11) ~ https://books2read.com/JimElliot

Please God  ~  “GOD’S DESIRE: How To Please God” ~ Includes a short introduction which demystifies the will of God.  Includes two graphic models: The Christian Life Model and the Christian Guidance Model.

ISBN: 978-1393211785 ~ (Ephesians 5:17) ~ https://books2read.com/GodsDesire

Respond to God  ~  “GOD’S LIGHT: How To Respond” ~ Amazing parallels between the way physical objects respond to natural light and how humans respond to spiritual light.

ISBN: 978-1393424994 ~ https://books2read.com/GodsLight

Finish Strong  ~  “CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How To Finish Strong” ~ A clear explanation of the sequential steps for consistent progress in becoming more Christ-like.

ISBN: 978-1393844402 ~ (Hebrews 10:38) ~ https://books2read.com/ChristsDisciple

Comment  ~  To see all available books from author Robert Lloyd Russell go to his personal author page https://books2read.com/ap/81Ym5B/Robert-Lloyd-Russell

Or his Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/author/robertlloydrussell  

Or his Books2Read Author Page https://books2read.com/ap/81Ym5B/Robert-Lloyd-Russell

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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