Monday, January 9, 2023

Question – Jesus, 167

~ Regarding Who, 3 ~

 

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 over 160 topics (some may split into two or more posts).  Even so, it is far from an exhaustive list. 

 

Scripture  ~  “Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can understand it?’

 

“When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, ‘Does this offend you?  What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before?  It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.  The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.  But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him.  And He said, ‘Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.’

 

“From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.  Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’

 

“But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.  Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’

 

“Jesus answered them, ‘Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?’  He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve” (John 6:60-71).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Sunday, January 8, 2023

In Jesus We Have… , 1

~ In Jesus We Have Treasures ~

 

Introduction  ~  In this series we look at a few of the verses which state what we have when we are “in Christ.”  Consider our series theme verse: 

 

“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), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  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.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:4-10).

 

Scripture  ~  “That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2-3).

 

Comment  ~  Meaningful life begins with becoming a believer in Jesus Christ and in following Him.  Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10b).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Saturday, January 7, 2023

Adornment, 4

~ Clothing, 4 ~

 

Series Note ~ In this series we look at some of the Scriptures which mention human physical adornment—pretty much without comment.  These posts will include clothing, head (including hair and wigs), jewelry (including accessories), makeup (including tattoos), and perfume (including incense).  It is important to note that some of these passages are culturally related to a specific culture and time period. 

 

Two Principles ~ (1) Focus on the long-term: Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.  Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates” (Proverbs 31:30-31).

 

(2) Exercise modesty: “Women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works” (1 Timothy 2:9b-10).

 

Scripture For This Week ~ “O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with luxury; who put ornaments of gold on your apparel” (2 Samuel 1:24).

 

Two Keys ~ (1) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

 

(2) “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Friday, January 6, 2023

EXTRA: January eBook Special

 EXTRA: January eBook Special  

 

~ This Month’s eBook Special ~

 

FREE TODAY for a limited time. (If you like it, please review it.) 

 

From Award-Winning Author Robert Lloyd Russell…

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Achieve A More Consistent Christian Life. 

 

As humans, we all have a common problem. 

Like rust to steel, pride is to our lives. Although there are examples of good pride in the Bible, most of the time pride is a negative part of our being.

 

This important topic by award-winning author Robert Lloyd Russell includes:

·         A clear presentation of the problem of pride

·         Obstacles to victory over pride

·         Tests for self-examination

·         Solutions for dealing with pride

·         The results and benefits of humility

·         The reality that God can and does use imperfect people

·         Examples of five kinds of good pride  

Understanding the problem of pride is a vital part of gaining consistent spiritual victory as we live our daily lives. 

 

FREE during January.

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ALSO: DON’T MISS THIS:  FREE Author Newsletter: Subscribe today and receive a FREE welcome gift followed by occasional news, items of interest, and special offers.  https://www.subscribepage.com/rlr  Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.

 

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God Cannot…

 ~ 3 Things Scripture Says God Cannot Do ~

 

God Cannot Look at Sin  ~  “Are You not from everlasting, O Lord my God, my Holy One?  We shall not die.  O Lord, You have appointed them for judgment; O Rock, You have marked them for correction.  You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness.  Why do You look on those who deal treacherously, and hold Your tongue when the wicked devours a person more righteous than he?” (Habakkuk 1:12-13).

 

God Cannot Deny His Character  ~  “This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him.  If we endure, we shall also reign with Him.  If we deny Him, He also will deny us.  If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:11-13).

 

God Cannot Lie  ~  “Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior; to Titus, a true son in our common faith: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 1:1-4).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Thursday, January 5, 2023

Bible Answer, 103

 ~ Did You Get It Right? ~

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~ bible answer ~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  

 

question:  How many times, if any, are ostriches mentioned in the Bible?

 

answer:  Twice

 

“The wings of the ostrich wave proudly, but are her wings and pinions like the kindly stork’s?  For she leaves her eggs on the ground, and warms them in the dust; she forgets that a foot may crush them, or that a wild beast may break them. She treats her young harshly, as though they were not hers; her labor is in vain, without concern, because God deprived her of wisdom, and did not endow her with understanding. When she lifts herself on high, she scorns the horse and its rider” (Job 39:13-18).

 

“The daughter of my people is cruel, like ostriches in the wilderness” (Lamentations 4:3b).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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Wednesday, January 4, 2023

God Attribute, 50

~ God Is Invisible ~

 

This Series  ~  This series of posts looks at some of the many attributes of God.  Generally, we move in alphabetical order.

 

Scripture  ~  “But God said, ‘You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live’” (Exodus 33:20).

 

No one has seen God at any time.  The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (John 1:18). 

 

“And the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me.  You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form” (John 5:37-38).

 

“He [Jesus Christ while on earth] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation” (Colossians 1:15). 

 

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever.  Amen” (1 Timothy 1:17). 

 

“Who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power.  Amen” (1 Timothy 6:16).

 

No one has seen God at any time.  If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us” (1 John 4:12).

 

“If He goes by me, I do not see Him; if He moves past, I do not perceive Him” (Job 9:11).

 

Look, I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him” (Job 23:8). 

 

Quotes  ~  “God is like oxygen.  You can’t see Him, but you need Him to survive.” 

 

“Just because you can’t see the air doesn’t mean you stop breathing.  And just because you can’t see God doesn’t mean you stop believing.” 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Tuesday, January 3, 2023

Bible Question, 103

 ~ Test Your Bible Knowledge ~

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

~~~~ bible question ~~~~ 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

 

question:  How many times, if any, are ostriches mentioned in the Bible?

 

Please provide your answer in the comments below!

 

The answer will be provided in a future blog.

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Monday, January 2, 2023

Question – Jesus, 166

~ Regarding Who, 2 ~

 

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 over 160 topics (some may split into two or more posts).  Even so, it is far from an exhaustive list. 

 

Scripture  ~  “Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught.  And the Jews marveled, saying, ‘How does this Man know letters, having never studied?’

 

“Jesus answered them and said, ‘My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me.  If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.  He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.  Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law?  Why do you seek to kill Me?’

 

“The people answered and said, ‘You have a demon.  Who is seeking to kill You?

 

“Jesus answered and said to them, ‘I did one work, and you all marvel.  Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath.  If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath?   Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment’” (John 7:14-24).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Sunday, January 1, 2023

New Year 2023

 ~ Make 2023 Count ~

 

Quote  ~  “I wish, my brothers and sisters, that during this year you may live nearer to Christ than you have ever done before.”  C.H. Spurgeon 

 

Principle  ~  Disciples are followers of Christ.  They are to  imitate their role model.

 

Scripture  ~  “And Jesus increased in wisdom [intellectually] and stature [physically], and in favor with God [spiritually] and men [socially].”  Luke 2:52

 

Comment  ~  Go you and do likewise! 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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