Question – Jesus, 171

 ~ Regarding Why, 4 ~

 

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  ~  “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.

 

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In Jesus We Have… , 5

~ In Jesus We Have Peace: Book of Romans ~

 

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  ~  “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-3).

 

“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:6).

 

“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?  And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach unless they are sent?  As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things’!” (Romans 10:14-15).

 

Additional Scripture  ~  “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You [God], because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).

 

 Comment  ~  Do you know God – the source of peace that passes any human understanding? (See Philippians 4:6-7)

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

Adornment, 8

~ Clothing, 8 ~

 

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 ~ “And it shall be, in the day of the Lord’s sacrifice, that I will punish the princes and the king’s children, and all such as are clothed with foreign apparel.  In the same day I will punish all those who leap over the threshold, who fill their masters’ houses with violence and deceit” (Zephaniah 1:8-9).

 

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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6 Positives From The Book Of Galatians, 1

~ Seek God’s Approval Rather than Man’s ~

 

Series Introduction  ~  There are six chapters in the Paul’s letter to the church at Galatia.  In this series we look at one of the positive statements directed to believers from each of the chapters. 

 

Scripture  ~  “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.  But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.  As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

 

“For do I now persuade men, or God?  Or do I seek to please men?  For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-10).

 

Additional Scripture  ~  “The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe” (Proverbs 29:25).

 

“The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that” (Proverb 29:25 msg).

 

“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

Contrast, 12

~ Contrast: Human Relationships vs. Divine Relationships ~

 

Series Comment ~ The Scripture contains many contrasts.  In this series we look briefly at some of them.  Just like in our “Binary” series many of these contrasts represent a choice of this or that.

 

Scripture ~ “So Jesus said to them, ‘Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.  And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and the last first’” (Matthew 19:28-30).

 

“So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s,  who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time — houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions — and in the age to come, eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and the last first” (Mark 10:29-31).

 

Comment  ~  In some cultures confessing Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord can cause you to be totally cutoff from your family.  I knew a young man whose family actually held a funeral for him after cutting him off from all relationships.  Being disowned by family can also be much more subtle – but not necessarily any less painful.  In these two parallel passages Jesus is assuring us that any loss we experience for Him will be made up for many times over! 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW 

 

*****

God Attribute, 54

~ God Is Kind ~

 

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

 

Scripture  ~  “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles!  Laud Him, all you peoples!  For His merciful kindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord endures forever.  Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 117).

 

“The kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared” (Titus 3:4).

 

“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” (Ephesians 2:4-8).

 

Comment  ~  The believer has the challenge to grow more Christ-like while on earth.

 

“But the fruit of the Spirits is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

Why Trust God? 42

~ God Provides A Legacy ~

 

Introduction  ~  “Abundant Life Now” previously provided a list of Biblical of examples of fearing / reverencing God (217 posts).  In this current series we look at Biblical accounts that demonstrate that we can fully trust God.  Initially we posted seven general reasons for trusting God.  We are currently looking at passages from all 66 books of Scripture which demonstrate a reason for trusting our Creator. 

 

Scripture  ~  “Then Boaz said, ‘On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to perpetuate the name of the dead through his inheritance’” (Ruth 4:5).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

***** 

Question – Jesus, 170

~ Regarding Why, 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  ~  “The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine.

 

“Jesus answered him, ‘I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing.  Why do you ask Me?  Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them.  Indeed they know what I said.’

 

“And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, ‘Do You answer the high priest like that?’  

 

“Jesus answered him, ‘If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?’

 

“Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest” (John 18:19-24).  

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

In Jesus We Have… , 4

~ In Jesus We Have Peace: John’s Gospel ~

 

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  ~  Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.  But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.  Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:25-27).

 

“Jesus answered them, ‘Do you now believe?  Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone.  And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.  These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world’” (John 16:31-33).

 

“Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’  When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.  So Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace to you!  As the Father has sent Me, I also send you’” (John 20:19-21).

 

“And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them.  Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, ‘Peace to you’!” (John 20:26).

 

Additional Scripture  ~  “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You [God], because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).

 

 Comment  ~  Do you know God – the source of peace that passes any human understanding? (See Philippians 4:6-7)

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

Adornment, 7

 ~ Clothing, 7 ~

 

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 ~ “And when you are plundered, what will you do?  Though you clothe yourself with crimson, though you adorn yourself with ornaments of gold, though you enlarge your eyes with paint, in vain you will make yourself fair; your lovers will despise you; they will seek your life.

 

“For I have heard a voice as of a woman in labor, the anguish as of her who brings forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion bewailing herself; she spreads her hands, saying, ‘woe is me now, for my soul is weary because of murderers!’” (Jeremiah 4:30-31).

 

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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