In Jesus We Have… , 7

 ~ In Jesus We Have Peace: Philippians ~

 

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  ~  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

 

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 above)

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Adornment, 10

 ~ Clothing, 10 ~

 

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 ~ “Do not let your adornment be merely outward — arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel — rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.  For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves” (1 Peter 3:3-5a). 

 

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, 3

 ~ There Is Racial, Ethnic, & Social Harmony In Christ ~

 

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  ~  “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.  And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:26-29). 

 

Quotes  ~  “All racism is sin.”  “God… hath made of one blood all nations”  “There is only one race, the human race.”

 

“Black lives, white lives, trans lives, native American lives, Hispanic lives…  Which life is really more important to those who believe in God?  Your spiritual life!”

 

“The problem is Sin, not Skin.  The answer is Grace, not Race.  Jesus died for all.  Our nation needs Jesus!”

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Contrast, 13

 ~ Contrast: Slave of Sin or Slave of Righteousness ~

 

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 1 ~ “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.  And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.  I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh.  For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.  For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness” (Romans 6:16-20).

 

Scripture 2 ~

“Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father.  Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world.  But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.  And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out,  ‘Abba, Father!’  Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.  But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods” (Galatians 4:1-8).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW 

 

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God Attribute, 56

 ~ God Is The Source Of Life ~

 

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

 

Introduction  ~  “When Peter saw this, he said to them: ‘Men of Israel, why does this surprise you?  Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?  The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus.  You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go.  You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.  You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead” (Acts 3:12-15 niv).

 

Scripture  ~  Jesus said, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35b, 48).

 

“I [Jesus Christ] will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts” (Revelation 21:6b).

 

“‘Come!’  And let him who thirsts come.  Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17b).

 

Comment  ~  “He [Jesus Christ] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For by Him 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 1:15-18).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Valentines 2023

 ~ Love and Food? ~

 

Introduction  ~  There is an old saying that “the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.”  I would say that when you love someone you want to be with them and experience all of life together.  While it is not just a food issue there is an interesting verse in Proverbs which relates food and love. 

 

Scripture  ~  “Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a fattened calf with hatred” (Proverbs 15:17 niv). 

 

“Better a bread crust shared in love than a slab of prime rib served in hate” (Proverbs 15:17 msg). 

 

“Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred” (Proverbs 15:17 nkjv). 

 

“It is better to eat soup with someone you love than steak with someone you hate” (Proverbs 15:17 tlb). 

 

Appreciation  ~  On a personal note this is an ideal time to express gratitude to my wife.  In 2009 I was diagnosed with a progressive medical condition that required a vegan diet.  Not only did it affect my diet but also the food my wife eats.  Most importantly it requires a lot of ongoing extra effort in obtaining the right groceries and preparing meals.  Throughout these years I have witnessed the love of my wife willingly and aggressively seeking to keep me healthy.  Thank you, Honey!

 

Application  ~  Have you ever spent time at a meal with someone when you suddenly realized a couple of hours had passed and it seemed like only a half hour?  Have you ever eaten with someone when time truly dragged and you couldn’t wait for the time to end?

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Question – Jesus, 172

 ~ Regarding Why, 5 ~

 

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  ~  “But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.  Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, ‘Where is He?’  

 

“And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him.  Some said, ‘He is good;’ others said, ‘No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.’  However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.

 

“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 7:10-24).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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In Jesus We Have… , 6

 ~ In Jesus We Have Peace: Ephesians ~

 

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  ~  “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the Cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.  And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.  For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father” (Ephesians 2:14-18).

 

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, 9

 ~ Clothing, 9 ~

 

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.   

 

A Key Principle ~ 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).

 

Scripture For This Week ~ “In like manner also, that the 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 2:9-11). 

 

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, 2

 ~ Your Past Has Been Forgiven So Live For The Future ~

 

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  ~  “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin?  Certainly not!  For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.  For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God.  I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.  I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain” (Galatians 2:17-21).

Quotes  ~  “Satan knows, if he can contaminate your present with your past, it will forgo your future fruitfulness.” 

“If what’s ahead scares you and what’s behind hurts you, then look up.” 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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