Question – Jesus, 177

~ Regarding A Key Question ~

 

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. 

 

As we near the end of this series we change the pattern and suggest the need to answer a key question for each one of us: “Did God really say?”  This is a key tactic of Satan to create doubt in each of us.  It’s an age-old question which he first used at the beginning of human history in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1).

 

Scripture  ~  The Apostle Paul warned early followers of Jesus.  “I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3).

 

Comments  ~  (1) If you have not settled in your own mind and heart whether Jesus Christ is who He says he is you are in desperate need of doing so – whether you realize it or not!  Your eternal future depends upon it!

 

(2) For those of us who are believers we must remember that God placed us where we are to bring glory to Him. 

 

(3) Remember you are a soldier in the Lord’s army.  Satan’s fight is ultimately with God – not you.  Your job is to be a good soldier fighting skirmishes in the overall spiritual war in which you are engaged. 

 

(4) Robert Lloyd Russell has several eBooks available which will assist your spiritual progress.  Check out https://booksrlr.com/

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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In Jesus We Have… , 11

~ In Jesus We Have Peace: Titus ~

 

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  ~  “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 1:4).

 

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.

 

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Adornment, 14

~ Head, 3 ~

 

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 ~ “Therefore the Lord will strike with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will uncover their secret parts.

 

“In that day the Lord will take away the finery: the jingling anklets, the scarves, and the crescents; the pendants, the bracelets, and the veils; the headdresses, the leg ornaments, and the headbands; the perfume boxes, the charms, and the rings; the nose jewels, the festal apparel, and the mantles; the outer garments, the purses, and the mirrors; the fine linen, the turbans, and the robes” (Isaiah 3:17-23). 

 

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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Facts About St. Patrick

~ The “Apostle of Ireland” ~

 

Realities  ~  There are misconceptions about Saint Patrick. Here are some facts:

 

(1) He was born in England (he was British, not Irish)!  

 

(2) At about age 16 he was kidnapped by some Irish pirates and taken to Ireland as a slave. He later escaped and returned to England.

 

[3] He was never known to have worn green. 

 

[4] During the fifth century he returned to Ireland as a missionary.

 

[5] According to legend says that he used a shamrock to illustrate the Triune God.

 

[6] He has never been officially canonized by the Roman Catholic Church.

 

[7] March 17^th is believed to be the date of his death.

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Contrast, 16

~ Contrast: In Darkness vs. In Light ~

 

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 ~ “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.  For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.  But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.  Therefore He says: ‘Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light’” (Ephesians 5:8-14).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW 

 

*****

God Attribute, 60

~ God Is Ultimate Logic ~

 

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

 

Introduction  ~  Some may believe in the flat earth theory.  Others believe, based on evidence which has been proved over and over that the earth is spherical.  Both cannot be true. 

 

Scripture  ~  “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6).

 

Comment  ~  Jesus never said “one of the ways” or “a truth” but rather “the.”  Truth by its very definition is exclusive!  Not everything can be truth.  In today’s world people talk about “my truth” and “your truth.”  But truth is truth! 

 

The reality and truth of God and Jesus Christ has been proven over and over in many ways.  Those who have an open and inquiring mind will discover this truth.

 

If mathematics says 2 + 2 = 4 it cannot also be 10 + 27 = 4. 

 

Einstein’s simple but profound E = mc² clearly demonstrates this exclusiveness.  (Robert Lloyd Russell has written an eBook largely centered on the implications of this seemingly simple formula and its application to characteristics of God.  “GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight” ~ ISBN: 978-1393359371, ASIN: B083L97PZV ~ https://books2read.com/GodsNature).

 

Implication  ~  Searching for truth, and finding it, is the most important of all human endeavors because your eternity depends upon it. 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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EXTRA: March eBook Special

~ This Month’s eBook Special ~

 

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Understand the direct benefits to you from Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

There are seven (plus one) directly stated benefits in Scripture.

Ponder ten additional benefits resulting from the Cross.

 

"Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

 

“Of all the things that will surprise us in the resurrection morning, this I believe, will surprise us most: that we did not love Christ more before we died.” –J.C. Ryle

 

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* * * * *

Why Trust God? 45

~ God Calls No Matter The Circumstances ~

 

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  ~ 

“Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, ‘Samuel!  Samuel!’  And Samuel answered, ‘Speak, for Your servant hears.’  Then the Lord said to Samuel: ‘Behold, I will do something in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle.  In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end.  For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them.  And therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.’  So Samuel lay down until morning, and opened the doors of the house of the Lord.  And Samuel was afraid to tell Eli the vision.  Then Eli called Samuel and said, ‘Samuel, my son!’  He answered, ‘Here I am’” (1 Samuel 3:10-16).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

***** 

Question – Jesus, 176

~ Regarding What, 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  ~  “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.

 

* * * * *

In Jesus We Have… , 10

~ In Jesus We Have Peace: 1 Timothy ~

 

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  ~  “To Timothy, a true son in the faith: grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Timothy 1:2}.  

 

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.

 

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