Thursday, July 13, 2023

EXTRA: Milestone Passed

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~ Over 4,000 “Abundant Life Now” Posts ~

 

History  ~  ALN started on October 21, 2009, as a Tuesday blog.  The posts increased from time to time in frequency.  2015 was the first year of at least one post a day for the entire year.

 

Subjects  ~  Initially, posts tended to be singular with an occasional short series (less than 5 in a topic).  Over time this increased, and now looking back the record shows that there have been 86 completed series of 5 or more posts.  There have been 5 series with 100 or more posts, and the longest-running series was “Messiah” which included over 300 posts. 

 

THANK YOU  ~  Without readers these accomplishments would not have happened! 

 

Audience  ~  ALN has been read in over 200 countries and translated into more than 100 languages.  The USA is usually the top country as far as readership.  However, from time-to-time other countries have taken over that position.  As I write this, Italy is in the top spot followed by the USA, Germany, and the United Arab Emirates. 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

Free Books ~ Right now you can obtain any, or all, of my eBooks for FREE (epub). Only at https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=robert+lloyd+russell 

Choose From:

Christian Concepts Series

GOD’S CHURCH: Christ’s Pearl

GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight

GOD’S CHILD: Like A Tree

            Christian Growth Series

GOD’S DESIRE: How to Finish Strong

GOD’S LIGHT: How to Respond

CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How to Finish Strong

            Christian Theology Series

CHRIST’S BLOOD: 7+ Amazing Benefits

PRIDE: Good and Bad

TEMPTATION: 50+ Tips

            Bible Character Series

SAMSON: Spirit-Controlled to Self-Centered

            Missions

JIM ELLIOT: Recorded Messages 

 

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NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

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Bible Answer, 109

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~ Did You Get It Right? ~

 

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

~~~~ bible answer ~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  

 

question:  When Jesus Christ began His public ministry what was His first word?

 

answer:  Repent. 

 

“From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’” (Matthew 4:17).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

Free Books ~ Right now you can obtain any, or all, of my eBooks for FREE (epub). Only at https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=robert+lloyd+russell 

Choose From:

Christian Concepts Series

GOD’S CHURCH: Christ’s Pearl

GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight

GOD’S CHILD: Like A Tree

            Christian Growth Series

GOD’S DESIRE: How to Finish Strong

GOD’S LIGHT: How to Respond

CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How to Finish Strong

            Christian Theology Series

CHRIST’S BLOOD: 7+ Amazing Benefits

PRIDE: Good and Bad

TEMPTATION: 50+ Tips

            Bible Character Series

SAMSON: Spirit-Controlled to Self-Centered

            Missions

JIM ELLIOT: Recorded Messages 

 

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Wednesday, July 12, 2023

God Attribute, 76

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~ Omnipotent ~

 

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

 

Introduction  ~  Omnipotent is the theological term for God who is all powerful.

 

Scripture  ~  “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

 

“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 1:16-17).

 

Quote  ~  “During an earthquake that occurred a few years since, that inhabitants of a small village were generally very much alarmed, but they were at the same time surprised by the calmness and apparent joy of an old lady whom they all knew.  At length one of them, addressing the old lady, said, ‘Mother, are you not afraid?’  ‘No,’ said the mother in Israel; ‘I rejoice to know that I have a God that can shake the world.”   Charles H. Spurgeon 

 

Comment  ~  The author has written an eBook about the many of the attributes of God entitled: “GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight” ISBN: 978-1393359371, ASIN: B083L97PZV.

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

Free Books ~ Right now you can obtain any, or all, of my eBooks for FREE (epub). Only at https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=robert+lloyd+russell 

Choose From:

Christian Concepts Series

GOD’S CHURCH: Christ’s Pearl

GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight

GOD’S CHILD: Like A Tree

            Christian Growth Series

GOD’S DESIRE: How to Finish Strong

GOD’S LIGHT: How to Respond

CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How to Finish Strong

            Christian Theology Series

CHRIST’S BLOOD: 7+ Amazing Benefits

PRIDE: Good and Bad

TEMPTATION: 50+ Tips

            Bible Character Series

SAMSON: Spirit-Controlled to Self-Centered

            Missions

JIM ELLIOT: Recorded Messages 

 

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Tuesday, July 11, 2023

EXTRA: June eBook Specials

~ This Month’s eBook Specials ~

 

FREE eBOOK

 

GOD’S CHILD: Like a Tree” by Robert Lloyd Russell, Award-Winning Christian Nonfiction Author.

 

“It is a wonderful commentary on Psalm 1. What a delight.” —Pam Morrison

 

“The Definitive Work on Psalm One” —Dr. Ronald B. Allen, Professor, Dallas Seminary 

 

A straight-forward guide for Victorious Christian Living.

·         Inspiring for ALL maturity levels. Both new and mature Christians find meaningful ways to speed their growth process of becoming more Christ-like.

·         A straight-forward guide for Victorious Christian Living.

·         Overcome persistent sin.

·         Extremely relevant to today’s culture.

 

Amazon Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0874CHLD7/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i3

ASIN: B0874CHLD7 ~ ISBN: 978-1393518266 

 

Choose Your Retailer: https://books2read.com/GodsChild

ISBN: 978-1393518266 



~~~~~~~~~~~~   

Bible Question, 109

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~ Test Your Bible Knowledge ~

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

~~~~ bible question ~~~~ 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

 

question:  When Jesus Christ began His public ministry what was His first word?

 

Please provide your answer in the comments below!

 

The answer will be provided in a future blog.

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

Free Books ~ Right now you can obtain any, or all, of my eBooks for FREE (epub). Only at https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=robert+lloyd+russell 

Choose From:

Christian Concepts Series

GOD’S CHURCH: Christ’s Pearl

GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight

GOD’S CHILD: Like A Tree

            Christian Growth Series

GOD’S DESIRE: How to Finish Strong

GOD’S LIGHT: How to Respond

CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How to Finish Strong

            Christian Theology Series

CHRIST’S BLOOD: 7+ Amazing Benefits

PRIDE: Good and Bad

TEMPTATION: 50+ Tips

            Bible Character Series

SAMSON: Spirit-Controlled to Self-Centered

            Missions

JIM ELLIOT: Recorded Messages 

 

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Monday, July 10, 2023

Tough Spot, 5

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~ Daniel In A Heathen Court ~

 

Series Note  ~  God often allows His children to be in difficult circumstances.  Many of my readers are in difficult circumstances as they read this post.  But our God is faithful never allowing us to be faced with a bigger situation than we are capable of handling with God’s help.

 

In this series we look a few of the many examples in Scripture where God placed one of His own in a difficult spot yet they remained faithful to God.  If you are in a tight situation, be thankful that God has entrusted you with that responsibility.

 

Scripture  ~  “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

 

Tough Spot  ~  “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.  Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.  And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, ‘I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink.  For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age?  Then you would endanger my head before the king’” (Daniel 1:8-10).

 

The Rest of This Story  ~  It is highly recommended that you read and meditate on the surrounding verses and other related Scripture passages to this example. 

 

The Ultimate Three Examples  ~  Read Matthew 4:1-11.

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

Free Books ~ Right now you can obtain any, or all, of my eBooks for FREE (epub). Only at https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=robert+lloyd+russell 

Choose From:

Christian Concepts Series

GOD’S CHURCH: Christ’s Pearl

GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight

GOD’S CHILD: Like A Tree

            Christian Growth Series

GOD’S DESIRE: How to Finish Strong

GOD’S LIGHT: How to Respond

CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How to Finish Strong

            Christian Theology Series

CHRIST’S BLOOD: 7+ Amazing Benefits

PRIDE: Good and Bad

TEMPTATION: 50+ Tips

            Bible Character Series

SAMSON: Spirit-Controlled to Self-Centered

            Missions

JIM ELLIOT: Recorded Messages 

 

* * * * *

Sunday, July 9, 2023

In Jesus We Have… , 24

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~ In Jesus We Have Forgiveness, 2 ~

 

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  ~  Consider this historical account of Jesus tutoring Simon regarding forgiveness. 

 

“Then one of the Pharisees asked Him to eat with him.  And He went to the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to eat.  And behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at the table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil, and stood at His feet behind Him weeping; and she began to wash His feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head; and she kissed His feet and anointed them with the fragrant oil.  Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, ‘This Man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.’  

 

“And Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’  So he said, ‘Teacher, say it.’

 

“’There was a certain creditor who had two debtors.  One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both.  Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?’

 

“Simon answered and said, ‘I suppose the one whom he forgave more.’

 

“And He said to him, ‘You have rightly judged.’  Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman?  I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head.  You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in.  You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil.  Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much.  But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.’  

 

“Then He said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’

 

“And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’  

 

“Then He said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you. Go in peace’” (Luke 7:36-50).

 

Comment  ~  I like to consider one-word descriptions of the Bible.  There are many but my favorite is “forgiveness.” 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

Free Books ~ Right now you can obtain any, or all, of my eBooks for FREE (epub). Only at https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=robert+lloyd+russell 

Choose From:

Christian Concepts Series

GOD’S CHURCH: Christ’s Pearl

GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight

GOD’S CHILD: Like A Tree

            Christian Growth Series

GOD’S DESIRE: How to Finish Strong

GOD’S LIGHT: How to Respond

CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How to Finish Strong

            Christian Theology Series

CHRIST’S BLOOD: 7+ Amazing Benefits

PRIDE: Good and Bad

TEMPTATION: 50+ Tips

            Bible Character Series

SAMSON: Spirit-Controlled to Self-Centered

            Missions

JIM ELLIOT: Recorded Messages 

 

* * * * *

Saturday, July 8, 2023

Adornment, 28

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~ Jewelry, 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 ~ “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.

 

Free Books ~ Right now you can obtain any, or all, of my eBooks for FREE (epub). Only at https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=robert+lloyd+russell 

Choose From:

Christian Concepts Series

GOD’S CHURCH: Christ’s Pearl

GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight

GOD’S CHILD: Like A Tree

            Christian Growth Series

GOD’S DESIRE: How to Finish Strong

GOD’S LIGHT: How to Respond

CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How to Finish Strong

            Christian Theology Series

CHRIST’S BLOOD: 7+ Amazing Benefits

PRIDE: Good and Bad

TEMPTATION: 50+ Tips

            Bible Character Series

SAMSON: Spirit-Controlled to Self-Centered

            Missions

JIM ELLIOT: Recorded Messages 

 

* * * * *

Friday, July 7, 2023

Fool Characteristics, 15

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~ Fools Don’t Speak Truth ~

 

Series Note  ~  In this series we look at some of the passages in the Book of Proverbs – wise sayings that are generally true – that describe a fool from God’s perspective.  Some may surprise you. 

 

Scripture  ~  “The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, but the heart of the fool does not do so” (Proverbs 15:7).

 

Important Truth  ~  “The fool has said in his heart, ‘there is no God’” (Psalm 53:1a).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

Free Books ~ Right now you can obtain any, or all, of my eBooks for FREE (epub). Only at https://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=robert+lloyd+russell 

Choose From:

Christian Concepts Series

GOD’S CHURCH: Christ’s Pearl

GOD’S NATURE: Sonlight Sunlight

GOD’S CHILD: Like A Tree

            Christian Growth Series

GOD’S DESIRE: How to Finish Strong

GOD’S LIGHT: How to Respond

CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How to Finish Strong

            Christian Theology Series

CHRIST’S BLOOD: 7+ Amazing Benefits

PRIDE: Good and Bad

TEMPTATION: 50+ Tips

            Bible Character Series

SAMSON: Spirit-Controlled to Self-Centered

            Missions

JIM ELLIOT: Recorded Messages 

 

* * * * *