~ In Jesus We Have Eternal Life, 4 ~

~ In Jesus We Have Eternal Life, 4 ~

 

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).

 

Currently we are posting some of the many verses which talk about eternal life?

 

What is your definition of “eternal”?

 

Scripture ~ “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 ~ 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.

 

* * * * *

Satan in Matthew 4, 3of9

~ Satan Knows God’s Word ~

 

Series Note:  Matthew 4 is a well-known chapter which gives an account of Satan tempting Jesus Christ in the wilderness.  There has been a lot written and discussed regarding these three temptations (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life). 

 

While the study of Matthew 4 is a rich study regarding our Savior Jesus Christ it also allows us to have insight into some of Satan’s abilities and actions.  This series contains nine examples which make it clear that Satan is a real personality. 

 

Scripture ~ “Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, ‘If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down.  For it is written: “He shall give His angels charge over you,” and, “In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone”’” (Matthew 4:5-6). 

 

Satan was quoting from Psalm 91:11-12. 

 

Comment ~ It is important that realize Satan is not ignorant of the Word of God.  However, when he uses God’s Word he twists it or leaves out important parts of what he is quoting. 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

Fool Characteristics, 30

~ Wisdom Is Above Fools Understanding ~

 

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  ~  “Wisdom is too lofty for a fool; he does not open his mouth in the gate” (Proverbs 24:7).

 

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

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

Newness In Christ, 1

~ A New Additional Life: Spiritual ~

 

Scripture  ~  “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’  Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old?  Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’  Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’  The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes.  So is everyone who is born of the Spirit’” (John 3:3-8).

 

“Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the Word of God which lives and abides forever” (1 Peter 1:22-23).

                                   

Comment  ~  We were all born with physical life.  “Born again” refers to a second birth into the spiritual life found only in Jesus Christ.

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

God Attribute, 90

 ~ God Is a Promise Keeper ~

 

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

 

Scripture  ~  “Then I set my face toward the Lord God to make request by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. And I prayed to the Lord my God, and made confession, and said, "’O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments. Neither have we heeded Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings and our princes, to our fathers and all the people of the land. O Lord, righteousness belongs to You, but to us shame of face, as it is this day — to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those near and those far off in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of the unfaithfulness which they have committed against You” (Daniel 9:3-7).

 

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me’”? (Hebrews 13:5-6).

 

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war” (Revelation 19:11).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

EXTRA: “God’s Desire” eBook Special

~ This Month’s eBook Special: GOD’S DESIRE ~

DON’T MISS THIS

“I wish I had this book 20 years ago. ... The author uses models, or diagrams, to visually display that which is being explained and that makes all the difference. ... This is a book I will be referring back to often. In fact this is one of those books you should reread again every couple of years.” ~ Debbie Chatley

F-R-E-E eBook for a LIMITED TIME

Now also available in a PRINT edition

Tip: Some time ago I discovered the Christian life is much easier if instead of trying to not disappoint God, endeavor to take actions which delight God!

This book starts with the complex subject of the will of God presented in an innovative, easy-to-understand, and quick-read format that concisely explains the three main components of God's will.  This is critical to understanding how to please God. 

 

The illustrated "Christian Life Model" and "Christian Guidance Model" graphically display what God desires from His children and how they can be assured of making correct decisions throughout their lives.  The book closes with a concise description of the benefits of following the two models. 

Improve your life ~ Improve your future

FREE for a LIMITED TIME

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/gods-desire-how-to-please-god/id1524697866  

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/god-s-desire-how-to-please-god  

Other Sources: https://books2read.com/RobertLloydRussell 

Amazon Kindle (sometimes refuses to price below .99): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08H4F619W?tag=books2read02-20

“GOD’S DESIRE: How To Please God”

eBook ISBN: 978-1393211785 ~ ASIN: B08H4F619W   

Print ISBN: 979-8223962915

~~~~~~~~~~~~  

Why Trust God? 67

~ God Provides Nuggets of Wisdom, 8 ~

 

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  ~  “These things also belong to the wise: it is not good to show partiality in judgment.  He who says to the wicked, ‘You are righteous,’ him the people will curse; nations will abhor him.  But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them” (Proverbs 24:23-25).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

***** 

Traits Of A Godly Person, 10

~ A Person Of God Is Loving ~

 

Series Note  ~  There are many qualities which God desires in His children.  In this series we will briefly cover a few of the major ones.

 

Scripture  ~  “But concerning Apollos our brother, I encouraged him greatly to come to you with the brethren; and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has opportunity.

 

“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.  Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Corinthians 16:12-14 nasu).  

 

“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).

 

Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

* * * * *

In Jesus We Have… , 38

~ In Jesus We Have Eternal Life, 3 ~

 

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).

 

Currently we are posting some of the many verses which talk about eternal life?

 

What is your definition of “eternal”?

 

Scripture ~ “Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?’

 

“So Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.  You know the commandments: “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not bear false witness,” “Do not defraud,” “Honor your father and your mother”.’  

 

“And he answered and said to Him, ‘Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.’

 

“Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me’.”  

 

“But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions”

(Mark 10:17-22).

 

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.

 

* * * * *

Satan in Matthew 4, 2of9

~ Satan Comes To Us ~

 

Series Note:  Matthew 4 is a well-known chapter which gives an account of Satan tempting Jesus Christ in the wilderness.  There has been a lot written and discussed regarding these three temptations (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life). 

 

While the study of Matthew 4 is a rich study regarding our Savior Jesus Christ it also allows us to have insight into some of Satan’s abilities and actions.  This series contains nine examples which make it clear that Satan is a real personality. 

 

Scripture ~

“Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread’” (Matthew 4:3).

 

Comment ~ Notice that Satan comes to us – we don’t have to go looking for him.

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

~~~~~~~~~~~