Friday, March 22, 2024

Fool Characteristics, 52

~ Fools Love Their Evil Ways ~

 

Series Note  ~  In the first 47 posts in this series we looked at some passages in the Book of Proverbs – wise sayings that are generally true – that describe a “fool” (singular) from God’s perspective.  Now we continue by looking at verses Proverbs which talk about ”fools” (plural).  Some may surprise you. 

 

Scripture  ~  “A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, but it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil” (Proverbs 13:19).

 

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

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.


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Thursday, March 21, 2024

“S” Choice Tests, 3

~ Decision Making Basics: Survey Test ~


 Series Note ~ This series looks at eight words that begin with the letter “S” which can significantly help in Christian decision-making. So far, we have looked at 1) The Scripture Test, 2) The Secrecy Test, and 3) The Survey Test.

 

Scripture ~ “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. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:12-13).       

 

Comment ~ No one is perfect (sinless) but do you have respect?

 

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody” (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 niv).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Wednesday, March 20, 2024

God Attribute, 112

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

 

Scripture  ~  “For I am the Lord who heals you” (Exodus15:26b). 

 

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases” (Psalm 103:2-3).

 

“The Lord builds up Jerusalem; He gathers together the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:2-3).

 

“There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.’ Then he arose immediately” (Acts 9:33-34).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.


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Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Why Trust God? 83

~ God Gives Understanding ~

 

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  ~  “In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: ‘Do not fear; Zion, let not your hands be weak.  The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing’” (Zephaniah 3:16-17). 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Monday, March 18, 2024

The Christian Walk, 17

~ Walk In Your Calling ~

 

Series Introduction  ~  The New Testament has much to say about how a believer should live their life.  Christians should never have to guess about the life that pleases God.  In this series we look at a variety of passages that speak about the Christian walk on earth. 

 

Scripture  ~ “But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk.  And so I ordain in all the churches” (1 Corinthians 7:17).

 

Additional Scripture  ~  “God’s gifts and His call can never be withdrawn; He will never go back on His promises” (Romans 11:29 tlb).

 

Quote  ~  “To walk with someone means you are aware of their presence.  And this is true with God.  If you’re to walk with Him, you must be continually aware of His presence.” —Kay Smith {Pleasing God)

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Sunday, March 17, 2024

In Jesus We Have… , 59

~ In Jesus We Have Eternal Life, 24 ~

 

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 ~ “Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:13-15).

 

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.

 

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Saturday, March 16, 2024

Promise of God, 11

~ God Has Plans For You ~

 

This Series ~ God has made many promises to His people. This series of posts looks at some (100) of the many attributes of God.  It is not an exhaustive list.

 

Key Factor ~ God not only makes promises to His people but He also keeps all of His promises.

 

Scripture ~ “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).

 

“There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel — that will stand” (Proverbs 19:21).

 

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Romans 8:28-30).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Friday, March 15, 2024

Fool Characteristics, 51

~ Fools Speak Foolishness ~

 

Series Note  ~  In the first 47 posts in this series we looked at some passages in the Book of Proverbs – wise sayings that are generally true – that describe a “fool” (singular) from God’s perspective.  Now we continue by looking at verses Proverbs which talk about ”fools” (plural).  Some may surprise you. 

 

Scripture  ~  “A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims foolishness” (Proverbs 12:23).

 

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

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Thursday, March 14, 2024

“S” Choice Tests, 2

~ Decision Making Basics: Secrecy Test ~

 

Series Note ~ This series looks at eight words that begin with the letter “S” which can significantly help in Christian decision-making. So far, we have looked at 1) The Scripture Test, and 2) The Secrecy Test.

 

Scripture ~ “The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them” (Proverbs 11:3).    

 

Key Question ~ It has often been said that there can be a world of difference between your reputation and your character. Reputation is what others think you are. Character is what you really are (such as when you are alone and nobody is watching.)

 

“Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God” (1 Corinthians 4:5).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.


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Wednesday, March 13, 2024

God Attribute, 111

~ God Hates ~

 

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

 

Scripture  ~  “These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19).

 

“For the Lord God of Israel says that He hates divorce” (Malachi 2:16a).

 

Quotes  ~ ‘When I speak in universities, they’re always quick to point out, ‘No, God cannot hate because God is love.’  And I tell you God must hate because God is love.  You see, I love children; therefore, I hate abortion.  If I love that which is holy, I must hate that which is unholy.” —Paul Washer 

 

“You may say, ‘God doesn’t hate anyone.  God is love.’  No, my friend, you need to understand something. Jesus Christ taught, the prophets taught, the apostles taught this; that apart from the grace of God revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord the only thing left for you is the wrath, the fierce anger of God because of your rebellion and your sin.” —Paul Washer   

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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