Apostles Martyrdom, 2of6

~ Early Christians Martyred: 2nd Step ~

 

Introduction ~ In the early chapters of the Book of Acts we see a typical pattern leading to martyrdom of an Apostles: 1-Jailed, 2-Commanded, 3-Threatened, 4-Imprisioned, 5-Beatings, and finally 6-Death – promoted to paradise!

 

Jailed (Step 1) ~ First they were seized followed by jailing.

 

Commanded (Step 2) ~ Secondly, they were commanded to stop telling people about Jesus.

 

“But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, saying, ‘What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.’

 

“So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus” (Acts 4:15-18).

 

Comment ~ “Indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.” Ultimately truth cannot be denied. That is why atheists and agnostics exist—they fight against Truth. Are their groups fighting against the tooth fairy? Of course not, you don’t fight against something which is not real!

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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In Jesus We Have… , 63

~ In Jesus We Have Grace ~

 

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 1:1-4).

 

Comment ~ Distinguish three terms:

Grace is getting something good that you don’t deserve.

Mercy is not getting something bad that you deserve.

Justice is getting what you do deserve.

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Promise of God, 16

 ~ God’s Has Abundant Mercy ~

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 ~ “Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I cry to You all day long. Rejoice the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You” (Psalm 86:3-5).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Fool Characteristics, 55

~ Fools Mock Sin~

 

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  ~  “Fools mock at sin, but among the upright there is favor. The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its joy. The house of the wicked will be overthrown, but the tent of the upright will flourish” (Proverbs 14:9-11).

 

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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“S” Choice Tests, 7

~ Decision Making Basics: Sanctification 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, 3) The Survey Test, 4) The Spiritual Test, 5) The Stumbling Test, 6) The Serenity Test, and 7) The Sanctification Test.  

 

Scripture ~ “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

 

Key Question ~ Will taking this path make you more (or less) like Jesus Christ?

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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God Attribute, 117

~ God Is Holy ~

 

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

 

Introduction  ~  A careful study of the word holy in the Old Testament will show that the word holy has a root in the uniqueness of God.

 

Scripture  ~  “Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?” (Exodus 15:11).

 

“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory’!” (Isaiah 6:1-3).

 

Comment  ~  A number of Biblical scholars believe that the “Holy, holy, holy” phrase is a reference to the three members of the Trinity.

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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Why Trust God? 87

~ God Provided A Messenger Prior To His Arrival ~

 

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 those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!’  For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight”.’ 

 

“Now John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.  Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins.  But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, ‘Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not think to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our father.”  For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.  And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees.  Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.’

 

“Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.  And John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?’  But Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’  Then he allowed Him.  When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.  And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’” (Matthew 3:1-17).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Apostles Martyrdom, 1of6

~ Early Christians Martyred: 1st Step ~

 

Introduction ~ In the early chapters of the Book of Acts we see a typical pattern leading to martyrdom of an Apostle: 1-Jailed, 2-Commanded, 3-Threatened, 4-Imprisioned, 5-Beatings, and finally 6-Death – promoted to paradise!

 

Jailed (Step 1) ~ First they were seized followed by jailing.

 

“Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them, being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand” (Acts 4:1-4).

 

Comment ~ “However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.” God is sovereign (in charge of everything). We read in the Word of God that “So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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In Jesus We Have… , 62

~ In Jesus We Have Eternal Life, 27 ~

 

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 ~ “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 20-21).

 

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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Promise of God, 15

~ God Delivers ~

 

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 ~ “Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me” (Psalm 50:14-15).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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