God Attribute, 121

~ A God of Humor ~

 

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

 

Introduction  ~  We often do, and should, read the Bible with reverence. However, that does not mean we should not appreciate the humor of the Bible—much of which we miss because of cultural changes.

 

Scripture  ~  “Mark 3:16-17 lists rather formally the names of the apostles: ‘And so He appointed the Twelve: Simon, to whom he gave the name Peter, James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom he gave the name Boanerges or “Sons of Thunder”…’ Can you just picture Jesus actually calling them that? There is a reason for that nickname, though, as in their fervor they are unhappy with a man using Jesus’s name to heal the sick and they zealously try to stop him (Mark 9:38-40; Luke 9:38-39).

 

“They show the same zeal in a passage which soon follows in (Luke 9:53-56), where the brothers want to call down fire upon a Samaritan village for refusing to welcome Jesus. There is a certain innocence about the directness of their apparently youthful response, but the very idea of Jesus hanging such a nickname on them, one rooted well-enough in reality to appear in Scripture, puts Christ in a much more human light than the austere, thoughtful, driven, combative, instructive, and empathetic Christ who dominates the Synoptics and our own concepts of the Lord.” — Charles Kestermeier (Humor in the Bible).

 

Quotes  ~  Consider a few quotes from G.K. Chesterton.

 

“There was one thing that was too great for God to show us when He walked upon our earth; and I have sometimes fancied that it was His mirth.”

 

“The Bible tells us to love our neighbors, and also to love our enemies; probably because generally they are the same people.”

 

“If there were no God, there would be no atheists.”

“It is absurd for the Evolutionist to complain that it is unthinkable for an admittedly unthinkable God to make everything out of nothing, and then pretend that it is more thinkable that nothing should turn itself into everything.”

 

And Steve Wilkens has written: “As I read theology through the lens of humor,” he writes, “I discovered that I don’t just love God. I like God.”

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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Why Trust God? 90

~ God Sacrificed On Our Behalf ~

 

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  ~  Jesus said, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

 

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.  But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God” (John 3:14-21).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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Apostles Martyrdom, 5of6

~ Early Christians Martyred: 5th 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.

 

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

 

Threatened (Step 3) ~ They were threatened, but let go.

 

Imprisoned (Step 4) ~ They were manhandled and put in prison.

 

Beatings (Step 5) ~ Next, they experienced physical beatings.

 

“When they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ” (Acts 5:40b-42).

 

Comments ~ (1) James reminds us to “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4).

 

(2) “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… , 65

~ In Jesus We Have Joy ~

 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 ~ Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11).

 

Comment ~ Happiness is based on circumstances whereas Joy is based on a deep relationship which provides deep inner satisfaction regardless of circumstances.

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Promise of God, 19

~ The Joy Of The Lord Provides Strength ~

 

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 ~ “And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.’ For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.

 

“Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength’” (Nehemiah 8:9-10).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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Fool Characteristics, 58

~ Fools Tongues 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 soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.  The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness” (Proverbs 15:1-2).

 

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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Beginning—End Introversion

~ The Bible Has a Symmetrical Aspect ~

 

Introversion of The Bible

 

God and Righteous People in Paradise – Genesis 1-2

… Satan and Sin Enter – Genesis 3-5

…… The World Judged and Destroyed – Genesis 6-9

……… One World Government – Genesis 10-11

………… 12 TRIBES OF ISRAEL – Genesis 12—Malachi 4

…………       God’s Holy People (The Jews)

………………………….. The Son of God – Matthew—John

………… 12 DISCIPLES – Acts—Jude

…………       God’s Holy People (The Church)

……… One World Government – Revelation 1-18

…… The World Judged and Destroyed – Revelation 6—19

… Satan and Sin Exit – Revelation 20

God and Redeemed People in Paradise – Revelation 20-22

 

Credit ~ The original source of this cycle is unknown.

 

Comment ~ The only solution for nations which have forgotten that their success comes from God is a spiritual revival.  Spiritual revivals always start with individuals before spreading nationally.  “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

 

Epilog ~ This is the tenth introverted outline (or parallel outlines known as chiasms) published by Abundant Life Now. For those who would like to review them here are the links to those prior posts. 

 

[1] Does History Repeat Itself? ~ Around and around we go! ~ January 25, 2011  

[2] Bible Introversion ~ Introversion Outline of the Bible ~ April 15, 2017

[3] Bible Hourglass  ~ This Bible Outline Encompasses All Time ~ April 22, 2017

[4] 10 Commandments Today, 14of14  ~ Notice the Introversion of the Ten Commandments ~ June 28, 2018

[5] Bible Introversion, 2 ~ Introversion Outline of the Bible, 2 ~ September 10, 2020

[6] EXTRA: 2020 Election ~ Nation’s Historical Cycle Throughout History ~ October 21, 2020

[7] Noah Introversion ~ The Symmetrical Account of Noah ~ January 21, 2021 

[8] Joseph Introversion ~ Introversion of the Life of Joseph (O.T.) ~ October 29, 2021

[9] Cycle of the Nations ~ Nation’s Don’t Learn from History ~ January 20, 2023

[10] Today’s introversion ~ “Beginning—End Introversion” ~ May 16, 2024

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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God Attribute, 120

~ A Humble God ~

 

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

 

Scripture  ~  “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the Cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:5-11).

 

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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No matter what your past, like Joseph you can accomplish great things for God in the future. You too can choose to use your past tribulations for future triumphs.

 

The author follows Joseph’s life chronologically through the Bible and shows similarities with the life of Jesus.

 

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~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Why Trust God? 89

~ God Rewards Patience, Humility, & Faithfulness ~

 

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  ~ 

“And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  So he came by the Spirit into the temple.  And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: ‘Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.’

 

“And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.  Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, ‘Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.’

 

“Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.  She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.  And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (Luke 2:25-38).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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