Monday, November 18, 2024

Methods of Praise, 6

 ~ Praise By Shouting ~

 

Introduction ~ The Bible provides a number of examples of how God’s people are able to show praise to Him.

 

Scripture ~ “Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause; and let them say continually, ‘Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.’  And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness and of Your praise all the day long” (Psalm 35:27-28).

 

“Now it was told King David, saying, ‘The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.’ So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness. And so it was, when those bearing the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, that he sacrificed oxen and fatted sheep. Then David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet.”

(2 Samuel 6:12-15)

 

Question ~ Do it find it interesting that many of us have no trouble shouting with joy when our favorite sports team makes a great play, yet we are reluctant to shout for the wonders of our God?

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Bible Version: Quotations are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.  Emphasis is added.

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Sunday, November 17, 2024

In Jesus We Have… , 90

 

~ …Life ~

 

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 ~ “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.  But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming” (1 Corinthians 15:22-23).

 

“You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this” (Acts 3:15-16, NIV).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Bible Version: Quotations are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted. Emphasis is added.

FREE Author Newsletter: Subscribe today and receive a FREE welcome gift followed by occasional news and special offers: booksrlr . com/connect - Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.

Author web page: “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell” booksrlr . com/ – 11 national and international book awards.

Daily blog page: “Abundant Life Now” robertlloydrussell.blogspot.comAn INDEX of past topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.

·         The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.

·         His personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog.

Facebook page: Robert Lloyd Russell

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Saturday, November 16, 2024

Promise of God, 45

 ~ Jesus Is The Source Of Truth ~

 

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 ~ “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’” (John 14:6).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Bible Version: Quotations are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted. Emphasis is added.

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Daily blog page: “Abundant Life Now” robertlloydrussell.blogspot .comAn INDEX of past topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.

·         The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.

·         His personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog.

Facebook page: Robert Lloyd Russell

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Friday, November 15, 2024

Is Christ God? 9of12

 

~ Thomas Called Jesus Christ God! ~

 

Scripture  ~  “Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.  The other disciples therefore said to him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’  So he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.’  And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them.  Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, ‘Peace to you!’  Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side.  Do not be unbelieving, but believing.’  And Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’  Jesus said to him,  ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed.  Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’” (John 20:24-29).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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·         The INDEX of topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.

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Thursday, November 14, 2024

Disciplined Life, 18

 ~ Endurance ~

 

Series Note ~ A constant reality is that it takes effort to develop and maintain good habits. Unfortunately; we effortlessly develop bad habits.

 

To combat this fact of mankind’s fallen nature requires consistent effort. This is why personal discipline is vitally important. Simply stated the bottom-line is that to fulfill our responsibility to become increasingly Christ-like we must exercise continual discipline.

 

Scripture ~ “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls” (Hebrews 12:1-3).

 

Comments ~ 1) Endurance – Persistence – Perseverance. Life can be a grind. The Christian race is not a sprint but a marathon.  It is not about how you start but how you finish!

 

2) Keep the end in mind: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

 

Resource ~ If you would like to finish strong then I recommend the book: “CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How To Finish Strong” by Robert Lloyd Russell, eBook ISBN: 978-1393844402, ASIN: B091XZF79B, print ISBN: 979-8223262800.

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Bible Version: Quotations are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted. Emphasis is added.

FREE Author Newsletter: Subscribe today and receive a FREE welcome gift followed by occasional news and special offers: booksrlr .com/connect - Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.

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Daily blog page: “Abundant Life Now” robertlloydrussell.blogspot.comAn INDEX of past topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.

·         The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.

·         His personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog.

Facebook page: Robert Lloyd Russell

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Wednesday, November 13, 2024

God Attribute, 146

 ~ Mighty ~

 

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

 

Scripture ~ “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

 

He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name” (Luke 1:49).

 

“So they said to Him, ‘The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people” (Luke 24:19b).

 

“What is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:19-20).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Bible Version: Quotations are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted. Emphasis is added.

FREE Author Newsletter: Subscribe today and receive a FREE welcome gift followed by occasional news and special offers: BOOKSrlr .com/connect - Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.

Author web page: “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell” BOOKSrlr .com/ – 11 national and international book awards.

Daily blog page: “Abundant Life Now” robertlloydrussell.blogspot.comAn INDEX of past topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.

·         The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.

·         His personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog.

Facebook page: Robert Lloyd Russell

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Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Why Trust God? 109

 ~ God Knows Everything ~

 

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 ~ “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us.  And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.  But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?

 

“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.  And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.  For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.  Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.  And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.  And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment” (1 John 3:16-23). 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Bible Version: Quotations are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted.  Emphasis is added.

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Monday, November 11, 2024

Remember

 ~ Freedom Is NOT Free ~

 

~ Historical ~

 

President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed a public holiday, Armistice Day, to honor those who died in the terrible conflict we refer to as World War I. He declared this annual remembrance on November 11, 1919 – one year after the end of that brutal war!  It was so horrific it is also known as “The Great War.”

 

President Wilson’s intent was that the nation would be filled with pride for the heroism of all those who died in service to their country. He intended that Americans would be grateful for the victory. These are his words: “The reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory,”

 

In 1954 the name was changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day, to make the day more inclusive honoring all servicemen and women, both past and present.

 

~ Relevance ~

 

May you this Veterans Day pause and give thanks to the veterans in your life and those from generations past. Offer gratitude to God for the ones who fought to secure the rights and freedoms we hold dear.

 

~ Scripture ~

 

“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:12-13).

 

Jesus said, “As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd. Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again” (John 10:15-18a).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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FREE in November eBook "GOD'S DESIRE: How To Please God"

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Sunday, November 10, 2024

In Jesus We Have… , 89

 ~ …Glory ~

 

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 ~ “I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God” (Romans 15:17). 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

Bible Version: Quotations are from the NKJV unless otherwise noted. Emphasis is added.

FREE Author Newsletter: Subscribe today and receive a FREE welcome gift followed by occasional news and special offers: booksrlr .com/connect - Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.

Author web page: “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell” booksrlr .com/ – 11 national and international book awards.

Daily blog page: “Abundant Life Now” robertlloydrussell.blogspot.comAn INDEX of past topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.

·         The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.

·         His personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog.

Facebook page: Robert Lloyd Russell

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