7 Abundances

~ Abundant Life Now ~

This blog is entitled “Abundant Life Now” which among other things implies that Christians do not have to wait for heaven to have abundance.  Consider seven examples.

Saved by Abundant Grace  ~  “Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound.  But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:20-21).

Blessed by Abundant Mercy  ~  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5).

Energized by Abundant Life ~  “Then Jesus said to them again, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.  All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them.  I am the door.  If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.  The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:7-10).

Calmed by Abundant Peace  ~  “They shall fear You as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.  He shall come down like rain upon the grass before mowing, like showers that water the earth.  In His days the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace, until the moon is no more” (Psalm 72:5-7).

Rejoiced with Abundant Joy  ~  “Being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again” (Philippians 1:25-26).

Satisfied by Abundant Goodness  ~  “How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!  Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.  They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.  For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light” (Psalm 36:7-9).

Prayer Answered in an Abundant Manner  ~  “For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ… Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.  Amen” (Ephesians 3:14,20-21).

It is my prayer that each of my readers will fully enjoy the abundance that is found in knowing Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

Your Life?

~ The Christian’s Life Story ~

Found  ~  Jesus, said, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).  Jesus also said, “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?  And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.  And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’  I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:4-7).  The lost sinner is found.

Led  ~  Jesus said, “And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.  Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers” (John 10:4-5).  Jesus also said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.  And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand” (John 10:27-29).  The lost sinner who was found is now being led by the Shepherd.

Instructed  ~  “Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word” (Luke 10:38-39).  The found sinner is being led by the Shepherd.  Part of that process is being instructed by the Teacher as one of His disciples.

Kept  ~  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5).  “In all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39).  First we are found, then led and instructed.  One of the things we have complete confidence in is that the power of Jesus Christ cannot only save, lead, and instruct us, but also keep us as his eternal adopted child.

consider:  A summary of Jacob’s life: “He found him in a desert land and in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye” (Deuteronomy 32:10).

How about you?  Do you have complete confidence?  Confidence that you have been found and will be kept by His power?

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

Silent Christ

~ Is Silence The Same As Denial? ~

The Scripture  ~  “But He [Jesus Christ] answered her not a word.  And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she cries out after us’  …  Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Lord, help me!’” (Matthew 15:23, 25).

The Setting  ~  Usually we find Christ quick to hear every sincere request from anyone in need.  What is going on here?  But in this passage He did not respond but remained silent as if He hadn’t heard her.  In a rather bold move she persisted and asked a second time!  In this case, He heard but did not respond.  Where was His compassion?

The Scenarios  ~  Why did our Lord not respond?  Did He not care?  Was He unable to help her?  Was He simply exhausted and too weary to respond?  Was He consumed with His own approaching sorrows of the Cross?  Was He testing her faith?  Did He desire that she develop greater resolve and strength?  Was He setting the scene for even greater blessing than she could have imagined?

The Summary  ~  God works out everything in the life of a believer for their ultimate good and well-being (Romans 8:28).  The verses above, as the case is for all Scripture, needs to be considered in context.

“Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon.  And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David!  My daughter is severely demon-possessed.’  But He answered her not a word.  And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she cries out after us.’  But He answered and said, ‘I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’  Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Lord, help me!’  But He answered and said, ‘It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs.’  And she said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.’ Then Jesus answered and said to her, ‘O woman, great is your faith!  Let it be to you as you desire.’  And her daughter was healed from that very hour” (Matthew 15:21-28).

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).