Greater Love

~ Take Time To Thank a Veteran Today ~

Passage  ~  Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.  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.  You are My friends if you do whatever I command you” (John 15:11-14).

Comment  ~  Give thanks all people everywhere for the greatest sacrifice ever:  Jesus Christ, the very Son of God, died for our sins.  Those who know Him as Lord and Savior are always thankful. 

On this Memorial Day in the United States we also thank all military men and women who have served in our armed forces—many never returning from battle.  They paid the ultimate price by dying for our nation’s freedom.  The following poem is from an unknown source.

It is the VETERAN, not the preacher,

who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the VETERAN, not the reporter,

who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the VETERAN, not the poet,

who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the VETERAN, not the campus organizer,

who has given us freedom to assemble.

It is the VETERAN, not the lawyer,

who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the VETERAN, not the politician,

who has given us the right to vote.

It is the VETERAN, not the protester,

who stands and salutes the Flag.

 
It is the VETERAN who serves under the Flag,

who allows your freedom to continue.

A personal “THANK YOU” to all who have served and to their families.  May God’s richest blessings be a significant part of your lives. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but 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 at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Jesus Is…, 33

~ Jesus Christ Is Our Attorney ~

Passage  ~  “Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.  Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing.  But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.  Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:22b-25). 

Significance  ~  Jesus Christ is seated at the right hand of God the Father.  He is always ready to defend those who have trusted in Him for their salvation. 

Comment  ~  Your defense could not be in better hands.  Your attorney rather than charge you for His services paid the price in full through His sacrificial death on the Cross of Calvary.

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

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but 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 at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Fact Check, 57

~ Just Work Hard ~     

Bible Quotation?  ~  “Work hard and success will follow.”

The Bible Says  ~  This statement (and this concept) is not in the Bible.  It is based upon a half-truth—that hard work is good and sometimes rewarded.

Working Hard Is Good  ~  Certainly the Scriptures teach that it is man’s duty to work hard for his employer in return for his pay.  “Servants [employees], respectfully obey your earthly masters but always with an eye to obeying the real master, Christ.  Don’t just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ’s servants doing what God wants you to do.  And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you're really serving God.  Good work will get you good pay from the Master, regardless of whether you are slave or free” (Ephesians 6:5-8, The Message).  There are many other similar passages including: Colossians 3:22-24 and Titus 2:9-10.

We are to work hard to provide for one another.  “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Timothy 5:8).  The Apostle Paul put it this way: “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10b). 

There are a number of proverbs (general truths—which are not universally true) which also make this clear.  “He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, but he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding” (Proverbs 12:11).  “The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich” (Proverbs 13:4).  “In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty” (Proverbs 14:23).

Our Example  ~  As Jesus Christ walked on earth He was a consistently hard worker—yet He had no earthly possessions or even a place of His own.  “And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head’” (Luke 9:58).  And He told His disciples: “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master” (Matthew 10:24). 

The Apostles  ~  Working hard did not guarantee the Apostles success.  All the Apostles suffered at various times and ways on earth.  Consider the most notable example of the Apostle Paul (2 Corinthians 11:23b-31 provides a summary).  Success on earth is never guaranteed by working hard. 

The Significance  ~  Working hard for the kingdom of God may not usually pay off while on earth but it pays huge dividends in the eternal kingdom.  Jesus said, “But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly” (Matthew 6:3-4).  He also said, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.  Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but 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 at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .