Saturday, July 28, 2018

Fact Check, 66


~ Money Is The Solution ~

People Think  ~  “Money will solve the problem.”  This is the philosophy of many political leaders.  They believe that more money and more education will solve the ills that dominate much of our society. 

The Bible Says  ~  “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out [there are no U-Haul’s in heaven or hell].  And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.  But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.  For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:6-10).

For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.  But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.  But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—that, as it is written, ‘He who glories, let him glory in the Lord’” (1 Corinthians 1:26-31).

The Significance  ~  King Solomon, who has been described as the richest man ever to live, summed things up near the end of his life this way:  “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.  For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

Comment  ~  The most civilized of societies—those with the most affluence and education—often have the biggest problems.  Problems such as crime and domestic violence and the breakdown of social norms. 

It is interesting to note that generally the higher the density of the population the worse the problems.  For example in rural America the farm communities have low crime, lower domestic problems than in the more affluent and educated big cities.

~ 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/ .

Friday, July 27, 2018

Learn From Gideon, 30


~ Worship Before Work ~

The Biblical account of the life of Gideon provides for one of the most interesting character studies in all of Scripture.  In this series we will discover practical lessons for living the Christian life today.  

Scripture  ~  And so it was, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, that he worshiped” (Judges 7:15a).  

Learn From Gideon  ~  Before you do a work for God you must be on your knees before Him.
  1. Now that Gideon is confident of God’s desire for him he first “worshipped.”
  2. God wants His people to pray first and continually.  “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). 
  3. We need to start, and stay, in communication with our Commander!

concluding comment  ~  We learn about Gideon primarily from Judges 6-8, but also Isaiah 9:1-7, and Hebrews 11:1-3, 32-34.

~ 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/ .

Thursday, July 26, 2018

Angels, 9of27


~ Guardian Angels ~

Background  ~  In essence the primary work of the spirit beings called angels is to minister to others with the ultimate purpose of bringing glory to God. 

Angels Ministered to Jesus Christ  ~  “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan!  For it is written, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.”’  Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him” (Matthew 4:10-11).  “And Jesus was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, ‘Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.’  Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.  And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly.  Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:41-44).

Angels Minister To Believers  ~  “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.  For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost” (Matthew 18:10-11).  “So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying.  And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer.  When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate.  But they said to her, ‘You are beside yourself!’  Yet she kept insisting that it was so.  So they said, ‘It is his angel’” (Acts 12:12-15).  “But to which of the angels has He ever said: ‘Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool’?  Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:13-14).

“Guardian Angels”  ~  While the term “guardian angel” does not appear in Scripture the concept is Biblical.  As we have seen angels are ministering spirits.  Also consider this passage:  “Let brotherly love continue.  Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels” (Hebrews 13:1-2).

~ 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/ .