Pre-Christian Question, 6

~ How Do You Explain His Wisdom And Power? ~

 

Introduction  ~  This series is about questions that enquiring unbelievers often have about Jesus.  Some were asked by individuals involved with Jesus Christ while He walked on earth.  It is far from an exhaustive list. 

 

The Question  ~  Where did Jesus get His historically documented wisdom and power?"  Is it possible that He is more than a mere human?  Does the Bible explain it?

 

“For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

 

“Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

 

“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

 

“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:1-10).

 

Key Issue  ~  “If a man dies, shall he live again?” (Job 24:14a).

 

Comment  ~  Have you ever asked this question?  If not, why not?  If you have asked the question, what is your answer? What is your answer based upon?

 

the critical 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 blog.

 

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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/ .

Mother’s Day, 2023

~ You May Be A Mother and Not Know It! ~

 

Introduction ~ Today there will be a wide variety of emotional responses to the celebration of Mother’s Day.

 

Sorrow for Many ~ Some ladies will grieve today because their mother is no longer alive. Some will think of their mother who never fulfilled the role of “mom” in the way they imagined. Others will regret the abusive woman who bore them. Still, others will grieve today because although they wanted to be a mom it was not in the providence of God.

 

Joy for Many ~ Some will reflect on their own mother today, and her precious role in their lives. Others will be so grateful for their children who are bringing honor to them and to their God.

 

Scripture ~ There is a remarkable statement by our Lord in the Gospel of Matthew: “But He answered and said to the one who told Him, ‘Who is My mother and who are My brothers?’ And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, ‘Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother’” (Matthew 12:48-50).

 

Contemplate That! ~ There can be no barrenness in the life of a God-fearing obedient woman. Because of God’s grace, all women can choose to “bear fruit and multiply” and fill the earth.

 

Comment ~ I have a dear friend in my local church. She is an elderly woman who never bore any physical children – but she is very much a “mom” to a great many younger women. 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Adornment, 20

~ Jewelry, 2 ~

 

Series Note ~ In this series we look at some of the Scriptures which mention human physical adornment—pretty much without comment.  These posts will include clothing, head (including hair and wigs), jewelry (including accessories), makeup (including tattoos), and perfume (including incense).  It is important to note that some of these passages are culturally related to a specific culture and time period. 

 

Two Principles ~ (1) Focus on the long-term: “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.  Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates” (Proverbs 31:30-31).

 

(2) Exercise modesty: “Women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works” (1 Timothy 2:9b-10).

 

Scripture For This Week ~ “Now these are the judgments which you shall set before them: If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years; and in the seventh he shall go out free and pay nothing. If he comes in by himself, he shall go out by himself; if he comes in married, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master has given him a wife, and she has borne him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself. But if the servant plainly says, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,’ then his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him forever” (Exodus 21:1-6).

 

Two Keys ~ (1) “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

 

(2) “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Fool Characteristics, 7

~ Fools Do Evil Things ~

 

Series Note  ~  In this series we look at some of the passages in the Book of Proverbs – wise sayings that are generally true – that describe a fool from God’s perspective.  Some may surprise you. 

 

Scripture  ~  “To do evil is like sport to a fool, but a man of understanding has wisdom” (Proverbs 10:23).

 

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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Contrast: Child of, 1

 ~ Child of the Devil or Child of God ~

 

Series Comment ~ A person can be a child of their mother, but also a child of their father.  They may also have adopted parents.  They may also be a child of incest or a child of other “parents” – in this series we look at Biblical descriptions of various “parents.”

 

Scripture 1 ~ “Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.  Why do you not understand My speech?  Because you are not able to listen to My Word.  You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.  But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.  Which of you convicts Me of sin?  And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?  He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God’” (John 8:42-47).

 

Scripture 2 ~ “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.  For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’  The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together” (Romans 8:14-17).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW 

 

*****

God Attribute, 67

 ~ Master ~

 

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

 

Introduction  ~  Jesus Christ is the Master of the entire universe. 

 

Scripture  ~  “We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created.  For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels — everything got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds it all together right up to this moment. And when it comes to the Church, He organizes and holds it together, like a head does a body. He was supreme in the beginning and — leading the resurrection parade — He is supreme in the end. From beginning to end He’s there, towering far above everything, everyone” (Colossians 1:15-19 msg).

 

Comment  ~  “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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~~~~~~~~~~ 

Why Trust God? 50

~ God Restores Life To The Dead, 2 (Elisha) ~

 

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  ~  “Then Elisha died, and they buried him.  And the raiding bands from Moab invaded the land in the spring of the year.  So it was, as they were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a band of raiders; and they put the man in the tomb of Elisha; and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet” (2 Kings 13:20-21). 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

***** 

Pre-Christian Question, 5

~ What Then Shall I Do With Jesus? ~

 

Introduction  ~  This series is about questions that enquiring unbelievers often have about Jesus.  Some were asked by individuals involved with Jesus Christ while He walked on earth.  It is far from an exhaustive list. 

 

The Question  ~  “Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.  Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, ‘Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?’ For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.

 

“While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, ‘Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.’

 

“But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. The governor answered and said to them, ‘Which of the two do you want me to release to you?’

 

“They said, ‘Barabbas!’

 

“Pilate said to them, ‘What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?’

 

“They all said to him, ‘Let Him be crucified!’

 

“Then the governor said, ‘Why, what evil has He done?’

 

“But they cried out all the more, saying, ‘Let Him be crucified!’

 

“When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, ‘I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it.’

 

“And all the people answered and said, ‘His blood be on us and on our children.’  

 

“Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified” (Matthew 27:15-26).

 

Question For You  ~  What will you do with Jesus who is called Christ—The Messiah?

 

Key Issue  ~  “If a man dies, shall he live again?” (Job 24:14a).

 

Comment  ~  Have you ever asked this question?  If not, why not?  If you have asked the question, what is your answer? What is your answer based upon?

 

the critical 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 blog.

 

Be an insider!  Sign up for his author NEWSLETTER and receive occasional news and special offers.  His books have won national and international literary awards.  Subscribe today and receive a welcome gift.  Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way.  You can easily unsubscribe at any time. 

 

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/ .

 

In Jesus We Have… , 17

~ In Jesus We Have Righteousness: Galatians ~

 

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  ~  “Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? — just as Abraham ‘believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness’” (Galatians 3:5-6).

 

Additional Scripture  ~  “And behold, the word of the Lord came to him [Abram], saying, ‘This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.’  Then He brought him outside and said, ‘Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.’  And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’  And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:4-6),

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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