7 To Do’s In 2025

 

~ Grow Your Spiritual Life ~

 

Have Faith (1) ~ “For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:7-8)

 

Read God’s Word (2) ~ “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word. With my whole heart I have sought You; oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your Word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes … I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your Word” (Psalm 119:9-12, 16).

 

Pray (3) ~ “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

 

Trust God (4) ~ “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

 

Be Patient (5) ~ “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14).

 

Others Focused (6) ~ “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).

 

Be Thankful (7) ~ “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).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

*****

 

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

 

* * *

December FREE eBook "CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How To Finish Strong"

Go to: BOOKSrlr.com 

Cycle of Individuals & Nations

 

~ A Human Cyclical Pattern ~

 

Introduction ~

 

Blessings of God 

. . Satisfaction with Life 

. . . Pride of Self 

. . . . Forget God 

. . . . . Judgement of God 

. . . . Destruction from God 

. . . Remember God 

. . Repent to God 

Blessings of God

~ Original source is unknown

 

Comment ~ Human behavior is never a surprise to an all-knowing God. This is confirmed by Scripture as seen below.

 

Scripture ~ “When they had pasture, they were filled; they were filled and their heart was exalted; therefore they forgot Me” (Hosea 13:6).

 

“These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: ‘I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place — unless you repent” (Revelation 2:1-5).

 

“When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you. Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest — when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; who led you through that great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty land where there was no water; who brought water for you out of the flinty rock; who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end — then you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’

 

“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. As the nations which the Lord destroys before you, so you shall perish, because you would not be obedient to the voice of the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 8:10-20).

 

Note ~ This is the eleventh introverted outline (or parallel outlines known as chiasms) published by Abundant Life Now. For those who would like to review them here are the links to those prior posts. 

 

[1] Does History Repeat Itself? ~ Around and around we go! ~ January 25, 2011  

[2] Bible Introversion ~ Introversion Outline of the Bible ~ April 15, 2017

[3] Bible Hourglass  ~ This Bible Outline Encompasses All Time ~ April 22, 2017

[4] 10 Commandments Today, 14of14  ~ Notice the Introversion of the Ten Commandments ~ June 28, 2018

[5] Bible Introversion, 2 ~ Introversion Outline of the Bible, 2 ~ September 10, 2020

[6] EXTRA: 2020 Election ~ Nation’s Historical Cycle Throughout History ~ October 21, 2020

[7] Noah Introversion ~ The Symmetrical Account of Noah ~ January 21, 2021 

[8] Joseph Introversion ~ Introversion of the Life of Joseph (O.T.) ~ October 29, 2021

[9] Cycle of the Nations ~ Nation’s Don’t Learn from History ~ January 20, 2023

[10] Beginning—End Introversion ~ The Bible Has a Symmetrical Aspect ~ May 16, 2024

[11] Today’s introversion ~ Cycle of Individuals & Nations ~ December 30, 2024

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

*****

 

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

 

* * *

December FREE eBook "CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How To Finish Strong"

Go to: BOOKSrlr.com 

Jesus Facts, 4

~ Jesus Is God’s Son ~

 

Scripture ~ “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’” (Matthew 3:16-17).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

*****

 

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

 

* * *

December FREE eBook "CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How To Finish Strong"

Go to: BOOKSrlr.com 

~~~~~~~~~ 

Promise of God, 51

~ Jesus Is The Bread of Life ~

 

This Series ~ God has made many promises to His people. This series of posts looks at some (100+) of the many promises 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 ~ “And Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst’” (John 6:35).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

*****

 

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

 

* * *

December FREE eBook "CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How To Finish Strong"

Go to: BOOKSrlr.com 

~~~~~~~~ 

Benefits For God’s People, 3

 ~ God Will Never Forsake You ~

 

Series Information ~ The Bible is full of promises to those who have trusted in God as their only true source of salvation. Most of the 100+ posts in this series are exclusively for God’s family. These postings are far from an exhaustive list! It is important to realize you are not a member of God’s family unless you have made a specific intentional decision to trust Jesus Christ as your savior. If you have not done that or are not sure if you have then I suggest you settle it today. Here is a good website which will help you: https://www.focusonthefamily.com/faith/what-must-i-do-to-be-saved/

 

Series Theme Scripture ~ “For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes [answer] in Him [Christ].  For this reason we also utter the Amen (so be it) to God through Him [in His Person and by His agency] to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians1:20 amp).

 

This Post Scripture ~ “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you.  He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

*****

 

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

 

* * *

December FREE eBook "CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How To Finish Strong"

Go to: BOOKSrlr.com 

~~~~~~~~~  

 

Newness In Christ, 2

~ A New Creation In Christ ~

 

Scripture  ~  “Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh.  Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.  Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:16-19).

 

Comment  ~  It is important to realize that the Scripture is not talking about a fix, a remake, or redo, but an entirely new creation from the Creator!

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

*****

 

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

 

* * *

December FREE eBook "CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How To Finish Strong"

Go to: BOOKSrlr.com 

~~~~~~~~ 

There Is More to the Christmas Story

~ Four Cs Summarize It All ~

 

~ He Created ~ “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” (Colossians 1:15-18a msg).

 

~ He Came ~ “Watch for this — a virgin will get pregnant and bear a Son; they will name Him Emmanuel (Hebrew for ‘God is with us’” (Matthew 1:23).

 

“About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So, Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David’s town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.

 

“While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. Mary gave birth to a Son, her firstborn. She wrapped Him in a blanket and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel” (Luke 2:1-7 msg).

 

~ He Conquered ~ “When they crucified Him, the Roman soldiers took His clothes and divided them up four ways, to each soldier a fourth. But His robe was seamless, a single piece of weaving, so they said to each other, ‘Let's not tear it up. Let’s throw dice to see who gets it.’ This confirmed the Scripture that said, ‘They divided up My clothes among them and threw dice for My coat’.” [The soldiers validated the Scriptures!]

 

“While the soldiers were looking after themselves, Jesus’ mother, His aunt, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene stood at the foot of the Cross. Jesus saw His mother and the disciple He loved standing near her. He said to His mother, ‘Woman, here is your Son.’ Then to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that moment the disciple accepted her as his own mother.

 

“Jesus, seeing that everything had been completed so that the Scripture record might also be complete, then said, ‘I’m thirsty.’

 

“A jug of sour wine was standing by. Someone put a sponge soaked with the wine on a javelin and lifted it to His mouth. After He took the wine, Jesus said, ‘It’s done . . . complete.’ Bowing His head, He offered up His spirit” (John 19:23-30 msg).

 

Here is the rest of the story!

 

~ He’s Coming ~ “Jesus said, ‘Don't let this throw you. You trust God, don’t you? Trust Me. There is plenty of room for you in My Father’s home. If that weren’t so, would I have told you that I’m on my way to get a room ready for you? And if I’m on My way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live’” (John 14:1-3 msg).

 

Jesus also said, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works’” (Matthew 16:26-27 nkjv).

 

~ Note ~ The base material in this post is from an unknown source.

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

*****

 

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

 

* * *

December FREE eBook "CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How To Finish Strong"

Go to: BOOKSrlr.com 

~~~~~~~ 

3 Degrees of Hearts

~ How Is Your Love For God? ~

 

Cold Heart ~ Jesus said, “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:9-14). 

 

Lukewarm Heart ~ Jesus said, “To the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth”’” (Revelation 3:14-16). 

 

Burning Heart ~ “Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight. And they said to one another, ‘Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us’?” (Luke 24:30-32_.

 

Key Question ~ How is the current temperature of your heart?

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

*****

 

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

 

* * *

December FREE eBook "CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How To Finish Strong"

Go to: BOOKSrlr.com 

~~~~~~~~~ 

Methods of Praise, 11of11

~ Praise With Your Soul and Spirit ~

 

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

 

Scripture ~ “And Mary said: ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.

 

“And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly.

 

“He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty.  He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever” (Luke 1:46-55).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

 

*****

 

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

 

* * *

December FREE eBook "CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How To Finish Strong"

Go to: BOOKSrlr.com 

~~~~~~~ 

Jesus Facts, 3

~ Jesus Is Eternal ~

 

Scripture ~ “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” (John 1:1-3).

 

“Do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Peter 3:8).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

*****

 

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

 

* * *

December FREE eBook "CHRIST’S DISCIPLE: How To Finish Strong"

Go to: BOOKSrlr.com

~~~~~~~~~