Wednesday, March 19, 2025

God Attribute, 162

 ~ God Is A Planner ~

 

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

 

Scripture ~ “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).

 

“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).

 

The Gospel of Mark states, “Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead” (Mark 8:31 NLT).

 

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Romans 8:28-30).

 

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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

FREE Author Newsletter: Subscribe today and receive a FREE welcome gift followed by occasional news and special offers: BOOKSrlr .com/connect - Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.

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Daily blog page: “Abundant Life Now” robertlloydrussell.blogspot.comAn INDEX of past topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.

·         The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.

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Facebook page: Robert Lloyd Russell

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Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Conscience

~ 6 Different Consciences ~ 


Introduction  ~  The Bible speaks of a human’s conscience in many ways.  Here are six prominent examples. 

 

Seared Conscience  ~  “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth” (1 Timothy 4:1-3).  A person who has a seared conscience sins easily without regret or remorse. 

 

Evil Conscience  ~  “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:19-23).  Man’s nature since the fall in the Garden of Eden is corrupt and needs the cleansing of genuine faith. 

 

Defiled Conscience  ~  “To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.  They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work” (Titus 1:15-16).  Defilement for the believer begins in our thinking.  

 

Weak Conscience  ~  “However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled” (1 Corinthians 8:7-8).  A weak conscience allows actions contrary to God’s desire for His children

 

Good Conscience  ~  “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,    This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck” (1 Timothy 1:5, 18-19).  A good conscience is a sibling of a pure heart and sincere faith and allows God’s child to wage good spiritual battles. 

 

Pure Conscience  ~  “Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience” (1 Timothy 3:8-9).

 

“I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.  Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:3-7).  Having a pure conscience allows a Christian to be an effective tool in God’s hand. 

 

Question  ~  How would God judge your conscience? 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

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Monday, March 17, 2025

St Patrick’s Day, 2025

 ~ A Day of Green ~

 

Who Was St. Patrick? ~ Saint Patrick's Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick, is a religious and cultural holiday held on 17 March, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland. ~ Courtesy of Wikipedia 

 

Significance ~ The feast day of Saint Patrick is held in commemoration of the arrival of Christianity in Ireland

 

What’s Happening in Ireland? ~ Every St Patrick’s Day, communities from Belfast to Cork on this national holiday showcase their Irish pride and celebrate the patron saint of Ireland through a range of events, bringing the world together to experience that famous Irish spirit.

 

St. Patrick’s Festival returns to the streets of Dublin in spectacular fashion, with its biggest parade ever, as well as across the city from the 15th – 18th March.

 

Meanwhile in Armagh, the Home of St. Patrick’s Festival celebrates the saint’s roots in Northern Ireland with a lively online program of culture, comedy, music and dance.

 

No matter where you are, St Patrick’s Day is a time to don some green clothing, dust off your festive spirit and prepare to fill your heart with Ireland!  ~ Courtesy of https://www.ireland .com/

 

Why Green? ~ It is widely accepted that green is associated with St. Patrick’s Day because of the shamrock, which is Ireland’s national symbol, as well as Ireland's rich history of using green as a symbol of rebellion. 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

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

FREE Author Newsletter: Subscribe today and receive a FREE welcome gift followed by occasional news and special offers: booksrlr. com/connect - Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.

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Daily blog page: “Abundant Life Now” robertlloydrussell.blogspot.comAn INDEX of past topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.

·         The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.

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Facebook page: Robert Lloyd Russell

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Sunday, March 16, 2025

Is Christ God? 3of12

~ Jeremiah Called Jesus Christ God! ~

 

Scripture  ~  “‘Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘that I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.  In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jeremiah 23:5-6). 

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

* * * * *

Author web page: https://booksrlr .com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell” 

·         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.  https://www.subscribepage.com/rlr 

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~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday, March 15, 2025

Promise of God, 62

~ You Can Be Under Grace ~

 

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 ~ “Present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:13b-14).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.


* * * * *

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

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Daily blog page: “Abundant Life Now” robertlloydrussell.blogspot .comAn INDEX of past topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.

·         The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.

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Facebook page: Robert Lloyd Russell

~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday, March 14, 2025

Today Is Pi Day!

~  Why Not Contemplate On Pi Today? ~

 

(photo copied)

 

Comment ~ How often do you contemplate the extreme order and predictability of our cosmos?

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

* * * * *

 

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

FREE Author Newsletter: Subscribe today and receive a FREE welcome gift followed by occasional news and special offers: booksrlr. com/connect - Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.

Author web page: “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell” booksrlr .com/ – 11 national and international book awards.

Daily blog page: “Abundant Life Now” robertlloydrussell.blogspot.comAn INDEX of past topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.

·         The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.

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Facebook page: Robert Lloyd Russell

~~~~~~~~~~~

Thursday, March 13, 2025

7 Life Essentials, 2

~ Basic Need: Air ~

 

Introduction  ~  In this series we will look at the four most basic physical needs for a human to survive, and how Jesus Christ satisfies the parallel spiritual needs.  Then we will look at three additional critical factors related to both our physical and spiritual needs.

 

Physical Needs  ~  According to basic physiological understanding mankind needs four basic elements in order to survive physically: water, air, food, and light.

 

Jesus satisfies the parallel spiritual needs.  Jesus is the Living Water (John 4:10-11, 7:38).  Jesus provides the Breath of Life (Genesis 2:7, Colossians 1:16-17).  Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6:35, 48).  Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12, 9:5).

 

Key Scriptures   ~  “When the Lord God made the earth and the heavens — and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the Lord God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground, but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground — the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:4-7 niv)

 

“The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus.  You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go.  You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.  You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.  We are witnesses of this.  By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong.  It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see” (Acts 3:13-16 niv)

 

Additional Scriptures  ~  “In Him [Jesus Christ] we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28a).

 

“For by Him [Jesus Christ] all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.  All things were created through Him and for Him.  And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist [sustained]” (Colossians 1:16-17).

 

“Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.  And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, ‘Come up here.’  And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.  In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell.  In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven” (Revelation 11:11-13).

 

Comment  ~  You are dependent upon God for your next breath and every breath thereafter.

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

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Author web page: https://booksrlr .com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell” 

·         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.  https://www.subscribepage.com/rlr 

Daily blog page: http://robertlloydrussell.blogspot.com/ “Abundant Life Now”

·         The INDEX of topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.

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~~~~~~~~~~

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

God Attribute, 161

~ God Is Perfection ~

 

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

 

Scripture ~ “For I proclaim the name of the Lord: ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He” (Deuteronomy 32:3-4).

 

King David assures us of God’s perfection.

 

“For You are my lamp, O Lord; the Lord shall enlighten my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop; by my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him” (2 Samuel 22:29-31).

 

“For You will light my lamp; the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. For by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect;

the Word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him” (Psalm 18:28-30).

 

 

“For truly my words are not false; One who is perfect in knowledge is with you. …

Do you know how the clouds are balanced … Those wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge” (Job 36:4, 37:16).

 

The law of the Lord is perfect” (Psalm 19:7a).

 

“For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings” (Hebrews 2:10).

 

Additional Scripture ~

 

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-14).

 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.

 

 

* * * * *

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

FREE Author Newsletter: Subscribe today and receive a FREE welcome gift followed by occasional news and special offers: BOOKSrlr .com/connect - Your email will never be sold, given, or used in any other way and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.

Author web page: “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell” BOOKSrlr .com/ – 11 national and international book awards.

Daily blog page: “Abundant Life Now” robertlloydrussell.blogspot.comAn INDEX of past topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.

·         The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.

·         His personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog.

Facebook page: Robert Lloyd Russell

~~~~~~~~~~~