Bee Alphabet

~ A Christian Should Be Sweet Like Honey ~           

Consider the following swarm of bees.

Be an Assured Christian ~  “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Timothy 1:12).   

Be a Bible Christian  ~  “Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the very end” (Psalm 119:111-112).  

Be a Consistent Christian  ~  “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).  

Be a Duty-loving Christian  ~  “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).  

Be an Enterprising Christian  ~  “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).  

Be a Forgiving Christian  ~  “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).   

Be a Generous Christian  ~  “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).  

Be a Hopeful Christian  ~  “For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?” (Romans 8:24).   

Be an Intelligent Christian  ~  “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you; she will bring you honor, when you embrace her. She will place on your head an ornament of grace; a crown of glory she will deliver to you” (Proverbs 4:7-9).   

Be a Just Christian  ~  “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8).  

Be a Kind Christian  ~  “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

Be a Loving Christian  ~  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

Be a Merciful Christian  ~  “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matthew 5:7).  

Be a Need-supplying Christian  ~  “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance” (2 Corinthians 9:8).  

Be an Overcoming Christian  ~  “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne” (Revelation 3:21).  

Be a Prayerful Christian  ~  “Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). 

Be a Quickened Christian  ~  “My soul clings to the dust; revive me according to Your Word. I have declared my ways, and You answered me; teach me Your statutes. Make me understand the way of Your precepts; so shall I meditate on Your wonderful works. My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to Your Word. Remove from me the way of lying, and grant me Your Law graciously. I have chosen the way of truth; Your judgments I have laid before me. I cling to Your testimonies; O Lord, do not put me to shame! I will run the course of Your commandments, for You shall enlarge my heart” (Psalm 119:25-32).  

Be a Reverent Christian  ~  “Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil. Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:1-2).  

Be a Self-sacrificing Christian  ~  “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:5-8).   

Be a Thankful Christian  ~  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).   

Be a Uniform Christian  ~  “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5-8).  

Be a Victorious Christian  ~  “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39).   

Be a Working Christian  ~  “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).  

Be an ‘Xcellent Christian  ~  “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).   

Be a Yielding Christian  ~  “And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God” (Romans 6:13).  

Be a Zealous Christian  ~  “But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you” (Galatians 4:18).   

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Extra: Stars & Comets

~ “Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant” ~           

Yesterday (February 17, 2012) Bert Elliot—an older brother of the well-known Christian martyr Jim Elliot—was promoted to glory and united with his Lord and reunited with his brother Jim! What a servant Bert was.

Bert and his wife Colleen went to Peru in 1949 to be missionaries (Jim left for Ecuador in 1952 and was killed four years later). Bert labored consistently and reliably for about 63 years.

For many years Bert and Colleen served about half the year among the native people of the Amazon jungle. At first they traveled by canoe; later they had a motor launch named “Maranatha” (literally “our Lord cometh”—see 1 Corinthians 16:22).

The other half of the year they served native people in high areas of the Andes Mountains. Traveling by foot, by animal, and later by 4x4 vehicles, they brought the message of God’s love to the people of Peru. Somehow they also had time to work among the people of Peru’s coastal areas! 

Many years ago they ceased thinking of themselves as missionaries in a foreign land and rightly viewed themselves as Peruvians. In their labors for their Lord and Savior, they have established well over 150 churches throughout Peru.

For whatever reason, God has chosen that Bert and Colleen should be childless—but they are the spiritual parents of thousands and have impacted many thousands more. Now Bert has moved from his humble dwelling on earth and there is joy in heaven as he is welcomed to his mansion in heaven! “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21, 23).

Bert and Colleen chose to forego the luxuries of this life in order to bring individuals to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. They have endured many hardships. At one point they were targeted for assassination by the guerrilla terrorist drug lords misnamed the “Shining Path.” In order to help the people they love even more, they acquired medical and dental skills—going beyond offering  a cup of water in Christ’s name (Mark 9:41).   

Once when asked about the impact of his better-known brother, Bert replied that while his brother Jim was like a comet streaking across the sky which caught the attention of those on earth, God chose him to serve in a different capacity as one of the many dim stars from earth’s viewpoint—stars which are countless in the vast universe. There are many who consistently shine as lights where God has put them but never achieve the recognition that has come to Jim Elliot and the other four Christian martyrs at that time. But God chooses to use both a few streaking comets and the many stars!   

Bert and Colleen fully understand the concept of “laying up treasures in heaven.” “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). 

“He [Jesus] said to him, ‘You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me’” (Luke 18:22b). 

“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19). 

comment:  There is more information about the Elliot family in the background section of the book “JIM ELLIOT: A Christian Martyr Speaks to You” edited by myself. For more information about this book see the right column of this blog or the tab at the top.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Messiah 33 & Additional Comment

~ Messiah Would Be an Eternal King ~

“Search the Scriptures—they testify of Me.”

— Jesus Christ (John 5:39)

The Scripture

“He is the one who will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of His kingdom forever. I will be His father, and He will be My Son… My love will never be taken away from Him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you [David]. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before Me; your throne will be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:13-16).

The Messiah  

“He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:32-33).

Comment

To this point we have looked at specific Hebrew Scriptures which prophesied that the Messiah would be a descendant of Abraham (4x), Isaac (2x), Jacob, the tribe of Judah, and King David, and that He would have characteristics like Melchizedek and would be from the seed of a woman (Mary). Jesus Christ fulfills all of these requirements (Matthew 1:1-16).

~~~ EXPLANATORY “MESSIAH” NOTES ~~~   

(1)  Each Saturday ALN posts an example of a Hebrew Scriptures prophecy (or foreshadowing) related to the coming Messiah which was fulfilled in the birth, life, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(2)  While extensive it will not be a complete list—there are hundreds of prophecies of the coming Messiah which have been fulfilled by one man—Jesus Christ at His First Coming.

(3)  It is important that there are many more prophecies of the Messiah, yet unfulfilled, which Christians believe will be fulfilled at the time of His Second Coming.  A particularly relevant Scripture verse in this regard is: “Do not despise prophesies” (1 Thessalonians 5:20).

(4)  These posts will typically consist only of Scripture—which speaks for itself.  Sometimes italicized or bold font will be used by ALN for emphasis.

(5)  The numbering of these fulfilled prophecies of the Messiah is used to differentiate individual posts. It is not chronological (either by time of the prophecy or by sequence in the life of the Messiah).  The posting sequence will, for the most part, be in the order that the prophecies appear in Scripture.

(6)  Because of the chosen methodology (#5 above) we will find many specific prophecies repeated multiple times throughout the Scriptures.

(7)  These serial posts are in addition to our regular Tuesday ALN postings on random topics.

(8)  Subscription to ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog is simple—just use the link on the left sidebar.  Once subscribed you will not miss future posts.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

Jesus Christ, 2

~ Christ and Time – He is Unchanging and Eternal ~

Most people recognize that our calendar is based on the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.  The year 2012 is considered to be two thousand twelve years after His birth. But Jesus Christ has existed from eternity past and will exist throughout eternity future. 

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

Consider the triple glory of Jesus Christ:

Past ~ He was with His Father at Creation.  He was the Faithful Witness and the Incarnate One on earth.  His life while He was on earth is my pattern while I am on earth.  “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21).

Present  ~  He is the First Begotten who is presently glorified in Heaven. He is a source of my power. “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Future  ~  He is the King of kings and Lord and lords and He will one day rule overall His creation. He will be the source of my eternal peace both now and in completeness in heaven.  “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation” (Ephesians 2:14).

Consider His ministry on behalf of His saints:

Past  ~  He came to minister. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

Present  ~  He is a minister in the sanctuary. “A Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man” (Hebrews 8:2). 

Future  ~  He shall come forth and serve. “Blessed are those servants whom the Master, when He comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that He will gird Himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them”  (Luke 12:37-38).

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

Quote: Adam 1 or Adam 2

~ Which Adam Is Your Father? ~

Do you know how to make your life have its greatest meaning?

The following is an excerpt from a book.

As a member of fallen mankind you naturally follow your father the First Adam. God wants you to turn from your sin and follow His Son the Second Adam. Your Father desires that you turn your focus from yourself and toward your Bridegroom, Jesus Christ.

As one who has knelt at the cross, the proper focus of your life is in doing the will of God which includes surrendering Lordship of your life to His Son, especially when doing so conflicts with your own desires. Are you living by the principle, “not my will, but Yours be done”? (See Luke 22:42-43.) Is Jesus Christ truly the Lord of your life? 

This is the principle of the cross—the principle of accepting those things in your life that fulfill the will of God which you would not choose. Rather than a rare occurrence, this is the choice you are confronted with many times each day. “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23-24).

Many of the choices you are called to make will involve self-denial and the taking up of your cross. In making the right choices you bring glory to God.

There is no greater meaning and purpose to your life than being God’s person doing God’s will. Isn’t it strange how you tend to cling to your own little life—even long after life has turned sour! Jesus offers us something far better, the unsurpassed exhilaration of knowing you have done the will of God—you have done what you were specifically created to do!

~ from “THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH: Understanding God’s Will for You” by Robert Lloyd Russell, pgs 141-142 (ISBN: 9781606474303)

Learn more about this important book at Amazon, the Publisher, or the Author’s website. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW