Robert Lloyd Russell's Blog, page 17
August 1, 2021
God Is My… (Psalms), 65
~ God Is My Creator ~
Note ~ Following the 7th month posts of 7's we now resume our regular postings.
Introduction ~ Previously from July 16, 2017 through January 6, 2019 ALN posted a series of 60 posts of “Jesus is…,” and now we look exclusively at who “God is…” from the Book of Psalms. While not a complete list these posts occur are in the same order they are in the Psalms.
Passage ~ “Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
“For the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods. In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the heights of the hills are His also. The sea is His, for He made it; and His hands formed the dry land.
“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand “Psalm 95:1-7).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
* * * * *
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July 31, 2021
7 Ways To Pray
~ 7 Specific God Honoring Prayer Requests ~
Introduction ~ Looking back at the history of “Abundant Life Now” posts, we discovered that there have been 60 posts entitled “7 [topic]” through June 2021. Surprisingly, that equals two months’ worth of daily posts since the beginning of ALN on October 21, 2009. During each day of this seventh month of 2021, each ALN post is a “7 [topic].”
Pray that God’s Word Will Spread ~ “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you” (2 Thessalonians 3:1).
Pray for God’s Guidance ~ “Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen” (Romans 15:30-33).
Pray for Open Doors ~ “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak” (Colossians 4:2-4).
Pray for Boldness in Witness ~ “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:18-20).
Pray for Ministers ~ “Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen” (Romans 15:30-33).
Pray for Protection ~ “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith” (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2).
Pray for Refreshment ~ “Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen” (Romans 15:30-33).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”
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July 30, 2021
7 Walks
~ How To Live The Christian Life ~
Walk In Light ~ “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
Walk In Love ~ “Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Ephesians 5:2).
Walk In The Spirit ~ “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).
Walk In Truth ~ “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 4).
Walk In Good Works ~ “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
Walk In Wisdom ~ “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5).
Walk In Intelligence ~ “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15-16).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”
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July 29, 2021
7 Triples
~ Seven Sets of Threes in Eleven Verses ~
3 Positive Actions ~ “Recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).
3 Positive Services To Perform ~ “Warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
3 Weak Groups To Minister To ~ “Warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).
3 Components For Success ~ “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
3 Warnings ~ “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies … Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22).
3 Interwoven Positives ~ “We urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you … Be at peace among yourselves … always pursue what is good … for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, 15, 18).
3 Interwoven Key Ingredients ~ “In love … at peace … be patient” (1 Thessalonians 5:13-14 ).
Summary Statement ~ “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”
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July 28, 2021
7 Traits Of Unbelievers
~ Missing Things In Unbelievers ~
No God ~ “Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh — who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands — that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without Godin the world” (Ephesians 2:11-12).
No Christ ~ “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His” (Romans 8:9).
“Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh — who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands — that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:11-12).
No Change ~ “He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still” (Revelation 22:11).
No Peace ~ “As it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one. Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips; whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Romans 3:10-18).
No Hope ~ “But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed, speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime” (2 Peter 2:12-13a).
“At that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12).
No Excuse ~ “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:18-22).
No Escape ~ “For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” (Hebrews 2:2-4).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”
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July 27, 2021
7 Traits Of The Godly
~ Discipleship Traits ~
Compassionate ~ Jesus said, “Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?” (Matthew 18:33).
Correct Priorities ~ Jesus related, “But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented’” (Luke 16:25).
Do Not Compare ~ Jesus said, “But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you” (Matthew 20:13-14).
Do Not Covet ~ Jesus said, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15b).
Humility ~ Jesus said, “But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher.’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 14:10-11).
Possess Great Faith ~ Jesus said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you” (Luke 17:6b).
Responsive To Love ~ Jesus said, “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?” (Luke 7:41-42).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
Author web page: http://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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July 26, 2021
7 Statements
~ Christian Realities ~
Introduction ~ The following is from an unknown source.
When I say that “I am a Christian,” I am not shouting that “I am clean living.”
I am whispering, “I was lost, but now I’m found and forgiven.”
When I say that “I am a Christian,” I don’t speak of this with pride.
I’m confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say that “I am a Christian,” I’m not trying to be strong.
I’m professing that I’m weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say that “I am a Christian,” I’m not bragging of success.
I’m admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say that “I am a Christian,” I’m not claiming to be perfect.
My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I’m worth it.
When I say that “I am a Christian,” I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my shares of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say that “I am a Christian,” I’m not holier than thou.
I’m just a simple sinner who received God’s good grace somehow!
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
Author web page: http://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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July 25, 2021
EXTRA: 7 Salvation Terms
~ Some Impressive Benefits From TheBlood of Christ ~
My most recent eBook (released earlier this month) entitled “CHRIST’S BLOOD: 7+ Benefits” takes a look at the following 7 benefits that are directly stated in Scripture. It also examines 11 additional benefits that are clear from Scripture.
Redemption ~ “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
Justification ~ “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Romans 5:6-9).
Cleansing ~ “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us” (1 John 1:7-10).
Peace ~ “For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled” (Colossians 1:19-21).
Sanctification ~ “Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate” (Hebrews 13:12).
Nearness ~ “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13).
Victory ~ “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:10-11).
Closing Comment ~ These are seven core benefits of the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary.
“CHRIST’S BLOOD: 7+ Benefits” is available now. Increase your appreciation of the benefits you, as a Christian, possess that are solely because of the precious blood of Christ.
ISBN: ~ (Romans 5:1) ~ ASIN:
B098W6LHVM
https://books2read.com/ChristsBlood
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
Author web page: http://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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7 Sinner-To-Saint Aspects
~ Out Of A Pit Into The King’s Service! ~
The Scripture ~ “I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,out of the miry clay,and set my feet upon a rock,and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth — praise to our God;many will see it and fear,and will trust in the Lord” (Psalm 40:1-3).
State By Nature ~ “out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay” (v. 2).
Salvation By Grace ~ “He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay” (v. 2). He brought me out of both!
Standing In Christ ~ “He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,out of the miry clay,and set my feet upon a rock” (v. 2).
Stability For Christ ~ “Set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps” (v. 2).
Song Of Thanksgiving ~ “He has put a new song in my mouth—praise to our God” (v. 3).
Saintly Testimony ~ “He has put a new song in my mouth—praise to our God; many will see it” (v. 3).
Service And Soul-Winning ~ “Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord” (v. 3).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
Author web page: http://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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July 24, 2021
7 Separations
~ Are You Maintaining a Healthy Separation? ~
Separate from the World ~ Jesus said, “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you” (John 15:19). “Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen” Galatians 1:3-5). “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14).
Separate from Darkness ~ “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8-10). “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14).
Separate from False Professors ~ “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! (2 Timothy 3:1-5). “Therefore‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty’” (2 Corinthians 6:17-18).
Separate from Teachers of Error ~ “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia — remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith” (1 Timothy 1:3-4). “If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness” (1 Timothy 4:6-7). “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself” (1 Timothy 6:3-5).
Separate Law and Grace ~ “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain — if indeed it was in vain?” (Galatians 3:1-4). “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love” (Galatians 5:1-6). In Acts 15:1-24 we read a more complete treatment of this topic.
Separate Truth from Tradition ~ “And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff — no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts — but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics. Also He said to them, ‘In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!’ So they went out and preached that people should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them” (Mark 6:7-13). “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:2-5).
Separate Saints from Sinners ~ “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For youare the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God,and they shall be My people.’ Therefore‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you,and you shall be My sons and daughters,says the Lord Almighty’” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:20-21).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”
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