Robert Lloyd Russell's Blog, page 27
April 26, 2021
Question – Jesus, 89
~ Regarding Origin ~
Introduction ~ This series is about questions involving Jesus. Some were asked by individuals involved with Jesus Christ while He walked on earth. Others are questions that Jesus Christ asked others. We will look at questions on about 130 topics (some may split into two or more posts). Even so, it is far from an exhaustive list.
Scripture ~ “The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote — Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’
“And Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’
“Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, ‘Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!’ Nathanael said to Him, ‘How do You know me?’
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.’ Nathanael answered and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Because I said to you, “I saw you under the fig tree,” do you believe? You will see greater things than these.’ And He said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man’” (John 1:43-51).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”
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April 25, 2021
God Is My… (Psalms), 57
~ God Is My Savior, 6 ~
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 ~ “Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress”(Psalm 71:3).
Prior Passages ~ “My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God” (Psalm 62:5-7).
“You are my King, O God; command victories for Jacob. Through You we will push down our enemies; through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us. For I will not trust in my bow, nor shall my sword save me. But You have saved us from our enemies, and have put to shame those who hated us. In God we boast all day long, and praise Your name forever” (Psalm 44:4-8).
“I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies” (Psalm 18:1-3).
“But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him” (Psalm 37:39-40).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
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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
Daily blog page: http://robertlloydrussell.blogspot.com/ “Abundant Life Now”
· The INDEX of topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.
· The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.
· Personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog.
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April 24, 2021
Myth, 94
~ Christians Don’t Need To Study The Bible With Others ~
Myth ~ It is not necessary for Christians to study the Bible with other Christians. Deceptive ~ This is deceptive in several ways: 1. This is a partial truth in that the most important Bible teacher for the believer is the indwelling Spirit of God. “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). 2. This is also deceptive in that it is important to study the Scripture independently. There is great value in studying the Scriptures privately. But if this is our only means of studying we are losing out on the wisdom of others. 3. But the reality is there is great profit in studying the Word of God with other Spirit-indwelt believers. My pastor likes to say that “There are no Lone Ranger Christians.” 4. However, we must recognize that there are times when it is impossible to benefit directly from the input of fellow believers. On occasion this has been the case for single missionaries (but it is rare they don’t have a spouse or other believer available). It is possible also for a prisoner to be isolated from other believers. In these specialized cases God will provide. 5. Finally, in today’s world there are so many resources available for studying the Bible alone it can be tempting to do so. Benefits ~ Studying the Scriptures with fellow believers can have many benefits. Scripture ~ The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “Prescribe and teach these things. Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:11-16 nasu).~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
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Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”
· Be an insider! Sign up for his Author Newsletterand 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.
· The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.
· Personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog.
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April 23, 2021
Fear God, 216
~ Results of Fearing God ~
God does not want His children living in fear. “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:2-3). However, God does want His children to have a proper respect and reverence for Him. We are told in many places in Scripture to “fear God.”
Scripture Passage ~ Proverbs gives us the essence of the “fear of the Lord.” “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.” (Proverbs 8:13)
Some Results of Fearing God ~ While there is a long list of benefits that arrive from the fear of God I particularly like this verse: “This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; He saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them. Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him. Fear the Lord, you His holy people, for those who fear Him lack nothing” (Psalm 34:6-9).
“Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name” (Malachi 3:16).
Application To Life ~ When a person acknowledges the reality of who God is there are many natural results. Here are a few:1. Repentance (confessing asking forgiveness and turning away from continued sin). See for example Matthew 9:13.
2. Seek to please God and He will give you the proper attitudes and desires. See for example Psalm 37:4.
3. New patience will be evident, what is sometimes referred to as “waiting on God.” See for example see James 1:3-4.
4. An alertness to temptation and pressures (both external and internal) to conform to this world. See for example 1 Peter 5:8.
5. There will be a willingness to persist in prayer. See for example Luke 21:36.
6. There will be His peace permeating your life. See for example Isaiah 26:3 and Colossians 3:15.
7. As all of the above becomes an increasing reality in your life you will be doing God’s will for your life. See for example Ephesians 5:17.
The Bottom Line ~ “Praise the Lord! Blessed [happy] is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments” (Psalm 112:1).Closing Comment ~ The Bible tells us that people in the past feared God and people in the future will fear God.
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
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Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/“Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”
· Be an insider! Sign up for his Author Newsletterand 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.
· The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.
· Personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/robertlloyd.russell
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April 22, 2021
Saints
~ 5 Views of Living Saints on Earth ~
Saints Called By Grace ~ “Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:5-7).
Saints Gathered To Christ ~ “Gather My saints together to Me,those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice” (Psalm 50:5).
Saints In Assembly ~ “For who in the heavens can be compared to the Lord? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened to the Lord? God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him” (Psalm 89:6-7).
Saints Faithfully Ruled ~ “Ephraim has encircled Me with lies, and the house of Israel with deceit;but Judah yet ruleth with God, and is faithful with the saints” (Hosea 11:12).
Saints Glorified With Christ ~ “When He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed’ (2 Thessalonians 1:10).
~ 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 Newsletterand 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.
· The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.
· Personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog.
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April 21, 2021
God Our Rock, 10
~ God Is My Rock ~
Introduction ~ In Matthew 7:24-27 and Luke 6:47-49 Jesus relates the importance of building your house upon rock rather than sand. This principle is even more critical when it comes to our spiritual life. Each post in this series looks at a different Biblical passage which refers to our God as a Rock (not a complete list).
Scripture ~ “I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.
“The pangs of death surrounded me, and the floods of ungodliness made me afraid. The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears” (Psalm 18:1-6).
~ 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 Newsletterand 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.
· The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.
· Personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog.
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April 20, 2021
Spiritual Gifts, 17
~ The Spiritual Gift of Hospitality ~
Opening Comment ~ “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures” (James 1:16-18).
Serving Gifts ~ Within the Service Sector we compared the Spiritual Gift of Serving with non-profit organizations in society. The Gift of Going / Mercy was likened to Missionaries, while the Gift of Helps is a parallel for food banks and similar organizations. The Gift of Hospitality is compared to the travel industry (hotels, restaurants, etc.).
The Gift of Hospitality ~ This can easily be considered a specialized gift which is a part of the gift of helps.
Scripture ~ “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.’ Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:7-11).
“‘Without grudging.’ However we extend our hospitality, it should be done with real warmth” –J. Vernon McGee
Comment ~ I think hospitality can be expressed in ways other than entertaining in your home. The minister who is traveling and speaking in conferences often prefers / needs time alone. He may be best served with a hotel where he can study and pray rather than be in a home where he is obligated to carry on conversation all the time. You can extend hospitality by taking care of the hotel bill. You could also invite him out for dinner.
Closing Comments ~ “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. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:12-16).
“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 1:6-7).
“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10).
~ 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
Daily blog page: http://robertlloydrussell.blogspot.com/ “Abundant Life Now”
· The INDEX of topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.
· The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.
· Personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/robertlloyd.russell
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April 19, 2021
Question – Jesus, 88
~ Regarding Offense ~
Introduction ~ This series is about questions involving Jesus. Some were asked by individuals involved with Jesus Christ while He walked on earth. Others are questions that Jesus Christ asked others. We will look at questions on about 130 topics (some may split into two or more posts). Even so, it is far from an exhaustive list.
Scripture ~ “Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can understand it?’
“When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, ‘Does this offend you? What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. And He said, ‘Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.’
“From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’
“But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’
“Jesus answered them, ‘Did I not choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?’ He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for it was he who would betray Him, being one of the twelve” (John 6:60-71).
~ 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 Newsletterand 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.
· The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.
· Personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/robertlloyd.russell
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April 18, 2021
God Is My… (Psalms), 56
~ God Is My Refuge, 4 ~
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 ~ “Be my strong refuge, to which I may resort continually; You have given the commandment to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress” (Psalm 71:3).
Prior Passages ~ “My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvationand my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God” (Psalm 62:5-7).
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling” (Psalm 46:1-3).
“In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness. Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me” (Psalm 31:1-2).
~ 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
Daily blog page: http://robertlloydrussell.blogspot.com/ “Abundant Life Now”
· The INDEX of topics is accessed by scrolling down the left column.
· The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.
· Personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/robertlloyd.russell
Career page: http://www.robertlloydrussell.com/
April 17, 2021
EXTRA: Book Release
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~ 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 Newsletterand 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.
· The current TOP 10 reader favorites are listed at the bottom of the page.
· Personal TOP 10 favorites are listed in the right-hand column of the blog.
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