Robert Lloyd Russell's Blog, page 64

Psalm 119, 27of27

~ Summary ~
This Series  ~  We have only scratched the surface of the reasons and benefits to read, study, and understand the Holy Bible as found in Psalm 119. 
Big Picture  ~  Psalm 119 is full of terms referring to the Word of God and its contents.  A partial list includes: the Law to be obeyed, Testimoniesto be shared, Precepts to be practiced, Promises to be claimed, and the Way to be followed.  Some reference to the Word of God is found in almost every one of the 176 verses. 
Comment  ~  If you don’t have an intentional plan for Bible reading and study it will not happen!  Change is hard, but with determination change can become a habit which will evolve into a lifestyle.  Satan does not want you to increase your time and so any effort to increase your spirituality will be met with resistance.  But “greater is He who is in you” (1 John 4:4). 
If you are regularly in the Word of God all other spiritual disciplines will fall into place.  In other words, it is well worth the effort. 
Credit  ~  As noted in the first post, this series has been based on a list given during a pair of sermons by pastor Dr. Mike Wilde of Laurelwood Baptist Church entitled “The Blessings of Reading the Bible” (December 2013).   
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
NOTES: (1)     The currentTOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page. (2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column. (3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website.  (4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/.

The Law: Questions, 17of25

~ Was The Law The Jews Tutor? ~
Scripture  ~  “Is the law then against the promises of God?  Certainly not!  For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law.  But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.  But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed.  Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.  But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor” (Galatians 3:21-25). 
Comments  ~  The Mosaic Law could not save—it could only condemn.  Instead of removing sin the law reveals sin.  It is only the blood of Jesus Christ that can cleanse sin.  “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:19-20).
Reference  ~  You may be interested in a previous “Abundant Life Now” 14 post series entitled “10 Commandments Today” (from March 1 to June 28, 2018).  “Abundant Life Now” also posted a 12 post series entitled “Law vs. Grace” (from January 22 to December 24, 2013).  The Key Passage in this series is: “Do not think that I [Jesus Christ] came to destroy the Law or the Prophets.  I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
NOTES: (1)     The currentTOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page. (2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column. (3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website.  (4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/.

Psalm 119, 26of27

~ Read God’s Word To Increase Your Desire for God’s Word ~
119:40 Behold, I long for Your precepts;Revive me in Your righteousness.
119:47 And I will delight myself in Your commandments,Which I love. 119:48 My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments,Which I love,And I will meditate on Your statutes.
Comment  ~  The more you read and begin to understand the Bible the more drawn you will be to further reading and study of God’s holy written Word. 
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Psalm 42:1-2a).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
NOTES: (1)     The currentTOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page. (2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column. (3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website.  (4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/.

Question – Jesus, 39

~  Regarding Force ~
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  ~  “And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people.  Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, ‘Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.’  Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed Him.  But Jesus said to him, ‘Friend, why have you come?’  Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.  And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.  But Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?  How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?’  In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, ‘Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me?  I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me.  But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.’  Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled” (Matthew 26:47-56). 
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
NOTES: (1)     The currentTOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page. (2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column. (3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website.  (4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/.

God Is My… (Psalms), 10

~ God Is My Strength (2) ~
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  ~  “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 18:2-3).     
Prior Passage(s)  ~   “I will love You, O Lord, my strength” (Psalm 18:1).     
Significance  ~  Mankind is broken and weak since the Fall in the Garden of Eden.  But those who have recognized their need for a Savior and called upon Jesus Christ to be their personal Savior have the strength of God at their disposal when they are operating in accordance to God’s desires for them. 
Comment  ~  God uses the weak things in this world to accomplish great things in this world!  Have you ever noticed that God rarely uses the strong and mighty of this world.  Perhaps this is so that it will be clear that the accomplishments are of God and not of man. 
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
NOTES: (1)     The currentTOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page. (2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column. (3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website.  (4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/.

Myth, 44

~ Church Growth Comes From An Anointed Leader ~
Introduction  ~  This is a somewhat more complicated issue than some of the myths we have looked at. 
Issue One  ~  The word “anointed” can have various meanings in different groups.  For example, how closely related is “anointed” to “called by God”?
Issue Two  ~  What do we mean by “Church Growth”?  This also can have multiple meanings.  Often this term means numerical numbers in attendance at a local church (small “c”).  Others including myself think of Church (upper case “C” as in the Church universal) growth as a spiritual issue. 
Issue Three  ~  Regardless of our definition of the word anointed we must recognize that all true spiritual growth comes from the Holy Spirit of God working in individual lives.  Unredeemed man is spiritually blind and cannot see the truth unless the Spirit opens his or her eyes.  Spiritual blindness is just as real as physical blindness!
The Reality  ~  Christian leaders are ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  They are conduits.  They are vessels.  They are messengers.  They may be pastors, teachers, evangelists, or laymen.  At times God chooses to use certain individuals to be mighty preachers: Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Billy Sunday, Billy Graham, etc.  God has used others as great missionaries: Hudson Taylor, Jim Elliot, Mother Teresa, etc.  But it is always God who brings others into His Church.  Side Note: fully understanding this will cause questioning of my use of the words “mighty” and “great” in this paragraph!  Perhaps in God’s view an unknown faithful Sunday School teacher is pleasing God more than the more visible members of His body. 
Key Scripture  ~  “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?  I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.  So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.  Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor” (1 Corinthians 3:5-8).
The Bottom Line  ~  The Christian is responsible before God for faithfulness in what God has given him/her to do where God has placed them.  They are not responsible for the results—that is God’s sovereign role!  Our problem is that our pride (a root of all sin) wants to feel that “I” accomplished something good. 
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
NOTES: (1)     The currentTOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page. (2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column. (3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website.  (4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/.

Fear God, 168

~ Fear God—Not Those Who Cannot Kill Your Soul ~
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 .”  
This Week’s Passage  ~  Jesus said, ‘Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.  And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.  Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin?  And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.  But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:27-31). 
Fearing God Results in Salvation  ~  “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).  “A wise person fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident” (Proverbs 14:16).  This does not mean the Christian is to live a fearful life—but a life which reverences God and seeks to do His will. 
Fearing God Results in Fearlessness  ~  “The Lordis my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lordis the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).  The answer is: only God.  With the gift of salvation comes responsibility.
Fearing God Results in Witnessing  ~  “Come and hear, all you who fear God,and I will declare what He has done for my soul” (Psalm 66:16). 
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
NOTES: (1)     The currentTOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page. (2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column. (3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website.  (4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/.

Psalm 119, 25of27

~ Read God’s Word To Be Competent In Teaching Others ~
119:13 With my lips I have declaredAll the judgments of Your mouth.
119:43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,For I have hoped in Your ordinances.
Comment  ~  The more we know the Bible and its divine Author the more capable and competent we will be in teaching others the about God His Word.
“Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.  Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.  And their message will spread like cancer” (2 Timothy 2:14-17a).
“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:1-2).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
NOTES: (1)     The currentTOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page. (2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column. (3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website.  (4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/.

The Law: Questions, 16of25

~ Was The Sabbath A Shadow Of Something Better? ~
Scripture  ~  “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.  Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God” (Colossians 2:16-19). 
Comments  ~  Jesus summed up the Law this way:  “Jesus said to him, ‘“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets’” (Matthew 22:37-40).
“So, when he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in Him.  If God is glorified in Him, God will also glorify Him in Himself, and glorify Him immediately.  Little children, I shall be with you a little while longer.  You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, “Where I am going, you cannot come,” so now I say to you.  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 13:31-35).
Reference  ~  You may be interested in a previous “Abundant Life Now” 14 post series entitled “10 Commandments Today” (from March 1 to June 28, 2018).  “Abundant Life Now” also posted a 12 post series entitled “Law vs. Grace” (from January 22 to December 24, 2013).  The Key Passage in this series is: “Do not think that I [Jesus Christ] came to destroy the Law or the Prophets.  I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
NOTES: (1)     The currentTOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page. (2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column. (3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website.  (4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/.

Psalm 119, 24of27

~ Read God’s Word To Understand God And His Desires For You ~
119:12 Blessed are You, O Lord!Teach me Your statutes.
119:18 Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.
119:26   I have declared my ways, and You answered me;Teach me Your statutes. 119:27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts;So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.
Comment  ~  The more you understand the Bible the more you will understand life, your purpose, and your destiny. 
“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ.  This is the true God and eternal life” (1 John 5:20).
“That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2-3).
“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.  He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:9-14).
“Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things” (2 Timothy 2:7).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
NOTES: (1)     The currentTOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page. (2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column. (3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website.  (4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/.