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Robert Lloyd Russell's Blog, page 8
October 30, 2021
Myth, 116
~ Christians Shouldn’t Talk About Hell ~
Myth ~ Believers shouldn’t discuss hell with unbelievers. After all, God is a God of love. Reality ~ First, while it is true God is a God of love and the source of love, it is also true that God is a God of wrath and judgement. Second, Jesus Christ, our example and role model, talked about hell while He was on earth. Background ~ Interestingly, the word most often translated as hell in our New Testament is Gehenna, the Greek equivalent for “the valley of Hinnom.” The history of this valley which is immediately southwest of Jerusalem (and still visible today) was historically a place of human sacrifices and dumping of garbage. During New Testament times there were always fires burning. Scripture ~ “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 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 1:3-10). “And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation20:9-10). Comment ~ Do you really know God? Are you an adopted child of God? If not, why not? You never know when your life is going to end! It could be before you wake tomorrow.
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
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October 29, 2021
Joseph Introversion
~ Introversion of the Life of Joseph ~
Introduction ~ The Biblical account of the life of Joseph is recorded in Genesis 37-50. His life is in many ways a “type” or foreshadowing of Jesus Christ (potential subject for future posts).
What follows is an outline of Joseph’s life.
~1~ The beginning of the Joseph account – 37:2-11
~~2~ Jacob mourns Joseph – 37:12-26
~~~3~ Reversals of the first born – 38:1-30
~~~~4~ Joseph enslaved in Egypt – 39:1-23
~~~~~5~ Favor and disfavor before Pharaoh – 40-41
~~~~~~6~ Joseph’s brothers journey to Egypt – 42-43
~~~~~~~7~ JOSEPH REVEALS HIMSELF TO HIS BROTHERS – 44:1-45:20
~~~~~~6~ Jacob journeys to Egypt – 45:21-46:30
~~~~~5~ Favor before Pharaoh – 46:31-47:12
~~~~4~ Joseph enslaves in Egypt – 47:13-27
~~~3~ Reversals of the first born – 47:28—49:28
~~2~ Joseph mourns Jacob – 49:29-50:14
~1~ The conclusion of the Joseph account – 50:15-26
Note ~ The origination of this particular introversion is believed to be by Greg Trull.
Comment ~ Abundant Life Now has previously published introverted outlines (or parallel outlines known as chiasms). For those who would like to review them here are the links to those prior posts.
Does History Repeat Itself? ~ Around and around we go! ~ January 25, 2011
Bible Introversion ~ Introversion Outline of the Bible ~ April 15, 2017Bible Hourglass ~ This Bible Outline Encompasses All Time ~ April 22, 2017
10 Commandments Today, 14of14 ~ Notice the Introversion of the Ten Commandments ~ June 28, 2018Bible Introversion, 2 ~ Introversion Outline of the Bible, 2 ~ September 10, 2020
EXTRA: 2020 Election~ Nation’s Historical Cycle Throughout History ~ October 21, 2020
Noah Introversion ~ The Symmetrical Account of Noah ~ January 21, 2021
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”
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October 28, 2021
Stewardship, 4of4
~ 3 Key Responsibilities of Godly Stewardship ~
Work For His Name ~ “Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth” (3 John 5-8).
Witness About His Truth ~ “And He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth’” (Acts 1:7-8).
Watch For His Coming ~ “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!” (Mark 13:32-37).
~ 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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October 27, 2021
Stewardship, 3of4
~ 7 Key Resources of Godly Stewardship ~
The Commission ~ “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20).
The Preparation ~ “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).
The Responsibility ~ “So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Feed My lambs.’ He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep’” (John 21:15-17).
The Motivation ~ “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
The Attitude ~ “Those who sow in tears [somberness] shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalm 126:5-6).
The Power ~ “Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” (2 Corinthians 3:5-6). “ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
The Rewards ~ “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away’” (Matthew 25:26-29).
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
Author web page: http://booksrlr.com/ “Books by Robert Lloyd Russell”
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October 26, 2021
Spiritual Gifts, 35
~ The Spiritual Gift of Tongues ~
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).
Category ~ A sign gift related to speaking or interpreting unknown languages.
Definition ~ A supernatural ability regarding an unlearned language. The New Testament word translated “tongues” is equivalent in our society as a “language.” The key factor to keep in mind is that it refers to an “unknown” or “unlearned” language.
The New Testament clearly shows two varieties of the gift of tongues: speakingin tongues and interpretation of what was spoken in tongues.
Purpose ~ There is significant division within Christianity regarding tongues and specifically the role of tongues in the Church today.
The purpose of tongues is an extremely important in discussing the subject of Biblical tongues. A careful examination of the New Testament passages dealing with tongues clearly reveals that tongues were a sign not for believers but for unbelievers. In fact there is one undeniable statement to this effect: “Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe” (1 Corinthians 14:22).
Scripture ~ There are several references to tongues in the New Testament, the most complete being 1 Corinthians 12-14 (note the summary statement above in the previous paragraph). There are other references including (Mark 16:17 and in the Book of Acts specifically Acts 2:3-4, 11, 10:46, 19:6).
Additional Note ~ In all three accounts of tongues in the New Testament it was during the institution of the dispensation of grace.
(1) On the Day of Pentecost -- the Gospel to the nation of Israel.
(2) At the home of Cornelius – the Gospel to the Gentiles.
(3) At Ephesus – the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth.
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”
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October 25, 2021
Question – Jesus, 109
~ Regarding Relationship, 3of3 ~
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 ~ Jesus is speaking, “‘If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.’ Philip said to Him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, “Show us the Father?” Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves’” (John 14:7-11).
Comment ~ Many attend their local church regularly or are involved in good Christian ministries, but do Jesus Christ does not know you. Does He know you?
~ 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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Career page: http://www.robertlloydrussell.com/October 24, 2021
God Is My… (Psalms), 77
~ God Is My Trainer ~
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 ~ “Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle— my lovingkindness and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer, my shield and the One in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me” (Psalm 144:1-2).
~ 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”
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October 23, 2021
Myth, 115
~ Truth Is Relative ~
Myth ~ There is no absolute truth. All truth is relative. Reality ~ This is absolute nonsense and a great deception by the god of this world Satan. If there were no absolutes there would be no mathematics, no scientific inquiry, and no human progress. For example, if gravity did not behave tomorrow the same way it behaves today, we would cease to exist. Scripture ~ “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’” (John 8:31-32). “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26).
~ 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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October 22, 2021
Stewardship, 2of4
~ 4 Key Aspects of Godly Stewardship~
A Steward of God(a high honor) ~ “For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled, holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict” (Titus 1:7-9).
A Good Steward(a great trust) ~ “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” (1 Peter 4:9-10).
A Faithful Steward(a noble aim) ~ “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).
A Wise Steward(a discerning mind) ~ “And the Lord said, ‘Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes’” (Luke 12:42-43).
Warning: Do not be a dishonoring steward of God!
An Unjust Steward(a selfish motive) ~ “He also said to His disciples: ‘There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods. So he called him and said to him, “What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward”’” (Luke 16:1-2).
~ 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
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October 21, 2021
Stewardship, 1of4
~ 7 Steps of Godly Stewardship ~
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 ~ “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” (Psalm 40:2).
Salvation by Grace ~ “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” (Psalm 40:2).
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, and established my steps” (Psalm 40:2).
Stability for Christ ~ “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” (Psalm 40:2).
Song of Thanksgiving ~ “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 40:3).
Saintly Testimony ~ “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 40:3).
Service and Soul-Winning ~ “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 40:3).
Scripture ~ “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, ‘This was He of whom I said, “He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.”’ And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (John 1:6-18).
~ 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.
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