Russellville Christian Center

Grow ANYWAY 3/17/24 susan allen   John 16:29-NKJV His disciples said to Him, "See, now You are speaking plainly, and using no figure of speech! 30 Now we are sure that You know all things, and have no need that anyone should question You. By this we believe that You came forth from God." 31 Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe?  32 Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.  33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."   1 John 4:3 KJV  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.  4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.(Overcome-prevailed, over power)   You are not from bad seed! 1 Peter 1:23 AMP  You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin (seed, sperm), but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God. Absorb: taking something in, esp gradually. Fully taking one’s attention. Engrossing yourself IN something. To take something in.   Ps 1:1-AMP  BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk,nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. 2 But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.  3 And he shall be like a tree firmly planted  (transplanted) [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]. (push forward, break out) 4 Not so the wicked [those disobedient and living without God are not so]. But they are like the chaff [worthless, dead, without substance] which the wind drives away.   Deut 30:19   Jer 17:7-NIV  "But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. 8 He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."   Rom 8:11 KJV But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken (cause to live, arouse, invigorate, re-animate, restore to life, cause to spring up an grow) your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.    

GROWING in STRENGTH 3/10/24 susan allen   RESILIENCE- the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficult situations, toughness   Mark 4:14 kjv  The sower soweth the word. 15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness;17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction (trouble/pressure) or persecution (persistent annoyance)  ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.   QUICK to receive but also QUICK to QUIT. we default back to our own capabilities of handling things We need to PRACTICE being dependent on GOD   Eph 1:17-AMP  [For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him, 18 By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), 19 And [so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness  (beyond the usual mark) of His power (Dunamis-miraculous power)  in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, 20 Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places]   2 Cor 12:7 KJV And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.9 And he said unto me, My grace (charis-influence, benefit, favor)  is sufficient for thee: for my strength (dunamis-miraculous power, ability) is made perfect (accomplished) in weakness. (feebleness of body/mind) Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power (dunamis)  of Christ may rest (abide, tent upon) upon me.10 Therefore I take pleasure (to think well of) in infirmities, in reproaches (insult, injury) , in necessities (needs), in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.(powerful, capable)   Eph 3:12 NIVIn him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen (empower) you with power (dunamis) through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power (dunamis) that is at work (is active) within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.   Rom 1:16-1716 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power (dunamis) of God unto salvation (soteria-rescue, deliverance, redemption from earthly ills)  to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.   Eph 6