RUSSELL COLERUSSELL COLEBrother Russell Cole went to be with the Lord early in the morning, June 21, 2000. He battled with cancer for several years, maintaining a remarkably cheerful and optimistic spirit through that warfare. He fought the good fight of faith most admirably, remaining a source of edification until the time of his departure. His person, work, and influence, are sorely missed. He is survived by his good and faithful wife, Anita, and four faithful children: Jessica, Michelle, Russell Jr, and Rebecca. These are also noted for their faith, and consistent participation in the work of the Lord.
"When men turn from God, they become incapable of receiving the truth."
"What God gives, we can drink without fear of contamination."
"The pure mind is capable of understanding the Scripture."
"God will give you dry ground to walk on if you continue to look to Him."
"As you have more of the Divine nature, you are more able to resist the devil."
ON ROMANS 7:25
"There are two natures within us, each trying to gain dominion . . . one of these natures must be nurtured, and the other mortified."
"The law of the Spirit is to please God."
"Flesh and Spirit cannot get along together."
"The will relies on either the flesh or the Spirit."
"The flesh is the unregenerate part of us."
"The law of the Spirit moves us to be forward looking."
"The flesh tempts us to look back, which makes us useless."
"The Spirit has more power than sin."
"Even the law of sin can be suppressed through the Holy Spirit."
"God and sin cannot occupy the same place."
"The mind of Christ can be put on, and it is not defiled."
"I died to the law in order that I might live unto God."
"In Christ, we are working with God, not against Him."
"Both life and death are in us."
"If we are in agreement with the Spirit, we are in agreement with God."
"We are given the provisions to walk in the Spirit. We have the means to be victorious."
"The inner conflict of good and evil confirms we are still in this world, and not in heaven."
"The world is already marked for destruction."
"Allowing the Spirit to rule neutralizes the effect of sin"
ON 1 PETER 2:9-10
"This generation (in Christ) does not have the boundaries of former generations. We are a special people in Christ__a 'chosen generation.'"
"You might say we are a special species."
"With all of this special emphasis on special generations (x-generation, boomer generation, etc.), we are a chosen generation."
"This generation is not tormented by death."
"In our relationship to God, we are royal."
"Of old time, people went to a higher plane to be with God."
"We have been consecrated to God by what Jesus did."
"We must make sure we are there to receive the blessing, for the time is short."
"A holy nation is a blessing in God’s sight."
"If we turn away, we forfeit everything we have gained."
"When we put on Christ, we put on everything of Christ."
"God did not waste anything He had, and we must not either."
"A peculiar people are brought into God’s domain."
"We were all in the pit of despair until Christ came."
"We are now in the marvelous light, but it is the first part of the light, and not the whole of it."
"God is going to put Himself into what is valuable to Him."
"God chose us, but when our eyes were opened, we chose Him too."
"We have been appointed by God for His good works."
"God is abundant in giving to whoever comes to Him."
"It is good to get all of the light you can."
ON 1 TIMOTHY 4:13
"As we read His Word, it actually helps us to believe what God said."
"Christ allows us to participate in Kingdom affairs."
"We need to read God’s Word so we can understand His nature."
"When we read God’s Word, we have the opportunity to see God opened up."
"In reading Scripture, we see how active God is in salvation."
"Reading the Word keeps the mind from becoming stagnant."
"The image of God is the only acceptable image into which to be conformed."
"Reading God’s Word keeps us from choosing side issues."
"The true knowledge of Scripture makes life bearable."
"Reading Scripture brings the mind into conjunction with the heart."
"Exhorting can cause the appetite for the things of God to increase."
"Reading, exhortation, and doctrine are woven together in a Divine tapestry."
"Sound doctrine brings hope to those who are cast down."
"The more God shows us, the more we can show others."
ON THE LORD’S SUPPER
"God reminds us of what we have been called into as well as what we are to avoid."
"Only the Gospel of Christ has eternal power."
"We can hear the Gospel over and over, and it is still renewed in us as we see new things about it."
"As we taste of the Gospel of Christ, we want to labor more for Him."
"As we continue to hear the Gospel, it makes us look forward to our new home."
"In Christ we are not fighting against God, but working with Him."
"Adam and Eve did not eat from the forbidden tree because they were hungry."
"The world tries to downplay the need for a Savior."
"Man had separated himself so far from God that only the Lord could help."
"It is not a light occasion when we take the Lord’s Supper."
"Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection confirm the effectiveness of His propitiation."
"Because Christ’s sacrifice is perfect, there will not be another one."
"We have been redeemed on the basis of Christ’s death."
"We are under the umbrella of the sanctifying blood of Christ."
ON COMING INTO CHRIST
"As you have more of the Divine nature, you are more able to resist the devil."
"God thinks highly of us when we come into Christ."
"Believers are a building fit for God to dwell in; a habitation suitable for the Holy Spirit."
"In God's sight, we become a valuable asset when we come into Christ."
ON EDIFICATION
"We are here to rally the troops, strengthen our stance, and sharpen our focus."
"The Scriptures bring us joy, relief, and hope."
"God’s Word guides us back to His protecting arms."
"We stir each other up by pointing to the good things we have in Christ Jesus."
ON WALKING WITH GOD
"Because we want to stand acceptable before God, we are enabled to remain upright."
"When God created man, it was because He wanted to, not because He had to."
"In the process of bringing Israel out of Egypt, God had to show who was in charge."
"There is a big difference between wanting to serve God and having to acknowledge Him."
"Daniel did have to spend a night with the lions, but God protected him."
"God’s hand protects those who want to stay close to Him."
"When we are in the Word, we are tasting a bit of heaven."
"When God is about to do something great, things begin to pick up."
"As we walk with the Lord, our attention changes from ourselves to serving God."
"Our mouth is an area where we can waste a lot of time."
"When we become idle, we fall into terrible jeopardy."
"The business of our day is a sign of the end times."
"Every waking moment can be effectual for you."
"The entrance of thought affects the heart."
ON 2 PETER 3:1-7
"We as proclaim Christ, we run into scoffers."
"Those who are willingly ignorant forfeit the glory of God."
"It is a heavy yoke to follow the ways of the world."
"When men turn from God, they become incapable of receiving the truth."
"God gives power to resist what Satan tempts us to do."
"Trouble is associated with this world, not the world to come."
"It is a serious thing to misrepresent God."
"When believed, Scripture will fan the pure mind into a great flame or roaring fire."
"Things that are ‘new’ in God are pure, whether the world in creation, or the sons of God in recreation."
"What God gives, we can drink without fear of contamination."
"The pure mind is capable of understanding the Scriptures."
"God is near, but if we do not seek Him, we will not find Him."
"A pure mind is not stale."
"Pureness causes the heart to abound in hope."
"The Father and the Son will not abide in an impure place."
"If men have an impure god, they can have no hope."
"If you turn away from the Scriptures, you are open game for the devil."
"It is a terrible thing to be chosen by God, and then set aside."
"The only way we can remain pure is to have God dwelling in us."
"God’s Word stirs up a wake-up call within us."
"There is no safety in the earth. The only safety is in the Lord’s hand."
"God will give you dry ground to walk on if you will continue to look to Him."