Matters of Faith

A practical application of the Word of God for everyday issues.

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James ‘Loren’ Russell was born in Harlem, New York, and raised in the Bronx, where he and his wife (Evelyn) of thirty-eight years currently reside. Loren began his professional career as a life insurance agent, quickly rising to sales manager and then senior management. To fulfill his entrepreneurial ambitions, Loren established The JLR Company/J Loren Consulting, LLC to provide financial planning services in general, “Biblical Economics” services to the religious community, and motivational and developmental seminars and workshops. He served 7 years with the Southern Baptist Convention as the Northeast Strategy Coordinator, Regional Church Finance Consultant, and Church Planting Coordinator for NYC. Loren earned the Master of Divinity degree from Drew Theological Seminary and received an Honorary Doctor of Ministry from the Virginia University of Lynchburg. Through J Loren R Consulting, LLC, Loren provides financial, strategic planning, and business consultations to churches, not-for-profit organizations, and businesses nationally, with a specialization in urban church strategies. Loren’s spiritual and civic commitment keeps him busy. He is currently providing pastoral leadership to The Evangelical Church of God and continues as an Associate Minister and former Sunday School teacher at his home church, Goodwill Baptist Church. He is the founder of the Back In Stride Ministry, a ministry designed to help ex-offenders to establish their businesses; past President of the John L. Scott Associate Ministers Auxiliary of the United Missionary Baptist Association; founder and Chief Chaplain of the New York State Chaplains Workers Task Force, Inc; President of the 42nd Precinct Community Council, Clergy Liaison, and Moderator for the Ceasefire Initiative all for the New York Police Department; President of the Home/Simpson Street Homeowners Association, Bronx, NY; Board member of Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement (HCCI); 3 times past President of the Yonkers-East Yonkers Rotary Club, NY, and past District Governor for Rotary District 7230. Loren has a chapter capturing parts of his life in the book, Children of the Dream – The Psychology of Black Success by Audrey Edwards and Dr. Craig Polite. He also helped establish and provided voice-overs for the Speaking Community Calendar at Bronx Net Cable, Bronx, NY. Rev. Dr. Russell is an author who writes a weekly column called “Matters of Faith” that appear in several publications, Yonkers Insider, Better Mag magazine, Positve Community Magazine, and Pamela’s Big Heart Newsletter, and on his social media outlets. In addition, he hosts a weekly internet radio talk show, “Matters of Faith: The Radio Show” (Matters of Faith YouTube channel), and authored and published Matters of Faith: The Book. Loren is a frequently sought-after preacher, keynote speaker, motivational instructor, workshop leader, and Master of Ceremonies for a variety of programs. Loren’s favorite quote is by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. which epitomizes his philosophy on life. It states, “We must all learn to live together as brothers, or we will all perish together as fools.”

“Victory That Overcomes the World”

By Reverend J. Loren Russell

1 John 5:1-6

“Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world— our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

The Bible says that a good understanding of the Lord is based on fear, but not the kind of fear that paralyzes us or makes us respond in what psychiatrists and psychologists call the fight or flight syndrome. The psalmist writes in 111:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.His praise endures forever.” This is healthy fear; the kind of fear where wisdom is born and a good understanding is given to all who obey the commandments of God. It’s where our praises of Him endure forever. In fact, you can find scripture throughout the Bible that tells us to fear the Lord. They tell us what a healthy fear does for, and to us: 

  • We are no longer slave to our fears:  Romans 8:15 “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
  • The Lord’s light in our lives overpowers our fears: Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?”
  • We can put our trust in the Lord: Psalm 56:3-4 “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. 4 In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?”
  • Even physical death doesn’t scare us: Matthew 10:28 “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.”
  • God’s perfect love drives away fear: 1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.”

There is another definition of fear. It is a fear birthed from a strong emotion of anticipation, sensing the presence of danger or evil. That is where the things that I listed about the fear of God and the assurances He gives do not exist. This sense of fear is a False Expectations Appearing Real. It can overwhelm our consciousness and be so all-consuming that every aspect of life is impacted. But I want you to keep in mind that this type of fear is the anticipation of something happening to you, not the event itself. It is a false expectation appearing real. 

We have a promise of victory! We have an assurance that is so certain that it will turn those fear-filled emotions into faith-filled action. We cannot let a false sense of fear stop us from doing what the Lord has assigned for us to do. If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, know that it is Him whom you serve and that He has chosen you specifically. Your faith is not just a wish; it is the assurance that you have already overcome. Let this truth inspire and empower you every day. You are not expecting victory or waiting for it to come in the future—you already have the victory that has overcome the world. It is your faith! 

Be Blessed!

Rev. J. Loren Russell is the Clergy Officiant at the Evangelical Church of God and associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church, both in the Bronx. He is the President/CEO of The JLR Company/J Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096). He writes this column  and produces and host’s “Matters of Faith: The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on The Matters of Faith YouTube channel. Be sure to Friend, Like, and Share the column and the channel.  Email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177.

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