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Comment by russ allen on December 7, 2011 at 8:05am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Do you feel sometimes you have no effect on anything or anybody for our savior? Do you understand the Word that tells us to "be ready in season and out of season"? Do you realize the most minuscule event can have far reaching effects? Stepping forward with a kind word regardless of what flies at us can actually have long reaching effects on the receiver. Many a time a forgiving spirit and and eye turned to God will transform a life and at a minimum, contribute to that transformation. We do not know how our actions and words can hinder or help others in their time of need therefore actions and reactions must be based on Godlike love and wisdom. We may not notice the need but we must recognise that they may exist whenever we encounter people of all walks of life. The wisdom, patience, love we receive from the Word is to be applied in what we do, say and how we act. Kat and I were privileged to witness ,as the Word says, the planting of a seed, the  watering of it a time or two and then saw a harvest for the Father. We didn't even realize it till another soul in a similar situation was encountered. Only after it took place was the realization that this had happened before came to mind. Our focusing on a daily walk with Jesus is what we need to concentrate on because if we walked looking for results immediately in witnessing we would loose focus from the love of God back to deeds and forget that deeds are a result of our peace and salvation and not how to earn it. Seeing a repentant heart and seeing them receive that peace and salvation sure is an encouragement for sharing the Word but the reason we share is because of what Jesus has done for us and we just cannot contain that love. Genuine charity is a God given gift that runs deep inside and it cannot help but flow out and when we get to that wonderful point of recognising souls and desire to direct them to God the immediate desire to see results fades somewhat because their journey is theirs and not ours so encouragement and genuine love is how we present this wonderful life walking with God. The next time you encounter anyone, even someone who is irritating the snot out of you, remember where you were once... 

2 timothy 4

“preach the word”

 ¹ I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: ² preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. ³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, ⁴ and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. ⁵But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.




Remember Mike and Natalie...




Heavenly Father,
  Thank you for your love and wisdom. Thank you for allowing us to serve you. Lord we praise your holy name and ask for wisdom so we help and not hurt. Grant us insight and courage to step where we  fear. Cleanse us from that fear. We lift up families today. Heal, open eyes, open dialog that heals and not destroys. In Jesus name we pray, amen

Posted by Pastor Russ Allen at 8:01 AM 

Comment by russ allen on December 6, 2011 at 7:49am

 Good morning! How are we faithing?  It's been an eventful tiring time for us lately. The things that take place around us take a toll on rest, attitude, and our sense of well being.  We can't be joyous all the time but we can be joyful.  Sometimes our own past sneaks up and sucker punches us when we thought those things had been dealt with.  The enemy loves to bring up past sins and things we totally screwed up on and if it has already been dealt with, why does that button when pushed work?  Because satan is the accuser of the brethren. Satan and his minion like to throw old stuff into our face to try to render us ineffective. A good friend told me to stand and speak out " God has already whooped this so in the name of Jesus, I rebuke things that are already settled and won".  Isn't that cool? Why do we fight the same battles that have already been fought and won? Recognise when this happens.  Be in the Word to be ready when this type of attack happens, and it will. If the enemy is able to move our focus off Jesus and onto ourselves, we are in deep trouble.

1 PETER 5:6-11
 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,  casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that  the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.  After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who  called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.

remember the Elliston family...

Heavenly Father,

 Thank you for your wisdom in your Word. Lord we ask for strength to stand, courage to act and vision for truth. Help us be who we are to be. Protect the innocent. Preserve our republic. Open eyes of our leaders. Protect our emergency workers and our troops. Protect us who are on the road, in Jesus name, amen

Posted by Pastor Russ Allen at 7:46 AM

Comment by russ allen on December 5, 2011 at 6:23am

   Good morning! How are we faithing?  With the amassing of instruments of war fare in the mid-east around Syria, one tends to look and wonder what is about to happen. There are so many sides to what is happening and we do search scripture to try to see prophecy unfold. The "birth pains" in the last days we have discussed before seem to be taking place right now. We do not have to fear or be bewildered at events, just aware and in the Word. We see the longest living city, Damascus being destroyed in Isaiah 17. This has never happened yet so it causes one to pause and watch.

isaiah 17

prophecy about damascus

  The oracle concerning Damascus.   “Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city
And will become a fallen ruin.
 “The cities of Aroer are forsaken;
They will be for flocks to lie down in,
And there will be no one to frighten them.
 “The fortified city will disappear from Ephraim,
And sovereignty from Damascus
And the remnant of Aram;
They will be like the glory of the sons of Israel,”
Declares the LORD of hosts.
  Now in that day the glory of Jacob will fade,
And the fatness of his flesh will become lean.
 It will be even like the reaper gathering the standing grain,
As his arm harvests the ears,
Or it will be like one gleaning ears of grain
In the valley of Rephaim.
⁶ Yet gleanings will be left in it like the ^[h]shaking of an olive tree,
Two or three olives on the topmost bough,
Four or five on the branches of a fruitful tree,
Declares the LORD, the God of Israel.
⁷ In that day man will have regard for his Maker
And his eyes will look to the Holy One of Israel.
⁸ He will not have regard for the altars, the work of his hands,
Nor will he look to that which his fingers have made,
Even the Asherim and incense stands.
⁹ In that day their strong cities will be like forsaken places in the forest,
Or like branches which they abandoned before the sons of Israel;
And the land will be a desolation.
¹⁰ For you have forgotten the God of your salvation
And have not remembered the rock of your refuge.
Therefore you plant delightful plants
And set them with vine slips of a strange god.
¹¹ In the day that you plant it you carefully fence it in,
And in the morning you bring your seed to blossom;
But the harvest will be a heap
In a day of sickliness and incurable pain.
 ¹² Alas, the uproar of many peoples
Who roar like the roaring of the seas,
And the rumbling of nations
Who rush on like the rumbling of mighty waters!
¹³ The nations rumble on like the rumbling of many waters,
But He will rebuke them and they will flee far away,
And be chased like chaff in the mountains before the wind,
Or like whirling dust before a gale.
¹⁴ At evening time, behold, there is terror!
Before morning they are no more.
Such will be the portion of those who plunder us
And the lot of those who pillage us.

   Isn't that interesting? There is so much stuff over in that area right now. 2 nuclear carriers, missiles from all sides, the threat to Israel of "wiping them off the map", Israels nuclear capabilities, it shows that Damascus being a heap of rubble in one night completely doable. Scary and at the same time intriguing.  The absolute cool thing about these scenarios we find all over prophecy is   all believers in Jesus the Messiah will be saved and are forgiven no matter how all these end time events play out. Will we face some of the scary things? Some will, some will physically die. Do we need to be concerned? In so much as we need to be out there showing Jesus to as many people as we can and as often as we can without fear of what they think of us and of the comments we may receive, yes we need be concerned. Times are perilous and I believe very short and if we believe what we profess, how could we not tell everyone? How could we not have enough compassion for people that we have to tell them of the salvation we have? 

Remember Sheree...remember Ben and Linda...remember myself, Kat and Chris...remember the lost

Heavenly Father,

  We know you have it all figured out but we are a little frightened by the things we face on this earth. Lord help us be courageous and wise. Help us not fear what can be done to our bodies but be more concerned for others souls. Lord we ask for healing for those mentioned and for those struggling. Lord, forgive us when we don't act or speak in accordance to your statues. Thank you for all you do, in Jesus name, amen

Posted by Pastor Russ Allen at 6:19 AM

Comment by russ allen on December 2, 2011 at 7:39am

    Good morning!  How are we faithing? Do you see supposed Christians acting unchristian like or is it just different than you are used to? Do you think they might not be saved? Is that opinion based on scripture, your denominational beliefs or out of arrogance? It is very important we know where and why we stand on an issue and whether it is appropriate or necessary to speak out about whatever the issue may be. Perceived or stated proper actions must be solely based on scripture or we fall into judgement of  things of no consequence and things that could easily repel rather than gather people to Jesus. The next time you are turned off by something, stop a second and try to figure out why. Some things are obvious things scripture is quite clear about and some things are debatable. Someone shoplifting is wrong. Someone being to loud or to soft spoken for our taste is simply that, taste. I'm surely not going to climb someones back for something that simply irritates me. If a fellow believer is walking a path in the wrong direction we should bring it up when appropriate but not condescendingly but with love. I could be wrong. You could be wrong. We both could be wrong. We both could be right but finger pointing doesn't work.  Want to drive people away from Jesus? Behave "holier than thou" and you are guaranteed to diminish the congregation and the Christmas cards received.

MAT 7:1-5

   Judge not, that ye be not judged.
 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
  And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
  Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
  Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

ROM 2:1-4

 Therefore you have no excuse, everyone of you who passes judgment, for in that which you judge another, you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.  And we know that the judgment of God rightly falls upon those who practice such things.  But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?  Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? 

ROM 14:1-4

  Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not forthe purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only.  The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

remember Nan Gilpin...remember Bailey...remember Lindsay and her family

Heavenly Father,

   Thank you for your Word that clarifies how we are to act. Lord we do ask for wisdom for seeing truth and not see cloudy. Lord, help those mentioned today. Heal the sick. Mend the minds and in the name of Jesus we rebuke satan and his minion from influence on our lives. We stand on your promises of peace and love. We ask you show yourself in all we do and it is in your holy name we request these things, amen

Posted by Pastor Russ Allen at 7:35 AM 

Comment by Michael Brittain on December 1, 2011 at 6:23pm

Also, my Pastor has said on many occasions that the Pastor will ALWAYS ask that others in need be lifted up in prayer but they themselves never ask to be lifted up themselves in their community's prayers.  When I read your Faithing today I saw that you too should have been on the Remembered in Prayer list. 

 

You and yours are lifted up in our prayers here in Houston.  Thank you for ALL that you do, in service to the community and in service to the Father.  I for one can tell you that I look very forward to 6:30AM to see what you talk about each day.

 

God Bless!

Comment by Old Fireguy on December 1, 2011 at 6:15pm

That's funny Russ, I didn't notice you walking in my shoes.  Thanks for the wisdom.  Hang tuff and we'll all make it through together.

Comment by russ allen on December 1, 2011 at 7:23am

Good morning! How are we faithing? We as a species tend to revert in times of trouble. What am I talking about? When calamity befalls us we revert to what we know. Good , bad or in between we run to the safe zone i.e. , what we know. If what we know isn't founded on the Word of God and a saving knowledge of Jesus we will run to the last known default setting. This place can be anything from drink, drugs, illicit activities, Mom and Dad, previous relationships, on and on. Think about this, if it didn't work before and we moved on with God, why would we think it'll work again? We don't if the truth be told, it's a place of comfort only in so much as it's known. Fear of that unknown that drives us back to the known can make a situation worse. Example, a couple breaks up, one or both run back into another relationship without ever searching why this one busted up. Not the blame thing because lets talk, it's rarely ever one sides fault totally right? Be honest with yourself, ask yourself how you can avoid the same junk happening over and over. It's not easy to endure but it is completely doable with attitude and honesty with one's self. No one likes the idea that they screwed up. No one likes being on the blame side but if one ever hopes to get better and to not repeat same actions one must be brutally honest with them selves and rely on Jesus and not ourselves for repair. It makes complete sense to build that foundation while we are not in turmoil so when those times come we are prepared. I'll tell ya, my bride and I have been through it lately but we are looking for a lesson and not retreating. It sucks sometimes and we are exhausted but we know God has his hand on us therefore we will come out the other side wiser, stronger albeit a little more wrinkly. !0 year ago we probably would be crying in our beer right about now...

1 Peter 1:13-25
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abides for ever.
For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
But the word of the Lord endure for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

remember Dave Smethurst...remember Chris Hall...remember Jennifer

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your hand on our souls that guide and protect us. Lord we ask for clarity in all situations. Open our eyes so we can operate wisely and honorably to events and situations. Let us see that rest and peace that passes all understanding. Help us know your presence in our lives. We lift those hurting today. Heal wounds, protect from the enemy. Let us see the enemies ploys for what they are. In Jesus name we pray, amen
Posted by Pastor Russ Allen at 7:14 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 30, 2011 at 7:08am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Tired. Man I'm tired. Plumb wore out. Could sleep in a hammock under the sun for a week. Ever feel that way? The stress of life can get all over us sometimes and we get so worn down. Beat up as it were by all the things we all face every day. It is interesting though when we read the Word and discover that the peace and rest we need is available from the masters hand. The redemptive qualities and the absolute love of a God that gave all for you and me. The love of a father that he would save us through his son. The love of a God who takes time to number the hairs on our heads. We will get tired but we need not get discouraged. We will require rest and we get that with a heaping helping of peace. We hurt physically but of course we know we will heal. We get so tired but our savior nourishes and replenishes us. Man that is so comforting...or maybe I need coffee...

1JOHN 1
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Heavenly Father,
Lord we praise you and lift your holy name. Thank you for your rest and your peace that is beyond our understanding. Bless those who are diligently seeking you. Walk beside us and remind us of your love for us. Lord, heal bodies and minds. Take our infirmeries away. Bless our minds with assurance of this faith in your son, In Jesus name, amen
Posted by Pastor Russ Allen at 6:58 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 29, 2011 at 7:51am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Jesus told us a lot of things that we just seem to not get a hold of. He told us we would do greater things than he did. He told us we would be empowered with the Holy Spirit. He told us anything we ask for we have. He said "Knock and the door is opened for us, seek and we will find". We have not because we ask not. The Ferrari? The mansion? The yacht? Yeah but look at something here; how will you deal with those things? Will it just lead to wanting more? I know it does because drag racers just want to go faster, pilots want to fly higher, where does it end and where do we step out of God's will and into selfish will? Ah you say, there lies the conundrum. There lies the crux of this whole wanting issue. Some things we want are not good for us therefore it stands to reason a father that loves us isn't going to give us things that will destroy us. Is it the things fault? No, it's our own. As a Dad, I would not give a loaded handgun to a five year old so if our Daddy in heaven sees something that will harm us, he isn't gonna give it to us. With that in mind, the next time you ask for something and it seems you don't get it in your time frame, don't diss the Father for being stingy, look at yourself honestly for how you will use or abuse it.

JOHN 14:12-14
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Mark 16:17-18
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

remember Hallie Tracy...remember Mary Hutcherson...remember Turley...remember Rex's Mom...remember Chris and Kat

Heavenly Father,
We ask for your wisdom and comfort. We ask for physical healing and spiritual enlightenment today. Teach us where we need to improve. Give us a thankful heart. We praise and honor your holy name and it is in that name we pray, amen
Posted by Pastor Russ Allen at 7:45 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 28, 2011 at 6:55am

Good morning! How are we faithing? How do you deal with adversity in your life? It's real easy to succumb to circumstances and react in kind. We as the human animal can be entrenched in despair when things go awry. It takes a deep seated faith in our Lord Jesus the Christ to climb out of that place we fall into. I've done it, you've done it. The tendency to crab and complain when things are rough is an easy place to drive to and without an inner joy and peace we make things worse by pessimism and that woeful demeanor. Having tons of adverse things blown in our path isn't unusual and guess what? It never ceases therefore it behooves us to form a mental defense and the only one that is idiot proof is our faith in Jesus. As we train in the Word that same scripture will begin to come to mind when the crumbling happens. Our remembering the times we climbed out and our savior was present is what we need to remember when it seems like we are alone. I can talk to my savior. I can ask him to intervene. I can look for the lesson in everything. It's like when we critique a run on the fire department. We critique not to condemn but to learn. We discuss what worked and what didn't. We see with hind sight the pros and cons so the next time we act more appropriately. The Word is already at our disposal for that same type of critique and learning. I handle situations in God's ways more and more as of the Word is revealed. I see my goof ups and learn from them...most of the time. Once you discover you have acted or thought inappropriately, thank the Lord, remember, move on.

James 5:9-16
Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
KJV

remember Fred Knipper...remember Kevin Cleveland...remember Chris Hall, car wreck...remember Kat and I...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Word that sustains us. Thank you for your ever presence in our life. Thank you for a mind and a heart for you. Lord we lift those mentioned up to you. Heal bodies and minds. Make your presence known. Make those who are suffering see how these present circumstances can be used to honor you. Protect our children, in Jesus name, amen

Posted by Pastor Russ Allen at 6:49 AM

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