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Comment by russ allen on May 7, 2013 at 7:46am

 Good morning! How are we faithing? Stop striving for perfection but instead for holiness. Before Christ no one could be perfect in the law given to Moses by God therefore a redeemer had to come. It is by faith in this redeemer, Jesus the Christ, that we are redeemed and not of our goodness because no one is good but God. So that being the case we ought not think we are perfect and we ought not be surprised when we fail. We are commanded to be holy as he is holy. We are commanded to love. We are commanded to hate the sin and not the sinner. If you want to work towards being perfect, that's on you so don't expect anyone else to be. One person told me of all the rotten things they saw in people who claimed to be perfect Christians. I was not surprised because I have seen the same things. The believers who seek holiness and admit they are not perfect and know they are not saved by the works of perfection anyways are the ones who I see reaching out, helping, loving and acting like our savior told us to. Those are the ones who have moved closer to perfection by the things we are told to by the Master. Those people actually move closer to perfection as a result of obeying what Jesus taught rather than trying to follow law. Do you understand? You can't be perfect and God knew and knows this, that is why we are in need of a savior. That is why an effect of following Jesus makes us better than we were.



Php 3:9-12
  And may be found in him, not having my justice, which is of the law, but that which is of the faith of Christ Jesus, which is of God: justice in faith.  That I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings: being made conformable to his death, If by any means I may attain to the resurrection which is from the dead.  Not as though I had already attained, or were already perfect: but I follow after, if I may by any means apprehend, wherein I am also apprehended by Christ Jesus.


Gal 3:11-14
  But that in the law no man is justified with God, it is manifest: because the just man liveth by faith.  But the law is not of faith: but he that doth those things shall live in them.  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us (for it is written: Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree).  That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Christ Jesus: that we may receive the promise of the Spirit by faith.


remember Cody S...remember Flo...


Heavenly Father,
   Thank you for your son that through him we are saved. Lord, help us not look to perfection but to love. Forgive our sin for they are many and guide us today to your will. Help us see the heart and not the surface of things. Grant us courage and wisdom. In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 6, 2013 at 7:36am

  Good morning! How are we faithing? It's been a full week end and God showed up and showed off. That may sound a little odd to say but when my Lord shows up and makes mincemeat out of the enemy, it's showing off. Showing off in that just his presence is so much bigger than the enemy that the enemy runs and hides. Oh he comes back and tries to take away or diminish what God has done but it is a futile attempt. When we seek God's face in everything we do, not allow ourselves to cloud the issues at hand, victory is ours. By the grace of God through his son Jesus the Christ we do indeed have that power to defeat the enemy. I am in praise and awe mode because of what I have seen God do this weekend and people, you can see him too! Get to your prayer closet. Lay it out honestly because he knows anyways and it is good for you to exercise the right as a son or daughter to approach God. Lay it at his feet. Walk into this week with the confidence that whatever comes, it's already overcome, dealt with, we just need to see truth. Man, this is gonna be a good week!



Psa 141:1-3
  A Psalm of David. LORD, I cry unto thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto thee.  Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.  Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

Psa 17:3-6

  Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not. 

I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech. 

Heavenly Father,

   Thank you for your love and grace. Thank you for your workings in our lives. Teach us to recognize truth and light. Show us when the enemy is trying to deceive. Lord we lift those lost in this world. Make us beacons of your holy light. Let us be willing to go where you send us. In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 3, 2013 at 7:20am

   Good morning! How are we faithing? Run into some angry people and they attack in that anger. Had some believers even use their faith to disperse that anger. It just seems that the angrier they are the less their belief system works. Like angrily laying a guilt trip on me with scripture tells me they are very guilty themselves. They may be right so I have to reel in my defense mechanism to consider what is being said but simultaneously I have to be in prayer for that person. I saw it work in one of our Bible studies. A man got indignant and I wasn't really sure what about but after the whole scene calmed down, I found out a few were praying for peace and understanding  while the turmoil was happening. Prayer works. Constant communication with God is paramount. We have to be aware of our anger, discouragement, use of the scriptures. We must be in his will and be seeking his will not ours regardless of our current disposition. Just think before you react today. Ask yourself,  "who benefits from what I am about to do or say?"



Jas 1:20
 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

Jas 3:17 

 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 

Heavenly Father,

  Open our eyes to those we face today and this weekend. Let your light shine. Snatch our tongue when we are about to speak unholy. Guide our minds and in Jesus name we rebuke satan and his minion from our minds. Holy spirit envelop all our thinking and speaking, in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 2, 2013 at 7:43am

  Good morning! How are we faithing this beautiful morning? The birds are singing, the sun has cracked the horizon, my nose is running from all the pollen but God is still on the throne, he adopted me into the family and my eternity is set!
      How do we measure success? Do we measure with the worlds yard stick or God's? Do we look at our neighbors yard or are concerned with our own? Listen to me here. As children of God, adopted into the family by the grace of Jesus the Christ we already are successful. Let me pose a point for you to ponder. We were born naked. We were fed, bathed, clothed to maintain life and health, we were taught things, some good some not so good. We entered our adulthood, some way sooner than others but the constant was and is; we started with nothing except what was on our backs and what was in our heads and in our hearts. Pause, look around at all you have physically, emotionally, spiritually then subtract your nakedness at birth and the sum is your success. I left home with a work ethic, the clothes on my back, and a foundation from my folks. Everything in addition to that would be considered success no? Do you see this point? Do not let the enemy take away what God has given you by drawing your eye to others. Their walk is not your walk and your walk is not theirs. You are successful if you have Jesus, all the rest of the stuff is filler.


Jas 1:2-4
  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Jas 1:19-21

  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 

remember Elizabeth M...

Heavenly Father,

  Help us remember we are valuable to you. Help us set in our heart that our success is not the worldly success. Keep our minds clear and focused on you . We praise you ! Guide us today and let us see you! In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 1, 2013 at 7:37am

    Good morning! How are we faithing? It's not a competition within the churches who had the most salvations and who had more baptisms. We are not told to be result oriented but to live peacefully, seek Gods face, pray without ceasing, seek God's will, help the down trodden, show Jesus to those around us = preach the gospel.  How do those things have anything to do with competition? How do those things point to anyone feeling superior because of accomplishments in these areas? Living for our savior, believing with our whole heart in the message we have heard doesn't have anything to do with what I can do but what Jesus has done. Your ego running wild because you've done thus and so? You better pause and remember where you came from and what Jesus saved you from. We believers must remember we are adopted sons and daughters into the family of God and just like that one crazy cousin that says, "Hey! Ya'll watch this!" at the family reunion, we are equal sharers of the family benefits i.e. God's grace. Be thankful for accomplishments but remember the source. Humbleness and gratitude is easy when we remember the source...


Col 1:9-10
  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,  to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;



Jas 3:17-18
  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace.




1Th 5:24-25
  Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
 Brethren, pray for us.

Heavenly Father,

  Thank you for your gifts. Thank you for teaching truth in your Word. Forgive us when we get haughty and forget the source for all our talents and energy. We praise your holy name and ask for wisdom throughout our days that we may see what you see and act the way you desire, in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on April 30, 2013 at 8:00am

    Good morning! How are we faithing? Man, I am reading about some heinous things going on in the world today.Evil is running rampant and what bothers me more is the acceptance of that evil. Even Christians are saying they don't see anything wrong with some of these deeds.  People, you had bette rbe in the Word and accept the answers found even if the world disagrees. The inherent evil thoughts that seem to be accepted as tolerance are going to destroy us and this nation and eventually the world. Some are so blind they can't even see the evil in acts being perpetrated under the guise of tolerance. Right is right and wrong is wrong and we will have to pay when we ignore the spiritual and physical laws of this earth. My friend told me something yesterday, "jump off the empire state building and you'll die. God isn't mad at you, it's the law of gravity". The spiritual laws apply  also to our lives so we all had better be in the Word learning. We perish due to lack of knowledge.


Pro 10:16 
The labor of the righteous tendeth to life; The increase of the wicked, to sin.



2Ti 3:13
 But evil men and impostors shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.


Isa 3:10 
Say ye of the righteous, that it shall be well with him; for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

Heavenly Father,

  Forgive our sins for they are oh so many. Grant us wisdom to know right from wrong and the courage to stand accordingly. Help us be compassionate but stand firm on your foundation. Help us see truth in all we face. Open our eyes Lord, we want to see Jesus. In Jesus name, amen.

Comment by russ allen on April 29, 2013 at 7:23am

 Good morning! How are we faithing? We as believers have to be aware and diligent not to pick apart our brothers and sisters in Christ over things that may be inconsequential to our salvation. I don't care if you take communion every Sunday or Friday  I don't care if you do it quarterly or monthly. I don't care if you sing traditional hymns or modern praise songs. I don't care of the order of service. I don't care if you think wine is ok at dinner or not. These are the things that you must work out in your salvation, your belief system. I have found that allowing these details to fracture a congregation is exactly what the enemy wants. That fracturing over "I don't like this or that" causes a non believer to view us as judgmental and hypocritical. That church in Kansas that protests at military funerals has caused the media to paint all of the rest of us the same. We can perpetuate that notion by acting or speaking in similar ways. I will speak the Word about subjects but with compassion. I will love the sinner and hate the sin. I will be honest and show Jesus whenever and where ever I can but with wisdom and in love and you ought to do the same. It is not my responsibility to run up on a sinner and come down on him judgmentally when I am a sinner too. Do we not address issues? Of course we do but we had better be aware of feelings and aware of driving a stake in the heart of someone who may turn one way or the other. We don't water down the message but we had better be presenting it in love the Word tells us or we just make a lot of noise.



Eph 4:1-7
  I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beseech you to walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called,  with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;  giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism,  one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.  But unto each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Jas 3:16-18

  For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy.  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for them that make peace. 

Remember Libby Z...remember Sheree...remember Tara...

Heavenly Father,

  Thank you for your word that sustains us. Thank you for your compassion and help us show that same compassion to those we meet. Help us understand situations and reveal if we should speak or not. Lord we ask for healing for those mentioned and those unspoken requests. Guide our tongues in Jesus name, amen

  

Comment by russ allen on April 26, 2013 at 7:51am

Good morning! How are we faithing? As I read and study, learn and change, I discover truths in the Word that are so relevant to life that i am in awe of just how grand God is and I've just scratched the surface.  I watch and try to learn from others mistakes and my own too. Gee whiz are mine many! Some things I've read in the Word and I thought I got it but as I grow in the Lord I find the same scriptures come alive and I learn all over again what I thought I already knew. That make sense to you? Ever have an apithany and wonder why in the world you never saw that before? Gee whiz man, me too! Dive into the Word. Find out about our savior. Learn the tricks of the enemy. Look for truth where you didn't even suspect. Our own fleshly desires can cloud wisdom and most times it's not intentional at all but just that flesh showing up. Being able to pause, step back, look at all sides and make an effort to not put your desires in the midst makes for wise thinking. It's hard man and I don't know about you but many times I'm not even aware my fleshly desires has gotten in the way. Hmm...wow, I think I understand how plucking one's eye out could actually stop a lot of fleshly interference. I get what is trying to be said here;


Mat 18:8-9
  Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

And;

1Pe 4:1-2
  Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

Remember Hallie Harrod...remember Clayton Lewis...Remember CK...

Heavenly Father,
   Thank you for your Word of truth. Help us stand for wisdom no matter the cost. Let us be aware of your wisdom in all we do. Guide our paths and make us aware when our flesh is getting in the way of doing the right things. Lord we do ask for your touch and bless our lives. We lift those ill to you. Heal them. In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on April 25, 2013 at 7:54am

    Good morning! How are we faithing? It can be such a task just to get through each day. Many of us struggle just to keep our head held up when as the day progresses burdens and worries drag us down, down, down. Allowing every day burdens to weigh us down is like carrying a sack of potatoes adding more and more as we go on. Adding more taters throughout our days makes for one pooped person come bed time. Sleep even becomes elusive when we allow those burdens to continue to sit on us. Why do we do that? Why are we continually fretting over things most time we don't have control over anyways? Why do we care what "they" are doing when our own stuff is hard enough to pay attention to? How does that make any sense at all? Well people, it doesn't. We can be our own worst enemy by holding ourselves up to a man made ideal. What does the Word tell us? It tells us not to worry or fret but to rely on God. It tells us the worries of tomorrow are tomorrows problem. You can't change the past so take care of what you can today. Wisdom of course teaches us to plan and to be vigilant to prepare  but worrying or driving yourself nuts over someone elses non preparation is simply foolish. There's a Petra song that has been one of my favorites for decades. Read these lyrics;

Words and music by Bob Hartman

Based on Isaiah 40:31

You say you've been feeling weaker, weaker by the day

You say you can't make the joy of your salvation stay

But good things come to them that wait

Not to those who hesitate

So hurry up and wait upon the Lord

(Chorus)

More power to ya

When you're standing on His word

When you're trusting with your whole heart in the message you have heard

More power to ya

When we're all in one accord

They that wait upon the Lord, they shall renew, they shall renew their strength

Jesus promised His disciples He'd give strength to them

Jesus told them all to tarry in Jerusalem

When they were all in one accord

The power of His Spirit poured

And they began to turn the world around

So be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might

Put on all His armor and fight the good fight

In all of our weakness, He becomes so strong

When He gives us the power and the strength to carry on

Isa 40:31  

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. 

Face each day with salvation in your heart, the Word on your lips and your eyes on Jesus...

Heavenly Father,

   Thank you for your wisdom. Thank you for your true love. Thank you for your son whom we serve. Thank you for music. Thank you for nature and all the critters. Thank you for sunshine, fishing and wind on our faces. Guide us this day, in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on April 24, 2013 at 7:32am

   Good morning! How are we faithing? I've been watching things, including my behavior, and it comes as no surprise with reading the Word simultaneously that as we pass through things in this life, pass through being operative word here, that we are promised the BEST outcome. It may not be what we want or think is best but when we feed on the Word daily and at all times live the Word we find that the things that we encounter are indeed refinements for our own good. Had to deal with many things lately and because of being in the Word I find I recognize sooner when the enemy is pricking at me and when I flat screw up. Either one becomes a refinement if I choose to see truth and make adjustments accordingly. Our heavenly father is consistent, we are not. Our savior already paid for it all, we can't. That leads to the conclusion that everything we face has a purpose and if we remember to learn from events good and bad we become better equipped next time and eventually those lessons learned truly aren't repeated. The cool thing that is an addition to all this is we can help others through the trials and the refinement of this life on earth. Pretty cool huh?



Isa 43:2 
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.



Luk 21:12-18
  But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.  And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:  For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.  But there shall not an hair of your head perish.


remember Kat and Chris...remember myself for all these colds I keep catching...remember your emergency workers...remember your Pastors...


Heavenly Father,
   Thank you for your wisdom that teaches us. Help us be willing to be refined so we can be the men and women you designed us to be. Teach us to be aware of your presence in all things. Help us make choices that honor you because we thank you for your love and know what you want the best for your children. Keep those mentioned in your light and keep them courageous and safe, in Jesus name, amen

 

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