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Comment by russ allen on December 4, 2008 at 7:24am

Good morning! How are we faithing? When we are in the midst of turmoil and bleakness is around us, load up your heart and mind with biblical truths that help sustain. It may or may not take the pain away but it will assure us that it wont last forever. Brush aside the curtain of problems for a moment, walk through to the other side and take a look at the good around and then you become more able to deal with those things back inside that curtain. The big picture is clouded when we are in pain and woes are mounting.

Lamentations 3:22-24
The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness. "The LORD is my portion," says my soul, "Therefore I have hope in Him."
NAS

Psalms 36:5-7
Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O LORD, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love!
NIV

Psalms 56:3-4
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
NIV

Romans 12:9-13
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
NIV

Don't despair. Remember to take the time to look outside yourself and see the things God has done and promises to do and attack those ordeals with renewed fervor!

Heavenly Father,
Enable us to see the big picture. Lord teach us to remember your Word and promises when we are feeling overloaded. Lord help us see the good and deal with the bad appropriately. Lord we thank you for your grace and love that you sent your son to save us. Thank you for our kids and we ask you keep them safe, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:56 AM

Comment by russ allen on December 3, 2008 at 7:13am

Good morning! How are we faithing this fine day? Are you overwhelmed with guilt? Do you think God can't possibly accept me because of what I've done? Well guess what sports fans, wrong! He will and does offer the gift of salvation to you regardless of your infractions! You gotta remember Paul the apostle was a murderer, of believers! He was present for the stoning of Stephen. He rounded the members of "the way" and threw them in jail, he whipped them, he threw them out of the synagogues, he decimated entire families. Jesus appeared to him on the Damascus Rd. and Paul did a complete turn around. Think that didn't cause a stir? Think his credibility was suspect? Imagine people he approached with the Gospel and they thought it was a ploy to roust them out. Read all of Acts. Find a version that you can understand and devour its contents. You will see some truths that cannot be denied. Jesus loves all of us. Salvation is for all of us. Salvation ends the war and Jesus has already won. Focus on Jesus and you get better. Focus on getting better and you miss Jesus' love and grace.

Acts 7:57-60
Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice,"Lord, do not charge them with this sin." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
NKJV

Acts 8:1-3
Now Saul was consenting to his death.
At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.
NKJV

Acts 9:1-9
Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"
And he said, "Who are You, Lord?"
Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads."
So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?"
Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
NKJV

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love and grace. Thank you for enduring my failures. Thank you for lifting me up, brushing me off and showing me the way with your holy Word. Lord I repent and we want to serve you with a clear head. Teach us how to live honorably. Lord speak to us so we are sure it's you and not worldly wisdom. Protect our kids of all statures, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:41 AM

Comment by russ allen on December 2, 2008 at 7:32am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Cold and a touch of snow here. I think summer might just be over.
The whole thought that we must earn our salvation is bunk. The idea that we must be better before we accept the gift of salvation or that when we do accept we must be good and perfect is a lie from hell and smells of brimstone. We can't earn it, it is a gift. The definition of a gift is that it is given freely, no strings. Gee whiz if WE could be perfect or good enough, Jesus would not have needed to come. Name one person who ever was good enough, who didn't sin, who never stumbled. Yep, Jesus was the only one. Sure he was tempted but he overcame. Heck, be honest, we all sin in our minds daily. "That nitwit oughta learn to drive",or "boy I'd like to smack the snot out of him", or "I want his life" and on and on. We all are guilty of those types of things. So what to do? Repent when you realize. Ask God to help you cut it out. Look, you can't get better on your own. Getting better comes when we seek God through prayer and the Word. Will we keep falling? Yep but by concentrating on him our demeanor will change on it's own.

Romans 12:3-8
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
NIV

Paul speaking here;

1 Timothy 1:15-17
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
NIV

Psalms 18:19
He brought me out into a spacious place;he rescued me because he delighted in me.
NIV

So calm down, seek the Lord's wisdom and let the collateral things fall into place by grace, not our deeds.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for being so steadfast in your approach to us. Thank you for giving without strings your gift. Lord help us seek you and your will and let the rest be. Lord we lift Jerry G. and his ministry to you. Bless it for your glory. Lord help us see you at work all around us. We praise and honor you in Jesus name amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:02 AM

Comment by russ allen on December 1, 2008 at 7:31am

Good morning! How are we faithing? It is amazing how our minds work. I don't know about you but I can be thinking about fixing something on my truck and end up thinking about my kids or the toilet leaking. Our minds absorb so much info that it comes back sometimes when we least expect. What we put in or allow to enter has profound impact on our lives. Things we put in our minds will reemerge at some point and that is why it is important to filter everything. Doubt can emerge from many sources so it is very important to fill our minds and hearts with truth from the word so we can block the junk that causes that doubt. We all have questions about this faith and what we go through on earth but that is not what we're talking about. Sometimes in the midst of turmoil we wonder where God is. These are the times that our feeding on the Word will come out and assure us of our spiritual state. Here are some to sink deep in our minds;

1 John 2:22-23
Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist-he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
NIV

John 3:36
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
NIV

John 5:24
"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
NIV

1 John 5:12
He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
NIV

1 Peter 1:3-5
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
NIV

When those thoughts of doubt show up, recognise pondering from doubt and remember what the Word has said. It's ok to ask God questions, you would ask your father or grandpa questions about stuff you don't know so why not our heavenly father also? He will provide the wisdom and the answers like a father does, only better!

Heavenly Father,
We come before you with questions that we can't seem to find answers so we come to the author of all. Lord we don't want to doubt, just understand. If it is beyond our understanding, help us see that you are in control and we will get it eventually. Lord we thank you for a salvation that keeps us by your side forever. We thank you that you loved us enough to make the choice freely. Lord help us rest in the peace your love gives. Lord you are sovereign and we recognise your majesty. Lord open the eyes of our hearts so we see you in everything and can react to your promptings, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:29 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 28, 2008 at 7:48am

Good morning! Giving thanks in everything is so important. Being joyful even in our pain is not always easy but necessary. Looking for the lesson, for how this bad thing happening to us can benefit others later is far better than complaining about it. Joy that is ever present in our hearts makes the rough times just a little smoother. That joy comes from the Lord through meditating on the Word, praising him for all the wonders around us and by a genuine thankful attitude. When all seems bleak, thank God because you will come out the other side wiser. Look at these and sink them deep;

Ephesians 5:20
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
NIV

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
NIV

Colossians 2:6-7
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
NIV

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
NIV

Is it always easy? Get real, of course not! Can we do this? Absolutely! Train yourself to pray immediately and to not gripe because that feeds the negative and invites spite. Be thankful you are able to see, hear, experience all that comes our way because God is in the midst of it all and will not forsake or leave us as the Word says so with that logic, it has to work for good. So smile, roll your eyes, thank the Lord for the good and the bad so you can maintain the joy of our salvation. Think this through and enter into some peace.

Heavenly Father,
We thank you for all things. Help us remember this when we are in the midst of trouble. Help us remember that nothing lasts forever and our outcome is already secure. We need to be reminded of your love and care for us. Lord we lift up Maddie Napier to you, heal her and grant peace to the family. Lord we ask protection in India for all those innocent people. Lord guide our tongues and minds so we don't become bitter and angry, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:24 AM

Comment by Bulldozer on November 27, 2008 at 12:43am

Happy thanksgiving my brothers and sisters stay safe

Comment by Tina on November 26, 2008 at 12:00pm

HOPE EVERYONE HAS A HAPPY AND SAFE THANKSGIVING!!

Comment by russ allen on November 26, 2008 at 6:51am

Good morning! How are we faithing today? Tis that time of year where we officially, with a holiday, reflect and be thankful. Who are we thankful for everything? Look here;

Psalms 100
Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, And His faithfulness to all generations.
NAS

A good example of thankfulness;

Philippians 1:3-11
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
NAS

Take a minute and write down all you are thankful for. It is a good exercise and important for us to think and see that we have so much to thank God for because without him, we'd be done. I am thankful for,and not all in specific order, but first;
My God and his son which is my salvation,
My wife and my kids that have brought joy and love,
A relationship with God that shows me compassion and true love,
True friends that I can be totally open with,
My job, unbelievable that I get paid for this,
Physical abilities that allows me to work and play guitar, and tinker
My church that fills me with friendship and love and a place to worship
And of course the family beyond my wife and kids, brothers, sisters, in-laws, parents that provide support, love, chastisement, laughs etc.
That is the short list of dear thanks. We also can look around and thank God for fall colors, the deer that play in the yard, my doggies which provide unmeasurable joy, the birds song at dawn, dawn, dusk, the smell when walking in the woods or walking downtown, babies, When we really look at all the stuff that we can be thankful for we find it is never ending and that is a good thing!

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all those things we forget to thank you for. Thank you for allowing us to see your grace and majesty in this world. Lord thank you for salvation for without it, all would be worthless. Lord we lift those who need a touch of joy in this life and ask you place wisdom and compassion on us so we can provide your light to a dieing world. Lord walk with us so closely we feel your arm brush ours, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:24 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 25, 2008 at 7:02am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Do you beat yourself up when you sin? Does it bother you when you can't seem to get rid of something that you know is not good for you? Welcome to humanity. Our struggle in this walk with God is hard and we fall alot. We must remember that WE cannot achieve a Godly walk. WE cannot make our life righteous. WE cannot fulfill the thought that if we're good enough God will like us. God loves you as you are. God wants you to come to him and seek him and then the changes come. So many times I've heard," I'll get it together and then go to church". Flawed thinking right there because YOU can't get better. Oh you may stop smoking or using the Lords name in vain but does that make you closer to God? Nope and better people than me have tried. The thing is to keep our eyes on Jesus and with that comes a change, a softening of the heart and before you know it your behavior reflects that change. Lets not put the cart before the horse, horses don't push well and we cannot achieve goodness on our own power either. God first and the rest falls in place. Look at these;

Galatians 5:16-17
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
NAS

Galatians 5:25-26
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
NAS

Ephesians 2:1-10
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
NIV

Did you see that? Are you hearing the Word of God? Don't look at yourself and try to fix it on your own, seek God and HE will reveal to your heart what is to be done and you will change because what you know as truth is what you will do automatically. Our weakness' are ever present but with Jesus in your heart compassion and love of God will reveal itself. You will be amazed the day this becomes evident and you will praise the Lord for his love!

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love and for revealing to our hearts daily that we are saved by grace. Lord we want to see you and we want to do your will. Lord make it plain where we stumble and let us know you are picking us up, brushing us off and encouraging us to go on. Lord we praise you and do indeed seek you in all we do! Lord bless those who are in need and help us see the need and act accordingly. Lord be ever present in our leaders, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:26 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 24, 2008 at 7:00am

Good morning! How are we faithing? We are constantly being pruned by the Father. What you say? Look at this;

John 15:1-2
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit".
NAS

What does that mean? Like we've said before, others know we are Jesus' by our fruit. The fruit being, well this says it better than I can;

Luke 6:43-45
"No good tree bears bad fruit , nor does a bad tree bear good fruit . Each tree is recognized by its own fruit . People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
NIV

Things that are left over from our former self, before we were saved and after, come out, we realize it or are made aware of it and God teaches us and it is taken away. Sometimes it's a long process and sometimes, poof! We realize the bad fruit and snip it off and continue on with new growth. This is a constant process because we are not perfect. We have branches as it were that keep trying to grow. They may be from our youth or from experiences that have made our hearts hard in those areas and they may just be human desires that show up. Point is that we all are pruned and we all can learn something every day. We need to recognise these weak points and not resist the pruning. Ain't always easy and sometimes we are resistant but as soon as we see the truth we need to act accordingly. Trusting humbly in our savior is how the good fruit pushes out the bad.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for pruning us so we may be ambassadors for you. Lord help us quickly see the folly of our ways and make the necessary corrections. Lord help us see people as you see them. Lord we lift those hurting to you today, help them get comfort and help them know you are in charge. Lord protect them from depression cause by physical pain. Lord we praise, honor, and thank you in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:35 AM

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