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Comment by russ allen on November 21, 2008 at 7:28am

Good morning! How are we faithing this fine day? Something that Jesus taught and we should work at achieving; seeing the heart and not be turned off or dismiss someone due to outward appearances. People that are abrasive, loud and obnoxious, filthy and rude are not necessarily lost causes. We have no right to dismiss these people from a kind word or a prayer because we might be offended. Jesus was one who looked to the heart and understood that life sometimes tosses blows to people and reactions and appearances may be misleading. Someone who grew up around cussing or temper tantrums or abuse may outwardly exhibit these same actions. Are they bad? Are we suppose to correct or shun them? They are not any worse than we were before we found Jesus. Correction in due time but we can't expect unsaved people to act saved. Jesus told us to preach the gospel to the world and as we've discussed before, our lives and how we live is a witness to that love. Look at the whole picture when you encounter people that do these things. Safety of course but you must watch and listen to the message you are receiving when you meet these people. They may be crying out and not know how. They may be hurting so bad that a defensive posture is all they know how to act. Our continence and our genuine concern for others will get through. A quick prayer for calm assurance goes a long way. We are taught how to react every time we encounter the different personality types if we seek the heart and desire to be that ray of hope. Jesus dealt with the dregs of society and the affluent. He remained the same towards both.

Luke 6:27-31
"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
NIV

Luke 6:37-38
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
NIV

Attitude. Look beyond the outward appearance. Love the person and hate the sin and have Jesus like compassion on others like Jesus does for you. Some people we have trouble and even plain can't deal with, for those, pray more! Pray that someone who can deal with them, comes quick to share God's love! Everyone needs Jesus! Jesus is there for everyone! We need to not forget that.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace and love. Thank you for showing the hearts of others. Lord teach us to see the heart and to be quick to pray for others. Lord we desire to serve and to see you. Lord protect those who deal with calamity in this world. Lord grant your peace that we can't even understand. in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:55 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 20, 2008 at 7:13am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Had alot of conversations that lead to performance rather than faith and grace to get into heaven. This is such a worldly concept and contrary to the Word. Earning our way into heaven hasn't worked in the past for if it did, messiah would never have been necessary. We are not capable of following all the rules and regulations the law of Moses taught. Oh boy our ancestors tried but failed miserably. With the coming of the messiah, Jesus, a new covenant was made that showed God's love for us by the sacrifice Jesus made. One man caused sin to enter earth, one man took it away.

Galatians 2:15-16
"We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.
NIV

Romans 3:19-25
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
NIV

The law is good but we are not judged by it any more. The grace Jesus has shown is how we are judged. Performance is fine but don't forget our laurels are nothing because faith and grace is everything.

Heavenly Father,
Help us rest in your grace and not be burdened by good works for salvation. Let good works come because we know we are saved by Jesus. Lord we ask for wisdom in our lives so we make choices and live the way we should as ambassadors for you. Lord help us not build walls that keep others out. Open our eyes to the needs that we are suppose to intervene. Lord help us not be busy bodies when we should back off. Lord we love and worship you and want to live how you want us to. Grant us the strength to see the path you set for us all, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:32 AM

Comment by Rev. Raymond C. Harvey on November 19, 2008 at 10:51pm

Once again, we are coming into the season's that we need to pray for our departments and ourselves. Being a single man I am learning more and more everyday, that pray is what keeps us safe, pray is what is with us when the trucks go out the door until they come back in. Prayer from all hands, helps, it keeps the devil out of of your house. Remember we deal with some form of the devil each time we go out the door or get on the computer we deal with, put God know what best for us and puts his arms around us and brings us back home saftly each time....

Comment by russ allen on November 19, 2008 at 7:24am

Good morning! How are we faithing? We are distracted, tempted, whatever nomenclature you use, from the things of God by the things of the world. Our flesh betrays us. Our eyes deceive us. Our emotions mislead us. Our hope rests on our savior because without him, failure is assured. Without him ruin is inevitable. We as believers need to exercise our faith without the fear that is taught by the world. As we seek the Lord Jesus we must stand on truth. Our weakness is addressable with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:26-27
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
NIV

The stuff that happens always has a lesson in it. Our attitude about the things that happen to us determines if we find that lesson. We are secure in our place with God through Jesus so why let the stuff that happens to us crush us? We can rise above it.

Romans 8:28-30
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
NIV

Since we are saved and are children of God, we need only seek his will and what we are to glean from the circumstance we are in. We also gain wisdom so we try not to repeat mistakes we have learned from. Seeing the root causes and seeking wisdom from the Word will teach us to recognise when we are approaching the same thing again. Resting on the things the Word tells us helps us react justly and triumph.

Romans 8:31-33
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
NIV

If we are in sin and we know we are in sin, get out! Lets not continue in the sin. Rectify it! Denounce, repent and move on while knowing you have learned a lesson for the better!

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your assurance that we are yours. Thank you for your son and his sacrifice for us. Lord help us believe and have the courage to stand and make the choices we need to make. Help us overcome our weaknesses and seek your face in all we do. Lord we ask you protect the innocent and help those in situations that are bad climb out with the courage it takes to trust you and look beyond the fleshly trappings. Lord thank you for all you do and teach in your Word. Lord protect the emergency workers and our troops from harm, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:45 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 18, 2008 at 7:22am

Great morning! How are we faithing? Man is it good to be alive! Even in the midst of turmoil and grief, it is good to be alive! In the middle of trials and heartache, it is good to be alive. While everything around us crumbles, it's still good to be alive. Why this optimism when everything seems dismal? Jesus the Christ is why! When we were under the law and were striving to please God we we were failing miserably. When we try to be good and fail, when we seek goodness and try to be clean by the worlds standard we are still like filthy rags! Better people than me have done wonderful things, walked fine lines of goodwill in this world and yet are no better off than the that robber who just went to jail. Sobering and makes you throw your hands up and say"what for?" doesn't it? Well guess what, stop striving for goodness and focus on the savior! Stop looking at yourself for towing the line and look to Jesus! You can't improve and you can't move your stature any higher without the grace of Jesus. Look at these;

1 Peter 3:18
For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
NIV

1 Peter 2:24-25
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
NIV

2 Corinthians 5:21
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
NIV

1 John 4:8-10
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
NIV

If we can earn righteousness then why did Jesus die? If we are capable of being good, why do we need a savior? The answers are evident. When we goof up it proves we are in need of a savior and when we believe and seek God's will instead of pursuing the acts of goodness, we become better. We can't seek to be better but by grace and love from God we become better. Move our focus from "I gotta be good" to "Lord show me your will". This is truth;

Romans 5:9-11
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
NIV

The price is paid! We are reconciled to God! We are able to approach the throne of God unencumbered by that bag o' sin we no longer have to drag with us like when we were lost! Our shoulders are light because Jesus took the bag off us! That is why we are excited to be alive!
Remember Julie and Derrick Napier and their preemie baby girl, Madelyn Noel...pray for wisdom and pray for your co-workers...don't forget our leaders cause man o man they need wisdom...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the exuberance and joy our spirits hold since we met you! Lord guide our minds and lives so we live for you and not get so bogged down with this world. Lord thank you for loving us enough to send your son so we don't have to carry the load of sin. Lord we praise you for all you do. Lord give us the wisdom we need to see truth and make the choices you want us to make. Make us keenly aware of the grace we have from you. Lord we lift up the children to you. Heal them, keep them safe, wrap your arms around them and let them know you are there. Thank you for your Word that teaches us every day. in Jesus holy name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:33 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 17, 2008 at 7:17am

Good morning!! How are we faithing?! Check this out;

1 Corinthians 8:9-13
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall. NIV

That is interesting and very profound. The freedom we have in Christ is that. Total freedom but with that freedom by grace of Jesus the Christ comes the responsibility of how we may affect non believers and new believers. If a habit I have or how I speak to others causes them to stumble or even walk away from the faith, I should not do it. Something that is not a stumbling block to me may be to someone else. This great freedom and grace we enjoy is for all who accept it. Why would we not want to share it and why would we ever on purpose do something that may cause someone to never come to the knowledge of this grace? Examining our actions and ourselves is important to our witness. We have this redemptive grace and should not cause anyone else to miss it. Do a self evaluation, watch reactions, observe your ways and determine if they edify Jesus or not. Pray our tongues don't betray Jesus. Pray our actions honor God and not cause pain. Ask for the wisdom to speak God's truth in a loving, grace filled way that attracts others to this wonderful freedom in Jesus. Remember Rex Miller who got hurt helping a stranger...Remember Mike as he searches...remember my bride Kathy who is still feeling yucky...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the freedom we have in Jesus. Thank you from sparing us from eternal damnation. Lord we want to be the witness' for you that attract and don't repel. Lord grant us the wisdom to control our emotions so we shine for you. Guide our tongues through your Holy Spirit. Lord we lift those up who are hurting and are ill. We present to you our plea for those who are seeking you to find you and come to love you as you love us. Lord we honor your holy name, we ask in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:38 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 14, 2008 at 7:17am

Great morning! How are we faithing? Odd week this has been. I won't bore you with everything but let me convey some truths. I have a good friend who is Muslim and biblical truths are a little different to talk about. I've found that when something happens, then the truth Jesus taught can be shown. He's learning principles of the Messiah and some day it will all come together. I am not interested in converting him but showing him our savior. Jesus will deal with his heart, not me. Jesus will soften his heart and reveal himself and I pray I can be there. Arguing dogma serves no one. Showing Jesus' love serves all. Wisdom taught and beliefs that we know are true are better explained by actions rather than in haughty debates.

Psalms 119:165-168
Those who love Thy law have great peace,And nothing causes them to stumble. I hope for Thy salvation, O LORD, And do Thy commandments. My soul keeps Thy testimonies, And I love them exceedingly. I keep Thy precepts and Thy testimonies, For all my ways are before Thee.
NAS

Isaiah 26:3-4
"The steadfast of mind Thou wilt keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in Thee. "Trust in the LORD forever, For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.
NAS

Jeremiah 17:7-8
"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
NIV

That is confidence we must carry. The Word builds that confidence. The love of Jesus protects our hearts.

Colossians 3:15-17
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. NIV

Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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

If you don't know, say so and search the Word for the answers. Don't be sidetracked with dogma that deceives. As Christians we show the values we hold to by our actions. Our hearts are revealed and the truth is self evident when we seek the grace of God. Remember Kathy, sick...remember Miss Edith...remember Miss Tracey...remember our Pastors and the work they are called to do...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your messages that you show us. Grant us wisdom and courage to act as we believe. Help us not fear the things of this world but rely on your grace to see us through everything. Lord thank you for caring and loving us. Lord we lift those who are sick and ask you heal them from the things that are infecting them. Lord we ask for miracles this day, show your power and grace. Lord I ask you take away these headaches of mine. Lord we ask for strength to show your love and grace in every situation we face. Help us be the best witnesses for you, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:38 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 13, 2008 at 6:20am

Good morning! How are we faithing? It is easy to get off track with the world the way it is. Huge swings in the stock market, trouble all over the globe, good perceived as bad and visa versa. It's easy to get dismayed and want to just stay home. We even want to slap the crap out of people but does that bear good witness for Jesus? Does that bode well for our faith? As much as we as humans would like to react that way it is not what Jesus taught. Jesus taught to love people, hate the sin and not the sinner, do unto others as we would have them do to us, pray for our enemies, prop up those who are downtrodden. Are these things earning our way to heaven? Nope. These things are manifestations of our belief and love for our savior. The actions we take to this world of woe is directly related to our faith. As we concentrate on the Word and our savior these values will take place and bear witness to the world of whom our allegiance is to. There is a advertising campaign going on from some atheists that says "be good for goodness sake", kind of a rip off of the Santa song. You know, if that were possible without God, we'd do it. It ain't possible as we all are aware because we are fallen. Look at history and the stuff we've done to each other. All this humanistic junk that is spewed all over is such self serving egocentric garbage. The more I see myself drop the ball on Jesus' teaching the more I realize I am a man in need of a savior and without him I am lost. We see it all around us and yet we still seek advise from the world. Why do we do that? I don't know but it is wise when we recognise that action we back up and search the Word instead for the advice we are seeking.

Hebrews 13:7-9
Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.
NKJV

1 John 4:1-3
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
NIV

Ephesians 4:17-24
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
NIV

Look to Jesus in everything and trust the Holy Spirit who lives in us to let us see truth in every situation.

Heavenly Father,
We ask for wisdom. We pray you renew our minds to think holy and not like the world. Lord we praise and worship you. Lord thank you for your grace that allows us to be saved from evil. Lord teach us your ways so we may be fine witness for you. Lord teach us to love and deal as you do. Grant us the patience to look at things and not react contrary to your ways. Lord we ask for protection of our kids, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 5:39 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 12, 2008 at 7:08am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Do you have trouble forgiving people who are bad to you? I'm not talking about random violence but people who crap on you over and over. What are we to do? Do you keep taking the junk they dish out? Step back and look at what is happening and ask a few questions; Are they mean? Are they uninformed? Are they stupid? Are they so buried in their own sin they are lashing out at you? Are they looking to find any kind of attention regardless of the type? Are they lost? Sometimes we need to walk away from people and sometimes not. Sometimes we need to correct and sometimes not. Hear this, We always must pray for those who attack us. There are times when we must cut off relations with people to protect our families but we must not stop praying for them. Look at this;

Luke 7:36-50
Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is-that she is a sinner."
Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Tell me, teacher," he said.
"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"
Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.
Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven-for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
NIV

Do you think those people hung out with that woman? Do you think they associated with her at all? Was that correct or prudent? Jesus showed compassion to her and she showed true grief. She realized her ways were wrong but think about this, may not have known who,how,what to do about changing her life. Jesus showed her the way. Jesus reached out to her faith and propped her up. Jesus forgave her just like he forgave us.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace and love that saved wretches like us. Lord we ask protection from those who want to destroy us. Grant us the wisdom and peace so we can see the heart and not judge them. Grant us the wisdom to know if we should cut off contact. Lord we really wish all could come to you and we pray for those who hurt us. Lord help us make sound decisions that are in line with your grace and teachings. Lord we stumble and fall on this issue when we feel threatened. Help us recognise true danger verses a plea for help. Lord protect our kids in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:29 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 11, 2008 at 7:05am

Great morning and a hearty thank you to veterans today! You served whether peace time or not to protect us and we thank you.
Read this for today's thought;

Matthew 15:10-20
And after He called the multitude to Him, He said to them, "Hear, and understand. "Not what enters into the mouth defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man." Then the disciples came and said to Him, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this statement?" But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father did not plant shall be rooted up. "Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind. And if a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit." And Peter answered and said to Him, "Explain the parable to us." And He said, "Are you still lacking in understanding also? "Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? "But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. "These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man."
NAS

This is very to the point and also tells other truths also. What we speak, how we speak it whether in condemnation or encouragement tells the state of our hearts. Do you spew hatred or vile stuff? Why? What has made you act, speak that way? Selfishness? Hurt? Dissatisfaction in your place in life? Good questions to ask yourself. We do have junk that shows up that even surprises ourselves. When you notice these things is is prudent to seek answers as to why from the Word. Don't be ashamed to ask for guidance. NOBODY has it all together. NOBODY is perfect and never slips but the wise person recognises when they stumble and seeks help. Our witness to others is evident by how we live and react to life. Is perfection the goal? No, when we seek God in everything we get better. When our eye is on God our lives show it. The goal is to know our Father. As we know Jesus and the scriptures reveal more truth, our actions turn to Gods ways and we become a clearer reflection of him.
Remember Kathy White...remember Chris Bell...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for talking to us with your Word. Thank you for teaching us how we should be. Lord we lift the veterans today, heal their wounds mental and physical. Lord we lift those mention to you. Lord we lift the kids that are trying to find their way in this world. Protect and keep them safe from distractions of the flesh. Lord thank you for loving a lot like us, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:28 AM

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