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Comment by russ allen on February 8, 2013 at 8:03am

     Good morning!  How are we faithing? I watch so many people rejoice over things and at the same time others mourn those same things. What is so interesting is both sides of that event may profess the exact same faith in God. How can that happen? How can two people with the same faith see things opposite? One is right and one is wrong? Perhaps but maybe it's the information each one received and thus the conclusion one came to is based on that information, accurate or not. It is our very nature to come to conclusions and think we "got it" but it is dangerous to not question sources. I know this sounds odd for an encouraging letter but this really is for our own good. The Word of God is true but one verse can be pulled and used for not what it was intended. Politics is definitely the best example of this principle. Watch or read three different commentaries and you can get three different views. We must take the entire Word of God and not look for verses to justify our actions. We must learn from the Word and we all will find some things we have right and some we don't and there is no shame in admitting that. The shame comes when we think we know it all and there is no other vantage point than our own.



Isa 40:8 
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand forever.



Heb 4:12
 For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Isa 55:10-11

  For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, and giveth seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. 

Heavenly Father,

  Help us see truth. Help us be humble enough to see truth and act. Lord forgive us our many sins. Grant us wisdom in all things so we are a help and not a hindrance to your grace. Guide us today, in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on February 6, 2013 at 7:30am

    Good morning! How are we faithing?  I have been thinking about a lot of things these past few days and I started to wonder if its's my age that causes so much reflection or just a necessary part of growing.  Regrets? Not really, more like "why" I did what I did in the past.  I'm sure there are parts and pieces I have forgotten about things but I still ask why and am trying to learn from them. The more I learn I find the less I know and man o man, how did I keep from getting killed in the past? So much of actions are geared to approval of others that it is possible to compromise principles to the point that one can end up accepting those compromises as truth. That is a real danger and with reflection I can see where that happened to appease others rather than be concerned for what is right.  We did repent when we found Jesus and accepted Gods grace so why would we be compelled to appease man? Weakness, fear mainly and what do we have to fear? Roosevelt said "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" and man, he was spot on. Fear paralyzes.  We cannot allow fear of what man can do to us over what God has planned.  We cannot keep expecting man to show us the way when every endeavor man instituted has failed at some point. The only thing that has remained true in the past and today is the Word of God. Everything else has failed.  With those thoughts our reflection on our life gets clearer. We begin to see failures, accept them, repent from them and refuse to repeat them If we do we are so much quicker to recognize that we did repeat behavior and much quicker to repent. Are you learning or are you indignant enough to blame others or other stuff?  Are you willing to improve with God or on your own? Guess what, history shows that on our own fails and God doesn't. Gicve it some thought. 


Mat 13:23 
And he that was sown upon the good ground, this is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; who verily beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.


1Jn 5:20
 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Remember Tammy...remember Dick A's friend...


Heavenly Father,
  Thank you for your wisdom in your Word that is steadfast.  Help us reflect honestly.  Help us have compassion on all we meet. Grant us the wisdom to behave in accordance to your Word.  We lift those up who need a touch from you this day, in Jesus name, amen

 

Comment by russ allen on February 4, 2013 at 7:44am

 Good morning!  How are we faithing? I see writings and I hear comments that sadden and cause me to pray.  People who flat will not admit to them needing a savior and think they will continue to do whatever they "feel" is right and into heaven they'll go.  Based on what? How they feel?  The way they determine in their own head how things ought to be therefore they are? Wow..foolish. Argue as they may and rationalize all they want and truth remains truth. God made us. God made promises. God gave a choice and is honorable to let us make the choice and everything that comes with that choice. Even though some wont choose God, God still holds back waiting for all to come to him.  I don't know why all things are as they are. I am glad I am not in charge because try as I may to take on the likeness of Christ, I fall short regularly. I have no where near enough patience like Jesus does. All I can do is live as he did the best I can, rely on the Holy Spirit to draw the map and the savior to lead the way.  I have found that most times faith works because without it I would never trust the Word and it's wisdom to lead my way.  I could real easily become disillusioned and distraught and you know what?  Many are today so my job is to present Messiah in compassion knowing where all of them are because I have been there and without his love and a complete trust in my savior, the wrong path , the easier seemingly path would end up being taken...


  2Pe 3:9
  The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness; but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

1Ti 2:3-7

  This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;  who would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a ransom for all; the testimony to be borne in its own times;  whereunto I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth, I lie not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 

remember Jeff P...remember Dan Clark...

Heavenly Father,

  Thank you for your love that saves us. Lord we ask for wisdom to see truth and recognize lies from the enemy. Lord we ask for courage under fire that we see root and not surface.  We ask to have compassion on those who are struggling.  Lord we lift your name on high and pray for healing in your body of believers. Help us get unchurched and become savior led compassionate disciples of yours. In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on January 25, 2013 at 7:30am

 Good morning!  How are we faithing? Spent.  Wore out mentally. Sinus headache. Thank you Jesus for all you do and all you have done. I have a song in my head that my fellow Pastors wife sang last night.  It's snowing. Preached on a subject last night that is still rolling around in my head and sure pray it was presented how God would want it to be.  Do you experience all the stuff like this first thing in the morning? Do you start days with lots of things and you feel like you just want to go back to bed?  You are normal and ok.  Here's how we can deal when we feel a little overwhelmed.  Go back to bed or a better way is to pause, pray, talk to our savior.  Take each thing one at a time and remember who you are, a child of God.  For me, a cup of coffee and writing works so well and I thank God for the opportunity. Find your center and begin each day anew with the knowledge that our heavenly Father loves us unconditionally thus. I talked to a lady last year who had just  lost her daughter. I remember talking to her was looking forward to seeing her this year to see how she is healing.  She is healing slowly. Those things I began this Daily with today just don't amount to much when I think of what that lady went through. Perspective.  Keep everything in perspective.



1Pe 1:6-9
  Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials,   that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ:   whom not having seen ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory:  receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.


remember Jills folks...remember the Rayborns...remember Kathy...


Heavenly Father,
  We ask for wisdom to arrange our days so you will be honored. Lord, help us keep perspective and to always be ready to render aid however and where ever it is needed.  We lift those mentioned to you and those suffering from the flu.  Heal bodies and keep us from getting it! In Jesus name, amen

 

Comment by russ allen on January 23, 2013 at 7:27am

 Good morning!  How are we faithing?  I've noticed behavior that was unacceptable decades ago is now accepted.  I have pondered if that statement is true or the media just makes it more in the forefront. Maybe it's some of both.  I read about the same goings on in ancient history as today and it is bewildering why we humans keep repeating history.  Politically, spiritually and personally we seem to not learn. The things we think we are blazing new trails with are not new at all but the same ol spirit driving human vanity. That encompasses so many things but if we ever expect to improve we must use the Word as our guide or we will repeat  over and over. The words I and Me starts a snowball rolling that if we are not careful becomes so big it can run over us.  Have you ever considered why we do the things we do? Have you ever been honest and recognized your own faults, admitted you need guidance and then accepted it? It's hard to humble ones self when vanity and selfishness has permeated a mind.  Man, the Word is the only thing that teaches us how to do just that.  The world just keeps repeating selfish behavior. Take the time to look out beyond self today, resist acting and speaking before you ask from where are these actions coming from because if we continue in self centered and vain ways, we will destroy ourselves. 


Eph 4:17-19
  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye no longer walk as the Gentiles also walk, in the vanity of their mind,  being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart;  who being past feeling gave themselves up to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Rom 8:5-8

  For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace:  because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be:  and they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 

remember Tommy Young family...remember Jeff Penn...remember the emergency workers out there...

Heavenly Father,

   Thank you for the only wisdom that can keep us humble and loving.  Thank you for your Word that sustains us. Lord we ask for blessings on those families grieving today.  Lord, create in us a clean heart and a vision of yours in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on January 22, 2013 at 7:48am

  Good morning! How are we faithing? Events happen to us and sometimes we get afraid.  Fear can become our enemy. Healthy fear is one that keeps us from running red lights. Unhealthy fear makes us paranoid. Believe me when I tell you we all experience both.  How do we deal with fear? By remembering who we are and who our strength comes from. Trauma causes fear. Our imagination causes fear. Playing the "what if" card is good for safety awareness but when it moves into paranoia or the place where we can't function it opens up a dangerous door for the enemy. Paying attention to our surroundings isn't necessarily fear but wisdom because lets face it, it's a strange world we occupy due to the introduction of sin. The point I am trying to make is even though it is hard not to fear sometimes it is very important that we keep perspective so we rely on God and his wisdom and not let the evil we face overcome us.


Rom_8:15 
For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

2Ti 1:7 

For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline.

1Jn 4:18  

There is no fear in love: but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath punishment; and he that feareth is not made perfect in love. 

Rev 15:4 

Who shall not fear, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy; for all the nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy righteous acts have been made manifest. 

remember Annie...remember Christy...remember Jeff P...

Heavenly Father,

   Thank you for your wisdom Lord that we can face anything. Help us with our fears. Help us remember you in everything we face. Lord we lift those mentioned and the other requests these readers have.  Heal mind,souls and bodies. Keep your face in ours in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on January 18, 2013 at 8:04am

  Good morning! How are we faithing? The good news of the gospel of Jesus the Christ comes with some real admonishments that need to be spoken of.  It isn't gonna be all butterflies and rainbows in fact it'll be quite the opposite.  We will endure persecution.  We will endure ridicule. Our past lives will pull real hard for us to return. This grace comes with warnings that those things will happen.  This grace gives us rest and peace in the midst of those things.  Don't think for a second that you can say the magic words one day and you can go back to your sin and sinful worldly ways.  Repentance is a change of mind.  Repentance from known sin and recognizing your need of a savior is why you should walk down front and confess Jesus as messiah and Lord. If we truly believe and love this grace and our savior our life will change. We will start to view things with different eyes, eyes of love and devotion to Messiah.

 Col 1:9-10
  And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,   so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.

remember the lost...remember those in the hospitals...

Heavenly Father,

  Help us love like you do. Help us learn and go out to the masses with confidence of the knowledge we are yours. Lord forgive us when we fail. We want to serve honorably. We lift up those with physical maladies.  We lift those in depression. We lift those struggling in this nation. We love and adore you, in Jesus name we pray, amen

Comment by russ allen on January 17, 2013 at 8:09am

   Good morning!  How are we faithing? Had a very good Bible study last night and an example of exactly what we were studying took place.  We are sons and daughters of God and as such learning to trust what he tells us in his Word as absolute truth comes with an opportunity to apply what we learn.  Our rolls in this life are to love each other even when we may not like each other.  Disagreements, difference of opinion, asking of questions is how we learn. If we are to ever improve we have to think with our brain and love with our heart, not the other way around. Think with our heart only and we can be fooled. Love with our brain only and we will stop loving when things don't go right. The Bible talks of real love and real wisdom. It warns, admonishes, encourages, teaches, entertains and presents truth. It doesn't take much to look around and see how we humans screw things up. Why would we not read and trust the manual for life? Why would we not want to find the peace God offers? Beats me so I will continue to follow this path because of events like last night just keep proving where absolute truth is.


Zec 8:16-17
  These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the LORD."

2Co 4:2  

But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 

remember Anna B...remember Brian...lift up the day cares and schools out there who have our children in their charge...


Heavenly Father,
  Thank you for showing love and wisdom in your Word and in our lives.  Lord we praise you and desire to serve honorably.  We ask for wisdom to know what to say and do. Forgive us our sins and let us not do anything that shed a poor light on your grace.  We lift those concerns on our hearts and ask for your healing over them. In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on January 15, 2013 at 7:57am

  Good morning! How are we faithing? There is no evidence or scripture to support the notion that anyone could be good enough to enter into heaven.  The notion is a lie from the pit of hell and reeks of sulfur and smoke.  If this notion were factual at all there would be no need for a Messiah. That is why the new age philosophy is so dangerous. The lies and emotional allure to a self worth that shuns Jesus is idolatry that glorifies self. It's real easy to allow pride in a job well done to turn into a feeling that one is superior to others.  How deluded is this?  Look at some rock stars or race car drivers who have allowed fame and their expertise in one area go to their head.  I am good at what I do, my friends are good at what they do but neither is any better than the other.  Jesus came for all. I know some people who are good at tons of things and I know others who couldn't find their way out of a paper bag yet in God's eyes both are on the same footing. Without the savior all fall. Being pleased with ones self is fine as long as haughtiness and boasting doesn't ensue. That is where pride begins and pride leads to destruction.  Praise God in all things.  Thank the Lord for the gifts and talents he gave you because you or I didn't have a thing to do with what was imparted on us.  I know great musicians and yes they put tons of work into being great at their craft but I have also heard people who can do the technical side but have no musical ability at all. That is the gift. The desire, the natural ability if you will. So as you enjoy, succeed, improve, remember to thank the one who created you because had it not been for that...


Php 2:1-4
  If there is therefore any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassions,  make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind;  doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself;  not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.


Heavenly Father,
   Thank you for your grace and mercy.  Teach us to appreciate your gifts to us. Help us enjoy our talents with honor. Show us how you imparted our talents and how to use them for you.  We ask wisdom to remain humble and worthy of you trust in all we do. Show us the way to righteousness and not vainity.  Thank you for your blessing in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on January 14, 2013 at 7:51am

 Good morning!  How are we faithing? Twenty seven things rolling around in my ol noggin and there are only twenty six brain cells.  Makes for the computer brain to buffer all the time.  Ever been like that?  Time for a reboot. Think I'll just listen for the Lord today.



Rom 10:16-17
  But they did not all hearken to the glad tidings. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
 So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

remember Roger Barklay...remember our leaders...remember our Pastors...remember our kids...

Heavenly Father,

  Thank you for your Word that sustains us.  Grant us the wisdom to see clearly what we are to do. Pour out your Holy Spirit on us this week so we may be a blessing to others, in Jesus name, amen

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