Add a Comment

Comment by russ allen on July 30, 2008 at 7:25am

Good morning! How are we faithing? We've talked forgiveness alot here but it is an issue that befalls us all. Forgiving is tough when you have been wronged severely or your loved ones have endured abuse at the hand of others. You know, even when you want to smack them around a little, you have to really forgive them. Do not hate them! You can't forgive someone for what they did and hate them! You don't have to hob knob with them but you can't harbor ill feelings. Why? The Word tells us so and Jesus talked extensively about this issue. When you do that, it only hurts you. You know that Jesus said he would forgive to the extent that we forgive. Think about that. He also told us sin is sin. Whatever someone has done to you is no worse than what you have done in the past. Wow, that hits home doesn't it. Look, I am not even going to try to equate the feelings of hurt caused by some awful things that happen to people with say, a cuss word, but Jesus did say that sin is sin. It is hard to get a hand on this concept but if you think about the concept and not that persons particular sin, it rings true. You have been forgiven so what makes them not able to be? Who are we to say no? When you try to forgive some awful things from the past, ask God to forgive you for not forgiving. Ask God to take this hurt away and show you how to forgive and forget. Again, you don't have to fish with them but then again, when healing takes place, you just might understand that persons plight and what happened to them. We can see results of unforgiveness all around us, bitter attitudes, retaliation that leads to all sorts of bad things, feelings of low self esteem, wariness of good intended people who genuinely are trying to reach you, on and on. While you harbor these feelings, it's like a cloud surrounds you so you don't get a good true view of what's going on. Look at these and think, then pray;

Psalms 19:13
Keep your servant also from willful sins;may they not rule over me.Then will I be blameless,innocent of great transgression.
NIV

Romans 6:11-14
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
NIV

Romans 12:19-21
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
NIV

Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. NIV

Did you see the process there? Look these over and understand what Jesus is telling us. Our attitude towards sin and sinners is paramount to forgiveness and our well being. Think on these scriptures and apply them, you will have the chance to do that...
Remember Mary Joe Breens family, her Dad died this week...

Heavenly Father,
We lift you up and praise you! Lord help us show the grace to others that you have shown to us. Lord we don't mean to be unforgiving people but sometimes the hurt is so severe we can't seem to release it. Lord help us understand and let the hurt go. Help us show the same mercy you have shown. Lord, forgive us our sins for they are many. Lord please be with Mary Joe's family in this time, comfort them. Lord, protect the children and heal their wounds. Thank you for your grace and power in our lives, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:41 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 29, 2008 at 7:12am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Do you have a problem that you don't tell anyone? I have a friend that asked to talk to me about a problem he had that actually shocked me. Not the problem mind you but that he would voice it and ask for advise and prayer. His honesty kinda woke me up. Nothing is hidden from the Lord. Anything we do, say, think is known to God. Professing to each other is biblical and fear should be ignored. Being accountable to someone is so uplifting. Now I am not saying to shout from the roof top all our little secrets but accountability is important therefore finding someone that you can totally trust is very important.

James 5:16
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
KJV

Like we've said before, it's hard to see when in the midst of woes. Another important thing with this confession to that trusted friend is he or she may help you make amends. Check this;

Matthew 18:15-16
"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.
NIV

This goes both ways. Be open when someone comes to you! We all goof up and admitting and apologising is so important! Look at the rest of the paragraph in Matthew because a principle is taught;

Matthew 18:16-17
But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
NIV

This kind of goes out beyond what we are discussing today but it is related. If two or more come to you, chances are you missed the ONE coming to you the first time. Pay attention because you may have really missed something important. We don't want to carry around guilt, whether conscious or not, because it can create a foothold for the enemy. How many times have we harbored ill feelings because of wrongs done and we were to scared to confront the issue with that person? Is that fair? Nope, can't fix it if they don't know it's broke. Think about it.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for helping us see where we drop the ball. Lord we want to be witness' for you and do not want to harbor ill feelings for others. We understand that we may not like some people and some may not like us but we do want that Godly peace with them you promised. Help us see and help heal. Lord we lift all those we have wronged and ask forgiveness. Lord be with our kids of all ages. Bless them financially, spiritually, health, and their minds. Lord guide our tongues. in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:37 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 28, 2008 at 7:17am

Good morning! How are we faithing? There are obvious benefits to being up before dawn. Peace and quiet, pondering on the day ahead, communing with God and seeing every sunrise. You also get to read God's Word without interruption! I think everyone who is saved questions them selves about their own walk and sometimes questions their own salvation. It can be because of other comments heard, we goofed up again, depression or any number of reasons. Lets take the time to look at the Word so you can be assured of your salvation the next time you feel like you may have missed the boat. If you are not saved, today is a good a day as any other to do so. This first one is quoted so often and with good reason! Look at it closely, notice the word,"whoever";

John 3:16-19
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
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

John 10:28-30
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."
NIV

Did you catch that? No one can snatch them out of his hand. Once he has you, its eternal. Look at this and think about the love that God had to do this;

Romans 5:6-8
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
NIV

For you. Jesus died so YOU could be saved and spend forever with him in heaven. What will it be like? I hope critters are there! I dunno really but that is something to talk about another time. Look at this next one and realize that you can't do anything that will make God forget your salvation;

Romans 8:32-39
Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
NIV

Amen to that! I am secure! I am saved! Looky here;

Hebrews 7:25
25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
NIV

See? You think you can be bad enough? Wake up and see your place in the kingdom! The beauty of this salvation is direct contact with the Lord. When we goof, he is just to forgive. As a song says, "what sin?"

Romans 8:16-17
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.Now if we are children, then we are heirs-heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
NIV

Remember that while here on earth, in this flesh and all the things that come with it, a battle will continue but our commander is bigger than this state we are in. We will overcome and be with God forever! Now go out there assured and confident you are save3d and know that worldly junk is just that, junk and you will come through the other side. When you get a hold of that in your heart, you will be surprised how trivial alot of stuff becomes...
Remember Corey Brazier...remember your fellow believers...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for showing us your Word and showing the confidence we can have of our place with you. Lord we ask for your comfort and peace in all situations we encounter. Lord grant us the wisdom to see truth in all we face. Lord we lift up all the kids with learning disabilities and ask you show yourself to them. Help them breakthrough the maladies affecting them. Lord thank you for your love. in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:33 AM 0 comments

Comment by russ allen on July 25, 2008 at 7:10am

Good morning! How are we faithing? How are you coping with life? It does seem sometimes that a freight train has hit us sometimes and besides the ensuing wreck, we have to carry everything that fell off. Well you don't have to! Whatever is weighing on you can be carried by our Lord! We can handle anything that falls on us because Jesus is there to supply all our strength. Copping with the "woe is me" or "boo hoo" does nobody any good especially you! When you see the train about to hit or if you don't and you are just left with the aftermath, rest in our Lord! Jesus said it at the sermon on the mound and we treat these as platitudes alot of the time rather than promises. Check these out and think;

Matthew 5:3-12
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10 "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me.
12 "Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
NAS

The worry and the concern for all that stuff that gets heaped on you is a burden that you should not carry alone. Look, life has junk that we need to take care of but gee whiz, when we have help why would you send it away? Why would we turn down help from someone smarter, stronger and wiser? God wants to help. You are not bugging him with your problems. You have the right as a child of God to seek him in all you do. He told us so.

Isaiah 30:18
Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion.For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!
NIV

See? These are not empty words I'm conveying to you. Open your heart to God and allow him to be your God, your savior. I'm reminded of lyrics from one of my favorite songs, something like this, "the more I learn the more I see I'm a man in need of a savior".
Remember Carvon and Pearl, they have been on my mind...remember Donna and Jus and their neighbors...


Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace and blessings. Lord help us to recognise them for what they are. Thank you for your light shining through us even when we are failing so miserably alot of the time. Lord we lift those who have concerns and don't know what to do. Grant them a vision of the correct way to handle things. Lord we lift those involved with things that are way beyond their control. Guide and strengthen them so they shine with your wisdom and light. Thank you for another week on this ol' orb. In Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:41 AM 0 comments

Comment by russ allen on July 24, 2008 at 7:17am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Tis tough to keep our focus sometimes on the good when we are bombarded with the bad. I know this cause y'all say so...and ... me too. Not all things are hunky dory. Not all things are blissful and seeing the silver lining doesn't make it hurt less. It makes it more bearable. It teaches us to not wallow in the negative but keep our eye on the positive so we can get out of the pit we are in. We dig our own pits sometimes because we fail to seek the positive. Heck man, I've dug so deep some times I heard Chinese. How do we stop this cycle? Recognising is the first step. Look, we all get down. We all feel beaten sometimes so reach out at the onset. Someone will help. At the same time remember past victories and how God tossed you the rope and pulled you out. Read the Word! Hear the Word! Pray for vision be restored so you see God's plan and not the calamity that has befallen you. The quicker we seek and find God the quicker we overcome.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."
NIV

2 Corinthians 10:4-6
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. NIV

Think on these and modify your perception of things that happen. You are not alone and everything can be overcome with our eyes set on God. Remember Ron Reynolds Sr....praise Dan for 1 year free from smoking!...remember Sara Rhoades...

Heavenly Father,
Lord thank you for teaching us and leading us with your Word. Lord we want to serve and worship you but we need help. Lord help us know you are the one who can overcome everything we face. Heavenly Father we ask you guide us and keep us safe from the calamity that is all around us. Help us learn quickly your precepts. Lord thank you for Dan's victory from addiction and thank you for the doctors you teach. Lord, thank you for your people who seek you and teach us, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:52 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 23, 2008 at 6:56am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Busy day yesterday! It started at 0515, a fire investigation. A family who left the house with the clothes on their back. Churches came together and worked for a common goal; help the needy. I have this vision when I hear the word needy. I picture two things, a blind guy selling pencils on the corner and a bag lady pushing a shopping cart under a bridge to a small camp fire. Why you ask? Not a clue. What do you see when you hear that word? Do you see the guy next door who has hip problems struggling to mow his yard? Do you see the widow down the street who is scared and needs a friendly voice and a visit just to talk? Do you see the young woman down the street who needs to be checked on and reminded to turn on her porch light and lock her doors? Do you see the lady trying to decide whether to buy cat food or the bread and milk? Needy, we all are. We all need physical things and spiritual things. Sometimes they are the same. That lady at the checkout counter, did you just buy what she left and give it to her? Do you talk to the neighbor and see the needs rather than criticize his yard? Do you talk to the widow and share some tea? Get the point? Yes people do things that seem dumb but we don't always know the circumstances and those circumstances may be a door to Jesus for you to hold open for them!

James 2:14-17
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
NIV

Will these good things we do earn our ticket to heaven? Nope. Our actions towards others is a window to our soul. Are you cynical? Critical? Unhappy with life? If you answered yes to these, you need a dose of Jesus' love. You need to remember why he came and what this salvation thing is all about. I know life sucks alot of the time but this is temporary and eternity is a long time. We are being prepared for forever. Step back and take a gander at how you respond to the doors opened for you. Checking ones self is good to do because the flesh we live in can create lots of maladies and stumbling blocks to impede the Holy Spirits promptings if we are not on guard.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
NIV

remember Willie Payton...remember the families in need...remember our pastors and leaders...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love and understanding. Lord help us see where we fall and help us correct it. Lord open our eyes to the needs of those we encounter. Lord help us do your will without boasting or criticizing. Lord we need you every day to keep us true to your Word. Lord be with Willie, guide the docs. Lord your Word tells us to love as we love ourselves, if anyone who reads this is having trouble loving themselves, reveal yourself in a way that these people are renewed in your love, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:16 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 21, 2008 at 7:44am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Had a very thought provoking weekend and a much needed get away. Things happen and grow into huge ordeals in the flesh. What I mean is the world is where we are and we get caught up in it. Sometimes it's no big deal and sometimes it permeates our thinking. Sometimes getting away gives a new perspective that while in it, you don't see.
I am a very trusting type and I sometimes fail to see what is right in front of me and when I do, I am in disbelief. I see people for the good in them and dismiss their faults as none of my business and I ain't the one who matters anyways. With this type of attitude I must be careful that because of the admiration of someone I don't fall for lies.

Colossians 2:8
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.
NIV

Matthew 7:15-20
"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
NIV

This is so true. How they live, how they walk verses how they talk tells the truth and sometimes it hurts. Wisdom from the Word is the best wisdom you will find. People make mistakes but some are deceptive on purpose. This is where the wisdom comes in.

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
NIV

This is not meant to be a downer but to advise you to be aware of the wolf in sheeps clothing that is out there ready to take your freedom in Christ. Don't let him!

Matthew 10:16
I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
NIV

Wow, how deep and yet simple is that!

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the wisdom your Word teaches us. Make us keenly aware of these wolves. Lord we ask you protect the innocent. Lord we lift the kids to you. Protect their minds and bodies. Lord we thank you for your blessings. Lord keep us wise and alert to attacks from the enemy. Lord guide us this week, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:02 AM

Comment by michael wilson on July 20, 2008 at 2:15pm

may God bless you all and keep you safe.

Comment by russ allen on July 18, 2008 at 7:33am

Good morning! Holy cow man, another week gone! Time just seems to fly by. I'm told it's because I'm old and my brain is only partially working...ha ha! How are we faithing? How are things in your life? Are you fretting and absorbed with the world? I know, it's awfully hard to not get all balled up in this life but let me assure you, God has his hand right there for you to grab. Don't for a second think that your issues are to small for him or that you don't want to bug him with your trivial problems. That's rather egocentric and "woe is me". Don't wallow and enjoy, that is dangerous.

Ephesians 2:14-18
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
NIV

Titus 3:4-8
But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
NAS

Ephesians 2:1-8
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
NAS

Take everything to Jesus! I have had to this week and the comfort and the love I found in the scriptures and the Holy Spirit is amazing! Do I still have those issues near? Well of course but now I realize that God will deal and the outcome will be what he wants and what is best. I don't always understand how or why but gee whiz, I also don't know how the brain works but I know it does...well most of the time...haha!
Remember Paul and all the people that have this nasty flu thing going around...remember Ryan as he becomes a U.S. citizen today!

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the blessings you give! Lord we lift up Try and Christy, Josh and Nicki, Carl and Berta, Dan and Kim to you. Lord we lift our leaders in church and in the country. Make your presence known to these today! Lord thank you for your Word that shows us the way! Protect my nephews Lord in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:58 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 17, 2008 at 7:00am

Great morning to you! Man, it's a fixin to get hot! Temperature wise and also we Christians are about to feel the heat turned up also. Look at world events and attitudes out there. We are going to be challenged. Paul was, Peter was, all the apostles were and we will be. Already in parts of the world believers are being killed and beaten. What's worse is the humanistic view of things, the new age crap some are teaching our kids which includes that the church is oppressive and racist. Man are they wrong! Denominations might be those things but the Word and the spirit are not. The freedom given by our savior is bigger than any freedom man can dream up. The joy that comes from the love of God transcends any other joy. Satan is a general in the army of anti God and he is good, very good. What seems logical and sensible can destroy us. We all need to check everything that is supposedly "new" with scripture and look at the motivation behind the idea. I have found most new ideas about non Christian things to be selfish and self motivated i.e. "what do I get out of it". We need but look around and observe the results of the "me first" mentality. Watch the news man, one day and you can see evil and this self satisfaction motivation.

James 4:13-5:1
Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.
NIV

James 4:1-3
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.
NIV

I urge you to read Ecclesiastics. Amazing. Here's a sample;

Ecclesiastes 1:9
That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun .
NKJV

Heavenly Father,
Help us realize that we are but a vapor and we need you to live. Lord we lift up those who are hurting mentally and physically. Lord heal them. Father, we worry about our kids. We know worry does nobody any good but we do. We give these worries to you and ask for protection from any evil they face. Lord help us do your will while we are learning that your ways are best. In Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:24 AM

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 149
• 150
• 151
• 152
• 153
• …
• 157
• Next ›
• Page