Add a Comment

Comment by russ allen on May 18, 2011 at 7:25am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Questions come up about as Christians we must adhere to certain regulations, laws, rules, whatever you want to call them. Yes there are proper ways to conduct ourselves but we are not eternally judged for what we do or what we don't do other than accepting Messiah, Jesus. Yes you may feel better following structured rules and we will live better lives in most circumstances but that is not what saves us. The law constantly pointed to Jesus the Messiah. There are tons of books exploring the promises and the prophecies of Messiah so if this has sparked your curiosity to dive in further, start researching. Prior to the Messiah appearing on the scene, most people strived hard to follow the rules under the law. No one ever succeeded in this quest. Were there people who were saintly as we see it? Well sure there were but that one look lustfully at another human, that white lie about the pet that died, that one little time a temper flared and a word in vain was muttered condemned. Hardly seems fair after a life of servant hood to the orphanage but guess what? One cannot serve and earn salvation because sin. Like we've said before, Adam and Eve walked with God and still sinned so there's no way we could even possibly imagine going sinless...our entire life...so a repentant heart, an acceptance of the gift Jesus offers is our only hope. He paid for us. He wore the crown of shame for us. He did what only he could do. A sinless life and sacrifice for ALL sin. You remember that. It's been paid. Honor and thank him. Choose to accept the gift of salvation today. The journey of understanding all this starts with that acceptance for without that grace bestowed, these will look like a bunch of hooey.

Romans 7:6

But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
KJV

Romans 7:4-5
Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, that we might bear fruit for God.
NAS

Galatians 3:13-14
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us-- for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"-- in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
NAS

Galatians 3:23-24
But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith.
NAS

Galatians 4:4-7
But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
NAS

remember Dwayne Powell...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your gift of salvation. Help us understand you indeed love us and that you can't even look at sin therefore you sent your son so we could join you in Heaven. Lord we don't understand why or how most of this stuff could happen but in faith we do trust and believe. Lord, those who just came to you, secure their confidence that you are now with them. Open the eyes of their hearts so they see truth and they see you with them all the time. Lord we praise your holy name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:21 AM

Comment by russ allen on May 17, 2011 at 7:14am

Great morning! How are we faithing? It is tough to deal with distress and anguish. I have many friends that are dealing with these issues today and you know what? There is nothing I can say that helps but my Savior has many words to live by. The Word is indeed a comfort while the healing process goes on. Some of the things being dealt with I do not understand because I have not gone through them but my Savior has. Some of the events that have happened to these people blows me away and makes my head shake but my Savior get it. Any emotion that we feel or meet has been met and defeated by our Savior. Our savior rose from the dead. Our Savior sits at the right hand of God. Our savior is our defense and paid, endured and rose above on our behalf. Does it get any better than that? All this junk we face in the flesh has already been defeated by Jesus so we just have to pass through all the anguish, all the hurt, all the sleepless nights because of the vessel we occupy. The victory over whatever you are facing has already been won we just need to recognise it and in time, we do when we look to the only source that is totally above all this. I want to encourage you today to place your trust in Messiah because for over 2000 years he has been here for us. Think about that...


1 Timothy 3:16
And by common confession great is the mystery of godliness:
He who was revealed in the flesh,
Was vindicated in the Spirit,
Beheld by angels,
Proclaimed among the nations,
Believed on in the world,
Taken up in glory.
NAS

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.
NAS

1 Timothy 3:16
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
KJV

Ephesians 3:14-19
For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
NAS

Remember your friends and neighbors today..lift them up with holy hands to our Father...

Heavenly Father,
We praise and worship you. We acknowledge your majesty . We recognise you are supreme over everything. We beseech you on behalf of our friends and families, touch them in your grace and let them know of your presence today. Let them see you in everything. Help us form your words in our mouth. Let us bless and not curse. Let us love and not hate. Let us be children of yours and not children of perdition. Thank you Jesus for your love, in your name we pray, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:09 AM

Comment by russ allen on May 16, 2011 at 7:40am

Brent, you ok?

Comment by russ allen on May 16, 2011 at 7:39am

Good morning! How was your weekend and how are we faithing? Good and good for me. Not so good for a dear friend of mine. She lost someone very special to her. I hurt for her and the family and simultaneously feel great because my personal weekend was so good. Is that wrong to feel good when a friend is hurting? No in a nutshell but being able to express concern, praying for them, hugging them is important. Is it wise to jump up and down and sing la la la la when you are aware of pain? Is it also necessary to put yourself into depression with others? Neither is wise or of any use to anyone. Cry with your friends and share pain but pray for them and maintain perspective for them. Shout for joy with friends when victory comes and maintain perspective. In despair we all have trouble seeing absolute reality and it's the same with joy. All is not fantastic in this world and neither is all doom and gloom. Ecclesiastics talks about a time for pain and a time for joy and with that wisdom we can realize and condition ourselves for those times. I want to take my friends pain away but I can't. I wish even my enemies well because I know God loves all of us and the world has corrupted people but all have a free gift of redemption available but in the meantime that enemy needs a good slap....Do you see this? Is it putting it into perspective? If you are saddened and or in deep pain, remember God knows and is right there even though it feels like inside all is torn up. Remind yourself of this as you heal. Remember our savior at all times because in that is our peace. In that is our reality. In that is our only hope.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven--
A time to give birth, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to tear down, and a time to build up.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing.
A time to search, and a time to give up as lost;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away.
A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together;
A time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time for war, and a time for peace.
NAS

Recognise as things happen and understand that as long as we occupy these vessels of flesh, the above applies.
Remember Kevin Balduf family...remember Kellynn and Ty...remember Kathy and Chris...remember Uncle Tim

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for wisdom we can hold onto when everything seems so bleak. Thank you for joy that comes after we grieve. Lord we hurt and we feel joy and sometimes we just don't know what to do. Comfort us with a peace that is unexplainable. Lord we lift you up as our Lord and savior. Father, come unto us in a way that is so real that our spirits jump for joy. Wrap yourself around the saddened people. We rebuke satan and his henchmen that they do not exploit these people in their hour of despair. In Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:37 AM

Comment by Brent A. Ellis on May 14, 2011 at 11:25am

hello if any members live in Statten Island NY I am there at present and need to speak with one please call me asap at 731-610-8720 thanks and God bless

Comment by russ allen on May 13, 2011 at 7:52am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Does Your Pastor have all the answers? No. Does Billy Graham have all the answers? No. Does President of these United States have all the answers? No. Does Congress? No. Do our parents? No. Then who does? No one on earth does. No man or woman is totally right all the time. Do you know how to weld an aircraft carrier hull 40 feet under water? Do you know the proper procedure for assembling a sewing machine? An automobile? A Proton accelerator? You may know one but I'd be willing to bet no one knows them all. Don't be afraid to ask when you don't know. Don't be afraid to trust but verify what people tell you. I think my Pastor is right on but I still look up what he says for verification. We all need to read the Word to find the truths in this world and we need to verify what we read with others such as our Pastors. I have been mistaken when I interject my desires and that can be dangerous. Why is that dangerous? If
we get an idea that serves us, there are churches and religions that cater to those notions and lots of cults have formed over similar types of things. We need to seek the truth. We need to be more concerned with what God says than what man says or what we want. Truth sets us free but lies enslave. Who do you serve?


Romans 14
Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. Let not him who eats regard with contempt him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and stand he will, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we
are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written,

"As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall give praise to God."

So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this-- not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine,
or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.
NAS


Remember Michele Harris...remember Mai,Natalie, Bryan, Gorden, Bob + Vivian...remember Paul Griffin...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for truth in your Word. Open the eyes of our hearts Lord, we want to see Jesus. Lord, bless those mentioned and those who are not. We lift the concerns shared with us and the silent ones also. Touch us and them today so we know you are walking with us and sometimes even carrying us. Lord we praise your holy name and pray in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 12, 2011 at 7:54am

Great morning! How are we faithing? We have been told many things as we grew up and we have discovered alot of them are incorrect and alot are spot on. "Your face will stick that way" we found out to be untrue. Gravity is true. Morning and night is true. We are not stupid. We are not illiterate or we wouldn't be reading this daily. We are capable of reading the Word and hearing what God's spirit instructs. With wisdom comes responsibility. With this faith in Jesus the Christ we must live according to the Word. Will we always succeed? Get real. We will stumble. We will fail but the cool thing is we have forgiveness and the right to repent , confess and know he will forgive because he said he would if we confess and repent. Pretty straight forward if you ask me. The three fold ministry we all have as believers is simple really. Worship, edification of each other and yes, evangelism. We must worship in spirit and in how we live. We edify each other by study and sharing and by how we live. We evangelize with words, deeds and again, how we live. A study in our behavior, conversations and demeanor is in direct proportion with our faith. Analyze yourself. Be honest with yourself. If you are lacking in an area; ask, seek, study. Our life is a direct reflection of our beliefs and where our peace and honor is. The worlds peace and honor is, well, look around. The Proverbs are a wonderful study in behavior and wise principles to live by. The Psalms are praises and worship. The Gospels teach evangelism. As you go through your days and particularly this week, pay attention to these three things that make up us who call ourselves Christians and see where you are lacking and strive to improve, I know I need to. I can't bear the thought that anything I live could cause someone else to miss salvation and choose hell over heaven...even if they didn't know they chose.

John 20:30-31

Many other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
NAS

1 John 5:13-14
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life. And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
NAS

1 John 5:10-12
The one who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; the one who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed in the witness that God has borne concerning His Son. And the witness is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.
NAS

1 John 4:1-3
Beloved, 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. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; and this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.
NAS

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your ways that are always just and true. Help us live like we believe. Help us overcome the obstacles and the flesh that hides your light in our lives. Lord we ask for wisdom and courage this day and forever.Protect us from spiritual and physical maladies. Teach us to stand tall when facing adversity. Lord we praise your holy name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:50 AM

Comment by russ allen on May 11, 2011 at 7:22am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Forgiveness. This needs to be revisited from time to time because we get stepped on and it hurts, makes us mad and can fester into hate and that my friends should not be. Forgive quickly. Forgive often. Forgive because they may not know what they are doing.

Matthew 6:14-15

"For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. "But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
NAS

Matthew 7:2
"For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.
NAS

Matthew 18:21-23
Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
NAS

Mark 11:25-26
"And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your transgressions. "But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions."
NAS

Ephesians 4:32-5:1
And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
NAS

Colossians 3:12-13
And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
NAS

James 2:12-13
For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
NAS

Heavenly Father,
Forgive us our sins. Cleanse our hearts from all unrighteousness. Come into our hearts and show us that peace only you can give. Teach us to repent and forgive as quick as you have and do. We lift our leaders to you, guide their actions, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:18 AM

Comment by russ allen on May 10, 2011 at 7:15am

Good morning! How are we faithing? To prevent events and things around us effect our demeanor adversely is a real struggle. It is easy to get depressed, angry or downright distraught over things. I know lots of times I've thrown my hands up and said "whatever" when it looks like there's nothing that I can do. Being able to call on the Lord to rectify or at least open our eyes to what is going on is a privilege believers have. I'll tell you, most times while we are in those events it's almost impossible to hear God speak and if we do not step back and get quiet to listen it's like a buzzing sound in our heads. That is from allowing ourselves to be overwhelmed by the current situation. As soon as we realize we are bound by this we must pause and pray for clarity. We must rebuke the bad and call on the Lord to clear out the clutter. We can clear the clutter when it's others it seems but when it's our kid or close friend for example,man. Can you relate? Are some past things coming to mind? How did you climb out before? Remember those times now while you are in this current event.

Isaiah 50:10

Who is among you that fears the LORD,
That obeys the voice of His servant,
That walks in darkness and has no light?
Let him trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.
NAS

1 Peter 5:6-9
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
NAS

Remember Bo, Rita and family...remember Sawyer Rodgers...Remember Missy Evans family...remember Sarah Chavez...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you that you are faithful. Thank you for always being available when we are lost. Teach us to quickly seek you in all things. Make us so aware of your presence we cant be cast into despair. Lord we struggle in this fleshly world and ask for protection from the enemy. We lift those mentioned today and ask your touch, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:12 AM

Comment by russ allen on May 6, 2011 at 8:57am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Late start today and man, just tosses everything off. When a headache wakes you one has to decide to be upbeat rather than let it whoop them. There are many of you out there facing what is catastrophic to you. Never should us brothers and sisters in Christ diminish your pain but it is our duty to point out facts and reality in order for your maintaining focus. It is very easy to feel isolated and abandoned. This is normal and you are not going nuts or losing what is left of your heart. Our savior is still in the same place he was when you first found him. Our savior Jesus still loves and cares about you personnally. As long as we are here in this vessel of humanity we will endure and experience the things of this humanity. Never forget though that the battle is in fact of the mind and spirit. People deal with physical maladies every day. Others have endured and rose above the same junk you are in. It is unwise to search for someone to placate your despair. Even though it may hurt or even tik you off, you need someone to pull you up from that pit and sometimes it hurts but we know from past things that while we are in the storm, all seems much worse than when we look back at a storm. Reach out to God for clarity and peace. Get your focus off self and step away, be courageous to act the right way instead of just seeking this to pass because if it isn't handled right, it can get worse and you end up prolonging the pain. This meant to encourage you who are hurting because we understand and Jesus does more than any of us could imagine.
Romans 5:1-8
Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
NAS

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your kindness, love and wisdom that sustains our minds. Lord we want to obey and walk according to your word but it is hard. Grant us the strength to do so. Help us see you in everything. Help us look out to the path you prepared for us and not look within in despair. Teach us to trust. Teach us to be who you would have us be. In Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 8:54 AM

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 53
• 54
• 55
• 56
• 57
• …
• 157
• Next ›
• Page