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Comment by russ allen on December 24, 2010 at 7:21am

Good morning! How are we faithing? I want y'all to think about something. Do you do good works? Do you do them for gain or because you see a need? Do you do good works for a pat on the back or because it just needs to be done? This time of year there many many organizations and people giving presents to the needy. I am not condemning or criticizing any of that but want to pose some questions. With the questions that opened this daily, do you give to feel good this time of year? Why are those same people criticized the rest of the year? Is your schedule so busy you ignore a need? Just sit back and think about this and take the appropriate actions and enjoy Christmas because the gift Jesus gave was the ultimate gift and he gave it to all of us. His example is for us to see and pass on the same attitude and spirit of giving.


1 Timothy 5:24-25
The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after. Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.
NAS

Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
NAS

Heavenly Father,
We thank you Lord for your gift of salvation from our very nature. Lord we ask daily for wisdom to act in a manner worthy of declaring you as our Lord. We also lift those up who are struggling with this season. Grant them peace and understanding of the true non material nature of this celebration. Bless those traveling and those who are away defending freedom. In Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:17 AM

Comment by russ allen on December 22, 2010 at 7:41am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Tis a joyous season and it really saddens me to see glum faces all around because people are stressing over gifts. This subject has been talked to death but I wonder if anyone listens. The same person who says "Jesus is the reason for the season" gets depressed when they can't give a perceived notion of Christmas gifts. Stop it! Enough with this! Those kids will enjoy no matter what they get and if they complain about it, you had better nip that attitude now. For the adults, we ain't kids anymore and gifts are gifts. If we give from the heart and not out of obligation we have discovered the secret to gift giving. Don't let cost or size make you feel guilty or not. Give because you want to give. Yes I know gift opening under a tree Christmas morning is cool and I have a ton of memories but the gift just isn't that important now. It can't be because if it were, we'd never be satisfied. Sound familiar? I just want you all to think and if you are depressed because finances suck this year, get over it and remember to make the season about what it should be. Your love for your family and friends and
God's love for you. These things are not dependant on bought stuff.

Matthew 6:2-4
"When therefore you give alms, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. "But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.
NAS

1 Timothy 5:25
Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.
NAS

Proverbs 21:14
A gift in secret subdues anger,
And a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.
NAS

1 Corinthians 2:12
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
KJV




Remember Megan McGrath...remember Caleb Richards...Remember Mitchel Roberts

Heavenly Father,
We ask for peace and wisdom this day Lord. Teach us the true meaning of charity. Help us not get caught up in this gift mode that condemns based on size and worth. Help us see truth so we can show it to those we meet. Let us shine with the love of your son. Bless those traveling today, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:31 AM

Comment by William C. Fleenor on December 22, 2010 at 7:17am

I am a new chaplain for the Chesterfield (VA) Fire & EMS. While most of the people that I have met are practicing Christians already members of specific denominations, we also have our athiests, agnostics, wiccans and all manner of "new agers".

I minister to all irrespective of their belief (or non-belief) in Christ as their Lord and savior. But while I have to meet everyone where they are right at that moment, I need advice from those of you more mature in this ministry how to express the hope that is Christ without being 'shut-down' or 'shut-out' by my non-believing firefighters. I am certain that there are many in this group that have experience in this and I would appreciate your help.

I would also like to invite any who are interested to lend your experience to the group 'Firefighting Chaplains'. It is not a duplicate of this Group

In His Service,

Ch. William Fleenor

Comment by russ allen on December 21, 2010 at 7:10am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Here's something to think about;


Colossians 3:5-11
Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is on account of these things that the wrath of God will come, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him --a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all.
NAS

Romans 6:6-7
knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin.
NAS

What does this mean? Do we now never sin since we found Jesus? No, we still goof up but when we seek his face and walk according to the Word, we recognise sin. We no longer are under the spell of sin. Sure some things we do or did that have become habits take conscience effort to change. Some things were so much a part of our lives we never even considered them to be wrong. Now when you do you have a battle with it but here's another thing to remember, Jesus defeated sin on the cross. You no longer are subject to it. You are saved by grace. So can you just continue because you won't be judged by it? Not at all! You now are freed from the slavery of that wrongdoing. Now the battle of the flesh begins and we can enter that battle knowing Jesus already whooped it, it just hasn't died in us yet. Our flesh will do all sorts of weird wild things and if we just let it do whatever, we are in for a long struggle. When you recognise a sin in you life, pray immediately. Run to Jesus. I know people that if their lips are moving, it's a lie. I know people who if a female is near, they become lustful. I know people who bad mouth everything and everybody. It goes on and on and I do not want to judge those people because, that's right, that becomes a sin. I can call a sin a sin but the person may be in a battle and the Word tells us what? Pray for them and when I goof up I hope you pray for me...

Heavenly Father,
Lord, we were slaves to sin for so long we need your spirit in and all over us to defeat the fleshly desire for that sin. Lord we ask for wisdom and courage to stand for truth. Lord we lift the people we meet today to you. heal them, open their eyes and do the same for us. Help us be strong witnesses for your glory and not for ours. Help us not judge but be a beacon of your grace and love. Shut our mouths when necessary and open them with kind words that lift and not trample. It is in Jesus name we pray, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:06 AM

Comment by russ allen on December 20, 2010 at 7:40am

Good morning! How are we faithing? The times that we all have when we feel despair deep within ourselves can make good times unpleasant and can make even the rudimentary things seem like drudgery. I can remember peaceful mornings as a child from 3-4 yrs old all the way till high school when the sun came cracking over the horizon, the dew on the grass, the smell of a new day, the bird songs and the furry critters scurrying all over. It was peaceful tranquility that made me realize just how great and loving God is. It is probably why I am such a morning person now. When I feel peaceful my mind goes to the "ropes" at the foot of Hermon mountain. Places that God spoke with his wonder and love still appear in my minds eye. Many different things speak of God's love and his creation is indeed a source for wisdom and peace. Do you remember solice and warmth at different places? When we seek God in all things we find that he truly is there and when we have a relationship with him, his creation comes so alive in so many ways. Walk this week with your eyes wide open to his grace and beauty that long lasting memories of that peace stays with you. Just think about this today and this week...

Psalms 42:5-8
Why are you in despair, O my soul?
And why have you become disturbed within me?
Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him
For the help of His presence.
O my God, my soul is in despair within me;
Therefore I remember Thee from the land of the Jordan,
And the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.
Deep calls to deep at the sound of Thy waterfalls;
All Thy breakers and Thy waves have rolled over me.
The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime;
And His song will be with me in the night,
A prayer to the God of my life.
NAS

Psalms 133:3
It is like the dew of Hermon,
Coming down upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the LORD commanded the blessing-- life forever.
NAS

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your comfort in the good times and the bad. Show us how to seek you out in everything. Lord we bless you and honor you. You are our rock and we seek you and ask you forgive us when we allow bad things to permeate our thinking. Teach us to put all those things in perspective and to remember your love for us all the time. We lift those in despair to you. Show yourself in your creation so we cannot deny your grace and love. Thank you for your son who loved us enough to lay his life down so you could look upon us and not see sin but him. We reach out to you knowing we lack but want to please you. Guide us this week and open our eyes to your splendor and create memories that provide peace and understanding all our days. In Jesus name we pray, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:36 AM

Comment by Jesse L. Moore on December 16, 2010 at 6:20pm

Luke 1:78

Comment by russ allen on December 15, 2010 at 7:36am

Good morning! How are we faithing? The Word is so cool. It speaks to us all in ways that apply to our lives. Our minds and spirits must be tuned in to what it has to say. It is referred to a "living word" for good reason. You or I may read something today and get a message and the next time we read it we see other principles. Does that mean it is contradictory or convoluted? Not at all. It is so wise in structure that when we read with a situation or question in mind it causes us to sometimes think in ways we never thought to think. Like todays Psalm continuation. You may glean something different than I do today and that is fine. God speaks to us all and we are able to hear through his Word when we diligently look. Pray before you read for understanding and read. Try this; pick a chapter from, for example psalm 91 and reread it every week for a month. You will get something that is applicable to your situation each time. You will see truths that are within the Word that each time is fresh. Give it a try. Here's todays verses and following are what was spoken to me by other scripture...fascinating!

Psalms 91:12-14
They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
KJV

James 1:12-18
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.
Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.
In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we might be, as it were, the first fruits among His creatures.
NAS

Isaiah 33:15-16
He who walks righteously, and speaks with sincerity,
He who rejects unjust gain,
And shakes his hands so that they hold no bribe;
He who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed,
And shuts his eyes from looking upon evil;
He will dwell on the heights;
His refuge will be the impregnable rock;
His bread will be given him;
His water will be sure.
NAS

Isn't that great? What did you get from the psalm today?
Remember Al Godley and family...remember Bob West family...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Word that sustains us. Reveal you will and your wisdom every day when we seek your face in your Word. Lord we lift those who are in sorrow and in anxiety today. Calm nerves and comfort hearts. Reveal yourself and your presence in a way that is so real and recognisable that you cannot be denied. In Jesus name we pray, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:31 AM

Comment by Tom Menees on December 14, 2010 at 11:30am

Thanks for the great "Pick-Me-Up"

Comment by russ allen on December 14, 2010 at 7:13am

Good morning! How are we faithing? The subject that the verses today open up is huge. These verses give direct promises of the angel of the Lord being protection when we seek God. Does that mean we can walk on lava or walk in front of a moving bus? Get real. Tempting God is not a good idea. I'm not even sure one can even do that. We have angels charge over each of us for many things and protection is indeed one of em. I have been in situations before where there was no explanation for me surviving and I truly believe an angel protected me. These verses confirm it for me. Now I understand that things happen all around us and it causes one to ask why they were not "protected". Can't answer simply in this venue but suffice to say the bigger picture that is going on is way above my pay grade and if God sees fit to allow things, who are we to find fault? If I knew that in 90 days I would meet with death, I may not do alot of things that would benefit a bunch of people because I would be trying to do my thing till I left or second guess something I normally would not...just a thought. Sometimes things are allowed to happen that really hurt only to save bigger hurt down the road. Again, no one has sought God more than Jesus. No one has walked the walk while talking the talk more than Jesus...and they killed him. So seek God, believe these verses and stand on God's promises and accept what comes because we know he knows way more than we ever will. To me this is encouragement to face each day!

Psalms 91:11

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
KJV

Psalms 34:7
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them.
NAS

Psalms 71:3
Be Thou to me a rock of habitation, to which I may continually come;
Thou hast given commandment to save me,
For Thou art my rock and my fortress.
NAS

Proverbs 3:6
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
NAS

Remember Christian Lance...Lauren McDaniel...the Brumfield family...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the promises in your Word. Help us to be confident and fearless with your direction and promptings. Grant us wisdom and courage to speak of you and to shut up when necessary. Lord we ask for blessings on those mentioned and on those who are hurting today. Bless those who are sick, grant a comfort they don't understand but know it is from you. Teach us to be your servants and your ambassadors for the lost, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:09 AM

Comment by russ allen on December 13, 2010 at 7:27am

Good morning! How are we faithing? We continue with our look at Psalm 91. This by no means is THE definitive study on this Psalm but a lesson on promises and to teach you to read and hear from God. To make you ask questions and to inspire you to dive deeper into the Word. This is such encouragement for our lives! We've already established that while in this body, our flesh, that we are subject to a sinful world. We may or may not endure fleshly pain and whether we do or do not has alot to do with physical, spiritual and mental factors. Some seem to never endure physical maladies, some endure every bug that comes along. Some have mental breakdowns, some retain their light till they die. Some have spiritual battles of monumental proportions and some seem to get it and that's all they need. Right, wrong or indifferent, we all need Jesus. Whatever we deal with, it is impossible without Jesus. If you look at the verses today you see some promises for God's people. Read these, think and do not pull words out to suit what you want. Seek first the kingdom of God.

Psalms 91:7-10

A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not approach you.
You will only look on with your eyes,
And see the recompense of the wicked.
For you have made the LORD, my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
No evil will befall you,
Nor will any plague come near your tent.
NAS

Psalms 34:7
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them.
NAS

Psalms 71:3
Be Thou to me a rock of habitation, to which I may continually come;
Thou hast given commandment to save me,
For Thou art my rock and my fortress.
NAS

Proverbs 3:6
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
NAS

Isaiah 31:1
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help,
And rely on horses,
And trust in chariots because they are many,
And in horsemen because they are very strong,
But they do not look to the Holy One of Israel, nor seek the LORD!
NAS

Remember Matt Lawson...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Word that reveals and comforts. Help us seek you in everything. Help us understand your protection on our souls. Lord we lift those who suffer at the hands of evil. Help them focus on you and on truth. Grant them wisdom and courage to face anything knowing you love them and are ever present. Lord, keep our troops safe and merciful, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:23 AM

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