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Comment by russ allen on October 15, 2010 at 7:32am

Good morning! Is your faithing going well? We all have times where we struggle with keeping faith vibrant due to sickness or circumstances. A couple got killed in a motorcycle accident around here recently, bet their kids are struggling. Some have lost their home because they're out of work, bet they're struggling. Some people that have gotten the word they have a terminal disease, bet they're struggling. Here's the thing to remember when we enter into these things, God is not punishing you. Retribution is not his game. The evil minions are laughing in the corner while we dole out blame. Things happen because of the economy, the bad choices made by others, things break, inattention etc. The reasons most times do not matter, the pain is what is real. When you find yourself in the midst of trials and tribulations you have got to maintain focus on God or you will succumb to circumstances. Grieve for a season but maintain faith and love that Jesus has instilled because that is something that has not wavered.

Psalms 121
I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From whence shall my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade on your right hand.
The sun will not smite you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The LORD will protect you from all evil;
He will keep your soul.
The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in
From this time forth and forever.
NAS

Isaiah 43:1-5
But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel,
"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
"For I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I have given Egypt as your ransom,
Cush and Seba in your place.
"Since you are precious in My sight,
Since you are honored and I love you,
I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life.
"Do not fear, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east,
And gather you from the west.
NAS

remember Phillis Hedden...remember Sherry o's cousin and daughter...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace that endure through everything. Lord we lift those who are hurting today. We lift those who are in the midst of things and can't seem to see their way out. Lift them up to your throne and let them know your love is greater than any circumstance they could ever face. Grant that peace that passes all understanding so they know you have their back while they pass through whatever they face. Lord we ask for healings in bodies and minds today, in Jesus name amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:29 AM

Comment by russ allen on October 14, 2010 at 7:34am

Great morning? How in the world are we faithing? The things that whoop us on earth are rooted in our own selfishness. We whine about our comfort and throw hissy fits over things that just are just not that important in the grand scheme of things. Watching those 33 miners come out of the ground after 69 or so days of being trapped, we start to ponder things. I'd be willing to bet those men in that predicament were not real concerned with their car or their house or the clothes on their backs. I'll bet slow traffic didn't cross their mind. I'll bet sitting through a boring sermon or a horrible performance became very appealing. Take time today to put your priorities into perspective and to really see how you see your own situation. Hopefully the things that gripe your backsides will fall to a much lower place because being able to do or see anything is sure better than being in a hole underground.

1 Peter 1:14-21
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." And if you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each man's work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay upon earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
NAS

Remember the John Hudson family...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the little things that irritate us today. Help us see the reasons and learn from them. Lord we want to serve you honorably and trustworthy. Help us realize when we get to wrapped up in our own things we fail to see the big picture. Lord we are so self absorbed and we ask for forgiveness. Teach us to prioritize things so we lead by example for others to see your light. Lord forgive us our flaws and keep your Word on our lips, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:29 AM

Comment by russ allen on October 13, 2010 at 7:32am

Good morning! Are you faithing well? It is a tough time when you feel persecuted. It is hard when your self image is a reflection of the world. We that believe have got to be wise when it comes to how we see ourselves. Many a person has fell into deep depression and even committed suicide over a false impression of ones self. Where do you suppose that image has its origins? This world can be a wonderfully beautiful place and it can also begat some pretty awful things. Subtle influxes of random thoughts can plant and grow into vile horrible things that whoop us on many levels. The playboy image of a woman, the sports illustrated image of a man are both images that kill self worth. You and I are what we are and need to be more concerned with substance rather than the eyes view. Yes we must take care of the physical but remembering that this vessel is temporary sure sobers the mindset. Perpetual youth is a silly concept because it is self serving. Self serving leads to selfishness which leads to arrogance and or self condemnation which then leads to destruction. Destruction in different ways but destruction never the less. Our focus has got to be in line with God's view of us. He loved you and me so much he provided a way of redemption from evil and from sin. That being the case, why would we be so down when a man or woman, a created being, disses us? Why would we allow a comment destroy us to the point we withdraw from everything? Makes no sense. So if you are one who has succumbed to these accusations from the enemy, regardless how it was delivered, please listen and heed...seek God and seek him fast. Don't delay because ultimate destruction that lasts a gazillion times longer than this short life is what you will see otherwise...think about that...

Isaiah 26:3-4

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

Romans 8:34-38
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written,
"For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long;
We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
NAS

Romans 8:26-28
And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
NAS

Psalms 29:2
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name;
Worship the LORD in holy array.
NAS

Remember Jonna...remember Lauren McDaniel...remember Justin Benton...remember Kathy...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all your grace and love that sustains us. Lord we ask for healing from unkind words and actions towards us. Make us acceptable to your ways and let us see through accusations and slander. Let our hearts reach out to those who practice such things that they see truth. Lord we lift those mentioned today. Heal hearts and minds and help sweep the clutter that clouds the vision. We honor and serve you Lord, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:29 AM

Comment by russ allen on October 11, 2010 at 7:08am

Good morning! Are we faithing? Forgiveness. One of the hardest things to do sometimes. Forgiving ones self is probably the toughest. You screw up, you realize it, you berate yourself over it and the enemy has a way in to throw it back at you. Someone hurts you deep. You think you have forgiven them,(you said it didn't you?), but when ever they come near that feeling rises up again. Denial. You refuse to accept them,"I forgive them but I will not forget", being conscious of danger is fine but we do have to forget the infraction. We may choose to not hang out with that infractee but is it just that their personality drives you nuts or are you still harboring resentment? These are things that haunt us all. We need to make a conscious effort to truly forgive and to get past the hurt feelings. Like we've said before, the root of it, like most things is selfishness. Wahhhh! You hurt my wittle feewings! Grow some skin there and realize you've done it too! Inadvertently and on purpose. We all have lashed out when our feelings have been rubbed to hard. We flat HAVE to to what is right for no other purpose but it's right. We HAVE to forgive at a minimum to save our own spiritual self and because God told us to. Your feelings will heal but if we don't obey God, they wont. Here's an example and I want you to think about this while applying it to situations you encounter this week;

Exodus 23:4-9

"If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey wandering away, you shall surely return it to him. If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying helpless under its load, you shall refrain from leaving it to him, you shall surely release it with him. You shall not pervert the justice due to your needy brother in his dispute. Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent or the righteous, for I will not acquit the guilty. And you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of the just. And you shall not oppress a stranger, since you yourselves know the feelings of a stranger, for you also were strangers in the land of Egypt.
NAS

Remember Robbie and Tiffany Burnsmier, they will see their new son today!! remember Liz Byrd...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for teaching us your statues. Help us see the truth and ways you designed so we live freer and content lives. Lord, we seek your face and want to act righteously but we struggle. We ask for wisdom of your grace applied in all situations. Help us truly forgive, even past things that still haunt We lift those mentioned to you and all the unspoken things. Help us be courageous enough to live according to your will, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:05 AM

Comment by russ allen on October 8, 2010 at 8:25am

Good morning! How be y'all faithing? An interesting word study, love. It is used in many ways and it's meaning or rather the usage can be a noun, adjective or even a verb. The old testament, written in Hebrew and the new testament, written in Greek also use the word "love" to relay ideas and feelings. I am one who sees the good in everything until shown otherwise yet my bride looks at things the opposite. What does the bible say about love? How is the message relayed if there are many words in those languages translated into love? We'll look at those in a moment but to preface this with wisdom. The wisdom to see the context of the manuscript and not miss apply the definition of love.
In Hebrew we see the Hebrew noun "checed" which means loving kindness, steadfastness, mercy, devotion, goodness. Used all over the old testament this word conveys the things that love as we know it encompasses. God's love for us is shown in the English words listed above. Look at Isaiah 54:8,10; 55:3 and Psalms 85:7,10.
"Chacid" is an adjective meaning pious, devout, faithful and godly. Psalm 12:1;31:23. In these we see an action of love. This is interesting;
"Following the Greek "hosios" and Latin "sanctus", the KJV often renders the word "saint"-- which must be understood in the sense of sanctification [dependent upon grace], not moralistically [of native goodness].
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)"
I'll be...
In the new testament we see "agapao" and "agape" which are used for the love of God for us that he would give his son for us. The word is used as a heavenly pious love that is clean, sincere and totally pure. This love is not to be confused with passionate love in the mindset of "eros" which comes our word erotic. "phileo" represents tender affection. the "phileo" love is what I have for my wife and friends. Lev19:18, Duet6:5. John3:16, romans5:8.
Now as you read the Word, take note of where you are reading and the context. You will discover more and more examples of God's love for us and direction we should strive for. Love is a huge and powerful term but if used incorrectly or haphazardly, it loses it's effective emotional meaning. It can become like so many other words that just fall to the ground with no effect. Sad when that happens...
Remember those grieving...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for you love and charity that moves us to actions that we otherwise might not do. Lord we want to be aware of your love, show it forth to others and be a pleasing aroma to you. Help us keep perspective and grant us wisdom to see true love. Lord we praise your name and thank you for revealing yourself to us. Protect the children and we lift our leaders to you in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 8:21 AM

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

Good morning! How isith thou faithing? We have to be careful what we say and when we say it. We have to have wisdom as to when silence is more comforting than words. I hear people at funerals trying to console and their words just fall to the floor. Cry with people who are hurting. Hug people who feel lonely. Hold people who are cold. Laugh and smile when good things are shared. Our wisdom is not only shown with words. Our love for others as Jesus loves manifests itself by being able to sympathise and empathise with the situation at hand. It isn't about you when others hurt therefore think what you would like to hear in those situations...or not hear. Think what helps you and what makes you roll your eyes and act accordingly.

Colossians 3:12-14

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. And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
NAS

Ephesians 4:31-32
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
NAS

Proverbs 30:32-33
If you have been foolish in exalting yourself
Or if you have plotted evil, put your hand on your mouth.
For the churning of milk produces butter,
And pressing the nose brings forth blood;
So the churning of anger produces strife.
NAS

Remember Caleb Barnes...remember Margaret Overstreet...remember Flo...remember Kathy

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your wisdom. Thank you for your touch on our lives. Lord we ask for discretion and honor in all we say and do. Teach us to see truth. Thank you for your blessings even when we cannot see them. Help build confidence in your ways so we follow them without hesitation. In Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:22 AM

Comment by russ allen on October 6, 2010 at 6:58am

Good morning! How be ye faithing? Have we been rewarded for our sins? Do we get what we deserve? Does the compassion of God remove our sins? In his sight they are forgotten if we believe in Jesus. If God dealt with us in a manner befitting our deeds, we'd be gone. We are a sinful lot and we keep on breaking laws of God. The thing that is so wonderful for us is that God knows this but in order for us to willing love him we are made this way therefore a way of reconciliation for fellowship with God is necessary because of God's love. He also is just and willing to let us choose to reconcile or not. A way that seems right to man lots of times is contrary to God's way. Even when logic and earthly reasoning can't comprehend the principles of God we must learn to trust those principles simply because God doesn't lie and the father of lies runs rampant on earth. Therein lies the choices and without Biblical wisdom as a foundation we most assuredly will stumble even more.

Psalms 103:10-12

He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
KJV

Acts 3:19-21
"Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.
NAS

1 Peter 3:8-12
To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. For,"Let him who means to love life and see good days
Refrain his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile.
"And let him turn away from evil and do good;
Let him seek peace and pursue it. "For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous,
And His ears attend to their prayer,
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
NAS

Heavenly Father,
Lord we honor you and ask for vision and wisdom to see truth in everything. Thank you for providing a way for us to remain in you. Lord we ask for protection from the evil that abounds. Show us your majesty and let us be so keenly aware of your work in our lives. We lift those in pain physically and mentally. Heal them in a way they recognise that you are with them. Treat your servants with compassion and loving kindness so much that it overflows to the others we meet, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:54 AM

Comment by russ allen on October 5, 2010 at 7:38am

Good morning! How art we faithing? Some say we do not have free choice. Bunk. We do. We are able to choose right from wrong, truth from lies, wisdom or foolishness. Is it easy? Do we always choose correctly? Of course not and the reasons are wide and varied. We choose inappropriately for comfort, for "the easy way", for simple desires. Sometimes we choose out of ignorance but that is what the Word is teaching us...wisdom. We all have made choices and when we made them we knew they were suspect but our flesh picked them anyways. This is where the "reaping what we sow" comes into play. Whatever we do will come back whether good or bad. We live in the physical but we should respond in the spiritual. Huh? Do what's right because it is right. Who cares what everybody else does. Yours and my deal is not someone elses. Our God and his love for us is greater than anything including "what we want" so the quicker we trust that he knows best even when we disagree, the quicker we'll stop planting things that grow up later to prick us.

Psalms 81:11-12

"But My people did not listen to My voice;
And Israel did not obey Me. "So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart,
To walk in their own devices.
NAS

Romans 1:24-25
Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
NAS

Remember Alex Lindstam...

Heavenly Father,
We come before you realizing without you we are but animals lost in our own crap. We wallow in the mud and mire wondering why. Lord we ask for your wisdom and Word this day and lay all our burdens at your feet so we can trust things will be taken care of in the right time. Help us see the lesson in a timely manner and help us stand on your Word that says we are yours. Help our thought process not get clouded with the wqorld but let us recognize truth immediatly. We praise you and honor you Lord, our creator and in Jesus name we bow at your feet, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:34 AM

Comment by russ allen on October 4, 2010 at 7:17am

Good morning! How are we faithing? The imagery in the old testament is so cool. Look at these one by one, sit back and picture what is being said and what message is being given;

Malachi 4:2

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
KJV

Isaiah 60:1
"Arise, shine; for your light has come,
And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
NAS

Hosea 6:3
"So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD.
His going forth is as certain as the dawn;
And He will come to us like the rain,
Like the spring rain watering the earth."
NAS

Our savior is like the sun coming up in the morning. Constant, reliable and ever present. With that confidence we can leap for joy and press on with our days with smiles because all this stuff that comes against us is fleeting. Our savior has already beaten the world, it just hasn't realized it yet. We are able to receive the blessings of God like a gentle rain on parched soil savoring every drop. Our savior has risen on us therefore anything and I mean ANYTHING that comes can be stepped over because our lord is bigger than anything. It may bet tough but only because of the flesh we occupy right now but with the Word's reassurance we can climb over into the light of his presence. So when things "appear" bleak, remember that this is so short a physical life that we can deal with it knowing it shall change and with our eyes on Jesus, that sunrise in the distance comes. Relax and ponder this...

Heavenly Father,
We thank you for all your grace that sustains us. Lord we lift you up higher when we face adversity. Help us see around,beyond and through things on this earth. Help us be aware of the truth in everything so we can act and speak with honor for you. We pray deception be tossed away and that in our deeds we show you. Thank you for your Word today and keep it ever present on our tongues, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:12 AM

Comment by russ allen on October 1, 2010 at 7:42am

Good Friday morning! How are we faithing? This is one of those mornings where nothing in particular is on my mind and yet I am thinking about everything. Ever have those days? Days when your thoughts segue' from one thing to another with with no pattern? Rememberances and thoughts about past and future events that are connected in the most obscure ways tends to make ones head spin. We have to reel in these eratic thoughts, kinda like defragmenting our hard drive. Todays talk is short but the point is for us to capture our minds and fill it with fruit that is not rotten. Fill it with good things of God. Your situation and the things your mind does during those situation needs to be brought under submission to God. As a man thinks he is , that is a verse that is very very important...

Proverbs 15:14
The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
NAS

Proverbs 23:33
Your eyes will see strange things,
And your mind will utter perverse things.
NAS

Romans 8:6-8
For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
NAS

Romans 12:16
Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind , but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
NAS

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.
NAS

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Word that guides and keeps us focused. Lord we ask for your touch on this day that we control the mind so we don't get twisted in our thinking. Lord we praise you for your grace given , in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:39 AM

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