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Comment by russ allen on September 30, 2010 at 6:58am

Great morning! How are we faithing? I do not want any of you to think anti church. On the contrary, church is good as long as we realize why we go and why God said to not forsake the assembling of each other. The only thing you need to realize is church is not God. Church is for the "equipping of the saints" which the Word says is you and me and all who believe and have accepted the gift of grace therefore we no longer are judged by the law. Church is for building up of the body, not judging it.

Galatians 2:20-21

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me. "I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."
NAS

Romans 11:6-7
But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.
NAS

Getting a grasp on this is so important to our well being. Realizing that no matter what we say or do we are acceptable to God will cause us to modify our outlook on things and as a result good deeds start happening. Eventually we cuss less, we stop lying, we become concerned and less callous about our fellow man. We find ourselves noticing root causes of flaws and not concerned with the flaw. We start to love the unlovable. We begin to pray for people and situations at all times. We find we talk to God. Guess what, that sounds an awful lot like a love relationship and that is what Jesus promised. He promised a way to the Father that isn't clouded or hidden by the sin we have. That relationship peels the scales of iniquity off. It can be a painful process but never the less it happens. So take a look and analyze where you are in Christ. Is it all about the things that show like God or is it really about God?

Remember Laura Graham family...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the grace that saves us. Thank you for being a father that picks us up when we fall. Thank you for healing our minds and bodies. Thank you for talking to us whether by revelation or just in your Word. Show your unfailing grace all around us so others want what we have found. Lord we lift those people mentioned to you. Touch their lives in a manner befitting you vast power and majesty. Help us control our tongues, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:53 AM

Comment by russ allen on September 29, 2010 at 7:21am

Good morning! How are we faithing? I'm concerned for the people I run into who are so turned off by "religion" that they can't and wont hear or see the truth in Messiah, Jesus. History bears all the things told about Jesus and yet they still can't let the message come in because of religious damage. You know what? I understand. Here's the difference. I know what Jesus has done for me in my life. I also have seen what religion has done to people. That is why the only way is the Word and any religion that deviates from the Word into a tradition or a ceremony that takes the glory and the focus off Jesus and unto "good works" will become domineering and controlling. When the focus moves to those arenas the message is lost. Salvation to heaven is by grace. The price for yours and my screw ups has already been paid. You owe nothing but to accept or not. That my friends is our free choice that is talked about. Accept and be saved from separation from God or refuse and get the opposite. Simple really, the hard part comes when the wisdom of God flies in the face of the world and the guy in charge of it. Our spirit man is dead to the things of God until it is revived by Jesus and that happens when we accept who Jesus is. All the churches and religions are just clubs without the grace and the blood shed by Jesus for us. I am reminded of a part of the Airplane! movie where the "church of lunar conciseness" is soliciting in the airport. Funny in the movie but unfortunately a perfect representation of what church is without Jesus.

1 Peter 4:1-6

Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousals, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. And in all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excess of dissipation, and they malign you; but they shall give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.
NAS

Ephesians 2:8-10
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
NAS

Ephesians 4:11-16
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
NAS

remember Brenda Adams...remember Ty Bates...remember Chuck Anglin family

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love that saved us. Thank you for being a God who is ever present. Forgive us Lord for being religious and not loving examples of your grace and beauty. Open the eyes of the hearts of those who do not know you but are searching. Help us live upright without ego but with humble wisdom to reach out to those who need you. Grant us the resources to help others where needed. Bless those mentioned today. Heal, bless, comfort your servants and those who would find you, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:17 AM

Comment by russ allen on September 28, 2010 at 7:13am

Great morning! How are we faithing? We are about to enter some unbelievable times! The body of Christ is about to awaken in this world. The breath of life is blowing and the time of influence, power of the church in the world that the last few generations enjoyed is gone. Now we have to do things God's way. It used to be that politicians cared what the people of the churches thought. It used to be that the pulpit could sway governmental thinking. This past century we saw that slowly go away. Now we have to hit the streets, go out where the lost are and leave the comfort of our pews. We need to meet the needs physically as well and spiritually. Times are changing and we are being awakened to do what God has in store for us to do. Our man made doctrine is falling apart. We see it all over the place but as man's way falls, God way rises higher and higher. Lets wake up to the sound of God's spirit as he gathers his people for the coming storm. Do not fear what may happen to our flesh because things are gonna happen but our Lord and savior is right there with us and the schemes of the enemy has no effect on our souls.

Romans 13:11-14

And this do, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
NAS

Ezekiel 18:31-32
"Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel? "For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies," declares the Lord GOD. "Therefore, repent and live."
NAS

Isaiah 2:20-22
In that day men will cast away to the moles and the bats
Their idols of silver and their idols of gold,
Which they made for themselves to worship,
In order to go into the caverns of the rocks and the clefts of the cliffs,
Before the terror of the LORD and the splendor of His majesty,
When He arises to make the earth tremble.
Stop regarding man, whose breath of life is in his nostrils;
For why should he be esteemed?
NAS

Heavenly Father,
Thank you Lord for your love for us. Thank you for revealing your Word to us. Lord we ask for truth be revealed in everything we do. Open our eyes to what you have for us and to all the people we meet who need you. Take our lives and lead so we may me a pleasing fragrance . We honor and praise you Lord, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:08 AM

Comment by russ allen on September 27, 2010 at 7:20am

Good morning! How are we faithing? An age old question came up this weekend. Why do bad things happen to good people? Lets examine the question first. Bad things like calamity, disease, accidents, tough times come upon everyone on earth one time or another. Is God paying back? Is God causing retribution for a sin committed? Nope but realize this, we do reap what we sow. You plant the seed of lying, stealing, cursing, speeding, gossiping, adultery etc. and those seeds will grow. The harvest from those seeds that have been sown are the effect you endure. Now don't start beating yourself up because this scripture is the truth;

Matthew 5:45
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
KJV



In this world, that is a sinful world, things happen because sin is present. Someone speeds and blows a light, t-bones another car, that has an effect on the sinner and the innocent. Two people standing on a corner, one a serial killer, the other a Nun, both get wet when it rains, both dry out when the sun comes up. Do you see this message? I don't particularly like it but it is truth. Does this mean God is not in control? Not at all! A just God allows us to make choices. A just God lets our choices bear what they may. An unjust God would micro manage and we would not be free choice creatures but robots. He didn't create robots but beings that can love him out of choice and not by obligation. We have scratched the surface of this subject but I pray you take a step back and think and pray about this. Remember to run to him immediately when you encounter your own harvest or someone elses.

Proverbs 29:13
The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
NAS

Luke 6:35-38
"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. "And do not judge and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. "Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return."
NAS

Remember Katrina Williams...remember Harold Markey...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you Lord for your blessings and thank you for your son that is our savior. Lord, help us understand your Word. Help us react to things in this world in the manner you teach in your Word. Hold onto us when we feel like we're getting the short end of the stick. Hold us when we are in the path of others sin. Open our eyes to the things we are meant to see and help us keep our eyes off the woes of this world. Grant us wisdom to act and react in the fashion you deem correct. Lord we worship and seek your wisdom in everything and it is in your holy name we pray, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:14 AM

Comment by kirk elliott on September 24, 2010 at 1:38pm

hi fellow fire fighters & ems .thanks for having me & may Jesus bless your day

Comment by russ allen on September 24, 2010 at 7:56am

Good morning! How are we faithing? The gathering storm is gonna be a big one. I am not trying to strike fear or cause worry but we can watch and see the world and where it's headed. It is headed fast to destruction and even though we are saved by grace, we still endure the effects of a sinful world. This is a long hard journey sometimes and we need to remain in the Word if we expect to survive. If we allow the worlds views to permeate or water down the Word we are in for more grief and more physical and mental maladies. Here it is in a nutshell, if it is contrary to the Word, it is wrong. No personal judgment on anyone, just the truth. Lots of us do things unbeknown to be sins but when we find out, that's when we are accountable. Not saved by doing right but we will reap what we sow. Do not take that as a slam or judgemental at all because it isn't anything but truth and truth sets us free. Take the time to seek out truth in the Word this weekend. Listen to the Holy Spirit and don't fall for rationalizations if they lead to contrary actions to the Word. Lots of stuff I've discovered to be sin and my flesh wasn't happy when I made the choice to follow what the Word teaches. We all make discoveries in the Word but whether we apply what we learn or not, that is important.

Romans 8:28-39

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. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 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. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
NAS

Remember Racheal Doughty...remember Chris Hall... remember Jeff Cummings and his mission trip to Mexico...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for peace and love that transcends all. Teach us to apply your Word to everything. Lord we lift those who are hurting this day. Heal and comfort them. Lord I ask for healing for spouses. Heal minds and bodies so they may live according to your Word. We ask for intervention for maladies we don't recognise, grant the doctors wisdom and revelation to heal. In Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:52 AM

Comment by russ allen on September 23, 2010 at 7:43am

Good hot morning! How are we faithing? 90's today...again...so ready for fall...
We go through things in this life and when we go through them, we whine and complain. We ask why me? As we mature in Christ, contentment starts to grow even in hard times. I'm not saying we like them or that we enjoy them but we realize down the road this lesson will profit us or just relating it to someone else in need will help them. With that maturity we begin to deal with adversity differently than before. I have and you have had things happen that just plain suck. At that precise moment we can forget that Jesus has our back and it will end but as soon as the shock starts to wain we must recognise what is happening. Yes things happen on earth that we can't explain but that doesn't mean God is not in control. The next time something smacks you in the head, drop that defensive posture and look for God's hand directing you through. Look around, over or through to see the light beyond because you know this will not last and the other side of it will leave you wiser and more savvy. Think about that...

2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
NAS

2 Corinthians 1:5-6
For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.
NAS

2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
NAS

remember Harold Markey...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you Lord for being as close in affliction as when all is smooth. Thank you for encouraging us when tragedy and turmoil comes. Lord we ask for healing and enlightenment when all seems dim. Thank you Jesus for being the mediator to the Father. Thank you for your love that overcomes this world. Lord we ask you lead and make us alert to that leading, bless those who are sick in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:41 AM

Comment by russ allen on September 22, 2010 at 7:36am

Good morning!
How are we faithing? I'm struggling lately. Erroneous thoughts pop in out of seemingly nowhere. Things I heard ages ago and had forgotten. Things I had no idea I even committed to memory. It may be what I had for supper or it may be the enemy attacking. Whatever it is I covet prayer from you to withstand the attack and or just let my mind rest.
Do you get upset over comments? What is your response? I meet people all the time that deal with thoughts and some even get acted on thus circumstances turn into more than they need be. Many read comments and events incorrectly and compound the effects out of paranoia and out of fear. Assuming intention is very dangerous because flippant comments may be sarcasm, jesting and or both. Be no means am I justifying anything but merely trying to help you look beyond the immediate into other possibilities. An innocent comment or action may have no other imputations other than it is what it is. I've seen some get upset when someone said they were "phat" and assumed they were being attacked for their weight. Why would they take it that way? Because they deemed "fat" was a problem in their life therefore that must be what was meant. Listen, watch, pray so you don't run hither and yonder over nothing. The Word does teach,"let your yes be yes and your no be no" and the wisdom in that is huge. I use the "fat' and "phat" example because I have seen it go down with slaps, ill feelings and fights over intentions that were misinterpreted. Pick your words. Think before you speak and realize others may not do that speaking to you. Ask if you are not sure. Speak wisely so you don't inadvertently hurt or destroy your witness or step on someone. We are ambassadors for Jesus and hurting people is never the goal. Hurting people regardless of what they have done to you is never justified. Think about this.

James 5:12

But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but let your yes be yes , and your no, no; so that you may not fall under judgment.
NAS

Matthew 5:33-37
"Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, 'You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord.' "But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. "Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. "But let your statement be, 'Yes, yes' or 'No, no'; and anything beyond these is of evil.
NAS

Remember Derrick and his head....

Heavenly Father,
Help us sort through the mire and the junk we encounter. Help us see truth and wisdom from you. Lord we ask for protection for our military and our emergency workers. Lord, teach us to see truth and to recognise things for what they are and not what we perceive. Lord we ask for your protection from the attacks of the enemy. in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:32 AM

Comment by russ allen on September 21, 2010 at 7:45am

Good morning! How are we faithing? We have times when we get confused and mired down with this life on planet earth. Things twist and turn and seem to never be consistent. The only thing consistent is inconstancy. We wonder why and how and for what purpose for all this but the wisdom of the cross is so clear to those who have accepted the gift of salvation and mere foolishness, perhaps even crazy to those who don't believe. These days they are calling us extremists. Well, we are. We are believers in the unbelievable. We are servants of a God that the world says is a figment of our imagination.

1 Corinthians 1:18-19
For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
NAS

1 Corinthians 1:22-24
For indeed Jews ask for signs, and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
NAS

1 Corinthians 1:25
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
NAS

1 Corinthians 2:14
But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.
NAS
1 Corinthians 3:19-20
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, "He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness"; and again, "The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless."
NAS

We are not ashamed of the gospel because the things God does for those who seek him isn't explainable. People who find God truly have a change in their life. A peace that is beyond understanding. The Gospel message is one of redemption and of permanent healing. Our soul becomes united with God. We, for free, get to live. Cant earn anything, cant do enough , cant be good enough, hence that is why it is a "gift".

Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
NAS
Hebrews 4:11-12
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
NAS

When we read the gospel message and accept in belief, how can we be ashamed? How can we not tell others? Are we afraid others will think us a nut? Why does that matter when we consider "forever"? God doesn't wish any should perish and I want everyone I know to believe and accept therefore I cannot be quiet about it. I believe all of the gospel so I just can't shut up about it. The Word teaches us and equips us to do just that. Church is for edification of the body of Christ to do that. The perception that church goers should be perfect is a lie formed in hell to deceive the world. A car that runs good doesn't go to the mechanic so it stands to reason if one is perfect they wouldn't need church. We know we are not, that's why we should go, to learn, grow and to feed our spirit. Think about that...

remember Nathan Cady...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love that saves us even when we do not deserve it. Lord, take the blinders off those who are seeking. Let them see your truth. Let us shine and show that light. Lord forgive us when we goof up. Forgive us when we fall. Lord we love and honor you. We ask for blessing in our house holds and rebuke satan and his minion from entering. Just like passover we claim protection over our doorways and windows so no evil may enter...in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:42 AM

Comment by russ allen on September 20, 2010 at 7:53am

Good morning! How are we all faithing? I have been exposed to traditions of men and of different denominations lately. Very interesting but the worth is suspect. Traditions or "way to do things" are based on events and practicality back when they started but does the meaning get lost? Yes indeed and I know this because of the amount of people who answer that question with, "that's how it's always been" followed by an attitude of nonacceptance of anything different. Now I don't want to slice and dice any ones methods but I want to make you aware of the danger of adherance to tradition at the expense of missing the message. We are saved by grace. How you do your worship has no bearing on that fact. How you live is a result of that recognition of your saved grace, not a way to earn it. Strict attention to "how" and criticizing anyone who differs shows you have drifted into the "earn" category. If we pay more attention to outward showing rather than the inner relationship which manifests itself with better outward behavior, we will get criticall, bitter and judgemental. That my friends is not a good place to be. Consider your view of others and check to see if your criticize or judge. It isn't yours or mine to do so and berating them isn't a sound, wise or smart way to approach fellow believers. Think about what has you upset before you act.

Galatians 5:1

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
KJV

Romans 6:13-14
For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace.
NAS

James 1:25-27
But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does. If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
NAS

remember Jonna Roberts...remember Stanley's family...remember Trudy...remember Carl...

Heavenly Father,
Lord we praise your name and stand on your grace that saves us. Lord, grant us wisdom that we not judge or look at things that don't matter. Lord we ask for healing of broken hearts and minds that they would see truth. We ask for your light be made so visible in us that people want to know more and seek you out. In Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:49 AM

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