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Christian Firefighters Association

Showing the love of Christ by helping others!

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Latest Activity: Feb 24, 2016

Firefighter Forum, Rescue & EMS Discussion

Getting the guys/gals involved

Started by Capt./Chaplain Mike Petrosky. Last reply by russ allen Nov 13, 2013. 1 Reply

Christian Firefighter Tattoos?

Started by HangingInThere. Last reply by 33yw2k1g5wv2n Oct 9, 2012. 36 Replies

Gifts from the Lord

Started by Old Fireguy. Last reply by Old Fireguy Aug 20, 2012. 18 Replies

My thoughts for the group

Started by Russ. Last reply by Michael Brittain Jan 12, 2012. 1 Reply

Struggling in Faith

Started by Cassie. Last reply by Jaimie Abshire Sep 7, 2011. 44 Replies

Sharing Christ in The Back of The Ambulance

Started by Mark A. Duell. Last reply by Eugene Lim May 12, 2011. 21 Replies

Reading the Bible

Started by DC Bombero. Last reply by Sam Neilson Feb 19, 2011. 4 Replies

looking for some advice

Started by Keri. Last reply by Jonathan Scarfpin Jan 25, 2011. 11 Replies

Bible verses for the fallen

Started by Kayla M. Clark. Last reply by 3867yzcssizp4 Jan 6, 2011. 2 Replies

Creating a local memorial "in memory of".....

Started by Tammy. Last reply by Kevin Johnson Nov 15, 2010. 1 Reply

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Comment by russ allen on September 2, 2010 at 7:10am
Good morning! How are we faithing? Look at this;

Psalms 34:8-10

O taste and see that the LORD is good;
How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
O fear the LORD, you His saints;
For to those who fear Him, there is no want.
The young lions do lack and suffer hunger;
But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing.
NAS

Pretty cool huh? Our attitude and heart that seeks God can only lead to contentment and joy. Reading the Word daily so you can say, "I read every day" is not the reason to read. The reason is to learn and to look at what God is saying to you today. Seeking Gods face is not a set of "do's" and "don'ts", those are a result of seeking God's face every day. We ought to want to commune with God. We ought to meditate on what we have read. We need to apply what we read to even the most insignificant things in our day because like the Word tells us, planting seeds is how we start to grow roots so when the storms come we can approach them with confidence, endurance and a peace knowing the peace will come and we will learn from this storm as we come out the other side. This life in the world can really suck sometimes but we are in the world, not of it. We are to live as examples of Jesus' love and not just doing that love. Sure we do it but we do it because we love God not because we are obligated and if we don't he will smite us. Love motivates. Love causes us to care. Love softens hearts so we do things because we love. Love notices trouble, not to get depressed but to help. Love waits and doesn't push. Love speaks when necessary and shuts up when a hug is whats needed. Love doesn't dictate but shows itself. Love comforts and love reveals truth. The Word is truth and love. The Word reveals love in it's purest form. Think about how you see love today and where your heart is. Is it seeking God? Do the results of that love show? It's time we step up and take on higher things and truly love with attitude and action. Think about that...

remember Blake Lufkin...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love you show us every day. Help us keep perspective and remember all your teachings. Help us love the unlovable. Help us sense needs and act accordingly. Lord we thank you for honesty and truth that causes us to love like you do. Sear that love on our hearts and change our attitude towards others that we desire to show your grace so they may come to you. Help us plant the seed of love, teach us to water and nurture it and let us see it grow sometimes so we are encouraged to stay the course. Lord we thank you for your blessing even if we don't recognise them, forgive us until we do...in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:08 AM
Comment by russ allen on September 1, 2010 at 7:22am
Good morning! How are we faithing? We as Christians need to stop looking down our noses at everybody else. We need to not think that we have it together and nobody else does. We also need to not look at others and think if we were like them we'd have it made. We are no better or worse than anybody else. I don't care how long you've known God or have been going to church. Jesus loves us all and saves us all the same way. When you look at those we percieve as "better Christians" be careful to realize they were lost and now found just like us. Are some further up the road spiritually? Of course they can be but it does not mean "better". Our path is hard man. We all have our own things that get us. We all have inner secrets that haunt us. How we overcome them is by Jesus. If we do not drop these off at his feet like he told us to, they continue to do us harm. I can't possibly expect an accountant to fix my car any more than expect a nonbeliever to act holy. Stop with the finger pointing in a condemning manner! This also includes pointing that finger at yourself. Recognise wrongs and take the appropriate action in yourself. The point is to not compare yourself to other people or compare them to you, Jesus is our example. Look for ways to improve your own actions. Use the Word as the guide. We are worthy because Jesus loves us and that's all. Doesn't matter what you've done or what has happened. Because of what you've done or what has happened reminds us to remain humble and to help others find the same acceptance from our Lord that we found. With that in mind, "our sins are gone as far as east is from west" takes on a whole new meaning...think and pray on this...

Psalms 63:1-5

O God, Thou art my God;
I shall seek Thee earnestly;
My soul thirsts for Thee, my flesh yearns for Thee,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Thus I have beheld Thee in the sanctuary,
To see Thy power and Thy glory.
Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips will praise Thee.
So I will bless Thee as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Thy name.
My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips.
NAS

Revelation 19:5-6
"Give praise to our God, all you His bond-servants, you who fear Him, the small and the great."
NAS

1 Peter 2:1-3
Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.
NAS

remember others that we meet. Be quick to offer prayer when we see needs..

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for wisdom from your Word. Help us apply that wisdom to our lives and not to judge or compare us to others. Lord help us lead by example with humble hearts as to knowing we all are unworthy but by your grace we are saved. Teach us to see truth and not superficial junk that draws us away from you. Lord we want to live a holy life with honor that will cause you to say to us,"well done faithful servant, enter my rest"...in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:15 AM
Comment by russ allen on August 31, 2010 at 7:15am
Good morning! How are we faithing? It is very dangerous to harbor resentment and unforgiveness. We are all guilty at one time or another but we have got to let it go and forgive. I know it's hard to forgive the man who killed your child. I know it's hard to forgive that guy who beat you up and stole from you. It's also hard to forgive a terse word from your parent that cut deep. Many marriages blow up because of resentment for an infraction or even a perceived infraction and this ought not be. There are rudimentary lessons about forgiving all over the Word and we had better listen to them. We've talked before about forgiveness and how we must forgive how we want to be forgiven. This is so hard especially if we've carried that luggage for any length of time. We are not capable of loving completely as long as we hang on to unforgiveness. I have heard some horror stories from people and I do understand why they can't seem to let go but let me tell you, it will be their destruction if they do not. The Word is very explicit about this. We must forgive and if we can't, we have to find help spiritually and physically to do so and why? Because God told us to. Jesus forgave the people who not just killed but crucified him. David was "a man after Gods heart" and he committed adultery and had the husband killed and God forgave him. Elijah, Jonah, Samson, Peter, Paul and the list goes on and on, all forgiven. This is not always easy and it will hurt to revisit but like a cancer this unforgivrness harboring is eating you up. Forgiving is a command but it is also a path to peace. Do we/ they still pay in the flesh for sins? Yes indeed but even if no punishment takes place or even if it does, we MUST forgive. If you can't, get on those knees and ask God to heal you and to help you achieve that forgiving heart because those feelings of guilt, inadequacy, worthlessness will subside.

2 Chronicles 7:13-15
If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people, and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
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

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

Those are tough verses when you are hurt so badly you shove it down so you don't have to see it but see the truth to this and ask yourself, "what has this unforgiveness done to me". By us hanging on to this unforgiveness the hurt keeps hurting and it ain't gonna get better...

remember Justin Benton...remember Beth Conquests interview...remember Megans family...remember Kat

Oh Heavenly Father,
We come before you with heavy hearts today. We ask for forgiveness and for your grace and Holy Ghost come to us and heal the hurts. Lord we want to serve and do as you commanded but we are so hurt and so vanquished we just don't know how to forgive this hurt. Lord please come in such a powerful way that we are just overwhelmed with you love. In the name of Jesus we rebuke satan and his henchmen from these areas of our lives. We stand on your Word and expect healing as you promised. Lord we ask for you to hold us tight as we reach inside to touch things we'd rather not. Help us see truth and help us see the blood of Jesus covers ALL sin. Remove our anger from these issues so we can begin to heal, thank you Lord and it's in Jesus name we pray, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:12 AM
Comment by russ allen on August 30, 2010 at 7:26am
Good morning! How are we faithing? Fear of stepping out in faith can be debilitating. Fear is an enemy to everything we do. The only time fear is good is when it becomes wisdom. Wisdom to not step in front of a moving truck is based on a fear of being squished and that is a healthy fear. There are many unhealthy fears that can stop us from acting with confidence on behalf of our savior. We've all done it, not speaking up when an opportunity presents itself because we are scared of what people will think. Not engaging someone because we are afraid they will laugh at us. Yes those things are uncomfortable but we need to learn not to allow fear to paralyze us because satan is the accuser of the brethren thus any fear he can instill to render us ineffective for God, will be unleashed upon us. So how do we deal with this? The Word says, "that if God is for us, who can be against us?" Think about that, as we live in the world and the world is sin full , we obviously will encounter things that are contrary to God therefore we can expect to be stepped on, spat on, yelled at, embarrassed etc. because of the light that lives in us and the darkness doesn't like the light. The two can't coexist, the light will show what the darkness hides. The accuser will throw things in our face trying to make us back down. Overcoming this fear is not easy and standing when every fiber of your being is telling you to run is hard. We garner wisdom from the Word so we can tell the difference between that previously said healthy fear verses fear from our mutual enemy. Just think about this today and this week and build upon that confidence and courage the Word builds in us.

Hebrews 6:10-12
For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
NAS

Romans 13:8-14
Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For this, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to a neighbor; love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.
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

Psalms 92:1-4
It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
And to sing praises to Thy name, O Most High;
To declare Thy lovingkindness in the morning,
And Thy faithfulness by night,
With the ten-stringed lute, and with the harp;
With resounding music upon the lyre.
For Thou, O LORD, hast made me glad by what Thou hast done,
I will sing for joy at the works of Thy hands.
NAS

remember Ed Blackburn...remember Nathan Haney...remember our Pastors...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace and wisdom. Lord we ask you make us fully aware when the enemy attacks. We ask for protection from the enemy. Lord we ask for a barrier for our minds so we have peace and rest. Allow only your wisdom to effect us. Lord we ask for protection for those mentioned. Keep them safe physically and mentally from things that are contrary to your will. We honor and praise you Father for loving us so much. Keep our eyes scale free and keenly alert to your teachings, in Jesus name we pray, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:20 AM
Comment by russ allen on August 27, 2010 at 7:01am
Good morning! How are we faithing? What has your week been like? We all wait for the weekend but does your week drag on because you live for the weekend? It is understandable, we all love leisure time but how do you use your time at work? Of course you work but is your life an example that others want to learn about? Is there a joy inside that shines to the outside? Look, I know there is stress and junk that ticks you off at work but how do you respond? There is a saying that comes with bracelets and stuff that makes me wince sometimes because of how it gets used but it does have some validity. That saying is "What would Jesus do" or WWJD. The idea is a pretty darn good one in so much as it reminds us of scripture and how Jesus handles controversy and adversity but it is not designed to decide what to drive to work. As we go through our weeks we ought to remember that our savior is with us and doing things with wisdom and anger management as it were is vital to our well being as well as a witness unto God. Now don't burden yourself with condemning ideas and frustration because you fail, just remember to quickly repent, quickly pray, quickly seek that still small voice of the Holy Ghost. Jesus has been where you are and does understand so take a breath and stop trying to please man instead of God. I've found if I concentrate on pleasing God instead of man, my well being improves dramatically...

John 12:26
If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
KJV

Galatians 1:9-10
For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
NAS

Ephesians 5:1-2
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
NAS

Malachi 3:17-18
"And they will be Mine," says the LORD of hosts, "on the day that I prepare My own possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him." So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him.
NAS

Remember Racheal Skipworth...remember Jeff Wright...

Heavenly Father,
Oh Lord we ask for forgiveness when our flesh gets in the way and we let it take over sometimes. Lord, we want to be your servants and please you but we struggle. Bring to mind your Word when we struggle. Keep us mind full of your love and grace that gives a joy that is beyond this world. Grant us wisdom and open the eyes of our hearts because we want to really see your love for us, in Jesus name amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:57 AM
Comment by russ allen on August 26, 2010 at 7:35am
Good morning! How are we faithing this fine day? How do we encourage each other? How do we get through each day when thins go horribly wrong? How do we maintain joy inside when the outside is slammed with junk from every direction? It ain't easy but we are assured of our place in forever by the blood shed that covers our sins. The Father loves us and wants us to live upright. Since we are here on earth and satan was given the keys to this world we are going to encounter conflict. We are going to have to deal with unpalatable things all the time. Like it or not that's the way it is so why not equip ourselves for this battle?

1 Thessalonians 5:14-22
And we urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all men. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.
NAS

2 Timothy 2:24-26
And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
NAS

remember Lorie Jay...remember Kat...remember Anna and Jessie...remember Linda and Ben and Mike...remember Sarah...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for always being faithful. Forgive us when we are not. Lord we ask for wisdom for the day and courage to stand faithfully for your principles. Help us recognise temptation for what it is in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:30 AM
Comment by russ allen on August 25, 2010 at 7:14am
Good morning! How are we faithing this fine day? Here's something, if I go to church and you don't, am I more of a Christian than you? If I give to the poor, work in the community voluntarily, am I a better Christian than anyone else? If I pray 3 hours a day, am I a holier Christian? Do the things I do or say outwardly earn a place in heaven? Of course not! Where some miss the point to all this Christianity lifestyle is not to make us better than anyone else but to move us to the creator and the result of our savior relationship becomes our behavior and attitudes improve. Those nice things we say and should come from a loving heart and not out of obligation. Those things are a result of God's love for us and our realization that he does indeed love us as we are. He told us to come to him and then forgiveness comes, not "do this deed or that deed and maybe I'll accept you". It saddens me when I see people working so hard to earn approval from others who hold no power over their eternal life. To hear people say they need to "gain God's approval" before he will accept them is a lie of satan that takes ones eyes off Jesus and into bondage to a covenant that no longer exists. Is going to church important? Of course it is. Is praying necessary? Of course it is. It is a way for the relationship with Jesus to grow. Is voluntary work good? Well duh, sure it is! Do all those things out of love for what Jesus did for you. Learn from the Word a mindset that loves the sinner but hates the sin and then those things become natural and not an obligation that has no peace in itself. Think about this.

Luke 18:9-14
And He also told this parable to certain ones who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-gatherer. "The Pharisee stood and was praying thus to himself, 'God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-gatherer. 'I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.' "But the tax-gatherer, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, but he who humbles himself shall be exalted."
NAS

Hebrews 10:23-25
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.
NAS

remember Lorie Jay...remember our Pastors that they garner wisdom...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for always loving regardless of how we goof up. Thank you for making a way for us all to come to the father. Oh Lord Jesus we praise your holy name and ask for wisdom and peace in all circumstances. Make our mind sharp that we see the ploys of the enemy and have courage to resist. Protect our troops and inspire and bless our leaders, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:31 AM
Comment by russ allen on August 24, 2010 at 7:47am
Good morning! How are we faithing? How should we act? How should we look at things? What really is happening when we water down or make the Word a little more palatable? When the Word offends should we be apologetic? That raises the question, why did the Word offend? Because it cuts to the root of the matter. Objections to words used in the Bible such as gender references and plain unpopular words and ideas will always cut when someone is convicted. Rationalization of behavior is age old and when it pleases mankind to soften the language, trouble begins. Looky here, lies are lies no matter the form or the size. Taking a pen or embezzling a gazillion dollars is still stealing. The truth and conviction, not condemnation, that the Holy Spirit imparts is not wavering. When we get to watering down truth to suit our own agendas we might as well toss the Word right out the window because the Word in it's entirety is either true or or not. If it's true we must accept and not rationalize for our own desires or it is polluted and worthless. When you read the Word and you get offended or doubt, ask some questions. Am I offended because simply I do this and I like it? Am I offended because it flies in the face of my friends view? Am I doubting because of preconceived or man taught notions? Sometimes the truth hurts but truth always is best.

Galatians 1:10
For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
NAS

Acts 5:29
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
KJV

We as believers are called to follow Jesus because he is the example of how to be. We don't rub it in any ones face. We do call things as they are but with love. We do lift up and not tear down. Don't forget, God loves everyone and wishes everyone come to him so we must love the sinner and hate the sin, we are sinners but sanctified and as we share that grace, others become the same.

1 Peter 3:13-17
And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
NAS

Remember Melodie...remember each other...

Heavenly Father,
We praise your holy name. Lord we ask for wisdom to see truth and the courage to act accordingly. Lord help us live holy lives that glorify you. Open our eyes to truth and convict us to follow you. Lord touch those who are struggling with life. Show them your peace that is unexplainable, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:07 AM
Comment by russ allen on August 20, 2010 at 7:37am
Good morning! How are we faithing? Again with tons on my mind. It is baffling yet interesting why salvation has to be the way it is. I know we are saved by Jesus and I know the path as I hope you do but sometimes I wonder why it is what it is. Why do some see it and some do not. Why it is so hard to remain pure and not fall into temptation. Understanding principles and how they apply to every day life isn't that hard to comprehend but sometimes we just want to toss everything in life and go sit on a creek bank and fish. Sometimes our lot in life gets so overwhelming we just want to scream! But the beauty of this salvation and inner peace from the savior is he always pulls us back. The footprint poem really does explain Jesus' presence in our lives. Jesus carries us when we need carrying, pushes us on with encouraging words when we need it, protects us from the enemy when he wants us all to fail. Remembering we are loved by God even in our bad deeds makes us desire to follow his ways and truths and thusly we fail less and less. The Bible tells us all the things that are unapproved by God and it also shows us how to live outside those unapproved actions. Only by a daily intake of the Word are we ever able to improve, not to earn any ride to heaven but to live a better more fulfilled life thus with the love of Jesus and an owners manual as it were, that inner joy grows and grows which results in less and less of the junk the world throws at us sticking...

2 Timothy 2:11-13
It is a trustworthy statement:
For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him;
If we endure, we shall also reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He also will deny us;
If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself.
NAS

2 Thessalonians 3:2-3
But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
NAS

Matthew 24:35
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words shall not pass away.
NAS

Isaiah 25:1
O LORD, Thou art my God;
I will exalt Thee, I will give thanks to Thy name;
For Thou hast worked wonders,
Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.
NAS

Psalms 111:7-10
The works of His hands are truth and justice;
All His precepts are sure.
They are upheld forever and ever;
They are performed in truth and uprightness.
He has sent redemption to His people;
He has ordained His covenant forever;
Holy and awesome is His name.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments;
His praise endures forever.
NAS

remember Megan Wade...remember David Crowe...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your strength and wisdom that holds us and teaches us your ways. Lord we love and honor you and do seek your thoughts and guidance for our lives. With you all things are possible and we praise you for it. Lord Jesus be with all those we are concerned about and bless them. Take our prayers as we seek you with them to your throne. We ask for your mercy on a sinful lot like us. Lord we ask for revelation of your wondrous movement in our lives, in Jesus name we pray, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:00 AM
Comment by russ allen on August 18, 2010 at 7:59am
Good morning! How are we faithing? How is it we become so convinced that our way is the only way? I am talking about our dogmatic perceptions and adherence's not how to fix a screen door or how to mow the lawn. We have to be careful that what we are convinced of may not be someone elses conviction. One may be convicted to be a vegetarian and one may not, neither is totally right nor totally wrong. Does it matter? Arguments over those types of things are selfish in nature and depending on which side of the issue you are on can make you form opinions about that other person and that is what leads to judgemental behavior. Explaining your position and even debating it is fine as long as it doesn't get personal. Can we argue or debate without getting personal? Yes but it isn't easy. We have to be cognisant of when we start to look at the other person with ire because they disagree with us. That is the start of a judgemental spirit and that is when things go awry. I watch political opinion shows to get others takes on subjects but when they start spewing insults, off it goes because that benefits no one. The same with arguments over Sunday vs Saturday worship or real wine vs grape juice in communion. Both views can be valid and both could be wrong but is it worth alienating someone? Is it worth an argument that turns a lost person off to the saving knowledge of the grace of God? Think next time when things come up. Presenting our case and conviction is indeed our duty. Living our convictions is our duty. Judging someone who disagrees is not our duty. Think about this...

Romans 14:13-23
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 Stephanie and Ken...remember John A. Brown family...remember Nikki...remember Linda and Stephanie Handzel...

Heavenly Father,
We praise your holy name father because we know you love us, faults and all. We understand you care for all of us no matter our views. Lord help us behave in a comely fashion so we do nor repel the lost. Help us see the importance of issues and not judge the people but the issue. Lord we lift those people up who are struggling with physical, emotional and mental issues. We ask for a healing touch on these bodies so we can serve appropriately. Thank you in advance in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:01 AM
 

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