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Comment by russ allen on July 23, 2010 at 7:21am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Thinking about tons of stuff today but I want to reassure you and encourage you in this salvation. Even us who have known the Lord a long time sometimes doubt. Maybe doubt is the incorrect word, more like questioning things. We all try to figure out why things are. Sometimes there is no answer and sometimes the answer is so convoluted we just say "what?!" Jesus lived as an example of how we are to live and man, it's hard. It's hard when people are jerks. It's hard when nothing seems to be going right or how we would like them to go. It's hard to love the unlovable. It's hard to maintain perspective when someone continually dumps on you. It's hard to praise God when the cupboards are empty. These things are not uncommon to us. The beginning to walking the walk begins with faith. I know, that is tough. Hard to be joyous and steadfast in the faith when nothing is going right. Here's what we need to focus on; Jesus. We know from the Word that he is with us always. We know that we will get through this whatever is happening and come out the other side. It may suck during but it will come to an end. We know we are loved. We know we cannot earn salvation so when we goof up we can remain confident that we are still saved and we just need to work on that behavior to overcome so we can be a witness to the grace we enjoy. Following what Jesus and the Word teaches is the guide to a fulfilling holy life. Following those guidelines isn't what saves us, Jesus' sacrifice is. That and that alone. No earning our way to heaven. It's a gift so stop beating yourself and thinking what you did has just made you lose your salvation, that ain't so. Making mistakes, realizing and rectifying them is what faithful people do because it's right, not to look good or to earn grace. When we get a hold of this in our heart, life begins.

Colossians 2:13-15
And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
NAS

Ephesians 1:3-14
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fulness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things upon the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation-- having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.
NAS

Remember Linda Harvey...remember Carl...remember Bud...remember the Haneys

Heavenly Father'
We thank you and adore you. We praise your holy name Lord. Thank you for loving us. Lord, teach us to be strong in our faith and help us realize your love and grace never leaves us. We pray for wisdom and peace so we may be witness' for you. Thank you for holding us through the tough times and help us see the lessons to be learned and understand that we need to persevere when we are being taught lessons. Lord, help us seek truth in all we do. Bless the emergency workers and our troops. Grant safe passage and mercy on them, in Jesus' name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:28 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 22, 2010 at 7:35am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Some interesting scripture today. Check this out;

Jeremiah 2:12-13
Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the LORD. For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
KJV

There are gobs of references to living water in the Word and we know that without water, everything dies. Those verses speak of our desertion of God and Godly ways and as we build our own paths and ways of living the result is we dry up because we do not and can not produce life. Check this;

Ecclesiastes 1:14-15
I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind.
NAS

Solomon did everything, tried everything and came to this conclusion. All is vanity. Think about it, all we do if for the purpose of satisfying self is indeed vanity, like chasing the wind thinking you could catch it. Absurd! We see the result of the wind but we cant catch it and it stop. Living water runs forever so if we drink of it the result is life everlasting. The mindset that these bring into focus makes one realize that the striving without the thirst quencher is worthless. You will die absolutely without that living water Jesus supplies while trying to reach that top of the hill thinking you alone can manage to do what nobody ever has.

Isaiah 55:2-3
"Why do you spend money for what is not bread,
And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And delight yourself in abundance.
"Incline your ear and come to Me.
Listen, that you may live;
And I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
According to the faithful mercies shown to David.
NAS

John 6:27
"Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man shall give to you, for on Him the Father, even God, has set His seal."
NAS

We all need to work and we all need food to live but these speak of our goals. These things we work for in the flesh are for our fleshly needs so we can take in and present the spiritual water Jesus provides for eternal life. Jesus' words are living to us and to the world. This gift of salvation is the living water that gives us life everlasting. Our chasing after the wind as it were will be forgotten and even if it isn't forgotten on earth it will be no benifit to us if we miss salvation because we lose all without Jesus.

Remember Kellynn...remember Earl Lawson...remember the Maggio family...remember Will, Lisa and Albert Jones...

Heavenly Father,
Lord we lift these requests to you. Heal hearts, bodies and minds today. Open up your arms and send your spirit to gather us to you. Lord we praise you and thank you for the living water to quench our thirst. Thank you for protecting and teaching us with your Word. Lord we ask for wisdom and revelation today. We ask that this be the day we see truth and our spirit rejoices at the gift you give, in Jesus name we honor and pray to you, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:00 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 21, 2010 at 7:36am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Gloomy rainy day and I am reminded of many things. What is sticking out and causing reflection as I look out the window to the storms while the sun rises is what the people who witnessed Jesus' Crucifixion must have been thinking. Sure they'd seen crucifixions before but never had the sun darkened or a storm brew or the earth shook when someone died on a tree. One has heard all the "tales" about this guy up on the cross and wonders why he doesn't heal or free himself. They've heard of people being healed by this guy, spirits cast out, revelations imparted and yet he hangs there without even a hint of reversal of his life led. He is still forgiving even the men who hammered nails in his hands and feet. I'd be wanting to whoop somebody but here this gentle man who hasn't been convicted of anything is receiving a criminals reward. Everyone is mocking including the guys on either side of him who have been convicted of crimes. One of the guys hanging next to him comes to the realization of who Jesus is and repents, Jesus forgives without hesitation. I'm in awe. I am forgiven and so are you. We can just come to him with a contrite heart and he will accept and forgive. Amazing.

Luke 23:44-49
And it was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour, the sun being obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into Thy hands I commit My spirit." And having said this, He breathed His last. Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, "Certainly this man was innocent." And all the multitudes who came together for this spectacle, when they observed what had happened, began to return, beating their breasts. And all His acquaintances and the women who accompanied Him from Galilee, were standing at a distance, seeing these things.
NAS

Hebrews 10:19-23
Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
NAS

Ephesians 2:14-16
For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.
NAS

Remember Carl...remember Billies Dad...remember our emergency workers...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for loving us so much you gave everything just so we could be saved. Lord we ask for wisdom and peace today. Open our eyes to your path set for each of us. Soften hearts that become able to see truth. Lord we ask for a covering of protection for our emergency workers. We praise you and thank you for your blessings on those mentioned. Lord, guide our paths and help us recognise your will. in Jesus' name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:57 A

Comment by russ allen on July 20, 2010 at 6:41am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Our love for on another is quite complex. Like my older brother and I, we can argue and even come to blows, well, not anymore, and yet still love each other then have a coke after a fight. The love for each other is not diminished, our respect intact. I can tell him anything and he doesn't think any less of me. We can be completely honest with each other and because of the relationship, opinions do sway and other views are considered. So if that confidence is possible in this human state, imagine what it is like with God! If we seek the wisdom and face of our savior we can't help but believe his words without any doubt. We begin to understand his love for us and are bold to go to him for anything, just like my brother but 100 fold more! This is true love. This is how we are able to begin to see what God sees in others while looking past all the trappings that have hindered and help lead people to the savior and the love that can't be explained. Our communication through prayer is designed to reach out and touch that love directly.

James 5:15-16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
NAS

Hebrews 4:15-16
Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.
NAS

Philippians 4:5-6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
NAS

1 John 5:14
And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
NAS

James 1:5
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
NAS

Isaiah 58:9-10
"Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
You will cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.'
If you remove the yoke from your midst,
The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,
And if you give yourself to the hungry,
And satisfy the desire of the afflicted,
Then your light will rise in darkness,
And your gloom will become like midday.
NAS

Remember Carl Moore today as he gets some stints installed...remember Sue Doss, Debbie Reynolds and Katie Shannon as they heal...remember to seek God's face in everything...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for making yourself open to a lot like us. Lord we ask for wisdom and confidence that you do love us and you are with us in all things. Help us to be people after your heart. Lord forgive us where we fail for we don't intend to but we are weak and revert sometimes. We know you are the only God and we do seek you. Heal our hearts and minds so we can love genuinely and be ambassadors for you. In Jesus' name amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:07 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 19, 2010 at 7:28am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Love, huge subject with so many aspects. I want to talk about one. We can go to church, be diligent in our behavior, follow all the rules but if we do not love, we miss it. What good is it to pay attention to looking the part if we don't reach out to those who don't know God's love? What good does it do to follow all the ordinances out of duty if we don't do it with love? I meet people constantly that say they are turned off by church because the people are concerned with image rather than meeting needs. The Word talks about speaking platitudes and not really helping. Love would cause us to feed someone then speak of God rather than point and expect them to act. We ain't loving if all we do is dictate behavior. Jesus met the people where they were and loved them regardless. There are some unsavory things in this world but love overcomes all of them. Ever met someone who smells bad? Do you laugh and avoid them or do you ask if they have running water? Meeting needs in love is just as much practical as spiritual.

John 15:9-14
"Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love. "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
NAS

Matthew 7:12
"Therefore, however you want people to treat you, so treat them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
NAS

1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Let all that you do be done in love.
NAS

James 2:16-19
and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled ," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, "You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
NAS

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love that you would give yourself for us. Lord forgive us when we judge and turn away from undesirables. Lord we pray for wisdom and courage to speak truth and provide needs wherever they are. We lift those who are hurting today and ask for blessings on all our endeavours. Protect our souls from attacks from the evil one, in Jesus' name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:41 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 16, 2010 at 7:24am

Good morning! How are we faithing? This week we have discussed alot about where our heads are directed. Knowing where and how to think appropriately is a tough sell sometimes. Not what to think but how to think. Learning to recognise truth and not appearances of truth. You know what is in your head, so does God. You can be sheepishly non candid but that doesn't change the fact that God is aware of your most intimate thoughts, good and or bad. It is easy to rationalize and to lie to one's self but what or who does that benefit? Absolutely no one. Be honest with yourself and if you are struggling with erroneous or inappropriate thoughts, confess them immediately and ask for help! I know where my mind strays occasionally and reeling it in isn't always easy. Basic things we need to remember do indeed help us keep focus, control our actions and reveal true self motives and desires. Once these things are revealed or recognised we are able to take captive those thoughts, sort them and sweep out or store appropriately.

Colossians 3:1-11
If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. 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

Remember Anna Benton...Nita Gilbert...Harold Markey...Summer's interview...Sandy Hall's MRI...Katie Fulfer...

Heavenly Father,
Help us be wise and truthful with ourselves. Help us act and show only truth. Help us not harbor any malice. Lord we ask for so much wisdom and discerning grace so we can actually shine with your light. Heal these children of yours and let them know you are with them, In Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:59 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 15, 2010 at 7:18am

Good morning! How are we faithing? There is a mode of thinking that we as humans have trouble with. Obeying. We just get plain butt hurt when we are told what to do. We all want to do what we want to do. We all tend to think our mode or method is right. Well, sometimes it is and some times it isn't. Knowing which is where Godly wisdom comes in.

1 Peter 2:13-17
Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all men; love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
NAS

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
NAS

That second one is the key to being able to do the first. We have to be convinced that God's truths are held in the Word and they are absolute. The world these days says there is no absolute right or wrongs. That is such bunk. Gods truths are the only truth there is therefore we must stand on this premise regardless of what may come. Sinking that trust and confidence deep in our hearts and minds is how we persevere when all seems futile. Place your confidence today and speak your love and honor for our savior and let whatever fall out be his deal, not yours.

Remember Paul Griffin...remember Elanor Gearheart...remember Megan Terrell...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your wisdom and love found in your Word. Help us be cemented in your truth and grant us the courage to stand regardless of outside storms that come. Lord we do thank you even when we are in the eye of those storms and forgive us if we waver. Lord grant your mercy on us today and teach us to rely on you for all, in Jesus' name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:56 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 14, 2010 at 7:29am

Good morning! How are we faithing? I want you to think about something;

Proverbs 23:7
For as he thinks within himself, so he is.
NAS

We all see ourselves a certain way. We all think we are this or that type of person. We all act according to what we think we are all about. Conscious and subconscious we act out how we see ourselves. Well fine but what do you base your view on? What others think or what what God says? I know, we all are influenced by others actions towards us but we must understand that perception is not based on all the information. Someone being a total tool may be acting up because their dog died and they don't know how to act or they are acting how they saw their folks act in similar situations. That doesn't dismiss bad or inappropriate behavior but it does open our eyes to the place that person may be. We need to be careful not to react in like kind. We also need to be fully aware of our view of our self, you know, that down deep view we all have of our self we reveal to no one. Do you remember the story of the tower of Babel? This sentence is very revealing;

Genesis 11:5-7
And the LORD said, "Behold, they are one people, and they all have the same language. And this is what they began to do, and now nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them.
NAS

Isn't that interesting...even God said that we can do anything. So that stands to reason if we think we are a certain way, that's the path we walk. Do you think you are stupid? Ugly? Useless? Or do you see yourself as blessed by God with intelligence? Beautiful even with the scars? Worthy of your tasks before you? Our own perception of ourselves is revealed in our demeanor. We need to cultivate a healthy perception based on one simple fact; God loved you and me enough to send his son to sacrifice himself for us therefore we must be worthwhile and loved. Stop berating yourself. Recognise your shortcomings, work on whatever area that needs work without a mindset of self loathing. You are a work of art and just like art, each has it's own place. You think about this...

Remember Paul Griffin...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the cross. Thank you for loving each of us. Thank you for telling us we all are worth it to you. Lord we ask for wisdom and assurance we are yours and bind the enemies snares from influencing us. Help us be content and confident that we are important to you. Be with the Griffin family and the doctors. in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:50 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 13, 2010 at 7:23am

Great morning! How are we faithing? How do you get through every day? Do you whine and moan or do you praise and worship? Do you wish for what isn't or thank for what is? Do you just "get through" or do you savor every moment? Rhetorical questions designed to inspect yourself and find out where your joy lies. Our joy has to be in Jesus because if it is placed anywhere else, it's fleeting. Yes there are tons of things that are joyful but I'm talking about how you are when you are left to just yourself, when nothing else is around but God and the silence. Like we talked about yesterday we all need that rest but are you one who hates solitude? Better ask yourself why. Some people are just plain social and it drives them nuts to be alone and some people are the opposite but if the reason you hate to be alone is you can't stand to look in that mirror well, lets talk. There are so many lies out there that steal our joy. There are so many things that flat mislead us from Jesus and what he taught. His peace and love flies in the face of the world view. Being joyful right in the midst of turmoil is a discipline and more so a state of heart. If you are not content or secure in you state with the savior and what the hereafter is you most likely spin with the wind in the joy department. This by no means is a finger pointing speech but a wake up call to heart condition. There's only one way to true joy and that is Jesus. When you get fed daily, decide to pursue truth and to walk the walk out of love, then the joy comes. Sure we walk many days out of duty but if you think about it, that duty walk is based on truth and on love. A walk based on necessity and survival will lead to drudgery and a sense of "what for?". A walk with the focus on the event will manifest with the events outcome. Gee whiz, if we let our joy ebb and flow with how things twist and turn we will become as neurotic as the world. This is a sin filled world and thus things take on a path that is contrary to Godly principles. Listen today to that still small voice that assures you of your salvation through Jesus and start living in this eternity with confidence and joy. Man, we are children of God and even though this flesh will decay and go away, we are with him forever. If that doesn't instill some joy and confidence then we need to talk....

John 12:47-48
"And if anyone hears My sayings, and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.
NAS

John 3:17
"For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him.
NAS

Romans 10:3-4
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
NAS

Heavenly Father,
We seek truth and love and know you are our source Lord. Help us rest in that knowledge and know in our hearts that you are messiah and only through you are we saved to eternal life with the Father. Lord we get so burdened with the world, we ask for peace and an understanding of what is really important. Lord we praise your name and ask for the wisdom and courage to be sound witness' for you love and compassion. When we sin we ask for immediate recognition and we repentance. Thank you Lord for you Word that sustains our days, in Jesus name we pray
Posted by russ allen at 6:32 AM

Comment by russ allen on July 12, 2010 at 7:42am

Good morning! How are we faithing? It is really important for us to make time for God. It is really important to withdraw for a time to listen. It is also important to analyze what you hear. Does it go along with scripture? Something you hear that is perceived to be from God will not contradict scripture. Are you under duress when those thoughts come? Remember, fight or flight mechanism can trigger in times of duress and wrong or inappropriate choices can be made. Do you read or listen to scripture every day? Do you take the time to listen to God's leadership? Lets be practical here, if you are not getting scripture, how do you know what you hear or see is God's? What gauge would you be using if not the Word of God? Your feelings? Please...how many of us have acted on feelings in the past and realize now what a mistake it was...We must take the time to shut down everything and point our focus on God, if we do not we run the risk of bad choices based on erroneous information, however gleaned. You think about this...

Mark 6:30-32
And the apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. And He said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place and rest a while." (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) And they went away in the boat to a lonely place by themselves.
NAS

Exodus 23:12
Six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor in order that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female slave, as well as your stranger, may refresh themselves.
NAS

Exodus 34:21-22
"You shall work six days, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during plowing time and harvest you shall rest.
NAS

2 Timothy 3:15-17
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
NAS

A day of rest was instituted by God. All over the bible we are instructed to learn and know it's contents. If we do not hear scripture we can't expect to make wise choices based on sound principles. Think on this...

Remember Maggie Bell...remember Sam and Kellynn...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your blessings. Thank you for your lessons. Lord we ask for wisdom to act according to your word. Teach us to discern truth from lies. Lord we lift our minds and hearts to you and ask for healing in our nation and our individual lives. Lord we need to hear from you today. Grant that rest we all need. Lord we lift this nation up to you...in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:59 AM

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