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Comment by russ allen on May 28, 2013 at 6:52am

 Good morning! How are we faithing? Good weekend. I hope you had an enjoyable one too. Pausing to rest, relax and or just look around helps with our mental state. I know I have been wound up for weeks with all the news and an my responsibilities and a relaxing weekend does help breath new life into the old fat guy. You know, scripture speaks about everything we see and do. Scripture tells us what the outcome of actions will be and yet we think it wont happen to us. We tend to think we know and the rest have the problems. I watched all the relatives at the annual cookout and it was interesting to see personalities and thought processes so different from each other and yet we all serve the same God, all love each other and accept each other,are able to co-exist and actually enjoy each others company. God is good. I can look at my pretty nieces and handsome nephews and just watch them grow. We have it pretty darn good and I thank God! I think we all ought to take the time to pause, look around, reflect and really show appreciation for what we have and not what we don't have. Read this;

Jas 4:5-10

  Think ye that the scripture speaks in vain? Does the Spirit which has taken his abode in us desire enviously? 

 But he gives more grace. Wherefore he says, God sets himself against the proud, but gives grace to the lowly.   Subject yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double-minded.   Be wretched, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he shall exalt you.

remember Kelly Stanhope...remember Uncle Lonnie...remember the couples struggling...

Heavenly Father,

  Thank you for family. Thank you for being able to enjoy this creation of yours. Forgive us when we get to high and mighty. Grant us wisdom to see truth all around us and be wise enough to see lies and the courage to stand. Be with those in pain. In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 24, 2013 at 7:32am

  Good morning! How are we faithing? You know, after this week I want to leave you all with some encouragement. Things can indeed become overwhelming if we do not pay attention to what God tells us in scriptures. So much can snatch our attention away, get us real busy that we neglect prayer and meditation on the Word. That's when the enemy, prowling around like a lion, jumps on us. Pray immediately. Pray without ceasing. Talk to God , this is a relationship after all. Listen to God. Read at least one verse. Make the time even if you don't have it. It's for your good! Read these verses. Remind yourself when it gets rough. Jesus saves us! We can have victory over anything.


Isa 41:10 
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Php 4:13 

 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 

Joh 15:4-5

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 

remember Kelly Stanhope...remember the troops, those active and those out of theater...

Heavenly Father,

    Thank you for encouragement from your Word. Thank you for loving us. We ask for clarity and wisdom. Let us see truth and act accordingly. Let us help others without fear . Let us see needs and do whatever we can to help. Lord give us a pure clean heart so we can better serve. Comfort us this weekend as we remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 23, 2013 at 7:24am

   Good morning! How are we faithing? I had a friend correct me on yesterdays post. I said Jesus forgave the action and not the person. That is not true. I meant to say he forgave the person in spite of the action. Please feel free to correct me!
   I have been exposed to so many things lately that my thoughts run constantly, even into my dreams. I pray for the people I meet, maybe not hard enough but the Lord knows where my heart is. People are struggling with the flesh. People try to behave but it ain't always easy when the past gets in the way. I have a good friend who struggles with what he is suppose to do and where he may be falling down. I'm not really sure that attitude is healthy or relevant for all circumstances. He may or may not have any influence on his state but then again those circumstances may be of his own doing. Seeking answers is always daunting. The truth can be elusive for many reasons from doubt to "we live in a sinful world". Being self loathing or self condemning is not wise or even the slightest a Godly principle. Recognizing ones sin and taking appropriate action is. The enemy wants you to fall down and get discouraged. The enemy wants you to give up, but we must not. We cannot allow the enemy a toe hold.  Be careful the thoughts you fondle. Be careful where you place blame. Many time the enemy doesn't even need to intervene in our thoughts, doubts and fears because self centeredness  takes care of that by itself. I realize I am just not that important  My life is but a vapor. All I am trying to get across is to stop when we see we are in that cycle of discouragement, pause, praise God for all things.  Look out your window at creation and the time we get to enjoy it .  Maybe this down time is suppose to be a time to reflect on God and past victories. Maybe you are being trained for something in the future. Maybe you're just whining...



Jas 4:11-17
  Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.   There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?  Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:   Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.   For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.   But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.   Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

remember the McKinneys...remember Brendas Dad...remember your pastors and elders...


Heavenly Father,
  We ask you calm nerves, heal head wounds, heal attitudes. We seek wisdom and want to do your will. Lord forgive us please when we screw up. Let us know you still love us and are with us. Let us have Godly confidence to face all challenges this day. We lay our burdens at your feet, in Jesus name we pray, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 22, 2013 at 7:23am

      Good morning! How are we faithing? Jesus spoke of forgiveness constantly. The apostles went into detail and I'm sure they dealt with many people who had a big problem forgiving others. Not lip service but genuine forgiveness. When we get wronged it's easy to become indignant. When horrific things are done to us we get mad, disappointed, disillusioned thus build a defense so we don't have to face that injustice again and to protect ourselves from it occurring again. Now I've heard some awful stories about things perpetrated against some people and I have to admit, in the right circumstances, boxing or worse might take place but then I remember what was done to Jesus and he forgave the action but not the person. Not sure I could have done that but I'm learning. You see, bad actions from sick people, and without a savior one cannot get well, are gonna happen and there is a probability that I will be on the receiving end of those actions. You too. So I need to train myself to look to Jesus, follow his lead and look to the action not the soul. I am not their souls judge, God is. We do have laws in society so justice will be handed down. God's justice is his to disperse, not ours.


Rom 8:15 
For ye have not received a spirit of bondage again for fear, but ye have received a spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.



2Ti 1:7 
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Mar_11:25-26

  And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.  But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. 

Luk 6:37 

 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 

Just dwell on these today and if you are harboring resentment and unforgiveness for anyone, it's knee time. Only you are suffering. Your unforgiveness hurts you, not the one who hurt you.

remember the Cable family...remember Brenda's Dad...

Heavenly Father,

  Thank you for your forgiveness for our sins. Help us turn the other cheek. Help us be forgiving. Help us remember to pray quickly when we are hurt. Lord we praise your name. Grant us wisdom and courage in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 21, 2013 at 7:32am

  Good morning! How are we faithing? Watching the news last night and seeing all the destruction in Oklahoma I was struck by my ridiculous concern for the things that bug me. My car needing paint, the lawn needing mowed, the couch is uncomfortable. As I dozed off for a few minutes it was a wake up call that those people have no place to even lay down. We are such a selfish lot even when we try not to be. Our savior went through every temptation we do and he suffered more than any of us do and we can whine over tall grass? Just doesn't stack up to people who don't even have a fork. Time can stop at any time and people, don't delay that urge to seek Jesus. Don't say things like,"I'll do that tomorrow" or "I have time". The more we ignore the more we're able to ignore and before long we don't even hear anymore. God draws us to himself and if we choose to harden our heart to the call, the outcome is our own doing.  Take the time to pray. Take the time to read at least one verse of the Bible. Take the time to thank people for things and to ask forgiveness when you goof up. Be humble enough to admit and repent of wayward actions and not try to hide the error. Those people that died in Oklahoma are meeting the maker of this world and I bet they thought they had more time...




Heb 3:12-14
  Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.   But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.  For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end; While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

 Heb 4:15-16
 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

remember Chelsea ...David....

Heavenly Father,
  Thank you for your throne. Thank you for your sacrifice. Thank you for always being in our corner even when we don't see. Lord we ask for forgiveness for our sins and ask courage and wisdom to move forth not repeating the same ones. We praise your holy name, in Jesus name we pray, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 17, 2013 at 7:43am

 Good morning! How are we faithing? Wow man, I have been looking into things I hear to see if they are in line with Biblical teaching or the are twists of doctrine. I am finding some things I thought were true are in fact, not as well as things I thought were not true, are.  It's the little things that can wreck us. It's the things that if we take on face value without looking into them that can mess us up. I refuse to point fingers at people but at actions. I question dogma and not the deliverer. Why you say? It's that hate the sin and not the sinner thing. I don't know their heart, God does. I can deem a doctrine unbiblical but I tread very lightly on the personality delivering it. Men of God have screwed up before as have I. The Word tells us in 1 John 4:1;

     Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.   The danger comes when we get enticed to false weird or immoral doctrines because of our wants. We were even warned of this in 1Ti 4:1-3;

  "But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,  through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;  forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth."
     We can be led down a rose covered path just because we get comfortable or satisfy our flesh   I read  some doctrines from preachers of the Gospel  and see twists and turns that are dangerous and the spirit of the whole concept they are pushing is satanic and opposite of sound doctrine. I am not their judge and they don't answer to me or you but the doctrine I follow is my responsibility and as such I, we, have to study and remember as men and women we are prone to our comfort level wants. Be sure of the doctrine taught. Pause and ask yourself if you are looking for someone to side with us and our preconceived notions and influences.  Many a charlatan had made headway because of personality and the gift of gab.

remember Mike H...remember Chelsea's Dad's family...

Heavenly Father,
   Thank you for showing truth in your Word. Lord we ask for wisdom in all we see and do. In Jesus name we rebuke satan and his minion from our minds. We pray Lord you let us know when we start falling for things we ought not. Guide our paths and make it painfully obvious when we step out of your path. In Jesus name we pray, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 16, 2013 at 7:36am

  Good morning! How are we faithing? This has been an interesting week thus far. How we deal with things that transpire in our day to day walk with the Lord sure does keep us humble. I just can't understand how anybody who knows Jesus can become holier than thou or even take on that persona. How anyone who believes could even look down their collective noses on any other group of people while thinking they have it all right. We must seek the face of Jesus while keeping humble about this gift of salvation. Us being saved doesn't make us higher or automatically holy. That is something we are told to work towards. We are to be holy because HE is holy. Discussions are fine, arguing not so much, especially when church bodies split or it is used as an excuse to not attend. Of course, heresy is a different matter and needs addressing but all the other bickering is foolish and selfish in nature. Divide and concur. The enemy is good at that. As you go through your day, pray for the people on the other side of mistakes viewed. If you realize you are wrong, be courageous enough to admit it and change your stance.



Rom 1:16 
For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

1Co 10:32-33

  Give no occasions of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God: even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved. 

Heavenly Father,

  Thank you for your Word that teaches us how we are to be. Thank you for your son and his sacrifice. We poraise your holy name and ask for wisdom to act and speak for your edification. We bind the enemy in Jesus name, from our minds. In Jesus name we pray, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 14, 2013 at 7:40am

     Good morning! How are we faithing? How convinced are you of what you stand for? What you will not be moved from? I watch "Cops" sometimes and find it amazing what some people do.  I ask questions and look for reasons why anyone would do what those on that show would do. Where are they're convictions? What standard do they adhere to? Why would anyone think those actions could be ok? Some conclusions can be made about motive but many times none of it makes sense unless one has more information and even then the choice made is ludicrous. The root cause of most things going on in the media is selfishness. Society is teaching that nothing is right or wrong. Common sense gets tossed aside  so much we can stand in awe of the ridiculousness and absurdity of situations. We must know what our convictions are, why we hold them and not be wishy washy about them. Either we believe all this Jesus stuff all the way or we do not. We either live by these beliefs or they are not our beliefs but just an exercise in hedging our heaven hell bet. The ridiculousness of situations we see daily have to remind us of our convictions or eventually, you'll be in them. Just ponder that.

Isa 33:6 

 And there shall be stability in thy times, abundance of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge: the fear of Jehovah is thy treasure. 

Pro 14:27 

 The fear of Jehovah is a fountain of life, That one may depart from the snares of death. 

Jud 1:17-21

  But ye, beloved, remember ye the words which have been spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; That they said to you, In the last time there shall be mockers, walking after their own ungodly lusts.  These are they who make separations, sensual, having not the Spirit.  But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,  keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 

Heb_11:1 

 Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen. 

Heavenly Father,

  Lord, grant us strength to stand on our convictions. Help us be courageous in the face of the enemy. Help us do what your Word teaches us to do regardless of what others around us say and do. Lord bring your Word to our lips constantly and let your son be seen in us. In Jesus name we pray, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 10, 2013 at 7:01am

Great morning! How are we faithing? Being strong in the Lord does not mean being boastful or one of those who act holier than thou. Being strong in the Lord is being able to stand for a Biblical principle regardless of the pressure on you from the world. Being strong in the Lord is a condition that comes from the love of God, the nourishment from his Word and the faith that no matter what may come, we will stand justly and buddy, it can be hard at times. Barring obvious breech of moral conduct we can easily walk into situations we never though we would if we are not equipped with the full armor of God. We must don it daily or we will eventually succumb to things we would not succumb to had we been properly protected. Man, we have all seen people knuckle under when fear sets in. I have watched eyes of people who follow an unlawful order simply out of fear of that person or fear of getting chewed out or the like. I'm guilty of it because I didn't want to make waves. Balderdash! No more man. If it's wrong, it's wrong. If it compromises convictions, I don't care who it is, I ain't a gonna give in! I am gonna do what is right and just let the chips fall where they fall. Can you say those things? Can you follow through? Are you in a situation that pricks your conscience? Find the center of the path by reading the Word and by listening to the voice that goes in tune with the Word because the voice that is contrary to the Word is wrong. Listen to Paul here...


Col 1:23-28
  If so ye continue in the faith, grounded and settled, and immovable from the hope of the gospel which you have heard, which is preached in all the creation that is under heaven: whereof I Paul am made a minister.  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you and fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, in my flesh, for his body, which is the church: Whereof I am made a minister according to the dispensation of God, which is given me towards you, that I may fulfill the word of God: The mystery which hath been hidden from ages and generations, but now is manifested to his saints,  To whom God would make known the riches Whom we preach, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.





1Co 16:13-14
  Watch ye: stand fast in the faith: do manfully and be strengthened.  Let all your things be done in charity.

remember Bathany Hardman family...remember Jimmie Smith...remember John Dutonov...

Heavenly Father,

   Thank you for your wisdom that teaches us to stand firm. Lord we do ask for wisdom to be true followers of yours. Help us be courageous in all we do. Bless those mentioned and the unspoken concern of the readers of this daily. Thank you for all you do for us, in your son Jesus we pray, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 9, 2013 at 7:18am

 Good morning! How are we faithing? Coffee, the sun rising, a dog at my feet keeping my toes warm. Such is the mornings around here. Time in the Word and typically, no distractions. That time alone with our thoughts and with time in the Word is like my bud said last night, "battery recharging time". You make sure you get that time daily and ingest the Word of God. Yes there will be times when you don't feel like it or you may not understand what you just read but do it anyways. The Word does not return void. The Word will fill your spirit even if your mind didn't catch it at that time. Trust me on this. Trust God on this. I have found many of the concerns of the day fade and just pale in comparison when I start the day this way. I encourage you to try this for a month and see...


Isa_55:11 
So shall my word be, which shall go forth from my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall do whatsoever I please, and shall prosper in the things for which I sent it.

1Co 1:18  

For the word of the cross, to them indeed that perish, is foolishness: but to them that are saved, that is, to us, it is the power of God. 

Heavenly Father,

 Thank you for your Word. Thank you for showing us your ways. Grant us wisdom to speak truth only. Guide us today through everything with Jesus glasses viewing it all. Protect the children. We lift our leaders to you. Open their eyes to your truth, in Jesus name, amen

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