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Comment by russ allen on December 1, 2008 at 7:31am

Good morning! How are we faithing? It is amazing how our minds work. I don't know about you but I can be thinking about fixing something on my truck and end up thinking about my kids or the toilet leaking. Our minds absorb so much info that it comes back sometimes when we least expect. What we put in or allow to enter has profound impact on our lives. Things we put in our minds will reemerge at some point and that is why it is important to filter everything. Doubt can emerge from many sources so it is very important to fill our minds and hearts with truth from the word so we can block the junk that causes that doubt. We all have questions about this faith and what we go through on earth but that is not what we're talking about. Sometimes in the midst of turmoil we wonder where God is. These are the times that our feeding on the Word will come out and assure us of our spiritual state. Here are some to sink deep in our minds;

1 John 2:22-23
Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist-he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
NIV

John 3:36
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
NIV

John 5:24
"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
NIV

1 John 5:12
He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
NIV

1 Peter 1:3-5
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
NIV

When those thoughts of doubt show up, recognise pondering from doubt and remember what the Word has said. It's ok to ask God questions, you would ask your father or grandpa questions about stuff you don't know so why not our heavenly father also? He will provide the wisdom and the answers like a father does, only better!

Heavenly Father,
We come before you with questions that we can't seem to find answers so we come to the author of all. Lord we don't want to doubt, just understand. If it is beyond our understanding, help us see that you are in control and we will get it eventually. Lord we thank you for a salvation that keeps us by your side forever. We thank you that you loved us enough to make the choice freely. Lord help us rest in the peace your love gives. Lord you are sovereign and we recognise your majesty. Lord open the eyes of our hearts so we see you in everything and can react to your promptings, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:29 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 28, 2008 at 7:47am

Good morning! Giving thanks in everything is so important. Being joyful even in our pain is not always easy but necessary. Looking for the lesson, for how this bad thing happening to us can benefit others later is far better than complaining about it. Joy that is ever present in our hearts makes the rough times just a little smoother. That joy comes from the Lord through meditating on the Word, praising him for all the wonders around us and by a genuine thankful attitude. When all seems bleak, thank God because you will come out the other side wiser. Look at these and sink them deep;

Ephesians 5:20
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
NIV

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
NIV

Colossians 2:6-7
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
NIV

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
NIV

Is it always easy? Get real, of course not! Can we do this? Absolutely! Train yourself to pray immediately and to not gripe because that feeds the negative and invites spite. Be thankful you are able to see, hear, experience all that comes our way because God is in the midst of it all and will not forsake or leave us as the Word says so with that logic, it has to work for good. So smile, roll your eyes, thank the Lord for the good and the bad so you can maintain the joy of our salvation. Think this through and enter into some peace.

Heavenly Father,
We thank you for all things. Help us remember this when we are in the midst of trouble. Help us remember that nothing lasts forever and our outcome is already secure. We need to be reminded of your love and care for us. Lord we lift up Maddie Napier to you, heal her and grant peace to the family. Lord we ask protection in India for all those innocent people. Lord guide our tongues and minds so we don't become bitter and angry, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:24 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 26, 2008 at 6:51am

Good morning! How are we faithing today? Tis that time of year where we officially, with a holiday, reflect and be thankful. Who are we thankful for everything? Look here;

Psalms 100
Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the LORD Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. For the LORD is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, And His faithfulness to all generations.
NAS

A good example of thankfulness;

Philippians 1:3-11
I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
NAS

Take a minute and write down all you are thankful for. It is a good exercise and important for us to think and see that we have so much to thank God for because without him, we'd be done. I am thankful for,and not all in specific order, but first;
My God and his son which is my salvation,
My wife and my kids that have brought joy and love,
A relationship with God that shows me compassion and true love,
True friends that I can be totally open with,
My job, unbelievable that I get paid for this,
Physical abilities that allows me to work and play guitar, and tinker
My church that fills me with friendship and love and a place to worship
And of course the family beyond my wife and kids, brothers, sisters, in-laws, parents that provide support, love, chastisement, laughs etc.
That is the short list of dear thanks. We also can look around and thank God for fall colors, the deer that play in the yard, my doggies which provide unmeasurable joy, the birds song at dawn, dawn, dusk, the smell when walking in the woods or walking downtown, babies, When we really look at all the stuff that we can be thankful for we find it is never ending and that is a good thing!

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all those things we forget to thank you for. Thank you for allowing us to see your grace and majesty in this world. Lord thank you for salvation for without it, all would be worthless. Lord we lift those who need a touch of joy in this life and ask you place wisdom and compassion on us so we can provide your light to a dieing world. Lord walk with us so closely we feel your arm brush ours, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:24 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 25, 2008 at 7:02am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Do you beat yourself up when you sin? Does it bother you when you can't seem to get rid of something that you know is not good for you? Welcome to humanity. Our struggle in this walk with God is hard and we fall alot. We must remember that WE cannot achieve a Godly walk. WE cannot make our life righteous. WE cannot fulfill the thought that if we're good enough God will like us. God loves you as you are. God wants you to come to him and seek him and then the changes come. So many times I've heard," I'll get it together and then go to church". Flawed thinking right there because YOU can't get better. Oh you may stop smoking or using the Lords name in vain but does that make you closer to God? Nope and better people than me have tried. The thing is to keep our eyes on Jesus and with that comes a change, a softening of the heart and before you know it your behavior reflects that change. Lets not put the cart before the horse, horses don't push well and we cannot achieve goodness on our own power either. God first and the rest falls in place. Look at these;

Galatians 5:16-17
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
NAS

Galatians 5:25-26
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
NAS

Ephesians 2:1-10
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
NIV

Did you see that? Are you hearing the Word of God? Don't look at yourself and try to fix it on your own, seek God and HE will reveal to your heart what is to be done and you will change because what you know as truth is what you will do automatically. Our weakness' are ever present but with Jesus in your heart compassion and love of God will reveal itself. You will be amazed the day this becomes evident and you will praise the Lord for his love!

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love and for revealing to our hearts daily that we are saved by grace. Lord we want to see you and we want to do your will. Lord make it plain where we stumble and let us know you are picking us up, brushing us off and encouraging us to go on. Lord we praise you and do indeed seek you in all we do! Lord bless those who are in need and help us see the need and act accordingly. Lord be ever present in our leaders, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:26 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 24, 2008 at 7:00am

Good morning! How are we faithing? We are constantly being pruned by the Father. What you say? Look at this;

John 15:1-2
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. "Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit".
NAS

What does that mean? Like we've said before, others know we are Jesus' by our fruit. The fruit being, well this says it better than I can;

Luke 6:43-45
"No good tree bears bad fruit , nor does a bad tree bear good fruit . Each tree is recognized by its own fruit . People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
NIV

Things that are left over from our former self, before we were saved and after, come out, we realize it or are made aware of it and God teaches us and it is taken away. Sometimes it's a long process and sometimes, poof! We realize the bad fruit and snip it off and continue on with new growth. This is a constant process because we are not perfect. We have branches as it were that keep trying to grow. They may be from our youth or from experiences that have made our hearts hard in those areas and they may just be human desires that show up. Point is that we all are pruned and we all can learn something every day. We need to recognise these weak points and not resist the pruning. Ain't always easy and sometimes we are resistant but as soon as we see the truth we need to act accordingly. Trusting humbly in our savior is how the good fruit pushes out the bad.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for pruning us so we may be ambassadors for you. Lord help us quickly see the folly of our ways and make the necessary corrections. Lord help us see people as you see them. Lord we lift those hurting to you today, help them get comfort and help them know you are in charge. Lord protect them from depression cause by physical pain. Lord we praise, honor, and thank you in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:35 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 21, 2008 at 7:28am

Good morning! How are we faithing this fine day? Something that Jesus taught and we should work at achieving; seeing the heart and not be turned off or dismiss someone due to outward appearances. People that are abrasive, loud and obnoxious, filthy and rude are not necessarily lost causes. We have no right to dismiss these people from a kind word or a prayer because we might be offended. Jesus was one who looked to the heart and understood that life sometimes tosses blows to people and reactions and appearances may be misleading. Someone who grew up around cussing or temper tantrums or abuse may outwardly exhibit these same actions. Are they bad? Are we suppose to correct or shun them? They are not any worse than we were before we found Jesus. Correction in due time but we can't expect unsaved people to act saved. Jesus told us to preach the gospel to the world and as we've discussed before, our lives and how we live is a witness to that love. Look at the whole picture when you encounter people that do these things. Safety of course but you must watch and listen to the message you are receiving when you meet these people. They may be crying out and not know how. They may be hurting so bad that a defensive posture is all they know how to act. Our continence and our genuine concern for others will get through. A quick prayer for calm assurance goes a long way. We are taught how to react every time we encounter the different personality types if we seek the heart and desire to be that ray of hope. Jesus dealt with the dregs of society and the affluent. He remained the same towards both.

Luke 6:27-31
"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
NIV

Luke 6:37-38
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
NIV

Attitude. Look beyond the outward appearance. Love the person and hate the sin and have Jesus like compassion on others like Jesus does for you. Some people we have trouble and even plain can't deal with, for those, pray more! Pray that someone who can deal with them, comes quick to share God's love! Everyone needs Jesus! Jesus is there for everyone! We need to not forget that.

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace and love. Thank you for showing the hearts of others. Lord teach us to see the heart and to be quick to pray for others. Lord we desire to serve and to see you. Lord protect those who deal with calamity in this world. Lord grant your peace that we can't even understand. in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:55 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 20, 2008 at 7:13am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Had alot of conversations that lead to performance rather than faith and grace to get into heaven. This is such a worldly concept and contrary to the Word. Earning our way into heaven hasn't worked in the past for if it did, messiah would never have been necessary. We are not capable of following all the rules and regulations the law of Moses taught. Oh boy our ancestors tried but failed miserably. With the coming of the messiah, Jesus, a new covenant was made that showed God's love for us by the sacrifice Jesus made. One man caused sin to enter earth, one man took it away.

Galatians 2:15-16
"We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.
NIV

Romans 3:19-25
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
NIV

The law is good but we are not judged by it any more. The grace Jesus has shown is how we are judged. Performance is fine but don't forget our laurels are nothing because faith and grace is everything.

Heavenly Father,
Help us rest in your grace and not be burdened by good works for salvation. Let good works come because we know we are saved by Jesus. Lord we ask for wisdom in our lives so we make choices and live the way we should as ambassadors for you. Lord help us not build walls that keep others out. Open our eyes to the needs that we are suppose to intervene. Lord help us not be busy bodies when we should back off. Lord we love and worship you and want to live how you want us to. Grant us the strength to see the path you set for us all, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:32 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 19, 2008 at 7:24am

Good morning! How are we faithing? We are distracted, tempted, whatever nomenclature you use, from the things of God by the things of the world. Our flesh betrays us. Our eyes deceive us. Our emotions mislead us. Our hope rests on our savior because without him, failure is assured. Without him ruin is inevitable. We as believers need to exercise our faith without the fear that is taught by the world. As we seek the Lord Jesus we must stand on truth. Our weakness is addressable with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:26-27
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
NIV

The stuff that happens always has a lesson in it. Our attitude about the things that happen to us determines if we find that lesson. We are secure in our place with God through Jesus so why let the stuff that happens to us crush us? We can rise above it.

Romans 8:28-30
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
NIV

Since we are saved and are children of God, we need only seek his will and what we are to glean from the circumstance we are in. We also gain wisdom so we try not to repeat mistakes we have learned from. Seeing the root causes and seeking wisdom from the Word will teach us to recognise when we are approaching the same thing again. Resting on the things the Word tells us helps us react justly and triumph.

Romans 8:31-33
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
NIV

If we are in sin and we know we are in sin, get out! Lets not continue in the sin. Rectify it! Denounce, repent and move on while knowing you have learned a lesson for the better!

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your assurance that we are yours. Thank you for your son and his sacrifice for us. Lord help us believe and have the courage to stand and make the choices we need to make. Help us overcome our weaknesses and seek your face in all we do. Lord we ask you protect the innocent and help those in situations that are bad climb out with the courage it takes to trust you and look beyond the fleshly trappings. Lord thank you for all you do and teach in your Word. Lord protect the emergency workers and our troops from harm, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:45 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 18, 2008 at 7:21am

Great morning! How are we faithing? Man is it good to be alive! Even in the midst of turmoil and grief, it is good to be alive! In the middle of trials and heartache, it is good to be alive. While everything around us crumbles, it's still good to be alive. Why this optimism when everything seems dismal? Jesus the Christ is why! When we were under the law and were striving to please God we we were failing miserably. When we try to be good and fail, when we seek goodness and try to be clean by the worlds standard we are still like filthy rags! Better people than me have done wonderful things, walked fine lines of goodwill in this world and yet are no better off than the that robber who just went to jail. Sobering and makes you throw your hands up and say"what for?" doesn't it? Well guess what, stop striving for goodness and focus on the savior! Stop looking at yourself for towing the line and look to Jesus! You can't improve and you can't move your stature any higher without the grace of Jesus. Look at these;

1 Peter 3:18
For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
NIV

1 Peter 2:24-25
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
NIV

2 Corinthians 5:21
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
NIV

1 John 4:8-10
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
NIV

If we can earn righteousness then why did Jesus die? If we are capable of being good, why do we need a savior? The answers are evident. When we goof up it proves we are in need of a savior and when we believe and seek God's will instead of pursuing the acts of goodness, we become better. We can't seek to be better but by grace and love from God we become better. Move our focus from "I gotta be good" to "Lord show me your will". This is truth;

Romans 5:9-11
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
NIV

The price is paid! We are reconciled to God! We are able to approach the throne of God unencumbered by that bag o' sin we no longer have to drag with us like when we were lost! Our shoulders are light because Jesus took the bag off us! That is why we are excited to be alive!
Remember Julie and Derrick Napier and their preemie baby girl, Madelyn Noel...pray for wisdom and pray for your co-workers...don't forget our leaders cause man o man they need wisdom...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the exuberance and joy our spirits hold since we met you! Lord guide our minds and lives so we live for you and not get so bogged down with this world. Lord thank you for loving us enough to send your son so we don't have to carry the load of sin. Lord we praise you for all you do. Lord give us the wisdom we need to see truth and make the choices you want us to make. Make us keenly aware of the grace we have from you. Lord we lift up the children to you. Heal them, keep them safe, wrap your arms around them and let them know you are there. Thank you for your Word that teaches us every day. in Jesus holy name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:33 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 17, 2008 at 7:16am

Good morning!! How are we faithing?! Check this out;

1 Corinthians 8:9-13
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall. NIV

That is interesting and very profound. The freedom we have in Christ is that. Total freedom but with that freedom by grace of Jesus the Christ comes the responsibility of how we may affect non believers and new believers. If a habit I have or how I speak to others causes them to stumble or even walk away from the faith, I should not do it. Something that is not a stumbling block to me may be to someone else. This great freedom and grace we enjoy is for all who accept it. Why would we not want to share it and why would we ever on purpose do something that may cause someone to never come to the knowledge of this grace? Examining our actions and ourselves is important to our witness. We have this redemptive grace and should not cause anyone else to miss it. Do a self evaluation, watch reactions, observe your ways and determine if they edify Jesus or not. Pray our tongues don't betray Jesus. Pray our actions honor God and not cause pain. Ask for the wisdom to speak God's truth in a loving, grace filled way that attracts others to this wonderful freedom in Jesus. Remember Rex Miller who got hurt helping a stranger...Remember Mike as he searches...remember my bride Kathy who is still feeling yucky...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the freedom we have in Jesus. Thank you from sparing us from eternal damnation. Lord we want to be the witness' for you that attract and don't repel. Lord grant us the wisdom to control our emotions so we shine for you. Guide our tongues through your Holy Spirit. Lord we lift those up who are hurting and are ill. We present to you our plea for those who are seeking you to find you and come to love you as you love us. Lord we honor your holy name, we ask in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:38 AM

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