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Comment by russ allen on October 31, 2012 at 7:35am

Good morning! How are we faithing?  Temptations come at us from the enemy and from our own lusts.  This world we live in is full of those temptations and what temps you may not me and visa versa.  What the Word has taught me is to recognize the temptations that come my way. I know what pulls on me and the enemy is very good at putting them in my path when I am weak.  We fall when we are weak such as mourning, despair, hurt feelings and the like.  Training ourselves to remember this fact so when we are in those valleys we don't fall is very important to our own well being.  Many a time a choice is made while in distress only to have to pay for it later and sometimes the penalty can last our whole life. I see results of this very thing all around. Decisions made in those valleys should be suspect and if I can interject here, don't make major decisions while traveling there. Our thinking is not sound and our eyes are clouded therefore pause and seek the Lord. The enemy has been at this for a very long time and he knows how to play his hand. Don't be afraid, just be aware.



Jas 1:12-14
  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.   Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.



1Pe 4:12-13
  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.



Remember Natalie...remember Leora Blevens...remember Megan M....


Heavenly Father,
   Thank you for your Word that is living and sharper than any two edged sword.  Help us recognize the fiery darts flying at us from the enemy.  Help us recognize our own lusts that get in the way of our service in you. Grant us the courage to resist.  Lord we lift those in those valleys today. Raise them up with hope and wisdom and with courage to laugh at the enemies of our soul and flesh.  Be with the doctors who work to heal us, protect the emergency workers and be with those in need from the storms. In Jesus name, amen

 

Comment by russ allen on October 30, 2012 at 7:17am

 Good morning!  How are we faithing? Man o man...events keep coming. "Where is God?" is heard constantly. You know, in the midst of pain it becomes difficult if not even futile to talk philosophically because the pain can be so intense.  When Ecclesiastics talks about a time for weeping or a time for peace etc. it tells us to that events and times-trials will come and we must act appropriately. The Word also tells us to help where and when we are able because if a man is wet and cold, telling him how God will warm him all the while watching him shiver is dumb. Give em your coat man! Feed the hungry one in front of you. Give some shelter in that storm. Too many times we have opportunity to physically help but we take the easy way out and try to speak platitudes and tell them "We'll pray".  Prayer is always prudent at all times, so is action. Like we've talked so many times before, selfishness whoops us.  The trip to the mall is more important than giving a ride to someone in the cold or rain?  Just something to think about today as you go about your business. "What am I missing?" is a question we all ought to ask.



cc 3:1-8
  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
  A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
  A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 
 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.



Jas 2:15-17
  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.


remember Brother Bill...remember the people of Carroll county...remember the people affected by the storms...


Heavenly Father,
    Lord we ask for strength in our trials and pain. Place your hands on us. Let us know you are with us no matter what comes. Lord, we ask a special blessing on those mourning. We ask wisdom and strength in the storms. In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on October 29, 2012 at 7:02am

 Good morning! How are we faithing?  A lot of things rolling through my head this am and to be honest I'm not so sure how to present them all.  We are living in times that selfishness and self absorbance will get us killed.  I talk to people all the time with the "woe is me attitude" and that my friends can lead to all sorts of maladies.  I see on the news of homicides, suicides, combinations of both.  Killing over stupid stuff, kidnappings etc and it appalls and sickens me.  The human side of me wants to slap some people and yell, "snap out of it!" but the Pastor in me wants to take them under my wing and show them a better way.  Sometimes both are required. As I learn more and more in the Word I find just how dumb we humans can be and how we make things harder than they are. If the enemy was able to deceive Adam and Eve, who walked daily with God,  we are susceptible to his logic and pokes too. The only way we can focus on our Lord and not ourselves is to remember...




2Co 11:3
 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

Rom 8:36-39
  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.   Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.


remember those in the path of the super storm in the Atlantic...


Heavenly Father,
  Thank you for your grace that saves a wretch like me. Thank you for teaching us how to put our eyes on you and trust you through all the turmoil in this life. I ask that you touch the grieving people today. Calm their heart. Envelop them with your spirit. Let them see your truth and love and we ask these things in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on October 26, 2012 at 7:28am

Good Friday morning!  How are we faithing? What a week this has been! God revealed some things in his Word this week that has me flat excited! I love when the Word speaks and teaches! I also love to see God work in other lives! I love to see answered prayer! There is a whole bunch of stuff going on in this world and satan is trying his best to ruin all our lives.  He is using the same tactics over and over and we keep falling for em. He asks us questions and twists the Word so we have a little doubt and then appeals to our wants and needs followed by rationalizations that prompt, when we are at our weakest, inappropriate actions. "Do it anyways, God Will forgive you, isn't that what the Word says?"  Man, technically that may be true but what are the ramifications of that deed? Does God give us instruction to oppress us and to control us? On the contrary!  He gives us rules and guidance for our own good! He wants us to live an exciting, loving and full life but not at the expense of or in spite of ourselves! I'm just as guilty as any of you.  Rather than get in a discussion with satan and his henchmen or even argue with those rationalization thoughts we ought to, as soon as we recognize it's happening, speak the Word.  Rebuke in the name of Jesus and call on our Lord! Probably won't be easy because whatever is happening is very appealing at the moment but a slight pause and a trust that God knows best is prudent. Think;


Heb_4:12
  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

1Pe 1:15  But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 

1Pe 1:16-25

  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 

  And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:   Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;   But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:   Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,  Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.   Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:   Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.  For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. 

Remember Natalie Moore...remember Alan and Tanya...remember Josh and Tiff and Brianna...remember the lost and downtrodden...remember our leaders...

    Heavenly Father,

   Thank you for your Word that is the only truth. Help us recognize satans ploys. Help us resist the temptations that we encounter daily.  Teach us how to be your sons and daughters. Lord we lift up those who are seeking .  We lift up those who are seeking but don't know what for.  Show up and show off.  In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on October 24, 2012 at 6:59am

 Good morning! How are we faithing? Sorry for the disruptions in writing lately, been scattered with so much going on. Anyways, as we deal with everyday things it can be easy to fall into a couple different modes of operation.  One mode is to take things as they come, deal wisely and press on to the next. The other is to let the situation whoop our tail. Wallow as it were and then whine at the calamity. I prefer the former to the later. The later makes life so miserable and with misery comes company of other thoughts and all of a sudden, nothing suits us. Ever found yourself spiralling in doom and gloom? Our thoughts can become a breeding ground for the enemy to really dig in and attempt to destroy us. If he can get you to be looking at how everything sucks then when the defenses come down, bam! There's where he and his minion can attack!  We've all been there so stop and remember that;


2Co 4:17-18
  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.


remember Sebastion Major...remember Baily Ford...Laurie Copes...Tony Stivers...


Heavenly Father,
  Thank you for your wisdom in your Word that assures and teaches us how to deal with this life, Lord, forgive us when we fall into tempting things. Lord we ask for wisdom and peace to see things as they are and not how they seem or "feel".  We lift these mentioned people, heal minds bodies and spirits in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on October 22, 2012 at 7:24am

 Good morning! How are we faithing? When you have things come on you, whether because of your doings or others, rather than complaining we ought to praise God.  "What?  My wife left and my dog got shot and you say praise God?"  Yes indeed.  Praise him in your storms because he has not changed nor did he cause evil to fall on your life. Living in a sinful world where evil and good exist we therefore should not be surprised at calamity.  The rain falls on the just and the unjust. The sun shines on evil people and righteous ones. Our choices can cause events to unfold whether on us or somebody else. Your actions can cause calamity on someone else!  Wow!  Hadn't thought about that had you? You were wallowing in your own junk and failed to realize that a flip remark because you are in a funk, caused someone elses world to suck. All I'm trying to remind you is to keep your focus on God.  Don't get trapped in selfishness.  It all doesn't revolve around you...or me. When these bad things show up, pray and seek the correct action to take even if it is a little painful for you. Knowing that what I face is not anything new under the sun helps me understand that others have come through this same thing and with God, we can too.  Remind yourself and make yourself look up from that pain because staying in that place of torment doesn't do you any favors...


 Joh 3:17
 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.



1Jn 2:2 
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.



Rom 8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

remember Samantha Hall...remember Savanah Johnson...Remember Robbie

Heavenly Father,

    Thank you for always being with us even when we let our own troubles hide that fact. Lord we ask for comfort for those grieving and healing for those who are sick. Lord we ask for forgiveness when we drop the ball and make fools of us all. Teach us your ways and let your spirit rest on us and fill us up with your presence.  In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on October 17, 2012 at 7:48am

 Good morning!  How are we faithing?  Multi tasking this morning.  So many things rolling around this fat head of mine.  All 17 brain cells at full capacity.
     We as believers must pay attention to our own walk with God and not anyone elses. That being said we can press on to the prize that awaits us with the Father. I am concerned for my fellow believers and their behavior but their behavior is not my gig. I cannot judge, belittle, berate, point fingers or talk about their misdeeds except to them directly and I cannot talk to them directly with those aforementioned ways.  Admonishment is meant for our brothers and sisters not for a slap down but to help them grow in the Lord.  Too many times we become condescending and that only breeds animosity. Pastors talking about other Pastors and their sins to people and not in a manner fitting one in that position infuriates me.  Christians talking about other Christians because they disagree with how they do church or how they dress or the like shows the world everything but the love of God.  It all boils down to where the focus is and we are not focusing where we ought to when we do those things.  Every situation has root causes and the outward appearance may not be what it appears.  When and how did any of us get the idea we had a lock on everything? The only absolute truth is the Word and anything humans jack with is fallible and at some point will fail so lets get over ourselves and press on with the admonitions the Lord has given us.


Psa 16:11 
Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.



Luk 24:46-47
  And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:   And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.



Jud 1:24-25
  Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,  To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.


remember Josh and Tiff....remember Brian Jett...


Heavenly Father,
   Bless our endeavors today. Help us see truth and to act courageously and not with self pride.  Bless the children that they learn our good qualities. Lord we ask for wisdom to speak, act according to your will.  Lord we praise you this day. Open our eyes to the truth in your Word. In Jesus name we pray, amen

Comment by russ allen on October 16, 2012 at 7:18am

 Great morning!  How are we faithing?  Our good friends Josh and Tiffany are at Central Baptist in labor! Their first and I can't wait to hold their little girl! It is such an exciting time with lots of questions and apprehension about what lies ahead.  Praise God today and lift up those who are entering into this phase of life. We honor our God who shows us a glimpse of his love by giving us children to raise.





Psa 127:3 
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.



Pro 17:6 
Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

Pro 31:28-29

  Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 

 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 

Pro 22:6 

 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. 

2Ti 3:15  

And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

remember Josh and Tiff and their new daughter!

Heavenly Father,

   Thank you for the wonderful gift of life.  Help us rear these little ones in the fear and admonition of you Lord.  Help us be wise with our choices  and patient with the rearing aspect.  Lord, help our hearts be soft and see the splendor that comes with such a task as raising our kids to be in your image.  Thank you and guide doctors hands and bless the parents today! In Jesus name, am

Comment by russ allen on October 15, 2012 at 7:49am

Good morning!  How are we faithing this crisp fall day?  I am sore from working around the yard this weekend.  It's a good sore but it makes me realize what muscles I use and which ones I don't! 
     It is always amazing but doesn't surprise me anymore when God speaks to his flock.  I give a sermon and I then hear another on the same thing.  I study and a parishioner asks a question about the same thing I am studying.  We get together for a bible study and I get convicted of something along with the people present.  God is not lax in his touching of people's lives if we all just seek his face in everything. The consistency of God's Word in our lives astounds me in that while we may be looking at something in our own world our brethren see the same thing even in different circumstances. Read these below and meditate on them. 



Mat 25:34-45
  Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.  Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?   And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:   I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.


Remember Harold Markey...remember Armond DeBusk...remember Brian Jett...


Heavenly Father,
  Thank you for your grace and wisdom. Keep opening our ears to your voice, our eyes to your ways and our minds to your wisdom.  Lord we thank you for courage to act according to your principles.  Lord help us with our unbelief. Help us with our faith.  Help us open our hearts to your truths so we are not fooled by the enemy and his imitations of light. Lord we lift those mentioned here today. We also lift out leaders and the troops.  Also those emergency workers. Protect hearts and minds Lord, in Jesus name, amen

 

Comment by russ allen on October 12, 2012 at 8:08am

  Great morning!  How are we faithing? As we deal with this life we become aware of things that blow us away, some sooner than others and some that baffle us so much we stand looking in unbelief. This season is wrought with political wrangling and opinion and I don't know about you but gee whiz, I'm tired of it.  At the same time that is going on I am encountering real personal issues that have people really struggling just to keep their heads above water. We all have been at that place one time or another. Some financial, some relationship stuff,  some job related and some physical. The one state we can be in that will affect the previous mentioned things is your spiritual life. Your relationship with Messiah Jesus has a direct impact on all you are and do. I have found this statement to be completely true in all circumstances,  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." If I wear this world and allow this worlds woes to govern and control me I will inevitably look like the world and die right along with it.   If I put on the armour of God as described in the Word I will be able to endure and conquer the things that would whoop me if I do not. I am not a pack mule. I do not need to carry all these worldly things.  I have an advocate to the Father and he promised to lighten that load.  Do I still struggle with things? Sure I do because I am a man and men stuff as well as world stuff comes at me daily.  The fantastic thing that has come is the Savior Jesus the Christ and knowing my destiny is set, it allows a perspective on things and encouragement with a mindset of "what can I glean from this?" Are you struggling?  Are you trying to find your way in a sea of crap?  Turn to the only source that is above every other precept or thought process this orb can dish out.  Come to Messiah today and accept the gift of grace and salvation.



Mat 11:28-30
  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.   For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.



remember the Robert Reese family.... 




Heavenly Father,
   Thank you for your son.  Thank you for the gift of salvation.  Forgive my sins.  I accept that gift and ask you come in my heart and life to rule and to lead.  Bear my burdens. Grant me wisdom to be as you designed me to be.  Take my life and mold it into the wonderful life you designed.  Help us all see truth and to live upright and honorably .  Lord we lift those suffering in all ways today.  Comfort and heal them.  We lift our leaders and this country up to you.  Heal this nation and cause such a great awakening like has never been seen before.  Open the eyes of all in this nation to your holiness. In Jesus name we pray, amen

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