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Comment by russ allen on March 2, 2011 at 7:19am

Good morning! How are we faithing? As encouraging as I can be, as loving as God is in his Word, do not miss the main thing. God sent his son to be a sacrifice for us. Jesus does love you just the way you are and wants you to come to him. He will lead and love and mold you into the "better" person you can be. But do not be deceived. He gave you and I the choice to believe and follow him, or not. The consequences of that choice is eternal. Don't fall for the lie that "I believe" and that is all there is to it. The demons believe and shake in their boots. Repentance, not performance is the first step. On your knees, in your chair, whatever the position matters not but to humble yourself before God, admit you are a sinner and to ask for forgiveness, that is what we are to do. At that point, Jesus has promised to enter your heart to dwell. Now be aware that Satan and his minion will be on you like stink on a skunk. Remember that this war is all ready won. We will have battles and skirmishes but we will prevail. Jesus already has prevailed. So when everything starts crashing down, do not faint or fear because Jesus said we will go through these things and we need to remember that and not run away. I kinda look at things a little oddly and this whole war won idea is like this; WW II was won by the allies right? From my vantage point now, I can see the finish but when I read about historic battles like the battle of the bulge and Normandy I can see the outcome but those guys I'm reading about sure couldn't at that time. God has that same perspective. He has already whooped satan and all his minions but these battles still must take place. We learn from them, we help others in them, we grow stronger because of them and we may even loose this momentary physical life in them but all of it is for his greater glory and for eternity that will be shared away from evil. That to me makes it all worth it.

Ephesians 2:1-10
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
NAS

remember Gary Graves...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for all your mercy on us, a bunch of misfits. Thank you for offering us a choice and having the grace to give us what we want. Lord we ask that we reflect your love and grace in all things we do. We ask for healings and wisdom to persevere here and to attract the lost to you. Lord we ache to be with you without all this junk that clouds our minds. We ask for honor to be bestowed on you and we be the vessels to do just that. Thank you for your son who loved us so much he gave all for us...awesome...in Jesus precious name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:13 AM

Comment by russ allen on March 1, 2011 at 7:08am

Good morning! How are we faithing? I want to encourage you every day. I want you to see how our faith and reliance is on God. When we rely on anything other than God it will eventually fail. Maybe not catastrophically but failure will happen. When we don't have confidence in God or doubt him, we will always loose. Here's the thing to take inside and hold onto; at all times God has everything under control. Kaos and calamity may seem like it's taking you over but trust God sees the bigger picture, knows what lies ahead and know what will benefit you ultimately. Yes it seems sometimes everything sucks but there is always something better to come from it. If we keep ours eyes on God and look for his lesson in whatever has befallen us, we will improve. We will get better. Eventually the things that used to wind you up, don't anymore. How weird when we realize that. Things that used to tear me up are now like rain off a ducks back. Things that used to paralyze me now are shrugged off. Things I didn't care about before though now make me take notice. God improves us when we seek him and his wisdom.

Joshua 1:9

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
KJV

Psalms 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread?
NAS

Deuteronomy 20:1
"When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you.
NAS

Psalms 46:7
The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our stronghold.
NAS

Isaiah 43:1
But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel,
"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
NAS

Ephesians 6:10-11
Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
NAS

2 Corinthians 12:8-9
And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
NAS

1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.
NAS

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your encouragement when we are lacking courage. Thank you for you grace when we are not so graceful to others. remind us of your place in us so we can act according to your will. Transform our minds so we see the right thing to do regardless of what the world tells us to do. Lord we thank you for a saving grace that puts up with us when we fail. We praise and worship you. In Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:05 AM

Comment by russ allen on February 28, 2011 at 7:29am

Good morning! How are we faithing? I have had a tough time with all the world events lately. As my head is shaking I also understand this is repetition of past behaviors but on a very large scale. Selfishness and power seeking/grabbing is so prevalent. It also seems who ever is in the way gets squashed. The Word warns and reminds us to be vigilant in our faith regardless of what others are doing to us or around us.

Titus 1:10

For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach, for the sake of sordid gain.
NAS

2 Peter 2:10-22
,and especially those who indulge the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgment against them before the Lord. But these, like unreasoning animals, born as creatures of instinct to be captured and killed, reviling where they have no knowledge, will in the destruction of those creatures also be destroyed, suffering wrong as the wages of doing wrong. They count it a pleasure to revel in the daytime. They are stains and blemishes, reveling in their deceptions, as they carouse with you, having eyes full of adultery and that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children; forsaking the right way they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness, but he received a rebuke for his own transgression; for a dumb donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet. These are springs without water, and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error, promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved. For if after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment delivered to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, "A dog returns to its own vomit," and, "A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire."
NAS

Gee whiz guys, it is indeed time to wake up and stand for truth, wisdom and for our savior...


Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Word that is the true food we need. Help us be wise in reading the scriptures. Help us not fall for mystic lies and traditions. Help us be strong enough to take whatever comes when we stand for truth. Help us not get caught up in "feel good" things that lead us astray. Help us use our tongue for praise and not for folly. Thank you in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:26 AM

Comment by russ allen on February 25, 2011 at 6:48am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Every day we wake up and meet our days, some with dread and some with anticipation. There is no reason to fear the day. There is no reason to curl up in the fetal position because of evil and bad things in the world. We have our defense and that is the Lord. Yes we may endure calamity but we must...we must remember the outcome of our grace salvation or the world can make us nuts. We need to be in the Word daily to see the folly of the world and to gain wisdom about what transpires. The dark forces that we encounter can be in our own heads or in the violence around us. We have to be careful we do not create a vengeful mind but a mind armed with the Word so we are able to see the sin and not hate the sinner for if we hate the sinner we become or personify that same evil.
Ephesians 6:10-12
Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
NAS

Ephesians 6:13-20
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
NAS

1 Chronicles 28:10
Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be courageous and act."
NAS

The Word is the authority on these things and without it, I would be just like the things we are battling in the world. I still stumble. I still fall. How are you doing? Think on these verses when you encounter things.

Remember Scotty Hockensmith...remember Mary Lawson...remember Harold Markey...

O heavenly Father,
We beg you for wisdom to react appropriately. Let us see truth and act courageously. Lord we lift your Holy Name up because we know without you, we are doomed. Jesus come quickly! Lord we lift those mentioned to you. Grant peace and comfort in their soul so they may be a light for those around them. Help us seek you in all things, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:46 AM

Comment by russ allen on February 24, 2011 at 7:11am

Good morning! How are we faithing? We are the temple of God just like the holy of holies was in the temple before Christ. What we do has effect on ourselves. Doing the things that the world system says "isn't hurting anyone" in acuality destroys the temple of God, you. You who profess Jesus is the son of God and beleive what he said must also realize this temple principle. There is no duality here. We cannot be living as a child of God and participart in vile things. Coarse jokes, swearing, fornication etc. We spoil that temple and gee whiz, we kick our own butts! We must be mindfull of what we do, what we say, how we behave. Are we better than others? Gee whiz no but we are redeemed and if we understand that and are thankful for the grace we enjoy, we must be mindful of this. Look at these verses and take note of your behavior. I did and I am as guilty as you may be...

1 Corinthians 3:16-18
Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.
Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body.
NAS

2 Corinthians 6:16
Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,
"I will dwell in them and walk among them;
And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
NAS

Ezekiel 36:26
"And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.
NAS

Romans 8:11
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you.
NAS

2 Timothy 1:14
Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.
NAS

Think about this today if for no other reason but to recognise habits that may not reflect justly our savior.

Remember Gary Garaves...remember Anna Milsap...remember Jeff Cummings ministry in Mexico...remember Ty Bates

Heavenly Father,
We ask for clarity in our decisions. We ask for wisdom and a tongue devoted to righteousness. We ask to be aware of foolhardy behavior. Lord we want to show your love and grace without inflicting pain and judgement but we are weak. It is said the spirit is willing and the flesh is weak and boy, do we know it! Lord we lift those mentioned up to you. Lord, let your light make the darkness flee! Lord we praise your holy name and lift all our burdens to you. Grant us strength to endure with grace and love even when we get stepped on, in Jesus name we pray, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:07 AM

Comment by russ allen on February 23, 2011 at 7:10am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Tired. Our minds can wear us out. Our emotions can leave us spent. The opposite also happens. We can get go smug and we can get so down on ourselves. We must learn to recognise these things when they happen. Finding that place where neither extreme is takes courage, attention and persistence. The Word tells us to question the spirits to see where they come from and their intention. Some things seem so good and feel so good but where do they lead? What is their outcome? Where do we end up down the road a few days or even years. Ask some former drug addicts. Take the time to ponder these verses below;

Proverbs 16:2-3

All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight,
But the LORD weighs the motives.
Commit your works to the LORD,
And your plans will be established.
NAS

Proverbs 30:12-13
There is a kind who is pure in his own eyes,
Yet is not washed from his filthiness.
There is a kind-- oh how lofty are his eyes!
And his eyelids are raised in arrogance.
NAS

Psalms 55:22
Cast your burden upon the LORD, and He will sustain you;
He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.
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 Peter 5:6-7
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.
NAS

Remember our troops...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Word that is the only truth that matters. Lord we lift those less fortunate than ourselves and ask you touch them. Show us your face in our days. Comfort those in pain and put your Words on our lips to comfort and to speak only truth. Thank You Jesus for your sacrifice for a lot like us, in Your Holy name we pray, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:08 AM

Comment by russ allen on February 21, 2011 at 7:37am

Great morning! How are we faithing? With all we talked about last week taken into consideration, hear this;

Luke 6:27-38

"But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
"Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either.
"Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.
"And just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way.
"And if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
"And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
"And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, in order to receive back the same amount.
"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.
"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
"And do not judge and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned.
"Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, they will pour into your lap. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return."
NAS

Put yourself on either side of those words. Imagine doing those things and imagine them being done to you. I have been ticked at people and they indeed may have deserved a good slap but what or who would it have benefitted? Simply put, I don't care for being slapped therefore I wont slap others. All those things you feel and see are not necessarily reality. They may or may not even have anything to do with you specifically. Someone blasts you with unkind words and you take offense. You retaliate. A fight ensues. Separation and hate is bred when all you had to do was look for the real reason they blasted you. Yes it indeed may have been unpleasant but were you really the target? Doesn't it make more sense to use some wisdom and look further than the face value of actions? Like my Pastor said, "hurt people, hurt people".


Remember Jerry and Carrol...Donald Lam family...Bob Webb...Aubrey King and family...Carl Delasso...

Heavenly Father,
Lord we ask for forgiveness when we get butt hurt and miss an opportunity to show you perfect love. Lord we ask for wisdom and strength to see truth and the courage to act accordingly. Lord we know we mess up in this area and we really want to do what's right but we just struggle with emotions. Lord, we do not wish to inflict pain but wish to honor and obey you with the love that is perfect and everlasting. We lift those mentioned today and ask comfort and your presence be known. Lord we praise your holy name. We also lift those private prayers and concerns. We lay all these things at your feet because we know only you have the power to deal. In Jesus name we pray, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:33 AM

Comment by russ allen on February 18, 2011 at 7:42am

Good morning! How are we faithing? We all face things that can render us afraid, despondent, physically sick, a feeling of lost or not fitting in. We all have times when we ask what this is all for. We all really work hard only to be spat upon and rejected. What and how we deal with these things is the measure of our faith. Once we recognise when we are in those places, we need to muster the strength to do what is right. Physically as well as mentally. It is real easy to find a crutch like pot or beer. It's real easy to dismiss something that's hard for something that is easy. Remembering our savior went through the same type of things and felt exactly like you and I do but yet never sinned and stood on the high ground lets us know that he is there for us when we step in that place. That scared helping hand is reaching for us. People are in hell not because God rejected them but because they rejected God. It's our choice so why would we choose a path that is so obviously flawed? Why would we hang onto the unrighteous things in the world? They haven't worked yet so what makes us think it will for us? Because they are alluring and look enticing and we look for that momentary pleasure instead of what is right. We fall for the same things in different packages over and over but take courage because Jesus overcame the world and through his blood, we can to.
Job 5:6-7
"For affliction does not come from the dust,
Neither does trouble sprout from the ground,
For man is born for trouble,
As sparks fly upward.
NAS

Job 4:8
"According to what I have seen, those who plow iniquity
And those who sow trouble harvest it.
NAS

John 16:33-17:1
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."
NAS

Proverbs 3:25-26
Do not be afraid of sudden fear,
Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;
For the LORD will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.
NAS

Realizing that whatever you are facing, no mater how painful, you are not alone. This realization goes all the way to the Father and through Jesus and his gift of salvation we can approach the throne of the creator, clean.

remember the unspoken prayers...

Heavenly Father,
Help us realize your strength is so much higher than any on this ol orb. Lord we ask for revelation and courage to act correctly and your praise and honor is shown. Lord we ask for wisdom to go with this courage. Lord we lift those in depression, pain, loneliness, despair today. Touch them so their trouble all pale in comparison to your great love for us. Help us see the truth in all we see and do. Protect our children from the enemy that binds. Thank you in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:40 AM

Comment by russ allen on February 17, 2011 at 7:42am

Good morning! How are we faithing? We struggle with many different things these days. The young have their struggles, the old theirs. Some are the same, most are not. It is good to learn and hopefully we older people have learned and pass on to the young. This principle spans all ages. I impart wisdom to my kids and they do the same to theirs. Our wisdom is learned from the school of life and from the Word. I have found if I adhere to the Word's principles, the world becomes less of a place to fear but more one to mourn. Meeting people who struggle with things that are whooping them is a position we encounter where the love we enjoy in Jesus is shown. I am not interested in placating somebody whining about their way not being done but more about showing them real wisdom I have discovered. I ain't that smart but my Lord is. Everything has a manual for operation and so does life. The life manual is the Word. Armed with it we can face today and tomorrow. Armed and acting on the Word indeed provides a better life. One filled with joy, peace and love. A life without everlasting strife. A place of refuge when we get lost. More than merely believing but living as though we do. A faith that begets loving behavior for the sake of love and not for gain.


James 2:19
You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
NAS

Luke 1:74-75
To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.
NAS
2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
NAS

Galatians 5:6-7
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
NAS

James 2:12-13
So speak and so act, as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
NAS

Remember Jenny...Peggy...Brandi Harris...

Heavenly Father,
Lord we lift your name higher than any other. We seek and worship you. We strive to be like you, not for gain but for conviction. Lord we ask for wisdom that we show you wisely and do not cause pain. Lift us out of these places we shouldn't be. Teach us and open our minds to see your ways. Enlighten us when we are stalled in our thinking. Lord we ask for healing of minds and bodies of your believers today and let it bring such glory to you! In Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:37 AM

Comment by russ allen on February 15, 2011 at 7:29am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Do you have strife in your life? Do you go through days with constant feelings of anger, envy, arguments and or feelings of disappointment due to all of that? Do you point fingers and blame everyone else? Do you feel overwhelmed by all this and want to run and hide? All of these things are natural to us but how far we allow those things to take us is totally up to us. We must be on guard so as to not fall into the state of these emotions and behaviors. We must not allow circumstances and other peoples behavior control our thoughts and behaviors. We must be ready at all times to take captive anything that moves our sight from God. We must learn to recognise ourselves being turned by events or people. Man, this isn't always easy but it is necessary. If we allow these things to lead, we get lost. Many a nervous breakdown is due to allowing those thoughts and emotions run buck wild. I say these things to let you know, you ain't alone. There are many ways to deal with strife. Prayer should always be first. A quick "help" to the Father is sometimes all that we can do. Wisdom sought in the Word can equip us to recognise and decide whether to press on, confront and work towards a solution or dismiss it. I have a friend who is fretting over some medical things. I have another who is fretting over a loved ones habits. And yet another who seems to get in the middle of things that just are so trivial that strife over those things are kinda silly. It is understandable how we can get to those places but it isn't wise at all. Me worrying over stuff I have no control of is a waste of energy. My fretting and taking on personally what others are doing is a futile exercise. Now my talking and offering help when the time is right and my prayer of all things is always prudent. Knowing when my help isn't what is needed but I still pray is also important. Think today when you start to enter the strife zone. Ask yourself the important questions so the answers can keep you out of that zone and in a position to help or walk away. Look at this example and instead of continuing with strife, they came up with a solution;


Genesis 13:6-9
And the land could not sustain them while dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they were not able to remain together. And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's livestock and the herdsmen of Lot's livestock. Now the Canaanite and the Perizzite were dwelling then in the land. Then Abram said to Lot, "Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me: if to the left, then I will go to the right; or if to the right, then I will go to the left."
NAS

A very good line of thought to maintain is right here;

Titus 3:1-8
Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be uncontentious, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
NAS

remember Jom Odom...remember Carel Sons...

Heavenly Father,
We come before you today lifting up our concerns and the events we will encounter today. Lord we ask for wisdom and courage under fire to be keenly aware of the truth. Help us act in a manner reflective of your love and grace. Help us not take on burdens we ought not. Lord we lift those hu

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