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Comment by russ allen on January 10, 2011 at 7:45am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Within our church body God has put people in charge. Whether it's the Pastor or the Sunday school teacher, we submit to them. It is perfectly acceptable to ask questions and even go toe to toe in private but ultimately our superiors or boss if you will, has the final authority. Of course if we are asked to perform tasks that are contrary to biblical teachings it is our duty to refuse. Our Godly convictions taught by the Holy Spirit will let you know when you are up against something like that. The people God has put in charge, the Word says all authority is given by God, are there for a reason and whether we agree or not doesn't matter. It is better that we look for lessons when in this position such as, learning what not to do, when we are in charge. I don't always agree with my Bosses but they are in charge. The people that I lead submit to me and I must be sure to hear them, consider all things and make the best choice with prayer and supplication. Our attitudes towards our leaders goes along way in showing God's love and living according to God's principles mapped out in the Word. Just give this some thought today when you run up against a leader that just steps all over your nerves...


Hebrews 13:16-19

Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. And I urge you all the more to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
NAS

1 Thessalonians 5:12-14
But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another.
NAS

1 Peter 5:5
You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
NAS

James 4:7
Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
NAS

Remember Christy Fulfer and Megan McGrath...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your leadership in our lives. Lord we ask for vision and wisdom to see lessons taught by our days. Help us show grace and mercy to our subordinates and help us graciously submit to our leaders. Lord we understand they are placed in the positions they are so help us support and esteem when appropriate. Help us recognise their needs as the leader. Let us not cause pain but be a beacon so they may seek you. We lift up those who are ill today..grant a healing , in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:08 A

Comment by russ allen on January 7, 2011 at 7:14am

Good morning! How are we faithing on this fine cold Friday? Words are important. How we say things and even what we say have power to change our minds and mold attitudes. If I pray and say,"Lord I ask for this or that if it be your will", am i really thinking that I want God's will to be done in this instance and I'm cool with what ever he wills or am I saying it because I don't believe it'll happen and that is how I rationalize my disappointment in God for not doing what I want? Jesus said "not my will but yours" in one prayer. He knew why and how but was not real enthused about what was about to take place. He asked in his flesh to take away what was about to happen but was willing to do what he needed to do for us. All I am trying to make you realize is how you ask the Father for things and where our hearts and minds are when we do. Realizing that my time frame isn't God's time frame goes along way in our confidence in his promises. Just because we don't see an answer to our request when we think we ought to doesn't mean God doesn't care. I have seen over time that when I wait on the Lord, things work but when I push and act hastily and contrary to sound teachings, I suffer. God knows what is best for us and in that we need to rest. I want stuff but is it good for me in the long run? Is this instant itch just an itch or a necessary thing for me? That is a good question to ask oneself.

Psalms 40:8
I delight to do Thy will, O my God;
Thy Law is within my heart. "
NAS

Luke 22:41-43
And He withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, "Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Thine be done."
NAS

Jeremiah 32:26-27
"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?"
NAS

Remember Diane Owens...Katie Shannon...Anna B. and her family...unspoken requests...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your wisdom in your Word. Thank you for the principles taught. Lord we do seek your will and we want to act and serve correctly. Help us with our confidence in your judgement even when it seems contrary to worldly wisdom. Open up the scripture to us. Help us see truth in every situation. Help us trust completely. Lord we ask those mentioned be blessed and have a mindset on you. Help them be wide awake and in tune to your will. In Jesus' name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:11 AM

Comment by russ allen on January 6, 2011 at 7:37am

Good morning! How are we faithing? I don't have alot to say today but deep thought is abounding. Take the time to pray. Take the time to think about these verses and reflect on our savior. So much stuff goes on that distracts us from what is important and what our life ought to be so we need to pull over now and then, look around and concentrate on God.

1 John 1:5-2:1

And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
NAS

Remember Mary Hutcherson...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace and wisdom that is far more precious than anything on this earth. Thank you for your son's sacrifice on our behalf. We don't always understand but we do trust and believe your Word. Lord help us to believe your Word. Help us settle issues in our hearts so we can move on to glory in your life. Keep us ever aware of the snares and erroneous things of the enemy. Protect the children. Protect our troops and their leaders. In Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:34 AM

Comment by russ allen on January 5, 2011 at 7:31am

Good morning! How are we faithing? I caught myself wanting to shoot a man in the face for a sin he had committed. It then dawned on me that even though the sin was indeed heinous, and he will pay for it on earth, I had no right to wish in my heart for him to be dead. Justice must be served but my view on that man should be one of prayer that he find God before he is punished on earth for his infraction. This is tough to settle in ones mind and heart when sin abounds. We see things that rip our hearts out but retaliatory actions with revenge in ones heart turns to other sin. Justice is needed in a society in order to prevent kaos and anarchy but our hearts should not wish for someone to "rot in hell". The sentiment is understandable many times but we cannot allow pain to take our focus off God. Man, this is a fine line and it ain't easy to think and control when we get stepped on. I don't have all the answers and I have failed just like everyone else but the one thing I have learned is in my heart I cannot allow judgement of ones soul to take place. I can condemn the sin and a jury can pass sentence but I shall not judge another mans soul. Give this some thought today and work to get your vision pointed and aligned with God's.

Proverbs 21:3-6
To do righteousness and justice
Is desired by the LORD rather than sacrifice.
Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
The lamp of the wicked, is sin.
The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage,
But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.
NAS

1 Samuel 15:22
And Samuel said,
"Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
NAS

Proverbs 15:9
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
But He loves him who pursues righteousness.
NAS

Our focus must be on the things of God. If we get wrapped up in the things of this world that can ensnare us with bitterness and anger we walk a path that goes the same place that crime commiter walked. Do you see that? Do you understand that God's way is so much better? Deal with your hurt and anger. Recognise that justice is required on earth but we have no place in our heart for condemnative type of thinking. That will destroy you from within.

Remember Faron Stark...remember Justin Benton...remember Hazel (popp) Bradley...remember Harley Miller...remember Draven Byrd...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love. Thank you for your Word that sustains us. Thank you for allowing us to screw up and repent. Lord we ask for healing of our judgemental hearts. Heal the pain we carry. Help us see truth in all things and the courage to act justly. Lord we lift these mentioned to you. Touch them and show them you care for them. We ask for your divine guidance in all we do and it's in Jesus name we pray, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:25 AM

Comment by russ allen on January 4, 2011 at 6:53am

Good morning! How are we faithing this fine day? I worry sometimes that I'm too religious and sometimes I'm not religious enough. "What" you say? Being too religious can lead to performance based belief rather than grace base belief and the belief God needs you to be here or his work wont get done. Not being religious enough can lead to a compromised position where accolades and people praise gets more important than seeking and sharing our savior. Whenever we feel or view ourselves as necessary for those people out there to see God we are in danger of self praise which only leads to pride which will cause a fall. Whenever we do the right thing because of what others will think of us rather than doing right because God said it's right, man, we walk away from grace into a place where looking in the mirror to see how good we are is more important than Jesus. I don't care what people think of my "religious" behavior as long as they see Jesus. I will stumble and screw up a bunch but as long as I am willing to recognise sin and repent, my religion stays on track. My "doing" what the world views as religion does nothing in reality for my relationship with Jesus. Granted there are things we are commanded to do but those things are for our own good and not for good of our own. If we don't do this or that correctly or even if we do we must put Jesus first. We must ask the hard questions of ourselves and be willing to follow Jesus and put his Word into practice, not just look like we do. Light a fire under your own butt. Get off the pew whenever you can and share this grace message. Wear the suit and tie if you want but don't criticize the ones who don't.

1 Corinthians 1:18-31
For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,
"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And the cleverness of the clever I will set aside."
Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For indeed Jews ask for signs, and Greeks search for wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised, God has chosen, the things that are not, that He might nullify the things that are, that no man should boast before God. But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, that, just as it is written, "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord."
NAS

Remember Tom Kern...remember Marvin McKinney...remember Brayden Richards...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace and mercy. Thank you for your love that saves us. Lord we ask for wisdom to see truth and to recognise your strength and power and not look to ourselves. Lord we ask for your touch on those mentioned. Guide Doctors hands, grant wisdom to those Doctors to do perfect work. Lord we ask for a touch on those children who are ill. Lord we ask for protection for our troops as they travel and as they confront their day. Thank you Lord for grace because without it we realize none of us would ever see you. In Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:49 AM

Comment by russ allen on January 3, 2011 at 7:42am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Tis a new year and we are looking to what is to be this year. Celebrations are a part of our lives. Birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, weddings etc. and it is important that we celebrate. New years celebrations are for looking to a new years, the old is past. New beginnings are what is before us and that is why new years resolutions abound. Unfortunately alot of those resolutions are forgotten or have failed by March. Here's some thoughts for you. Don't commit to a gym to lose weight, commit to habit changes who's effect is lost weight. Don't promise to not swear by watching your language but by inputting good language i.e. the Word, shutting off HBO or any offending thing that exposes you. Take that first step, make yourself do what is necessary and don't whip your own butt into giving up because you regress a few times. More people beat themselves by giving up and it is sad. If I gave up the first time I fell off a bike...These old habits you wish to change did not become habits over night so fixing them wont be quick and easy. Speaking in generalities here we must move our focus away from self and onto God because as long as we keep focus on self, failure will happen. Be realistic, set goals but be aware of our humanness and that we will stumble. I have to loose weight. I am not about to start a diet that is not sustainable because the second would be worse than the first. We who have struggles with weight understand what I mean. So worship our Lord. Strive for perfection and recognise we cant be perfect but we can ask forgiveness and press on. While striving for protection, don't do it for self justification but as a witness for the Lord. Therein lies the difference in our attitude and ultimate success. Our success is not determined by the world but by our Father in heaven and he told us we were justified through his son who was raised from the dead and lives today, our risen savior. Celebrate your victories. Mourn your loses. Keep the Word close to you and remember the love our Father has that he would save each of us and all we have to do is ask and repent. You can be successful with your new years resolution with an attitude adjustment and a thankful heart.


WORSHIP
Reverent devotion and allegiance pledged to God; the rituals or ceremonies by which this reverence is expressed. The English word worship comes from the Old English word worthship, a word which denotes the worthiness of the one receiving the special honor or devotion.

Colossians 2:16-3:1
Therefore let no one act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day-- things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.
If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, "Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!" (which all refer to things destined to perish with the using)-- in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.
NAS

Remember Christy Fulfer...remember Steve Travis...remember Marvin McKinney...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for last year and we ask blessings for this year. Help us see truth and wisdom. Give us strength to act accordingly. Teach us self control. Lord we lift those people who need a touch from you this day and this year. help them realize your grace and mercy even in the midst of everything that goes on. Lord we thank you for loving us. It is in Jesus name we pray, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:33 AM

Comment by russ allen on December 29, 2010 at 7:34am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Boy, there sure are alot of us struggling with the physical. Not maladies but sinning against ones self for pleasurable sensations. I speak to tons of people all the time about just this thing. There is a theme to these talks and it seems to be bodily pleasure that people indulge to the nth degree. Booze, porn, sex, drugs, whatever gives momentary pleasure to our physical beings. Physical pleasure isn't bad in itself but the over indulgence of it...that is where the problem begins. Recognising ones weakness before entering into that place where one can't stop, that is where wisdom comes. If you can't drink without falling down drunk, a bar isn't a place to go. If a friends house always has drugs available, don't go. If illicit sex is available somewhere, don't go. You get the point. These are sins against ones own body. Gee whiz, the Word says our bodies are the temple of God and we beat it up? A little logic and control goes a long way when these things crop up. If an addiction has resulted from any actions, help is needed and we shouldn't hesitate or be embarrassed to seek it. This are ageless temptations and anything you are in the middle of isn't the first or last time help has been needed.
Romans 12:1-2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
KJV

Ephesians 4:17-19
This I say therefore, and affirm together with the Lord, that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind, being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality, for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
NAS

Romans 6:12-14
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body that you should obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace.
NAS

1 Corinthians 6:17-18
Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body , but the immoral man sins against his own body .
NAS

All I want you to do is think. Ask yourself the real questions. Where am I in this issue? Do I indulge in anything to the point of no control or to excess or to the point that it has become an idol in my life? Throw embarrassment or pride out the window. Pray first, get help if you need it.

Remember Robert and Irene McKinney...remember Marilyn's friends...

Heavenly Father,
We ask for courage and clarity to step back from any physical pleasure that is hurting us. We ask that you reveal our weaknesses and our attractions so we don't enter blindly into situations. Lord, convict our minds of sin. Help us recognise it and change our habits. Reveal your Word to us. Bless those mentioned today and those mentioned earlier. Protect our land, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:31 AM

Comment by russ allen on December 28, 2010 at 5:58am

Good morning! How are we faithing this snowy cold day? Are you aware of sin? Lately I have noticed sin all around. I see things and contemplate reasons why and where those peoples head is at. I wonder why they don't see the folly of their ways and if they realize that what they are doing has consequences on this earth. Then I see my sin and am keenly aware that sin is sin and mine is theirs and theirs is mine. Man o man, what others infractions are isn't important to me but what they are fixin to go through because of it just saddens my heart. That got me to realizing that if it saddens my heart, how must God feel. He loves us so and knows we are going to go through things as a result of our sin but you know what? He is always right there. He is there for us to lean on and to lay our burdens and sin at his feet. When we realize we have sinned, we must confess immediately to the Father and Jesus is our mediator. We must repent truly and not just with lip service. Man, this is a tough life and alot of times we do get caught up in stuff. We also put ourselves in that stuff. You can't "earn" God's love or "be good enough" so for your new years resolution this year, don't try to do or think you'll be better, seek God every day. Pray immediately when you screw up. Seek God in everything you do. Do everything like you are doing it for God. Seek God's ways and let the fallout be his concern.

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 Jakob Clark...remember Ben Handzel...remember Elizabeth Byrd...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love and wisdom that is higher than anyone on earth. Guide us and help us recognise when we goof up. Lord we ask forgiveness for our failings and ask blessings on our lives. Protect our minds from attacks from the enemy. Open our eyes to your ways. Lord we lift those mentioned today. Touch them physically and comfort their minds and hearts, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 5:55 AM

Comment by russ allen on December 27, 2010 at 7:37am

Good morning! How are we faithing? I hope you all had a Merry Christmas. Mine was full of love, relaxation and fellowship. I can remember times of depression years ago when I couldn't give as much to my kids as I wanted or thought they should have. I can remember being depressed because there was no disposable income for extras. I look back now with wisdom that there were many lessons learned. My Mom would say things when I was a child like,"You better eat, there are starving kids in China". I never quite got what she was trying to tell us then but now I realize that she was trying to tell us to be thankful and content with what we have because our lack is abundance to others. Now I do realize that the things that got me wound up in my youth seem so foolish and striving to improve is not wrong in of itself. Contentment doesn't mean not working to improve our situation but it does mean to savor the moment while we work for that improvement. Our attitude is a reflection of our contentment. If we always look for more with the thought that "when I get this or that I will achieve happiness" we will never be content. It is real easy to make "improvement" an idol. It is real easy to view your circumstances with contempt and that leads to all sorts of issues that manifest themselves in depression, ire, self focus, selfishness which could lead to covetness, lust for things and other attitudes that can sink any mind. The Word tells us many times to be content because of those things that can cause us to fall into sin that renders us ineffective witnesses for Jesus and lets face it, a pretty dismal existence. Think about this and where you are. Pray and ask for revelation and peace so you can improve without self loathing or dissatisfaction...


Philippians 4:10-11
Not that I speak from want; for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.
NAS

1 Timothy 6:8
And if we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
NAS

Hebrews 13:5-6
Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you," so that we confidently say, The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
What shall man do to me?"
NAS

Luke 3:14

And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
KJV

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your blessings. Help us to realize when we focus on the goal and replace you and your journey with us. Help us to be content while working to better ourselves. Help us to maintain our focus on you. Lord we ask for forgiveness when we turn our eyes to stuff instead of you. Lord we thank you for everything and pray for wisdom more than anything. Grant wisdom in all we do and say, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:33 AM

Comment by russ allen on December 24, 2010 at 7:21am

Good morning! How are we faithing? I want y'all to think about something. Do you do good works? Do you do them for gain or because you see a need? Do you do good works for a pat on the back or because it just needs to be done? This time of year there many many organizations and people giving presents to the needy. I am not condemning or criticizing any of that but want to pose some questions. With the questions that opened this daily, do you give to feel good this time of year? Why are those same people criticized the rest of the year? Is your schedule so busy you ignore a need? Just sit back and think about this and take the appropriate actions and enjoy Christmas because the gift Jesus gave was the ultimate gift and he gave it to all of us. His example is for us to see and pass on the same attitude and spirit of giving.


1 Timothy 5:24-25
The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after. Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed.
NAS

Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
NAS

Heavenly Father,
We thank you Lord for your gift of salvation from our very nature. Lord we ask daily for wisdom to act in a manner worthy of declaring you as our Lord. We also lift those up who are struggling with this season. Grant them peace and understanding of the true non material nature of this celebration. Bless those traveling and those who are away defending freedom. In Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:17 AM

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