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Comment by russ allen on December 1, 2010 at 7:59am

Good morning! How are we faithing? There is a whole lot of encouragement in the Psalms and definitely in the one we are looking at this week. Our strength is not in ourselves or our position. Those things can be used of God and our accomplishments are indeed a blessing but without out God in the forefront of our days we will fall eventually and be trampled into dust. Is your achievements of any importance to you after you are gone? Abe Lincolns legacy lives on but does it matter to him now? Nope. Think about this, the only legacy that survives is the one that leads others to Christ. All the fears, worries, struggles of this world are nothing when we are gone. The worldly things we fear disappear when our time is done and the only thing that lives on is our salvation and the others that we show Jesus to. This does not mean you must be a pulpit preaching evangelist but a living sacrifice for Jesus that others see him in us and therefore find that same salvation. Jesus promises to walk with us through everything so why do we fret over being killed or lacking or anything for that matter? Take these words from the bible to heart because apart from them, life really does get hard and you will not rise above without them.

Psalms 91:5-6
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
KJV

Isaiah 43:2
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
NAS

Matthew 24:6-7
"And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end.
NAS

Remember Sammy as she travels...remember Joshua Barlow...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your steadfast presence in our lives. Lord we ask for a vision every day that we can stand knowing you are our support and strength. Help us be confident and an image of your love and grace regardless of the things we face. We stand on your Word that you will protect our souls forever. Take us, use us for your glory. Protect those mentioned and let them see you in their lives. In Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:57 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 30, 2010 at 6:38am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Continuing on with our look at Psalm 91 we see the confidence that comes from God so we need not fear. Do things scare you? Of course they do. My wife can walk up behind me sometimes and say boo...the ceiling I go. Fear is more dread and trepidation and that my friends is not of God any more than self condemnation. God provides healthy fear in the form of warnings just like he provides conviction with love and peace. Our Father is the author of a helping word and a shoulder to lean on so we can reach out to good rather than succumb to evil. Does he discipline? Of course! We as parents ourselves realize the value of discipline in our children or they'll run amuck. We must learn to seek God in everything and not some mystical tyrannical being but the true God who loves us and wants us to grow in the image of his son. Something as simple as a helping hand we offer to someone who is nobody to us personally but we help because it's the right thing to do and we do it with no respecter of person or what we might get from it. We need not fear of reprisals or ridicule when we step on faith and act as the Word teaches because it isn't about you or me. It is about God so if you are rejected or your words are, it's God they are rejecting. Now we also must have a gentle spirit and one who is looking to teach and show God's attributes, not ours. Walk today and as a challenge, rebuke the fear that may come over you when prompted to reach out of your comfort zone to one who may be grinding that last nerve but is enduring things just like we do but may not have the peace of the savior to support them. Think about that view...


Psalms 91:5
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
KJV

Psalms 46:3
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.
NAS

Proverbs 28:1
The wicked flee when no one is pursuing,
But the righteous are bold as a lion.
NAS

Matthew 8:26
And He said to them, "Why are you timid, you men of little faith?" Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and it became perfectly calm.
NAS

Hebrews 13:6
so that we confidently say,
"The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
What shall man do to me?"
NAS


Our confidence is in the Lord. If our confidence is in ourselves only, we will fail, we will fall and we will miss opportunities for reflecting our savior.


Remember Tim Taylor...remember Debbie Rippa and family...remember Earl Jones...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your wisdom and blessings. Forgive us for our many sins. Help us lead by example. Let others see you and let us not be stumbling blocks. Help us not inflict pain. Lord we seek your wisdom and do stand on your Word as the only real enduring truth. Bless our steps and take our headaches away, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:36 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 29, 2010 at 7:12am

Good morning! How are we faithing? I know that you all have faced things and I have had my share of trials and guess what? There will be many more. The Word did not promise perfect life and abundance the whole time you reside on this earth. The fact is the Word does tell us there will be all sorts of things that are hard on earth but we do have a protector and a place for rest and comfort. By keeping our eyes on God and not focusing on whatever besieges you, you become more resilient to the infractions against you. As believers we need to remember what is promised in the Word and where our protection is. We may fall in the middle of a catastrophe due to many reasons and lots of times not of our own doing at all but we can take comfort in knowing we can call on God for help. The Word will indeed sustain you even when things get dicey. God will carry you when the times are rough, all one must do is trust and seek him with the reassurance from the Word that this will pass and gee whiz, if it kills you, you'll be with the Father anyways so why get down over things so temporary? Yes it may hurt, yes it can be real hard but in the end does the trial matter or our response? Equipping yourself with the Word so when these things come you soar to the other side and nothing sticks to you is where those promises prove true.

Psalms 91:4

He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.
NAS

Mark 13:30-32
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
NAS

2 Samuel 22:31
"As for God, His way is blameless;
The word of the LORD is tested;
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
NAS

Remember Jonna...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Word that reassures us. Lord we ask for protection from the dark forces around us. Help us see what is real and what is illusion. Help us seek you first when we deal with life. Lord we lift those who are facing calamity. Show yourself and grant that peace so they know you got their back and are shielding their front. In Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:08 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 24, 2010 at 6:46am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Continuing with Psalm 91, when you"feel" like the world is closing in, everything is falling down around you or you just feel whooped, we need to remember that God has not left those who seek him. Our physical feelings can fool us in this matter. The Word being true and everlasting, this being the first thing we must stand on, tells us that we are under protection. Do things happen? Of course they do! We are physically in a fallen sin filled world therefore we are exposed to those things but we have a source of peace and eternal protection. We must run fast to our savior at all times. You don't stand in the open during a thunderstorm do you? You walk on the side walk and not down the yellow line right? Open your eyes and see the divine protection we have when we seek the master and his ways...even when contrary to worldly views...he does not wish tragedy or hurt on his children but just like a child who gets hurt, we learn what and what not to do. We learn to rely and give ourselves freely at all times to our savior. If he gave all on the cross, why would he tell us he'll do this or that and then not do it?

Psalms 91:3
For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper,
And from the deadly pestilence.
NAS

How does a trap work? Bait. Something enticing attracts what ever is being sought. The enemy seeks us and uses all kinds of bait. Sin and folly looks real good, feels real good...only temporarily.

Amos 3:5
Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground when there is no bait in it?
NAS

So we must pray and be diligent about what we say and do, not because we are saved by those good works but because they can cause pain and even cause someone else to miss Jesus. This is our prayer;

Psalms 141:9-10
Keep me from the jaws of the trap which they have set for me,
And from the snares of those who do iniquity.
Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
While I pass by safely.
NAS

And a promise;

Isaiah 43:2
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
NAS

Heavenly Father,
Some of us are truly struggling Lord. We ask for comfort and wisdom to deal with these things. Teach us to rely on you regardless of the circumstances surrounding us. Thank you for your sacrifice and love for us. Lord, open the scriptures and help us drink them deep down so we can stand up to anything tossed our way. We love and honor you and in Jesus name we pray, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:44 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 23, 2010 at 6:30am

Good morning! How are we faithing? In these times of struggle and trouble, where do you turn? Do you turn inward? Do you believe what you see more than what God says? I understand it is hard to focus while under duress but we must train our minds for those times when we are not under duress. We must settle issues before hand in order to deal with rough days. Haven't done that and you are in the midst of stuff? As we study through Psalm 91 we will see where our strength and protection lies. Looky here;

Psalms 91:1-2
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!"
NAS

So lets look at where to start. Lets look at those verses with this application in mind. First;

1 John 4:15-16
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
NAS

That is where the shelter starts. In Jesus. Our sanctuary. Before one can be protected from the rain, one must enter shelter and where is our shelter? It is in the Lord so first, recognise Jesus and his place. Make him the center for your thought process and your heart. There are lots of promises in the Word for us who abide in his arms and we will explore them over the days to come. Get this down first!

Romans 10:8-10
But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart"-- that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
NAS

1 John 4:2-3
By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; and this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.
NAS

So in order to weather the coming storms of life we must rest in the truth of Jesus as the Christ. Sit back and ponder this wisdom from the Word. Our salvation is in Jesus. Don't think so? Look around at the world, doesn't take a smart person to see where it's headed...

remember Nik and Josh and Micah, Dom and Isaiah...remember the other expecting Moms and their families...remember the children who don't have loving parents...

Heavenly Father,
Open our eyes to your Word. Search our hearts and show your love for us. Lord we lift those who are struggling today. Lord we ask for peace that is just unexplainable. Pour your love on those hurting and pour it on those who are not. Lord we honor you and do seek your will. Give us courage and strength to stand for what's right. We thank you in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:27 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 22, 2010 at 7:03am

Good morning! How are we faithing? It is interesting that we remember the pain and not the outcome. We remember the sad times and not the good times that resulted from the pain. This ought not be. We can compound out current pain if we fail to remember past victories. An example was an operation I had years ago. The pain of healing was awful but now I've enjoyed years without pain and discomfort. It was worth it even though during the healing I did have my doubts. Taking the time to look ahead with past victories in mind made enduring that pain tolerable. I've had financial rough times and when we stuck to a plan, pay day came and we succeeded. The temporary sacrifice and pain sucked but we knew we would be better. Sometimes any good out of a situation is completely hid because the pain is so severe but we have to focus on what is good and gracious and not the temporary. We must remind ourselves that it does get better because lets face it, nothing that is or has happened to us is new, it is only new to us therefore, we are able to see that this current affliction has been and will again be overcome. This view must be cultivated during the good times so when we encounter the bad, we survive with lessons learned and a renewed faith in our Lord. He promised to never leave nor forsake us so with that confidence, embrace the current affliction with thanksgiving because when you emerge from the other side you will be stronger and in a position to render aid to the next person who walks the same path.

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

John 14:1-3
"Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.
NAS

Isaiah 41:10
'Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.'
NAS

Psalms 46:1-3
God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.
NAS

remember Nikki and Josh and their new baby boy...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love and devotion to us. Thank you for your strength when we are weak. Lord Father, help us remember the victories when we face adversity. Help us focus on you and not the pain. Speak to us and make the letters dance off the pages of your Word. Lord we praise and honor you. Forgive us , in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:00 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 19, 2010 at 7:02am

Good morning! How are we faithing? I find odd things interesting. For example, what did Jesus look like? That really isn't important but I've heard arguments over such nonsense. I have an old old painting hanging on my living room wall that is an iconic image of him. I know he doesn't look like this painting but Grammy had one just like it in her living room and it makes me remember and all who enter my house recognise that Jesus is the center of this home. Was he white or black when he was on earth? Neither I think. The Word said that Joeseph and Mary took him and hid in Egypt for a season. Well a pasty whit blue eyed family couldn't very well hide in Egypt unnoticed. Nor could a dark black family go unnoticed. The Word also tells us he wasn't very handsome or desirable. So basically he blended with Egyptian commoners, wasn't Brad Pittish, didn't stand out in a crowd. But the point is why does this argument even exist? Why do arguments over things such as this grow and divide? Because it removes focus off Jesus as messiah and onto tangible things of no consequence thus rendering a witness ineffective. Satan knows this and uses these futile arguments to make us look self important and foolish. Curiosity is fine but do not let these things block your path to the peace Jesus gives or to the message of salvation.

Matthew 2:13-14
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise and take the Child and His mother, and flee to Egypt , and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him."
NAS

1 Corinthians 3:19-20
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness before God. For it is written, "He is the one who catches the wise in their craftiness"; and again, "The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are useless."
NAS

Read Isaiah 53.....

Remember Irene McKinney...Mary Beth...Phyllis Scaggs...Anna Benton...Mike...Gardner

Heavenly Father,
Lord Father we bless you and praise you. Thank you for minds that ponder your wonderfulness. Help us keep a healthy curiosity about things and let not foolishness hide truth. Help us realize the importance of being a reflection of you. Lord we lift those mentioned today. Grant their needs be met. Help them see truth and have confidence in the path you have set before them. In Jesus name we pray, amen


Posted by russ allen at 6:58 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 18, 2010 at 7:43am

Good morning! How are we faithing? It is curious to watch the monetarily wealthy on the news and around this world. All of a sudden others that watch them listen intently to their words and ideas. People think because they are wealthy that what they say or do is important enough to warrant emulation. They think because of the power that comes with riches that they must be right in what they say. Where does this come from? Famous people are the correct because they are famous? Wealthy people are right because they are wealthy? Why do we care what a wealthy heiress wears? Why do we care what a successful businessman thinks about a social issue? Where did these things ever become relevant to each other? Why would the opinion of a person who honed their craft to success be more important or have more weight in an area that is not where their success is? Baffling sometimes. Perceptions and views when viewed from the world get all twisted. The only truth that remains constant is the Word of God. The Word of God is the only thing that saves us from ourselves. Our salvation by Jesus the Christ enters us into forever with a grace that overcomes all this junk. The Word teaches us how to live and to not be taken in by all that junk. Think any of this is new? Read Proverbs and Ecclesiastes and see the profound words and ideas. They didn't even have phones or shoes as we know it but the same things were going on. People were looking to riches and pleasures thinking that was where it was at! How wrong they were and how wrong they are today. We sometimes are a dense lot, we repeat again and again. Lord help us.

Psalms 49:10-13
For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others.
Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.
Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish
This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah.
KJV

Psalms 49:10
For he sees that even wise men die;
The stupid and the senseless alike perish,
And leave their wealth to others.
NAS

Ecclesiastes 2:18-19
Thus I hated all the fruit of my labor for which I had labored under the sun, for I must leave it to the man who will come after me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the fruit of my labor for which I have labored by acting wisely under the sun. This too is vanity.
NAS

These are thoughts for us to think about today. Where are your desires? What do you concentrate on? Are you chasing the wind only to be gone tomorrow? Temporary pleasure and self gratitude running your life? Step back and think, "is this folly? Am I seeking what others have thinking It would be better if?"

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your wisdom in the Word. Thank you for peace inside that we can't even explain. Reveal to us if we are focused wrongly. Help us work and live honorably so we leave a legacy and not wealth that gets squandered. Help us reach our potential. Use us. Teach us to use wealth for your kingdom and not ours. in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:37 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 17, 2010 at 7:22am

Good morning! How are we faithing? You are encountering things that flat hurt. You are encountering physical, mental and emotional pain. Where is your comfort? I'm not speaking of the easy chair with ice tea and the game on or sitting on a bank with a pole in your hand but rather that inner peace that is present even when hurt is so vivid. We all are presented with different things on earth and different personalities deal accordingly but the thing that is the same no matter who or where you are is the love Jesus has for you and I. His arms are the only true love and comfort there is. Logically speaking all one has to do is look around to see people fail people. Our source for love is from the creator and if we don't know this love, well, I'm sorry for you. Coffee is good but without taste buds it's pretty much useless. Guitar playing is good but without fingers it's useless. Cars are cool but without roads they are useless. Love of self and things of this world without knowing the love of God will fail and is useless. Ponder this, that love for your child that you can't even explain is but a glimpse of the love God has for you that he would sacrifice his kid so you can come to him. We believe unto righteousness and we are raised to God through and with Jesus. With that in hand we then approach these pains on this dirty ol orb with refreshed sense of purpose. With a fresh view of the importance of holding on tightly to the things of God. With a compassion equipped soul that hurts but is not alone.


Colossians 3:1-4

If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
NAS

Ephesians 2:4-9
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.
NAS

remember the William Allen family....remember our leaders and our military...

Heavenly Father,
We are hurting and don't know how to ease the pain Lord. Let us know you have us in your arms and that you understand. We lift those in despair and are thinking of cashing in. Let them know you are right there and all is not futile. Let them know you love them and have a plan for their life. Let them know they are loved. Help them realize the selfishness of that act. Lord we honor you and lift your name up because we realize the size of the gift you have given in your son. Help us raise up and walk holy and righteous to honor you and to shine bright for those in need...in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:15 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 16, 2010 at 7:27am

Good morning! How are we faithing? It has been an interesting last few days. I have enjoyed them, laughed, cried, prayed, met up with old friends and made some new ones. Realizing God does indeed have everything under control, even though I don't understand why or how things transpire is how peace remains in the face of all things. I may not like or understand but I know because I can look back over my years to see how things worked out and that God's plan is infinite and mine is finite. He's sees way down the road while we live and learn in the present. Trusting completely that our Lord is right here when we feel like we are alone in the universe is sometimes very hard. We ought to remind ourselves in those times and seek out God's peace and grace all the while hurting, healing and all the other things we endure because he never fails...ever. I know it's difficult and guys, down right insurmountable but whatever we go through ain't the first or the last time this has happened. That is no solace but it is the truth so as we endure, learn, take each day we have to remind our self and remember to seek God's face. Pray, offer blessings and ask for peace. We cannot endure in total solice because, well, we would go nuts and that is not a place to be. As you face each day, take the time to raise up and pray to the Father asking for strength for the day and don't fret about tomorrow...tomorrow has enough to worry about so let tomorrow carry that load.

Matthew 6:30-34

"But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith? "Do not be anxious then, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'With what shall we clothe ourselves?' "For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. "Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow ; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
NAS

Proverbs 27:1
Do not boast about tomorrow ,
For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
NAS

Matthew 6:11
Give us this day our daily bread.
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

remember the William Allen family for the loss of their son...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love and grace that sustains us. Lord we ask for your comforting touch for those who are hurting so badly. Touch them and hold them. Lord we do want your wisdom but fail to see at times. Open the eyes of our hearts so we may see truth and love in it's purest. We lift the Allen family up at this sad time. Lord, hold them and protect them all from the enemy. Lord we lift Chris Bell to you and we rebuke the enemy that is harassing him. Open his eyes Lord. We also ask for traveling mercies for those on the road this week, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:24 AM

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