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Comment by russ allen on October 8, 2010 at 8:26am

Good morning! How be y'all faithing? An interesting word study, love. It is used in many ways and it's meaning or rather the usage can be a noun, adjective or even a verb. The old testament, written in Hebrew and the new testament, written in Greek also use the word "love" to relay ideas and feelings. I am one who sees the good in everything until shown otherwise yet my bride looks at things the opposite. What does the bible say about love? How is the message relayed if there are many words in those languages translated into love? We'll look at those in a moment but to preface this with wisdom. The wisdom to see the context of the manuscript and not miss apply the definition of love.
In Hebrew we see the Hebrew noun "checed" which means loving kindness, steadfastness, mercy, devotion, goodness. Used all over the old testament this word conveys the things that love as we know it encompasses. God's love for us is shown in the English words listed above. Look at Isaiah 54:8,10; 55:3 and Psalms 85:7,10.
"Chacid" is an adjective meaning pious, devout, faithful and godly. Psalm 12:1;31:23. In these we see an action of love. This is interesting;
"Following the Greek "hosios" and Latin "sanctus", the KJV often renders the word "saint"-- which must be understood in the sense of sanctification [dependent upon grace], not moralistically [of native goodness].
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright (c)1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)"
I'll be...
In the new testament we see "agapao" and "agape" which are used for the love of God for us that he would give his son for us. The word is used as a heavenly pious love that is clean, sincere and totally pure. This love is not to be confused with passionate love in the mindset of "eros" which comes our word erotic. "phileo" represents tender affection. the "phileo" love is what I have for my wife and friends. Lev19:18, Duet6:5. John3:16, romans5:8.
Now as you read the Word, take note of where you are reading and the context. You will discover more and more examples of God's love for us and direction we should strive for. Love is a huge and powerful term but if used incorrectly or haphazardly, it loses it's effective emotional meaning. It can become like so many other words that just fall to the ground with no effect. Sad when that happens...
Remember those grieving...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for you love and charity that moves us to actions that we otherwise might not do. Lord we want to be aware of your love, show it forth to others and be a pleasing aroma to you. Help us keep perspective and grant us wisdom to see true love. Lord we praise your name and thank you for revealing yourself to us. Protect the children and we lift our leaders to you in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 8:21 AM

Comment by russ allen on October 7, 2010 at 7:26am

Good morning! How isith thou faithing? We have to be careful what we say and when we say it. We have to have wisdom as to when silence is more comforting than words. I hear people at funerals trying to console and their words just fall to the floor. Cry with people who are hurting. Hug people who feel lonely. Hold people who are cold. Laugh and smile when good things are shared. Our wisdom is not only shown with words. Our love for others as Jesus loves manifests itself by being able to sympathise and empathise with the situation at hand. It isn't about you when others hurt therefore think what you would like to hear in those situations...or not hear. Think what helps you and what makes you roll your eyes and act accordingly.

Colossians 3:12-14

And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. And beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
NAS

Ephesians 4:31-32
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
NAS

Proverbs 30:32-33
If you have been foolish in exalting yourself
Or if you have plotted evil, put your hand on your mouth.
For the churning of milk produces butter,
And pressing the nose brings forth blood;
So the churning of anger produces strife.
NAS

Remember Caleb Barnes...remember Margaret Overstreet...remember Flo...remember Kathy

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your wisdom. Thank you for your touch on our lives. Lord we ask for discretion and honor in all we say and do. Teach us to see truth. Thank you for your blessings even when we cannot see them. Help build confidence in your ways so we follow them without hesitation. In Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:22 AM

Comment by russ allen on October 6, 2010 at 6:58am

Good morning! How be ye faithing? Have we been rewarded for our sins? Do we get what we deserve? Does the compassion of God remove our sins? In his sight they are forgotten if we believe in Jesus. If God dealt with us in a manner befitting our deeds, we'd be gone. We are a sinful lot and we keep on breaking laws of God. The thing that is so wonderful for us is that God knows this but in order for us to willing love him we are made this way therefore a way of reconciliation for fellowship with God is necessary because of God's love. He also is just and willing to let us choose to reconcile or not. A way that seems right to man lots of times is contrary to God's way. Even when logic and earthly reasoning can't comprehend the principles of God we must learn to trust those principles simply because God doesn't lie and the father of lies runs rampant on earth. Therein lies the choices and without Biblical wisdom as a foundation we most assuredly will stumble even more.

Psalms 103:10-12

He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
KJV

Acts 3:19-21
"Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.
NAS

1 Peter 3:8-12
To sum up, let all be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. For,"Let him who means to love life and see good days
Refrain his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking guile.
"And let him turn away from evil and do good;
Let him seek peace and pursue it. "For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous,
And His ears attend to their prayer,
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
NAS

Heavenly Father,
Lord we honor you and ask for vision and wisdom to see truth in everything. Thank you for providing a way for us to remain in you. Lord we ask for protection from the evil that abounds. Show us your majesty and let us be so keenly aware of your work in our lives. We lift those in pain physically and mentally. Heal them in a way they recognise that you are with them. Treat your servants with compassion and loving kindness so much that it overflows to the others we meet, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:54 AM

Comment by russ allen on October 5, 2010 at 7:37am

Good morning! How art we faithing? Some say we do not have free choice. Bunk. We do. We are able to choose right from wrong, truth from lies, wisdom or foolishness. Is it easy? Do we always choose correctly? Of course not and the reasons are wide and varied. We choose inappropriately for comfort, for "the easy way", for simple desires. Sometimes we choose out of ignorance but that is what the Word is teaching us...wisdom. We all have made choices and when we made them we knew they were suspect but our flesh picked them anyways. This is where the "reaping what we sow" comes into play. Whatever we do will come back whether good or bad. We live in the physical but we should respond in the spiritual. Huh? Do what's right because it is right. Who cares what everybody else does. Yours and my deal is not someone elses. Our God and his love for us is greater than anything including "what we want" so the quicker we trust that he knows best even when we disagree, the quicker we'll stop planting things that grow up later to prick us.

Psalms 81:11-12

"But My people did not listen to My voice;
And Israel did not obey Me. "So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart,
To walk in their own devices.
NAS

Romans 1:24-25
Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
NAS

Remember Alex Lindstam...

Heavenly Father,
We come before you realizing without you we are but animals lost in our own crap. We wallow in the mud and mire wondering why. Lord we ask for your wisdom and Word this day and lay all our burdens at your feet so we can trust things will be taken care of in the right time. Help us see the lesson in a timely manner and help us stand on your Word that says we are yours. Help our thought process not get clouded with the wqorld but let us recognize truth immediatly. We praise you and honor you Lord, our creator and in Jesus name we bow at your feet, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:34 AM

Comment by russ allen on October 4, 2010 at 7:18am

Good morning! How are we faithing? The imagery in the old testament is so cool. Look at these one by one, sit back and picture what is being said and what message is being given;

Malachi 4:2

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
KJV

Isaiah 60:1
"Arise, shine; for your light has come,
And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
NAS

Hosea 6:3
"So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD.
His going forth is as certain as the dawn;
And He will come to us like the rain,
Like the spring rain watering the earth."
NAS

Our savior is like the sun coming up in the morning. Constant, reliable and ever present. With that confidence we can leap for joy and press on with our days with smiles because all this stuff that comes against us is fleeting. Our savior has already beaten the world, it just hasn't realized it yet. We are able to receive the blessings of God like a gentle rain on parched soil savoring every drop. Our savior has risen on us therefore anything and I mean ANYTHING that comes can be stepped over because our lord is bigger than anything. It may bet tough but only because of the flesh we occupy right now but with the Word's reassurance we can climb over into the light of his presence. So when things "appear" bleak, remember that this is so short a physical life that we can deal with it knowing it shall change and with our eyes on Jesus, that sunrise in the distance comes. Relax and ponder this...

Heavenly Father,
We thank you for all your grace that sustains us. Lord we lift you up higher when we face adversity. Help us see around,beyond and through things on this earth. Help us be aware of the truth in everything so we can act and speak with honor for you. We pray deception be tossed away and that in our deeds we show you. Thank you for your Word today and keep it ever present on our tongues, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:12 AM

Comment by russ allen on October 1, 2010 at 7:42am

Good Friday morning! How are we faithing? This is one of those mornings where nothing in particular is on my mind and yet I am thinking about everything. Ever have those days? Days when your thoughts segue' from one thing to another with with no pattern? Rememberances and thoughts about past and future events that are connected in the most obscure ways tends to make ones head spin. We have to reel in these eratic thoughts, kinda like defragmenting our hard drive. Todays talk is short but the point is for us to capture our minds and fill it with fruit that is not rotten. Fill it with good things of God. Your situation and the things your mind does during those situation needs to be brought under submission to God. As a man thinks he is , that is a verse that is very very important...

Proverbs 15:14
The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge,
But the mouth of fools feeds on folly.
NAS

Proverbs 23:33
Your eyes will see strange things,
And your mind will utter perverse things.
NAS

Romans 8:6-8
For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so; and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
NAS

Romans 12:16
Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind , but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
NAS

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.
NAS

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Word that guides and keeps us focused. Lord we ask for your touch on this day that we control the mind so we don't get twisted in our thinking. Lord we praise you for your grace given , in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:39 AM

Comment by russ allen on September 30, 2010 at 6:58am

Great morning! How are we faithing? I do not want any of you to think anti church. On the contrary, church is good as long as we realize why we go and why God said to not forsake the assembling of each other. The only thing you need to realize is church is not God. Church is for the "equipping of the saints" which the Word says is you and me and all who believe and have accepted the gift of grace therefore we no longer are judged by the law. Church is for building up of the body, not judging it.

Galatians 2:20-21

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me. "I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly."
NAS

Romans 11:6-7
But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.
NAS

Getting a grasp on this is so important to our well being. Realizing that no matter what we say or do we are acceptable to God will cause us to modify our outlook on things and as a result good deeds start happening. Eventually we cuss less, we stop lying, we become concerned and less callous about our fellow man. We find ourselves noticing root causes of flaws and not concerned with the flaw. We start to love the unlovable. We begin to pray for people and situations at all times. We find we talk to God. Guess what, that sounds an awful lot like a love relationship and that is what Jesus promised. He promised a way to the Father that isn't clouded or hidden by the sin we have. That relationship peels the scales of iniquity off. It can be a painful process but never the less it happens. So take a look and analyze where you are in Christ. Is it all about the things that show like God or is it really about God?

Remember Laura Graham family...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the grace that saves us. Thank you for being a father that picks us up when we fall. Thank you for healing our minds and bodies. Thank you for talking to us whether by revelation or just in your Word. Show your unfailing grace all around us so others want what we have found. Lord we lift those people mentioned to you. Touch their lives in a manner befitting you vast power and majesty. Help us control our tongues, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:53 AM

Comment by russ allen on September 29, 2010 at 7:21am

Good morning! How are we faithing? I'm concerned for the people I run into who are so turned off by "religion" that they can't and wont hear or see the truth in Messiah, Jesus. History bears all the things told about Jesus and yet they still can't let the message come in because of religious damage. You know what? I understand. Here's the difference. I know what Jesus has done for me in my life. I also have seen what religion has done to people. That is why the only way is the Word and any religion that deviates from the Word into a tradition or a ceremony that takes the glory and the focus off Jesus and unto "good works" will become domineering and controlling. When the focus moves to those arenas the message is lost. Salvation to heaven is by grace. The price for yours and my screw ups has already been paid. You owe nothing but to accept or not. That my friends is our free choice that is talked about. Accept and be saved from separation from God or refuse and get the opposite. Simple really, the hard part comes when the wisdom of God flies in the face of the world and the guy in charge of it. Our spirit man is dead to the things of God until it is revived by Jesus and that happens when we accept who Jesus is. All the churches and religions are just clubs without the grace and the blood shed by Jesus for us. I am reminded of a part of the Airplane! movie where the "church of lunar conciseness" is soliciting in the airport. Funny in the movie but unfortunately a perfect representation of what church is without Jesus.

1 Peter 4:1-6

Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousals, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. And in all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excess of dissipation, and they malign you; but they shall give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.
NAS

Ephesians 2:8-10
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

Ephesians 4:11-16
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
NAS

remember Brenda Adams...remember Ty Bates...remember Chuck Anglin family

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love that saved us. Thank you for being a God who is ever present. Forgive us Lord for being religious and not loving examples of your grace and beauty. Open the eyes of the hearts of those who do not know you but are searching. Help us live upright without ego but with humble wisdom to reach out to those who need you. Grant us the resources to help others where needed. Bless those mentioned today. Heal, bless, comfort your servants and those who would find you, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:17 AM

Comment by russ allen on September 28, 2010 at 7:14am

Great morning! How are we faithing? We are about to enter some unbelievable times! The body of Christ is about to awaken in this world. The breath of life is blowing and the time of influence, power of the church in the world that the last few generations enjoyed is gone. Now we have to do things God's way. It used to be that politicians cared what the people of the churches thought. It used to be that the pulpit could sway governmental thinking. This past century we saw that slowly go away. Now we have to hit the streets, go out where the lost are and leave the comfort of our pews. We need to meet the needs physically as well and spiritually. Times are changing and we are being awakened to do what God has in store for us to do. Our man made doctrine is falling apart. We see it all over the place but as man's way falls, God way rises higher and higher. Lets wake up to the sound of God's spirit as he gathers his people for the coming storm. Do not fear what may happen to our flesh because things are gonna happen but our Lord and savior is right there with us and the schemes of the enemy has no effect on our souls.

Romans 13:11-14

And this do, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
NAS

Ezekiel 18:31-32
"Cast away from you all your transgressions which you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! For why will you die, O house of Israel? "For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies," declares the Lord GOD. "Therefore, repent and live."
NAS

Isaiah 2:20-22
In that day men will cast away to the moles and the bats
Their idols of silver and their idols of gold,
Which they made for themselves to worship,
In order to go into the caverns of the rocks and the clefts of the cliffs,
Before the terror of the LORD and the splendor of His majesty,
When He arises to make the earth tremble.
Stop regarding man, whose breath of life is in his nostrils;
For why should he be esteemed?
NAS

Heavenly Father,
Thank you Lord for your love for us. Thank you for revealing your Word to us. Lord we ask for truth be revealed in everything we do. Open our eyes to what you have for us and to all the people we meet who need you. Take our lives and lead so we may me a pleasing fragrance . We honor and praise you Lord, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:08 AM

Comment by russ allen on September 27, 2010 at 7:20am

Good morning! How are we faithing? An age old question came up this weekend. Why do bad things happen to good people? Lets examine the question first. Bad things like calamity, disease, accidents, tough times come upon everyone on earth one time or another. Is God paying back? Is God causing retribution for a sin committed? Nope but realize this, we do reap what we sow. You plant the seed of lying, stealing, cursing, speeding, gossiping, adultery etc. and those seeds will grow. The harvest from those seeds that have been sown are the effect you endure. Now don't start beating yourself up because this scripture is the truth;

Matthew 5:45
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
KJV



In this world, that is a sinful world, things happen because sin is present. Someone speeds and blows a light, t-bones another car, that has an effect on the sinner and the innocent. Two people standing on a corner, one a serial killer, the other a Nun, both get wet when it rains, both dry out when the sun comes up. Do you see this message? I don't particularly like it but it is truth. Does this mean God is not in control? Not at all! A just God allows us to make choices. A just God lets our choices bear what they may. An unjust God would micro manage and we would not be free choice creatures but robots. He didn't create robots but beings that can love him out of choice and not by obligation. We have scratched the surface of this subject but I pray you take a step back and think and pray about this. Remember to run to him immediately when you encounter your own harvest or someone elses.

Proverbs 29:13
The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
The LORD gives light to the eyes of both.
NAS

Luke 6:35-38
"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

Remember Katrina Williams...remember Harold Markey...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you Lord for your blessings and thank you for your son that is our savior. Lord, help us understand your Word. Help us react to things in this world in the manner you teach in your Word. Hold onto us when we feel like we're getting the short end of the stick. Hold us when we are in the path of others sin. Open our eyes to the things we are meant to see and help us keep our eyes off the woes of this world. Grant us wisdom to act and react in the fashion you deem correct. Lord we worship and seek your wisdom in everything and it is in your holy name we pray, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:14 AM

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