Add a Comment

Comment by russ allen on April 9, 2010 at 8:03am

Good morning! How are we faithing? I want to encourage you this day and assure you that even when you goof up, even when you stumble, even when you outright fail, Jesus still loves you, still imparts grace and still hears your pleas. Don't beat yourself up. Go to him with confidence and trust that he will stand by his Word of love and forgiveness. You who are feeling low and like you are nothing need to remember you are indeed loved by the creator. It just don't get any better than that.

John 3:34-36
The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
NIV

2 Thess 2:16-17
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
NIV

Just like we spoke of yesterday, do not let negative speech emit from your mouth. Stop, pray and speak truth and not anguish into being. Look here;

Eph 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
NIV

You be confident in the grace of God. You are loved and you are forgiven so walk humbly but confidently. Enjoy Gods creations!

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the grace and love you have for us that sustains and nourishes us daily. Lord, we ask for wisdom and peace that only you can provide. Teach us to not spout in angst. Keep us mindful of the power in words and let us only speak truth with compassion. Thank you for all your blessings and help us recognise long term blessings and not just the immediate, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:35 A

Comment by russ allen on April 8, 2010 at 7:34am

Good rainy morning here in central Kentucky! How is it in your neck of the woods? I heard a statement that was a huge revelation recently. "Take thoughts captive with words, not other thoughts." It occurred to me that we have thoughts come and go. Some are innocent and some are not. Entertaining or not entertaining those thoughts is a chore sometimes. Errant thoughts that are contrary to Biblical wisdom should be rebuked with a verbal prayer or quoting of scripture. A whisper is fine. The Word is more powerful than any two edged sword. Ever heard that? How did the world began? The Word. How did Jesus heal? He spoke in into being. How are we hurt, propped up, made to laugh? The spoken word. There is a theme here and when we have those rogue thoughts we need to take them captive and not entertain them. We've all had them. Thoughts about smacking the crap out of someone, lust, day dreams about improper things, you catch my drift here. When we entertain thoughts of a nature that is not conducive to our Godly well being we open the door to actions we may not even want or even considered before. This is a huge study but I want you all to be thinking about this and to be aware when those uninvited thoughts enter. Be ready to at least recognise them and speak them away. Look at these, search the scriptures deeper, it'll only help you cope with day to day events.

2 Cor 10:5-7
We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.
NAS


John 1:1-2
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
NIV

John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
NIV

Ps 33:6
By the word of the LORD were the heavens made,their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
NIV


Heb 4:12
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
NKJV

Interesting that we treat thoughts with other thoughts and give no thought to the thoughts remaining in our head.

Remember Marsha Duvall family...remember Marvin McKinney...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Word that strengthens us. Help us be mindful of errant thoughts that can harm us. Help us take captive those thoughts and pass them to you to remove from out hearts. Lord we want to live upright and we want to live according to your Word but it is hard sometimes. Forgive us when we drop the ball and help us pick it back up and continue on. Lord we ask for wisdom every day and your Spirit to reveal folly and harmful ways. We lift those who are scared about their life. Assure them you are in control, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:44 AM

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

Good morning! How are we faithing? Let me pose a question; "What is a heart for the lost?" This is something that is weighing on myself alot lately. A heart for the lost is not a heart that wants membership in the church to raise, even though that is good. A heart for the lost doesn't concern itself with stature or status. A heart for the lost sees the person and remembers they too were once in that same place. A heart for the lost doesn't condemn but wants to help others find Jesus. A heart for the lost wants to help not hinder others paths. A heart for the lost is not self serving. A heart for the lost hurts and shares pain. A heart for the lost does not want ill to befall someone, even when they have been really stepped on. A heart for the lost sees the other side of the sin and even if they can't stand that person, still prays they come to know the savior. A heart for the lost is unselfish, kind, real, honest and steadfast. People do amazingly stupid and mean things but a heart for the lost still prays they come home. We all have people we just simply don't like. We are the object of that same feeling by someone else therefore, pray for the lost. Be an example for the lost. Help physical needs whenever you can. Honestly desire Jesus for them because you know what he has done for you. When we develop that heart for the lost we start to see past sin to the sinner. When we apply the Word and the love we enjoy from God, a heart for the lost grows. God even said he did not want any to perish but by golly he made us with free will and one choice is yes or no to the gift of salvation. If God doesn't want any to perish it stands to reason we have no right to wish that on anyone or deny giving knowledge of that choice. A heart for the lost, enormous thing to have and also a loving thing to have. Look at these and ask; "Are there any exceptions? Is anybody exempt or not offered this gift of salvation?"

Rom 5:8-11
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
NIV

1 John 4:10-12
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
NIV

Here's a classic one;

John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
NIV

Whoever....that's everyone we meet, everyone we know, everyone we don't like and everyone else for that matter. Do you have a heart for the lost?

Remember Hallie Tracey.....

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for saving me and for saving anyone who seeks you out. Lord we want a heart for the lost. We want to see what you see in others. We want to be wise examples of your love. Lord create in us clean hearts so we can live accordingly and our lives speak for you so others come to you. Lord, we lift your daughter Hallie up to you. Comfort all her family and show your mercy. in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:40 AM

Comment by russ allen on April 6, 2010 at 7:13am

Great morning! How are we faithing this fine day? So many things crop up day to day and sometimes they are obvious as to our role and sometimes we ponder and wonder "what the?" It seems we try to fight the good fight only to be beat down or for things to simply blow up in our faces. Trying to hold onto our faith with unwavering courage does not always seem possible. Questions arise that make us pause and view things from a different perspective even when we thought we already had that issue settled. The Word is the only thing that can keep us on the narrow path otherwise we would be pulled off in many directions. I have Christian friends that view things and see things from the worldly point of view only because they are bombarded through media and hype. They are not even aware they are being influenced but those things. Things that have been accepted for a hand full of decades are considered righteous. Man, as Christians we need to test and question everything from media to the pulpit. Error can be intentional and or unintentional. Our job for our faith is to search out these premises on our own as well as by listening to wise people of faith. Checking scripture when we hear is to solidify truth and to refute lies. Where are you on issues and why? How do you test and verify concepts? What gauge do you use?

1 Cor 16:13-14
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.
NIV


Matt 26:41
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
NIV


Luke 12:35-37
"Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.
NIV


Luke 21:35-36
Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man." NIV

Eph 6:17-18
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
NIV

1 Peter 5:8-9
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
NIV

Remember Tony Beers....

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Word that guides all we do. Lord, keep us fully aware of the pitfalls we face. Help us recognise deceit and dismiss folly that leads us away from truth. Lord we lift those who need your touch today. Heal and comfort those in need, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:31 AM

Comment by russ allen on April 5, 2010 at 7:51am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Organized religion ticks me off. Organized religion makes me shake my head. Organized religion has killed many and subdued many. Organized religion is also a source for spreading the Gospel, helping the poor, providing a family outside of blood and making a place for us to gather to worship our Lord. There are many more benefits to church such as, like minds exchanging thoughts, encouragement, help physically and mentally to name a few. The Word encourages us to meet regularly because we are prone to drifting without that encouragement. Anything we do or are involved in can eventually take over our thoughts and our life so be wise in what you pick. Nor forsaking the gathering together keeps us grounded. Of course we must hold what that particular church we go to teaches up to the Word, for the enemy is sly and a deceiver. We must hold onto the truth that Jesus is the only way to heaven, any other path to God is contrary to the Word. The point to this is you will be ticked off sometimes at church. You will sometimes feel like "what's the point". You will have times of wondering what it's all for but be confident that these feelings are normal human feelings and just because you feel them doesn't necessarily mean all is bunk. It could be a vitamin deficiency or it could be you got your feelings stepped on. It could be you have taken something in a way that was not meant. I've heard things and I'm sure you have, that were not even heard in context. So what to do? Pray, confront with love, ask questions and if that other person is being a butt head, what's that got to do with YOU going to church? Your walk and your relationship is your concern, not mine. Them having a struggle doesn't mean we do, it means it's time for us to reach out, we expect it when we are in that place don't we?

Prov 18:2
A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.
NIV


Prov 18:17
The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.
NIV


Prov 18:19
An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city, and disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.
NIV


Prov 19:11
A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
NIV

1 Cor 15:58
Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
NIV

Remember Draven Beasley...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your sacrifice for us. Thank you for the grace that saves even someone so unworthy as me. Forgive us when we fail for we do desire your way and your presence but we just keep stumbling. Lord, bless those who need you and your love today. Comfort the injured whether it's physical or spiritual. Heal are wounds so we can forgive and serve others so you are glorified. Lead our paths, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:05 AM

Comment by russ allen on April 2, 2010 at 7:07am

Great morning! How are we faithing? A comment and thought process I have heard makes no sense. These things contradict and cannot be but people are saying them. "I will think about salvation and Jesus when I get older,(or do this or that)." These same people also say they "want to die in their sleep or go quickly". Think about that. You want to do what you want to do so facing the salvation issue can wait but yet you may meet with an unfortunate accident and find yourself immediately on the other side of this life. Does this line of thinking make sense? Do you see the folly of this selfishness? Do you see the danger? All I pray you do is think about this and ask yourself if you dare risk forever. Maybe it's time you stop worrying about how you need to "change" and what you'll give up here and think about how "here" weighs against forever.

John 3:16-21
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
NIV

Luke 24:1-8
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: "The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'" Then they remembered his words.
NIV

Remember Tony Beers and family...remember our leaders and troops...remember the lost

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for salvation and the gift thereof. Lord we ask for wisdom and enlightenment so we realize you do indeed care and love us personally. We pray for the lost and ask the scales be removed so they see truth. Lord don't let us be deceived by the enemy. Lord we lift our leaders in every role that they seek your wisdom and not their own. We lift those in pain to you, comfort and heal them. We ask you reassure those serving away from loved ones. In Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:37 AM

Comment by russ allen on March 31, 2010 at 7:33am

Good morning! How are we faithing this beautiful spring day? Life is funny. Life is interesting. Life is hard. Life is joyous. Life is sad. Life is a trip that has all those things present along the way. I hear people whine and complain over trivial things. I also hear people say they are great but are being ate away inside. What is this discontent? Why do we brood over trivial things? Why do we not see beyond the circumstances before us? Selfishness. "Woe is me". "Why me?" "Boo hoo, it always happens to me". Inside is where the truth is and our actions and reactions show our true hearts. Think about this very simple thing today and ask yourself some questions. Am I selfish? Do I pity myself over everything? Do I always complain and wonder why these things are happening to me? Do I or have I planted a seed way back and now I'm reaping what was sown?

Gal 6:7-10
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
NAS

2 Cor 9:6
Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.
NAS

Hos 10:12
Sow with a view to righteousness, Reap in accordance with kindness; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORDUntil He comes to rain righteousness on you.
NAS

Remember Brian Riddle...

Heavenly Father,
Lord we praise your holy name and ask for the wisdom to see truth in all our paths. Lord, help us to rise above this world and not be influenced and brought down to its standards but help us see you in all the things we say and do. Lord, be with those healing today physically and spiritually. Forgive us when we fail, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:02 AM

Comment by russ allen on March 30, 2010 at 7:20am

Good morning! How are we faithing this fine Tuesday? We get wrapped up in things that take our focus away from the things we need to be focusing on. Our job, our kids, our hobbies etc. Those things in and of themselves are great but don't let them become God. We can do our jobs well and still worship God. We can have hobbies and pray while doing them. We can enjoy our kids and thank God for them. We can be aware of all that is around us, even the bad stuff and still be children of God who shine for our savior. This ol world gets tough and people put things that are burdensome on us and sometimes our sunshine dims. When that starts to happen, praise God and thank him that you are able to do, to have, to be in a place where you can experience these things. Know that God loves you and this isn't the first or last time these things will happen. I talk to lots of people in my job and none of us are exempt from life's woes and pleasures. Jesus went through them too and was killed for being sinless while he lived. He is the only perfect man that ever lived, died and rose again therefore we have a God that sympathises with us and makes it possible for us to live. Gee whiz, it just doesn't get any better than that...

1 Peter 3:13-22
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand-with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
NIV

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for being for us and ever present so we can lean on you. Forgive us where we drop the bucket we carry and help us keep that bucket full so we can share you with others. Lord, help us keep focus on you in everything we do, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:06 AM

Comment by russ allen on March 29, 2010 at 7:19am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Getting knocked down and knocking someone down who knocked you first are both terrible things when they happen. I get smacked on and it sucks but retaliation serves no one and only perpetuates things. We are not to become whipping posts but tit for tat isn't wise either. Jesus spoke of turning the other cheek and though literally that can seem quite non palatable, the principle of it is sound. Who benefits in a shouting match? Who benefits from a mutual smack down? Who benefits from a held grudge? This below expounds on how our behavior should be. Read and think on these things and the next time forces come against you, think and above all...pray quick!

1 Thess 5:4-11
But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
NIV

remember the Edith Mitchel family...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your Word and the strength contained. Help us be ever mindful of who we are and who we serve. Grant the wisdom to learn and to walk in your light. Lord we ask for forgiveness when we fail. Thank you for your sacrifice for the likes of us, in Jesus' name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:59 AM
0 comments:

Comment by russ allen on March 25, 2010 at 7:09am

Good morning! How are we faithing? We tend to worry about speaking of our faith in certain circles. Granted if you are at the drag strip on the starting line, opening a conversation about Jesus is probably not prudent. Nobody would hear you anyways but how you carry yourself throughout the day, the conversations you participate in do matter and do convey that spirit of Jesus. The urgency of sharing Christ is so important that when the Word says to be ready to share this gift it is not just a flip notion. We put it off for various reasons but what if you guys get in a wreck leaving the strip and your friend is gone? What if...We need to really be ready and to make a point to tell our family and friends about this gift of salvation. I don't want them to miss out on the coolest gift we could ever have and I'll bet you don't either. Put the magazine down and read the Word more. Flip the radio to a Christian station and learn or at least spark that interest to search for yourself by listening. We don't have to all be pulpit standing preachers but our lives and our love and our witness will do the same as any sermon. Think about that...

John 3:1-21
Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Him by night, and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not understand these things? "Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak that which we know, and bear witness of that which we have seen; and you do not receive our witness. "If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how shall you believe if I tell you heavenly things? "And no one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven, even the Son of Man. "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; that whoever believes may in Him have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. "And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their deeds were evil. "For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. "But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God." NAS

remember our leaders whether you agree with them or not...remember our children...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your wonderful council in your Word. Help us reflect your love and light and grant us wisdom from your Word so we can share. Lord, we are not worthy or feel capable sometimes to be your ambassador. Please reassure us, open and or close our mouths at the appropriate times and help us be mindful that you are the goal and no self serving actions or words preclude our witness. Thank you for all your blessings and surround your people with Divine protection from the enemy, In Jesus' name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:47 AM

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 71
• 72
• 73
• 74
• 75
• …
• 109
• Next ›
• Page