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Comment by russ allen on November 25, 2009 at 7:10am

Good morning! I've always wondered about what this meant;

Luke 14:25-27
Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters-yes, even his own life-he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
NIV

The word hate. Hate your parents? Hate your brother and sister? We gotta do that to follow Jesus? Nope, listen up! The word hate used in this context doesn't mean "despise" or "deplore" like we know the word in english. Yes there is a context where that is true but in this context it means to "put one before the other". The Greek word, "miseo" holds different meanings when used in certain ways. That word is used as a verb in this context. There are other Greek words that we translate to English as "hate" or "hateful" or to "hate". There is "stugetos" or "stugeo" which means hateful. The nouns are "echthra" which means hatred, then there is "theostuges" which means haters of God. That word is a combo of "Theos"- God, and "stugeo" translates, "hater of God". All this to show that when you question how something reads, search and look up the translation. The verses we are talking about today have to do with us following God and putting him before everything else and the comparison to what is usually the most important thing in our lives, parents and siblings and even kids is driven home by verbiage used. Do we cast off concerns for our kids or other relatives? No, of course not. We have responsibilities in this world but this is to put into perspective what is indeed of more importance than anything else in our lives. God before self or anything else and we are not talking ritual or church, we are talking about the relationship with God. Our responsibilities such as raising our kids, our jobs, our households are given for us to live here and to learn. We must learn to cultivate that God relationship so all this other stuff we do on earth glorifies him. You think about that..

Remember those traveling this Thanksgiving weekend, my self included...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your wisdom and love that reveals who you are and how you love us. Thank you for the sacrifice of your son for us. We praise you and honor your name. Thank you for literacy and the opportunity to study and learn in this nation. Lord you are worthy of our praise and you have it. Keep those traveling safe, in Jesus' name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:43 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 24, 2009 at 7:17am

Good morning! How are we faithing? When things take place that just plain throw you for a loop, praise God. When you are hurting emotionally or physically, praise God. When you feel like you are like pond scum, praise God and of course when you are happy and all is well, Praise God. Our peace that is unexplainable even when things are scary comes from God. If you have those thoughts that lead away from the truth of God or the peaceful rest that surrounds us, recognising that comes from the pit and brimstone permeates it. I had the opportunity to witness recently and the questions were age old but the emotion and the longing search for the truth was age old too. The joy that comes with the truth being revealed is only available to believers in messiah, Jesus the Christ. Being confused and overwhelmed with notions of performance over grace causes joy to escape because those who think that way can never achieve what that notion requires. It's a constant battle to earn rather than rest in his loving arms. It's in our nature to perform and we have trouble wrapping our heads around a simple choice of faith. "It can't be that easy" or "there's gotta be more I have to do" are the mantras of people. Nope, grace is free for the asking and the joy that comes along with the freedom causes us to do more. I know this is fundamental and probably rehashing the same ol stuff but when I run into this day after day it has to be reiterated again and again so we can be that beacon for God and his truth which will cause others to see God's reflection in us and make those people approach us. We must be secure and certain in our faith. With this comes that joy that people don't get or even understand.

Ps 141:1-2
O LORD, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
NIV

Prov 15:8
The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
NIV

Ps 5:3
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
NIV


1 Tim 2:5-6
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men-the testimony given in its proper time.
NIV

1 Peter 2:4-5
As you come to him, the living Stone-rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him- you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
NIV

Remember Diane and Chris Bell...remember Tony Beers...Remember Josh and Nikki...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the joy we have in you. Help us to pass on all you give. Lord we do lift those mentioned today. Heal broken hearts, mend hurt bodies and bring joy back where the world has removed it. Lord, we praise you in all things even when we don't understand why they are happening, we love and trust you. Lord, we have heavy hearts for the lost and confused. Grant a clarity and a peace that those people recognise as yours and find your gift of grace. Thank you for the life you give and take away, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:40 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 23, 2009 at 6:46am

Good morning! How are we faithing? We have to be careful we don't put on the appearance of one thing, to please who ever, and do another. We have to remember to think before we react so we can wisely act. an example in the Word is describing just this;

Gal 2:11-16
When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray.
When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? "We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.
NIV

Wow! Even the ones who walked with Jesus got caught in that trap. Take note of yourself and how you behave and act. Of course were not talking about being on our "best behavior" in public like Mom used to say, but not changing our faith and being led astray by every whim or new thing out of fear of rejection. This is what we believe;

Acts 13:38-39
"Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.
NIV

Remember Sam, Kellynn and Ty Bates...remember Dad Budge...Remember Terra Rumer and Ben's hand...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for my life. Thank you for the grace you have shown. Thank you for forgiving a sinner like me. Thank you for always being where we need you. Lord, help us have a thankful heart. Touch those hurting today and calm those who are apprehensive about life in general. Let us know you are walking with us every step of the day and help us be in tune to the spiritual realm, in Jesus name, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:26 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 20, 2009 at 7:42am

Great morning! How are we faithing? Man has this been an interesting week! So many questions posed and I hate to admit sometimes, I was clueless for an answer. This is a good thing for me sometimes because it challenges and makes one search which is always good for ourselves and for the questioner. I do get alot of people who despise their job and are working for the weekend or like a line from a song from way back, "nothing matters but the weekend, from a Tuesday point of view." Our belief system is indeed reflected in our work ethic and our attitude towards that work. If we work like we are working for God, we become an asset. Think about that. The menial tasks in and of themselves most times are a pain to us but why or who we do the tasks for makes a huge different as to how well we do them. I work on cars. They are tedious and frustrating alot of times but if I'm gonna do it, I should do the best I can. That goes for anything.

Col 3:22-25
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.
NIV

Even when we can't understand why or what, we need to keep some truths in our hearts;
God is perfect in his love for us and sees everything, God's wisdom is infinite, God's control is total and he will guide us. So as your days continue, focus on God and leave the rest to him. Think about this....

Remember the Jim Rand family...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your sovereignty that is all around us. Help us see you in everything. Lord we lift those searching and pray they find you. Lord, thank you for your Word that all wisdom comes from, we praise your holy name! In Jesus' name we pray, Amen
Posted by russ allen at 7:16 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 19, 2009 at 7:17am

Good morning all! How are we faithing? There tons of things going on in our lives that seem to be so overwhelming that we wonder why or how we will ever overcome. Well the thing to keep in your mind is that Jesus has already overcome them. You current troubles are not new and your responses to them are not either. What Jesus has brought to us by the Holy Spirit and with his truth and sacrifice is a way for us to live in a a peaceful fashion daily. Does that mean we never experience turmoil? No but we have a peace knowing that we will come out the other side. The old covenant required priestly sacrifices and ritual cleansing for our sins. Now we just need the faith in Jesus because his blood was shed and the ritual is no longer necessary. I don't understand it all as to why God set things up the way he did but my figuring all the ins and outs or your figuring them out don't really matter. Suffice it for us to have that faith and to understand that God loves YOU enough to sacrifice his son so you wont have to. This can get really mind boggling but look at these verses below from scripture and just see his love for you.

Rom 8:1-11
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 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. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you.
NAS

Isn't that reassuring? Comfort can be taken and a sigh of relief comes when we get a hold of that. God loves me. I simply thank him and believe. We recognise his sons sacrifice so we can approach the throne free from the dirt we get on us. Man...that load off so I can live with peace that comes no other way...

Remember Tonya Fulfer...Calvin Crupper...Ramblers Dad...Ken and Steph


Heavenly Father,
Thank you for you care and love for us. We praise you and thank you for all things. We ask you set upon us such a peace even when we are heaped on by the junk in this world. Let us experience you in our lives. We lift those concerns mentioned and those not to you. Let these people see you...in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:55 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 18, 2009 at 7:24am

Good morning! How are we faithing? You are saved by faith in Christ alone. What if I am a good person? You are saved by faith in Christ alone. What if I believe in the virgin birth or what if I don't? You are saved by faith in Christ alone. What if I tithe more than a tenth and am at church every time the doors open and I give to the poor and I honor the saints? You are saved by faith in Christ alone. What if I commit murder or stole stuff or any of the biblical commandments? You are saved by faith in Christ alone. I heard pretty much this said this morning and it is absolutely the truth. I have been struggling with questions posed to me and how to explain this in a way that is palatable for the questioner and this is the only way to answer. I believe the entire Bible as the truth. I don't understand in the natural how things happened but I have faith they did but the faith in Christ is what determines salvation, nothing else. Now, is it important to follow the things taught in the Bible? Well of course it is but those things have no bearing on salvation if our faith isn't in Christ. And who is Christ? Jesus of Nazareth is therefore, my/our faith in Jesus the Christ alone saves us. Without this truth in our being, all the other stuff is in vain.

2 Cor 5:16-21
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
NIV

John 3:14-15
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
NIV


John 3:18
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.
NIV


John 3:36
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


John 20:30-31
Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
NIV

So much more is written about faith in Jesus the Christ and I implore you to search for yourself if you do not have that saving knowledge of Jesus. We could argue things till the cows come home but the ultimate truth is, you are saved by faith in Christ alone, the rest we do we do out of love for our savior as an outpouring of that love do we strive for perfection but that perfection or the attempt has no bearing on that salvation. Think about this and pray about this.

Remember the Ed Ritchey family...remember Tonya Spaeth...remember our emergency workers...

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your son who without him we would be left to be judged by the law and we wouldn't make it just like those before. We need a savior because we give into temptation and are swayed by the dark forces around us. Lord we ask for your Holy Spirit to pour on us such a contentment and belief that we just gush all over everybody and everything we encounter. We praise your holy name and thank you for all you do, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:42 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 17, 2009 at 7:23am

Good morning! How are we faithing? What an interesting day yesterday. Had some thought provoking questions asked of me. I can't get into the specifics due to personal nature of them but we can talk generalities. Remember how Peter denied Jesus 3 times? Think about that. How could someone who saw all the miracles Jesus performed deny Jesus? How could someone who knows Jesus that well curse him? How could a man be so fearful of retribution, deny the messiah? Because he is human and because he was afraid. He was self righteous and head strong but when confronted with the thought of being captured and who knows what else, he was weak. This is an insight into a way some Christians act. Point fingers, judge and as long as smooth sailing is happening, they maintain their piousness. Heck I'm as guilty as anyone. I've been so ticked that I cussed and raved, and this AFTER finding the saving grace of Jesus the Christ. What this shows is how grace has come. If I were to have to compare two lists, one good, one bad, there's no way to be sure the good list is bigger but by grace we are saved because if we could be good enough, our own nature would become proud of it and that begins that whole self righteousness and that is sin by itself. Man, it is mind boggling to think we could try to earn salvation because we would be paralyzed with concern over the good list staying bigger. The result of focusing on Jesus the Christ is we do become better but that is not the motivation That does not have any bearing on our stature with God. Only through Jesus do we come to the father.

Gal 2:17-21
"If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! If I rebuild what I destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker. For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"
NIV

Gal 3:10-14
All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith." The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
NIV

Gal 3:23-29
Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
NIV

Remember Jim Gladney...Lish's nephew Dave...and my buddy Bob...

Heavenly Father,
Lord we ask for wisdom and a touch from your grace to give us the peace that is greater than any peace we can find. We pray for those hurting and for those who are lost. Lord I ask for blessings on those struggling at their jobs. Shower them with your spirit so they shine with your presence. Protect our minds from heresy and the schemes of the dark one, in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:50 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 16, 2009 at 7:12am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Playing the game or putting on the appearance of a Christian is a very dangerous place to go or to be. When we put on that fake smile and look down at the ones who don't "do it right" are we being honest? Are we being Christian like or just donning the face and attitude of one? I've done it so many times. Gone to church with a smile plastered on and inside just aching. Said I was great when I was so hurt inside. I've learned the difference between looking the part and being the part. My joy is from within and I know all is in Gods hands so even when I ache I can be on top of the thing that is bothering me. I can honestly say I am fine but I have some concerns. How about you? Do things get you away from the presence and the glory of our savior? That is the key, not to be dismayed by circumstances. Not to be tossed in the vat of bitterness and sorrow. Of course there are times when we are sad or hurt or just plain tore up but try to remember that Jesus is still Lord, you are still saved, you will come out the other side of whatever is ailing whether here or the hereafter, in this we can take comfort. The Word tells us there is a time to mourn and a time to praise, a time to weep and a time to laugh so don't whoop your own tail when you go through things and emotions well up. Turn to the source of wisdom and rest.

1 Peter 1:18-21
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
NIV

Rom 12:22
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.
NIV

Gal 2:15-16
"We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.
NIV

Remember our troops and their leaders....

Heavenly Father,
Thank you for the wisdom in your Word. Thank you for your blessings in our life. Lord we ask for wisdom from you so we can be an example of your grace and love. Help us not put on airs but be honest. Lord, we need a touch from you. We worship your holy name and in that name of Jesus we pray, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:30 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 13, 2009 at 7:09am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Ok, my brain has been working overtime this week. From fire investigations to scriptures, from accident and fire scene evaluations to people I know suffering with all kinds of things. From having old Van Halen music playing note for note in my dreams thus waking up hearing them to thinking and praying for concerns I know about and those I don't. A realization and a perspective about what this salvation stuff is all about came about too. Here's the formulation of that realization; Jesus came to give us eternal life first. All those cool teachings are for us as acceptors of that gift to use for a plan for living. Those teachings are not for us to earn that trip to heaven. It's so simple that people have trouble accepting. People think "if I do this or that" I'll make it. Not true and the person who follows all the biblical rules can still miss the flight to heaven if they miss the simple gift Jesus is placing in your hands. I am so concerned for all of the people I meet as to whether they are aware of this. Don't make this harder than it is. I also see people searching and working so hard to find peace and happiness by all sorts of means. It's like the Van Halen songs I hear in my head, musically innovative in its time, melodic and the hooks just grab you but the lyrics...the lyrics man just make me sad when you put those up with the lifestyle lived through those times, it just breaks my heart that those writers were searching for God but turned to other things instead. Did they find what they were searching for? I don't know but after watching interviews over the years and seeing reports on their exploits, they hadn't at the time of the interview or reports. I also see and hear those same kinds of things everywhere I go and it makes me more aware of my own actions and speech and if God is seen in me by those searching for truth. I know the kind of peace that passes all understanding and I want everybody to find the same. Think about this and pray for truth and wisdom for your life. You think about this...

Heb 10:1-14
The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming-not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, 'Here I am-it is written about me in the scroll- I have come to do your will, O God.'" First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
NIV

Remember Kathy Fiowiat (I hope I spelled that right)...Chris Bell, a young man searching...Ben Hanzel...Floyd Griffin...Barb Fitch...and my bride...


Heavenly Father,
Thank you for such a simple gift you gave to us. Help us realize it is a simple gift that all must do is accept it. Lord we ask for your grace and a touch on those mentioned today and ask your presence be so overwhelming in their lives that transformation can no way be denied. Lord we praise and lift you up. Lord, we don't understand all this alot of times but we are trying to be patient and trust completely. Lay that peace on us and revelate the truths to us that your reflection shines bright to everyone we meet! in Jesus name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:30 AM

Comment by russ allen on November 12, 2009 at 7:26am

Good morning! How are we faithing? Been away due to work for a couple days and as much as I love my job, I don't like missing this. This is a time to learn and to pass on truths revealed in the Word. This is a way of giving back what God has done for me. This is a way of encouraging you to stand tall and know you are not alone in your walk. So much of of the time we wear facades when we are worried or hurting or just unsure of things. I want you to know that you are normal because we all experience these things. Just because we are saved and church goers doesn't mean our lives are perfect. Be careful not to fake this. Everybody thinks everybody else is weird. We all think if we don't put up that facade of holiness we have failed somehow. Nothing is further than the truth. Throw off the masks and see what the bible reveals as truth and we will get better. I don't mean better than someone else but better than WE were. As we grow in the Lord and if we seek God and not try to put on the appearance of a godlike image, others will see honest godlike qualities emerge. Point is to seek truth and not fake truth. I've discovered they're gonna talk anyways so do what's right because it's right. Throw off the shackle's put on by a perception of what we should appear like. I heard a preacher talk about Moses and his feelings of inadequacies and his resistance to doing God's will. He was concerned with his stature and his speech impediment. Did it matter in the long run? Nope. You can bet the people talked trash but God was revealed. What about Paul? Boy he had an image to live down but he didn't work at changing the image, he worked at serving God and the image changed on it's own. Truth was revealed. So as you go through your days, read the Word, talk to God, look to him for guidance and keep your motivation him and the image will be his and not you faking it.

Gal 6:1-5
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.
NIV

Gal 2:6-7
As for those who seemed to be important-whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance-those men added nothing to my message.
NIV

Matt 23:1-7
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
"Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi.'
NIV

Remember Ty Bates...Cari Amargo's Dad...Barb Fitch...Ronnie Cohorn...and a praise out for Bill Salvatore who is healed!

Heavenly Father,
We praise your holy name and thank your the peace and love you give. Lord, help us be real and true and not partake of the building of facades. Help us focus on you and not present an images for show. Lord we ask a touch on those we encounter, let us be a vessel of your power and let us not be prideful but loving in all we do. Teach us real compassion. in Jesus' name, amen
Posted by russ allen at 6:51 AM

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