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Comment by russ allen on May 29, 2012 at 6:54am

Good morning! How are we faithing?  Long hot weekend and for me, I prefer fall weather... so what is happening in your spiritual growth? Are you all messed up with the worlds view on things? Do you only see with your eyes or your feelings? There are many things that appear right or feel right only later to find out they were anything but right. A guy had an affair. He said it felt right. His marriage blew apart, his kids don't want anything to do with him and the woman he had the affair with left. Yeah, it felt right.  Was it right? A few moments of gratification, his world blown apart but it's ok because it "feels right"? C'mon, our choices cannot be made on those grounds. We must consider ramifications of all our actions. The Word is very explicit about certain actions and the principles taught apply to the rest. The simplest rule is the golden rule.  Before any decision you make, ask if you would be cool with that choice being done to you. The next step is the effect these actions may have on yourself and others.  This is a tightrope walk of a life most times but with Jesus, it's all doable.  Man, we even have a handbook to guide us.  If we but use it we are way better off than if we don't.


    Pro 1:7 
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.


Pro 18:2
 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.


Eph 2:2-3
  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

remember the McKinney family...remember Mary Hutcherson...remember Archie


Heavenly Father,
  Thank you for the wisdom of your Word. Lord, we ask forgiveness for our sins. We desire your wisdom in all things. Make us aware of our folly and our foolish ways. Help us live upright and holy for your sake. Help us show your love in all we do. In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 25, 2012 at 6:46am

 Good morning! How are we faithing? We as believers have to be very careful of heresy and false teachers. Now remember that the teachers of the Word can make mistakes that those mistakes may not malicious or intended to mislead for sordid gain but are just mistakes. We are human and our background can lend itself to word  miss use so be careful to look at the Word you read every day and to reference the words used so you are not sent off in the wrong direction simply because of an incorrect word meaning. That being said, there three ways to examine teachings you hear. One is that you must become familiar with biblical truth. Any verse can be manipulated to say what the teacher may want if an alternative agenda is at hand. I advise my congregation to write down my references and look them up after they leave church. Get alone and re read the scriptures referenced and take in the whole council of God. Second, be aware of anyone who dismisses any scripture or tells you to ignore certain verses or books of the Bible. I had one fella who asked my why a certain church would tell him not to read "Song of Solomon" and "Leviticus". I told him I don't know why but I wouldn't go back there. Also the people who pick and choose verses to help their opinion when the subject is explained differently when the entire chapter or book is explored. We may not fathom how or why something happened in scripture but that does not justify writing it off.  Third, sensuality comes in to play and by that I mean interpretations that rationalize lewd behavior as natural or ok. Greed plays into these types of teachings as well as good speakers who can whip up a crowd to believe a twisted view of how we are to act or think. The only way you or I can ever hope to walk that narrow path and not get led off into beliefs that are wrong or  led to the kool-aid is to be in the Word daily. Without that sound teaching from God daily you open yourself up to heresy and lies can be cloaked in "feel good" doctrine that can end up killing us. Jonestown ring a bell?

Heb 4:12
 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.



Act 17:11 
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Remember the McKinney family...


Heavenly Father,
  Thank you for your Word that sustains us. Lord we lift our leaders up to you. Show them your wisdom and love. Open their minds to real truth and not the twisted lies that abound. We ask for comfort for those hurting this day. Mend hearts and minds. Heal bodies, in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 24, 2012 at 7:25am

 Good morning! How are we faithing? Believers have got to get a grip on what I'm about to say. You accepted Jesus as messiah, you've been baptized and now you think you have to be perfect or at least if you are not, the salvation didn't take? Mule muffins. People, by grace we are saved not by works lest anyone boasts.  We all desire to improve but remember that improvement has nill to do with our salvation. If you have to perform to keep salvation it becomes a "works" salvation and the Word is quite clear that is not the case.  In this world there are perils and pitfalls that come in and out of our lives and the quicker we understand that ease and comfort is low on the list of life priorities the quicker we can get on with this walk. Look guys, we desire to improve and to be  and live perfect but when we miss the mark we have to remember it's ok and ask forgiveness and help, get back up and continue on.  God is not looking for ways to squash you for infractions, in fact, he knows we are incapable of perfection, only his son pulled that off. As you go through your days remember that we are already deemed not guilty so press on to the prize, focus on Jesus, learn from mistakes and be passionate towards others and as a result you'll become better and be better for it.



Tit 3:4-8
  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;   That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.   This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Remember the McKinney family...

Heavenly Father,

  Thank you for your salvation. Thank you for your Word that nourishes us. Lord, we lift Jeff's family up. Lord, you know how they are hurting and we ask for comfort for them. We lift them up and we thank you that Jeff is out of pain. Help us minister to the family. Lord we also lift up our brothers and sisters that need a touch from you today. We thank you for all, in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 23, 2012 at 7:21am

   Good morning! How are we faithing?  It's hard today to concentrate on writing because my buddy's son just passed away. I know what is ahead and man o man... I would like to ask everyone today to remember my friend and his family but also to look out beyond our own deals and see what is happening out there.  People are hurting in ways we don't see and sometimes that person who is acting like an idiot may be pain and we forget that they may be lashing out at who is in front of them and not us as the focus per say. Taking on Jesus and showing that heart full of peace and love may be exactly what that person needs at that point. As that person acts in this manner, pause and watch and listen, you may see something that requires a calm loving response which is exactly how Jesus dealt with situations. Sometimes a riled response is necessary but more often than not a loving word or a kind gesture is much better served.


  Heb 4:14-16
  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.   For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.


Heavenly Father,
  Thank you for your loving kindness that covers us. Lord we ask for peace and love for those who are hurting. We ask for wisdom to see truth and the courage to act in a loving manner even when we want to lash out. Lord comfort those in despair, in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 22, 2012 at 8:15am

 Good morning!  How are we faithing?  Those who are saved try to improve and try not to sin. Those on the outside see Christians as hypocrites because they indeed sin. Christians try to walk the walk they see in the Word. Non Christians walk the walk by anything but the Word. So who is better? I don't think better is the question even though I hear that all the time. "Christians think they are better than me" is not unusual to hear and they are some I'm sure who think that but lets be serious. The truth is that Christians are declared not guilty but they are not perfect.  By Jesus bearing all sin on the cross, those who believe and accept the free gift of grace are redeemed.  My stature in church, my deeds for and in the church are but filthy rags compared to the sin less life Jesus led. No where in scripture does it say that saved people are better than non saved. Better off yes but we are men and we sin like men and we are not better than other men. Are you getting this? This is why we share Jesus when ever we can because everybody can be declared not guilty through Jesus. I just can't shut up about it. I don't want to see anybody endure hell. I want people to find the peace and joy inside I have found. Wake up people and see beyond ourselves to a grace here and hereafter....



Eph 4:31-32
  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice:   and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you.




Tit 3:1-7
  Put them in mind to be in subjection to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready unto every good work,   to speak evil of no man, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all meekness toward all men.  For we also once were foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.   But when the kindness of God our Savior, and his love toward man, appeared,  not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,  which he poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior;  that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.


Heavenly Father,
  Forgive us please when we get uppity. Help us recognize where we've been and help those receive what we have received. We ask for wisdom and your eyes to see the real needs of others.  Lord we love and honor you. Put your words on our tongue and let us not cause harm because of our humanness. In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 21, 2012 at 7:35am

 Great morning! How are we faithing this fine day? Completely blank and at the same time so many thoughts rolling around. Sometimes it's hard just to concentrate on one thing. Don't you have those times where you are thinking about everything and nothing in particular at the same time?  I saw men give their life over to Messiah this weekend. I talked to an elderly Lady who wasn't to sure about her place with God but left knowing her salvation was complete because of the Word and what it tells us. I listened to some great music outside in the heat Saturday and got to share what God has for us all. Restless sleep and body aches kept me up off and on all night.  All of that and I still am at peace with the Lord. I still believe that without Jesus I would be a miserable existence of a man.  The more I learn, the less I am and the more Yeshua is. I need a savior just as you do. I may improve but the improvement just points me more and more to a savior that loves me.  As this day unfolds, remember who is and was and will be for without him, we are all just dirt revived for a season.


Rom 5:1-8
  Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus the Messiah. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace by which we have been established, and we boast because of our hope in God's glory.  Not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope.   Now this hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.   For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, the Messiah died for the ungodly. For it is rare for anyone to die for a righteous person, though somebody might be brave enough to die for a good person. But God demonstrates his love for us by the fact that the Messiah died for us while we were still sinners.



Heavenly Father,
  Thank you for your grace that saves even someone as messed up as me. Lord we ask for wisdom and courage to stand for what we believe regardless of what flies at us. Lord, take our frustration and sadness away. Allow us to do your work with enthusiasm and stable mindsets so we can present you honorably. Help us understand your Word so we can apply it to our lives. In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 16, 2012 at 7:14am

Great morning! How are we faithing? I have considered the loss people experience when their house burns down with all their belongings. I also consider the loss of a loved one prematurely that many have experienced. While painful and tough to overcome, putting it in it's place speeds up recovery and also keeps us focused on what truly matters. As Solomon said, "nothing is new under the sun", it behooves us to consider that quote and really burn it in our psyche because when the maladies of this physical life on earth befall us we will be better prepared to deal with the emotional responses that eventually come, also that we are not the only one to endure these things.  Remembering that the grief or whatever one deals with is indeed temporary when one looks to what Jesus is all about. Then that person can do what is necessary and thus faith, courage and strength is built  rather than becoming  a victim. 


Php 3:7-9
  But whatever things were assets to me, these I now consider a loss for the sake of the Messiah.   What is more, I continue to consider all these things to be a loss for the sake of what is far more valuable, knowing the Messiah Jesus, my Lord. It is because of him that I have experienced the loss of all those things. Indeed, I consider them rubbish in order to gain the Messiah  and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the Law, but one that comes through the faithfulness of the Messiah, the righteousness that comes from God and that depends on faith.

Heavenly Father,

   Thank you for your strength in our storms. Thank you for teaching us what is important. Lord forgive our unbelief and our lack of faith. Lord, we love and honor you and do seek your face in what we do. Lord thank you for your Word that without we would all fail. Bless those who are hurting, In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 15, 2012 at 7:37am

Good morning! How are we faithing? I see more and more stories about Christians condemning people for this or that sin. While recognizing sin and informing others about it may be pertinant, our job as we've talked about before is not to condemn the person but the action in question.  I saw some photos of protesters for and against an issue and both have every right to protest pro and con for any issue, after all, this is America.  I also saw both sides of the issue pointing fingers and hurling gross names at each other. Neither is right and yours or my side doesn't matter. When you or I develop disdain for another human over an issue we have stepped out of the grace of God and into an area where one couldn't tell good from bad. It would all seem ridiculous from a disinterested party. We as a society do have to be concerned over an action that is considered evil and laws must be enforced in order to live in a safe environment, we do indeed reap what we sow but we have got to stop dismissing people and not sharing Jesus because of a sin committed. Jesus told us to pray for our enemies. Enemies may not mean a war like footing but anytime two are opposing over any issue, that is an enemy. Has a Christlike love ceased because of an infraction? It better not! All have fallen short. We must don that Christlike demeanor of forgiveness and love. Please understand that Jesus knows when you have been hurt badly and understands the struggle to forgive heinous acts against you but the forgiveness rule still applies so seek out God however you need to in order to forgive. Remember;


 Rom 8:1-4
  Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in union with the Messiah Jesus.   For the Spirit's law of life in the Messiah Jesus has set me free from the Law of sin and death.   For what the Law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did. By sending his own Son in the form of humanity, he condemned sin by being incarnate,   so that the righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not live according to human nature but according to the Spirit. 




remember the lost....




Heavenly Father,
  Thank you for your forgiveness for what I have done. Thank you for loving me regardless of my nature. Lord, please help me forgive likewise. We want to live upright with your love and kindness with you always on our minds. We want to be holy as you originally designed us to be. Lord, help our faith. Help us see things as you see them, in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 14, 2012 at 7:00am

 Great morning! How are we faithing? It is time to stop fretting over ourselves.  All this is not about you...or me.  Our Savior Jesus is what matters. We had better start paying attention to what the Word tells us and less on CNN,FOX and the AP. There are prophecies in the old testament that have and are coming true. Ezekiel spoke of future events and one that comes to mind is the land of Israel being desolate with the ground not yielding anything of value. Mark Twain even stated back in the 1800's after a visit to the land of it's utter waste and how nothing was growing other than weeds.  Then after 1948 when it became Israel, it started producing and now it supplies Europe with food. You think we are not in the last days?  Only a blind heart hardened person could deny this truth. Yes we work and plan for the future but we had better be ready to show the lost, Jesus.  Nor church, not denomination but the savior. I am convinced daily of how I fall short and need a savior. Solomon said there is nothing new under the sun so why are we scratching and digging to do what evaporates eventually? We get butthurt over things that effect our comfort or our view on "how" rather than who? Silly when we think of the people dying without Jesus. They go to hell because we are inconvenienced?  I can't let that happen in my field of view...how about you?


Joh 3:17-21
  Because God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.   Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God's unique Son.   And this is the basis for judgment: The light has come into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light because their actions were evil.   Everyone who practices wickedness hates the light and does not come to the light, so that his actions may not be exposed.   But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may become evident that his actions have God's approval."

Mat 9:12-13
  When Jesus heard that, he said, "Healthy people don't need a physician, but sick people do.   Go and learn what this means: 'I want mercy and not sacrifice,' because I did not come to call righteous people, but sinners."


Heavenly Father,
  Give us a heart and desire to show your grace to a lost world. Let us not get distracted by sin but address the sinner. Lord we ask forgiveness when we get haughty and ask for courage to speak boldly to the people dying in this world.  Grant us resources to reach out for the needs around. Lord thank you for your love and peace that is bigger than our temporary woes as humans. Lord, open our eyes with wisdom to speak and act holy. In Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on May 11, 2012 at 7:25am

Good morning! How are we faithing?  Check this out.  This chapter just struck me this morning. What do you think? Any parallels to today? See history repeating? We better pay attention...





Hab 1:1-17
  The pronouncement that the prophet Habakkuk perceived.   "How long, LORD, must I cry out for help, but you won't listen? I'm crying out to you, 'Oppression!' but you aren't providing deliverance.   Why are you forcing me to look at iniquity and to stare at wickedness? Social havoc and oppression are all around me; there are legal conflicts, and disputes abound.   Therefore, the Law has become paralyzed, and justice never comes about. Because criminals outnumber the righteous, whenever judgments are issued, they come out crooked."   "Look out at the nations and pay attention! Be astounded! Be really astounded! Because something is happening in your lifetime that you won't believe, even if it were described down to the smallest detail.   Watch out! For I am bringing in the Chaldeans, that cruel and impetuous people, who sweep across the earth dispossessing people from homes not their own.   They are terrible and fearsome; their brand of justice and sense of honor derive only from themselves!   Their horses are swifter than leopards, and more cunning than wolves that attack at night. Their horsemen are galloping as they approach from far away. They swoop in like ravenous vultures.   "They all come to oppress—hordes of them, their faces pressing onward—they take prisoners as numerous as the desert sand!   They make fun of kings, deriding those who rule. They laugh at all of the fortified places, constructing ramps to seize them.   Then like the wind sweeping by they will pass through—they're guilty because they say their power is their god."   "Haven't you existed forever, LORD my God, my Holy One? We won't die! LORD, you've prepared them for judgment; Rock, you've sentenced them to correction.  Your eyes are too pure to gaze upon evil; and you cannot tolerate wickedness. So why do you tolerate the treacherous? And why do you stay silent while the wicked devour those who are more righteous than they are?   You have fashioned mankind like fish in the ocean, like creeping things that have no ruler.   "The adversary captures them with a hook, gathering them up in a fishing net. He collects them with a dragnet, rejoicing and gloating over his catch.   Therefore he sacrifices to his fishing net, and burns incense in the presence of his dragnet, because by them his assets increase and he gets plenty of food.  Is he to continue to empty his fishing net? Will he ever stop killing entire nations without mercy?"


Read on in Habakkuk.

Heavenly Father,
  Open our eyes. Sharpen our minds. Renew our faith. In Jesus name, amen

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