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Comment by russ allen on January 23, 2012 at 8:04am

 Good morning! How are we faithing? Life is tough, wear a helmet. Prepare yourself for the day, not with a pessimistic view that this day will suck because of thus and so but with assurance that Jesus already paid the price therefore I am clean and have the right and privilege to go out there and live. I see and talk to so many that think because they failed that they can't or don't have rights to life. They whoop up on themselves to the point they bring all those around them down. Stop self pitying. Stop the dismal view of yourself. Jesus loves you just like anyone else. That same anyone else, who ever you can think of, screws up just like you.


Psa 25:5-7
  Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
  Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.
  Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.



Col 3:12-13
 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.




Php 2:1-4
  If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
 Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.


Remember Farron....remember Troy's Dad...


Heavenly Father,
  Thank you for another day on your creation. Lord, lift us up to see your face. Help us see what, where, when and how we may better serve. Lord, calm our hearts. Let us know you already whooped the earth and all the crap we face. Let us feel the warmth of your arms around us in a love that is greater than anything. Bless those mentioned and those unmentioned, in Jesus name, amen

Comment by russ allen on January 20, 2012 at 7:52am

     Good morning! How are we faithing? This week we have talked about the flesh stuff. We are under attack people from directly to isideous attempts at cracking our defense. We drop our defensive's when we get comfortable and also when we get distracted  thus we make ourselves vulnerable to those attacks from the enemy. As distractions in this world come our focus can be diverted and before we know it we are standing with our guard down and the fiery darts make impact. How do we overcome? How do we maintain the defensive posture without attacking others? Compassion, the Word, prayer. The subtle things that come can become devastating things if we do not pay attention and seek Godly wisdom.  Simple obedience to God can keep us in line just as easy as disobedience can destroy us. If I know God leads a certain direction but I vary the direction for say, comfort or convenience, I am in rebellion to the Word of God and that rebellion can destroy whatever is before me. One little lie, one little lust thought, one envy thought, one little thing taken because it's small and inconsequential, these things grow into bigger things. Sin is sin. Size matters not. A path strayed from even a little bit, just like a road, eventually becomes an off road experience. The principles in the Word always work. We may not see it as so does not make it not so.


Eph 6:8 
Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.


Jos 1:9
 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.


Psa 27:1-2
 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

Php 4:13 

 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 

remember the Pastors and their wives...remember Miggity...


Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love for us. Lord, we ask for wisdom that we see truth in every situation and the courage to act accordingly. Lord we lift up families that are struggling with world issues. We praise you in these storms Lord, in Jesus name, amen

Posted by Pastor Russ Allen at 7:48

Comment by russ allen on January 19, 2012 at 8:02am

     Good morning! How are we faithing? The flesh that gets in the way of the spirit is something we all battle and like we talked about yesterday, we all fight this same fight. When we get in that place or as we approach it, by walking in the spirit we hope we can stave off the flesh weaknesses before they start eating away at us. The arrows that come at us can be overcome by this "walking in the spirit". You can't and I can't do it standing in our own strength but with the Word of God, a firm grasp of just how loved we are by the creator and the grace we now live in we can learn to trust that when we see the flesh rising up we then can move away from overwhelming desires into necessity and recognizing harmful flesh wants to relying on the Spirit of God to guide us. Just because it feels good or because it "seems right" doesn't make it so. Never will Godly promptings go against the Word of God. If that were true, it all would become false and if that were true, all this is pitifully in vain. Emotions, fears, physical needs rise in all of us and which are healthy verses unhealthy is a constant thing in this life. Being sad when your dog dies is normal. Fear that keeps you from diving off a bridge into 2 feet of water is a good fear. Getting hungry is normal. Desiring your spouse is normal. I don't need to get into what is bad or abnormal, you get the picture. You wanna walk in the spirit and in faith? Praise God in the storms. Pray continuously. Intake of the Word daily. These are paths we ought to take. Look at this scripture;


Gal 5:13-17 
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
  But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.



1Jn 2:15-17 
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Don't make this Word say more or less than it does. By this salvation we possess we are in the world but not of it anymore. We abide in this physical state for now and our eternity began at the point we believed. Look beyond circumstances and see what God has already laid out in his Word because in it is life and a life way more abundant because we can love because he loves.

Remember Debbie Brown Smith...

pray this;

Heavenly Father,

  Thank you for eternal life. Thank you for saving me from myself. I know without you my path would have led me to destruction forever but finding your love and compassion I now am able to see you and see truth. Lord, I do not want to be encumbered with fleshly lies but want to follow and learn from you. You are the master builder who without I am lost. Teach us to love beyond the physical restraints. Help us see the heart of others past the outside view. Lord, help us show the same kind of love you've shown for us in your son. Lord we accept this gift of grace and salvation. Lord we lift those who are hurting physically, emotionally and spiritually to you today. Heal them and let your love rain down on them in a way they know they have been touched by you. thank you and it is in Jesu name we pray, amen

Posted by Pastor Russ Allen at 7:58 AM 

Comment by russ allen on January 18, 2012 at 7:54am

   Good morning! How are we faithing? I am struggling with flesh. I want to fix everything. I want everyone to like me. I want to be able to help with anything and anybody. Do you feel this way? Do you feel lower than whale poop when you screw things up? Yep, me too. Here's a cool thing to remember; God loves us as we are. We can go to him anytime, anyplace because our sins are forgiven as far as the east is from the west. Our screw ups are lessons if we but pay attention. We come to him as we are and if we learn from our screw ups by letting God show us via his Word, fellow believers, etc., then we start to reflect Jesus' light. It's very hard sometimes when things are crumbling all around you to maintain the focus and perseverance to stand firm on what God is teaching but we have to encourage ourselves and each other to not give in to the enemy. By nature we all like things easy and comfortable and our foundation has to be strong in God or we will crumble with the circumstances around us... satan and his henchmen are hoping and working for just that to happen...



Mar 11:22-25  And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou taken up and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that what he saith cometh to pass; he shall have it.
Therefore I say unto you, All things whatsoever ye pray and ask for, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
And whensoever ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any one; that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Psa 62:8 

 Trust in him at all times, ye people; Pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. 

Joh 15:7  

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 

Pro 3:5
 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.


Remember Mark Millsap...


Heavenly Father,
   Thank you for your love and understanding that we goof up so much but you still love us. Lord, we lift Mark up to you. Chris too.  Heal bodies, endow the docs with wisdom . Teach us to depend on your love for us and not let us waver regardless of what flies at us. Help us get real rest from the storms, In Jesus name, amen

Posted by Pastor Russ Allen at 7:51 AM 

Comment by russ allen on January 17, 2012 at 8:07am

  Good morning! How are we faithing? It hurts to be around people who hurt. It is sad to be with someone who is sad. It makes one angry to see injustice done to a friend or neighbor. Sometimes we are lit upon by someone who is hurt, sad or angry and we take it personal and get in a snit then lash out because of it.  People, we need to look at real problems and not patronize the person with the issue at hand. We need to recognize also that what we would do has no bearing on what they should do. We need to be in the Word so much that the first thing that comes to mind and on our lips is those sound  words of scripture. What you would do or say is not relevant because you ain't them. Now of course many times sound logic is standing before people and they miss it and I present to you that asking a question that reveals that logic is way better than barking orders. And there are instances where barking orders is in order too.  Knowing which one that is appropriate, there is the caveat. Jesus  is a fine example of just this type of thing. Telling people what you would do does not help unless they are seeking an alternate point of view, We all know some who offer up opinions on any and everything and besides being annoying, that voice is most times ignored. Do you do that? We ought to use Jesus as an example and speak at the true issue and not get indignant with our own thoughts. Think about this today.


Pro 1:2-6  To know wisdom and instruction; To discern the words of understanding;
  To receive instruction in wise dealing, In righteousness and justice and equity;
 To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion:
 That the wise man may hear, and increase in learning; And that the man of understanding may attain unto sound counsels:
  To understand a proverb, and a figure, The words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

Gal 6:1-3  Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 

  Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 

  For if a man thinketh himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

 Joh 13:34-35  A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 

  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 

Joh 14:12  

Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father. 

Remember ...Sebastian...remember Dr. Gary and Connie...remember Liz...remember Wilma...remember Baily F...remember Nicole Ingle...remember Chris and Kat

Heavenly Father,

  Thank you for the wisdom of your Word. Lord, thank you for all your blessings and the answers to our trials before and after they are done. Lord we lift those mentioned today. Heal spirits and bodies. Lord I ask for a blessing on  all our children. Heal them. Help them rest physically and rest in your arms even when they don't realize you "got this". Lord walk and touch us today. Let us hear your voice. Let us walk upright and be courageous in the face of the enemy, in Jesus name, amen

Posted by Pastor Russ Allen at 8:04 AM 

Comment by russ allen on January 13, 2012 at 7:54am

   Good morning! How are we faithing? A church body can't have one man making all decisions but it also cannot be led by committee. The whole mission of the church is to spread the gospel, to draw the lost to Jesus. The church spreads the good news all the while teaching the flock how to go out to the world and show the gospel message. The church also is a respite for the workers of the gospel. A club it is not. A regulated organization that gleans for itself it also is not. If we treat our church as exclusive and "ours" we have undermined the purpose for it's existence. The positions held within a church are designed to make it function in a manner honorable to God  and none are more important than another. We are a flock of believers and within that flock are individual personalities and each ones role is important for reaching out to the lost. Organization is important but the organization is not in itself the church. Organization just makes things run smooth and keeps order so we are not running around like chickens with our heads cut off. The book of acts is full of the events that shaped the church or rather the organized faith. Things came about to help in support of spreading the gospel. Never do you see the church becoming it's own exclusive religion but a method for preaching Jesus to the lost and providing resources to do the same. We people since that time are the ones who have distorted what the church's mission truly is. If all we ever do is go to church and never share the grace we have, we've missed the church mission entirely.


Act 20:28
 Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood.


Mat 10:16 
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.


Rom 16:16-18
  Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you.
  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them.
 For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent.

2Co 11:3  

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ.

 

Psa 5:7 

 But as for me, in the abundance of thy lovingkindness will I come into thy house: In thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

Remember Brian's job search...remember Terry Morgan...remember Archie Denton

Heavenly Father,

  Thank you for a place we call church where we can go and enter with the peace that passes all understanding so we may worship you. Help our unbelief. Help us see you and not the organization as the church. We rebuke satan and his minion from the walls of our sanctuary. Turn them away before we enter to praise and petition you. Bless the teaching and preaching in these buildings so we can live for you and like you while being courageous to go out into this world to gather for your flock. Lord we desire to be your children and ask for wisdom so we attract and not repel. In Jesus name, amen

Posted by Pastor Russ Allen at 7:50 A

Comment by russ allen on January 12, 2012 at 7:41am

   Good morning! How are we faithing? Looky here, why do we look at the problem, get distressed over it instead of looking to God? Why do we whine and cry when things go awry and at the same time say "God is good"? We say we believe God can do anything but yet in the midst of turmoil we focus on the problem at hand and never go to Jesus first.  We get depressed, overwhelmed, despair and then, only then do we cry out for God to fix it. Doesn't it make a whole lot more sense to go to God first? Before Jesus ascended to heaven he gave us marching orders and they were quite plain and at the same time told us what the evidence of those orders would be.


Mar 16:15-19
  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation.
 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.
  And these signs shall accompany them that believe: in my name shall they cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;
  they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken unto them, was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.

So with those marching orders it stands to reason that he would equip us with whatever we need to comply, don't you think? So that being the case, why would we not believe Jesus will do what he said and be right there with us more than just to endure but to overcome anything? When we focus on Jesus and not the dismal crap before us we see his power and his promises and we can believe the junk attacking us is nothing to fear or to anguish over because Jesus already squashed it. We learn from them and if we look to Jesus through them our faith is strengthened.



Joh 14:12
 Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto the Father.

We are called to a higher form of life than the world offers. The world offers destruction and pain. Jesus offers rest and comfort in our hearts so we are able to cross over or through events that destroy men that believe not.

Eph 1:17-23

  that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; 

 having the eyes of your heart enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 

 and what the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to that working of the strength of his might which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places, 

  far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 

  and he put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church, 

 which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. 

As things that bug or attack you today, if you have accepted Christs gift of salvation, you can call on him when these things start and before you know it, you will be on the other side of the despair wondering why it seemed like such a big deal. Think on this and do some searching of your own. YOU have to be convinced in your own heart. I can't do it. I can only present the Word that teaches.

Remember Marilyn and company...remember Morgan Bond...remember Carrie L.

Heavenly Father,

   Thank you for your Word that strengthens us. Lord we life those who are searching that they find you and find the answers they seek. Lord forgive us when we get wrapped up in the world. Our spirits are willing but the flesh side is oh so weak. Bless the children and the soldiers. in Jesus name, amen

Posted by Pastor Russ Allen at 7:39 AM

Comment by russ allen on January 11, 2012 at 7:51am

   Good morning! How are faithing?  Lots going on. Stress and distractions. The enemy is looking for weaknesses and when he finds them, no mercy. The enemy prowls around looking for a meal and we are the enemies favorite delicacy. Should we be scared? Nope but we need to evaluate the enemy. Know how he works. Recognize the sneak attacks he makes. Prepare for war with the arming of ourselves with the whole armor of God. Simple things like getting ticked over a parking space or harsh word can fester into a huge ordeal that could have been squashed with a praise to God for standing beside us. That parking space taken may have been innocent or not but how does that effect your day? That harsh word from that man may have been a result of him being up 2 days by his sick wife or simple as defense before he thinks you'll attack so he hides behind that wall of gruffness. All of this is to remind you that everything is most times not what it seems and we need to be sober and ready to act appropriately. Honor God. Speak well of others and if they deserve less, pray for them. Pray without ceasing. Devour the Word. Seek those things that are good and don't "git them before they git you".  Chew on this today....



Jas 1:22 
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves.



Php 4:4-8  Rejoice in the Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice.
 Let your forbearance be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
 In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.



Eph 6:12
  For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

read Ephesians chapter 6

remember Gina's sister....

Heavenly Father,

   Thank you for your presence in our lives. Teach us to be humble yet strong in the faith. Show your compassion to us and make us remember it when it is time for us to show compassion. Lord we lift the children who are enduring grief and sorrow. Heal wounded spirits and hearts. Lord we ask for wisdom to approach this day with honor to you and forbearance in all things. In Jesus name, amen

Posted by Pastor Russ Allen at 7:47 AM

Comment by russ allen on January 10, 2012 at 7:37am

   Good morning! How are we faithing? The will of God for our lives can get twisted and turned in this world. How do we know what the will of God is? How do we know what to do? How do we rest in salvation, do what's right and not let it progress to "I have to do thus and so or God will be mad at me?" You know, it's real easy to get depressed when we goof up and then that opens the door to spirits of failure, mistrust or simple unworthiness. We even cop out in our prayers by playing it safe when we ask things of God with the phrase, " if it be your will".  The Word tells us his will. The old and new testament  tell us what he wants but we sometimes forget.

1Th 5:18
  in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward.

 

Joh 6:40  

For this is the will of my Father, that every one that beholdeth the Son, and believeth on him, should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 

1Pe 2:15  

For so is the will of God, that by well-doing ye should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 

  as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God. 

Php 2:12-13  

So then, my beloved, even as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 

 for it is God who worketh in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. 

Pro 21:2  

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the hearts. 

Seek God's will. Look at the many examples of the apostles and Patriarchs to se examples of what God wants our will to be...

Remember Hallie Tracy, Mary Hutcherson, Cathy and Norman Dickerson and Barb Adams...

 Heavenly Father,

  Thank you for Godly friends. Thank you for teaching us and guiding us to your will. Lord, we lift the ones who are working today. Heal bodies and marrow. Heal sight and eyes. Heal ligaments, cartalege and muscle. Let there be miracles in lives that hearts are healed to. Grant wisdom in all our endeavors, in Jesus name, amen 

Posted by Pastor Russ Allen at 7:35

Comment by russ allen on January 9, 2012 at 6:57am

 Great morning! How are we faithing?  It has been an exciting time in the Lord. I have watched people come to gather in the Lord. It was so cool to see people give of themselves and enjoy the work.  To see people hear of a need and do what they can to meet that need or help others meet that need. It's like when we do things for our children. We do things because we love them, it sometimes is necessary and we also know the outcome will be beneficial to them down the road. Getting something back doesn't even enter into the equation. Out of simple love those things are done and that is what I saw this weekend. Jesus did the same for us. He gave of himself not for gratification or for recognition or for what he could get but simply because he loved us. Man, we don't always do things with that attitude. He gave because he loved. There were times his flesh side wasn't enjoying the current situation but he looked beyond the immediate and unto the benefit.  When we give, obey and follow Jesus, it's not for our glory but his. We ought to do things that are right and honorable because they are right and honorable and not for "look at me". Take the time today to self examine. See if you are doing for recognition or not. Find out your motivation and make adjustments accordingly if necessary.



Rom 8:28 
And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.



Rom 8:35 
 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
  Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.



Psa 103:17
 But the lovingkindness of Jehovah is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, And his righteousness unto children's children;
  To such as keep his covenant, And to those that remember his precepts to do them.

Remember Paul Griffin...remember Triple Crown Cowboy Church...remember Bill Umberger...


Heavenly Father,
  Thank you Lord for revealing yourself to so many friends. Thank you for your love that we can praise you in our storms. Lord we lift up those hurting today, comfort and show yourself to them. I ask for a touch on my family Lord. Heal Chris Kat and I of all encumbrances that hinder a better relationship with you. In Jesus name, amen

Posted by Pastor Russ Allen at 6:54

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