tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25579814784712538622024-03-14T12:23:55.240-05:00Devotionswith Pastor RichRich Allcornhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06986330960573312722noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557981478471253862.post-33235485667838336572009-07-16T10:20:00.004-05:002009-07-16T10:25:56.645-05:00STRIFE, A Number One "Family Killer"!<span style="font-size:100%;">Strife is a number one "family killer" in today's world!<br /></span><div><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><div align="left"><div><span class="203453702-16072009"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">The bible tells us that those of us who play with strife are taken "captive" by Satan "at his own bidding"</span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="296482514-16072009"> ...<br /><br />What wonderful words to consider.</span> That means, basically, that those who bring about strife are led around by Satan<span class="296482514-16072009">,</span> just like you lead a bull around<span class="296482514-16072009">,</span> with <span class="296482514-16072009">the</span> ring in their nose! I for one am not <span class="296482514-16072009">willing </span>to be led around by Satan, nor am I going to stand idly by and watch as someone else <span class="296482514-16072009">is taken captive either! But what is one to do?<br /><br /></span></span></span></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></div> <div><span class="203453702-16072009"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="296482514-16072009">Ever find yourself in a situation where someone is spreading rumors about someone, and you don't know who to believe? Ever find yourself attacked verbally by someone you love deeply, only to walk away with a deep hurt inside, not knowing where all of this came from? I have. And from it, the Lord has given me some words of encouragement, and some "battle instructions" that I am to pass along to you. These will <em>keep you </em>through the attack, and lead you to victory! <br /><br /></span></span></span></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></div> <div><span class="203453702-16072009"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="296482514-16072009">The bible says in Proverbs 17:14 that strife is "like the letting out of water in the wall of a dam". We are instructed in this scripture to cease that contention (strife) before it becomes worse, and quarreling breaks out amongst all of us! Stifle, like the leak in the dam, is dangerous! If you don't STOP IT while the leak is small, the hole will widen and eventually becoming a gushing, roaring nightmare of lies and deceit and mistrust that will destroy everything in it's path! <br /><br /></span></span></span></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></div> <div><span class="203453702-16072009"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="296482514-16072009">2 Things that strife has absolutely no power over! One of these is <strong>love</strong>. Love covers a multitude of sins. Love conquers all. Love never fails. You've heard the scriptures. The other is <strong>prayer</strong>. Prayer opens doors that need to be opened, and closes doors that need to be closed. Remember Matthew 18:19, "Behold! I give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven ..."? With that being said, whatever you bind (or restrain) is bound (or restrained), and whatever you loose (or let go free) is loosed (or liberated), both on Earth and in heaven! <br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></div> <div><span class="203453702-16072009"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="296482514-16072009">Things to remember when faced with strife:<br /><br /></span></span></span></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></div> <div><span class="203453702-16072009"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="296482514-16072009">1. <strong>do not react</strong> - the bible says a "wise man considers or ponders on how to answer". Make it a point when you are faced with strife to "never" - EVER, allow yourself to react ... especially with emotion! Emotions are feelings ... they are unstable, not at all dependable, and will lead you charging down the path in pure Don Quixote fashion on a campaign that is totally and completely based on lies and unstable accusations! The end results will be that you only find a old, broken down windmill, no giants, no arch enemy, and certainly no castle! It was only a facade, something that appears to be something else that ... it ... is ... not. <br /><br /></span></span></span></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></div> <div><span class="203453702-16072009"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="296482514-16072009">2. <strong>pray</strong> - the key to success in any venture, whether it be a need at hand or dealing with an enemy, prayer is your key to success! When you are faced with <em>strife </em>in a situation, know-it-or-not, you ... are ... facing ... an enemy! His name is Satan! And <em>deceit</em>, <em>deception</em>, and <em>lies</em> are his tools of trade. He uses these to get us to "make choices" that lead us astray, in the wrong path, and down a road that, if not changed, will end in destruction. <br /><br /></span></span></span></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></div> <div><span class="203453702-16072009"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="296482514-16072009">3. <strong>watch your words</strong> - keep your words to yourself! If you simply must speak, consider or study your words ... your response, wisely! Let your words be those of <em>faith,</em> and of <em>love </em>so that you are speaking into existence ... that which is <em>yet to be</em>! The bible tells us that a 'wise man' studies (or ponders, considers, weighs carefully his words) before he answers. Proverbs 16:28 tells us that a <em>slanderer </em>(one who spreads strife - don't be one of these) separates intimate friends (friends of a lifetime)! Your best bet is to remain "silent". Pray, and wait. If you jump on the wave of emotion that rides with this storm, you're liable to find yourself out on the open seas before you know what hit you! And there are creatures out there that feed on human flesh. Do you really want to go there? <br /><br /><br /></span></span></span></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></div> <div><span class="203453702-16072009"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">I am writing this to you so that you know, <span class="296482514-16072009">when you are faced with strife, that ... </span>at the very least, <span class="296482514-16072009">you need to take a BIG STEP BACKWARDS! You need to first ... STOP! PRAY! and most of all, WATCH WHAT YOU SAY! You could very easily be swept into this storm, and become a part of the very force that is feeding it! Then you will find yourself struggling and fighting to gain your freedom, when all you had to do was to "step back" and let the <em>storm pass you by</em>. <br /><br /><em> </em></span></span></span></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></div> <div><span class="203453702-16072009"><span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><em>S</em><span class="296482514-16072009"><em>trife </em>is not something to play with! It has destroyed friendships, marriages, and even whole families, many times over the smallest of the smallest of things! <br /><br />So when you see strife coming your way, plant your feet! Guard yourself! <br />Put on the whole armor of God! Wrap yourself in that blanket of "love" ... the love of God (which is your strongest power and defense) ... and get ready to meet this thing ... "head on"!<br /><br /><br /> </span></span></span></span></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></div> <div><span class="203453702-16072009"><span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="296482514-16072009">Have this attitude:<br /><br /> </span></span></span></span></span></div> <div><span class="203453702-16072009"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="296482514-16072009">"B</span>ring it on Satan ... shoot me with your best shot! </span></span></span></div> <div><span class="203453702-16072009"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">My God is bigger than this!!<span class="296482514-16072009"> You will not take MY family!"<br /><br /></span></span></span></span></div> <div><span style="font-family:Arial;"> </span></div> <div><span class="203453702-16072009"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="296482514-16072009">and follow the <strong>3 steps</strong> above to victory!<br /><br /></span></span></span></span></div></div></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557981478471253862.post-18625414669592956962009-06-06T11:53:00.000-05:002009-06-11T11:57:54.985-05:00Let's Get On-Track ... with God!<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25h1BdcOx-kbYV8NBNvVh35JLsikH4xJSRr-GWxoEkFIlGQd3aFqA_LE8tz8aLE1YtYRmjAxazHa9qPp2XqfrQGJIUk__oWLwUknruaCZB7HnjkObFH6Khp-gb9bKRXM1Y6kwEtRuaGI/s1600-h/Let's+Get+On-Track+wit+God+%28w+pic%29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 251px; height: 104px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh25h1BdcOx-kbYV8NBNvVh35JLsikH4xJSRr-GWxoEkFIlGQd3aFqA_LE8tz8aLE1YtYRmjAxazHa9qPp2XqfrQGJIUk__oWLwUknruaCZB7HnjkObFH6Khp-gb9bKRXM1Y6kwEtRuaGI/s320/Let's+Get+On-Track+wit+God+%28w+pic%29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346114584459082690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Foundation scripture</span></span><span style="font-size:85%;">:</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">"... some <a id="essa" name="27231x30"></a>of you who </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >seem to think my deeds and words are merely those </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-style: italic;" id="essa" name="27231x43"></a></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >of an ordinary </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a style="font-style: italic;" id="essa" name="27231x46"></a></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >man</span><span style="font-size:85%;">."</span><br /> <span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">2 Corinthians 10:2 </span>(TLB)</span><br /><br /><br />In our opening scripture, we find that Paul was a man driven, driven by the plans of God. He spend his time in the presence of the Almight, seeking His face, to get <span style="font-style: italic;">the plan </span>for what he was to do! He <span style="font-style: italic;">knew </span>without a shadow of a doubt that he was called, and that he was <span style="font-style: italic;">in-sync </span>with then plan of God!<br /><br />Recently, I have been wrestling with some issues concerning my calling. You see, I want that for my life! I want to be totally and completely assured that I am <span style="font-style: italic;">on-track </span>with the plan of God for my life. And lately, I find that I have allowed myself to get away from that plan. Notice I said, "I have allowed". It's always "us". And usually when this happens, I find that I have again taken off in a direction I <span style="font-style: italic;">thought </span>we were going (me and God), and I got ahead of Him! I missed the turn, and then I find myself running a one-man show! I'm all alone. It's not God's doing, but rather mine.<br /><br />We all do this, at some time or another in our life, and then we find that we have reached a point where we feel like we're not being effective, like we're not "actively" <span style="font-style: italic;">doing </span>what we are called to do. When this happens it is usually because the Holy Spirit is beginning to stir our hearts. We begin to feel an unrest, an unsettling. That is because we are not exactly "in" the will of God's plan for our lives. Somewhere, somehow, we have stepped out of the plan. We've gotten "off-track" from the original marching orders. The Holy Spirit is trying to move us back, and to <span style="font-style: italic;">line us up </span>with what God is wanting to do in our lives.<br /><br />When this happens it is time to set aside some time with God and seek His counsel. You must quiet your mind, and your heart. It is important that you do this. God cannot deal with a 'busy mind'. Your mind can be constantly bombarded with thoughts and plans that, for whatever reason, you are entertaining. These may, or may not, be a diversion from God's actual plan for your life. You must set "all" of these aside, and listen ... listen for that quiet voice that speaks within.<br /><br />When you are in-tune with God's plan for your life, there is a peace ... a peace that brings about contentment, completeness, and assurance ... that you are on-track. When you are "off" of God's plan, there is questioning, concerns, fears, and such that crop up from everywhere. This is a good way to discern the plan of God. If you are on-track with God, then you will have a calmness about you. It will just "feel" right. This is not to say that you should base your decisions on 'feelings', but rather to explain that your heart will "bear witness" when you are in-tune with the movings and the plans of the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />You have never known a silence like the one you will know when you are off-base with God. I'm sure you've been there. You're just rocking along, working, doing family things, etc. and your mind is so busy it just never noticed. All-of-a-sudden, you notice one day that <span style="font-style: italic;">things just don't seem right between you and God</span>. That is because you've gotten off-track. It happened a while back, but your mind was so busy you didn't even notice.<br /><br />Compare this to a walk, with you and a friend. The two of you are just walking along, visiting. You seem to be doing all the talking, so the friend is just listening. At one point, after awhile, you turn to say something more intense, and you want to observe their reaction. You look and your friend is nowhere to be found! Now they were leading the way. You were supposed to be following "them"! When did they leave? What happened to them? You got so busy talking that they turned and you didn't notice.<br /><br />It is much the same way with walking with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God is patient, and caring, but that same Holy Spirit is focused, and single-minded. There is a plan to follow. It is the design of the Holy Spirit Himself. HE made the plan! And HE knows what needs to be done, where you need to go, and how you are going to get to where you need to be! It's the best deal you could ask for, your steps are already ordered and set out by the Master Planner. But if you dont' follow them, you are going to find yourself off and alone, in a territory and order of things that you are not familiar. You will have missed "the plan" and gone your own way.<br /><br />For today, and every day for that matter, set aside some time in the morning. DO NOT let your day be started by a mad dash for the shower, a quick cup of coffee, and a rushed drive in traffic to work! Get up earlier! Wake your lazy self up!! Get up, and have that cup of coffee as you sit quietly in your easy chair, or on your couch, and start the day in prayer. See the face of HIM Who "knows" what is in store for you today! Get "the plan" for the day!<br /><br />You will find that when everyone else is knocked about and disturbed by what things "seem to be", you are solid, stable, and <span style="font-style: italic;">prepared </span>for the day! It works, I'm telling you! Make it a part of your daily routine. Like Mike Murdock always says, "The secret to your success is <span style="font-style: italic;">hidden </span>in something that you <span style="font-style: italic;">do, daily</span>!" Go on, make it happen!<br /><br />Make me proud!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBAnu8jmT2jXw4lGFe3I_CiKGHT3JKJ580wxLpGLXQHx5VQMNkxNDyYrPgSwqew5f0FCorICrxCR_ATYh21MmBaQxn7qXFkYCYrS1HdormcAMseOR940_5iGsgOAvFuow0-P7kT2-SSI/s1600-h/name+logo+signature+%28Rich%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 103px; height: 39px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBAnu8jmT2jXw4lGFe3I_CiKGHT3JKJ580wxLpGLXQHx5VQMNkxNDyYrPgSwqew5f0FCorICrxCR_ATYh21MmBaQxn7qXFkYCYrS1HdormcAMseOR940_5iGsgOAvFuow0-P7kT2-SSI/s200/name+logo+signature+%28Rich%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340227629655397810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scripture references</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Proverbs 16:1-3; 9; 19:21 (AMP) </span><span style="font-size:85%;">and 2 Corinthians 10:2 (TLB)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Written by Richard A. Allcorn<br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;">© </span><span style="font-size:78%;">Copyright 2009 - All rights reserved.<br /><br />For additional information, please consult the following websites:<br />Ministry websites - <a href="http://www.richallcorn.org/">http://www.richallcorn.org</a> and <a href="http://www.sotmi.org/">http://www.sotmi.org</a><br />Additional posted writings can be found here - <a href="http://www.richallcorn.com/writer">http://www.richallcorn.com/writer</a><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557981478471253862.post-78026868745736446202009-05-27T16:42:00.000-05:002009-06-09T10:42:25.612-05:00Be Willing to Consider "Change"<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Foundation scripture</span>:<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">He said to them, "You are the ones who declare yourselves just and upright before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted and highly thought of among men is detestable and abhorrent (an abomination) in the sight of God. </span>"</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Luke 16:15 </span>(Amplified)</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4su9Z43pjqvDvF7WuePrf3TARIiMVKJWQCvUwBhAk014JBuMPR-sD5C3sRwt4jRMvUwCbuWoLdXJN9QohqNs1WTS8qTzcJXQMYyNVOi6t6V9KzkUZJOgqkewnNN5qdmwMJ1MV5Qn24Q/s1600-h/IMG_7079+%28tu,crop%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4su9Z43pjqvDvF7WuePrf3TARIiMVKJWQCvUwBhAk014JBuMPR-sD5C3sRwt4jRMvUwCbuWoLdXJN9QohqNs1WTS8qTzcJXQMYyNVOi6t6V9KzkUZJOgqkewnNN5qdmwMJ1MV5Qn24Q/s200/IMG_7079+%28tu,crop%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340631915246811442" border="0" /></a>Man is always and forever making his plans, and endeavoring to step out into new realms of adventure, only to later find out that he left something behind ... something he is going to need desperately on this trip through life.<br /><br />For you see, the callings of God and the plan of God for a man, are hidden mysteries that can only be revealed by the Holy Spirit of God. Why? Because these plans "come from" the Holy Spirit!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Assignment: EARTH</span><br />The Holy Spirit is the "project manager" here in the Earth ... what I like to call "Assignment: EARTH". The Holy Spirit has been sent here, by God the Father Himself, to organize, to plan, and to orchestrate the completion of God's will here in the Earth! The Holy Spirit is the one with "<span style="font-style: italic;">The Plan</span>"!<br /><br />The Holy Spirit is the one Who knows God's ultimate <span style="font-style: italic;"><u>master plan</u></span> for each and every one of us, and if we shoot off without that direction, then we're just off doin' our own thing. Oh, it may seem to work, or it may not, but if it's not God's plan, untimately, after all the smoke and lights are gone, it is still just doing your own deal. And that's all it will ever be! There will be no heartfelt reward that you're doing something worthwhile. You'll never have that "peace" that gives you that inner witness that you're on-track with God, not until you make a <span style="font-style: italic;">change</span>, a change in direction.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">A Step Back Is Not Always A Bad Thing<br /></span>A change in direction is often times necessary when you're serving God. A step back, or two, is not always a bad thing - not if it is God Who instructed you to do so. It's not that He changed "His" mind, but rather that "we" often times get "off track" from what God intended. The only pitfall in this is that we often are too proud to consider a <span style="font-style: italic;">backtrack</span>.<br /><br />There is nothing wrong with having to take a step back or two ... not if it means that we are going to move into being "exactly" on-track with God! It's not always a popular decision to backtrack. It affects our pride, sometimes our self-esteem, and even our comfort. And then there's always the "What will people think?" scenario! But then WHO are you here to serve? WHO are you here to please? If the <span style="font-style: italic;">backtrack </span>is truly from God, you will have a peace about it. It will <span style="font-style: italic;">work </span>for you ... there will be that <span style="font-style: italic;">settled spot </span>inside of your spirit man. You'll just <span style="font-style: italic;">know it</span> to be truely ... God.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">An Example From Personal Experience<br /></span>Recently, I had the Holy Spirit drop a thought into my mind that totally and completely surprised me! We were at a really, really nice apartment complex, viewing a model 2-bedroom apartment. A friend of ours was moving in there, in a month or so, and we were there to just <span style="font-style: italic;">check 'em out</span> with her. They were nice - very nice! They had all the stuff my wife would want in a home's decor, already installed - presentation <span style="font-style: italic;">perfect</span>.<br /><br />All-of-a-sudden, I had this thought! "What if you sold your home, and moved in here? You would then be totally and completely debt free!" The thought rang a deep sense of peace in me that I have only known when I receive direction from the Spirit of God. I mentioned it to my wife, and to my surprise she was thinking the same thing! She too felt that same peace! (I thought for sure that she'd NEV-VER consider this!) This truly had to be God!<br /><br />Suddenly, I could envision us living there. All the clutter we have here at the house had been gone through, eliminated, and necessities kept. We made job changes that eliminated the "work pressure" we'd experienced from our former jobs. When we took a vacation, or some time off, work wasn't piling up for us back at the office. When we were "off", we were actually "off", and could relax. There was peace. As all of these scenarios began to come to mind, I began to "see" with my spiritual eye the peace of mind that we would achieve, the elimination of pressure from debt, and the extra free time and opportunities for writing, for ministry, and for family time.<br /><br />I haven't jumped on it yet ... there's a few things we need to do to get the house to where it would even be <span style="font-style: italic;">ready </span>for sale, but I'm "open". I'm considering it. I'm "available", if that is what God truly wants to do! I am forcing myself to get to a place to where I can be willing and open to <span style="font-style: italic;">change </span>... changes that bring about the perfect will of God. WHY? Because I know that HE has "my" best interests at heart! HE has always looked out for me! And, with the loss of demand and pressure for finances, I would be able to seek the direction HE has been after me to go ... where ministry is concerned, where writing books is concerned, in giving more, and especially in family time!<br /><br />What I want to point out is: You have to be ready for <span style="font-style: italic;">change </span>so that when God wants to <span style="font-style: italic;">change,</span> then you do not dig your heels in and stop the move of God in your life! Rather you will <span style="font-style: italic;">go with the flow </span>of the Spirit!<br /><br />Are things not working out for you today, like you thought they should be? Are YOUR finances, like so much of the world's, going through a "test" right now? These are tough times, and during these times you are only going to survive, financially, if you are willing and <span style="font-style: italic;">totally </span>and <span style="font-style: italic;">completely </span>ready ... to trust and follow GOD in His plan for you!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBAnu8jmT2jXw4lGFe3I_CiKGHT3JKJ580wxLpGLXQHx5VQMNkxNDyYrPgSwqew5f0FCorICrxCR_ATYh21MmBaQxn7qXFkYCYrS1HdormcAMseOR940_5iGsgOAvFuow0-P7kT2-SSI/s1600-h/name+logo+signature+%28Rich%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 103px; height: 39px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBAnu8jmT2jXw4lGFe3I_CiKGHT3JKJ580wxLpGLXQHx5VQMNkxNDyYrPgSwqew5f0FCorICrxCR_ATYh21MmBaQxn7qXFkYCYrS1HdormcAMseOR940_5iGsgOAvFuow0-P7kT2-SSI/s200/name+logo+signature+%28Rich%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340227629655397810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scripture references</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">2 Corinthians 1:17-18, James 4:13-17, Acts 15:18, 1 Corinthians 1:19, </span><span style="font-size:85%;">and<br />Luke 16:15</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Written by Richard A. Allcorn<br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;">© </span><span style="font-size:78%;">Copyright 2009 - All rights reserved.<br /><br />For additional information, please consult the following websites:<br />Ministry websites - <a href="http://www.richallcorn.org/">http://www.richallcorn.org</a> and <a href="http://www.sotmi.org/">http://www.sotmi.org</a><br />Additional posted writings can be found here - <a href="http://www.richallcorn.com/writer">http://www.richallcorn.com/writer</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2557981478471253862.post-70343819460443526542009-05-21T16:07:00.001-05:002009-06-04T08:58:50.554-05:00Take A Little Walk with Jesus<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Foundation scripture</span>:<br />"Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence."<br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Ephesians 3:12 </span>(NLT)</span><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEgjTk4zTwJMbxAxcn3rRNdHUiaa8LATzp3hSUrYXV6JPx65zZORbTJc9eo2Z_3A4VBfsokaLYqNrJwj6aG6IKxH59ybR4sbgy_oIUgl3tluEDV8zoi_H_Jrpp2t3Eg37rJo8LgtHUcY/s1600-h/pastor+rich+allcorn.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAEgjTk4zTwJMbxAxcn3rRNdHUiaa8LATzp3hSUrYXV6JPx65zZORbTJc9eo2Z_3A4VBfsokaLYqNrJwj6aG6IKxH59ybR4sbgy_oIUgl3tluEDV8zoi_H_Jrpp2t3Eg37rJo8LgtHUcY/s200/pastor+rich+allcorn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340223009128284018" border="0" /></a>This morning I took my morning walk, with my wife. We often do this as a means of just being together. Sometimes we talk each others heads off! Other times we're both wearing ear buds, each enjoying our own music selections. But, nonetheless, we are together. I like that.<br /><br />Today I selected a set of songs on my iPod shuffle, as we began our walk. These were a set of worship songs, songs that take me to the throne room! As we walked along, a gentle breeze was blowing. The walk was peaceful.<br /><br />As the music played I began to picture Heaven, and all that it has to offer. As I became more engrossed in this vision of Heaven, I found that as I was considering Heaven, I was comparing it to Earth. As I continued in thought, things that are "here" began to seem less important ... less of an "issue".<br /><br />I began to picture Jesus, and how he views things from Heaven. I began to see myself walking with him, and talking. Things that are so important, and such a big deal ... here, just didn't seem to matter anymore.<br /><br />As I continued to walk with the Master, a peace began to come over me. I didn't have all of the answers. I didn't know where my next paycheck was coming from. I didn't know if I was going to get the job I'd just applied for. I wasn't sure if we were going to be able to avoid foreclosure on our home. But, somehow, a walk with the Master ... just seemed to make me realize something. Is it all really that important? Is it really that big of a deal?<br /><br />When you find yourself overwhelmed by the cares of this world, and the things that are making demands upon you, and placing pressures upon you, do yourself a favor. Set it all aside. Drop it off on the ledge at the base of the throne of God, as you waltz in (because you've been invited!) Come on it, to talk, and take a little walk with Jesus.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBAnu8jmT2jXw4lGFe3I_CiKGHT3JKJ580wxLpGLXQHx5VQMNkxNDyYrPgSwqew5f0FCorICrxCR_ATYh21MmBaQxn7qXFkYCYrS1HdormcAMseOR940_5iGsgOAvFuow0-P7kT2-SSI/s1600-h/name+logo+signature+%28Rich%29.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 103px; height: 39px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBAnu8jmT2jXw4lGFe3I_CiKGHT3JKJ580wxLpGLXQHx5VQMNkxNDyYrPgSwqew5f0FCorICrxCR_ATYh21MmBaQxn7qXFkYCYrS1HdormcAMseOR940_5iGsgOAvFuow0-P7kT2-SSI/s200/name+logo+signature+%28Rich%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340227629655397810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Scripture references</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Isaiah 1:17-18; 55:7; 55:8-9; 55:10-11; Hebrews 4:16; </span><span style="font-size:85%;">and<br />Ephesians 3:12</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Written by Richard A. Allcorn<br /></span><span style="font-size:78%;">© </span><span style="font-size:78%;">Copyright 2009 - All rights reserved.<br /><br />For additional information, please consult the following websites:<br />Ministry websites - <a href="http://www.richallcorn.org/">http://www.richallcorn.org</a> and <a href="http://www.sotmi.org/">http://www.sotmi.org</a><br />Additional posted writings can be found here - <a href="http://www.richallcorn.com/writer">http://www.richallcorn.com/writer</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com