HOW LONG?

Photo provided by Katie Peace

And all the congregation lifted up their voice, 

and cried; and the people wept that night.

And all the children of Israel murmured 

against Moses and against Aaron: 

and the whole congregation said 

unto them, Would God that we 

had died in the land of Egypt! 

or would God we had died in this 

wilderness! And wherefore hath 

the LORD brought us unto this land, 

to fall by the sword, that our 

wives and our children should be 

a prey? were it not better for us 

to return into Egypt?  And they said 

one to another, Let us make 

a captain, and let us return into 

Egypt. Then Moses and Aaron fell on 

their faces before all the assembly 

of the congregation of the children 

of Israel.  And Joshua the son of Nun, 

and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which 

were of them that searched the land, rent 

their clothes: And they spake unto 

all the company of the children of Israel, 

saying, The land, which we passed 

through to search it, is an exceeding 

good land.  If the LORD delight in us, 

then he will bring us into this land, and 

give it us; a land which floweth with 

milk and honey.  Only rebel not ye 

against the LORD, neither fear ye the 

people of the land; for they are bread for 

us: their defence is departed from them, 

and the LORD is with us: fear them not.

But all the congregation bade stone 

them with stones. And the glory of the 

LORD appeared in the tabernacle of 

the congregation before all the children 

of Israel. And the LORD said unto Moses,

How long will this people provoke me? 

and how long will it be ere they believe 

me, for all the signs which I have shewed 

among them?

Numbers 14:1-11

FERVENT LOVE

Provided by Steve Long

OLD WESTERNS, SCATTERED CHRISTIANS, AND HEALING LEPERS

Devotion by Steve Long 

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; andeveryone who loves is born of God and knows God.[i]

Jesus’ Apostle, Peter, gives us three ways we are to love each other.

Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart[ii]

1. God Wants Us to Love One Another Genuinely.

Do you remember the old western movies and television shows? We would see a whole town full of buildings. Usually there would be a Jail, Telegraph Office, Blacksmith Shop, Saloon, Hotel, Stable, Barber Shop, General Store, and maybe some other buildings. Most of the time, however, these were not real buildings. They were often just framed walls made to look like buildings from the front.

We must not wrongly put on just a show of love. Upon inspection, the façade will be easily recognized by others though we may not recognize it ourselves.

Our love for one another needs to be unpretentious. It must be real – sincere. The word “fervently” can literally be translated as unhypocritically.

Love can be faked, but not for very long. Pretty soon, something will penetrate the façade we’ve erected. Love, or a lack of love, will always be tested. We can feign adoration of others until a real trial comes along. Then our true mettle will be revealed. We must first possess love before we can practice love.

We do not well to continually declare the words “I love you,” unless we have done the deeds which say, “I love you.” “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” [iii]

2. God Wants Us to Love One Another Pure-Heartedly.
Love must go deep down. These Christians of the dispersion[iv] had already been purified. Their souls were in right standing with God. Now it would be needed by them and us to be in a right frame of heart in order to love others well.

If we want to truly love our brothers and sisters in Christ, we need to have our hearts right with God or we will “burn out” quickly. We should not love others because they are so loveable but because Christ loved us when we were not so loveable.

3. God Wants Us to Love One Another Fervently.

The word fervent is translated from a root that means “to stretch out”. The root word is often said of Jesus who would stretch forth his hand to heal the afflicted. In one place, Jesus stretched forth his hand to heal a man with leprosy (Matthew 8.3). Leprosy was a terrible, dreaded and infectious disease. What would motivate Jesus to stretch out his hand to a contagious leper? Might not the leper contaminate him – not to mention cause him to become ceremonial unclean?

Jesus did not love others from the other side of the universe but deliberately came to this earth to love us with sacrificial love. When he got here, he didn’t love people from the other side of the street, but went to where they were andstretched forth himself. He didn’t just give them a “like” on facebook, but actually came to where they were. He didn’t just say “I love you,” but hestretched forth his hands on a horrible cross so you and I might be saved from our sins.

That is fervent love.

Visit Steve's Blog :  Reflecting the Light

ALL FLESH SHALL SEE THE SALVATION OF GOD

Every valley shall be filled, and every 

mountain and hill shall be brought low; 

and the crooked shall be made straight, 

and the rough ways shall be made smooth;

And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.

Luke 3:5-6

HIS MERCY IS UPON THEM!

Photo provided by Kay Rowe

And his mercy is on them that fear 

him from generation to generation.

He hath shewed strength with his 

arm; he hath scattered the proud 

in the imagination of their hearts.

He hath put down the mighty from 

their seats, and exalted them of 

low degree. He hath filled the 

hungry with good things; and the

 rich he hath sent empty away.

He hath holpen his servant Israel, 

in remembrance of his mercy;

Luke 1:50-54

GOD SEES YOU

God Sees You

A devotion by Steve Long 

Often, near where I live, I see a man standing on the corner of a busy intersection with a sign that reads, “God is Watching You.” I’m not sure of the motivation behind this but my suspicion is that he hopes passersby will be frightened by the thought. After all, when we’re tempted to sin and are thinking of giving in, are we ever comforted by the fact that God sees us?

No, I think almost 100% of us, knowing that God sees, would want to think it over before committing the sinful act.

This is not unlike being in the presence of a policeman. We might alter our behavior if we know that an officer is watching.

One example is when many of us are driving on a highway. We may feel content and unthreatened until we realize there is a highway patrolman just ahead. Most of us might let off of the gas pedal immediately whether we’re speeding or not.

But let’s change the scenario just a bit. If we or someone else has been in an accident, we’d probably welcome the patrolman. If we heard gunfire, we might even call the policeman – even the same one we tried to avoid while doing wrong.

Now, we return to our main thought: that “God is Watching You.” Is it possible that this could be a comfort to some of us? Just as it would bring comfort and security to a child to know that his or her parents are watching; it can be that and more for us as children of God to know that God is looking.

We read in the Bible of a precious Egyptian woman by the name of Hagar.[1] Hagar had been the handmaiden of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.[2] Sarah was unable to have children and had gotten very old but God had promised Abraham that he would have a son – and many descendants.

Sarah’s plan, obviously without consulting God, was to let Abraham go in to Hagar so she might give birth. A common practice among the peoples of that day, this would help God fulfill his plan, she thought. I suppose she figured God had run out of ways to get this done and she had to come up with something for him. Abraham “hearkened to the voice” of Sarah. Sarah’s plan was to be a surrogate mother to the child – at least in name.

Quickly Hagar conceived. Very soon, she became prideful and instead of having respect, looked down upon her mistress.

Immediately, Sarah had second thoughts. “My bad! Rewind. Could I get off here?” She realized her error. When Abraham told Sarah to do as she thought fit, Sarah dealt harshly with Hagar.

Hagar felt compelled to flee away. It’s not clear where she was trying to go. Maybe she was trying to get back to Egypt. I think she just went wandering, a young pregnant woman, alone in the desert. I’m sure she experienced numerous negative emotions.

The bible tells us that “the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.” He also said; “Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands… I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. The angel of the LORD even said that the child was a boy (and that before ultrasound) and gave her his name – Ishmael, which means “God shall hear.” He tells her that Ishmael would be a wild and hostile man.

“And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi (meaning: the well of him who lives and sees me).”

What impressed Hagar about God, Yahweh? It was the fact that this is the God who sees her. GOD IS WATCHING – those words would not be words of fear and intimidation for Hagar. They would become her comfort and encouragement to go back to her mistress and to the father of her son.

How good to know that God is watching! He is not just watching but is watching over us.

GOD IS WATCHING YOU:

If you’re running, that’s scary.

If you’re saved, that’s reassuring.
Not only does he see – he hears.

[1] Genesis 16.1-14
[2] At this time they were known as Sarai and Abram.

To see more devotions by Steve Long visit:
http://stephentlong.blogspot.com/2017/05/god-sees-you.html

WHEN A MAN'S WAYS PLEASE THE LORD

Photo provided by Katie Peace

The preparations of the heart in man, 

and the answer of the tongue, is from 

the LORD.  All the ways of a man 

are clean in his own eyes; but the 

LORD weigheth the spirits.   

Commit thy works unto the 

LORD, and thy thoughts shall 

be established.  The LORD hath 

made all things for himself:  

yea, even the wicked for the 

day of evil.  Every one that 

is proud in heart is an 

abomination to the LORD: 

though hand join in hand, he 

shall not be unpunished.  By

mercy and truth iniquity is 

purged: and by the fear of 

the LORD men depart from 

evil. When a man’s ways 

please the LORD, he maketh 

even his enemies to be at peace 

with him.  Better is a little with 

righteousness than great revenues 

without right.

PROVERBS 16:1-8

THEY SHALL FEAR THEE!

Photo provided by Katie Peace 

They shall fear thee as long as the sun 

and moon endure, throughout all 

generations. He shall come down 

like rain upon the mown grass: 

as showers that water the earth.

In his days shall the righteous 

flourish; and abundance of 

peace so long as the moon 

endureth.

Psalm 72:5-7

HAVE YOU SINNED?

Devotion by Steve Long

Have you sinned?

Just because you faltered, doesn't mean you're finished.

Have you sinned? I don’t know what you’ve done, but God does, and he still loves you. Did you drink alcohol after staying free of it for weeks – maybe even years? Did you fall back into drugs, smoking, gambling, or pornography? Have you gotten out of church and quit praying? Has it been a while since you read the Bible, God’s word? Have you failed your spouse? Is your language reverting back to profanity? You must be truly ashamed.

I can't blame you for being upset, but let me share what the apostle Paul said; "I know that in me, (that is in my flesh) nothing good dwells" (Romans 7.18). Never be surprised how wicked our human nature can be. But it is still disappointing.

One misstep should not define who we are. Whenever a quarterback gets sacked or throws an interception, it is often the next play that really makes the difference. He can stay down and pout, or get up and dust himself off, more determined than ever to get the job done.

Even if a boxer goes down for a nine count, he might be able to come back in the next round to land a punch to win the match. It is not a single failing that determines who you are, it is your trust in God and his Son, which allows you to come back.

It is your direction that makes the difference. That direction was set heavenward when you trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Even in the kid's game Mother may I, one may move two steps forward and then one step back. Sometimes it may be “One giant step back,” but the game’s not over. "A righteous man may fall seven times and rise up again" (Proverbs 24.16). God won’t give up on you, either. He has already invested too much into your life, that is, the blood of His Son and the earnest of His Spirit.

David is not just remembered for when he committed adultery and put the woman’s husband on the front lines of battle to die. As terrible as David's sin was, we remember him as a man after God's own heart.

Noah drank wine unto drunkenness but we remember him as a man of faith who obeyed God and accomplished great things.

Moses let his temper get the best of him. It kept him from entering God’s promised land, but it didn’t keep him from successfully serving God the rest of his life.

Three times Peter denied that he knew Jesus, even swearing an oath; however, Jesus didn’t chalk him off. Soon after, Peter preached when 3,000 people accepted Christ as Savior.

Although Abraham was guilty of telling half-truths at times in order to save his hide, we know him as the "Father of Faith."

All of these faltered, but they weren't finished.

We use none of these things as an excuse to sin, but as a celebration of God's glorious grace. The more you celebrate his grace, the greater change he brings about in your life. Don't let the devil defeat you. Stay the course! Jesus loves you and is on your side and “If God is for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8.31). Sure, you bobbled the ball! Sure, you’ve failed! Sure, you’ve sinned, but “where sin abounded, grace abounded much more” (Romans 8.31).

It would be nice to have gone all year without sinning but you didn’t. Hey, you can start again right now! You can be a victorious Christian with God's help, today, then for a full year, and then another, and another! Sadly, you are going to sin from time to time (1 John 1.8). God says you can confess your sins and be washed (1 John 1.9). Admit it and accept his forgiveness. You have Jesus Christ, the righteous one to defend you if you’ve sinned (1 John 2.1). If you believe in Jesus, he has justified you (Romans 3.24). In simplified terminology, that means "just-as-if-I'd never sinned." Since he sees you this way, go ahead and look at yourself this way as well – “just as if I'd never sinned”. If you’re saved, God doesn’t see you as a failure, he sees you as forgiven. When you look in the mirror, see yourself as God sees you. Then “go, and sin no more” John 8.11.

I’m sorry you have failed but at one time maybe you wouldn't even have cared. Now, just the fact that you do care is an indication that God is not through with you.

Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5.16). May God bless you as you seek his strength to live in purity for His glory!

Visit Steve Long's Blog
Reflecting the Light

LIKE A FATHER PITIETH HIS CHILDREN, SO THE LORD PITIETH THEM THAT FEAR HIM

Photo provided by Travis Smith 

As far as the east is from the west, 

so far hath he removed our 

transgressions from us.  Like as

a father pitieth his children, so 

the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

For he knoweth our frame; he 

remembereth that we are dust.

As for man, his days are as grass: 

as a flower of the field, so he 

flourisheth.  For the wind 

passeth over it, and it is gone; 

and the place thereof shall 

know it no more.  But the mercy 

of the LORD 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 commandments to do them.

The LORD hath prepared his 

throne in the heavens; and his 

kingdom ruleth over all.

PSALM 103:12-19

HOW MUCH FAITH DOES IT TAKE?

My husband, Steve Long wrote last week about what faith is, based on Hebrews chapter 11.  He wanted to expand on this to show that although believers can accomplish many mighty things through faith, that faith is not always lightning and thunder. Does faith require us to do the miraculous?

How much faith does God require?

Click Link below!
http://stephentlong.blogspot.com/2017/05/how-much-faith-does-it-take.html

O THE DEPTHS OF HIS LOVE

Photo provided by Katie Peace

As concerning the gospel, they are enemies 

for your sakes: but as touching the 

election, they are beloved for the 

fathers’ sakes. For the gifts and 

calling of God are without repentance.

For as ye in times past have not 

believed God, yet have now obtained 

mercy through their unbelief:  Even so 

have these also now not believed, that 

through your mercy they also may 

obtain mercy.  For God hath concluded 

them all in unbelief, that he might have

mercy upon all. O the depth of 

the riches both of the wisdom and 

knowledge of God! how unsearchable 

are his judgments, and his ways past 

finding out!  For who hath known the 

mind of the Lord? or who hath 

been his counsellor?  For who hath first 

given to him, and it shall be recompensed 

unto him again?  For of him, and through 

him, and to him, are all things: to whom be 

glory for ever. Amen.

Romans 28-36

FORBEARING AND FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER

Photo provided by Karen Boston Fain 

Forbearing one another, and forgiving 

one another, if any man have a quarrel 

Against any: even as Christ forgave 

you, so also do ye.

Colossians 3:13

WHAT IS FAITH, ANYWAY?

A Devotion from Steve Long - 

What is Faith, Anyway?

We know that "Without faith, it is impossible to please God," but, what is faith, anyway?

Faith is: taking the bible as the word of God and then taking God at his word. It is judging God to be faithful to his promises, being sure of God’s promises, and “being fully persuaded that what God has promised, he will be able to perform.”

Faith recognizes that if someone trustworthy gives you information, you can count on it to be true. You don’t have to know why or how or when or where. You just know it’s true because the source is true.

Faith is: believing in the being of God – his existence.

Faith is: believing in the bounty of God – his excellence.

Faith is the understanding that an unseen source created those things we see. Faith looks at creation and recognizes the reality of a Creator.

Faith is: not allowing what you can’t see to keep you from believing. Some things have not yet been observed by mankind. If we could observe all things, faith would not be needed. But since there are many things we can’t see, we must trust the one who can see them. It is: stepping out onto what we cannot see because we know that God can see.

Faith is the only thing that allows us to see God with our hearts though we cannot see him with our eyes.

Faith allows us to understand things we could not otherwise understand.

Faith is: taking God at his word when he warns us of impending judgment. It is making preparations for your family for this judgment.

Faith is: the firm foundation on which we can stand in order to have an impact on those around us. If we want our lives to affect others positively, we must place our trust in God.

Faith is: knowing that the hope for the future for which you’ve believed God, is no less real than what you’re experiencing now. It is: speaking the truth about the future because God has spoken it – even though you’ve never been there.

In faith we embrace what has been shown to us down the road more than what we experience at this present time. It is declaring with our mouths and our lives that we’re not yet at home.

Faith is: accepting that if we die, God will raise us up just as he did the Lord Jesus.

Faith is: pronouncing the blessings of God upon our children based upon God’s promise.

Faith is: obeying God to go where he leads though we may know little or nothing about it.

Faith is: fearlessly doing what God commands even though those in authority may decree otherwise.

Faith is: refusing the affirmations, accolades, and advancement of those who oppose God. It is making the choice to identify with God’s people – even those who suffer for their faith. It values persecution for Christ’s sake to be greater than any earthly treasure.

Faith is: looking for a home built by God, desiring a better country that can only be found in heaven, confessing that the here and now is not the end result and acknowledging that this earth is not our final home.

Faith is: knowing that God has a heavenly reward that far exceeds the highest of all worldly gain.

Faith is: having the patience to allow God to do what he says he will do in his own time.

Faith is: being at peace when all others are afraid because you know God has all under his sovereign control.

Faith is: worshiping God in any circumstance. It is: trusting God to meet my needs and trusting him that I “will not lack any good thing.” But it also means still having confidence in God even “though he slay me.”

Faith is: believing in the blood of Christ, our Passover lamb, who was sacrificed for us.

Faith is: trusting God for his gift of righteousness on the merit of the blood of Jesus Christ apart from our own deeds. It is understanding that our Creator can and will be satisfied with us not because of our conduct but because of his kindness in Christ Jesus.

Faith is the conduit in which God’s saving grace can be applied to our undeserving souls.

THEY SHALL TEACH THEM DILIGENTLY!

Photo provided by Travis E Smith 

Now these are the commandments, 

the statutes, and the judgments, 

which the LORD your God 

commanded to teach you, that 

ye might do them in the land 

whither ye go to possess it:

That thou mightest fear the 

LORD thy God, to keep all his 

statutes and his commandments, 

which I command thee, thou, 

and thy son, and thy son’s son, 

all the days of thy life; and 

that thy days may be prolonged.

Hear therefore, O Israel, and 

observe to do it; that it may be well 

with thee, and that ye may increase 

mightily, as the LORD God of thy 

fathers hath promised thee, in 

the land that floweth with milk 

and honey.   Hear, O Israel: 

The LORD our God is one 

LORD: And thou shalt love the 

LORD thy God with all thine 

heart, and with all thy soul, and 

with all thy might.  And these words, 

which I command thee this day, 

shall be in thine heart:  And thou shalt 

teach them diligently unto thy children, 

and shalt talk of them when thou 

sittest in thine house, and when 

thou walkest by the way, and 

when thou liest down, and when 

thou risest up. And thou shalt bind 

them for a sign upon thine hand, 

and they shall be as frontlets 

between thine eyes.  And thou 

shalt write them upon the 

posts of thy house, and on 

thy gates.  And it shall be, 

when the LORD thy God shall 

have brought thee into the land 

which he sware unto thy fathers, 

to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, 

to give thee great and goodly cities, 

which thou buildedst not,  And houses 

full of all good things, which thou filledst 

not, and wells digged, which thou 

diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, 

which thou plantedst not; when 

thou shalt have eaten and be full;

Then beware lest thou forget 

the LORD,  which brought thee 

forth out of the land of Egypt, 

from the house of bondage.

Thou shalt fear the LORD thy 

God, and serve him, and shalt 

swear by his name.  Ye shall not 

go after other gods, of the 

gods of the people which are 

round about you;

Deuteronomy 6:1-12

HIS GLORY COVERED THE HEAVENS

Photo provided by Travis Smith

O LORD, I have heard thy speech, 

and was afraid: O LORD, 

revive thy work in the midst of 

the years, in the midst of the 

years make known; in wrath 

remember mercy.  God 

came from Teman, and the 

Holy.  One from mount Paran. 

Selah. His glory covered the 

heavens, and the earth was full of 

his praise.  And his brightness was 

as the light; he had horns coming 

out of his hand: and there was the 

hiding of his power.

Habakkuk 3:1-4

COME AND DINE

Photo provided by Kelly Ann Gray 

Simon Peter went up, and drew 

the net to land full of great

fishes, an hundred and fifty 

and three: and for all there were 

so many, yet was not the net 

broken. Jesus saith unto them, 

Come and dine. And none of the 

disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? 

knowing that it was the Lord.

Jesus then cometh, and taketh 

bread, and giveth them, and fish 

likewise. This is now the third 

time that Jesus shewed himself 

to his disciples, after that he was 

risen from the dead. So when they 

had dined, Jesus saith to Simon 

Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest 

thou me more than these? He saith 

unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest 

that I love thee. He saith unto him, 

Feed my lambs. He saith to him again 

the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, 

lovest thou me? He saith unto him, 

Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love 

thee. He saith unto him, Feed 

my sheep. He saith unto him the 

third time, Simon, son of Jonas, 

lovest thou me? Peter was grieved 

because he said unto him the third 

time, Lovest thou me? And he said 

unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; 

thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus 

saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

John 21:10-17

FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING, THOU ART GOD!

Photo provided by Kelly Ann Gray 

Lord, thou hast been our dwelling 

place in all generations.  

Before the mountains were 

brought forth, or ever thou 

hadst formed the earth 

and the world, even from 

everlasting to everlasting, thou 

art God.  Thou turnest man to 

destruction; and sayest, Return, 

ye children of men.  For a 

thousand years in thy sight are 

but as yesterday when it is past, 

and as a watch in the night.

Psalm 90:2