THAT YOU MAY KNOW HIM!

But what things were gain to me, those I 

counted loss for Christ.  Yea doubtless, 

and I count all things but loss for the 

excellency of the knowledge of Christ 

Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered 

the loss of all things, and do count 

them but dung, that I may win Christ,

And be found in him, not having mine 

own righteousness, which is of the law, 

but that which is through the faith of 

Christ, the righteousness which is of 

God by faith:  That I may know him, 

and the power of his resurrection, and 

the fellowship of his sufferings, being 

made conformable unto his death;

If by any means I might attain 

unto the resurrection of the dead.

Not as though I had already attained, 

either were already perfect: but I follow 

after, if that I may apprehend that for 

which also I am apprehended of 

Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I count not 

myself to have apprehended: but this one 

thing I do, forgetting those things which 

are behind, and reaching forth unto those 

things which are before, I press toward 

the mark for the prize of the high 

calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:7-14

TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO KEEP YOU FROM FALLING

Photo provided by Katie Peace

 But, beloved, remember ye the words 

which were spoken before of the 

apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

How that they told you there 

should be mockers in the last time, 

who should walk after their own 

ungodly lusts.  These be they who 

separate themselves, sensual, 

having not the Spirit.  But ye, 

beloved, building up yourselves 

on your most holy faith, praying 

in the Holy Ghost,  Keep yourselves 

in the love of God, looking for the 

mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ 

unto eternal life.  And of 

some have compassion, making 

a difference:  And others save 

with fear, pulling them out of 

the fire; hating even the 

garment spotted by the flesh.

Now unto him that is able to keep 

you from falling, and to present you 

faultless before the presence of 

his glory with exceeding joy,

To the only wise God our Saviour, 

be glory and majesty, dominion 

and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Jude 1: 17-25

THANKS BE UNTO GOD

Photo provided by Katie Peace 

Behold, I shew you a mystery; 

We shall not all sleep, but 

we shall all be changed,

In a moment, in the 

twinkling of an eye, 

at the last trump: for 

the trumpet shall sound, 

and the dead shall be 

raised incorruptible, 

and we shall be changed.

For this corruptible must 

put on incorruption, and 

this mortal must put on 

immortality.  So when 

this corruptible shall 

have put on incorruption, 

and this mortal shall have 

put on immortality, then 

shall be brought to pass 

the saying that is written, 

Death is swallowed up in 

victory.  O death, where is 

thy sting? O grave, where 

is thy victory?  The sting 

of death is sin; and the 

strength of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, 

which giveth us the victory 

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast, unmoveable, 

always abounding in the work 

of the Lord, forasmuch as ye 

know that your labour is not 

in vain in the Lord.

I Corinthians 15:51-58

HOW TO AVERT USELESS ARGUMENTS

Photo provided by Kathy Mitchell

A devotion written by Steve Long

Sometimes arguments are needed because they are the only way we can communicate our point of view to another. There is a right way to argue and a wrong way. I am not always sure about the right way, but shouting and throwing things is not the right way!

But do you sometimes find yourself arguing about something that is pointless? Do conflicts between you and those you love escalate but not abate? Have you ever said something with agitation in your voice that garnered an equally agitated reaction until one or both of you were left with hurt feelings and a sour taste? As your emotions accelerated have you ever said something you wished you hadn’t?

There is a principle in God’s word that I have seen work very beautifully. I hope you will consider it the next time someone gets in your face and spills out caustic verbiage.

A soft answer turns away wrath,

        But a harsh word stirs up anger.

The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,

        But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

                                                                      Proverbs 15.1-2

A “soft answer” does not mean appeasing compromise. It is not fair to others or to ourselves if we enable others for their wrong behavior. It is not necessarily Spiritual when we become too agreeable. We should agree when we can but not while compromising godly convictions.

Years ago, when I was a pastor, my wife and I received a late night phone call to our home. She answered. The voice on the other end was loud, harsh and shrill, pouring out accusations with anger. It was directed at both of us.

I was sure that the caller was the one at fault and asked her to hand me the phone. I was going to give this individual a piece of my mind. I thought, “How dare they talk to my wife like that, and how dare they falsely accuse us both.”

Wisely, she didn’t give me the phone, and wisely, she never increased her volume but spoke in calm, even tones, speaking the truth in love. She never gave the individual on the other end of the line any justification for raising their voice. This caused things to settle and caused the angry accuser to look at things more realistically. Before they both hung up the phone, I heard the antagonist’s voice cool down into quietness. Surprisingly, the caller actually apologized for speaking such harsh words.

Neither my wife nor I had any trouble going to sleep that night but felt blessed that things had turned out as they had. I was amazed at how the Lord had used her soft answer to turn away someone’s wrath.

I wonder how it would have gone if she had handed me the telephone that night. I might have returned their accusations with accusations of my own. The volume and tone of our conversation might have intensified until we both got more and more irrational. Then, neither of us would be willing to listen to the other, only wanting rather to make our own points loudly and clearly. Instead, the conversation ended with peacefulness rather than with perpetual punches.

I cannot guarantee that your soft answers will produce the same results every time. Some people are too irrational to hear what you have to say regardless of the tone or volume. But “harsh words stir up anger.” Speaking harshly to another might cause them to shut up, but it will never quell any hard feelings they might have toward you.

Next time someone jumps on your case about something, try to answer them truthfully but gently and see how God might use it in both of your lives.

Written by Steve Long

ARE YOU BEING UNMASKED

Are You Being Unmasked?
A Devotion by Steve Long




"Behind the Leaf" Photo by Allef Vinicius

Dennis Montgomery, a former United States intelligence contractor is suing former FBI Director James Comey on the premise that a large number of American Citizens have been “unmasked,” (meaning under surveillance). Montgomery claims Comey and his agency covered up this illegal activity. He said that over twenty million Americans have been unmasked by the FBI according to Sara Carter who appeared on the Sean Hannity Show.[1]

I don’t know if all of this is true, but if it is, it’s even possible it could include you or me.

“Unmasked;” that’s a term I had never heard until about a year ago. It almost makes it sound like the person being spied on is presumed to be guilty. If there is no mask (nothing to hide), one cannot be unmasked. Of course, most everyone has some private information such as personal finances, that they may not want the public to know about. That doesn’t mean, of course, that one is guilty of anything; just that they might not want everyone to know about something.

In the world of the Spiritual; however, everyone is guilty. Most of us have some things presently or in the past that we don’t want everyone to know about. Even as you read these words, something you’ve done may come to your mind.

Adam and Eve, in the Garden of Eden, were suddenly ashamed after sinning. They tried their best to cover themselves (using leaves, which would eventually dry up and blow away). But they were unmasked. God knew what they had done and examined them concerning it. They would have to face the consequences of their sin, but then God made a sufficient covering for them by giving them coats of skin.

Jesus said, “For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.”[2]

Paul wrote, “… God shall judge the secrets of men...”[3]

One of these days the whole world, each one of us, will be “unmasked.” Like Adam and Eve, we all have sinned against God. We may be able to hide things from each other, but we can hide nothing from God – nothing.

There is one way we can keep from being unmasked. How? We can do so by removing our own masks now in the presence of God. We can come before him at this very moment and confess our sins – ugly as they are. We must place your faith in his Son, Jesus Christ as Savior and ask him to forgive us for all we’ve done wrong. He already knows, so just be open with him. By doing so you will enter into a relationship with the most powerful and holy one but also with the most loving person there is.

{1] circa.com
   freerepublic.com

[2] Luke 12.2-3

[3] Romans 2.16

IN THIS PRESENT WORLD

Photo provided by Kathy Mitchell

For the grace of God that bringeth 

salvation hath appeared to all men,

Teaching us that, denying ungodliness 

and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, 

righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Looking for that blessed hope, and 

the glorious appearing of the great 

God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Who gave himself for us, that he 

might redeem us from all iniquity, and 

purify unto himself a peculiar people, 

zealous of good works. These things speak, 

and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. 

Let no man despise thee.

Titus 2:11-15

GOD HATH MADE

Photo provided by Balinda Zimmerman

Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made 

the heaven and the earth by thy 

great power and stretched out arm, 

and there is nothing too hard for thee:

Thou shewest lovingkindness unto 

thousands, and recompensest the iniquity 

of the fathers into the bosom of their 

children after them: the Great, the 

Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his 

name, Great in counsel, and mighty 

in work: for thine eyes are open upon 

all the ways of the sons of men: to 

give every one according to his ways, 

and according to the fruit of his doings:

Which hast set signs and wonders in 

the land of Egypt, even unto this day, 

and in Israel, and among other men; 

and hast made thee a name, as at this 

day;  And hast brought forth thy 

people Israel out of the land of 

Egypt with signs, and with wonders, 

and with a strong hand, and with a 

stretched out arm, and with great terror;

And hast given them this land, which 

thou didst swear to their fathers to 

give them, a land flowing with 

milk and honey;

Jeremiah 31:17-22

O LOVE THE LORD

Photo provided by Balinda Zimmerman

Blessed be the LORD: for he hath 

shewed me his marvellous kindness 

in a strong city.  For I said in my haste, 

I am cut off from before thine eyes: 

nevertheless thou heardest the voice 

of my supplications when I cried unto 

thee.  O love the LORD, all ye his saints: 

for the LORD preserveth the faithful, 

and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

Be of good courage, and he shall 

strengthen your heart, all ye that hope 

in the LORD.  Blessed is he whose 

transgression is forgiven, whose sin 

is covered.  Blessed is the man unto 

whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, 

and in whose spirit there is no guile.

Psalm 31: 21 - 32: 2

FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE

Photo provided by Kathy Mitchell 

GREAT UPDATE FROM INDIA

There are many people coming to Christ and the
church in Punjabi s growing. They are seeing a
bountiful harvest of souls and many people being
delivered from alcohol and drugs, which is a witness
in itself as to what the Lord can do. Our church
collected so many coats to send in October that
our nets burst. I told Steve I think I know how
Peter/James and John felt when they
cast their nets on the other side and the
nets became so full they broke. I haven't
counted the coats but the whole back 

of my truck is packed to the brim, the back 

seat is packed and we still have a few bags. 

I would say that is a bountiful harvest. Samson 

and Joy are excited to get to take so many 

coats back with them in October.

Samson is still in India for a few weeks so 

continue to lift him up in prayer as the 

harvest of souls season has begun. It's 

very difficult for him to even think of pulling 

away and running to the US with so many 

turning to the Lord. Pray the work continues on 

after he returns and those coming to Christ 

will reach out to their family and friends and 

extend the same invitation to know Christ

to them. 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his 

only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth

in him should not perish, but have everlasting

life. For God sent not his Son 

into the world to condemn the world; 

but that the world through him might be saved.

John 3:16-17

HE SHALL COME DOWN LIKE RAIN UPON MOWN GRASS

Photo provided by June Roberson Ormesher

WHAT IS STRONGER, LOVE OR HATE?

Devotion by Steve Long

What is Stronger, Love or Hate?

What is stronger, love or hate, good or evil, right or wrong?

Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm:

For love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave:

The coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.

Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it:

If a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.

Love is strong as death, said the bride to her groom in Song of Solomon 8.1

One day my wife and I were leaving the Dallas area. We figured that it wouldn’t take long to get away on the freeway if we left early on a weekend when the traffic would be light. Once we got close to the downtown area, we noticed that the traffic started slowing and getting packed. Not much further it slowed to a trickle, then to a stop. Then we could only move slowly in intermittent episodes.

Soon, we were all being directed into one lane on the right, then into an off ramp. We wondered what was happening. Why were we being redirected? There were people standing on the edge of the highway with cameras aimed to our left.

As we trudged down the access road on the right of the freeway, suddenly, across the freeway, to our left, we saw a building being engulfed in the smoke of dust! A demolition crew had imploded the many storied building with explosives. When the dust soon cleared, there was suddenly no building there. It had disappeared into a pile of rubble. In only a matter of seconds, the old high-rise was destroyed.

 I used to do quite a bit of construction work. One thing I noticed was that when building constructively, it takes a lot of planning, measuring, and time to lay a foundation and erect a quality structure.

Not so much when tearing down. That goes pretty quickly. With sledge hammer and crowbar, a few good men can take some walls or even a building down in just a short time.

Thus; I ask the question, what is stronger, love or hate, good or evil? It seems, sometimes, that the work of the destroyer is so easy, that he is hard to overcome.

A mom and a dad spend countless hours sitting up with their growing child, expending immense energy. They sink tremendous amounts of time and money into their little investment. They dote upon, discipline and dress their beloved one. They transport and travel many miles for the young man or woman. With pride and joy, they watch him grow up, contributing every step of the way. They devote great effort to provide for their child’s best possible education.

One bullet, fired from a distant chamber, one malicious act, one evil deed can tear down a life in one day after years of nourishment.

One thoughtless word can destroy a person’s reputation that took a lifetime to build up.

One illicit affair can bring down, in a moment, a marriage that was previously built upon years of love and trust.

One Trojan horse can bring a covert enemy into a city where it took its people a great deal of time to construct a wall of protection.

So, it may appear that the power of destruction is greater than the power of production. It may appear that the power of death finally wins over that of life, that evil will win over good and that hate will ultimately conquer love.

The law of the Old Testament had said: “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.” The concept was to destroy the destroyer. Makes sense. That way the evil action is punished and the evil one is stopped. And this is what government has to do to deter wickedness.

But evil often has a way of being incorrigible and its influence is almost without boundaries. If one wicked one is stopped, there seems to be five more who step up in his place.

Enter – Jesus Christ. “For God so loved…”

Jesus said; "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,” Matthew 5.43-44.

Did Jesus live up to what he taught? Think about this. When Jesus was being betrayed by his own disciple, Judas, in the garden of Gethsemane, he had the opportunity to retaliate. Peter had started the process for him by lopping off a man’s ear with a sword.

But Jesus said: "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (Matthew 26.52)

Why? Love is why. Jesus could have come down from the cross if he had so willed. He could have easily called 80,000 angels to overcome not only the Sanhedrin and their soldiers but all of the Roman troops that were occupying Israel at the time.

Yes, Jesus did live up to what he taught. In fact, he is the only one who has ever fully lived up to it. Even with our noblest effort, we all come short.

How are you and I to deal with haters? We are to love them. The bible says; “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12.21) “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.” (Proverbs 10.12)

Hatred hardens, but love softens. Whereas love will make one better and make one’s life better; hatred destroys not just the hated one but the hater. Hatred will eat a person away like cancer of the soul.

In the end, we know love will win, because God is love. Though Satan has inflicted his evil acts of hate upon those who know God, he will not ultimately conquer. Though it might appear that he has overcome in this world – no, he will be overcome. (Revelation 20.10)

God, the most powerful person in the universe is in essence, love, the most powerful force in the universe. Through his love, hate will be defeated.

THE PATH OF LIFE

Photo provided by Tara Cook Bruce

 I have set the LORD always before me: 

because he is at my right hand, 

I shall not be moved.  Therefore 

my heart is glad, and my 

glory rejoiceth: my flesh 

also shall rest in hope.

For thou wilt not leave my soul 

in hell; neither wilt thou 

suffer thine Holy One to see 

corruption. Thou wilt shew me the 

path of life: in thy presence is fulness 

of joy; at thy right hand there are 

pleasures for evermore.

Psalm 16: 8-11

MAKING STRAIGHT PATHS

Photo provided by Tara Cook Bruce 

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, 

and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with 

you as with sons; for what son is he 

whom the father chasteneth not?

But if ye be without chastisement, 

whereof all are partakers, then are 

ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore 

we have had fathers of our flesh which 

corrected us, and we gave them reverence: 

shall we not much rather be in 

subjection unto the Father of spirits, 

and live?  For they verily for a few 

days chastened us after their own pleasure; 

but he for our profit, that we might be 

partakers of his holiness.  Now no 

chastening for the present seemeth to 

be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless 

afterward it yieldeth the peaceable 

fruit of righteousness unto them 

which are exercised thereby.

Wherefore lift up the hands which 

hang down, and the feeble knees;

And make straight paths for your feet, 

lest that which is lame be turned out 

of the way; but let it rather be healed.

Follow peace with all men, and 

holiness, without which no man shall 

see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any 

man fail of the grace of God; lest any root 

of bitterness springing up trouble you, 

and thereby many be defiled;

Hebrews 12:6-15