IN HIS FAVOUR IS LIFE

Photo provided by Lucy Pabjoba

GREAT IS OUR GOD

Photo provided by Pennie Beth Saum

Great is our Lord, and of great power:
his understanding is infinite The LORD lifteth
up the meek: he casteth the wicked
down to the ground. Sing unto the LORD
with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp
unto our God: Who covereth the heaven with
clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who
maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.
He giveth to the beast his food, and to
the young ravens which cry. He delighteth not
in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure
in the legs of a man. The LORD taketh pleasure
in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.

Psalm 147?7-11

THE LORD THY GOD IS MIGHTY

Photo provided by Macie Rae Haley

The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is

mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over

thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he

will joy over thee with singing.  I will

gather them that are sorrowful for the

solemn assembly, who are of thee, to

whom the reproach of it was a burden.
19  Behold, at that time I will undo all

that afflict thee: and I will save her that

halteth, and gather her that was driven

out; and I will get them praise and fame

in every land where they have been put

to shame.  At that time will I bring you

again, even in the time that I gather you:

for I will make you a name and a praise

among all people of the earth, when I

turn back your captivity before your eyes,

saith the LORD.

Zephaniah 3:17-20

BUCK AND COWBOY

Photo by AmAsie Willison 

(A devotion by Steve Long)
When Sherry and I first married, I was the pastor of the First Baptist Church of Ignacio Colorado. It was a great experience for both of us. One of my fondest memories is that of going to the mountains with our friends Glenn and Jeannie Faverino.


The Faverinos had a cattle ranch, and in the summer took their cattle to a summer range on Missionary Ridge just north of Durango. The mountains there reach almost 10,000 feet in elevation. On horseback, we'd push the cattle to higher ground where the grass was tall, and put out salt licks. In the fall, we'd bring the cattle down to the foot of the mountain to a holding pen before loading them for transport.


There is nothing like sitting on top of a horse on top of a high mountain. It makes you feel like you're on top of the world.


After breakfast we’d saddle up our horses and ride the range for most of the day. Glenn rode a buckskin horse aptly named “Buck.” I often rode an aging quarter horse called “Cowboy.”


Cowboy was a great cutting horse and loved what he did. A high strung, spirited animal, Cowboy acted like he was in a race and could barely be held back. From the start, he wanted to go, go, go. It seemed to me that the only way I could get him to take it easy was to talk to him gently. Pulling back on the reigns too hard only seemed to make him want to go harder. Quietly saying things like “Ho, settle down. Take it easy Cowboy,” seemed to temper him enough to make the experience bearable for his rider.


Glenn’s horse Buck was the opposite. He would set a pace and maintain it all day long. Very steadfast, Buck seemed to be going just as strong at the end of the day as he did at the beginning.


Not so – Cowboy! Though unstoppable out of the gate, he was about exhausted at the end of the activities. Sweaty and breathing hard, he would drop behind the other horses. He could no longer stay up with the rest.


I have seen many Christians like this. Fast from the first but lagging at the last. My friend, Tut Jones, used to say, “They’re going to do wonders and eat rotten cucumbers.” I always took that to mean they had great intentions to really set the world on fire for Christ. Sometimes they are not to be seen later on. This happens when we try to serve the Lord in the energy of our own flesh.


I have also seen other believers who through the years and decades remained faithful servants of the Lord. These would only grow sweeter with time and seemed to have the grace of God upon them continually. Only God will be the final judge of us all, but by examining their fruits they seem to still pass inspection. Jesus said; “By their fruits ye shall know them.”


Thank God for the energy and excitement of youth, but even better are those whose fire is still burning consistently through time.


Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1Corinthians 15.58)




And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6.9)

THEY LIFTED UP THEIR VOICE TO GOD

Photo provided  by Becky Whiteman-Sparks 

And when they heard that, they lifted up 

their voice to God with one accord, 

and said, Lord, thou art God, which 

hast made heaven, and earth, and 

the sea, and all that in them is:

Who by the mouth of thy servant 

David hast said, Why did the 

heathen rage, and the people imagine 

vain things?  The kings of the earth 

stood up, and the rulers were 

gathered together against the Lord, 

and against his Christ.  For of a truth 

against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou 

hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius 

Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the 

people of Israel, were gathered 

together,  For to do whatsoever thy 

hand and thy counsel determined 

before to be done.  And now, Lord, behold 

their threatenings: and grant unto thy 

servants, that with all boldness they may 

speak thy word,  By stretching forth thine 

hand to heal; and that signs and wonders 

may be done by the name of thy holy 

child Jesus.  And when they had prayed, 

the place was shaken where they were 

assembled together; and they were all filled 

with the Holy Ghost, and they spake 

the word of God with boldness.  And the 

multitude of them that believed were of one 

heart and of one soul: neither said any of 

them that ought of the things which he 

possessed was his own; but they had 

all things common.  And with great power 

gave the apostles witness of the resurrection 

of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was 

upon them all.

Acts 4:24-33

THE GOD OF LOVE

Have you ever noticed that all religions have a greater power? Even those that don't worship a man end up worshiping nature because deep within us lies a knowledge there is something or someone greater than ourselves.

Many cry out in anger that the God we worship brings judgement but have you ever thought that even those who follow after mother nature or all the other god's believe their god gets angry and brings wrath also. I hear people making that comment of wow we must have made mother nature mad or something.

If all god's get angry and bring wrath and people do all sorts of things to bring payment to their god to calm his anger down why do those same people not understand the wrath of God Almighty.

If you study out all these other religions there is none that offer love and grace. When you think of the depth of that you realize that God is so supreme and so compassionate and though we fail so ultimately he allows us to fall into his arms of love.

He never allowed even the angels to do such a thing. Only mankind and yet we run from him instead of to him.

John 3:16 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.

THE HAND OF THE DILIGENT

Photo provided by Kelly Ann Gray 

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh 

a glad father: but a foolish son is the 

heaviness of his mother.  Treasures of 

wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness 

delivereth from death.  The LORD will not 

suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: 

but he casteth away the substance of 

the wicked.  He becometh poor that 

dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand 

of the diligent maketh rich.  He that 

gathereth in summer is a wise son: 

but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son 

that causeth shame. Blessings are upon 

the head of the just: but violence covereth 

the mouth of the wicked.  The memory of the 

just is blessed: but the name of the wicked 

shall rot.  The wise in heart will receive 

commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.

He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: 

but he that perverteth his ways shall be 

known.  He that winketh with the eye 

causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall 

fall. The mouth of a righteous man is a 

well of life: but violence covereth the 

mouth of the wicked.  Hatred stirreth up 

strifes: but love covereth all sins.

In the lips of him that hath understanding 

wisdom is found: but a rod is for the 

back of him that is void of understanding.

Wise men lay up knowledge: but 

the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

The rich man’s wealth is his strong city: 

the destruction of the poor is their poverty.

The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: 

the fruit of the wicked to sin.

Proverbs 10:1-16

WHOM THE LORD LOVETH: HE CORRECTS

Photo provided by AmAsie Willison 

For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even 

as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, 

and the man that getteth understanding.

Proverbs 3:12-13

WAITING ANXIOUSLY FOR HIS RETURN

Photo provided by June Roberson Ormesher

A few years back I started a job at a manufacturing site.  

Seems there are people you meet that you instantly know 

there is something different about this person.  

June Roberson Ormesher sat at the front desk in 

the main lobby and I knew there was an

instant connection as soon as we met.  

June is the daughter of Lee Roberson, the 

founder of Tennessee Temple and it was 

apparent that not only her father was a

great leader and man of God, but he

had passed that Patton along perfectly

to his beautiful daughter.  June and I 

seen each other daily and she encouraged

my heart greatly during those years

we worked together.  She would sit at 

that desk and pray for me as I worked 

among people on the production floor.  

The one thing I learned about June was, 

she loves the sky. There are many of my

friends that post selfies all the time.  Many

friends post photos of their children all the 

time and then there are those who post 

photo's of food, not June.  If you were

to go to June's photos you would find

photo after photo of the sky.  This 

represents her well for you see, she has

her focus on Christ return.  

What does your facebook page say about 

you?  Would someone be able to tell when 

they visited your page that your were stuck

on yourself or on the riches of this world?

Would they recognize your deep love and

devotion for the one who gave himself to 

redeem us from our sins and promises to 

return for us the same way that he ascended?

The things we say and do (or post) is a 

good representation of who we really 

are so lets be sure we are representing 

the right thing each day of our lives. 

For the Lord himself shall descend from 

heaven with a shout, with the voice of 

the archangel, and with the trump 

of God: and the dead in Christ shall 

rise first: Then we which are alive 

and remain shall be caught up together 

with them in the clouds, to meet the 

Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be 

with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one 

another with these words.

I Thess 4:16-17

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

June Roberson Ormesher

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, 

joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, 

goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: 

against such there is no law.

Galatians 522-23

THE DAY IS AT HAND

Photo provided by Amasie Willison

The night is far spent, the day is at hand: 

let us therefore cast off the works 

of darkness, and let us put on the 

armour of light.   Let us walk honestly, 

as in the day; not in rioting and 

drunkenness, not in chambering and 

wantonness, not in strife and envying.

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, 

and make not provision for the flesh, 

to fulfil the lusts thereof.

Romans 13:12-14

LOOK TO ME AND BE SAVED

Photo provided by Robert Poss

Look unto me, and be ye saved, 

all the ends of the earth: 

for I am God, and there is 

none else. I have sworn by 

myself, the word is gone out 

of my mouth in righteousness, 

and shall not return, That unto 

me every knee shall bow, every 

tongue shall swear.

Isaiah 45:22-23

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

ASK FOR THE OLD PATHS

Photo provided by Darry Poss 

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, 

and see, and ask for the old paths, where is 

the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall 

find rest for your souls. But they said, We 

will not walk therein

Jeremiah 6:16

A MERRY HEART

Photo provided by AmAsie Willison 

A scorner loveth not one that reproveth 

him: neither will he go unto the wise.

A merry heart maketh a cheerful 

countenance: but by sorrow of the 

heart the spirit is broken.  The heart of 

him that hath understanding seeketh 

knowledge: but the mouth of fools 

feedeth on foolishness.  All the days of 

the afflicted are evil: but he that is 

of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

Better is little with the fear of the 

LORD than great treasure and 

trouble therewith.

Proverbs 15:13- 16

REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE!

Photo and article written by my niece Emily Laird Carruth.

I am a step stool. I'm not much to look at. Well, not anymore. You see, I started out as a tree. I had long branches and beautiful leaves. I was so tall I could see everything. I loved who I was. But, I've been cut down to size. I'm no longer tall and beautiful. My branches were all cut off. My bark has been stripped away. I was put through a cutter to shrink down to the perfect size. My purpose no longer seems to be what I thought. It is now to be stepped on. I make people taller. When they need to reach something higher than them, I am there. I see feet. Some dirty. I see shoes. I get things spilled on me. When I'm not being used I am folded and put away in a dark room. All alone I wonder how things changed for me. I wish I were a tree again. I want to see the world. I want my beautiful branches and leaves back. I want to be back where I belong. Among other trees. Instead I am stuck- in a life that I didn't choose. I no longer know who I am. It's all been stripped away. I will never be the tree I once was, for I am a step stool.

Don't let others strip away who you are. No matter what anyone does or says, remember who you are. GOD made you into a tree. People will strip you down and make you feel worthless. They will make you feel unworthy. They will make you feel alone. They will shape you into something they need, and when they are done with you they will throw you away. Remember where you came from, and pray for those who step on you. Find people who are there for you. The ones who will lift you up and encourage you to grow your branches.

Romans 5:2-6
Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Romans 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Deut 7:9

Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

II Cor 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

II Corinthians 1:30-31
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

CULTIVATE A MISSIONS MIND

Are you having trouble cultivating a mission 

mind set?  You want to have one but it 

just seems you are content to stay right here 

in your comfort zone of the US and watch 

others go abroad.  

Several months ago I raised this question to my

husband, "You used to go on mission trips and 

even went to Poland, do you not desire to do

that any more?"  

His answer was no.  Weeks went by and 

I didn't mention it to him any more. 

He started posting a photo on twitter and 

every day under the photo he would write, 

For God so loved (        ) that he gave 

his only begotten Son that whosoever

believeth in him should no perish but

have everlasting life.  

After a couple weeks of filling the blank

in with a new country every day, we were

having devotions one morning and he said, 

"The craziest thing has happened; suddenly

after putting all these countries names into 

the blanks every day for weeks now, I am

beginning to have a desire to go to all

those countries and share with them 

the Love of Jesus." 

What a simple thing to post on twitter each

day.  What a powerful thing can grow from

that one simple thing.  

TAKE TIME EACH DAY TO 

PRAY FOR THESE COUNTRIES.  

GOD IS MOVING THEM 

TOWARDS HIMSELF AND 

YOU CAN BE A PART OF THAT

GREATER PICTURE.

RUN WITH PATIENCE

.... and let us run with patience the race

that is set before us, looking unto Jesus 

the author and finisher of our faith....

Hebrews 12:1

THE SON OF THE HIGHEST

He shall be great, and shall be 

called the Son of the Highest: 

and the Lord God shall give 

unto him the throne of his 

father David:  And he shall 

reign over the house of Jacob 

for ever; and of his kingdom 

there shall be no end.

Luke 1:32

ABUNDANT LIFE

Photo provided by AmAsie Willison 

 I am the door: by me if any man enter 

in, he shall be saved, and shall go in 

and out, and find pasture.  The thief 

cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, 

and to destroy: I am come that they 

might have life, and that they 

might have it more abundantly.

I am the good shepherd: the good 

shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

But he that is an hireling, and not the 

shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, 

seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth 

the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf 

catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

The hireling fleeth, because he is 

an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and know 

my sheep, and am known of mine.

As the Father knoweth me, even so 

know I the Father: and I lay down 

my life for the sheep.  And other 

sheep I have, which are not of this 

fold: them also I must bring, and they 

shall hear my voice; and there 

shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Therefore doth my Father love 

me, because I lay down my life, 

that I might take it again.

No man taketh it from me, but I 

lay it down of myself. I have power 

to lay it down, and I have power 

to take it again. This commandment 

have I received of my Father.

John 10:9-18

TRANSFORMING AND RENEWING YOUR MIND

Photo provided by AmAsie Willison 

And be not conformed to this 

world: but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your 

mind,  that  ye may prove 

what is that good, and 

acceptable, and perfect, 

will of God.

Romans 12:2

YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

HOW EXCELLENT IS THY NAME

Photo provided by Amasie Willison

O LORD our Lord, how excellent

is thy name in all the earth! who

hast set thy glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouth of babes and

sucklings hast thou ordained

strength because of thine enemies,

that thou mightest still the enemy

and the avenger.  When I consider

thy heavens, the work of thy fingers,

the moon and the stars, which thou

hast ordained;  What is man, that

thou art mindful of him? and the

son of man, that thou visitest him?
For thou hast made him a little

lower than the angels, and hast

crowned him with glory and honour.
Thou madest him to have dominion

over the works of thy hands; thou

hast put all things under his feet: 

All sheep and oxen, yea, and the

beasts of the field;  The fowl of

the air, and the fish of the sea,

and whatsoever passeth through

the paths of the seas.  O LORD

our Lord, how excellent is thy

name in all the earth!

Psalm 8

GLORY IN THE LORD

Photo provided by Amase Willison

For we dare not make ourselves of the number,

or compare ourselves with some that

commend themselves: but they measuring

themselves by themselves, and comparing

themselves among themselves, are not wise.

But we will not boast of things

without our measure, but according to

the measure of the rule which God hath

distributed to us, a measure to reach even

unto you. For we stretch not ourselves

beyond our measure, as though we

reached not unto you: for we are come

as far as to you also in preaching

the gospel of Christ:  Not boasting of

things without our measure, that is, of

other men’s labours; but having hope,

when your faith is increased, that we

shall be enlarged by you according

to our rule abundantly,  To preach the

gospel in the regions beyond you, and

not to boast in another man’s

line of things made ready to our hand.

But he that glorieth, let him glory in

the Lord. For not he that commendeth

himself is approved, but whom the

Lord commendeth.

II Cor 10:12-18

BOUNTIFUL SUPPLY

Photo provided June Roberson Ormesher

Therefore I thought it necessary to

exhort the brethren, that they would

go before unto you, and make up

beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had

notice before, that the same might

be ready, as a matter of bounty, and

not as of covetousness. But this I say,

He which soweth sparingly shall reap

also sparingly; and he which soweth

bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Every man according as he purposeth in

his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly,

or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful

giver. And God is able to make all grace

abound toward you; that ye, always having

all sufficiency in all things, may abound

to every good work:  (As it is written, He hath

dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor:

his righteousness remaineth for ever.  Now

he that ministereth seed to the sower both

minister bread for your food, and multiply

your seed sown, and increase the fruits of

your righteousness;) Being enriched in every

thing to all bountifulness, which causeth

through us thanksgiving to God.
For the administration of this service not

on supplieth the want of the saints, but is

abundant also by many thanksgivings

unto God;  Whiles by the experiment of

this ministration they glorify God for your

professed subjection unto the gospel of

Christ, and for your liberal distribution

unto them, and unto all men;  And by

their prayer for you, which long after you

for the exceeding grace of God in you.
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable

gift.

II Corinthians 9:5-15

MAKE YOU PERFECT, STABLISH, SETTLE AND STRENGTHEN YOU

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary

the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,

seeking whom he may devour: Whom

resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that

the same afflictions are accomplished in

your brethren that are in the world.  But

the God of all grace, who hath called us

unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus,

after that ye have suffered a while,

make you perfect, stablish, strengthen,

settle you.  To him be glory and

dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

I Peter 5: 8-11