CALLED TO RIGHTEOUSNESS

Photography by Romona Adams

 I the LORD have called thee in 

righteousness, and will hold thine

hand, and will keep thee, and give 

thee for a covenant of the people, 

for a light of the Gentiles; To open 

the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners 

from the prison, and them that sit in 

darkness out of the prison house. I am 

the LORD: that is my name: and my glory 

will I not give to another, neither my 

praise to graven images.  Behold, the former 

things are come to pass, and new 

things do I declare: before they  spring 

forth I tell you of them  Sing unto the 

LORD a new song, and his praise from 

the end of the earth, ye that go 

down to the sea, and all that is 

therein; the isles, and the 

inhabitants thereof.

Isaiah 42:6-10

BLESSED IS HE WHOSE TRANSGRESSION IS FORGIVEN

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 32:1-2

I AM THE LORD: THAT IS MY NAME

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I am the LORD: that is my name: 

and my glory will I not give to 

another, neither my praise to 

graven images.

Isaiah 42:8

FEAR NOT

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Fear thou not; for I am with thee: 

be not dismayed; for I am thy God: 

I will strengthen thee; yea, I will 

help thee; yea, I will uphold thee 

with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah 41:10

COOKBOOK

Beginning stages of a cookbook from all the readers all over the world has begun. Each country that submits recipes will have two to three pages each in the cookbook.

If you would like to have your country represented send your receipes to: enduringthejourney@comcast.net. Include your name and what country you represent.

WHO IS A TRUE WORSHIPER?

Written by Steve Long

I once learned that worship comes from the idea of worth-ship. If we worship something or someone, we acknowledge its worth; or the person’s worth.

If we truly worship God, we recognize as best as we know how, his worth or value. But how can we even begin to realize the value of a Holy, Omnipotent and Gracious God?

Buildings may be worth millions of dollars. Your business could be sold at a great price if you’ve poured blood, sweat, tears and time into it and have built it up into a status of high demand. Freedom is so valuable to us that most of us would give our lives to preserve it for our posterity. But how can you place any proper value on the LORD who loved us and gave himself for us? Priceless!

When I was a pastor, most everyone just called me “Steve” or “Brother Steve” and I often called them brother as well. Some called me “Brother Long” or “Pastor Long.” I never expected anything more. I never felt that I should be called “Reverend.”[i]

In College, we recognized professors with Doctorates as “Dr. Sherman” or “Dr. Schaeffer.”

In the court room, we address the judge as “Your Honor,” (though I have heard some lawyers address the judge as “Judge.”)

When I’m pulled over by a policeman, I always say; “Yes sir.” (My Momma didn’t raise no dummy.) But I usually greet most people whose name I don’t know with “Sir” or “Ma’am.” Sounds better than “Hey you!”

In England, things are a little different I suppose:

High court officials are called “My Lord” or “My Lady.” For some reason the Justice of Peace is sometimes called “Your Worship.”

Designations in the Church of England are as follows:

Deacons and Priests: “Reverend,”

The Dean: “Very Reverend,”

Bishop: “Right Reverend,” or “Lord Bishop.”

Diocesan Bishop: “Right Reverend and Right Honorable.”

The Archbishop: “Most Reverend and Right Honorable”[ii]

A Knight or Baronet in England is addressed as “Sir” and his wife as “My Lady.” A Baron would be referred to as “My Lord” or “Your Lordship.” A Duke or Duchess there is addressed as “Your Grace.”

Princes and Princesses in England are called “His Royal Highness” or “Her Royal Highness.”

The Queen or King would receive the designation – “Her Majesty” or “His Majesty.”

It seems we place great value on the status of people in our culture. We give these honorable titles to people in high positions. Others place movie stars, rich people, politicians or athletes upon a pedestal.

We sometimes do this in the church too. I’ve been deeply disappointed in what I’ve seen in some men in ministry who I once thought were above most others only to learn that they were human too. I’ve been disappointed in myself as well when I should never have expected anything spectacular out of a frail, faulty human being.

It seems we’ve “worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. “ (Romans 1.25)

Jesus showed us something about true worship when he said to the woman at the well:



But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4.23-24)

The woman, who had met him there, thought worship was about location. Should it be done on a hill in Samaria or in Jerusalem?

Some think it is about locution. Just how eloquently can we pray? Can I come up with the right words to express how much I value God?

Jesus tells us that it is not about location or locution but that it concerns love. Our love for him is simply a response to the love he’s shown us. It is about embracing the truth about who God says that he is, and echoing back to him his goodness from our spirit in love. It comes from the heart.

Worship is not just Spiritual speech. It may involve that, but it involves a life lived in recognition of his Honor, Worship, Lordship, Grace, Royal Highness and Majesty. He is the Most Reverend, Most Honorable, Most High God.

I love saying that. Why don’t you say it with me?

[i] He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name. (Psalm 111.9 – King James Version)

[ii] The scribes and the Pharisees… love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

HE GIVES POWER TO THE FAINT

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Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, 

that the everlasting God, the LORD, the 

Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth 

not, neither is weary? there is no 

searching of his understanding.  

He giveth power to the faint; and 

to them that have no might he 

increaseth strength.   Even the 

youths shall faint and be weary, 

and the young men shall utterly 

fall:  But they that wait upon the 

LORD shall renew their strength; 

they shall mount up with wings as 

eagles; they shall run, and not be 

weary; and they shall walk, and 

not faint.

Isaiah 40: 28-31

HE WILL REJOICE OVER THEE WITH JOY

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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.  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

MY WORD SHALL STAND

Photo provided by Sherry Long 

For as in the days that were before 

the flood they were eating and 

drinking, marrying and giving in 

marriage, until the day that Noe 

entered into the ark,  And knew not 

until the flood came, and took them 

all away; so shall also the coming 

of the Son of man be.  Then shall two 

be in the field; the one shall be 

taken, and the other left.  Two women 

shall be grinding at the mill; the 

one shall be taken, and the other left.

Watch therefore: for ye know 

not what hour your Lord doth 

come.  But know this, that if the 

goodman of the house had known in 

what watch the thief would come, he 

would have watched, and would 

not have suffered his house to be 

broken up.  Therefore be ye also ready: 

for in such an hour as ye think not the Son 

of man cometh.

Matthew 24 38-44

THEY LOVED NOT THEIR LIVES UNTO THE DEATH

Photo provided by Julian Nunez 

And there was war in heaven: Michael 

and his angels fought against the dragon; 

and the dragon fought and his angels,

And prevailed not; neither was their 

place found any more in heaven.

And the great dragon was cast out, 

that old serpent, called the Devil, and 

Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: 

he was cast out into the earth, and his 

angels were cast out with him.

And I heard a loud voice saying in 

heaven, Now is come salvation, and 

strength, and the kingdom of our God, 

and the power of his Christ: for the 

accuser of our brethren is cast down, 

which accused them before our God day 

and night.  And they overcame him 

by the blood of the Lamb, and by the 

word of their testimony; and they 

loved not their lives unto the death.

Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and 

ye that dwell in them. Woe to the i

nhabiters of the earth and of the sea! 

for the devil is come down unto you, 

having great wrath, because he knoweth 

that he hath but a short time.

Revelation 12:7-12

JESUS CAME TO SAVE

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For the Son of man is not come to 

destroy men's lives, but to

save them.  

Luke 9:56

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.

John 3:16 

Neither is there salvation in any other: 

for there is none other name under 

heaven given among men, whereby 

we must be saved.

Acts 4:12

HOW TO TREAT OTHERS

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Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, 

having the same love, being of one accord, 

of one mind.  Let nothing be done through 

strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of 

mind let each esteem other better than 

themselves.  Look not every man on his 

own things, but every man also on the 

things of others.

Philippians 2:2-4

BEING CONFIDENT

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Being confident of this very thing, 

that he which hath begun a good 

work in you will perform it until 

the day of Jesus Christ:

Phillippians 1:6 

THAT YOUR LOVE MAY ABOUND MORE AND MORE

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 And this I pray, that your love may abound 

yet more and more in knowledge and in 

all judgment; That ye may approve things 

that are excellent; that ye may be sincere 

and without offence till the day of Christ;

Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, 

which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory 

and praise of God.

Philippians 1:9-11

THE PEOPLE THAT WALK IN DARKNESS

Photo provided by Tina Leigh

 The people that walked in darkness 

have seen a great light: they that 

dwell in the land of the shadow 

of death, upon them hath the light 

shined. Thou hast multiplied the 

nation, and not increased the joy: 

they joy before thee according to 

the joy in harvest, and as men 

rejoice when they divide the spoil.

For thou hast broken the yoke 

of his burden, and the staff of his 

shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, 

as in the day of Midian.  For every 

battle of the warrior is with confused 

noise, and garments rolled in blood; 

but this shall be with burning and fuel 

of fire. For unto us a child is born, unto 

us a son is given: and the government 

shall be upon his shoulder: and his name 

shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, 

The mighty God, The everlasting Father, 

The Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of 

his government and peace there shall be 

no end, upon the throne of David, and 

upon his kingdom, to order it, and to 

establish it with judgment and with 

justice from henceforth even for ever. 

The zeal of the LORD of hosts will 

perform this.  The Lord sent a word 

into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon 

Israel. And all the people shall know...........

Isaiah 9:2-9

THE LORD WILL BLESS HIS PEOPLE WITH PEACE

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 The LORD will give strength unto

his people; the LORD will bless his

people with peace.

Psalm 29:11 

WILL GOD DWELL WITH MEN ON EARTH ?

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But will God in very deed dwell with 

men on the earth? behold, heaven 

and the heaven of heavens cannot 

contain thee; how much less this 

house which I have built!

II Chronicles 6:18

IN THE VALLEY WE LEARN TO WALK WITH GOD, IN THE TRENCHES WE LEARN TO FALL IN HIS ARMS

Photo by Lisa Long 

Last week I missed a few days blogging due to being at the hospital with my daughter, Lisa Long. 

Each time I receive a phone call that she has been admitted into the hospital my heart sinks as I fully understand the realm of what this could mean.  

Since she is a grown woman I try very hard not to be the smothering mom but it becomes a bit more difficult when she is in great pain and the doctors and nurses can't seem to get things under control. 

All went well and in a few short days she was released from the hospital and working from home. But each time this mothers heart sinks hoping and praying she is able to overcome the obstacles of the medical conditions she is experiencing.  

In 2007 Lisa returned home from college and was an extremely ill lady.  Her life was soon to change forever.  She underwent six major surgeries in one year.  The day came when I heard the surgeon say, "We have one more chance and if things don't go well then we will just have to deal with things the way they are".  We knew what those words meant because her body was already trying to reject her liver also and knew she would only get weaker and things would only get more out of control. 

Not the words a mother wants to hear.

As the surgeon began to schedule her last surgery my heart began to cry out to God to find a way to deliver her from this horrible life she was having to live.  Surely God there is another way.  Surely God somewhere out there in this vast world someone could help her.   

It was in the mountains I had learned to enjoy the abundant life he gave, the joys of my three natural born children and the two we had legal custody of and my husband. Those mountain top times were great and I learned much during those times. 

It was in the valleys that I had learned to walk with God and learned to grow and become deeper in my relationship with him. 

It was in the trenches when my body had taken all, I had given my all, and life was at the point that I couldn't see past the traumas in life that I learned to rest in the arms of my Savior.  It's those times we have to let go and let God take control. We become so burdened and worn down from the struggles in life that we have no idea how to make decisions that the Lord says, 'I am the God of the day, I am the God of the night, I am the God of the good and I am the God of the bad and I am the God of this situation".

I remember praying and asking the Lord to please lead me and guide me as I search for a surgeon for my precious child who was having an extremely difficult time cooping with life and knowing this was her last chance I wanted to know it was a doctor God selected instead of one I selected.   

Dr. Phillip J Huber somehow came up when I was searching and not understanding why I chose this doctor, I packed Lisa up and headed to Dallas and meet with Dr Huber to see what the future lay ahead.   

Dr Huber examined her and looked over her records and then met with me and showed me how he could reconstruct the J Pouch that had previously been constructed by her previous doctor. 

We had to take the chance and I am so thankful that we did.  It took a minor surgery and a major surgery and we were definitely in the hands of a man that God had paved a way for us to see.  We instantly started seeing changes in her and soon she was back on her feet only to go to a dance and tear a acl and meniscus in her leg and had to have another surgery.  But this surgery was so minor and seemed so insignificant after all she had previously faced.   

Her liver began to heal back and soon she was off to college once again living a normal life. 

  

In all the whole universe the Lord had guided me to the very doctor that could do what we had no idea even existed, so in the trenches of life I learned to fall into His arms and he covered us with his feathers, and under his wings we learn to trust that He is God of the day, the God of the night, the God of the good and he was even the God of the bad.   

He shall cover thee with his feathers, 

and under his wings shalt thou trust: 

his truth shall be thy shield and 

buckler.

Psalm 91:4

TO KNOW THE LOVE OF GOD

Photo provided by Kay Rowe 

May be able to comprehend with all saints

 what is the breadth, and length, and

depth, and height;  and to know the

Love of Christ, which passeth

knowledge, that ye might be

filled with all the fulness

of God.

Ephesians 3:18-19

FAITHFUL IN THE LAND OF AFFLICTION

Visit Steve Long Blog at Reflecting the Light

“God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction." (Genesis 41.52)


As a young man, Joseph always did his best to please and obey his father. Because he was the son of his father’s old age, the son of Rachel, and because of his compliant ways, he was rewarded. His father, Jacob, gave him a special coat. Though he was only a teenager, this designated him as the man in charge of all his father’s house, including all of his older brothers – all ten of them. None of the others seemed to qualify in Jacob’s eyes.

This special treatment of Joseph may have caused Joseph more bother than blessing. When I say “bother,” I mean serious trouble.

The older brothers, bent on doing wrong, saw Joseph as a threat and were jealous of his elevation. When the opportunity arose, they stripped him of his coat, threw him into a pit and then sold him into slavery. They soaked the coat in the blood of a baby goat and took it back to their father. “There,” they thought, “we are rid of him for good.”

Jacob, thinking he was dead, was inconsolable.

The slave traders took Joseph into Egypt and sold him to the King’s (Pharaoh) Captain of the Guard, a wealthy man of authority.

Joseph was a wise, excellent and trustworthy servant. Soon he was put in charge of Potiphar’s household. But, again he was double crossed by Potiphar’s wife who wanted Joseph as her play thing. Because Joseph wouldn’t play along, she falsely accused him. Now he winds up in Pharaoh’s prison.
Again, while in prison, because of Joseph’s faithful demeanor, he is put in charge again – this time by the prison keeper, over all the inmates.

While there he interprets the dream of Pharaoh’s butler and baker.

Two years later, when Pharaoh himself has a dream, the butler, now free and serving, remembered Joseph. Pharaoh calls for Joseph from prison to interpret his dream for him. Joseph tells him that “interpretations belong to God (Genesis 40.8).”

Joseph explains Pharaoh’s dream. There would be seven years of plenty and seven years of famine. Pharaoh should appoint someone to be in charge of storing all the abundance during the first period to have food for the land for the last period.

Pharaoh loves Joseph’s interpretation and his plan and then places Joseph as the man in charge. He lavishes him with significant gifts. “Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph's hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck (Genesis 41.42).” He also gives him a very special lady to be his wife.

Soon Joseph’s wife would bare him two sons. Manasseh and Ephraim. Names had a great deal of meaning for people back then, often reflecting what was transpiring in their lives.
Manasseh meant “Forgetting.” When he was born, Joseph said; “"For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house."

Joseph had seen a lot of ups and downs, but unlike Nottingham (as sung by Roger Miller in the cartoon Robin Hood), Joseph experienced one more up than he did downs. Let’s count them:



After this final blessing, Joseph forgets about all the trouble he went through to get where he was at that point. He names his son Manasseh, (forgetting). Joseph said; "For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father's house (Genesis 41.51)."

It’s important that we learn to forget past troubles. The Apostle Paul wrote, “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 3.13-14). Paul forgot not only his past acclamations but also his past obstacles.

Joseph’s second son he named Ephraim (fruitful). Joseph commented: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Joseph saw God at work through all that had happened to him and you’ll notice that he always gave God glory in every stage of his life – whether up or down.

I love these words: fruitful in the land of my affliction. He experienced the fruitfulness of the land – seven plenteous years that allowed him to store up food for the whole known world, really. He experienced the fruitfulness of a blessed life and he experienced the fruitfulness of family – a loving wife and two wonderful boys. But all this took place in a land where he had endured great affliction.

I don’t know what stage you are in right now. Maybe you’re experiencing fruitfulness as Joseph did. I know Joseph appreciated the fruitfulness of his life more than most because of all the turmoil he had to go through to get there.

But maybe you’re in a time of affliction yourself. Can you look to God in faith right now and believe that as a child of God, you expect to see fruitfulness in your land of affliction? It has been said that God will take your trial and turn it into blessing. I believe God will do this for you as well if you are a believer in Jesus Christ. Wait patiently on the Lord.

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

GIVE UNTO THE LORD GLORY AND STRENGTH

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Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty,

give unto the LORD glory and

strength.  Give unto the LORD

the glory due unto his name;

worship the LORD in the

beauty of holiness.  The

voice of the LORD is

upon the waters: the God

of glory thundereth: the

LORD is upon many waters.
The voice of the LORD is

powerful; the voice of the

LORD is full of majesty.
The voice of the LORD

breaketh the cedars; yea,

the LORD breaketh the

cedars of Lebanon.  He

maketh them also to skip

like a calf; Lebanon and

Sirion like a young unicorn.
The voice of the LORD

divideth the flames of fire.
The voice of the LORD

shaketh the wilderness;

the LORD shaketh the

wilderness of Kadesh. The

voice of the LORD maketh

the hinds to calve, and

discovereth the forests:

and in his temple doth

every one speak of his glory.
The LORD sitteth upon the

flood; yea, the LORD sitteth

King for ever.  The LORD

will give strength unto his

people; the LORD will bless

his people with peace.

Psalm 29

BY GRACE

For by grace are ye saved through faith; 

and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Ephesians 2:8

THAT YOU MIGHT BECOME RICH

For ye know the grace of our 

Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he 

was rich, yet for your sakes 

he became poor, that ye through 

his poverty might be rich.

II Corinthians 8:9

For by grace are ye saved
through faith;  And that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man
should boast.  For we are his
workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus unto good works, which
God hath before ordained that
we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:8-10