THAT THEY MAY SEE AND KNOW

Photo provided by Sadie Marea

When the poor and needy seek water, and there 

is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, 

I the LORD will hear them, I the God 

of Israel will not forsake them.  I will 

open rivers in high places, and fountains in 

the midst of the valleys: I will make the 

wilderness a pool of water, and the dry 

land springs of water. I will plant in the 

wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and 

the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in 

the desert the fir tree, and the pine, 

and the box tree together:  That they may 

see, and know, and consider, and understand 

together, that the hand of the LORD hath 

done this, and the Holy One of Israel 

hath created it.  Produce your cause, saith 

the LORD; bring forth your strong reasons, 

saith the King of Jacob.  Let them bring 

them forth, and shew us what shall happen: 

let them shew the former things, what they 

be, that we may consider them, and 

know the latter end of them; or declare us 

things for to come.

Isaiah 41:17:22

ARE WE EMBRACING THE LIGHT

Photo by Lucie Dawson on unsplash

A devotion by Steve Long.

Have you ever tried to pick a paint color? You go to the store where paint is sold and pick up a swatch of a color that looks great! When you get it home, perhaps it doesn’t look so great.

What is the difference? Usually, the difference has to do with light. All color is a reflection of light. All the other light frequencies will be absorbed except the color which is reflected. That’s the color you see whether red, yellow, blue, purple or taupe.

The strength and quality of the light will have a bearing upon the appearance of the color you choose.

It is the light which makes manifest.

But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (John 3:21)

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)

But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. (Ephesians 5:13)

The light, as spoken of in these bible passages, represents truth. Truth is not only something you possess or something you know, it is something you do. If we come to the truth (light) our true color will be exposed. Evildoers don’t want that so they run from the light of God and his word. Truth doers receive the revelation which the light brings. If evil is present, truth doers want to know it so they can repent of it.

When Jesus returns, he will shine the bright light of his righteousness upon all of the Christian’s deeds. He will throw out all of the trash[i] (thank you Jesus) and reward the good deeds of the true believer.

It is possible for Christians to allow God’s Spirit to shine his word upon us now in order to make our deeds apparent before God so that we might be brought to repentance – before we stand before the Lord.

Hundreds of years ago, I guess most containers were made of clay pottery. Some pots were of excellent consistency without flaw. Of course the potter would get a much better price for those kinds of vessels.

For a vessel with a crack, I heard that some potters or sellers would attempt to fill the crack with wax. They could usually do a sufficient job of concealing the cracks this way.

The buyers soon got wise to this and learned that if they held such a vessel up to the sun, the line of wax would be exposed. After spotting the wax in the jar or pot, a buyer might refuse it for its lack of integrity.

Integrity is what God is asking for in us. He asks us to be real, genuine – living in simplicity. (See 1 Corinthians 1.12). If it is what it is – and it is, then it also ain't what it ain't. Let's not try to be what we ain't and let's not say it ain't if it is. If we have flaws, we should admit them, particularly to God who knows all things. [ii]

The Lord God asks that we function without pretense or false intentions; that we conduct ourselves with pure motives in our service to him. For, “all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light.”

[i] 1 Corinthians 3.13-15
[iI] 1 John 3.20

WE HAVE WAITED FOR THEE

Photo provided by Sadie Marea

Recently I have been put into several situations that 

made me frustrated. These are situations where 

I am not really feeling I am given a choice 

to chose what I want to do but to do what 

is bring delegated.

As I was driving one morning praying,

the Lord showed me that many times he is 

building character in me through certain 

situations whereas I am thinking, this is

just chapping me and frustrating me

beyond measure.  

The fire we feel from the circumstances

most of the time hinder our view; leaving 

us feeling panic stricken, frustrated, angry

and isolated, thus causing us more heartache.   

When we chose to wait on the Lord, 

evaluate the situation from another 

perspective, many times we find out 

it's just our view of the situation instead

of the actual facts.  

It's easy to get our head stuck in the sand 

like the ostrich and so very difficult for 

us to wait on the Lord and evaluate 

situations from a different angle, be 

patient and let him work out his 

perfect will. 

The Lord answers many times in 

different ways.  He may chose to allow 

us to endure the journey to learn valuable 

character traits and then sometimes he 

may chose to be gracious and answer 

our prayers immediately. 

Recently I had a friend who had prayed 

for over a year about a situation and 

waited patiently for God's guidance find 

out that the Lord had opened a new job 

opportunity to her. She will be working 

at a clinic with a doctor who is a believer

and prays with each patient prior to

performing surgery.  What an awesome

place for a bible believing woman 

to be placed to serve beside. 

Her sweetness, patience and enduring 

difficult times has now lead her into 

the graciousness that God has provided

for her life and the abundant joy of 

waiting, watching and praying for 

God's will instead of her own.  

Had she quit her previous job and 

found another one she may have missed 

out on finding the perfect job that 

the Lord was weaving so graciously 

for her. 

O LORD, be gracious unto us; we have waited 

for thee: be thou their arm every morning, 

our salvation also in the time of trouble.

Isaiah 33:2

RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND

Amy Chambers

That ye put off concerning the former 

conversation the old man, which 

is corrupt according to the deceitful 

lusts;  And be renewed in the 

spirit of your mind; And that ye 

put on the new man, which after 

God is created in righteousness 

and true holiness.

Ephesians 4:22-24

THE LORD IS CLOTHED IN STRENGTH

Photographer - Rennie Brandow 

 The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; 

the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith 

he hath girded himself: the world also is 

stablished, that it cannot be moved.  Thy 

throne is established of old: thou art 

from everlasting.

Psalm 93:1--2

THIS IS OUR GOD

Photo provided by Tammy Dore 

And it shall be said in that day, Lo, 

this is our God; we have waited for him, 

and he will save us: this is the LORD; 

we have waited for him, we will be 

glad and rejoice in his salvation.

Isaiah 25:9

THOU HAST DONE WONDERFUL THINGS

Photo provided by Marcia Oliveira

O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, 

I will praise thy name; for thou hast done 

wonderful things; thy counsels of old are 

faithfulness and truth.

Isaiah 25:1

BEING SANCTIFIED WITHOUT BEING SANTIMONIOUS

Being Sanctified without being Sanctimonious
A devotion by Steve Long


You know, God has called every Christian believer to sanctification.[i]

You might be saying; “I automatically reject any word that has more than four syllables.” This is not true because the word “automatically” contains six syllables.

Yes, I know, the words “sanctification” and “sanctimonious” are long words, but if you’ll take the time to get to know some of these terms, you’ll be better equipped.

Here’s the main difference: “Sanctimonious” is to act holy. “Sanctified” is to beholy.

Does the Lord want all of us to act holy? No, not if it doesn’t come from hearts of purity. That is Phariseeism which Jesus hates. That is to be sanctimonious.

The word “sanctimonious,” according to the dictionary means to be self-righteous or holier-than-thou. God doesn’t want us to be hypocritical about our Spiritual condition. If we have flaws, and we do, we should acknowledge them. We should recognize that, in ourselves, we are really no better than anyone else out there. To my shame, I often see unbelievers (as best as I can tell) who demonstrate qualities that I don’t always live out. They are often kinder, more patient, more courteous, gentler, nobler, more optimistic, less volatile and purer in thought than I am.

Now don’t get all pious on me here. I’ve seen the same lack of virtue in many other Christians too, so it could be true of you as well. Don’t you recognize it too? One thing we Christians should know is that we are not saved because we’re good. We have been saved because God is good.

But, hopefully, being saved will begin a process of having a good heart and practicing good conduct. This is sanctification. Jesus said “No one is good but One, that is, God.” (Mark 10.18) The scripture also says; “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3.23) This means that we have all missed the mark. So if we’re going to do good, we’re going to have to get this goodness from God. It doesn’t come naturally – only supernaturally.

When we’re justified, born again, we are made righteous in God’s eyes. This ispositional righteousness. We are pronounced right or righteous by God based on the merits of his good and holy Son, Jesus Christ. His righteousness is imputed to our account just as our sin was imputed to him on the cross.

At the same time, he sanctifies us – sets us apart unto him or makes us holy. So if we’re going to be holy, we have to get it from him as well. That is sanctification.

From the time that we’re saved, we enter into a process of sanctification. This ispractical righteousness. Because of our love for Jesus and because of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, now we have the opportunity and the responsibility to live in a holy manner. The word of God says:…but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1.15-16)

Now, while we are in the process of becoming more like our Lord, growing in holiness, let us lay aside all pretense. If it ain’t there, it ain’t there. Let’s not feign that it is.

I like these words which have been attributed to John Newton the former slave trader who was saved by the grace of Jesus and then later helped abolish slavery in England:

I'm not what I ought to be.
I'm not what I want to be.
I'm not what I hope to be.
But thank God,
I'm not what I used to be.

Recently I preached from 1 Corinthians 1.2. In this verse, we read these words:
…to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus,called to be saints…
Children of God, you HAVE BEEN sanctified (past tense), Jesus has set you apart unto himself as holy ones but he has also called you to BE saints. This is the process of appropriating what you know to be true – that you have been sanctified.

Now, go into the land and possess your possession.[ii]

[i] John 17.17; Acts 20.32
[ii] Then Joshua said to the children of Israel: "How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers has given you? (Joshua 18.3)

HAVE YOU BEEN ACCEPTED

Devotion provided by Steve Long

Have You Been Accepted?

A little boy stands on the playground. He doesn’t think he’s a very good ball player but he wants to play. Two young fellows are responsible for choosing teammates. It’s a big deal because every boy wants to be chosen – hopefully, not last.

Not long after the choosing up begins, he hears those important words. “I choose Ricky.” Ricky doesn’t know if he deserves this but he knows that he has been accepted.
                                                           _________________________

One of the best Thanksgiving Holidays I ever had was a few years ago. [i] Our family got together at my son’s house. We had the usual wonderful traditional Thanksgiving meal together, but that’s not what made it so great. My son asked everyone there to say something kind about each person present. There were eight or ten of us there that day.

It wasn’t hard to find something nice to say about everyone there and it was all genuine. I did wonder, though, if anyone might have trouble finding something positive to say about me.

I’ll never forget what my daughter-in-law said to me that day. She remembered back when she and my son first began dating. She said, “I am grateful that you accepted me into your family. You have always made me feel welcomed and at home.”

I remember that because it made me feel warm and glad. I was glad she had come to be a part of our family, but also because she knew that I had accepted her.
                                                           _________________________

A precious little girl sits looking out the window as cars roll up to the facility where she lives. She has seen many couples come and go through those doors. Sometimes when they leave, they go out hand in hand with one of the other children. She wonders, “Will anyone ever take me?” “Will I ever go to live with some nice family for more than just weeks or months?” “Is it possible that I would no longer be bypassed and be selected by a nice family I could call my own?”

One day a well dressed couple walks through the door of the children’s home. The girl wonders if some privileged kid will be chosen to go and live with this man and woman. When they look her way she feels blood rush to her face. “Surely they are looking at someone else,” she thinks as she turns to look behind her.

Then the Director of the children’s home turns unexpectedly to her and says; “This couple is looking for a little girl just like you. Would you be willing to be their daughter?”

She has finally been accepted!
                                                                   _________________________

A young lady is completing her high school requirements. Now her desire is to go to college. She is applying to four or five schools, but there is one highly reputable University she where wants to study.


The month of June goes by, and then much of July until she receives that important letter. Not able to open it quickly enough, she unfolds the letter and reads, “We are happy to inform you that you have been accepted into our University.” She rejoices that she has been accepted.
                                                                   _________________________

A boy joins his friend and his family at Six Flags over Texas. He’s never been there before but he’s heard many exciting things about the place. He has been waiting with anticipation to be able to get a ride on the New Texas Giant. When it comes time to get on, he wonders if he has enough money to pay.

“I may have to sit this one out, he tells his friend.”

“Don’t you want to ride the ride?” the father of his friend says tenderly.

“Sure, but since I’m not your kid, you guys can go ahead. I don’t have any money and I know you’ll want to take your family.”

The man stoops down to look at the boy in the eye. “You came here with my son, and I accept you just as I would him.” “Besides,” he said, “All your rides have already been paid for.”
                                                                 _________________________

What do all the stories above have in common? They are all about being accepted. Acceptance is something every human being longs for.

It is also normal for all of us to long for God's acceptance. Some people may think he would never accept them. Some feel they have to earn his acceptance. Others understand they can never earn it.

I want you to know that in Jesus Christ, the beloved of the Father, we have been freely and undeservatively accepted and made acceptable because of his grace. [ii] My prayer is that you have been received “in Christ” through faith. If not, believe in him today; he will receive you with open arms.

By the way, everything has already been paid for.

                                                                  _________________________

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. [iii]   (Ephesians 1.3-6)

[i] True story.
[ii] "giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light." (Colossians 1.12)
[iii] emphasis mine.

THE CROSS, THE TOMB AND THE CHRIST

Photo provided by Tammy Stein Dore 

Several years ago I composed a song called, "Empty I Come to You".  This song sets the tone for what is on my heart today.  There will be many times in our lives that we find ourselves empty.  Focusing on the wrong thing can only set your heart into despair.  Focusing on the right things can set our heart to hope and victory and set your feet on the path to a brighter tomorrow.

As you struggle daily you will be given things to focus on just as Mary the mother of Jesus and his followers were given.  It's the hope that her Son would truly rise from the dead and be victorious that carried her through the storms. It was the hope that carried the followers of Christ though and made them stand firm after they had seen their blessed hope come forth from the grave.

The cross; rough, unappealing, painful and a place for the unwanted of the world.

The cross, a place that holds defeat

The cross; a place that holds criminals

The cross; a place that holds sorrow

The cross, a place that holds death

The cross; a place that leaves families defeated and empty inside.

The tomb, cold, dark and uninviting; yet the place they placed the body of Jesus Christ when removed from the cross.

The tomb; a place that holds no glory

The tomb, a place that holds no hope.

The tomb, a place that holds no future.

The tomb, a place that holds no power.

The tomb; a place that holds no life

The tomb; a place that holds no understanding

The tomb a place that leaves the family defeated and empty inside.

Then there is the Christ.

The Christ gave sight to the blind

The Christ gave strength to the crippled

The Christ gave sound to the deaf

The Christ gave children to the barren

The Christ gave healing to the broken-hearted

The Christ gave compassion for the trodden

The Christ gave answers to the pray warriors

The Christ gave wisdom to the seekers

The Christ gave meaning to the cross

The Christ gave victory to the tomb

The Christ gave understanding of the future

The Christ gave reason for today

The Christ gave hope for tomorrow

The Christ gave grace to the sinner

The Christ gave salvation to the lost in darkness

Christ a man that leaves families filled with grace, peace, joy and hope and gives meaning to the cross, empty tomb and trials in our lives.

Christ gave all he had to all he loved and your name is on the list of the things above that Christ gave, it's up to you to receive what he freely is giving.  Let Christ love shine through you.

John 1:12-14

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

WHERE ARE THE MIRACLES

A devotion by Steve Long

Photo provided by Cricket White Green 

We must decide if miracles are miracles and we must decide whether miracles are necessary. If miracles are necessary, would we believe one if we saw it or heard it?

Now, there is the consideration of biblical miracles but there is also modern miracles to ponder. Does God do miracles today? I think there is sufficient evidence that he does but for this occasion, please allow me to steer our thoughts toward the miracles that are recorded in the bible.

First off, let’s try to understand what a miracle is:

God is the God of miracles. His act of creation would be nothing short of miraculous. You can’t do these things with a test tube and a bulldozer.

We could say that the new birth is miraculous. I have seen people’s lives changed completely by God’s grace as they became new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5.17). Drunks have become sober. Addicts have been totally freed of their addictions. Bums have become productive. The stingy have been made generous. Grouches have become nice (well, at least some of them). Enemies of the cross have become steadfast proponents of Christianity. While the new birth is supernatural and powerful, this is not what we usually think of when we consider miracles. We would call thisSpiritual.

Some might say the conception, formation and birth of a baby is a miracle. I wouldalmost agree with that assessment. I believe the development of human life in the womb is an absolutely amazing work of God but it falls into the realm of the natural, as extraordinary as it may be. Sometimes natural phenomena can be as amazing as the miraculous and all are a work of God. The one who sometimes works supernaturally is the same God who set in motion the powerful natural forces of life, reproduction, gravity and many more marvelous things.

We might think that God’s provision for us is miraculous. I remember one year when I had just enough needed to pay my unexpected taxes (those were days when I neverhad any extra money except for this occasion). I thanked God because I knew he had provided. His hand was obviously and undeniably at work in this. But, was this a miracle? Instead of miraculous, I would call it providential – which is nothing to sneeze at.

How may we define a miracle? The most concise, clear definition is one I found online. It says a miracle is:

An effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause. Such an effect or event manifesting or considered as a work of God. [i]

Easton gives further enlightenment, stating:

It is an occurrence at once above nature and above man. It shows the intervention of a … supernatural power. [ii]

Are miracles something one can expect to see on a regular basis? Should we be asking, “Have you had your miracle today?”

I say no. Just as we do not constantly feed our children desserts, neither does God constantly pour out miracles in our lives (with rare exception). Even in bible times, among Apostles and Prophets, miracles did not always flow continuously. This shows us that God is sovereign in how he dispenses miracles.

Most biblical miracles were performed during the days of these three clusters:

Moses and Joshua: Moses evidently did twenty miracles.
Elijah and Elisha: Elijah did fourteen and Elisha twenty-eight.
Jesus and the Apostles: Jesus performed thirty-seven miracles, Peter six and Paul nine.While there were several others who did miracles or had them happen to them, such as Samson, Stephen and Philip, there were not many other miracles besides those listed above. These included healing the sick, walking on water, raising the dead and many others.

Then, there were periods in Bible days when there were no miracles. They seem to have been very rare in the 400 years between the Old and New Testaments and seem to have subsided after the time of the Apostles. John the Baptist did none but was considered by Jesus to have been the greatest of all men who were born of women.[iii]On certain occasions, Jesus did not do miracles when it was expected. Toward the end of his life, it seems that miracles decreased down to nothing for Paul.[iv]

Why then did we have miracles?

Sometimes they were given just as a mercy from God. Someone had a need and God met it in a supernatural way.

Some miracles were for the glory of God. God wants to be glorified – in part so that we may come to know him.[v]

Most miracles were done to validate the work of God in an Apostle or Prophet – or in the case of Jesus, the fact that he was the chosen Messiah. Otherwise, anyone can just show up and say, “I’m God’s chosen one and this is what He has to say.”

Rather, we have these words about the verifying factor of miracles:

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. (John 20.30-31)

And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs... (Mark 16.20) [vi]

Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. (2 Corinthians 12.12)

How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? (Hebrews 2.3-4)

God would use signs, miracles and supernatural Spiritual gifts to verify not only the messengers of the gospel but also the message of the gospel.

Then why doesn’t everyone believe the gospel if God gave us these miracles to accompany the advent of his written word? Answer: Because some refuse to believe regardless. The bible says:

If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead. (Luke 16.31)

Did God perform miracles through those he called out to represent him? Yes. Does he perform miracles today? Though I have seen God do amazing things, I cannot say that I’ve seen a miracle. You too? Does that exclude us from the fold of the faithful? No. We do not have to witness the miracles if we have the testimony of reliable witnesses – which we do.

The bible says; “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10.17) It doesn’t say that it comes to us through miracles.

God gave us miracles so that we could see that Jesus is the Son of God and so that we could trust the scriptures he gave us through the Prophets and Apostles.

Some who have not yet believed the gospel might say they would expect God, as Christians portray him, to do miracles. They might even say they would not believe unless they saw or were sure of such a thing. If that is so, here are the facts:

God doesn’t always do miracles, but sometimes he does. These miracles verify all that God says to us in his word – that Jesus is the promised Messiah who died in behalf of our sins, rose again, and is coming again. You can trust in him.

I WILL SPEAK OF THEE

Photo provided by Rennie Brandow 

 I will speak of the glorious honour of 

thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.

Psalm 145:5

I FLEE UNTO THEE TO HIDE

Photo provided by Kathy Mitchell 

Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: 

I flee unto thee to hide me.  Teach me 

to do thy will; for thou art my God: 

thy spirit is good; lead me into the 

land of uprightness.

Psalm 91:9-10

THE LORD WILL NOT FAIL OR FORSAKE THEE

Tammy Stein Dore

And the LORD, he it is that doth go before 

thee; he will be with thee, he will not 

fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, 

neither be dismayed.

Deuteronomy 31: 8

THE HEAVEN'S SHALL GIVE THEIR DEW

Photo provided by Renie Brandow

Again the word of the LORD of 

hosts came to me, saying, Thus 

saith the LORD of hosts; I was 

jealous for Zion with great 

jealousy, and I was jealous 

for her with great fury. Thus 

saith the LORD; I am returned 

unto Zion, and will dwell in the 

midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem 

shall be called a city of truth; and 

the mountain of the LORD of hosts 

the holy mountain.  Thus saith the 

LORD of hosts; There shall yet old 

men and old women dwell in the 

streets of Jerusalem, and every man 

with his staff in his hand for very 

age.  And the streets of the city shall 

be full of boys and girls playing in 

the streets thereof.  Thus saith the 

LORD of hosts; If it be marvellous 

in the eyes of the remnant of this 

people in these days, should it also 

be marvellous in mine eyes? saith 

the LORD of hosts.  Thus saith the 

LORD of hosts; Behold, I will save 

my people from the east country, 

and from the west country;  And I 

will bring them, and they shall dwell 

in the midst of Jerusalem: and they 

shall be my people, and I will be 

their God, in truth and in righteousness.

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your 

hands be strong, ye that hear in these 

days these words by the mouth of the 

prophets, which were in the day that 

the foundation of the house of the 

LORD of hosts was laid, that the 

temple might be built.  For before 

these days there was no hire for 

man, nor any hire for beast; neither 

was there any peace to him that went 

out or came in because of the affliction: 

for I set all men every one against his 

neighbour.  But now I will not be unto 

the residue of this people as in the 

former days, saith the LORD of hosts.

For the seed shall be prosperous; the 

vine shall give her fruit, and the ground 

shall give her increase, and the heavens 

shall give their dew; and I will cause 

the remnant of this people to possess all 

these things.

Zechariah 8:1-12

THE LORD WILL SAVE ME

Photo provided by True Photography - Renie Brandow

As for me, I will call upon God; 

and the LORD shall save me.

Evening, and morning, and at noon, 

will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall 

hear my voice.

Psalm 55:16

THE LORD IS LONG SUFFERING

Photo provided by Renie Brandow 

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, 

as some men count slackness; but is 

longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that 

any should perish, but that all should come 

to repentance.

II Peter 3:9 

LOVE WITH A PURE HEART

Photo provided by Renie Brandow -True Photography

 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not 

redeemed with corruptible things, as silver 

and gold, from your vain conversation 

received by tradition from your fathers;

But with the precious blood of Christ, 

as of a lamb without blemish and without 

spot:  Who verily was foreordained before 

the foundation of the world, but was 

manifest in these last times for you,  Who 

by him do believe in God, that raised him 

up from the dead, and gave him glory; 

that your faith and hope might be in God.

Seeing ye have purified your souls in 

obeying the truth through the Spirit unto 

unfeigned love of the brethren, see that 

ye love one another with a pure heart 

fervently:

I Peter 1:18-22

GOD'S SPLENDOR AND GLORY

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O sing unto the LORD a new song: 

sing unto the LORD, all the earth.

Sing unto the LORD, bless his 

name; shew forth his salvation from 

day to day.  Declare his glory among the 

heathen, his wonders among all people.

For the LORD is great, and greatly to 

be praised: he is to be feared above all 

gods.  For all the gods of the nations 

are idols: but the LORD made the 

heavens.  Honour and majesty are 

before him: strength and beauty are 

in his sanctuary.  Give unto the LORD, 

O ye kindreds of the people, give 

unto the LORD glory and strength.

Give unto the LORD the glory due 

unto his name: bring an offering, and 

come into his courts.  O worship the 

LORD in the beauty of holiness: 

fear before him, all the earth.  Say 

among the heathen that the LORD 

reigneth:  the world also shall be 

established that it shall not be moved: 

he shall judge the people righteously.

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the 

earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the 

fulness thereof.  Let the field be joyful, 

and all that is therein: then shall all the 

trees of the wood rejoice  Before the 

LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to 

judge the earth: he shall judge the world 

with righteousness, and the people with 

his truth.

Psalm 96

FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING, THOU ART GOD

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He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most 

High shall abide under the shadow of the 

Almighty.  I will say of the LORD, He is 

my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him 

will I trust.  Surely he shall deliver thee 

from the snare of the fowler, and from 

the noisome pestilence.  He shall cover thee 

with his feathers, and under his wings shalt 

thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield 

and buckler.  Thou shalt not be afraid for 

the terror by night; nor for the arrow that 

flieth by day;  Nor for the pestilence that 

walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction 

that wasteth at noonday.  A thousand shall 

fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right 

hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only

with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the

 reward of the wicked.  Because thou hast

made the LORD, which is my refuge, 

even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, neither 

shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

 For he shall give his angels charge

 over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands,

lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: 

the young lion and the dragon shalt thou

trample under feet. Because he hath set his 

love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: 

I will set him on high, because he hath 

known my name. He shall call upon me, 

and I will answer him: I will be with him 

in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour 

him.  With long life will I satisfy him, and 

shew him my salvation.

Psalm 91

BEAR YE ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS

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Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a 

fault, ye which are spiritual, restore 

such an one in the spirit of meekness; 

considering thyself, lest thou also be 

tempted.  Bear ye one another’s burdens, 

and so fulfil the law of Christ.

GALATIANS 6:1-2

THOU WILT NOT LEAVE MY SOUL IN HELL

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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

TURN UNTO THE LORD YOUR GOD

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Therefore also now, saith the LORD, 

turn ye even to me with all your heart, 

and with fasting, and with weeping, 

and with mourning:  And rend your heart, 

and not your garments, and turn unto the 

LORD your God: for he is gracious and 

merciful, slow to anger, and of great 

kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

Joel 2:12-13

BRIGHTNESS OF HIS GLORY

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God, who at sundry times and in divers manners 

spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, 

whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by 

whom also he made the worlds;  Who being the 

brightness of his glory, and the express image 

of his person, and upholding all things by the 

word of his power, when he had by himself 

purged our sins, sat down on the right hand 

of the Majesty on high;

Hebrews 1:1-3

OUR IDENTIFY

A Devotion by Steve Long 

First of all, Jesus Identified With Us.

He entered humanity through a miraculous conception (Matthew 1.20), but was born in lowly conditions. His mother laid him in a feed trough in a stable. He didn’t come to identify with Kings, though the King he was; he came to identify with all of lost humanity, the rich and poor the great and the small the powerful and the humble, the religious and the pagan, male and female; people of every heritage, skin color and background.

The bible says that though he was God, he humbled himself far beyond what anyone could imagine.
Christ Jesus… made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2.5, 7 and 8)

He lowered himself below his own creatures (the angels) for a time, identifying with our suffering, even our dying. He is unashamed to call the redeemed his brothers and sisters.

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren. (Hebrews 2.9-10).

He became flesh because he wanted to come to us and be one of us.

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2.14-15).

This sinless man even identified with our sinful condition so that he might save us from our sins.

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5.21).

Secondly, Our Identity is Now in Him.

We do not belong to ourselves but to him.

Know ye not that … ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6.19-20).

We now identify with him in every aspect of our lives. “In him we live, and move, and have our being.” (Acts 17.28)

· His righteousness is now our righteousness.
· His Father is now our Father.
· We have no worth of our own but are worthy in him.
· His name is now our name – we are called Christians.
· His will is now to be our will.
· His purpose has become our purpose.
· His desire is now our desire.
· We now love what he loves.
· We now hate what he hates.
· We identify with his suffering.
· His death is our death.
· His resurrection life is now our life.
· Apart from him, we can do nothing.
· We have a new family – his.
· His glory is now our glory.
· His story is now our story.
· His home is now our home - heaven.