OUT OF THE BOX

"...The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire." Nehemiah 1: 3 "...Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish—stones that are burned?" Nehemiah 4: 2 “…The strength of the laborers is failing, and there is so much rubble we are not able to build the wall.” Nehemiah 4:10      The drama of the church is often reminiscent of those scenes from war movies in which excited new recruits march toward the front lines while being met by weary veterans limping along bandaged and bloody, carrying their wounded, and still in shock from the trauma of battle. The new recruits move forward ready to conquer the world, while battle-weary veterans groan in the pain of wounds, hurts, and struggles.      Multitudes sta

Dearest Friends Scripture has many examples of Leader-Follower tensions and the lessons we can draw from them. The Bible gives exhortations and instructions toward both leaders and followers. All will be held accountable before God. His judgments will be on leaders who abuse and injure the flock as well as upon members who "take up the sword." Therefore, exhortation to fear God is given emphatically to both leaders and followers. This particular article addresses a problem in the flock. However, I must also inform the reader that I have much more notes in my files addressing the problems in leadership. I'll save that discussion for later. ----Billy Long RECEIVING THE ONES GOD SENDS I witnessed the ministry of Allen Arrowood and Leland Davis on many occasions. Both of these men moved in a very wonderful prophetic gift, and both of them usually gave supernatural words from the Lord to many individuals in the churches where they spoke. In keeping with their particular

SOME ARE SAINTS AND SOME ARE AIN'TS. If I made a list of the miracles I have witnessed and the ones I have been a part of, you would be pressed to believe in God and His desire to work intimately in the lives of people. But then if I were to make a list of my failures and struggles, you might say, “Where is your God?” I could write a book listing miraculous provision and answers to prayer in which the reality of the Lord’s presence was palpable. But then I could write another book telling of the times I was in “the deep” about to be swallowed up and close to losing everything. I could tell you of friends being healed through prayer and also of others dying in spite of it. I have friends who have experienced miraculous healings and friends who have been raised from the dead. Some have received an immediate response to prayer, and others have suffered what seems an interminable wait as they call on the Lord daily for healing, help, or an “open door.” I have experienced the people of

“Your people will be willing in the day of Your power.” Psalm 110:3 How often have we disagreed with someone or ignored their advice, and then later found out how wrong we were? How many times have we had to apologize and acknowledge the other person was right? This describes a tendency in our relationship with God. We question Him as if He doesn’t know what He is doing or as if He is evil or mischievous in His motives and methods. This results in reluctant obedience, and it robs us of joyful and willing surrender to God’s will. Some go through the motions of obedience but without a change of heart. They give outward conformity without inner transformation. Others obey because they fear the threat of discipline or punishment. David, on the other hand, repented and asked God to change his heart (Ps 51:10). He asked the Lord to uphold him with a “willing” spirit (Ps.51:12). David is asking God to bring him to a higher level of obedience. He sees and understands God's love and wisdom.

The Joy of Praying with and for Our Children "He'd be in trouble if He didn't." Leah was seven years old. She was trying to go to sleep but began to cry, saying, “Daddy and Mommy, my tummy hurts!” Laurel and I prayed for her, but the pain intensified and she cried even harder. Finally I turned to Laurel and said, “We need to take her to the emergency room.” Still in tears, Leah yelled out, “No! I don’t want to go to the hospital. Pray for me. Jesus will heal me.” So Laurel and I laid hands on her stomach, and prayed in Jesus’ name. The pain instantly and completely left. Leah suddenly became very calm and relaxed. I leaned over and kissed her and said, “Leah, wasn’t that nice of Jesus to touch you and take the pain away?” She, with eyes half closed and ready now for sleep, peacefully and quietly said, “Yeah, cause if He didn’t, He would be in trouble.” I laughed under my breath and marveled at the simple faith of a child. “What’s happening?” I remember my daughter Le