OUT OF THE BOX

    Dear Friends, The verses below express God’s right of ownership and decision-making over our lives as His servants. The example of the complaining servants warns us of the spiritual danger of envy and the error of comparing ourselves with others and making negative value judgments against the Lord based on our limited and finite knowledge. We must trust not only the goodness of God but also the wisdom of God. He is not unrighteous to forget our labor and our obedience. This post contains valuable lessons for all who labor in the Master’s vineyard. Billy Long GOD’S RIGHT OF OWNERSHIP “And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius. And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner, saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and hea...

  GOOD CHEER AND TRIBULATION “You are highly favored…the Lord is with you.” Like 1: 28-30 "And a sword shall pierce your soul." -Luke 2: 35 A supernatural word from God does not mean your life will henceforth be easy and free of grief and pain. Sometimes, to the contrary, it may mean the suffering, hardship and tribulation involved in entering the kingdom of God and extending it into a hostile world system. The Apostle Paul’s commissioning word from God included the phrase, “I will show him how great things he must suffer for My sake.” The angel Gabriel visited Mary telling her that she would be the earthly mother of Jesus. We celebrate these words at Christmas as we sing about the joy and wonder of it all, while often failing to recognize the perplexities that accompanied the fulfillment of that revelation. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a song inspired by the subsequent word given to Mary by the elderly prophet who warned her of the grief she would someday suffer at Jesus’ c...

  Billy and Laurel Long P.O. Box 147, Longs, SC  29568 www.billylongministries.com   Laurel and I are grateful for our friends and loved ones. We pray you all will have a Christmas season filled with the Lord's love, peace, and joy. May HE give special grace and visit you with His presence.  Grace and peace to you all.   Billy and Laurel Long    Holy, But Not Silent   Some of the most amazing glimpses into the spiritual realm and manifestations of God’s intimate involvement with His people are seen in the Christmas story. The angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias (father of John the Baptist), to Joseph, and to Mary. The heavens opened causing shepherds to tremble as they saw and heard a multitude of angels praising God with a roar equivalent to Niagara Falls. John the Baptist’s mother Elizabeth conceived him in her old age. Jesus was supernaturally placed in Mary’s womb by the Holy Spirit. Joseph and Mary were led by angelic visitatio...

  Dear Readers and Friends Thank you so much for reading the articles I post on my blog. I do appreciate each one of you, and I welcome new readers.  Also, I want to encourage you to make comments. I would love to get some feedback. Just  click the "comment" button at the end of the post. It would be great to hear your thoughts or suggestions. Please share my blog with friends and others you feel would enjoy or appreciate these posts. Thanks again for reading, Billy Long Visit my website to order copies of my book, "Spiritual Power for Everyday Living."   www.billylongministries.co,  

  16 LESSONS FOR SPIRITUAL STRENGTH FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT Don't be disillusioned by adversity, hardship, and struggles of battle. We must realize we are on a battleship and not a cruise ship. We must face "Og" at the border, and then deal with “giants” after we cross the “Jordan” to possess the “land.” Christians often naively tend to expect victory without battle...and if there is adversity, they become cynical and expect battle without victory. The scripture tells us to persevere and stand in faith. We will see battle...but also victory. Matthew 11: 7-12; 1 Cor 16:9, 15:32; Eph 6:10-19; Ps 18: 31-34, 39; Rev 12: 7-11; John 16: 33; 2 Cor6:4-9; Acts 14:22; 2 Tim 2:3-10 FAITH TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE In our walk with God, we have to deal with people. This complicates matters and requires more faith on our part. When David played his harp, the evil spirit fled...but Saul did not. David had to walk in the Spirit, in faith, obedience, and perseverance in order to deal with S...

  RESISTING THE PRESSURE TO QUIT “..do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patient endurance inherit the promises.” Hebrews 10:12. If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.” Proverbs 24:10.   We must resist the many forces that press us to quit or give up. Jesus said that in our patient endurance we possess our souls. Jacob wrestled with the angel and refused to let him go until he received the blessing. The Canaanite woman persisted in her request for Jesus to heal her daughter, even when it appeared Jesus was resisting her. Jesus marveled at her faith which was demonstrated in her perseverance, and He gave her the request for which she asked. By contrast, Esau lost his birthright because he traded it for a mess of stew when he was faint, hungry, and tired. He was willing to trade his birthright for quick, temporary relief. Even in the matter of prayer, Jesus said, “Men, ought always to pray and not to faint (not give u...

  Dear Reader Friends, Comments are very welcome.  I would enjoy hearing your thoughts.  To share your thoughts c lick "Post a Comment" at the bottom of  the article you read. Billy Long

  THE CAR AND THE WEDDING I met Laurel in 1971 at the beginning of my senior year at ORU. We initially planned for the wedding to take place the following summer, but a friend and fellow student challenged me. “Billy Long, you are a man of faith. If you really know in your heart that she is the one, why don’t you go ahead and have the wedding over Christmas break?” His words were the nudge I needed. So, we set the date for the following January 9. In order to do that, we would have to drive from Tulsa to Longs, South Carolina, a community about 8 miles from North Myrtle Beach. We would pick up my mother, and the three of us would drive from SC to Laurel’s family in Orange County, California. Then after the wedding, my mother would fly back to SC, and Laurel and I would drive back to Tulsa for me to complete my senior year at ORU. But all that driving is hard to do when you don’t have a car. So Laurel and I began to plan for the wedding and pray for a car. There is a prayer cha...