OUT OF THE BOX

My book, Spiritual Power for Everyday Living is an excellent tool for introducing people to spiritual gifts and to the supernatural presence of the Holy Spirit in the church today. The objective of this book is to inspire the reader to hunger for and experience the presence of God. The lessons and examples presented here are not simply academic in nature but were experienced in my life as a pastor and minister working with people over the years. Part One defines and explains spiritual gifts and supernatural manifestations of the Holy Spirit and gives first-hand testimonials. Part Two helps the reader to understand the prophetic ministry as practiced in the lives of the first Christians. Part Three gives clear teaching to help the reader understand praying in tongues and its role in aiding the believer in a deeper experience of intercessory prayer and praise. A careful reading of this book will bring clarity and remove misconceptions relating to the role of spiritual gifts, prophesying,...

"In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.” Psalm 94:19. REFUSING COMFORT “Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his waist, and mourned for his son many days. And all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted, and he said, ‘For I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning.’ Thus his father wept for Him.” Genesis 37: 34-35 "Refusing comfort" refers to the state in which the loss or pain is so great and final that there seems to be absolutely nothing that could possibly heal the hurt, relieve the pain, or replace the loss. Jacob found himself in this condition as he experienced heart-wrenching grief over the loss of his son Joseph. No one was able to comfort him. No words could relieve or console him. GENUINE, NOT SUPEFICIAL To a person in such grief the idea of comfort often seems like an empty and futile promise. Consolation is viewed much like the consolation prize which is...

  The New Testament Christians were as amazing in their suffering as they were in their power. The following paragraphs give many Biblical verses that speak of the courage and special grace believers display during persecution. However, we also know that there is suffering involved, and we stand with those Christians who are suffering around the world today. We pray and intercede for God’s presence, grace, help, and comfort to be with them as they stand in faith and perseverance.  –Billy Long Every Christian who stands on the word of God and testimony of Jesus Christ should read the Bible verses listed below. These verses describe how Christians should handle persecution, and they encourage us to stand courageously in faith and love when we are reviled, falsely accused, and persecuted. We listen to the words of Jesus and follow the examples of those first believers who experienced extraordinary grace enabling them to display exemplary behavior in the face of great persecutio...

Dear Friends I posted this article about 14 years ago. Many of you read it at that time. I am re-posting it because I have many new readers visiting my blog. PS.  I welcome comments. Billy Long   John 15: 19. “A little longer, and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me...” Rev. 1: 10-17. “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice as of a trumpet…And I turned to see the voice that spoke to me…and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength…” 1 Cor. 15: 3-8. “…He rose again on the third day…and was seen…by Cephas…by the twelve…by over five hundred brethren at once…and after that He was seen by me also….” To see or not to see? The natural man comprehends God in the same way as a blind and deaf man would view a brilliant sunrise or listen to beautiful music. He would be oblivious to the wonders around him no matter how brilliant the sight or how loud the sound. The revelation of God works on the same principle. The person wh...

    “Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by who the offence comes.”  Matthew 18:7 “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come.” Luke 17:1 Offenses are wicked, but Jesus said they are necessary and must come. They reveal the truth about people as well as providing occasion for Christians to prove themselves and draw upon the grace of God. This aspect of life is another reason we must strive to please the Lord in all things instead of using occasions of mistreatment and offense as an excuse for our sin.   The word "offense" is rooted in the Greek word for "stumble" and refers to that which potentially causes people to stumble. The scripture warns those who lay the stumbling block. But we are primarily focusing on the one for whom the offense is set. Will he stumble or will he stand? Will he fall and turn his back on God, or will he stand in obedience and faith and continue...

  “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Philippians 1:29 The “Others” Hebrews 11:32-35a gives an impressive list of victories and conquests achieved by God’s people as they moved in obedience and faith. We emulate their experiences as we read how they subdued kingdoms, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle and turned to flight the armies of aliens. Some even received their dead raised to life again. As Christians we stand in faith and believe that we also will see these same victories accomplished by followers of Christ today. However, we must also be to prepared to join and stand with the “others” described in the next few verses (Hebrews 11:32b-40). These “others” also stood in faith and were strong in the grace of God, but they did so during suffering. “Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, tha...