Carrying His Name 6-27-11

“This man is my chosen instrument to carry My Name.” Acts 9:15

What in your life do you currently perceive as an obstacle, hindrance, incurable ailment and/or curse?

Have you ever thought of this perceived obstacle as God’s chosen vehicle for your life? …His chosen medium, divinely handpicked for the purpose of revealing His glory through you? …His appointed instrument to proliferate of His truths and His love in a way that is most effective for His Name sake, and most rewarding for your eternal sake?

Next question: Do you truly believe that God is sovereign and in control of ALL, all the time?…Really?

If you say you do, then why are you not embracing God’s “appointed thorn” right now? Why are you choosing to wallow in self-pity instead of seeing this “ouch” as God’s platform in your life to further His kingdom and bless your life? (Note: If our “ouch” is a lengthy physical illness, or the like, this kind of resolve is extremely challenging because of the exhaustion factor, etc. But God promises that if we continue to struggle to overcome, our rewards will be rich. Heb. 10:35-36 “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”)

If we truly seek God like Mk. 12:30 exhorts, then in God’s economy every affliction we receive will result in God’s glory being revealed so that others will receive hope, encouragement, salvation, healing and restoration, AND we will be blessed both here and eternally in ways we cannot fathom.

Betsy here, I know this may sound bizarre, but I’m so incredibly thankful that God chose to put a “nut” in my brain (benign brain tumor). I’m learning that as I choose to listen more to God than to my doubts, His peace and joy is activated in me to the extent that I’m choosing to trust Him. And as I keep a close relationship with God and genuinely live my life open and transparent before others, God is blessing my family and me immeasurably…and ministry doors are flying open. ~~What a privilege it is to talk and pray with a person as we together usher in God’s Spirit to kick some booty!

“But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” Ps. 73:28

May God bless us this week as we live our utmost for His highest!

Much love, ~Shaun and Betsy

Fanning the flame of Discontent 6-6-11

“And every day, in the Temple and from house to house, they continued to teach and preach this message: “Jesus is the Messiah.” But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent.”

Acts 5:42-6:1

Fanning the flame of our discontent is a resourceful tool of the devil. He used this tool with Adam and Eve in the Garden, with Jesus in the desert, and with us every chance he gets.

Remember back in 2 Sam. 12 what Nathan the prophet tells King David after David has succumbed to adultery and murder? Nathan tells David: “The LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul. I gave you your master’s house and his wives and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more. Why, then, have you despised the word of the LORD and done this horrible deed?’”

God’s message to David is simply this: “Why David, why? You had it all! ~And David, if at any time you’d felt differently, you should have known to come to Me. You and I are close. …We have a very special bond. …We’ve been through a lot together, one miracle after another! If you were feeling discontented, you should have come to Me and I would have given you much, much more!”

The spiritual principle we believe God’s trying to communicate to us here is this: Our Lord desires to bless His kids. AND if at anytime we feel discontented, we need to go spend time with Him. And as we spend time with Him and pour out our hearts to Him, He aligns our desires with His own and then blesses us beyond human understanding!

This is how and why the apostle Paul can say, “I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Phil 4:11-13

The secret? “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you.” Ps. 37:4-5

God bless you this week! 

Much love,

Shaun and Betsy