WORK 7-25-11

“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” Prv. 14:23

Is this a universal principle or a specific promise?

Does “work’ mean physical labor at ones workplace or emotional and/or spiritual toil in ones life?

Does “profit” mean material money or something less tangible like relational abundance?

Does “poverty” indicate without money or does it denote the lack of something intangibly wonderful?

Let’s briefly look at these definitions:

“work”:`etseb: pain, hurt, toil, sorrow, labor, hardship, offense

“profit”: mowthar: means pre-eminence, abundance, profit, excellence

“poverty”: machcowr: means need, thing needed, poverty, lack

When we look at Prv. 14:23 in the context of the entirety of Scripture, we find that it means ALL these things, plus physical, emotional and spiritual manifestations, answered in both specific promises and universal principles.

Examples? With the 3 practical illustrations listed below, please keep in mind this simple truth: Until we’ve experienced life circumstances that test our faith to its core or find ourselves buried alive in the trenches of a trial, we will not know how to respond to what we may have embraced so easily during a comfortable Bible study! Living out a life of faith IS work.

1.     If we are diligently working at our relationship with the Lord, we can expect closeness with Him and blessing from Him. But if our relationship with God is merely talk, we can expect physical, emotional, and/or spiritual lack and loss on this earth and in heaven. E.g. “The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” Ps. 34:10

2.     If we are diligently working at our relationship with our spouse as God directs us, we can expect spiritual reward in heaven, plus joy in our heart and wisdom in our actions here and now (regardless of our spouse’s responses). However, if our investment in significant relationships is “mere talk and no do”, we can expect heartache and worse. E.g. “A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Gal.6: 7-10

3.     If we are diligently working at our job or career, in the long haul, we can expect excellence and abundance.  E.g. “Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.” Eccl. 11:6 Conversely, if we choose to be lazy or idle we can expect poverty: physically, emotionally and spiritually. E.g. Prv. 10:4 “Lazy hands make a man poor.”

Is hard work easy? Definitely not. Worth it? OH YEAH it is.~ Most aren’t up for it … We are, will you join us?

Much love this week,

Shaun and Betsy

Living in Liberty and Joy 7-18-11

“Make up your mind not to worry beforehand.” Lk 21:14

If we allow ourselves to fixate and worry, we create a cloud of obsession that obscures the breathtaking sunshine of God’s truths for us.

Question to ask ourselves: Do I desire to remain in a state of apprehension, anxiety or fear? If the answer is no, how about trying this: The next time we hear ourselves say, “I’m worried about such and such or so ‘n so”, change the wording to “I’m not trusting You Lord with such and such or so ‘n so.”  And then, make a decision to seek Him wholeheartedly, obey His promptings, and trust Him for the results.

Easy? No. But against all odds Abraham did it, Joshua did it, Ruth did it, Hezekiah did it, Mary did it, Jesus did it, … if we truly want to, we can do it too.

Is. 50:10 “Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the word of His servant? Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on His God.”

Much love this week; let’s choose to live in the liberty and joy He desires for us!

Shaun and Betsy

It's ALL Being Recorded

“The Books were opened.” Rev. 20:11

There is no greater foolishness than to know the great salvation of God, but to then go on living for oneself.

“Thousands upon thousands attended Him; 10,000 X 10,000 stood before Him. The court was seated, and the books were opened.” Dan. 7:10

“Then I saw a great white throne and Him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from His presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.” Rev. 20:11-12

As we venture out in our relationships and circumstances this week, let’s remember this: What makes one honored in heaven is by and large a stumbling block and unesteemed on this earth. Everything we do to pay tribute to our own desires will one day bring us the most humiliation.

In His love,

Shaun and Betsy

Awe of You 7-5-11

“He will guide you into ALL truth.” Jn. 16:13

WWJD bracelets…remember these? The letters stand for “What would Jesus do?”, the question the bracelet wearer is supposed to ask himself as he navigates daily life, picturing Jesus standing next to him guiding his words and actions. Super cool, but what’s is cooler is what Jesus Himself says about working in our lives. In Jn. 16:7 Jesus says,  “I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Holy Spirit) will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” Incredible! Jesus appears to be telling us that we are better off that He is no longer physically with us.  What?

Jesus explains, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth….the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you ALL things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Jn. 14:16-17; 26

Ok, Ok, if we truly believe this, that the Spirit of the Living God is dwelling within us, then why by our words and actions do we deny His power? …When the rubber of our life meets the road of daily living, why do many of us appear to prefer a “magic pill” or an “easy out” answer to our situations and relational difficulties, opting for lip-service to God rather than seeking intimate relationship with God (thus denying His power within us)?

In our marriages, at our work place, with our kids, amidst an illness, and the like, what are we turning to for practical direction? What voice of influence are we listening to in the wee hours of night? Truth be told, if we’re honest with ourselves, all too often we’re attentively nursing the advice of our well meaning but foolish friends, society, Oprah, Phil, and self. ~~We want wisdom, power and direction, but we deny investing in a vibrant relationship with the One who gives it!

All significant relationships require diligent investment…why would one with God be different?

Our Lord continues, “When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into ALL truth... He will bring glory to Me by taking from what is Mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is Mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is Mine and make it known to you…If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing… ” Jn.  16:13-15; 15:4-5.

 Then Jesus gives us this promise: “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.” Jn. 15:7

What are we waiting for?

This week we Clearys have been so blessed to host a man from Northern Nigeria, where the murder of Christian’s is an everyday occurrence. This man, his wife and 6 kids live in utter dependence on Jesus for their very breath each day. ~Friends and family sat around a bonfire, spellbound and in awe of God, as this man vividly recalled God supernaturally rescuing him and sparing his life from irate Muslim mobs intent on killing him on 2 different occasions recently. Praise You Jesus.

God, You are so real, so tangible for those who draw near to You.  Forgive us Lord for our unbelief.

~Shaun and Betsy