Seek Understanding, Time is Short 12-10-12

“God reconciled us to Himself through Christ

And gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Cor. 5:18

What is the “ministry of reconciliation”? The dictionary describes reconciliation as “an adjustment of a difference; restoration to favor; atonement”. So, the ministry of reconciliation effectively means “to put our faith into action by seeking to habitually restore relational damage”.

Personal example: (Preface: Jesus must be coming soon or we Cleary’s are “going Home” soon, because these kind of events don’t “simply occur”, they’re “God orchestrated”.)

Within a ONE-week timeframe 5 individuals, who reside near and FAR, have “popped” back into our life. What was their common thread? An unresolved relational issue. What transpired? Each of the 5 separate relationships has miraculously been restored to a position of forgiveness and much understanding.

Jesus tells us this, “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” Matt. 5:23-24

Yes, Jesus tells us to do a lot of difficult things. But in the heat of the moment, when push comes to shove, what might make us want to do the “it” in our own life the way Jesus advises? The primary motivation for us these days is His soon and coming return as Matthew 24 forewarns.

World events are indeed “cooking up” rapidly. From global physical calamities (like hurricanes, earthquakes and predicted astronomical cataclysmic events), to our vast moral decay (like the entertainment industry’s unquenchable quest for lust, or aggressive public demands for specific “rights” that God condemns; or lies and deceit being honored in our highest offices), to the rise of hatred towards Israel by all nations (like the latest UN vote to split Israel and surrounding nations committed to her annihilation; or Russia supplying Iran who in turn supplies Gaza, etc.); to recent strides towards one world government (like numerous current UN sanctions designed to strip all countries of self-governance akin to taking over the internet, etc.); to strides towards one world religion (like Islamic predictions that the Mahdi will return within the year and bring the “peace of Islam” to all nations which they believe will be brought about by worldwide chaos, created by worldwide jihad); etc., etc. (For more in-depth info. study Gen. 10 with Ezek. 37-39; Dan. 11; Ps. 83; Matt. 24 with 1Thess. 4-5, 1Tim. 4; 2 Tim. 3-4; and Rev. 17-22)

It’s time to get our lives in order. God has given us the “end of days road map”, laying out detailed “signs” over and over and over again in His Word. He deeply desires us to know these signs and then to order our lives accordingly.

We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Cor. 5:20

With the things of God, may we choose not be apathetic or complacent this week!

Much love,  ~Shaun and Betsy

Say NO to Eeyore 12-3-12

“All these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God.” Deut. 28:2

Many Believers live their daily lives with the demeanor of a worn out donkey. Like Eeyore in “Winnie the Pooh”, these folks let out long sighs and constantly complain about the heaviness of their unique burdens.

To be around these kind of Believer’s can be exhausting. Plus, let’s not belittle the fact that these people are defaming of God’s Name to all onlookers.

~So why would we ever permit ourselves to be one of them?

Personal example:

One of our kids experienced a rather large disappointment recently. Although he was “human” in his initial reaction, he quickly realized that a lot of people were eyeing him (and his response). So amidst the adversity, with the maturity of someone twice his age, he surmised the equation:

He had elected to “live his faith out-loud”,

 So, the manner to which he behaved directly reflected the way people view his God.

He realized that choosing to behave in obedience to God does not “just happen” and therefore must be purposefully and intentionally implemented.

What did he do next?

In a very practical manner and despite his feelings, he chose to “praise God for the privilege of being called by His Name, to put off his old self (his down-trodden mind-set), and to be made new in the attitude of his mind.” (1 Pet. 4:16; Eph. 4:22-23)

What followed?

Astounding blessings from heaven flowed into his life.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Eph. 1:3

This week let’s choose to live in a manner that speaks to the position we have in Christ…a blessed Royal Heir to the King of Kings!

He is coming for us soon,

Much love,

Shaun and Betsy

Alert and on Watch 11-19-12

STAY ALERT! KEEP WATCH!

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the Spirit is willing, but the body is weak! Matt. 26:41

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Pet. 5:8

So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.

1 Thess. 5:6

Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. 1Tim. 4:16

Keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. Matt. 24:42

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Col. 4:2

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.

Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Eph. 6:18

“God hears the prayers of the righteous.” Prv. 15:29

All around us we are seeing people we care for being sideswiped by the devil’s tactics.

Oh that we may be humble enough and wise enough to ask for prayer, and diligent enough to hold up others in prayer, as we live alert and in watch for God’s eminent return.

Matt. 24 is upon us.

In Him,

Shaun and Betsy

Warning 11-12-12

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. 
He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, 
but everyone to come to repentance.” 2Pet. 3:9

God needs His kids to understand this truth: We are the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one group 1) we are the smell of death and to the other group, 2) the fragrance of life. (2 Cor. 15-16)

Living for Jesus will produce two “aromas” for recipient noses: fragrant and pleasing OR pungent and rotting. Have you noticed?

2 Thess. 2:10-11 tells us that one day, people will perish because they will refuse to love the Truth and so be saved. (To these folks, Christ’s aroma will be pungent and rotting.) And for this reason, God will send them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.

Does this sound familiar? ~This scenario has occurred a number of times in the past and will occur again. Rom. 1:25-28 tells us, “They exchanged the Truth for the lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator… Since they didn’t think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind to do what ought not be done.” (Interesting study: examine what God means by “depraved mind”.)

One day, the deception will turn into a “full-blown” falsehood as men fully embrace the lie and will then attempt to make living for Almighty God illegal (dead).

Recall these forewarnings in Scripture:

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 1Tim. 4:1-2

 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth. Many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

2 Tim. 4:3-4; Matt. 24: 10-13

 If true believers look at it through temporal lenses, this news can appear to be a real downer. But if we “see” through God’s eternal filter, this news is rather exciting in light of His eminent return.

Until then, God beseeches us to LOVE others, live a holy life, teach the Word, to be constantly prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks us to give the reason for the hope that we have; to correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction… And if we should suffer for what is right, we are blessed and need not fear.

(1Jn. 4:11-12; 1Thess. 4:7; 2Tim. 4:2; 1Pet. 3:13-17)

Living out loud for Him,

Shaun and Betsy

Confident Hope 10-29-12

“Rejoice in our Confident Hope.

Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” Rom. 12:12

Got problems?

Some troubles can be solved by thoughtful contemplation and dialogue.

Some can be resolved through evaluation and rearranging our priorities while others are mitigated through good counsel.

Some can only be relieved through heavenly intervention facilitated by prayer.

And some are never fully solved, but are our best “life teachers” if we embrace them.

~God’s sovereign plan for our lives doesn’t eliminate personal responsibility, and in recent days, we Cleary’s have employed ‘all of the above’ to tackle a particular challenge in our own lives.

Not surprisingly, we continue to find that our principal source of comfort, strength and guidance comes through unwavering faith and trust in God and His promises to lead us through this challenge. After all, He is the One who allows challenges, desiring to work them “in and out” for His glory.

Rom. 4:20-22 speaks of Abraham’s unwavering faith in God and His promises. How interesting it is when we substitute our own name in the blanks.

Why not try it now:

“(Your name) never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, ______ faith grew stronger, and in this, ______ brought glory to God. ______ was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises. And because of ______’s faith, God counted _____ as righteous.”

Cool, huh?

People and this world will fail us, but God never lets us down.

May God bless us this week as we “live out loud” for Him.

Much love,

Shaun and Betsy

Divine Hunger Games 10-22-12

“Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God.”

1 Chr. 22:19

God always has a “soul lesson” to impart to us amidst a trial.

Amidst our soul lesson, God trusts us with His divine wisdom to the degree that we know His heart.

We fall into deception when we don’t seek to understand the true heart of God, but choose instead to embrace our ideas about the heart of God and make decisions based on our own feelings.

Example: Each of us has at least one someone/something in our life that has caused (is causing) us pain. When interacting with this person/circumstance, we have choices to make. Probably the biggest choice is whether we follow our gut (feelings) or whether we choose to ask God to fill us with His heart for this person or circumstance, and then follow His promptings moment to moment.

Probing questions:

How do I get to know God better?

Well, if someone wants to get to know me better, the best way to do this is to hang out with me. So, if I want to understand God better, I may want to hang out with Him. The more I get to KNOW God’s heartbeat, the more I fall in love with Him and am saddened to hurt Him. ~I will no longer covet merely His power and miracles, but I will yearn for the stuff that He deeply desires.

How do I hang out with God?

Read His love letters, pray to Him with the help of His Holy Spirit within, worship Him in His creation, and learn more about where He resides.  ~We gain God’s perspective on this world when we better understand His world.

~A neat way we Cleary’s have been hanging with God lately is viewing or reading accounts of heaven (and also hell), providing us a atypical perspective on ‘our here and now’. Here are a few neat YouTube links:  

http://youtu.be/49wut32Cguw

http://youtu.be/UYwC2-utH4A

All of us “get” that living for God amidst enticing indulgences is not easy, and embracing lessons (vs. evading pain) amidst our current challenge is even more difficult. … But God isn’t in the business of fixing our troubles! He’s in the business of revealing Himself to us as we live through life’s difficulties.

In order to live for Him, our desire for God’s happiness must become more alluring than what the world (or our flesh) is offering.

Let’s endeavor to really KNOW Him better this week.

Check out this link!   http://youtu.be/K-eSRcr9CWw  

Much love,

Shaun and Betsy

Intoxicated with Who? 10-8-12

One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. With her the kings of the earth (leaders of the people) committed adultery and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” Rev. 17:1-2

Sometimes our prosperity, popularity or physical attributes blind us to our spiritual helplessness. Positions of leadership are especially vulnerable. Many leaders today fall into one of two camps:

1) Proud, arrogant, self-indulgent, intoxicated with personal perceptions

OR

2) Confident, meek, selfless, intoxicated with the Living Spirit

~But before we start pointing fingers, let’s insert our own name in the following blanks:

______, be sure, your sins will find you out. It’s time for judgment to BEGIN with the household of God. (Num. 32:23; 1Pet. 4:17)

Be holy, for God is holy, ______. Offer your body as a living sacrifice. (1Pet. 1:16; Rom. 12:1)

The Lord God is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in loving-kindness and truth…YET, ______, He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. (Ex. 34:6-7)

______, how your adulterous heart has hurt Me. You have turned away from Me and by your eyes have played the harlot. (Ezek. 6:9)

OUCH, huh?!

God our Savior desires ALL men to be saved and to come to knowledge of truth. 1 Tim. 2:4 So…after examining our own life and making some changes, perhaps we can encourage a loved one to do the same? (It takes guts to question someone we care about. That’s why we must examine our own life first, pray for our loved one, then with a compassionate heart speak forth only when God opens the opportunity.)

The time is short! “An overwhelming scourge WILL sweep by us…. The Lord will rise up…to do His work, His strange work, and perform His task, His alien task, so stop your mocking. For suddenly, in an instant, the Lord Almighty will come with thunder, earthquake, great noise, windstorm, tempest and flames of devouring fire.” (Is. 28:18; Is. 29:5-6)

Crazy times we live in! ~Let’s live out loud for His Name sake.

Much love,

Shaun and Betsy

E P or D? 10-1-12

May the God of peace equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ.   Heb. 13:20

For, before the harvest, when the blossom is gone and the flower becomes a ripening grape, he will cut off the shoots with pruning knives, and cut down and take away the spreading branches. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

Is.18:5; Jn. 15:2

God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. The Lord disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in.   Heb. 12:10; Prv. 3:12

Equipping, pruning or discipline…similar in appearance, poles apart in immediate purpose, partnering in eternal objective.

Question: How do we discern the difference, thus granting us a smidge of understanding, which in turn helps us to embrace the trial so that God can “have His way in us”?

First, ask acknowledge and ask this of God: “I know that nothing takes You by surprise, Lord, and I know that You are in COMPLETE control (even when things appear so out of control), so please help me understand the divine lesson(s) You are trying to teach me through this trial. If it’s discipline, help me to recognize, repent and renounce. If it’s pruning or equipping, help me to embrace this trial and learn what You are trying to impart to me. (And if it is spiritual attack, please protect and deliver me for Your name sake!)”

Second, recognize that we do not live isolated lives, and thus, divinely inspired multi-purposed trials are common. ~ Life isn’t always about “me”. God is also at work in the lives of others involved in our current trial.

Third, embrace the trial (versus run from it), and excavate the lessons (versus gloss over them).

Forth, realize that we are human, with human frailty, and we will struggle. (Paul referred to this inner struggle in Rom. 7)  God understands and He Himself will help us “stand tall” again.

Fifth, PRAY, PRAY, PRAY, ABIDE, ABIDE, ABIDE, ABIDE. This requires ongoing quantity and quality time with God.

Sixth, OBEY HIS PROMPTINGS…a constant and purposeful choice.

Seventh: Amidst all, live with a resolute attitude of thankfulness and praise.

How can we say these things? Because Cleary’s constantly live in trials…even this last week. Oh, our trials may look different than yours, but the fundamental lessons are the same.

Let’s finish strong; He is coming for us SOON. May God bless us as we live for Him this week!

Much love,

Shaun and Betsy

Heatin' Up 9-17-12

Jesus desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 1 Tim. 2:4-5

This week, an Iranian Muslim man came to Christ.

What a thrill it was to witness this middle-aged shop owner lift his head upward to heaven and shout aloud these words (in front of customers and employees):  

"Jesus Christ come into my life and be my Lord and Savior!

... I am a sinner! ... Forgive me of my sins! 

I want You as my God and Lord of my Life! .... 

THEN…

HALLELUIA!!!! I AM FREE!!! I AM FREE!!! 

Do you know how lucky we are? Why you (Betsy)? Why me?

Praise You, Lord Jesus Christ…

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE, I AM FREEEEEE!!!!!

Of course, this is the SHORT story. The longer version is even more thrilling!

~Despite current events Jesus is alive and well, and people are coming to a salvational knowledge of Him like never before. ~Just last week in our small sphere of influence there was a Jewish later-aged woman and a college-aged boy in addition to this Muslim man.

Christ shares:

"This is the will of Him (the Father) who sent Me (Jesus),

 that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life;

And I will raise him up at the last day." Jn. 6:40

~Sharing Jesus’ love and truth…

What a thrill…what a privilege...what a responsibility.

The world is ‘heating up’ fast. He is coming for us so soon. (Matt. 24; 2 Thess. 2)

We treasure your prayers for our new brothers and sisters.

Living for Him in His arms of love,

~Shaun and Betsy

Summer 2012 Couples Events

Dare to Swim Upstream 9-11-12

“The waters that come down from upstream,

and they shall stand as a heap." Jos. 3:13

As with the Jordan waters, one day, God will cause the anti-God streams of society to “stand as a heap” and acknowledge Him for Who He is. Until that day, we each have responsibility.

Take our 3 kids for example:

One’s in high school, one’s in college, and one’s a college graduate in the work force.

Each is fearfully and wonderfully made.

Each has an exclusive call on and divine purpose in this life.

Each has unique instruction for this specific season in life.

YET

Each of their environments is distinctive.

Each of them has a unique temperament, talents, abilities and life-stories.

And each has a daily choice to believe or not to believe in God’s plan, and to take (or refuse to take) the necessary steps to fulfill this plan.

~~And although dad, mom and others offer great advice, our 3 must ultimately look to God for direction navigating life and answer to God for steps taken (or neglected).

The same for each one of us.

With an attitude of love and reverence to God, let’s choose to ‘live purposeful’, and celebrate the Lord’s goodness in this life.

Even if our disposition is ‘the quiet sort’, let’s be ‘deemed weird’ and dare to swim upstream against the current of an ever-increasing anti-God society.

“The joy of the LORD is your strength…celebrate with great joy.”

Neh. 8:10-12

Living for Him,

Shaun and Betsy

Break and Play 9-4-12

The world and its desires pass away, but the man

who does the will of God lives forever. 1Jn. 2:17

It’s football season once again. And whether or not you are a football fan, we all agree that the first secret of success on the football field is to break the huddle and play the game.

The secret to successful living is no different.

Simplified formula for team play: Get on the team, develop a strategic game plan with the Coach, “train” diligently with deliberate focus, then, wholeheartedly play the game as the Coach directs.

This formula is no different for the Believer.

Whether one’s “game” is:

• Tim Tebow, allowing God to use his talents on a high profile NFL platform;
• OR dear family friends recently adopting a girl from the sex traffic industry;
• OR investing in the real-life needs of a co-worker;
• OR sharing Jesus’ love with our airplane/bus seat mate;
• OR observing a need and filling it with whatever God has personally blessed us with….

…Each of us has a unique call on our life, intended by our Creator to be played out for His team, according to His game plan, in this game of life.

(~Played out, not hidden and protected in some kind of “holy huddle.”)

We are called to be in the world!
(Yet, we are not to be of the world. Remember, Jesus visited “shadowy” places not as a wild-haired partaker of darkness, but as a love-filled witness to the Light, and He calls us to do the same.)

~~And with regard to sharing the John 3:16 message, the coolest thing is this: “Success” is not measured in another’s response to the Message. No, success is measured in how well I obey God’s promptings to deliver His Message in word and deed. ~The “results” are God’s business, His deal; and thus, the “heat” is off us.

Playing “the game” this week for His glory! He’s coming soon.

Much love,

Shaun and Betsy

Whose team? 8-28-12

The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it,

the world and all who live in it. Ps. 24:1

BUT for now,

The whole world is under the control of the Satan. 1Jn. 5:19

BUT one day soon,

Every knee will bend to God, and every tongue will confess…

Rom. 14:1; Phil. 2:11

Man was created amidst a cosmic battle, and was granted ‘freedom of choice’ from his first breath. Mankind quickly discovered the biblical fact that he is a slave to whatever masters him (2Pet. 2:19), when he believed the devil and fell from grace.

Let’s now get personal.

This cosmic battle still rages, and herein lies our two-prong struggle:

• Do I worship the created OR worship The Creator? (Rom. 1:25)
• Do I search for mastery OR search for The Master?  (1Cor. 9:25)

(FYI: The “created/mastery” can be good things like our children, nature, education and knowledge.)

QUESTIONS:

By my actions who or what is my master? …By the evidence of my life, whose team am I on?

Am I on God’s team or on the devil’s team?

To those on the Satan’s team, one day God will declare: “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” For “not everyone who calls out to Me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.” Matt. 7:21; 23

To those on the Lord’s team, God will one day declare:

“Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master's happiness!” Matt. 25:21

Is this unfair or harsh?

Heaven is God’s house, and He gets to welcome in who He wants to live with Him.

Same with us; picture YOUR home. At your home, you get to choose who you invite in to stay with you in your home. And just because a ‘seemingly nice stranger’ knocks on your door and asks/demands to enter, does NOT mean you are unfair to say, “I am so sorry, but this is our home and we do not know you.”

Remember: The Lord is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Pet. 3:9

Resting in His amazing love this week, ~Shaun and Betsy

The Work 8-21-12

Be strong & courageous and do the work.

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God is with you.

 He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.  1 Chr. 28:20

Where is God’s temple (or dwelling) today? Metaphorically, in the Believer.

1 Cor. 3:16-17 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?... God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

1 Cor. 6:19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, Whom you received from God?

What is “the work (s)”? Obedience to His promptings in and through all we do. (Col. 1:29)

God tells us in Eph. 2:10 and Matt. 5:16 that we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, that He prepared in advance for us to do… And to let our light shine before men, so they will see our good works and glorify God.  

“Works” means our business, employment, undertaking, deed, anything accomplished by hand, art, industry or mind.

Jesus example:

The Father gave me these works (my teachings and my miracles) to accomplish, and they prove that He sent me… I brought glory to You here on earth by completing the work You gave me to do. Jn. 5:36; Jn. 17:4

How is the work to be completed? In obedience, through His wisdom and strength.

Jesus’ example:

Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray (Lk. 5:16).

Here, Jesus received His “work instructions” (as well as renewal and strength to continue carrying out God’s plan).

Rather than doing our own idea of labor for the Lord, let’s pray and ask Jesus to direct our work/service, and the renewal and strength to obediently carry “it” to completion.

When is “the work for the service of God’s temple” to be finished? When we are with Christ.

God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Phil. 1:6

"And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. Rev. 22:12

Time is short. May our lives faithfully carry out His work this week by allowing Him to work in and through us!

Much love,

Shaun and Betsy