Walking the Line 5-22-12

“In Your light, we see light.” Ps 36:9

Three helpful steps to “walking the line” after repenting of major sin or area of addiction:

1.     Seek God and get into His Word (daily bible study and prayer with accountability). ~Our natural minds and feelings lead us astray. The Spirit of truth guides us into all truth; there is no substitute to attaining freedom from bondage.

2.     Quit talking about “it”…rehashing over and over simply justifies our foolish actions … and results in more talk.

3.     And remember, God is in charge of defending our reputation. We are in charge of owning our behavior today, repent where needed and do the work it takes to allow God to re-establish godly character.

Much love this week,

Shaun and Betsy

Just Passing Through 5-15-12

“Hear my prayer, O LORD! … For I am Your guest—

a traveler passing through as my ancestors were before me.”

 Ps. 39:12

While it is true that we are “just passing through”, we must not presume this means that we don’t have responsibility here and now.

Our life isn’t some kind of seed that has been haphazardly tossed on soil. To the contrary, each miracle of life (you) has been sown into soil by a pre-determined plan and a specified purpose, for this day, in this place, with these people, in this job, in this condition, at this moment. (Eph. 2:10; Acts 17:26)

Our life is to be LIVED (really L-I-V-E-D) where God has us right now.

Let’s pause and reflect on this question:

Where does God have me at this minute, at this hour?

(Physically, mentally, and with my interpersonal relationships)

If I truly believe what God says in His Word is Truth, then I must choose to believe that He has purposed and sown these moments of time in my life today.

(These trials are NOT here by accident or for His sick enjoyment.)

Owning this concept, our prayer now becomes, “Lord, help me navigate this very moment in YOUR strength, wisdom, love, understanding, insight, power, and courage, for YOUR purposes.”

Remember, as His Kids, we only have “tough and hard” until our dying breath, after that, there is only eternal joy … the struggle will be over forever. Worded differently, these years on earth are the only difficult hours we will EVER experience. (Even if we live to 100, this is nothing in scope of eternity!)

And yet, our reward is directly tied to how well we overcome the difficult “opportunities” God allows in our lives, mentally, physically and relationally.

As with Solomon and Haggai when building His Temple, God said, “Be strong and do the work”… Today, our bodies are His Temple, and He says, “Be strong and do the work, your work will be rewarded. I am coming soon and My reward is with Me.” (2 Chr. 15:7; Rev. 22:12)

Growing in Him,

Shaun and Betsy

Illusion of Control 5-8-12

“For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen,

being understood from what has been made,

so that men are without excuse.” Rom. 1:20

Illusion of control.

God gave King Belshazzar the illusion of control right up until, when in Dan. 5:24-30, His handwriting appeared on the wall and Belshazzar witnessed righteous judgment from the King of Kings.

God gave Satan the illusion of control right up until, when in Jn. 20, He raised Jesus from the dead, and in Rev. 20:10, when He throws the devil into the eternal lake of burning sulfur where he will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.

God gives people the illusion of control right up until we either: in physical death, meet Him face to face in judgment, or in life, willingly bend our knee to His Lordship.

Fools think their own way is right (Prv. 12:15). Human beings are rebellious at the core (Jer. 17:9).

Regardless of God’s manifestations, miracles and signs, most refuse to accept God’s way, choosing instead to cling to their own way of getting right with God. (Rom. 10:3)

We have no excuse of ignorance. We KNOW when we turn our backs on God and make the choice to go our own way. God writes His laws on our hearts. (Jer. 31:33; 2Cor. 3:3)

Oh Lord, kill the foolish and wicked ways within me. Kill them before they take root and grow, spreading their cancer-like tentacles of pride and deceit into every area of my life. For I know that…“in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet we will all be changed. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. … When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Cor. 15:50-57

He is coming quickly.

Much love,

Shaun and Betsy