Grand Larceny 1-28-13

Understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also be ready,

 for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

Lk. 12:39-40

One night last week, Shaun’s dad pulled his car to a stop in a neighborhood near his home. Two men abruptly jumped out, one man hit and rolled off the car while the other screamed, “YOU hit my friend!” … Frightening minutes followed, life was threatened, but thankfully in the end, the only thing stolen was cash. (Police have are still in search of the perpetrators.)

Frightening.

Certainly, this incident has been a “wake up call” for our family, making us alert and prepared should something like this occur again. But more profound, this incident has heightened our awareness to something much more far-reaching: Uncompromising preparation for our Lord’s eminent return.

God tells us that the day of the Lord's return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 1 Thess. 5:2

Jesus goes on to say, “When people are saying, ‘Everything is peaceful and secure,’ then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.” (1Thess. 2-11)

Terrifying. (~That is, if one does not know Jesus.)

For those of us who do know Jesus, our Lord goes on to encourage and ready His kids by saying: “But you are NOT in the dark about these things, and you will NOT be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief! For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. …So be on your guard, not asleep like the others; stay alert and be clearheaded.” 1 Thess. 5:3-8

Weird stuff is happening all around us…and it’s increasing in frequency and intensity (labor pains).

Are we readying ourselves? Or are we going to fall victim to “the ultimate” in grand larceny, and allow the devil to steal our eternal soul?

Big hugs, as we together draw closer to Him, choosing to care about what HE cares about.  

xo ~Shaun and Betsy      

Giving Up? 1-21-13

“My power works best in weakness." 2Cor. 12:9

Some Believers chose only to go “so far” with God. They come to a crossroads in life, an “off limits” area, time or relationship, and decide, “I will go NO FURTHER.”

Pain.

We ache and grieve our loved one’s choice’s, quietly screaming, “It doesn’t HAVE to be this way!” We ache, because we who are growing in Christ know:

Our Lord is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,

according to His power that is at work WITHIN us. Eph. 3:20

The fact is, personal change is difficult. And some will chose “to go no further”. ~And because sin does not remain isolated, we too are affected by a loved ones poor choice’s.

Yet, it is amidst this kind of pain, that we choose the limits we place on our own personal transformation.

Amidst the heartbreak, choose to embrace this truth:

Our Lord is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,

according to His power that is at work WITHIN us. Eph. 3:20

~This same power is like the working of His mighty strength which:

• Manifests itself as lightening from God’s Throne. (~A standard lightning bolt contains 1 billion volts and between 10k to 200k amps of current!),
• Raised Christ from the dead,
• Lives within all believers. (Rev. 4:5; Eph. 1:19-20; Rom. 8:11)

This is a crazy amount of power in us! And God reassures us with these words:

"My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness."2 Cor. 12:9

"I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying My power in you.” Rom. 9:17:

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.” Acts 1:8

Oh, may we recognize:

We possess divine power to demolish strongholds. (2 Cor. 10:4)

AND

Great rewards await those who embrace personal renovation through the transforming power of Christ. (Rev. 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21; 21:7)

Living for Him in the tough times, ~Shaun and Betsy

Trusting in What? 1-14-13

Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust. Ps. 40:4

Cursed is the one who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength. Jer. 17:5

The world scene is quite intriguing these days, as biblical prophesy appears to be unfolding rapidly on physical, emotional and spiritual levels. Even just last week, the USA government adopted the posture of “zero tolerance” for God in the White House, making flesh her strength.

Browsing current events, we could either 1) keep our head in the sand by refusing to connect the dots, or 2) turn out backs on God and frolic in the societal current. ~Neither of these options provides lasting peace and joy.

Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust. Ps. 40:4

Thankfully we have a third option. Jesus tells us to trust Him, and to keep steadfast and alert. Then, He warns us: “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Lk.21: 28

Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust. Ps. 40:4

Like Daniel in the den of lions, who was saved because he trusted in God (Dan. 6:23), let’s not be wise in our own eyes.

Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust. Ps. 40:4

Let’s trust in the Lord with all our heart, genuinely acknowledging Him in all our ways (even when circumstances and relationships seem absurd). As we do, He promises to direct our paths. Prv. 3:5-7

For every child of God defeats this evil world, and

we achieve this victory through our faith. 1Jn. 5:4

In this “good-fight” together,’

Shaun and Betsy

Discard the Baggage 1-7-13

“Therefore, we don’t lose heart…
for what is seen is temporary,

   but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Cor. 4:16-18

Personal illustration: Our precious dog, Kassi, awoke blind on 1-2-13.

We are heartbroken watching her bang into things, but also realize it’s Kassi’s choice to either 1) carry around her blindness as baggage, or 2) learn to adapt and navigate in a new way with her other senses.

This same kind of scenario exists with people.

Let’s look at sightlessness in two different groups of people. (Not physical blindness, yet blindness nonetheless):

Unbelievers: The god of this age (Satan) has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see. 2Cor. 4:4 However, when He is genuinely asked, God opens a person’s eyes, forgives his sin, turns him from darkness to light, and grants him (or her) eternal inheritance through faith in Him. ~YES, Jesus opens the eyes of the blind, frees the captives and oppressed from prison, and releases those who sit in dark dungeons. (Acts 26:18; Is. 42:7; Lk. 4:18)

Believers:  Believers too are utterly blind in particular arenas of our lives. Yet if we CHOOSE, through prayer and seeking God for understanding, His Spirit opens our eyes to a new way of perceiving, thinking and discerning. Jesus opens up “a whole new world” to those who diligently seek Him.

David found this certainty as he prayed, “Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in Your instructions. Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments. Give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies. Give me understanding according to Your word, and give me understanding, and I shall live. “ (Ps. 119:18, 73, 125, 169, 144)

Seeing through God’s eyes and heart (and not merely our eyes) allows us to “see” other people and circumstance through God’s lenses and perspectives.

Question: What difficult relationship or circumstance are you amidst right now? Why not seek the Creator of all and gain His insight into what is REALLY going on (versus our misperceptions based on what we physically see)?

This new year, let’s “discard the baggage”, seek the One who knows all and all, and become skilled at navigating this life with Divine eyes.

Much love and hugs,

Shaun and Betsy