Terrorist Living in the House? 2-25-13

“Peace, peace”, they say, when there is no peace.” Jer. 6:14

Genuine peace is characterized by harmony and order, not chaos and confusion. Counterfeit peace appears to have an air of harmony, but beneath the surface, a discordant spirit “reigns”. (E.g.: life with a rebellious teenager or raging alcoholic)

So how does one establish true peace where there is no true peace?

Personal example: In our extended family, as with many of you, there’s a person who has a sizeable addiction. When living in close proximity with this person, some of our extended family members choose to ignore destructive behaviors and pursue “peace” at all costs.

Not us.

Contrary to what’s cool and acceptable with extended family, our family makes conscious choices to pursue harmony and order, not counterfeit “peace”.

How? 6 basic steps:

1. We focus on our personal walk and get our personal selves right with God, the Author of Peace.
2. We avail ourselves to continual personal change, growth and maturity in the Lord by abiding in Him and humbly obeying His promptings.
3. We set healthy expectations and boundaries, and adhere to them.
4. We speak truth in love (only as God directs).
5. We stay accountable/in fellowship with at least one other mature believer.
6. We PRAY fervently, and leave potential fallout in God’s hands.

This kind of battle is primarily won on our knees. God tells us that when we live with a person with an addiction, we are “living in the midst of deception, because in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge Me." (Jer.9:6)

And God encourages those of us who live in deceptive atmospheres with this: His light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive, so walk in the light of the LORD and He will shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, and guide our feet into the path of peace. (Prv. 20:27; Is. 2:5; Lk. 1:79)

Praise our Lord!

Much love this week,

Shaun and Betsy

Pollution Control

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart.

And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.

So don't be troubled or afraid.” Jn. 14:27

As in Ezra’s day, America too has become a land polluted by the corruption of her populace, as her people fill it with their impurity from one end to the other. (Ez. 9:11)

We are immersed, yet God tells us to “keep from being polluted by the world.” (Jms. 1:27) Why? Because He knows her perspectives and ideals are seductively enticing. They feed our flesh and cause us to hunger for more all the while, cause us to stray from the only source that truly feeds and fills.

Feeling worn-out and weary?

It’s no wonder! God tells us that we’re at constant war against 3 major things:

1)   our flesh (Gal. 5:16-17)

2)   spiritual forces of evil (Eph. 6:12)

3)   our world system (1 Jn. 2:15-17)

Want to find lasting rest and peace, mercy and grace?

God’s rest is bestowed in proportion to our obedience to what He says is important to Him. His peace is amplified as we mature in Him. Mercy and grace are given when we approach the Throne of Grace with confidence, where God promises to help us in our time of need. (Matt. 11:29; Jn. 14:27; Heb. 4:16)

There is POWER in the Lord and in His word.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right…It is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword…discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” 2 Tim. 3:16; Heb. 4:12

So HOW do I live in the world but not be overly influenced by the world?

By living alert and resolutely purposeful in God’s hand, getting rid of the filth in our lives, humbly accepting the word God has planted in our hearts, deliberately swimming against the current of society for His glory, all-the-while loving others the way we want to be loved.

Easy? Heck no. ~~But nothing truly excellent is effortless, right?

In our difficult relationships and circumstances this week, let’s choose to live for Jesus, who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.

Much love, ~Shaun and Betsy