Is Everything Negotiable? 6-24-13

“You are in error because you don’t know the Scriptures or the power of God.”  Matt. 22:29

The Bible is full of black, white and grey areas (the plumb line to a blessed LIFE here and eternity). If we truly seek truth and the power of God, then we’re prudent NOT to do the blacks, to DO the whites, and to use great discernment with the greys.

The tragic flaw in society today is there is no plumb line, everything is negotiable, and the term “love” is a cheap imitation of the real thing. (E.g.: If we allow our child to do anything he or she wants anytime he or she wants, any way he or she wants, is this real love? Some would argue yes...but what’s evidenced in real life results?)

We propose this: If I call something that is not loving, loving, I do a disservice to my affected friend(s)… And in reality, I’m not truly loving this other(s) at all.

Example of biblical love in action:

When Shaun and Betsy were dating, an unwed couple came to us for advice.

They were pregnant; she wanted to abort the baby, he wanted to keep the baby. After she left our get-together, this “manly man” was moved to a lake of tears. In between sobs, he described himself as a Believer who had “saved himself”… until “this once”, and now… he had a baby on the way. Then he proceeded to explain his torment and tears:

He was “a surprise pregnancy that was kept”, then raised alone by his teenage mom. His very life was a miracle. …And now, his girlfriend was facing the same decision his mom did, but his girlfriend was about to make a dreadfully different choice.

Shaun and Betsy’s response? We loved them before, and we loved them after, but during the abortion and few days following, we could not “love on” the girl the way she sought to be loved on. ~She wanted us to agree with and support her decision. We could not. But this did NOT mean that we did not love her.

Proof of genuine love?  She was a bridesmaid in our wedding party, and a couple years later, Betsy was one of her bridesmaids.

Oh may we remember, “It is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” (2Cor. 10:18) May we be continually alert, for just as Eve was deceived (Gen. 3), our minds may too be corrupted or led astray from the simplicity that is in Christ to “what’s politically popular” today. (Eph. 6:18; 1Pet. 5:8; 2 Cor. 11:3).

May we be found like Daniel who although he lived and loved others amidst a pagan society, he resolved not to defile himself with their ways or their philosophies. (Dan. 1:8) Why does this matter? Because God tells us that this is how it will be at the end of the age when the angels come and separate the wicked from the righteous. (Matt. 13:49)

Living for Him this crazy week. Much love, ~Shaun and Betsy

Loving and Living Boldly in Jesus 6-17-13

The LORD says, "I will rescue those who love Me.

I will protect those who trust in My Name. When they call on Me,

 I will answer; I will be with them in trouble.

 I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life

and give them My salvation." Ps. 91:14-16

This world is so very full of angst and anxiety…and so unnecessarily!

Uncertainty is part of the reality of this fallen world, yet our response to this uncertainty need not be fear, worry or an anxious heart.

If we truly believe and trust in Jesus and His promises to us, then we will own a radically different response to unavoidable adversities in life. Whether it be facing a deadly enemy, trying to “make the team” or “pass the test”, uncertainty about ability to pay the rent, a predicament with a loved one, or a cataclysmic event,

Jesus commands us not to fret…not be anxious about anything. (Phil. 4:6)

How are we doing?

Despite the storms in life, Jesus tells us be of good cheer (Mk. 6:50)

How’s it going with this one?

If we truly trust Jesus, then we can rejoice in the confidence that our Heavenly Daddy ever looks upon us and personally confronts each of our uncertainties. (Ps. 91:14-16)

Remember, God’s joy is based on His character, His hope, and His promise, through His Spirit living in us, not our human emotion.

Is our behavior reflecting trust or distrust?

God views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. Jb. 28:24

Rest assured, as our world grows darker and darker, nothing is catching God off-guard.

So when tempted to worry, allow the Spirit to govern your mind,

and experience life and peace. Rom. 8:6

Loving and living boldly in Jesus this week, He is so worthy.

Shaun and Betsy

Overcome Evil with Good 6-3-13

“Rend your heart.” Joel 2:13

A year from now, our youngest leaves for college. In some ways, because of her maturity, it seems she’s moving onward tomorrow, which makes the whole process feel like a big bandage slowly being pulled off hair by hair. ~Even though we parents recognize this progression as healthy and necessary, at times we want to say, “Enough already, we know what’s coming, just pull it off in one tug!”

This is a similar sentiment so many of us are experiencing with our beloved USA. We’ve cherished “our God-centered nation”, and unlike our budding daughter, she’s disastrously being altered; an evolution that is neither healthy nor necessary.

God has clearly articulated what is going to ensue on the world’s stage in the final days. **Physically, morally and spiritually, all is happening according to plan (e.g.: Is.17; Ps. 83; Matt. 24). **The birth pains are getting closer together and more intense. **We’re fast approaching similarities of Hosea’s day, where, “There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land. There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds.” Hs. 4:1-2

Amidst the pain of “this” bandage being pulled off hair by hair, many Believers are saying, “Enough already, we know what’s coming, just pull it off in one tug!”

But God says...  “To every thing there is a season,

 And a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Eccl. 3:1

So, let’s take comfort knowing that God is batting 1000, meaning:

To date, God has a PERFECT prophetic record and He’s in COMPLETE control.

What to do when overwhelmed? God gives us this advice:

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom. 12:21

“Good” meaning that which is upright, honorable, excellent, joyful, pleasant, of good constitution or nature (e.g.: Abide in Jesus, then, in what could appear “internal and external righteous rebellion”, obey Jesus. In love, stand against this world’s life-sucking philosophies, powers, and propaganda).

For, similar to an age gone by, God says:  

“Idols are worthless; they are ridiculous lies!

On the Day of Reckoning they will all be destroyed…God is no idol!

He is the Creator of everything that exists, including Israel, His own special possession.

The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is His name!

…Pack your bags and prepare to leave; the siege is about to begin.” Jer. 10:15-17

He’s coming for us soon. May we rend our hearts today!

Much love, ~Shaun and Betsy