Backflipping Faithfulness of God 9-30-13

God is my helper. The Lord keeps me ALIVE! 
Ps. 54:4

A couple weeks ago we addressed the topic of spiritual immaturity in a RR message titled “Don’t be a Dem as” (NO political intent whatsoever). To review briefly,

in his letter to the Colossians, Paul praises Demas for his faithfulness in Col. 4:14; yet flipping forward 6-7 years, in Paul’s second letter to Timothy (2 Tim. 4:10), Paul tells us that Demas had deserted him for “the loves of the world”.

What happened to Demas?

Whatever the particulars, it appears that Demas behaved in a shortsighted-world-embracing manner. Evidently, he refused to apply himself to the consistent use of scriptural truths (Heb. 5:14) and instead chose to adhere to more elementary teachings. In turn, this choice caused him to remain spiritually immature, and consequently, fall for the “loves of the world”. (Heb. 5:6 “parapipto” means to fall away, slip away, wander; deviate from the true faith, the worship of Jehovah)

Although he knew better, Demas allowed the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of riches and desires for other things choke the Word (Mk. 4:19). ~What is this called? Change the “e” to a “u” in Dem as and you’ll have a spiritual lesson.

Our God is FAITHFUL, may we not grow weary!

“He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just.

A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.” Deut. 32:4

Just this week our faithful Lord chose to answer two unrelated prayers, a 21-year-old prayer and a 29-year-old prayer, both answered within 24 hours of one another! Just like with Daniel in Dan. 10:12, God seems to be saying, “Since the first day that you Cleary’s set your minds to gain understanding and to humble yourselves before our God, your words were heard.”

“Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies!

For I have always been mindful of Your unfailing love

And have lived in reliance on Your faithfulness.” (Ps. 36:5; Ps. 26:3)

Oh that we each remain faithful to Him in the troubled days that lie ahead.

Vibrantly alive in Him this week,

Much love, ~Shaun and Betsy

Gumby Flexibility 9-24-13

“…Go to the place the LORD your God has chosen.” Deut. 14:25

God arranges and utilizes tailor-made scenarios’ to get our backsides out of “the familiar”, and out of our “precious routines”.

Generally speaking, just as we are feeling like we’ve mastered a particular arena of life, God breaks us out of the area where which we’ve become a bit too comfy.

Why?

To stretch and grow us, to mature us into His likeness; to keep us humble, dependent upon His strength and wisdom; to keep us agile and alert, attentive to His voice; to train us up, to develop spiritual muscle, fortitude and character; to keep us productive and able to relate effectively with others all the days of our lives, instead of becoming stagnant, old, and/or self-absorbed.

In under a year, we Cleary’s are facing “empty-nest”. After 25 years of having kids roaming the floors of our home, God is moving us onward to another chapter. What could be a depressing time for many couples (mid-life issues, male/female hormonal changes, etc. all hit around the same time as the kids leave), KNOWING that God is in complete control of our lives is exhilarating! ~Since the day we came to know Him personally, the Lord has always packed our lives with fulfilling purpose. So as we continue to follow His lead, we fully expect His exciting purposes for us in the future.

Yes, God breaks us out of what we are comfortable with and moves us into “trial places of surrender”. ~Our Lord is after relationship. He is preparing His bride (us) for “forever” in paradise. From breathing life into Adam to the wedding supper of the Lamb (Genesis to Revelation), the Bible is about our Lord preparing a glorious bride for Himself.

So today, are any of you feeling like Gumby, stretched out to a near breaking point? Either God is trying to teach each of us eternal lessons through keeping us flexible and dependent upon Him, or He’s making us so uncomfortable, we’ll choose to wholeheartedly come back to Him and prioritize our lives accordingly.

His loving pursuit never ceases.

“Surely Your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.” Ps.23:6

May we embrace the challenge He is allowing in our lives this week.

Much love, ~Shaun and Betsy

Don't Be a "Dem as" 9-10-13

“Hear the Word, accept it, and bear fruit.” 
Mk. 4:20

Demas allowed the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches and desires for other things choke the Word (2 Tim. 4:10; Mar. 4:19). ~Let's not be akin to Demas and leave our first love for this captivating seductress.

May we not only hear the Word, but also truly accept it.

“Accept” meaning to acknowledge God’s words as our own, to take them upon our self, to receive God’s words as they are, not some twisted version to fit our fancies.

How about we explore a present day example:  The “twisted version-ing” of genuine love:

Most people agree, and time and history have proven that loving a child through permissive parenting doesn’t produce the most favorable teenager. True. But why? The bottom line: Permissive, tolerant, accommodating “love” isn’t TRUE LOVE at all,
and the teenager knows it!

True love embraces what is BEST for another, what’s actually in this child’s BEST interest, and not necessarily what “the child feels is best”.

~If a parent truly loves their child, the parent will NOT let little Johnny

do anything he wants, when he wants, how he wants and with whom he wants.

Makes sense, right?  ~Then why should genuine love be any different for adults (two year olds in grown up bodies)?

In today’s culture, many adults believe we should be embraced, even applauded, for doing what we want, when we want, how we want and with whom we want. And if someone questions our intent or actions, we scream “judge/terrorist/bigot/hater!” and demand our “rights”.

If this were a 2 year old, what would you call him? Uh-huh, exactly.

Interesting. Our culture demands that we don’t care about what’s in the best interest of another, merely that we embrace whatever feels best at the time for another, regardless of founded future costs and pain produced.

Well, contrary to societal standards, if you see Shaun or Betsy flirting with a captivating seductress, PLEASE speak up!  We do NOT desire to be “a Dem as”.

I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea.

They sang: “Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the One sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.” Rev. 5:13

Blessing and honor and glory and power are His, no one else’s. Jesus pours out unfathomable blessings to us as we live our lives to His glory …may this be our foundational reality this week.

Much love, ~Shaun and Betsy