Is He a Christian? 2-21-12

“These people honor Me with their lips,

but their hearts are far from Me.” Matt. 15:8

Am I wearing out God with my complacent, self-serving heart or misguided heart, serving Him out of ritual or political maneuvering versus wholehearted devotion?

It’s a political year, and in the daily news we hear people of prominence and/or questionable integrity claiming to be Christians.

What is a real Christian?

Simplistic answer: Someone who believes in and follows Christ.

Longer answer: Someone who believes in and follows what Christ says about Himself in His Word…not one’s misguided perception (or church tradition) about what Christ says about Himself.

How to become a real Christian?

We have a choice.

When our perceptions don’t line up with what God says in Scripture, we can choose to cling to our misguided perceptions and justify our thoughts, words and actions, OR

We can choose to forgo our feelings and implement a paradigm shift in accordance with what God says about Himself.  Then, with the help of the Spirit within us, our thoughts, words and actions will begin to align to those of our God. (Jn. 16:13-15; Is. 28:22-23,26,29)

Cling to and justify falsehood    VS    Relinquish and implement Truth

This week, let’s determine to “get intimate” with the Jesus of the Bible.  “Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.” Lam. 3:23.

Much love,  ~Shaun and Betsy

Authentic Love 2-14-12

“…if I didn't love others, I would be of no value whatsoever.” 1 Cor. 13:3b

Below is a lesson to us from the Author of Love Himself (with some practical application). Today, on this Valentine's Day, we pray you sense the warmth of His loving embrace. 

Love is patient: 
Even though I may be eager to have my needs met and my dreams fulfilled, 
I won't demand instant satisfaction from God or people. 
And with God's strength, I will persevere through misfortunes, troubles, offenses and heartache.

Love is kind:  
I will endeavor to see people and circumstances in my life through God's eyes, 
and not according to what is "presented" or according to my personal perceptions. 
Then I will chose to allow His love to charitably guide my interactions.

Love does not envy: 
I will choose to find my security and my identity in God.

Love does not boast and is not proud: 
I recognize that all my talents and successes in this life are gifts from God, 
and are not for me to claim for myself.

Love is not rude or self-seeking: 
I will endeavor to give others the same consideration, courtesy, respect and attention that I would give 
to an honored guest, and regard another's needs as important as my own.

Love is not easily angered: 
I will trust God, knowing that He is in complete control of all circumstances, 
and that He will give me discernment, peace and self-control in tricky contentious situations.

Love keeps no record of wrongs: 
When I have been hurt or wronged, I will choose to forgive 
and move on without keeping score, whilst guarding my heart.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth: 
I will daily ask God to break my heart with what breaks His, 
and to give me joy in the things that give Him joy.

Love always protects: 
I will keep to myself minor errors and faults of others.

Love always trusts: 
I understand that people will fail me, but God is ALWAYS faithful, 
and I will choose to entrust myself to Him.

Love always hopes: 
As I daily draw near to God, I will ask Him to infuse me with 
the knowledge of His promises, 
and then with full confidence, I will choose to trust Him at His Word.

Love always perseveres: 
With Jesus as my ROCK, in life’s difficulties I will live in His strength 
and not my own, and I will choose to bravely and calmly bear ill treatments.

Love never fails: 
God is always here for me. 
He sees all, is intimately acquainted with all my wayward thoughts and motivations, 
Knowing all this, He chose to die for me, so that He can live eternally with me. 
How priceless is His unfailing love! Ps.36:7

Loving like this is a tall order and a seemingly impossible task at times. 
But rather than feeling defeated from the start, we're wise to remember this: when God instructs, 
He ALWAYS equips!

Much love you, our friends, this Valentine's Day!  ~Shaun and Betsy                                

Living Courageous 2-6-12

"Be strong and courageous, and do the work.” 
1 Chr. 28:20

Courage in its simplest form: Wholeheartedly “be” and “do” what God has called us to “be and do”, moment-to-moment, and never quit.

Courage starts at home, and then moves out from there.

(Illustration: We are courageous to fly to foreign soil to aid the downtrodden, oppressed, exploited, handicapped, and ill. We must be equally vigilant not to fail to lend a helping hand and an understanding ear to these same folks in our own lives.)

Choosing to reside in and live out His courageous love this week,

Shaun and Betsy

Blindsided? 1-30-12

“Destined for trials” 1Th. 3:3

1 Th. 3:3 tells us that we are “destined for trials”.

Jn. 16:33 tells us that here on earth we will have many trials and sorrows.

Rom. 8:28 promises us that God “works all things for good”.

Question: How do we appropriate Rom. 8:28 when the bottom drops out of our life?

How do we put this promise into practice when stuff happens or circumstances blindside us that we never imagined could occur?

Appropriation depends on

our relational intimacy with Jesus and the definition of good.

If we define “good” to refer to things turning out enjoyable, comfortable or fun, we’re revealing 1) that we don’t know Jesus very well and 2) we will be hard-pressed to apply His definition of “good” to our circumstances.

But if we learn to avail ourselves wholeheartedly to God, when He divinely permits a trial to assail our life, He:  

•  conforms and transforms us from within,
• makes something beautiful of our muddle, 
• and our life becomes a glorious romance novel power-packed with adventure.

We’re signing up for His way, will you join us?

Much love,

Shaun and Betsy

Do I Really Want to Get Well? 1-23-12

"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked. "My rabbi," the blind man said, "I want to see!" Mk. 10:51

“‘If you are willing, You can heal me and make me clean.’ Jesus reached out and touched him. ‘I am willing,’ He said. ‘Be healed!” Matt. 8:2-3

Perhaps you are standing in the way of your own healing. Have you ever asked yourself, "Do I really want to get well?"

Facts are, there are people who really don't want to get well. Sometimes people actually get addicted to their troubles. They’ve grown accustomed to mayhem (past or present) and it’s become part of their identity, their makeup.

At the end of the day, deep down, some people simply don't want to move past their pasts. ~~And of course, there are others who have been hurt so many times, they don't think they can face the pain of another letdown…so they reject the Author of Hope and the freedom He brings so that they won't be disappointed.

Therapy and constructive thinking can only go so far, the key to true and lasting healing and freedom is ONLY found in Christ.

There is POWER in His Word. And to be an overcomer in this life of obstacles, fears and doubts, we must daily choose to be in God’s Word, then take a stand and act on His words of truth, instead of allowing our minds and emotions direct us.

(Remember though, that renewing and aligning our minds in Christ is a process, so let’s not get discouraged and quit when we experience bad moments or brief setbacks.)

This week, let’s determine not to waste any more of our valuable time wallowing in self-pity over things we cannot change. Let’s promise ourselves that we'll stop using our difficulty as a crutch in our lives, and instead, choose to draw close to Jesus moment by moment. “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.” Phil. 3:13

May God bless us!

Shaun and Betsy

What To Do With Slander 1-17-12

“A troublemaker plants seeds of strife.” Prv. 16:28

A troublemaker plants seeds of strife and goes around telling secrets, which in reality, often reveals more about this person’s poor character than the person they are cutting on. Think on this a moment…It’s true, huh?

Politics aside, if someone has spread a “partial-truth-mostly-lie” about us in an attempt to discredit our character, what are we to do?

If we immediately run to our own defense, our defensive posturing generally validates their smear campaign.

The best thing to do is to draw near to God and in love, apologize when prompted (and perhaps distance our self from the chatterer; no enabling). Then humbly and joyfully walk step by step as He leads, recognizing that this life is a daily process of being remade by the operative grace of Jesus.

Over time, those who come into contact with us will see truth from lie for themselves.

Let’s remember Jesus’ words: "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.” Jn. 15:18-19

Pro 20:19

A gossip goes around telling secrets; so don't hang around with chatterers.

Pro 17:4

Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander.

Walking with Him this week,

Shaun and Betsy

Good stuff at the end! 1-9-12

"But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared

in all the earth.” Ex. 9:16

When God calls us to do something difficult, it’s not without intention or purpose. And it’s not just because He’s being bossy or is bored, in need of entertainment. No, when God calls us to do something difficult, there is always something GOOD at the end waiting for us, and there is divine purpose at the root.

Referring to Ex. 9:16 above, God exclaims that He has great purpose in what He was asking Moses to do. (Remember, Moses wasn’t all that excited at the assignment God had him doing!) Yet he sensed God’s call, and was obedient (well, on most occasions) to this divine mission … even though it did NOT feel all that “divine” much of the time.

Our particular assignment from God may not be of “Moses magnitude”, but let us not be fooled into thinking that it is any less significant to our Lord.

God tells each one of us, “Indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, your name, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.”

God is in the business of transforming and conforming us into His own image as His Spirit lives through us, bringing others to Himself and bringing His divine purposes to fruition through our unique lives.

May we live to Him and choose not be fooled by the worlds enticements this year!

Much love,

Shaun and Betsy