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

Seek Understanding, Time is Short 12-10-12

“God reconciled us to Himself through Christ

And gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Cor. 5:18

What is the “ministry of reconciliation”? The dictionary describes reconciliation as “an adjustment of a difference; restoration to favor; atonement”. So, the ministry of reconciliation effectively means “to put our faith into action by seeking to habitually restore relational damage”.

Personal example: (Preface: Jesus must be coming soon or we Cleary’s are “going Home” soon, because these kind of events don’t “simply occur”, they’re “God orchestrated”.)

Within a ONE-week timeframe 5 individuals, who reside near and FAR, have “popped” back into our life. What was their common thread? An unresolved relational issue. What transpired? Each of the 5 separate relationships has miraculously been restored to a position of forgiveness and much understanding.

Jesus tells us this, “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” Matt. 5:23-24

Yes, Jesus tells us to do a lot of difficult things. But in the heat of the moment, when push comes to shove, what might make us want to do the “it” in our own life the way Jesus advises? The primary motivation for us these days is His soon and coming return as Matthew 24 forewarns.

World events are indeed “cooking up” rapidly. From global physical calamities (like hurricanes, earthquakes and predicted astronomical cataclysmic events), to our vast moral decay (like the entertainment industry’s unquenchable quest for lust, or aggressive public demands for specific “rights” that God condemns; or lies and deceit being honored in our highest offices), to the rise of hatred towards Israel by all nations (like the latest UN vote to split Israel and surrounding nations committed to her annihilation; or Russia supplying Iran who in turn supplies Gaza, etc.); to recent strides towards one world government (like numerous current UN sanctions designed to strip all countries of self-governance akin to taking over the internet, etc.); to strides towards one world religion (like Islamic predictions that the Mahdi will return within the year and bring the “peace of Islam” to all nations which they believe will be brought about by worldwide chaos, created by worldwide jihad); etc., etc. (For more in-depth info. study Gen. 10 with Ezek. 37-39; Dan. 11; Ps. 83; Matt. 24 with 1Thess. 4-5, 1Tim. 4; 2 Tim. 3-4; and Rev. 17-22)

It’s time to get our lives in order. God has given us the “end of days road map”, laying out detailed “signs” over and over and over again in His Word. He deeply desires us to know these signs and then to order our lives accordingly.

We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Cor. 5:20

With the things of God, may we choose not be apathetic or complacent this week!

Much love,  ~Shaun and Betsy

Say NO to Eeyore 12-3-12

“All these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God.” Deut. 28:2

Many Believers live their daily lives with the demeanor of a worn out donkey. Like Eeyore in “Winnie the Pooh”, these folks let out long sighs and constantly complain about the heaviness of their unique burdens.

To be around these kind of Believer’s can be exhausting. Plus, let’s not belittle the fact that these people are defaming of God’s Name to all onlookers.

~So why would we ever permit ourselves to be one of them?

Personal example:

One of our kids experienced a rather large disappointment recently. Although he was “human” in his initial reaction, he quickly realized that a lot of people were eyeing him (and his response). So amidst the adversity, with the maturity of someone twice his age, he surmised the equation:

He had elected to “live his faith out-loud”,

 So, the manner to which he behaved directly reflected the way people view his God.

He realized that choosing to behave in obedience to God does not “just happen” and therefore must be purposefully and intentionally implemented.

What did he do next?

In a very practical manner and despite his feelings, he chose to “praise God for the privilege of being called by His Name, to put off his old self (his down-trodden mind-set), and to be made new in the attitude of his mind.” (1 Pet. 4:16; Eph. 4:22-23)

What followed?

Astounding blessings from heaven flowed into his life.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. Eph. 1:3

This week let’s choose to live in a manner that speaks to the position we have in Christ…a blessed Royal Heir to the King of Kings!

He is coming for us soon,

Much love,

Shaun and Betsy

Alert and on Watch 11-19-12

STAY ALERT! KEEP WATCH!

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the Spirit is willing, but the body is weak! Matt. 26:41

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Pet. 5:8

So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.

1 Thess. 5:6

Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. 1Tim. 4:16

Keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. Matt. 24:42

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. Col. 4:2

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.

Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Eph. 6:18

“God hears the prayers of the righteous.” Prv. 15:29

All around us we are seeing people we care for being sideswiped by the devil’s tactics.

Oh that we may be humble enough and wise enough to ask for prayer, and diligent enough to hold up others in prayer, as we live alert and in watch for God’s eminent return.

Matt. 24 is upon us.

In Him,

Shaun and Betsy

Warning 11-12-12

“The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. 
He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, 
but everyone to come to repentance.” 2Pet. 3:9

God needs His kids to understand this truth: We are the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one group 1) we are the smell of death and to the other group, 2) the fragrance of life. (2 Cor. 15-16)

Living for Jesus will produce two “aromas” for recipient noses: fragrant and pleasing OR pungent and rotting. Have you noticed?

2 Thess. 2:10-11 tells us that one day, people will perish because they will refuse to love the Truth and so be saved. (To these folks, Christ’s aroma will be pungent and rotting.) And for this reason, God will send them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.

Does this sound familiar? ~This scenario has occurred a number of times in the past and will occur again. Rom. 1:25-28 tells us, “They exchanged the Truth for the lie and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator… Since they didn’t think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind to do what ought not be done.” (Interesting study: examine what God means by “depraved mind”.)

One day, the deception will turn into a “full-blown” falsehood as men fully embrace the lie and will then attempt to make living for Almighty God illegal (dead).

Recall these forewarnings in Scripture:

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 1Tim. 4:1-2

 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth. Many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

2 Tim. 4:3-4; Matt. 24: 10-13

 If true believers look at it through temporal lenses, this news can appear to be a real downer. But if we “see” through God’s eternal filter, this news is rather exciting in light of His eminent return.

Until then, God beseeches us to LOVE others, live a holy life, teach the Word, to be constantly prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks us to give the reason for the hope that we have; to correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction… And if we should suffer for what is right, we are blessed and need not fear.

(1Jn. 4:11-12; 1Thess. 4:7; 2Tim. 4:2; 1Pet. 3:13-17)

Living out loud for Him,

Shaun and Betsy