Joy Amidst Heartache? 3-4-13

“Let me have joy of thee in the Lord:

Refresh my bowels in the Lord.” Phm. 1:20

Question: Does circumstance dictate joy in ones bowels? (“bowels”: the seat of our passions)

Let’s explore a couple real life examples: 

• Tami and Larry lost their jobs recently. The loss of income, identity and validation is real, but the responses differ. One experiences deep-seated joy amidst his/her grieving while another person is driven to cavernous depression. Why?
• The Smith’s and Garcia’s have both lost a child. Loss of precious life and indescribable heartache are very real, but individual responses differ. One family experiences deep-seated joy amidst their mourning and the other family is succumbing to gaping despair. Why? 
• This weekend Shaun called 911 and saved a woman who had taken a “cocktail of drugs and tequila” and became unconscious in a resort hot tub. ~What kind of internal hopelessness drove a married woman to desire to “check out of life”?
• Today, friends in Nigeria are experiencing unimaginable persecution, yet despite excessive maltreatment, possess bona fide joy. Why?

Regular people experiencing tragedies of this life…some testify to joy amidst their mourning and others are driven to very dark spaces. Why?

God tells us that true joy is tied to vibrant relationship with Him and is not dependent on circumstance. And when true joy becomes dependent on someone/something other than the Father of Hope Himself, trust and thankfulness in our Creator take a back seat, joy becomes merely a conditional feeling, and internal darkness is inevitable. (Rom. 1:25)

Said differently: Joylessness occurs when we lose someone or something that we’ve worshipped…when we lose someone or something that’s become our idol, our “god”. (E.g.: a mother whose “life has been her kids” and they “leave the nest”; or a husband whose life has been his job and is forced into early retirement; or and elite athlete that has dedicated his/her life to a particular sport and now, ages out; etc.)

“Honor God by honoring what He says is important to Him…

Then, you will find your joy in the Lord.” Is. 59:13-14

Amen.

Trusting God with a thankful heart amidst the difficulties this week,  

Much love, ~Shaun and Betsy

"Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice,

And no one will take your joy away from you. Jn. 16:22

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

Grand Larceny 1-28-13

Understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also be ready,

 for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."

Lk. 12:39-40

One night last week, Shaun’s dad pulled his car to a stop in a neighborhood near his home. Two men abruptly jumped out, one man hit and rolled off the car while the other screamed, “YOU hit my friend!” … Frightening minutes followed, life was threatened, but thankfully in the end, the only thing stolen was cash. (Police have are still in search of the perpetrators.)

Frightening.

Certainly, this incident has been a “wake up call” for our family, making us alert and prepared should something like this occur again. But more profound, this incident has heightened our awareness to something much more far-reaching: Uncompromising preparation for our Lord’s eminent return.

God tells us that the day of the Lord's return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 1 Thess. 5:2

Jesus goes on to say, “When people are saying, ‘Everything is peaceful and secure,’ then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape.” (1Thess. 2-11)

Terrifying. (~That is, if one does not know Jesus.)

For those of us who do know Jesus, our Lord goes on to encourage and ready His kids by saying: “But you are NOT in the dark about these things, and you will NOT be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief! For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. …So be on your guard, not asleep like the others; stay alert and be clearheaded.” 1 Thess. 5:3-8

Weird stuff is happening all around us…and it’s increasing in frequency and intensity (labor pains).

Are we readying ourselves? Or are we going to fall victim to “the ultimate” in grand larceny, and allow the devil to steal our eternal soul?

Big hugs, as we together draw closer to Him, choosing to care about what HE cares about.  

xo ~Shaun and Betsy      

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