Eagerly Awaiting 4-11-13

These days, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.

But our citizenship is in heaven.

And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. Phil. 3:18-21

What are some of the qualities produced when we genuinely “live with the expectancy of Christ imminent return”?

Development of a sense of self-examination and a commitment to “training”, where then the indwelling Spirit refines our character and transforms us into His image

Development and refinement of our unique “calling”, so we more effectively serve Him, plus realize a higher level of personal fulfillment

Development of a yearning for intimacy with Christ, where He then keeps our hopes vibrant and our spirits lifted

Development of dependence on the Spirit in us (versus dependence our own strength, intellect or feelings), generating freedom, joy and rich blessing

Development of inward groaning concerning sin and a yearning for our eternal home

Development of a sense of urgency to “get our house in order” and share Jesus’ love and truth with others

Development of genuine love to aide a loved-starved world (LOVE bred from the Spirit within and not our limited nature)

That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. 1Tim. 4:10

May we in everything set an example by doing what is good. In our teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose us may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Titus 2:7-8

He is coming for us soon.

Shaun and Betsy

Clinging...to What? 4-1-13

“I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses”

2 Cor. 12:5

God makes us a powerful promise when He says, in 2 Cor. 2:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.”

~But what does this promise connote and how does it play out in our daily lives?

Looking up the meaning of this verse, we discover that His kids are actually possessed by His unfailing strength, unmerited favor, goodwill and kindness.  … ~We are actually possessed by His personal attributes when we make the choice to revere and adore God in our moment-to-moment life choices.

Further, this unfailing strength (His resources and ability, power for performing miracles, moral power, influencing power, and excellence of soul) is performed and accomplished when we are weak in ourselves, and strong in the Lord.    …

~“Weakness” resulting not only from infirmities/illnesses, but also, weakness in bearing trials/troubles, weakness in restraining corrupt desires, weakness in gaining understanding, and weakness for doing great and glorious things in this life.

This Easter week has challenged each of us Cleary’s in differing areas of weakness as we ventured in different corners of the USA. Choosing to cling to Him and not our own notions, we praise our Lord’s faithfulness in bringing forth unexplainable joy, peace and understanding into our diverse situations.

This is motivating. As we begin to truly understand the nature of God’s grace and power in our lives, and recognize what necessitates their ignition, we too join Paul and say, “I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses”.

But it’s a difficult battle. Our world system places her confidence in powers other than God Almighty, and demands we do likewise.

So the question for us this week is this:

Is my source of strength today GOD in me or ME in me?

(MY feelings, MY intellect, MY courage, MY might)

In this together,

Much love,

Shaun and Betsy

True Satisfaction 3-18-13

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” Phil. 2:13

The avenue to abundant life is a matter of will: We have God’s will, we have Satan’s will, but at the end of the day, we do as we will…       

     

Oh, may it be aligned with the heartbeat of God.

May we ask God to help us accept His Word, to turn our ear to His wisdom and to apply our heart to understanding what is important to Him...and not this world.

May we understand the Lord’s will, be very careful how we live, and make the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 

And may our love abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that we may be able to discern what is best and understand what really matters, enabling us to live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return.

(Eph. 5:15-17; Prv. 2:1-11; Phil. 1:9-10)

Our prayer this week is to find satisfaction in Christ alone, the true Source of LIFE.

Much love,

Shaun and Betsy

Astrology Sealed Fate? 3-11-13

“For their sake he remembered His covenant, and relented according to the abundance of His steadfast love.” Ps. 106:45

Since ancient times, keen observers of the sky have endeavored to make sense of the heavens. Today, psychic readings, horoscopes, tarot cards, and other forms of astrology play an increasingly significant role in people’s belief structures.

Is there any truth in such things? God says yes…

The heavens declare the glory of God and His righteousness. The skies proclaim the work of His hands. He has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all. God sits enthroned above the circle of the earth and stretches out the heavens like a canopy. He made two great lights (sun and moon)—He also made the stars.

(Ps. 19:1; Ps. 97:6; Is. 40:21-22; Ps. 103:19; Gen. 1:16)

(**But the Lord cautions us not “to dabble”. ~Deut.18: 9-13; 1 Sam. 28:6-7; 17-18)

Recently, we’ve become friends with a special Jewish couple, a couple which embraces astrology as vital truth to their daily living. (~Yes, tricky waters for us!) As we lean on God to navigate our interaction with these beautiful people, it has been astounding how God continues to reveal His glory in ways they can see.

One of the areas of “break through” is God relenting from a planned calamity.

Jonah prayed and God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways,

He relented and did not bring on them the destruction He had threatened.” Jon. 3:10

Moses prayed and the Lord relented and did not bring on His people the disaster He had threatened. Ex. 32:14

Amos prayed and the Lord relented. Amos 7:3

This couple firmly believed that a one could not alter ones destiny. Yet as they have grown to trust us, have been shown what the Bible says about the power of prayer and the Holy Spirit, have observed our prayers ‘in action’, and have witnessed particular ‘destiny’s altered’, they’re now personally praying to Yahweh!

(~Please join us in prayer for their understanding of His Son, Jesus. xo)

Each of us does has a destiny designed by God’s hand. (Eph. 2:10) But our fate is not sealed in astrological forecasts. ~The Holy Spirit seals our fate and our destiny is realized as we wholeheartedly turn to the LORD and obediently follow His promptings…for He is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish. (Eph. 4:30; Joel 2:13; Ps. 128:1; Zech. 3:7)

He’s coming very soon.

Much love this week as we “live out loud” for His glory,  ~Shaun and Betsy

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