Witch to Christ 7-1-13

"How long will you hand down unjust decisions by favoring the wicked?” Ps. 82:2

“Yes, truth is gone, and anyone who renounces evil is attacked.

The LORD looked and was displeased to find there was no justice.”

Is. 59:15

The deception is upon us. (2 Thess. 2: 11-12)

In a culture that embraces and honors relativism, there is this absolute: Jn. 3:16-21

“God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him. There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him. But anyone who does not believe in Him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the Light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the Light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.”

A friend who is searching for God recently wrote us this:

“I've always believe there is truth in All religions and that spiritual contentment,

in whatever form, is whatever feeds our soul.”

In this particular situation, our response had to be short and to the point.

We answered:

“There is truth in all religions. This is because there is only ONE God; the devil knows this fact, and so he mixes truth with lie, making "it" palatable to the human psyche. ~Just as the devil deceived Eve by slightly misquoting God causing her to question God (Genesis 3), he continues to use partial truths to deceive man today. There are only 2 religions: man reaching to God and God reaching to man.

Jesus says, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me.’” (Jn. 4: 6)

This week, after a more lengthy discussion, we were privileged to lead

this person, a present-day witch, to Christ's joyous freedom. Praise You Jesus!

The deception is upon us. “With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching. … May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.” 2 Thess. 2: 11-17

May God bless and protect us as we “live and love” this week.  ~Shaun and Betsy

Is Everything Negotiable? 6-24-13

“You are in error because you don’t know the Scriptures or the power of God.”  Matt. 22:29

The Bible is full of black, white and grey areas (the plumb line to a blessed LIFE here and eternity). If we truly seek truth and the power of God, then we’re prudent NOT to do the blacks, to DO the whites, and to use great discernment with the greys.

The tragic flaw in society today is there is no plumb line, everything is negotiable, and the term “love” is a cheap imitation of the real thing. (E.g.: If we allow our child to do anything he or she wants anytime he or she wants, any way he or she wants, is this real love? Some would argue yes...but what’s evidenced in real life results?)

We propose this: If I call something that is not loving, loving, I do a disservice to my affected friend(s)… And in reality, I’m not truly loving this other(s) at all.

Example of biblical love in action:

When Shaun and Betsy were dating, an unwed couple came to us for advice.

They were pregnant; she wanted to abort the baby, he wanted to keep the baby. After she left our get-together, this “manly man” was moved to a lake of tears. In between sobs, he described himself as a Believer who had “saved himself”… until “this once”, and now… he had a baby on the way. Then he proceeded to explain his torment and tears:

He was “a surprise pregnancy that was kept”, then raised alone by his teenage mom. His very life was a miracle. …And now, his girlfriend was facing the same decision his mom did, but his girlfriend was about to make a dreadfully different choice.

Shaun and Betsy’s response? We loved them before, and we loved them after, but during the abortion and few days following, we could not “love on” the girl the way she sought to be loved on. ~She wanted us to agree with and support her decision. We could not. But this did NOT mean that we did not love her.

Proof of genuine love?  She was a bridesmaid in our wedding party, and a couple years later, Betsy was one of her bridesmaids.

Oh may we remember, “It is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” (2Cor. 10:18) May we be continually alert, for just as Eve was deceived (Gen. 3), our minds may too be corrupted or led astray from the simplicity that is in Christ to “what’s politically popular” today. (Eph. 6:18; 1Pet. 5:8; 2 Cor. 11:3).

May we be found like Daniel who although he lived and loved others amidst a pagan society, he resolved not to defile himself with their ways or their philosophies. (Dan. 1:8) Why does this matter? Because God tells us that this is how it will be at the end of the age when the angels come and separate the wicked from the righteous. (Matt. 13:49)

Living for Him this crazy week. Much love, ~Shaun and Betsy

Loving and Living Boldly in Jesus 6-17-13

The LORD says, "I will rescue those who love Me.

I will protect those who trust in My Name. When they call on Me,

 I will answer; I will be with them in trouble.

 I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life

and give them My salvation." Ps. 91:14-16

This world is so very full of angst and anxiety…and so unnecessarily!

Uncertainty is part of the reality of this fallen world, yet our response to this uncertainty need not be fear, worry or an anxious heart.

If we truly believe and trust in Jesus and His promises to us, then we will own a radically different response to unavoidable adversities in life. Whether it be facing a deadly enemy, trying to “make the team” or “pass the test”, uncertainty about ability to pay the rent, a predicament with a loved one, or a cataclysmic event,

Jesus commands us not to fret…not be anxious about anything. (Phil. 4:6)

How are we doing?

Despite the storms in life, Jesus tells us be of good cheer (Mk. 6:50)

How’s it going with this one?

If we truly trust Jesus, then we can rejoice in the confidence that our Heavenly Daddy ever looks upon us and personally confronts each of our uncertainties. (Ps. 91:14-16)

Remember, God’s joy is based on His character, His hope, and His promise, through His Spirit living in us, not our human emotion.

Is our behavior reflecting trust or distrust?

God views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. Jb. 28:24

Rest assured, as our world grows darker and darker, nothing is catching God off-guard.

So when tempted to worry, allow the Spirit to govern your mind,

and experience life and peace. Rom. 8:6

Loving and living boldly in Jesus this week, He is so worthy.

Shaun and Betsy

Overcome Evil with Good 6-3-13

“Rend your heart.” Joel 2:13

A year from now, our youngest leaves for college. In some ways, because of her maturity, it seems she’s moving onward tomorrow, which makes the whole process feel like a big bandage slowly being pulled off hair by hair. ~Even though we parents recognize this progression as healthy and necessary, at times we want to say, “Enough already, we know what’s coming, just pull it off in one tug!”

This is a similar sentiment so many of us are experiencing with our beloved USA. We’ve cherished “our God-centered nation”, and unlike our budding daughter, she’s disastrously being altered; an evolution that is neither healthy nor necessary.

God has clearly articulated what is going to ensue on the world’s stage in the final days. **Physically, morally and spiritually, all is happening according to plan (e.g.: Is.17; Ps. 83; Matt. 24). **The birth pains are getting closer together and more intense. **We’re fast approaching similarities of Hosea’s day, where, “There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land. There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds.” Hs. 4:1-2

Amidst the pain of “this” bandage being pulled off hair by hair, many Believers are saying, “Enough already, we know what’s coming, just pull it off in one tug!”

But God says...  “To every thing there is a season,

 And a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Eccl. 3:1

So, let’s take comfort knowing that God is batting 1000, meaning:

To date, God has a PERFECT prophetic record and He’s in COMPLETE control.

What to do when overwhelmed? God gives us this advice:

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Rom. 12:21

“Good” meaning that which is upright, honorable, excellent, joyful, pleasant, of good constitution or nature (e.g.: Abide in Jesus, then, in what could appear “internal and external righteous rebellion”, obey Jesus. In love, stand against this world’s life-sucking philosophies, powers, and propaganda).

For, similar to an age gone by, God says:  

“Idols are worthless; they are ridiculous lies!

On the Day of Reckoning they will all be destroyed…God is no idol!

He is the Creator of everything that exists, including Israel, His own special possession.

The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is His name!

…Pack your bags and prepare to leave; the siege is about to begin.” Jer. 10:15-17

He’s coming for us soon. May we rend our hearts today!

Much love, ~Shaun and Betsy

Shaun's 27th anniversary "card" to Betsy 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKenanbhCgY

Lesson From a Son 5-28-13

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." Rev. 21:4

Have you ever wrestled with God over the death of a loved one? (Person or pet?)

"How come God makes people die?”… A question posed to one of our sons recently. Below is our son’s abbreviated answer:

“I'm very sorry to hear your aunt died. I can't tell you all the reasons why it happened. I do know that God promises that He is near to those who are hurting (Ps. 34:8). He cares very much about your pain. He knows all about what you are going through; it hurts Him, too….

The world is broken, and it's our fault, not God's:  God is good.

…The Bible says that God made people in His image and told them to take care of the world and each other. …God is life. He gives life to everything, and apart from Him, there is no life.

~What would happen if I decided that a rose bush didn't need water, tore it up by the roots, and left it to grow on the sidewalk? It would die.

And why should I be surprised?

 I took away the things it needed to live.

 That's what sin does to us; it separates us from God. …The Bible says we all have sinned, that we've all gone our own way, either actively rebelling against God or simply not caring (Rom. 3:23). We don't want God to be our King; we want to rule ourselves.

In reality, sin rules us, and sin always leads to death (Rom. 6:23). ~And it's not just death here; after we die, we either go to live with God forever, or are separated from Him forever. (“Hell”: a place we are totally isolated, cut off from God and everything that makes life good.)

God wants to give us life:

But God doesn't leave us in this desperate state. Even though we all turned against Him, He still loves us, and He doesn’t want us to die. He knows that no matter how hard we try to be good, it isn’t enough. …Jn. 3:16 says, "For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life."

God sent His own Son, Jesus, down to Earth to die and save us from sin and death.

~Jesus lived the perfect life that none of us could, then took the punishment that we deserved. He died on the cross so that sin wouldn't stand between the Father and us anymore.

He showed us once and for all how much He dearly loves us,

and willingly paid the highest price to save us, His own blood.

And here's the really good news. Jesus didn't stay dead. After being dead for three days, Jesus rose again. And He offers His life to anyone who wants it. …Now, everybody has to make a choice. Do we accept Jesus' free gift, or choose to live life our own way?

But remember, even though Jesus came to save us from our sins, the world is still broken, and we lose loved ones to death … However, the Bible says that in the end, God will come to set things right, and there won't be anymore death or mourning or crying or pain for those who belong to Jesus. Rev. 21:4”

We pray this message of hope and life speaks to your heart. Death is tough; we just put down one of our pets last week and are still feeling the sting.

Living in Him; come Lord Jesus!   Much love this week,  ~Shaun and Betsy

Tutored by the Kids 5-20-13

“Fix these words of Mine in your hearts and minds… Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”    Deut. 8:18-20

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old,

he will not depart from it.” Prv. 22:6

These days, what joy and blessing we (as parents) repeatedly receive from our adult sons as they personally experience the truth of God’s promise in Ps. 24:14:  

“The Lord confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them.”

One profound yet brief example we’re honored to share with you is the finding from one of our son’s recent discoveries. (Although he’s not the only researcher to have mined this treasure, the Spirit revealed Truth to him as if he were the first. ~The same assurance God promises all who wholeheartedly search for Truth.)

• Utilizing research from 4 sources, our son studied the names of men cited in Genesis 5 and Lk. 3: 34-38         
• Next, he recorded these name definitions in sequential order.
•  His discovery: the names themselves tell the Gospel message.  What a God!

We thought we’d share this Genesis 5 Gospel message with you:

“Man (Adam) acquires (Cain) breath (Abel), and is appointed (Seth) mortality and sickness (Enosh). The Possessor, Purchaser, Blessed God (Cainan/Mahalalel), will descend (Jared), being dedicated to bring His death (Enoch and Methuselah). He will be made poor and low (Lamech). He will bring comfort, repose and consolation (Noah) to His people. His name will be renown (Shem), a “Healer, a Releaser” (Aphaxad) and “Purchaser” (Cainan). With outstretched arms (Shelah), He will pass across the great two parts (Eber). He will divide (Peleg) ‘the friends of the Shepherd’ (Reu 1) from ‘the evil and miserable’ (Reu 2), who will be bound as branches (Serug) to be burned (Nahor). The Spirit (Terah: dove, wind, breath, spirit) will rest on the father of many nations  (Abraham) – all those who are a part of the covenant of God.” (Abraham: the center of the name meaning ‘to cut covenant’; Abram was changed to Abraham in Gen. 17:5)

Our son’s exciting conclusion: These texts, written over thousands of years, is a divine message of love and redemption, written by the hand of God Himself (mere man could not have arranged this), to both a people living long before Jesus came to earth through our present day.

~What a humble privilege it has been to raise and launch 2 of our 3 kids into independent adulthood. …And what blessing God is now giving us by allowing these young adults to profoundly minister back to us.

He is coming soon, may we all be found faithful and ready!  ~Shaun and Betsy