Revealed Heart 9-29-16

“Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Lk. 6:45

How we view God determines how we view ourselves. If we truly believe God is who He says He is, our thoughts, words and actions will appropriately follow. Authentic faith is verified in our actions.  

God tells us that faith without works is dead (Jms 2:26). If our identity is truly based in Jesus, our works are “an outpouring” of our love for Him. Yet, if our identity is based our own works and accomplishments, at our core, we view God as one who serves us (not visa versa).

This week we visited 4 college campuses and posed this question:

“If you are the only sober person at a party, how do you feel?”

With regard to Believing students, we found 2 responses particularly revealing:

1) One Christian exclaimed that he loves to be the only non-drunk person at a party because he can “run circles around people, intellectually”.

2) Another Christian answered that he enjoys being the only sober person at a party because he can help “protect his friends”, and “my drunk friends let down their guard, allowing us to communicate at a much deeper level”.

What do these 2 very different answers reveal about these 2 individuals hearts?

Only God knows for sure, but the first person seems to reveal insecurity, pride, and desire for control. The second person seems to reveal compassion, love for others and a desire to understand and protect.

In which of these 2 people's actions do you see more of Jesus?

...Yep, so do the many other hungry, thirsty, and hurting who are watching!

God beseeches us to love one another:

“People will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”( Jn. 13:35)   

And He warns us, “Those who oppress the “poor” show contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the “needy” honors God...knowledge puffs up, while love builds up.” (Prv. 14:31, 1 Cor. 8:1)

Jesus created people to be loved and He created knowledge and things to be used.

Our foolish world teaches us the opposite: knowledge and things are to be loved and people are to be used.  

Which value do your actions reflect?

Oh Lord, may we desire to know You more, find You insatiably irresistible, being filled to overflowing as You embrace and infuse us in Your astounding love. Amen.

Much love and big hugs,   ~Shaun and Betsy

“You have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit to unfeigned love of the brothers, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently.” 1 Pet. 1:22

Coming Home 8-23-16

“The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving,

even though we have rebelled against Him.” Dan. 9:9

An excerpt from David Redding in his book called Jesus Makes Me Laugh:

“A big black Scottish shepherd, Teddy was my dog, and he would do anything for me. He waited for me to come home from school. He slept beside me, and when I whistled he ran to me even if he was eating. At night no one would get within a half mile without Teddy’s permission. During those long summers in the fields I would only see the family at night, but Teddy was with me all the time. And so when I went away to war, I didn’t know how to leave him. How do you explain to someone who loves you that you’re leaving him?

So coming home that first time from the Navy (during WWII) was something I can scarcely describe. The last bus stop was 14 miles from the farm. I got off there that night about 11pm and walked the rest of the way home. It was 2 or 3am before I was within a half mile of the house. It was pitch dark, but I knew every step of the way. Suddenly Teddy heard me and began his warning barking. I whistled only once. The barking stopped. There was a yelp of recognition, and I knew that a big black form was hurtling toward me in the darkness. Almost immediately he was there in my arms. …What comes home to me now is the eloquence with which that unforgettable memory speaks to me of my God…

If my dog, without any explanation, would love me and take me back after all that time, wouldn’t my God?” 

Might you be in a dark space currently? Perhaps desiring to be in God’s loving embrace, yet you can’t fathom Him forgiving you of your sins and taking you back?

Recorded in Scripture is this beautiful pictorial of God’s forgiveness and love:

 “When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am not worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him…bring the fatted calf …let us eat and be merry for this son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is now found.’” Lk. 15:11-32

God tells us that He rescues us from the dominion of darkness and brings is into His glorious kingdom, casting our sins from His remembrance (Col. 1:13-14, Is. 43:25, Ps. 103:12, Heb. 8:12). Jesus already paid the penalty for our transgressions, it’s our choice whether we choose to humble ourselves, believe He is Who He says He is, accept His free gift and become royal sons and daughters of the King.

“Repent, then and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” Acts 3:19

He loves us each so very dearly.     

Much love and squeezes,  ~Shaun and Betsy

Walk, Stand and Sit with Who? 7-31-16

“How long, O men, will you turn My glory into shame?

How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?” 

Ps. 4:2

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on His law day and night.” Ps. 1:1-2

Does not walk “halak”: to live as a manner of life, continually, be conversant

In the counsel “etsah”: advice and purpose

Of the wicked “rasha”: hostile to God

Nor stand “amad”: be in a standing attitude

In the path “derek”: of course of life or moral character

Of sinners “chatta”: reckoned as offenders

Nor sit “yashab”: to have one’s abode, to dwell

In the seat “mowshab”: dwelling place

Of scoffers “luwts”: talk arrogantly, to be inflated, show oneself a mocker

Our world is going mad!

Isaiah warns, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” Is. 5:20

In whose counsel are you and I choosing to walk (live as our manner of life)?

In whose path are you and I choosing to stand (be in a standing attitude)?

Where are we choosing to seat ourselves (make our dwelling place)?

There are only 2 teams. We either pick God and His Team, or the devil and his team.

(Remember, 2 Cor. 11:5 tells us that the devil and his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness…. so be very discerning when picking your team!)

For true Believers, our Almighty Loving God promises us:

“You have been born again, not of seed which is perishable but imperishable that is, through the living and enduring Word of God.” 1Pet. 1:23

We’ve been re-born imperishable “aphithartos”: not liable to corruption or decay

Through “dia”: by the means of, reason by which something is or is not done

The living “zao”: to be in full vigour, actively blessed, endless in the kingdom of God

And enduring “meno”: to remain in reference to place, time, state and condition

Word “logos”: the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the personal wisdom and power in union with God His minister in creation and government of the universe, the cause of all the world’s life both physical and ethical, which for the procurement of man’s salvation put on human nature in the person of Jesus the Messiah, the second person in the Godhead, and shone forth conspicuously from His words and deeds.

Amidst this crazy confusion, may we live up to the blessings we’ve been promised, consistently choosing to walk, stand and sit with our forever faithful God and His team! 

Big hugs and much love as we eagerly await His return,  ~Shaun and Betsy

Trials-Worth Gold! 6-27-16

“The trial of your faith is much more precious than of gold that perishes…Walk by faith, not by sight.” 1Pet. 1:7; 2Cor. 5:7

 “The trial of your faith is much more precious than of gold that perishes.” 1Pet. 1:7

Grab hold of this truth: The “trial of my faith” is of itself abundantly more precious than gold. Gold is quite valuable (both on earth and in heaven) and God is telling us that the trials of our faith are more highly valued, honored and esteemed than gold? Crazy.

Fleshed out, what does this message indicate? We’re blessed and rewarded as we embrace trials.

Additionally, as we embrace our trial(s), God tells us we’re to walk through them. “Walk” (peripateo) means to make use of opportunities.

Further, we are to “make use of opportunities” by faith and not by sight.

(In exercising faith “pistis”, we are to rely on Christ and His promises, not on what we see “eidos”, the outward appearance of something.)

In other words, we are to rely on Christ and His promises (not on what we see and feel) as we “make use of” divinely ordained opportunities…and God abundantly blesses us for doing so!

Are you perhaps amidst a circumstantial or relational trial today?

Might you be willing to change your mindset and see this “trial” as an “opportunity”?

*An opportunity to forgive

*An opportunity not to fear

*An opportunity to navigate temptation

*An opportunity to “divinely shine” in the face of death

*An opportunity to be brutally honest with myself about myself

*An opportunity to proclaim Christ’s love amidst personal hardship

*An opportunity to adhere to tough-love boundaries with a loved one

*An opportunity to understand another, while standing on The Rock in love

*An opportunity to gain insights into intimate treasures of God through tough stuff

“Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you…Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” (1Pet. 4:12, Jms. 1:2)

Be encouraged, God is keenly aware, loves us beyond our wildest imaginations, and deeply desires to guide us through. Let’s take His hand and hold on.

In His grip this week,

Much love and hugs    ~Shaun and Betsy

Nebuchadnezzar: An Interesting Lesson in Leadership

“The king ordered…young men in whom was no blemish, but well-favored and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace.”  Dan. 1:3-4

Nebuchadnezzar is considered the greatest king in the Babylonian Empire (605BC-562BC). After conquering and destroying Jerusalem, this exceedingly powerful, brutal and outrageously ambitious king issues and unusual order. Instead of killing or enslaving all Jewish captives, this king uncharacteristically sets forth qualifications to invite some of them into his innermost circle. (Picture a present day carnal dictator desiring to entrust himself and his kingdom to young men of Jehovah God! Crazy, huh? But this is God, Who was and is and is to come, directing the steps of kings, proving “Heaven rules” Dan. 4:26; Dan. 5:21.)

Now, the credentials for this king’s most trusted future advisers and servants are what we are going to observe below.  (Qualities young Jewish boys must possess, to serve the king):

Without any physical defect “m’uwm”: without physical defect or moral stain

Well-favored “towb”: pleasant, agreeable, of good understanding, ethically good; “mar’eh”: appearance, supernatural vision, power of seeing

Skillful in all wisdom “sakal”: to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, have insight, have comprehension, be prudent, act wisely, to cause to prosper; “chokmah”: skill in war, wisdom in administration, prudence in religious affairs, ethical shrewdness

Cunning in knowledge “yada’”: to know, be acquainted with, to perceive, see and discern, to have knowledge, to make known, to be skillful in, to reveal oneself; “da’ath”: perception, skill, discernment, understanding, wisdom, and knowledge

Understanding science “biyn”: to show oneself discerning or attentive, consider diligently, to give heed to, to have insight and understanding, to instruct/teach; “madda”: mind, thought, intelligence or consciousness

Such as had ability “koach”: human strength, strength of angels, power of God

In them to stand “’amad”: take a stand, become servant of, present oneself, be appointed, ordain

Look at the magnitude of these qualifications: Young Jewish men, set apart and found to possess no moral or physical stain. They were ethically good with supernatural insights, wise understanding, possessing wisdom and skill in practical affairs, war, and religion, and pleasant to the eye (handsome). They had the ability to discern truth and to teach these truths with the strength of angels and power of God. ~And Nebuchadnezzar appointed them for his personal service. Wow. A small spark in Neb’s heart understood the value of Truth.

If God influenced a man like Nebuchadnezzar, He can certainly influence evil leaders of our present day. ~May we faithful Believers call upon our God in Spirit and Truth, begging Him to show Himself real to our country’s leaders and kings of the world. Amen and amen.

We are in this together. Much love and hugs,     ~Shaun and Betsy

The Delusion 4-27-16

“They perish because they refuse to love the Truth and so be saved. For this reason, God sends them a powerful delusion so they will believe the lie.”

2 Thess. 2:10

A snare and trap is being set for believers of God today. God’s Word is becoming distasteful…God’s own kids are beginning to delude themselves into thinking that to love the way Jesus intends means to align themselves more with the way society “loves”, than what is in reality, best for a person from heaven’s perspective.

“Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many will grow cold.” Matt. 24:12

iniquity: “anomia” means the condition without law, violation of law; contempt

grow cold: “pycho” means to be made cold, grow cold; waning love

Embracing others no matter what, and at all costs is likened to your 2 yr old wanting to run across a busy street. Do you let him because that’s “his earnest desire”? Most likely, not. Facts are, he doesn’t comprehend the potential consequences. Yet from your vantage point, you do. From heaven’s vantage point: Many of us are rebellious 2 yr olds, desiring to run across a busy street, refusing to yield to God’s warning and protective hand, calling Him unloving and judgmental because we don’t get our way.

“They perish because they refuse to love the Truth and so be saved. For this reason, God sends them a powerful delusion so they will believe the lie.” 2 Thess. 2:10

delusion: “plane” means mental straying; error which shows itself in action, deceit and fraud

Many will refuse to believe what Jesus says about Himself, choosing instead to believe a politically correct version of God…(a similar “version of God” that the serpent successfully caused Eve to embrace in Genesis 3) All the while, many will mistakenly believe they are embracing love when in reality, they are separating themselves from Truth and Love.

How do we prepare for this delusion? Prv. 4:13 lays out a simple plan (not an easy plan, but simple):

“Hold onto instruction. Do not let it go. Guard it well. It is your life.”

Hold on: “chazaq” means to grow strong, prevail upon, be firm, be courageous

Let it go: “raphah” means to relax, withdrawal, sink down

Guard: “natsar” means to watch over, to keep close, blockade, guard

Life: “chay” means flowing (fresh water), reviving (of springtime), alive, active

In other words, “Grow strong, be courageous, be firm and prevail in God’s instruction. Do not relax, withdrawal or sink down. Watch over God’s Word and keep it close,

Guard it at all cost. For God’s Word is alive and active,

 flowing within you and reviving your soul.”

Job tells us a great truth: Submit to God and be complete, at peace, and safe with Him. In this way happiness and good things will come to you. (Job 22:21)

We’re all in this battle together!    Much love and hugs, ~Shaun and Betsy

Deny Truth and Love? 3-25-16

“Without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” 

Heb. 11:6

Faith of the faithless says, “If God is not evident, apparent, and observable, then there must not be God.”

This Easter week we received one of the saddest phone calls ever.  After exchanging some pleasantries, it being Easter week, Betsy asked if we could send some children’s books about Jesus to this dear woman’s children. Her reply? She did not think this was a good idea.

Our seemingly joyful friend and former “on-fire-for-the-Lord-Believer”, was apparently harboring a lot of resentment, and we were now going to be the recipients of her misguided rage. ~Our phone went under a pillow (to avoid hearing all the blaspheme, and pray) as a 10-minute “response rant” full of hate ensued. We patiently waited for her to finish. After an awkward silence we asked her if we could ask her one question. She agreed. “Do you believe Jesus is who He says He is?” A long pause, then her answer: “NO”.

A popular author once said, “By God’s sovereign choice, there is no conclusive evidence to prove beyond a shadow of doubt to all mankind that God is THE God. God did this in order to force the issue of faith.”

Question:

Do you base your faith on what you “feel”, what you perceive God does/does not do, OR on Who He says He is? Faith based on who He is, is faith that is not easily moved.

“Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light.” Jn. 3:21

Remember, we live amidst a cosmic war; our struggle is not against flesh and blood.  The demonic realm is very organized and comes at us using subtle, yet highly effective tactics.
“Stay alert and put on the full armor of God”! (1 Pet. 5:8 and Eph.6)  

Make no mistake; the devil is diligently studying us. Satan is identifying our vulnerable areas, amassing evidences contrary to God’s promises, and just at the right time, he will pounce like a roaring lion. “Stay alert and put on the full armor of God”! (1 Pet. 5:8 and Eph.6) 

This special Easter week, may we choose to see life through the eyes of faith, meditate upon His ultimate sacrifice of love, and allow Jesus to reveal Himself to us.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” Jn. 3:16-21

Much love and big hugs, ~Shaun and Betsy