A Cup of Sweet Water

            I know it has been a while since I have written but just returned from a week in Portland and did what I said I would never do again--a red eye flight...and not only one, but two!

Having spoken in Portland for the last decade I have never traveled outside the city.  Thanks to our gracious host, Dave, he loaned us his car and gave us directions to several of the most beautiful water falls I have ever seen.  It was truly breathtaking.  I am looking forward to going back in early August and again in October as I have the privilege to speak several more times in Portland and then meander to Hawaii and then Alaska.  Your prayers will be greatly appreciated.  I am enjoying being at home more than ever these days. The flowers, and fresh mulch and view of the lake is truly the place I enjoy more than any other place I have traveled in the world.  Just finished some new brick sidewalks around the back and side of the house.  Really enjoying what God experienced at the end of each day of creation---"and God saw that it was good!"

            I would like to share the following insights that I believe you will find helpful:

 

"A cup of sweet water could never spill a drop of bitter water, no matter how heavily it was jolted."  Amy Carmichael

 

"Suppression is not victory." Zac Poonen

            Controlled conduct apart from the Spirit of God is merely a result of temperament. If suppression were victory then shopkeepers, salesmen, and airline attendants are among the most Christ-like.

 

God allows trials to bring the real self to the surface, to counter the humanistic messaging of our self-esteem.  If you reverse the word self-esteem, you will see that to esteem-self is not the goal for the Christian.

 

            In Luke 15, the trial of the brother of the prodigal son revealed the hidden sins of his heart.  Note the brother's words: "You never gave me a goat."  (I will place the text from Luke 15 at the bottom for those who would like to grasp this in its context.)

            This moment of pressure reveals the fact that his service was reward motivated. What's in it for me! I like what Jesus said in Luke 17: 9, 10: "Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you, when you shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.'"

            A selfish heart also distorts our view of others and exaggerates their offenses. Note the brothers complaint: “But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes…”  There is nothing in the text below that would suggest the prodigal brother visited prostitutes. When bitterness and anger reside in us, our ability to see others through God’s eyes is clouded and our reality becomes distorted—we think the worst and we turn the color of bitter as Gene Edwards coined it.

            A selfish heart also distorts our view of God.  The angry brother refuses to accept the invitation of his father thus spiraling him further away from God’s blessing and presence.  The angry son’s response reveals more of the true nature of his heart: “You never gave me…” And the father’s response was, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.”  Oh to understand all that we have in Christ! A selfish heart robs us of a the active divine power that has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness…whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But he that lacks these things is blind and cannot see afar off, and has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling an election sure: for if you do these things, you shall never fall.” 2^nd Peter 1.

            A selfish heart is easily provoked when criticized.  Our heart is never so tested as when we are opposed or criticized.  A.W. Tozer said, “when criticized the only thing that should concern us, is whether the criticism is true or false, not whether it comes from a friend or enemy.”

            A selfish heart refuses to listen.  When the father entreats the elder brothers to come into the celebration, he stubbornly refuses. His pride stole his opportunity to enjoy the blessing.

            A selfish heart focuses on doing in order to maintain a certain image. There service to God and others is always burdensome.  Note his words: “Look, these many years I have served you and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.”   Notice that he has kept record of how many years he has served.  When Jacob served seven years and then again seven more years for Rachael, he said that the years were like a few days. Service based on a heart of love is never burdensome. This can also be a good measurement for our service in our careers.  Is our daily activity burdensome? Are you putting in your time only for a future celebration?  Oh that we would recognize that the celebration is today and every day with Christ.  May we never forget that the chief end of man is to glorify God BY enjoying Him forever!

 

Luke 15:

25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”