Don’t Be Too Quick To Drink The Water

“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind,” –Jeremiah 17:8-10

 <Journal Entry 30 August 2011> Started work at 5:30 am, trying to get a jump on the heat. It doesn’t take but a few minutes and you shirt is soaked from sweat. Doug and I straightened up a few boards and then Dede, Mican, and Jonas (Haitian workers) showed up – These are good men – I met a couple of other men who appeared to be good but their devotion to money was stronger than their desire to serve God. If I had kept them on, we might not be where we are today. Doug leaves tomorrow so he is pressing hard to finish the roof support posts and rims and wants to set at least on truss on the Kitchen. I have been part of the work – cutting materials to length – doing this – doing that – greasing the gears to keep the orphanage building machine running. I met Herb and Scotty – their dispositions emanate staffers – don’t know why I have an attitude about that type – well yes I do – “staffers” consume your time but don’t contribute to the accomplishment of the mission. I knew a lot of them in the Army. Maybe it will be different with them. Perhaps like so many from the United States, Haiti can be overwhelming – a shocking of reality when they venture out of the comforts of the United States. Maybe it will be different with them – Lord – You reign. <End of Entry>

My mom often quoted Jeremiah 17. Discerning the hearts of people is a spiritual gift – like all spiritual gifts – it demands submission to the Spirit of God. People can give the appearance of being one thing, but time will reveal the heart. Discernment gives you a glimpse of the heart without the waiting. You cannot explain it. I don’t try to, I just accept it. Discernment is not a form of judgement – condemning someone for what is in their heart – it is a form of recognition – exposing the heart. Pastor Greg Laurie said, “I am not a judge but a fruit inspector.” Calling an apple an apple is not judging the apple. Seeing that the apple is bruised or not ripe enough is not judging. I want to encourage you contemplate that analogy with respect to the people that you encounter.

I am certain you have heard or read “Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink.” If you are in a life raft on the ocean, you cannot drink the salt water – it will be the death of you. What appears to be one thing is very often something else. Many relationships are like that. You are thirsting for a relationship – your emotions are crying out for the comfort of having a friend or more – you see the opportunity – the person has put on their best face – but have hidden a corrupt heart. But you yield to your emotions and choose to not wait on God. Like drinking salt water.  Many people have a trail of brokenness because of choices like that. God’s heart breaks for them. That is why He sent His Son. So many Christians – having been born again – made alive toward God by the Spirit – are in a constant struggle with their old nature – it says “Drink the water – it is what you need!” and yielding to the temptation we do – time and again.  And the consequence is sure.

“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” – 2 Corinthians 5:14-19

Our citizenship is in heaven. Meaning our primary devotion is to God and our secondary devotion is to the world.  I received a t-shirt with the pledge of allegiance on it. I am committed to that pledge but only in the context of my primary commitment to God and His revelation through Jesus and the Word of God. When I joined the Army, I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution and to obey the orders of the president, as commander in chief, and the officers appointed over me, but that was in the very same context.  We must live our lives in the context of that truth. What we do in this natural life must be consistent with our faith. We should view the events in this world from a spiritual perspective. You will always be faced with a choice – trust God or trust the world – spiritual or natural.  Sometimes they are in agreement and sometimes not. My encouragement …

“…. do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you. Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.” – Proverbs 3:1-8

Like drinking from Jacob’s well.  Choose the Living water.

Shine Bright my friend and give God the glorify He is due.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone