Drinking the cup we brew!

Everyday the man pours a cup of coffee in his kitchen and then complains that it is terrible. Kind of dumb, right? If it is not good, it would be up to him to change his method or his brand! Failing that, he has no complaint.

Many Americans, including me, are complaining about the state of things in our nation. The cup we have brewed for ourselves has turned out to be awfully bitter! For a long time now, we have asked the government to do what we should be doing for ourselves. Over the last 50 years, many of our churches were turned into museums of tradition or self-help centers that promised us our best life now- both equally devoid of the sacred Word! We laughed at self-restraint and adopted the motto- ‘if it feels good, do it!’ with gusto. Deferred gratification? Why, as long as you can borrow more, spend it!

Now we are drinking the bitter tea we brewed for ourselves. 2009 has brought us religion that cannot speak to our deepest spiritual needs, all of the perversions that accompany unbridled self-indulgence, and debt piled so high our economy is wrecked for the next decade. Some are wondering; "Why God is judging us?" The truth is that He is simply letting us drink the cup we brewed for ourselves. The Scripture says, "You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord’s Table and at the table of demons, too." - 1 Corinthians 10:21, NLT

The metaphor in this passage is changed; the message is the same.
"Don’t be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest.
The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!— harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds!
But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit."
– Galatians 6:7-9, The Message

There is Good News in that passage for us, for now! What is it?
God will bless our efforts to plant a new crop. He will produce a rich harvest for us if we remain faithful to do what He has called us to do. Disciple, go deep with God! Make Him your complete priority. Move worship to first place each day. Pray about everything before you start, not when you have found yourself in a jam!

Here’s a passage to take with you through this day. May the Truth found here change the taste of the cup from which you drink!

"Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that. ....
Don’t drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him. Sing hymns instead of drinking songs! Sing songs from your heart to Christ. Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God the Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ." - Ephesians 5:1-2, 18-20, The Message
______________
　
Like the woman at the well I was seeking
For things that could not satisfy.
And then I heard my Savior speaking,
"Draw from my well that never shall run dry."

So, my brother, if the things this world gave you
Leave hungers that won't pass away.
My blessed Lord will come and save you,
If you kneel to Him and humbly pray,

Fill my cup, Lord, I lift it up, Lord!
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.
Bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more.
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!
　
Fill My Cup Lord
Blanchard, Richard © 1959 Richard Blanchard.
Assigned 1964 Word Music, Inc. (a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 810055