Happy New Year

As we begin this New Year one of the things to be concerned about is our

LACK OF FAITH

this can be another major cause of bitterness, according to Exodus 15:22-25(“So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.(23)And when they came to Marah (bitter), they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah.(24)And the people murmured (refused to go any farther) against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? (25) And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD showed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them”),. While we have little control over circumstances, we can exercise much control over our faith. How does a LACK OF FAITH produce bitterness? Well let’s look at the Israelites, and their lapse of faith. This condition was brought about primarily because they forgot the past, and I think this is exactly what happens to us. God had just performed one of the greatest miracles in the Bible. He had parted the Red Sea. Stood it on edge like two giant walls reaching into Heaven, while the Jews (between 3 and 5 million), walked across on dry land (Exodus 14:21,22). In a few days, however, their joy had turned from MIRACLE to MURMURING (Exodus 15:24). God had just delivered them from death. God knew exactly where they were, where they were going, and what they needed to get there, but they were not content to live by faith. In fact they wanted to stop following God and return to Egypt. It has been my experience that trials bring either confidence in God, or bitterness toward God. Trials tend to make us bitter or better. How have the trials in your life influenced you?
What has God done for you in the past? If you are a Christian, He has saved and preserved your soul for eternity, and promised you abundant life here and now. If He NEVER does anything else, that should be enough to cause rejoicing in our life rather than bitterness. Paul said, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise think on these things." (Philippians 4:8). Remember what God has done, before you start worrying and fretting over what He needs to do. This is a LACK OF FAITH.

Merry Christmas

Just a short note to wish all a Wonderful CHRISTmas. What a wonderful time of year when, for the most part, we stop to enjoy family and friends and to pull away from the stress of the world around us. A time when we once again remember the wonderous gift of God in the form of his Son, Jesus, the Christ. Make Christ the very center of your Christmas now and all through 2009. May He abundantly bless you as you serve and worship Him

CIRCUMSTANCES

Bitterness can have many causes, but I believe that there are three root causes, based upon these Scripture references, (2Kings 2:19-22, Exodus 15:22-25 & James 3:9-14)

CIRCUMSTANCES

In 2Kings 2:19-22 (“And the men of the city said unto Elisha, Behold, I pray thee, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord seeth: but the water is nought (bitter), and the ground barren.(20)And he said, Bring me a new cruse, and put salt therein. And they brought it to him.(21)And he went forth unto the spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death or barren land.(22)So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake.”)we discover that bitterness was brought about by CIRCUMSTANCES beyond the control of those who were its victims. Remember it is the circumstances that we cannot control, not the bitterness produced by these circumstances. We do not choose our circumstances, but we choose to be bitter! The water was plentiful, but not potable. In America we truly live in a land of plenty. On the outside our cities are often beautiful, and to the casual observer all looks well, while in the heart of that lovely city there is often crime, corruption, greed, and murder. We drive through a well-kept neighborhood, past freshly painted homes, with manicured lawns, multicolored flowerbeds, lush shrubs, towering trees, and we fail to observe that in those peaceful looking homes may reside, anger, adultery, incest, neglect, and abuse.

We see a handsome gentleman, or lovely lady walk by, and often are prone to envy. I dare say that in many incidences we would be repulsed rather than attracted if we could see what God sees..... the heart, the mind, the emotions, the soul, the sin etc., the real person inside that attractive house of clay.
The water is plentiful, but it is bitter because some alien component is affecting not only its taste, but is warping its mission. Water meant life, to these people, and is often called "living water", in Scripture, because of its intrinsic attachment to life. In the Middle East, and at this time, they knew how vital "good" water was to life. In fact, even in America, fierce battles have been waged over water. Without water there is no life, and without the “living water” of Jesus there is no eternal life.

What are the circumstances that have turned your water bitter? Is it that God has not treated you fairly? Has He given someone else more than you? Has God made someone richer than you, someone who certainly didn't work as hard as you, and thereby doesn't deserve even as much as you? Has God made someone more attractive than you, more talented than you? Does your neighbor live in a bigger home, drive a newer car, and have a better job? Maybe God just doesn’t know how really deserving you are. What has turned your water bitter? Have other people treated you unfairly? Did your boss give the raise, or promotion, to another person who is not nearly so talented, or hard working? Was everyone invited to the party, but you? Did everyone else receive recognition for his or her efforts, while you were ignored? There is a great deal of rejection in life, and this rejection can be broken down into two primary areas …… covert and overt ….. listed below are some of the things that cause these two types of rejection to occur in our lives.

Overt rejection.

• Direct statements of rejection made by others.
• A refusal by others to show open affection.
• Actual verbal or physical abuse.
• Desertion by a parent, a child, a spouse, or a loved one.
• Divorce by your parents, or in your own marriage.
• Peer pressure due to some physical, or mental, or emotional problems in your life.

Covert rejection.

• Unusually harsh, or strict discipline.
• Unusually lax, or erratic discipline.
• The death of a parent, child, spouse, or loved one.
• Over protection by parents, or spouse.
• Conditionally given love.
• Self-rejection due to misunderstanding God’s purpose for your life.

These areas of rejection in our life, when not properly dealt with, can create a great deal of bitterness, and can cause our life, and ministry to be barren. Since rejection is such a vital ingredient in the development of our bitterness, I would like to list some clues to discovering areas of rejection. This rejection may have produced bitterness in your life. Consider the following Scripture verses to help deal with this rejection, before it turns into bitterness.

 A distrust of God and His plan for our lives -
Psalms 139:14
 Wishful comparison to others - 2Corinthians 12:12-18

 Self-contempt, and excessive self-criticism –
Ephesians 5:29
 Attitudes of superiority - 1Corinthians 4:6,7

 Excessive shyness, or feelings of inferiority -
Philippians 4:13
 Attempts at total perfection - Philippians 3:12-14

 Unnatural attempts to hide unchangeable defects in the way God created us - 2Corinthians 12:9,10
 Extravagant dress, or mannerisms - Matthew 6:27,28

 Difficulty in loving, and trusting others -
Matthew 19:19
 Unbiblical priorities, and goals in life - Matthew 6:33

Signs of victory are everywhere, but the results in your life are still negative. The trees had blossomed, the fruit appeared, only to fall to the ground unripe, and then lay there to rot. The cattle had conceived, only to miscarry, and abort their young before there was any possibility of sustaining life. The women had conceived, but in the midst of celebrating the joy of this new life coming into the world, spontaneous abortion occurred, taking the life of the child, and the joy of the parents in one fell swoop.

Yes, CIRCUMSTANCES, over which we have little or no control, can, turn our water bitter and poisonous, but there are other sources of bitterness, as well.

Bitter Water and Barren Lives

In 2Kings 2:19, there is one of the most unusual and interesting stories in the Bible, and one I believe to be extremely relevant to today, to our society, and especially to our Churches. A delegation of officials from the historic city of Jericho had made a pilgrimage to find, and bring home, the prophet Elisha. Upon the delegation approaching their city, they paused on a hill outside of town, to help Elisha more fully understand their dilemma. As Elisha looked down from this observation point, he saw the city of Jericho as a lovely, fertile city, nestled on a small but luxuriant plain in the Jordan valley, but this was merely a facade. This plain was renowned for its abundance of plant life, including palm trees, fig trees, wheat fields, and beautiful wild flowers. All of these, nourished by the Jordan river, often called "the most interesting river on earth". It was here that the Israelite spies took refuge, as they were seeking to explore the land, and the people that they would soon conquer. The dilemma that the city faced was well hidden behind the facade of all this beauty, and productivity ....... the dilemma …… the abundant water was naught (bitter), and the fertile land had become barren. The Hebrew word translated barren is shakol, which literally means to miscarry. This probably referred not only to the women, but also to the animals, and possibly the fruit and grain. Nothing would ripen! The bud would appear, followed by the blossom, and soon by fruit, but before it could ripen, it would be cast-off, only to die.


I am afraid that we are confronted with this same scenario, in our lives, in our Churches, and in our society. To the entire world we look fine. We are pleasant and peaceful, well dressed and well fed, but on the inside we are filled with bitterness and barrenness.

We look very lovely and productive on the outside, but on the inside is a very different picture. Internally we are filled with bitterness, which is creating barrenness, in our life and ministry. Jesus said of the Pharisees that they were whitewashed on the outside, but like a lovely grave, they were filled with death on the inside. Though we do not like to admit it, this is sometimes a description of us.

In at least three places in God's word (2Kings 2:19-22, Exodus 15:22-25 & James 3:9-12), we find bitterness and barrenness linked together. It is apparent in each case that bitterness is the root cause of this barrenness. In Hebrews 12:15 God warns us that a bitter root produces bitter fruit. Is your Christian life devoid of good fruit? Is it only producing bitter fruit? Do you often come close to victory, but end up in defeat? God indicates that bitterness is the cause of barrenness, and with that thought in mind, research carefully the material that I am going to share with you. Examine your own life, in the bright light of God’s word, for any bitterness that you may have. From the beginning of creation it has been God's plan that we be fruitful. Bitterness is often the wall that separates us from the fruitful life that God intended. Jesus said, "I have come that you might have life, and that you might have it abundantly". Are you enjoying the abundant life, or are you struggling to survive, day by day. Struggling because of the acid called BITTERNESS, that is eating at your very being, and stealing your peace and productivity.

Bitterness is like me taking poison and waiting for the other person to die.