January 24, 2011

• the gall of bitterness (receiving glory from one another ~ ministry's temptation)

  II Kings 5:15  Then he [Namaan] returned to the man of God [Elisha], he and all his company, and he came and stood before him. And he said, “Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel; so accept now a present from your servant.” 16  But he said, “As the LORD lives, before whom I stand, I will receive none.” And he urged him to take it, but he refused.

  II Kings 5:20  Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.”

  Acts 8:21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. 22  Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. 23  For I see that you are in THE GALL OF BITTERNESS and in the bond of iniquity.”

  John 5:44  How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?

  the gall of bitterness

  gospel's immeasurable riches
  dispensed freely

  earthlings received and drank
  treasures heavenly

  grace abounded, kindness flowed
  at the cross of Calvary

  new creation drank and called
  to gospel ministry

  the redeemed, entrusted and sent
  given stewardship holy

  fleshly desires, pride of life
  kindled, burnt, arose greedily

  heart's lusting and coveting
  vile and beastly idolatry

  my once holy ambition
  poisoned so deeply

  I drank from gall's cup
  fully and bitterly

  single eye for Christ's glory
  exchanged for vainglory

  human conceit and pride puffed up
  supplanted the Lamb's meek humility

  Spirit's fresh freedom gone
  bound now by my stale iniquity

  the prizes I run to attain
  no longer divine but earthly

  Christ's free treasures
  turned into profitability

  waves smashing, vision crashing
  steering toward shipwrecked ministry

  Holy Father, hear my cries
  I have done wickedly

  Your Spirit's sword slashing
  pierces my heart deeply

  my gaze was misplaced
  O, to see Your face fully

  O, to taste once again
  of Your goodness sweetly

  forgive and cleanse me
  pour out Your mercy

  through Your only begotten Son
  grant pardon abundantly

  cords of love, bind me, draw me
  back into Your tabernacle lovely

  my God, whom have I in heaven but You?
  You alone satisfy me!

  I Thessalonians 2:6  Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.

  Philippians 2:1  So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2  complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3  Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6  who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7  but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
  

  Colossians 3:5  Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

  ---

  Related:

  the minister's examination: "Who is my master?"
  my flesh lusts against the Spirit the Spirit lusts against my flesh
  the world says . . . You say . . . I say (a prayer of dedication)
  Kingdom-Obsessed People don't seek "great things" for themselves
  Bible Reading: Job 2:1 - "Again" (To press on we must always be mortifying sin | John Owen)
  without Kingdom vision, my vision will perish (reaping from Livingstone's Kingdom vision)
  a conversation with Jesus about misplaced joy ("do not rejoice in this" - letter 73 on joy)
  Are you a radiant Christian or a drunken old woman? (letter 82 on assurance & fighting for joy)
  Make war (Herod, blogging, appetites, the glory of God & the Word of God)
  transparency in blogging & the struggle for sanctification
  one woman's (not so secret) addiction
  my notes on Tim Keller's talk on idols @ The Gospel Coalition Conference
  tangled
  temptation

  Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  • 3:35 PM
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