BITTER CUP – Light, Camera, Action! The Lord is Filming.

 

BITTER CUP – LIGHT, CAMERA, ACTION! THE LORD IS FILMING.

Our facial expressions tell more than a thousand words.  Yet we often think they reflect what we want those who can physically see us to perceive regarding our character, thoughts, disposition, or feelings.  In retrospect, we make great attempts of presenting ourselves in manners sensible to the individuals we are entertaining at a given moment.  What about GOD?  When we enter into our prayer chamber, are we smiling, crying, laughing, frowning, angry, sad, distraught, mad or in pain?  When your CUP is Bitter, it is a natural reaction to form a facial expression as a result of how this taste affects you mentally.  Take heed, pray, and Collect one Stone.  Your Bitter CUP is sending the message to think about what God is seeing and filming on your life.  Smile, GOD’s Camera is Rolling; Light, Camera, and Action!

The Lord Jesus teaches us in the Beatitudes, three Spiritual principles of maintaining Christian Character in the midst of a “bitter” situation (Matthew Ch.5); your Heart, your Actions, your Speech.  In cinematography, we reference, Light, Camera, and Action immediately preceding filming.  Aligning this traditional que to your Christian Character when experiencing the “bitter” role, causes one to think of your Heart as the Light, when bitterness attempts to make it dark and evil, to think of your Actions as Camera footage monitoring your every move and gesture when you are in a “bitter” trial, test, or tribulation, and to think of your Speech as the litmus test of your actor’s script; what you are saying, kind words or vengeful slurs. Collect one Stone, add it to your CUP, JESUS has come to sup!

In the book of Ruth, Naomi refers to herself as Mara, because she was so bitter that the Lord had taken her husband, and her two sons in death, leaving her as a widow, childless, and without grandchildren.  She desired to send both of her daughters-in-law back home to their families and return to her native land.   Upon arrival into Bethlehem, …she said unto them, “Call me not Naomi, call me Mara:  for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.” (Ruth 1:20). Naomi’s countenance and demeanor were indicative of a broken and bitter elder woman.  She could not see the perfect consolation of the LORD and only focused on her current physical condition, bitterness. This bitterness affected Naomi’s heart, actions, and speech.  Naomi’s attempt to have both daughters-in-law return home was not successful with Ruth.  Ruth was the example of “perfect consolation” cleaving to her Mother-in-law because of her genuine love for her.  The Lord blesses both Ruth and Naomi as a result of Ruth’s heart, actions, and speech.

Bitterness is a seething pot of negative and infuriating feelings which boil over damaging everything in its path.  It is like an erupting volcano which destroys and burns, beyond recognition. When your CUP presents a “bitter” response, Collect One Stone, the Chief Corner Stone, which is JESUS! (Ephesians 2:19-22). Jesus presented His first sermon on the mountain teaching us just how Blessed we are as His Children (Matthew 5).  Blessed people are not “bitter”, they are happy!  Jesus’ entire sermon is centered on perfection in Christ Jesus. Christian Perfection can only be felt from within your Heart.  Christian Perfection can only be heard within the context of your Speech, and Christian Perfection can only be seen by your Actions.  Jesus closes this chapter by saying …”Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”  (Matthew 5:48). (Light)Heart – (Camera)Actions – (Action) Speech. God is filming!

Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back. (Isaiah 38:17).  Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. [Ephesians 4:31-32] .    

 

BITTER C.U.P. Consumed Under Pressure © Lady Angela Carter