June 30, 2013

Afflictions: June 25, 2013



TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY JUNE 25, 2013.

AFFLICTIONS

DEFINITION: 

A depressed or painful state; misery; a cause of mental or bodily pain as sickness or calamity; great suffering that produces sorrow.

SCRIPTURE:

My heart is in turmoil and cannot rest; days of affliction confront me. Job 30:27

This is my comfort in my affliction, for your Word has given me life. Psalms 119:50

For our light affliction, which is for about a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. II Corinthians 4:17

Oh Lord my strength and my fortress, my refuge in the day of affliction. Jeremiah 16:19

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

One of life's great concerns for us has been to see children, young people and adults who are suffering afflictions in their lives. All of us react when an affliction affects one of our family members, but do we show concern for those in far of areas of our world that may have even greater afflictions? The definition of the word "AFFLICTION" refers to the mental or body pain one may have in a sickness or a calamity.

God has given us the privilege of traveling throughout the world. Our life time ministry has centered on children. We began our married life in Korea just after the Korean war ended. It was our responsibility to place literally thousands of children in orphanages. These were mostly what they called G.I. babies, fathered by foreign soldiers. They were not accepted by the Korean society. Our hearts were broken as we established over 145 orphanages but ultimately thrilled because we left them with people who loved them and cared for them --- Korean Christians.

Down through the years we have ministered to children with cancer, children with single mothers, children living on garbage dumps in third world countries and children hurting badly right in the heart of our American cities.

When sin entered the world through the fall of Adam and Eve, affliction entered as well. Our minds and our bodies are now subject to suffering and pain. Some suffer greater afflictions than others. It is heart wrenching to see children born with physical and mental challenges as well as people suffering with cancer and with other diseases. Just as sad is to see whole families living in poverty and who do not have food to eat. This is affliction as well. No matter if the affliction is large or small it is so easy for the victim to fall into despair and, as Job said, the "heart is in turmoil."

As believers in Jesus we face affliction with a different attitude than those who do not know Him. As Christians we can look beyond our affliction in this life with the hope of a life without affliction when we are in heaven with our Lord. Our suffering in this life is temporary.

It is usually the case that when we are going through the tough times in life with our greatest afflictions that God does His greatest work through us. Afflictions should increase our reliance on the Lord. This gives us an opportunity to share with others the strength of our faith and allows God to demonstrate His power through us.

God has allowed us to go through real times of affliction with the death of both of our parents, a daughter-in-law and a sister. Numerous dear friends have also passed on with diseases and accidents. Several years ago we had a dear friend who was afflicted with lung cancer. She used this time of affliction to testify to others of her faith and trust in the Lord. What a blessing and encouragement she was to us and many others. All who knew her learned so many lessons as to how to live with affliction. She is now home with her Lord and Savior and free from all suffering and affliction.

We continue to ask God daily to make us sensitive to those that are going through a time of affliction. Do you have that caring spirit and attitude? Almost daily a situation comes our way and we wish we could do more to help. We are limited, as you are, by our finances and even with enough time to respond. But one thing we can do is pray and be a friend to that person who is hurting.

It may be a relative or friend with cancer, a child without food, a man or woman that lost a job or a family that lost their house and is now homeless. The list can go on and on, but remember, we can pray, we can love, we can encourage and we can care.

When you are facing an affliction in your life, look for opportunities to let others see Christ in you. You will be surprised to see how much God will bless you and ease your affliction because you are thinking of others and not yourself.

LEARNING :

Our memory verse for this week is found in Genesis 1:1.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

PRAYER:

Help me today to have a heart that shows concern for those facing affliction in their lives. Help me to praise You throughout this day for the many blessings You have given me and my family. Give me strength to live this day looking for the one place where I can make an impact on another person's life that is hurting and needs Your love.


Welcome ~ Ministry Programs ~ Make a Donation ~ Product Catalog
Family Prayer Partners
~ Family Devotional ~ Statement of Faith ~ Contact Us

 

Copyright©2009. All Rights Reserved. The content of this Christian religious blog dedicated to
bringing Bibles to people all over the world is owned exclusively by World Bible Society. Legal Disclaimer

Christian Religious Blog and Website Design by Flagstaff Central.com, Inc.
Content Management System Powered by iUpdateIt.com