Afflictions: April 22, 2016

TODAY’S WORD FOR FRIDAY APRIL 22, 2016.

AFFLICTIONS

DEFINITION:

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

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. Psalm 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 the most difficult things in life for all of us is to witness our children, young person or a family adult member suffer some affliction in their lives. The word, “affliction” refers not only to body pain like a sickness, disease, or calamity but also to a mental situation like depression.

God has given us the privilege of traveling to most of the areas of our world because we have worked in ministries with children. For us it all began right after we were married and went to Korea. There we saw literally thousands of children literally living on the streets as a result of the Korean War. Since most of them were GI babies, fathered by foreign soldiers, they were considered outcasts. Our mission was to establish orphanages for these children giving them a roof over their heads, a bed to sleep on, food and clothing, an adult living with them who loved them and cared for them plus a door to education. Before we left Korea we saw the opening of 145 orphanages housing over 6000 of these children.

Down through the years since those days in Korea we have seen children living on the top of garbage dumps, children with diseases dying in hospitals, children living in the worst possible poverty known today, children who had no food for 2 to 3 days, some right here in America, and sadly we still have children suffering such affliction all over the world.

When sin entered the world with the fall of Adam and Eve, affliction entered as well. Our minds and bodies are subject to suffering and pain. Some suffer greater afflictions than others but it is especially heart wrenching to see children with physical and mental challenges as well as children suffering because of calamities like war, earthquakes, floods and fires.

No matter if the affliction is large or small it is so easy for the victim to fall into despair and, as Job said in the verse we put above, the heart is in turmoil. But we should not forget that as Christians we can look at afflictions in an entirely different way than a non-believer in Jesus. For a non-believer there is no hope but for a believer we can look beyond our affliction in this life with the hope, as the scripture assures us, of a life without affliction in heaven with our God. Our suffering is therefore only temporary.

It is usually the case that when we are going through the tough time in life with our greatest afflictions that God does His greatest work through us. Afflictions will increase our reliance on the Lord. In the time of an affliction we will have the opportunity to share with others the strength of our faith and this will allow God to demonstrate His power through us.

We continue to ask God to make us sensitive to those that are going through times of affliction and we encourage you to do the same. Do you have a caring spirit and attitude to respond to a person who is hurting?

When you face an affliction in your life we encourage you to look for an opportunity to let others see Christ in you despite your situation. You will be surprised how much God will bless you and He will ease your affliction when you turn your eyes on Him and seek the comfort found in His Word. He is our strength and our refuge in the day of affliction.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse is found in James 4:17.

Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

PRAYER:

Thank You for being our comfort and our refuge in the painful times of affliction. Help me today to have a heart that shows concern for those facing affliction in their lives. Help me to be faithful and give You the praise for the many blessings You have given me. Lead me today to that person that I can make an impact on for Your sake who is hurting and needs Your love.

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Abilities: April 21, 2016

TODAY’S WORD FOR THURSDAY APRIL 21, 2016.

ABILITIES

DEFINITION:

Capacity to do or act physically, mentally, legally, morally, or financially; competence based on natural skill, talents; special skills or aptitudes.

SCRIPTURE:

We have different gifts, according to what God has given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying; let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve, if it is teaching, let him teach, if it is encouraging, let him encourage, if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously, if it is leadership, let him govern diligently, if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Romans 12:6-8.

And to one He gave five talents, to another two and to another one, to each according to his own ability. Matthew 25:15.

If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies. I Peter 4:11.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

As believers in Jesus Christ God has put us on this earth with different abilities (as listed in Romans 12:6-8 above) in order to honor His name and to further the good news of His Word, the Bible, and to build’s Christ’s church.

God expects us to be diligent in using the abilities that He has given us. We are to use what He has given us for His service and not for our enjoyment or personal advancement. For many people this is hard for them to understand because they feel that they have earned their abilities by hard work or even a helpful heritage. The scripture tells us that it is most important that we be faithful to use our abilities to glorify God because He is the one that has given us our abilities and He has a purpose in giving us whatever we have.

This can be a difficult concept for those who have the ability to earn and accumulate much wealth. I Deuteronomy 8:17-18 says, “You may say to yourself, my power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me. But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.”

In Proverbs 3:9 we are instructed to honor God with our wealth … and our barns will be filled to overflowing. When we properly manage the abilities and resources God has given us God will continue to bless us.

So often we forget any greatness we achieve because our wealth or position of leadership is because God has given us this ability and we have a responsibility to use what we have accomplished to bring glory and honor to God and not to ourselves.

We have seen many adults and even children and youth with real talent and ability fail to use their God given ability to accomplish anything for God. Worse yet we have seen these talented people use the ability that God has given them for evil purposes which leads to their destruction and a hopeless future.

As Christians we need to strive daily to use the abilities that God has given us to bring glory to God and His kingdom. For some God has given much ability and for others a less amount but whatever God has given we must use for Him. It is wrong for us to sit back and not use our ability for God because God expects us to reach out and nurture those who need help in finding their “niche” in life to love and serve God. We have also learned that when you work hard to use the ability that God has given you he will give you more opportunities to use your ability for His glory and to add to His Kingdom. How are you using your abilities?

LEARNING:

Our memory verse is found in James 4:17.

Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

PRAYER:

Help me today, dear Lord, to use the abilities that You have blessed me with for Your glory. May all that I meet today see Christ through me and enable me to be an encourager to help my family, friends and neighbors to use the abilities You have given them to honor You and bring glory to Your name.

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Worthless: April 20, 2016

TODAY'S WORD FOR WEDNESDAY APRIL 20, 2016.

WORTHLESS

DEFINITION:

No good; valueless; of no use; of no purpose.

SCRIPTURE:

A worthless man digs up evil, while his words are like scorching fire. Proverbs 16:27.

And if Christ had not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. I Corinthians 15:17.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

It seems that when things begin to go wrong in life one begins to feel worthless and begins to think negatively. Feeling worthless takes away the incentive to accomplish anything. There is a lack of drive to accomplish even the smallest of tasks. There is really no desire by that person to go anywhere, see people, or to do things. When a person feels worthless they feel like nothing matters and they become idle.

The Proverb above cautions us that worthless people dig up evil. Idle minds turn to evil thoughts and sinful desires. The Proverb also warns that feeling worthless arouses feelings of anger that comes out in words that are like scorching fire. In Proverbs 6:12 we read that a worthless person is a wicked person who walks around with a perverse mouth.

In James 1: 26 we are told that if anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this person is worthless. The purity of one’s heart is revealed by our words and not only by our words but also by our actions.

Jesus said in Mark 7:21-22 for from within, out of the heart of many, comes evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, and foolishness. All these evil things come from within and they defile a person.

Those that feel worthless feel useless and become easy prey for Satan’s temptations to do evil.  Those who feel worthless really do not care what happens to them or what others think about them.

In God’s sight no one is worthless. Genesis 1:27 tells us that God created man in His own image. God certainly would not create something worthless in His image. When God finished His creation He looked at man and said it was good. So how can anyone say that what God has created is worthless?

While we are all valuable in God’s eyes we are not righteous. We are all just worthless sinners. God, through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ has redeemed us even though we were unworthy. All those who believe that Jesus not only died but rose from the dead to save us from our sin have been cleansed and made worthy of spending eternity in heaven.

In the verse above from I Corinthians, Paul warns people in the church of Corinth and all that might question the resurrection of Jesus that if Christ had not risen from the dead that their faith would be worthless and they would still be living in sin with no hope for eternal life with Jesus.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse is found in James 4:17.

Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

PRAYER:

Help us to be reminded daily that You love us and that there is no reason for us to feel worthless. Give me a victorious attitude in all that I do knowing that You created me and You are guiding me over every mountain and through every valley that I go through.

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Wordliness: April 19, 2016

TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY APRIL 19, 2016.

WORLDLINESS

DEFINITION:

Pertaining to this world as contrasted to heaven; devoted to, directed toward, or connected with the affairs, interests or pleasures of this world; the world’s value system.

SCRIPTURE:

And Jesus said to them, You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. John 8:23.

In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

We can remember when we were young children going with one of our parents to the local movie theater to see the news of the week on a newsreel. In this modern age of telecommunication we can hear and see what is happening in all parts of the world almost instantly in the comfort of our own home. Unfortunately, what we see today on television and hear on the radio is more the evils of the world than the good.

Satan is continually looking for weaknesses in our daily living and he uses the enticement of worldliness to woo us away from our love of the Lord. It is a constant temptation because evil is made to look so glamorous and enticing by the evil one but the satisfaction that comes from worldliness is here today and gone tomorrow.

When we think of worldliness and the scripture we think of the account given us of the prodigal son. A father’s youngest son asked for his share of his inheritance and left home with his inheritance and journeyed to a faraway country for a life of worldliness that he desired and thought he must have.

The scripture says that he soon wasted all of his possessions and inheritance, ending up with nothing, no friends, no food and nowhere to stay. The son had hit the bottom before he could see the futility and hopelessness of worldly living.

Jesus in this parable tells of the son coming home, repenting and being accepted by his father who welcomed him home with a great feast and celebration. This parable is a message for anyone today who has reached the bottom of life living in worldliness. God, our Father is waiting for you to repent and then to welcome you home.

Jesus is not of this world and He does not want us to be conformed to this world (see the verse we have put above). In John 15:18-19 Jesus tells us, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world (worldliness), the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world (as a believer in Jesus), but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”

God calls on us all to leave worldliness behind. We read in I John 2:15-17, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world, the cravings of sinful men, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does, comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”

LEARNING:

Our memory verse is found in James 4:17.

Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

PRAYER:

Help me to distinguish clearly what is of God and what is of the world. Help me never to be conformed to this world and tempted by Satan’s bright lights and glamour. Make me an instrument of blessing that can bring honor and glory to You.

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Wonderful: April 18, 2016

TODAY’S WORD FOR MONDAY APRIL 18, 2016.

WONDERFUL

DEFINITION:

Excellent; grand; marvelous and extraordinary.

SCRIPTURE:

Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done. I Chronicles 16:12.

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given us; and the government shall rest on His shoulders; and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God. Isaiah 9:6.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

When it comes to remembering all of the wonderful things God has done for us we tend to have short memories. We seldom take notice of all the ways God takes care of us day by day. Looking back through history we find this is nothing new.

God did miraculous things to deliver the Israelites from slavery under Pharaoh in Egypt. During the forty years they wandered in the desert God provided for them, giving them manna and quail to eat and even kept their clothes and sandals from wearing out. In spite of all the wonderful things they experienced and saw God do with their own eyes they did not always acknowledge God’s hand at work in their life.

Years later David as King of the Israelites remembered the history of the wonderful ways God had provided for the Israelites. The verse above from I Chronicles is from a prayer of thanksgiving and praise. In his prayer of thanksgiving David prays for the Children of Israel, to remember the great and wonderful works that God has done in their lives. He reminds them to look at the miracles that God has done getting them to the Promised Land. He also reminded them of the covenant promises God gave to Israel’s leaders that were fulfilled in Abraham, Moses, and Joshua. For all these things David reminds the Children of Israel and us today how wonderful and awesome God is.

In Isaiah 9:6 (above), Isaiah foretells the birth of Jesus and the reign of the Prince of Peace in one of the great verses in the Bible and gives Him four descriptive titles. Isaiah calls Him, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, prince of peace. These represent God’s awesome attributes which we should never forget and never cease to be thankful for.

WONDERFUL COUNSELOR: He is most excellent, most extraordinary, without equal, who guides us in the right paths, and gives us the right advice.

MIGHTY GOD: He is the one and only God and is Almighty.

EVERLASTING FATHER: He is God our Father in heaven and is eternal.

PRINCE OF PEACE: His rule is one of justice and peace.

What a wonderful and awesome Savior as proclaimed to us many years before His birth.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse is found in James 4:17.

Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

PRAYER:

Thank You for being my Wonderful and Awesome Lord and Savior. Keep me thankful for the things You do for me day in and day out. Thank You for being my wonderful counselor, my almighty God, and my everlasting Father and bringing me peace in the midst of this troubled world.

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