AFFLICTION

 

Write From My Heart

August 31, 2021

AFFLICTION anything causing pain, suffering, distress, or calamity

Lamentations 3:1-20 (NIV)  I am the man who has seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. He has driven me away and made me walk in darkness rather than light; indeed, he has turned his hand against me again and again, all day long. He has made my skin and my flesh grow old and has broken my bones. He has besieged me and surrounded me with bitterness and hardship. He has made me dwell in darkness like those long dead. He has walled me in so I cannot escape; he has weighed me down with chains. Even when I call out or cry for help, he shuts out my prayer. He has barred my way with blocks of stone; he has made my paths crooked. Like a bear lying in wait, like a lion in hiding, he dragged me from the path and mangled me and left me without help. He drew his bow and made me the target for his arrows. He pierced my heart with arrows from his quiver. I became the laughingstock of all my people; they mock me in song all day long. He has filled me with bitter herbs and sated me with gall. He has broken my teeth with gravel; he has trampled me in the dust. I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is. So I say, “My splendor is gone and all that I had hoped from the LORD.” I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.

            And we think WE have it rough? Most of us have never experienced true affliction described by Jeremiah, and by God’s mercy will never be placed in that position. What we do experience are daily consequences of the aging process. What we do experience are side effects of living a Christian life in a world that seeks only self. What we do experience are temporary times of spiritual drought when we wonder why? what if? when? how? Thankfully, Jeremiah not only defined true affliction for us, but he also defined the correct response.

Lamentations 3:21-26 (NIV)  Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope. Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

SKILL

 

Write From My Heart

August 30, 2021

SKILL  talent or ability particularly with use of hands to work in arts, crafts, or science

Exodus 31:1-6 (NIV) Then the LORD said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts—to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship. Moreover, I have appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to help him. Also I have given skill to all the craftsmen to make everything I have commanded you.

            Bezalel and Oholiab—sure, you remember them, don’t you? Most of us do not remember their names, nor who they were, nor what they accomplished that placed their names in the scriptures. As I understand it, Bezalel and Oholiab were in charge (foremen, if you will) for designing and making the Tent of Meeting, all its furnishings, and even the priestly garments. Quite a long list of accomplishments!

            What does this have to do with any of us today? Simply this: God furnished all the skill, talent, and knowledge necessary for Bezalel and Oholiab to do the tasks set before them. God will also furnish you with the knowledge, wisdom, and talent or skill you need to be able to do any task that he sets before you. The temptation for us is to view the skills of someone else and then by comparison view ourselves as inadequate or lacking. The key is to stop focusing on what others can do and start focusing on what God is leading YOU to do. The disciples were fishermen. Paul was a tent-maker. Lydia sold purple cloth. Dorcus made children’s clothing. All dedicated their talents, abilities, and skills to do the Lord’s work.

Ephesians 2:10  For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Colossians 23-24  Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

IDOL

 

Write From My Heart

August 29, 2021

IDOL any object of ardent or excessive devotion or admiration

Jonah 2:8 (NIV) Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.

            I enjoy the story of Jonah, particularly because as Jonah ran away, God delivered him to the exact place he should have been traveling to all along. Too often we overlook little golden nuggets of truth while getting caught up in the main text. Tucked away in the familiar story of Jonah is a small 13-word verse, but what a powerful and timely message it brings. We commonly think about idols as man-made images to represent any number of false gods. True. However by definition, an idol is anything which captures your attention, devotion, or admiration. In short, an idol can be anything that draws you away from focusing on God, his Word, or his plan for your life. When I (or we) allow anything to disrupt our focus on God, the consequence is clear—we lose the grace that could have been ours while we were distracted. God’s grace is abundant and free to all who call upon him—to all who believe. How sad to forfeit even a moment of God’s unmerited love and favor because we are too busy with our own worldly agendas or prideful possessions. Both the Old Testament and the New Testament make it perfectly clear:

Exodus 20:3  You shall have no other gods before me.

Matthew 22:37  Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.”