The Benefits Of Affliction

The Benefits Of Affliction Psalm 119.67, 71, 75 Our view of affliction (bruised, humbled, bowed down, depressed) is vastly different than God's when we are in the beginning of this race to heaven. As we mature it becomes clearer that God is in it, has His Hand upon the whole process and is doing things within us through it. We see through a glass dimly or darkly... a poor reflection. We cannot see the larger work God is doing in us. We may get an idea from time to time, a glimpse. However the greater work God is doing is most of the time hidden from us. It is part of the "the glory that will be revealed in us." Romans 8.18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. We avoid too much about death. This whole anti aging industry is really built on a lie. You cannot stop the natural breakdown in the human body. You may be able to look a little better but inside you know. Now that is not to say that we should not try to stay in shape, to keep going but we do face reality eventually. So the influence of this on us is huge even if we do not participate. My 40th High School Reunion: "She doesn't look that way without paying a huge price and doing a lot of work all the time." Affliction, physical pain, emotional suffering, spiritual burdens are good for us. We often feel the pain without realizing the work God is doing. Most times we cannot even see it. Gideon had these feelings: Judges 6.11 The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. 12 When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” 13 “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” Peel back the sky... 1. Affliction Causes Us To Obey God's Word. v.67 Not to stray... Stay on course keep= guard, keep watch over Affliction puts us into God's Word. It reminds us of mortality and how fleeing our lives are. Psalm 90.10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. 11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. 12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Psalm 89.47 Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain? 48 What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah. God's Word is a matter of life and death, both now and forever. Affliction reinforces that. When we are weak and down we look up to God. We seek out His Word. 2. Affliction Teaches God's Decrees v.71 Diff from Word and Decree Word= Utterance, speech, God's Word, The Torah Decree= Something engraved or inscribed The basics for life are found in the Ten Commandments. Civil Societies are built upon them. When we are afflicted we see where we are in living by thee tablets of stone. We see where we have fallen short, usually in the first one. Affliction shows us if we have had the LORD God as our master pasion or someone or something else. God engraved these on stone to show their permanence. The will never pass away. He showed us in them the proper place for Him in our lives, the sanctity of His Name, Rest, Family, Marriage, Human Life and Personal Property Rights. Whenever a society wanes in these things it begins to slip on a slippery slope into its own demise. Affliction brings us back to the basics of life: Food, water, clothing, shelter. It brings us back to the spiritual priorities. People who are afflicted often cry out, "Oh God..." I have heard them cry out, "Jesus! Help me!" I have never heard them cry, "Oh Buddha!" or "Oh Allah". The School of Suffering is in session while we are here on earth. It is not a question of if it is question of when. If we are truly children of God we will suffer! This suffering can be severe at times, overwhelming even. Think of Who we are following. Jesus told us we would suffer. He told us that in this world we would have trouble. He told us we needed to pick up our cross daily and follow Him. When we are afflicted our hearts are more open to receive spiritual truth. God gets our attention through affliction. When the bottom falls out we seek for the true foundation. We built a new foundation in Haiti in the church. the first one crumbled because it was not reinforced properly. In places where there are earthquakes reinforced foundations are vital. Affliction checks how we are doing in obeying the Ten Commandments. It gives us a restored fear of God. 3. Affliction Shows Us The Faithfulness of God v.75 Joseph's dreams came true 13 years later. He thought he was done with his family. God had not forgot. What appeared to be cruel treatment by God and an abandonment of dreams He gave him was really God working in Joseph and the world for the fulfillment at the right time. I think that is why when God spoke to Habakkuk, He told him, "Write the vision down upon the tablet... make it plain... though it tarries wait for it. It will certainly will come. It will not delay." Habakkuk 2.2-3 God confounds the wise. Through It All "If I never had a problem, I wouldn't know He could solve them I wouldn't know what faith in God could do." Think back on the most difficult times in your life. How did you get through it? What were some epic moments you remember?... A Word from God, prayers prayed over you. It was good for me to be afflicted... seeing God's Hand in your pain is a great gift. Facebook Grief Group... To Haiti With Love ------------------------------------------ Habakkuk 1.5 Ecuador, Haiti, Peru - all nations which I have hosted missionaries from over 37 years now of being a Pastor. Your pastor is from Ecuador. Ken Blish was a missionary in South America. I remember him before he left in 1981. He spoke in my church before he went. Then years later after we began 2 Spanish churches I told Dr. Mucci he needs someone to help him with all the Spanish Churches. I recommended Ken Blish. Yelssy Manza is from Peru. I have been to Haiti 5 times now in 30 months... going again in September, LORD willing. Pray about meeting a week from Saturday. Your pastor will be coming to my house. Yelssy met with Pastor Art this week to discuss the District being involved. This is what she said, "I had a meeting with our DS Pastor Art and I did share with him the desire to do 3 missions trip to Haiti this September. (I spoke before about this with Pastor Larry). The last Mission trip will be Medical, because we want to have a complete place finish (Church) to use it as a hotel and clinic during the last trip. Pastor Art gave us his blessing so we can walk now with these projects. 6 months ago... Yelssy wanted Pastor Art to go on a mission trip. "I told him he has to go!" I told her that he would never go if she pushed him. I have known him for 35 years, since she was 5 years old in Peru. I told her leave him to me. Don't say another word. I invited him to Haiti. He told me he would go before he retires in 2018, a year from now. He went last month. He had a great time. (Picture of Pastor Art and I and Errol in the pick up truck)... ride down. To God Be The Glory Great Things He has Done! (Picture of the church before and after) Miracles in Haiti Words for Trips: September 2014 "The good Hand of my God was upon me." September 2015 "Didn't I tel you that if you believed you would see the glory of God? John 11.40 March 2016 II Chronicles 20:15 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.'" January 2017 He already had in mind what He was going to do. John 6.6 *This church being built without any debt, built by faith and prayer and cash. *The politicians... our greatest need here in the mountains- an orphanage! *The church has more than doubled in size- both Sundays ran out of seats- we had 5 more benches made. *We fed the workers, children, ourselves. *Pray about going this September. Pray for the meeting a week from Saturday. Pray for the trips and the doctors in September *Immigration Meeting with Immigration Attorney to help with Green Cards next month!