Serve the LORD with gladness

Posted by valerie

God has blessed each one of us with specific gifts and talents to use for
his service to give him glory.

Many spend their lives unhappy, bored, or suffer from severe depression,
because they are not using their talents to bless others.

People in the world are usually fighting and struggling to climb the ladder
of success, and then realize money can’t buy them love and a feeling
of satisfaction.

Jesus tells us in his word…And whoever desires to be first among you,
let him be your slave..just as the Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:27-28

God shows us in his word powerful success stories of men and women
who used their gifts wisely.

One such man was Bezalel. We first read about him in Exodus 31.

Moses had led the children of Israel out of slavery into the wilderness.

Even though they had seen great miracles, like the parting of the Red Sea,
and God blessing them every day with manna…they had a habit of grumbling
and complaining.

Since they didn’t have to plant crops and work for their food, God instructed
Moses to have them begin a service project to build a Tabernacle.

He divinely had given the people favor with the Egyptians when they left Egypt,
and blessed them with clothes, gold, silver, and many jewels.

God spoke to Moses saying…See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri,
the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God,
in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,
to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in cutting jewels
for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.
Exodus 31:1-5

God specifically chose Bezalel for the task of creating beautiful works of art
for the LORD. He gave Moses specific instructions for the creation of the
Ark of the Covenant, the Altar for the Burnt Offerings, the Gold Lampstand,
the Table of Showbread, and the Altar of Incense.

Bezalel was also given the job of teaching other gifted men and women
who would help him complete the work and also make the garments
for Aaron and the Priests.

Moses called Bezalel, his assistant Aholiab, and every gifted
artisan in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, and everyone
whose heart was stirred to come and do the work.

They received offerings from the children of Israel every morning
for the enormous project.

The people gave so many free will offerings, that soon Moses was
told they had more than enough to complete the project.

Uniting our gifts and talents to serve the LORD gives joy to God.

He blesses us, so we can be a blessing to others, and feel fulfilled
and exhilarated by completing work that will give him glory.

Like Bezalel and Moses, we too have been given gifts and talents
to let God’s light shine through us.

When we work together, we make the world a better place to live
and put a smile on our face and His.

King David wrote…Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God. It is He who has made us, and not we
ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Psalm 100:1-3

Beloved, today you may be out of work, depressed, and fearful about
the future.

Lay your fears at the feet of Jesus, and ask your Father and Creator to
show you how to use your gifts and talents to be a blessing to others.

Give Him your heart, your life, and make an effort to find someone to
be a blessing to each day.

God loves you so much that he gave us His Son.

In love and gratitude, may we dedicate our life to him as a free will sacrifice.

Freely you have received…Freely give!

Let my children see in me…

Love and strength and stability.

Help me teach them to draw from you

All of the power your Word can do.

Let my example prove to them…

In trusting you, they’ll be freed from sin.