OUR DAILY BREAD: WITH ALL MY ART

[cimi]

JUNE 13
Wednesday


READ:
Exodus 35:30-35
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[The Lord] has filled
him with the Spirit of
God...to design
artistic works.
__Exodus 35:31-32
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Why plant flowers? You can't eat them," said my father-in-law after witnessing my spring ritual of filling pots with fragrant and colorful treasures from the garden store. Jay's dad is an engineer--a practical sort of person. He can make anything work, but making it beautiful is not
a priority. He values function over form, usefulness over aesthetics.

God created us with different gifts. Engineers who work for the glory of God design machines that make life easier. The Lord also created artists, who make life more pleasant by creating beautiful things for the glory of God and the enjoyment of others.

When we think of art in worship, we usually think of music. But other art forms have long had a role in glorifying God. The calling of Bezalel deomonstrates God's regard for fine art (Ex.35:30-35). God commissioned him to beautify the first official place of worship: the tabernacle. God's purppose for the arts, says Gene Edward Veith, is "to glorify God and to manifest beauty."

When artistic talent is enlivened by the Spirit of God, it becomes an act of worship that then can become a witness to point people to Christ. God has greatly enriched our lives with beauty. And we in turn express our gratitude by displaying His glory in our art. __Julie Ackerman Link
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~~~~~~~~~Father, may our work--whatever it may be--~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~draw the kind of attention that causes others~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~to praise and worship You. Amen.~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Do all things for the glory of God.


***********Today's Bible Reading___exodus 35:30-35**************

30 And Moses said to the
children of Israel, "See
the Lord has called by
name Bezalel the son of
Uri, the son of Hur, of the
tribe of Judah; 31 and He
has filled him with the
Spirit of God, in wisdom
and understanding, in
knowledge and all manner
of workmanship, 32 to
design artistic works, to
work in gold and sliver and
bronze, 33 in cutting jewels
for setting, in carving wood,
and to work in all manner
of artistic workmanship,
34 And He has put in his
heart the ability to teach, in
him and Aholiab the son of
Ahisamach, of the tribe of
Dan. 35 He has filled them
with skill to do all manner
of work of the engraver
and the designeer and the
tapestry maker, in blue,
purple, and scarlet thread,
and fine linen, and of the
weaver--those who do
every work and those who
design artistic works."

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary defines "art" as "human creative skill
or its application; branches of creative activity concerned with the
production of imaginative designs, sounds for ideas, e.g., painting,
music, writing." Because human beings are made in the image of
God, they possess a spirit with emotion, intellect, will, conscience, and creativity. Some Christians may adopt a completely negative
attitude toward the arts, labeling them as "worldly." But God
delights in the creative gifts He has granted to us. Johann Sebastian
Bach worte at the bottom of each of his music compositions the
letters S.D.G., which stood for Soli Deo Gloria--to the glory of god
alone. The great composer's motto reminds us of Paul's admonition,
"Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31). --HDF

[Mackenaw]

Amen, I love His art. I sit on my backporch, designed and crafted by His blessed creation, cedar, built by a man gifted in woodworking -- another art by one of His creations (man), which gives direct access to viewing my backyard planted and filled with more of His creation: rocks, grass, trees, bushes, vines, flowers, bees, birds, butterflies, dragonflies, chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, with the backdrop of His blessed sky of blue. And I open His Word and I savor my time with Him, surrounded by His art.