Comforting

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
2nd Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT

When you find yourself in a situation where you might seek advice or counsel, who would you turn to - someone who has read/studied all about it or someone who has lived through it and come out the other side? Yes, the one who has been-there-done-that, right?

That is one of the reasons it is so important to follow 1st Thessalonians 5:18 NLT, Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. Giving thanks takes us into the Father's presence where we receive His comfort - the same comfort that we will then be able to give others who are in need. 

What a comforting thought!

Prayer:

Father,

           You have changed our hearts to want to help others and You use all circumstances to perfect that within us. Make us always mindful to turn to You first in all things and to give thanks. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen 

What Do I Know?

But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. 

I am overwhelmed at the thought!
Job 19:25-27 NLT

The Book of Job troubles me. It is not an easy read and I have heard it taught from different angles. It's one of those situations where you'd best be certain you know the Godly nature and character of the person teaching or confusion can slip right in. And we know that confusion is not of God.

When faced with trials and tribulations and heartaches and illness, many Christians are often conflicted within themselves.

Where's God in all this?
Why is this happening?
Why has He allowed fill in the blank ?

I don't know any answers other than what Jesus said in John 16:33 NLT, I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

Only you can determine what you believe to be true. Only you can choose the standard by which you live your life. Only you can know what that is.

With all the lies and confusion in this world, I must have TRUTH. Something I know to always be Truth - the same yesterday, today and forever. I believe Jesus is the Living Word. I believe the Bible is the irrefutable Word of God. I choose to live my life based on the standards defined within His Word. 

What do I know? I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!

Prayer:

Father,
           We can never thank You enough for Your Word and for loving us enough to send Your Son to die in our place. Thank You for giving us the written Word - alive and powerful - a sword to help us be overcomers of all that's in this fallen world. Renew a right Spirit within us to trust You no matter the circumstances of life. We need Your strength, O God. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Whose Older?

The Scriptures tell us, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.” But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit. What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later.
1 Corinthians 15:45-46 NLT

I heard a great teaching yesterday from my pastor's cousin. Obviously, there is an anointing in their family line to rightly divide the Word. I want to share the highlights with you. I believe you will be blessed by it. 

Throughout Scripture, there is the general instruction of the firstborn being the one to receive the major portion, the blessing, the inheritance from the father. And yet, when it comes to the patriarchs of faith, that is not the case. 

In Genesis, Isaac's wife, Rebekah was carrying twins when God said the elder shall serve the younger. And it was so. Esau served Jacob. But think about it. Isaac was the son of promise - yet he was the younger brother of Ishmael. 

Joseph's brothers served him. 

Later, when it came time for Jacob to bless Joseph's sons, Jacob crossed his hands and put the right hand of blessing on the younger one.

Moses was the youngest child, as was Gideon, and also King David. 

How does this help us? Read again verse 46 of today's Promise. What comes first is the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later. The natural body came first - it's older. The spiritual body came later, it's the younger of the two. So no matter what your birth order - when we are saved - born again through Christ - we are no longer slaves to our sinful natures. We ARE a new creation. The older (physical) shall serve the younger (spiritual). Selah...

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for making the perfect provision to set us free from ourselves. Help us to remember and to fully grasp and live according to the exceedingly great and precious promises You have given to us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Drought Conditions

The Lord will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; 

You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

Isaiah 58:11 NKJV

What a timely promise this is! To say it's hot would be an understatement. You walk outside and your face melts off into your hand (well, it does if you've put makeup on to go to work). In addition, we have been asked to comply with a voluntary (outside) watering schedule because of Drought 1 conditions. So if you need to water your flower or vegetable gardens, it's every other day and only between certain hours. It's been so brutal, some people are actually putting up shade measures for their gardens.

It's so comforting to know that regardless of the situations or circumstances in which we find ourselves, God has given us a promise for each and every one. And it is written, Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 NKJV) 

Whether the drought is actual or metaphorical, He will NEVER leave you. He promised.

Prayer:

Father,

          Thank You for Your promises to us. Thank You that we can be content in all things knowing You will never leave or forsake us and that we will not be abandoned - especially in the hard times. You alone are our portion. Help us to know it in the depths of our being. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Love in Action

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 

On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:9-21 NIV

Prayer:

Father,

          Let Your Word take root and grow large in our lives. May we and those around us reap a harvest of blessings from it. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Pleasing God

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12 ESV

This verse is from one of my favorite passages of Scripture, Romans 12:9-16. In my opinion, those verses are the Cliffs Notes study guide for how to live a Christian life. But this particular verse has struck a chord with me. 

To be patient in tribulation. It's not fun, but it is SO necessary. To be steadfast no matter what the world throws at us. It strengthens our faith. It builds our endurance. James tells us to "Count it all joy..." 

We must ask ourselves which we want more - fun or faith? Which pleases God? (Hint: Hebrews 11:6) Choose this day whom you will serve... (Joshua 24:15)

Prayer:

Father,

          We want to please You above all else. Give us Your Strength to be able to Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

For Good

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Romans 8:28 NLT

Have you ever questioned the bad stuff, the sad stuff, the tough and so rough stuff that happens in your life? Have you questioned how in the world any of it could work for your good? I know I have and yet...

Now I've lived long enough to know that I would never have known how to be compassionate had I not known pain. I would not know how to be merciful or forgiving had I not desperately needed both. I would not be a giver if I'd never known what it was like to be without. I could not love unconditionally if I had not suffered rejection.

For me, there is comfort in knowing that Jesus lived it, died because of it, then rose again. And like the old song says, "Because He lives, I can face tomorrow..." Whatever comes to my life, good or bad, I know it will work together for my good. He promised it would be so.

Prayer:

Father,
           Thank You for Your Word that shines through the dark times. Thank You for a firm foundation where we can stand against the storms of life. Thank You for the Word in the Message that we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. Help us to remember and to hide and hold Your Truths in our hearts. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen