2 Corinthians 1:4
"[GOD] who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (NIV)
No matter what we are going through we need to remember that God is our great comforter. He comforts us with His Word and His promises.
Psalm 71:21
"You shall increase my greatness,
And comfort me on every side."
Psalm 119:50
"This is my comfort in my affliction,
For Your word has given me life."
Everyone says to "take comfort in the Lord" or "rest in Him" when we are in enduring hardship or are in pain. I think we sometimes accept those statements without really understanding the meaning behind them.
If we truly hold onto Christ and look to Him for strength, we will get through whatever it is we are going through because when we TRULY acknowledge what Jesus did on the cross for us, anything that we can EVER go through is nothing compared to that. Our comfort during these times is not just the comfort of knowing He is there but knowing that if He did that for us so we could spend eternity with Him in Heaven, we can endure anything this world throws at us.
That is why Paul says in Hebrews 12:1-2
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
And not only are we to take comfort in the Lord during our own troubles but we are to take this same comfort to others that are suffering. This applies to believer's and non-believers. The follower of Christ may need to be reminded of the comfort we have in Christ (as I did this week) and the non-believer needs to know of the comfort in Christ that they can have.
We do not need to have experienced the same trouble that someone has gone through in order to bring them comfort because even though we haven't experienced the trial, we HAVE experienced His grace, mercy, love and comfort. That is what we can share.
Be Comforted and Comfort Others Today!!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
NO FEAR
2 Tim 1:7
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
The word "fear" in this verse means "timidity" or "cowardice" and it is the power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to serve God and do ministry. If we think our talents and personal ability will be enough to serve the Lord, we will be defeated every time when the fiery darts of the enemy start coming our way.
The Holy Spirit also gives us love. We have to have love for the lost and for the people of God. When we keep on focus on God and other people, we will be able to endure suffering, set backs and hardships.
The words "sound mind" are better translated as "self control" or "self discipline" and indicates that a person that is filled with and led by Spirit will have the power to overcome cowardice, have genuine compassion for others and will have a well balanced and controlled mind and has their life under control.
We have to remember that it is not us that do anything for the Lord, it is the power of the Holy Spirit that works in and through us.
Phil 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Be blessed today!
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
The word "fear" in this verse means "timidity" or "cowardice" and it is the power of the Holy Spirit that enables us to serve God and do ministry. If we think our talents and personal ability will be enough to serve the Lord, we will be defeated every time when the fiery darts of the enemy start coming our way.
The Holy Spirit also gives us love. We have to have love for the lost and for the people of God. When we keep on focus on God and other people, we will be able to endure suffering, set backs and hardships.
The words "sound mind" are better translated as "self control" or "self discipline" and indicates that a person that is filled with and led by Spirit will have the power to overcome cowardice, have genuine compassion for others and will have a well balanced and controlled mind and has their life under control.
We have to remember that it is not us that do anything for the Lord, it is the power of the Holy Spirit that works in and through us.
Phil 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Be blessed today!
Friday, November 6, 2009
WHERE ARE YOU GOD?
1 Peter 1:3-9
"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen, you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls." (NKJV)
I know it can be hard sometimes to see God when either we or someone we care about is going through a terrible trial or has experienced a horrific tragedy. Today's message really weighs on my heart because of a friend of mine who, along with friends of theirs, is experiencing this very thing.
I couldn't put just one of these verses because they all are related and it is important to look at scripture in context so today's is a bit long.
The first thing that we need to understand is that we have the living hope of eternity with Christ through His resurrection. This is the hinge that holds our faith together. A hinge so strong that every apostle (except for John) died a horrific martyrs death believing in. If Jesus was not raised from the dead, they would have known that and would not have been willing to die for a lie.
Peter says that our inheritance (eternal life) cannot be destroyed. No matter what this life or this world throws at us or takes away from us, our salvation will not fade away like treasures here on earth. When we die, we can't take our money, house, car, 401K, IRA, etc with us. The only thing we can take with us is our salvation. Everything else gets divided up to those we leave behind but our salvation remains with us.
The next important point is that Peter tells us that as believers we will face hard times. He recognized this in verse 6 and he is speaking to believers in Jesus. Their lives were not all perfect and without hardship. He encouraged them to look past the trials and rejoice in the love they have for Christ even though they have not physically seen Him, they know in their hearts that they love Him and through their current trial, they can draw to Him and lean on His strength. He also says that their faith will be tested by fire. We know that if something can withstand fire it is (for the most part) indestructible. Our faith in Christ will be tested and put to the fire when we or people we love go through hard times, but it is that same faith and love for Jesus that will get us through it.
(From the Bible Exposition Commentary by Warren Wiersbe)
["Our love for Christ is not based on physical sight, because we have not seen Him. It is based on our spiritual relationship with Him and what the Word has taught us about Him. The Holy Spirit has poured out God’s love into our hearts (Rom. 5:5), and we return that love to Him. When you find yourself in some trial, and you hurt, immediately lift your heart to Christ in true love and worship. Why? Because this will take the poison out of the experience and replace it with healing medicine."]
I want to close with some verses that help show us that we WILL ALL go through hard times here on earth but that we should, during these times, look ahead of the trouble and look to the prize. And that prize being our salvation and the hope of eternity with Christ. And that hope is not hope of what MAY come but is the hope and expectancy of what WILL COME.
Matthew 5:12
"Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
James 1:2-3
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."
1 Peter 4:12
"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you"
Romans 1:3-5
"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
Understand that the trials these men faced during the day these letters were written were death and punishment for their faith. Severe persecution and torture is what they faced. If they can look past what they were going through, how much more can we look past our own trials and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Be encouraged today!
Mike
"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen, you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls." (NKJV)
I know it can be hard sometimes to see God when either we or someone we care about is going through a terrible trial or has experienced a horrific tragedy. Today's message really weighs on my heart because of a friend of mine who, along with friends of theirs, is experiencing this very thing.
I couldn't put just one of these verses because they all are related and it is important to look at scripture in context so today's is a bit long.
The first thing that we need to understand is that we have the living hope of eternity with Christ through His resurrection. This is the hinge that holds our faith together. A hinge so strong that every apostle (except for John) died a horrific martyrs death believing in. If Jesus was not raised from the dead, they would have known that and would not have been willing to die for a lie.
Peter says that our inheritance (eternal life) cannot be destroyed. No matter what this life or this world throws at us or takes away from us, our salvation will not fade away like treasures here on earth. When we die, we can't take our money, house, car, 401K, IRA, etc with us. The only thing we can take with us is our salvation. Everything else gets divided up to those we leave behind but our salvation remains with us.
The next important point is that Peter tells us that as believers we will face hard times. He recognized this in verse 6 and he is speaking to believers in Jesus. Their lives were not all perfect and without hardship. He encouraged them to look past the trials and rejoice in the love they have for Christ even though they have not physically seen Him, they know in their hearts that they love Him and through their current trial, they can draw to Him and lean on His strength. He also says that their faith will be tested by fire. We know that if something can withstand fire it is (for the most part) indestructible. Our faith in Christ will be tested and put to the fire when we or people we love go through hard times, but it is that same faith and love for Jesus that will get us through it.
(From the Bible Exposition Commentary by Warren Wiersbe)
["Our love for Christ is not based on physical sight, because we have not seen Him. It is based on our spiritual relationship with Him and what the Word has taught us about Him. The Holy Spirit has poured out God’s love into our hearts (Rom. 5:5), and we return that love to Him. When you find yourself in some trial, and you hurt, immediately lift your heart to Christ in true love and worship. Why? Because this will take the poison out of the experience and replace it with healing medicine."]
I want to close with some verses that help show us that we WILL ALL go through hard times here on earth but that we should, during these times, look ahead of the trouble and look to the prize. And that prize being our salvation and the hope of eternity with Christ. And that hope is not hope of what MAY come but is the hope and expectancy of what WILL COME.
Matthew 5:12
"Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
James 1:2-3
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."
1 Peter 4:12
"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you"
Romans 1:3-5
"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
Understand that the trials these men faced during the day these letters were written were death and punishment for their faith. Severe persecution and torture is what they faced. If they can look past what they were going through, how much more can we look past our own trials and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Be encouraged today!
Mike
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
THE GOODNESS OF GOD
Romans 2:4
"Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?"
This verse was taught this past Sunday at church and it is an interesting one and easy to read over and not realize how important it is. A lot of people repent and turn to God when they are at the lowest point of their life. When it seems their life is a series of wrong turns and bad decisions and they are left with nowhere to turn is when they turn to God.
Does this sound like "the goodness of God?"
Sometimes God allows things to happen in our life in order to get our attention. Maybe it takes a tragedy for us to lean on Him. In our weakness, we are made strong by His strength. But does this sound like the "goodness of God" that leads us to repentance?
The "goodness of God" is the fact that He is longsuffering and "not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
When we realize that God will forgive us no matter what we have done or how much of a sinner we are, that is when we repent, turn from our sin and turn to Him. When we realize how much God loves us and what He did for us on the cross we can't help but turn from sin and run to Him.
That is why Paul later says in Romans 6:23 "The wages of sin is death but the GIFT of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
God loves us so much that He died on the cross for us. He bore the sin, the shame and the pain so we wouldn't have to.
That is the "goodness of God" that leads to repentance. His longsuffering and patience and desire "that all should come to repentance."
REPENT and TURN TO HIM!
"Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?"
This verse was taught this past Sunday at church and it is an interesting one and easy to read over and not realize how important it is. A lot of people repent and turn to God when they are at the lowest point of their life. When it seems their life is a series of wrong turns and bad decisions and they are left with nowhere to turn is when they turn to God.
Does this sound like "the goodness of God?"
Sometimes God allows things to happen in our life in order to get our attention. Maybe it takes a tragedy for us to lean on Him. In our weakness, we are made strong by His strength. But does this sound like the "goodness of God" that leads us to repentance?
The "goodness of God" is the fact that He is longsuffering and "not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
When we realize that God will forgive us no matter what we have done or how much of a sinner we are, that is when we repent, turn from our sin and turn to Him. When we realize how much God loves us and what He did for us on the cross we can't help but turn from sin and run to Him.
That is why Paul later says in Romans 6:23 "The wages of sin is death but the GIFT of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
God loves us so much that He died on the cross for us. He bore the sin, the shame and the pain so we wouldn't have to.
That is the "goodness of God" that leads to repentance. His longsuffering and patience and desire "that all should come to repentance."
REPENT and TURN TO HIM!
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