3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. As a disciple of Christ we are to be His ambassadors.Jesus truly cares for those that were and are hurting. We know that God is a God to whom we can go to in our times of trouble.
Do we know someone who is hurting? What can we do? We can give the comfort that we ourselves receive from God. Let's make it a point to reach out to our hurting community.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4
Immediately my mind has gone to Haiti, as they are still digging out of the after mess of Wednesday's earthquake. Even before the disaster, Haiti was the poorest country in our Hemisphere... already filled with great need. On top of their daily sufferings, this natural disaster has left thousands trapped in buildings, injured &/or dead. This is a country in mourning. I am confident that God is busy at work, comforting those who are crying out to Him during this tragic time. What role do we play? What do average Christians of the world today need to being doing about this (and many other) tragedy? What is our practical application opportunity??
Per Encyclopedia Britannica: There is no official religion in Haiti, but over 2/3 of the population is Roman Catholic. Voodooism is also widely practiced in Haiti, even by those who consider themselves to be Roman Catholic. There is a growing number of Protestants in Haiti, especially since 1980, and there is a small, but growing group of Muslims in Haiti. There are almost 10,000,000 people living on this island of almost 11,000 square feet. Approximately 2/5 of the poplulation is under age 15.
The Word says: "He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3 "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4
There are few guarantees in life, but one thing is for sure: we will have trouble in this life. You have a choice when you are through trouble in life. You can choose to turn to God and rely on Him to bring you through or you can become bitter and angry, spewing out venom to all those who are around. It can build character in you, or vividly display your lack of character.
Those who see others going through trouble have a choice. You can sit on the sidelines smiling because it's not you (this time). You can quietly say a prayer and hope that the other person makes out fine. You can jump in and help someone out.
How do you want the people around to react when you are having trouble?? If your car has the flat tire -- do you want someone to smile as they drive by -- do you want them to say a little prayer and keep going -- do you want them to stop, get out, get dirty, and help you change the flat?? If you are the victim of an earthquake, do you want someone to smile because they aren't the victim, say a prayer and hope you are okay, or send some relief and assistance of some sort either by volunteering or financially supporting someone who can and will??
"You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?" James 2:20
We are the hands and feet of Christ in today's world. What would Jesus do?? It's time to stop talking, and start doing! NJ
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (New International Version)
ReplyDeleteThe God of All Comfort
3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.
As a disciple of Christ we are to be His ambassadors.Jesus truly cares for those that were and are hurting. We know that God is a God to whom we can go to in our times of trouble.
Do we know someone who is hurting? What can we do? We can give the comfort that we ourselves receive from God.
Let's make it a point to reach out to our hurting community.
Hey JB! I'm on!!!!
ReplyDeleteDay 11 - Comfort
ReplyDelete"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." Matthew 5:4
Immediately my mind has gone to Haiti, as they are still digging out of the after mess of Wednesday's earthquake. Even before the disaster, Haiti was the poorest country in our Hemisphere... already filled with great need. On top of their daily sufferings, this natural disaster has left thousands trapped in buildings, injured &/or dead. This is a country in mourning. I am confident that God is busy at work, comforting those who are crying out to Him during this tragic time. What role do we play? What do average Christians of the world today need to being doing about this (and many other) tragedy? What is our practical application opportunity??
Per Encyclopedia Britannica: There is no official religion in Haiti, but over 2/3 of the population is Roman Catholic. Voodooism is also widely practiced in Haiti, even by those who consider themselves to be Roman Catholic. There is a growing number of Protestants in Haiti, especially since 1980, and there is a small, but growing group of Muslims in Haiti. There are almost 10,000,000 people living on this island of almost 11,000 square feet. Approximately 2/5 of the poplulation is under age 15.
The Word says:
"He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3
"I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." John 14:18
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4
There are few guarantees in life, but one thing is for sure: we will have trouble in this life. You have a choice when you are through trouble in life. You can choose to turn to God and rely on Him to bring you through or you can become bitter and angry, spewing out venom to all those who are around. It can build character in you, or vividly display your lack of character.
Those who see others going through trouble have a choice. You can sit on the sidelines smiling because it's not you (this time). You can quietly say a prayer and hope that the other person makes out fine. You can jump in and help someone out.
How do you want the people around to react when you are having trouble?? If your car has the flat tire -- do you want someone to smile as they drive by -- do you want them to say a little prayer and keep going -- do you want them to stop, get out, get dirty, and help you change the flat?? If you are the victim of an earthquake, do you want someone to smile because they aren't the victim, say a prayer and hope you are okay, or send some relief and assistance of some sort either by volunteering or financially supporting someone who can and will??
"You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?" James 2:20
We are the hands and feet of Christ in today's world. What would Jesus do?? It's time to stop talking, and start doing! NJ