Comfort: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

Let me start today's post with Paul's prayer in the first chapter of 2nd Corinthians:  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all COMFORT"

I want to spend this evening meditating on that word: COMFORT.   A dictionary definition of the word comfort might read as follows:

Verb  1.  to soothe, console, or reassure; bring cheer to   2. to make physically comfortable

Noun  1. relief in affliction; consolation; solace   2. a feeling of relief or consolation.

The opening prayer of the this chapter of 2nd Corinthians starts with, for me at least, an incredibly heartwarming depiction of God as "the Father of MERCIES and the God of ALL COMFORT".  What a joyful thought, that the maker of every brilliant star and every beautiful creature on Earth desires to see us comforted and brought to a place of peace in His presence!  Amen!

And, like most things that God does, this act of reassurance and peace has a more lateral purpose than just our personal enjoyment of Jesus (though that's not to be understated, IT'S AWESOME!).

Verse 4 of the same book and chapter tell us that Jesus "comforts us in all our afflictions" as a means of ministry to others.  The overwhelming love and protection of the Spirit, in our darkest moments and difficult battles, should cause us to pour out that same comfort "with which ourselves are comforted by God".   When we see the broken people that God has placed in our circles of influence, we should be contagious with His compassion and desire to see their pains relieved through grace!

IT'S ALL ABOUT SHARING IN EXPERIENCE!  Verses 5 and 6 teach us that we are to share in BOTH THE SUFFERINGS AND COMFORT of Jesus Christ.   Though many of us, especially in overprivileged America, do not experience the type of suffering or persecution as Paul and the early disciples (not to mention many modern martyrs in various parts of today's world), we are called to take joy in EVEN OUR DIFFICULTIES because they lead us to a better understanding and appreciation of God's salvation and providential comfort.  And in the evangelistic sense, suffering for or comforting our brothers and sisters in Christ (and suffering for those who need His salvation) is HUGELY IMPORTANT!  Don't forget that Christ said that there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for his friends.  "If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation" (Verse 6).

I absolutely love the confidence Paul (and Jesus) have for the church in verse 7 when he says "Our hope for you is unshaken."  What do we have to fear?   If Jesus has raised us up with Him through the sharing in His death AND resurrection, what can come against His body?

To finish pondering this wonderful chunk of scripture, I encourage us all (since I need this reminder daily) to pray ferverently for each other in our ministry to the lost.  The rest of this passage down to verse 11 recounts Paul's struggles while in Asia and how the prayers of the church at Corinth made a massive difference in his deliverence from dangerous situations.  

IT IS CRITICAL for us to be aware of the sufferings of our brothers and sisters and JUST AS CRITICAL to pray for the sufferings of the unsaved, if we are to join in the comforting process of the Spirit for both parties.

Many don't believe God loves them because they have lived a life devoid of healing or comfort.  Let the hands and feet of Christ not be idle when God has given us comfort and power to make a change!

Blessings!

-Grady

The Scene: Music, Both Friend and Foe

The music scene is such an interesting beast.

It's a big mesh of bands that either pour their hearts out to, sometimes, empty rooms and bands that get frustrated because they feel the world owes them something.

In the same way, many fans flock to every show they can, regardless of relationship with the artists at a show, just to support the community. While other groups support bands from afar with thoughts and prayers because of an inability or lack of desire to make a personal journey to a concert.

But it's all really wonderful.

Like a big, messed-up family.

Music rocks.

God has a plan and such a massive opportunity to show love, grace, and salvation in the music community.

Pray for me.  Pray that I am an agent of the Holy Spirit's will for the scene in all that I do, that I would not hinder God's will.

Darkness is dead, but hard to kill

I legitimately struggle with my dead self sometimes. I know we all battle the old selves that remind us of our pre-Christ ways, but there are moments when I'm literally foaming at the mouth (so to speak) in my mind and spirit. The smallest thing can set it off, then I feel like a totally different, and much more wrathful, person. Pray for me. Pray that God restores sanity to my soul in moments when I am overwhelmed by things I can't even target or specify. God is huge and sin is dead through Jesus. But I honestly feel like a dark-Grady wells up sometimes and makes my blood boil. I'm a cheery guy and most of you never see this, but pray please. I don't want loved ones to suffer.  The Holy Spirit is good to deliver His children.