Today's Readings - Isaiah 45-46, 2 Corinthians 1:1–11, Psalm 106:28–34, Proverbs 23:6–8
Devotional
Not only do I have a long way to go to be like Jesus, I have a long way to go to be like the Apostle Paul. He suffered so much for the cause of Christ. In today's reading, we begin the book of 2 Corinthians, a book that contains a detailed description (in chapter 11) of the horrors inflicted on Paul in the service of Savior.
And I go into a fetal position when someone complains that one of my sermons was too long!
So many of Paul's teachings are about how God uses sufferings to grow us, strengthen us, and use us in his service. Even in the midst of pain and hurt, he was looking for a way to glorify God and spread the truth of Christ. He did not whine, moan, or turn aside; he relied on the strength of God in the weakness he felt.
In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Paul made another in his series of his astounding statements.
hardship, and suffering he endured, Paul sought God the Father and found him worthy of praise. He is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort who is the One who truly comforts us when we are afflicted. These were not just cliches for Paul; it was a testimony! He had experienced that comfort when he was beaten, when he was arrested, when they attempted to put him to death. He sought God and God comforted him with his presence and power.
But Paul's hope in that was not just that he would receive that comfort, but that he would pass the comfort he received from the Lord on to those who needed that same comfort. Paul was not only comforted for himself but also for those whom he could comfort as a result of what God had donein him.
This is a fundamental truth of Christianity. What God does in me is done not only for me but for those around me whom God will affectthrough me. God blesses me so that I will bless others. God comforts me so that I can comfort others.
And I go into a fetal position when someone complains that one of my sermons was too long!
So many of Paul's teachings are about how God uses sufferings to grow us, strengthen us, and use us in his service. Even in the midst of pain and hurt, he was looking for a way to glorify God and spread the truth of Christ. He did not whine, moan, or turn aside; he relied on the strength of God in the weakness he felt.
In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Paul made another in his series of his astounding statements.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
But Paul's hope in that was not just that he would receive that comfort, but that he would pass the comfort he received from the Lord on to those who needed that same comfort. Paul was not only comforted for himself but also for those whom he could comfort as a result of what God had done
This is a fundamental truth of Christianity. What God does in me is done not only for me but for those around me whom God will affect
Father, bless me so that I may be a blessing. Grant me your grace, your presence, and your strength so that I can be a source of your grace, your presence, and your strength in the lives of others.
Think and Pray
How can you pass on your blessings, giving that which you have received from God to others?
No comments:
Post a Comment