January 14, 2025
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Deuteronomy and Corinthians? Here’s today’s reading:
2 Corinthians 1 (NIV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
To the church of God in Corinth, together with all his holy people throughout Achaia:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Praise to the God of All Comfort
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,……Continue Reading
2 Corinthians 1
Imagine a world that loved the lord our God with all your heart With all your soul and all your strength What a beautiful world it would be. That is the answer to every problem in the world.
2 Corinthians 1
Because God comforts us in all our troubles and sorrows it allows us to comfort others in the same way God has conforted us.
God does not want us meddling. He only hears our prayers and then he takes over. Give thanks. Do not rely on worldly wisdom but only on Gods grace.
It makes sense if someone comes to us as a friend or family or stranger, we should make sure we involve God 100% before we answer. There has been times when I, in my worldly mind do not have an answer or it’s too delicate for me to advise .I will refer them to speak to our Pastor rather than say anything except to pray for someone or if above is not possible we should speak after engaging with the Holy Spirit prayer before answering. We can only make it by faith we stand firm.
That comment was for deuteronomy 6
Paul having to send three letters to the Corinthians, one has been lost over the years. to even care as much as Paul does about the people of Corinth probably the worst sinning city of its time. Now he sends this letter. To defend his position and denounce those who were twisting the truth. Knowing Paul, he probably hated listing his credentials as an apostle. We don’t care to tell of our accomplishments. But what God has done in our lives
2 Corinthians 1
2 Corinthians 1
My take away? God wants us to be agents of comfort and consolation to a world hurting and yearning for hope. Vs 4.
2 Corinthians 1
In the Old Testament God’s commandments are usually proceeded by a description of who He is that gives greater clarity as to why the commandment is about to be made.
Paul follows a similar pattern with his letters, but here he’s specifically describing God’s compassion and comfort during difficult times, which will be a common theme throughout.
These are amazing verses of scripture. In verse 18 we read that God is true. For God never lies but always speaks the truth. In verse 20 we understand that all God`s promises are a yes for He never breaks His promises. While in verse 22 we learn that once we have believed in Christ and put our complete trust in Him, that we are sealed in Him and the Holy Spirit has come to dwell in our hearts for good. We are secure in Christ and nobody can take us from Him. What a wonderful assurance we have in Christ Jesus. God bless you all in Christ.
How awesome it is to know that our God of majesty and glory is also a God of comfort and compassion. And like Paul, we should seek to be agents of comfort and compassion to others as life challenges all of us and yet our God is always higher and better. Now Paul and the Corinthians certainly had a challenging relationship, but in spite of that, he desires to visit and spend time with them. Knowing that they would probably find a way to discredit him as being wishy washy in making/changing his plans, he uses his commitment to say yes to them to compare what assurance we have of God’s promises in Christ. It is beyond comprehension and gratitude to think of all that Jesus makes possible for us in God’s economy. But to make sure we know it is all true, He places the Spirt in us to confirm all the good He has for us. And yet the Spirt Himself is one of the greatest gifts that God has given, and He too is ours only because of the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
His seal of ownership is on us, and He put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come…just wow! Child of the King, bought and paid for and awaiting an eternity with Him! The fact that He would do that for the likes of me, knowing my heart at all times, how I can doubt and sometimes let fear drive me off His path. But He comes with compassion and comfort and loves me anyway. How can we not let the magnitude of that reality drive us to show that same love and compassion for others?
When the Lord comforts us, helps us, and lifts us up – let it not stop there. Be encouraged to reach out to others who suffer so that the love of God is spread within our sphere of influence. And as we live each day, rely on the strength, wisdom and peace of God – not of ourselves. When we do this, things work out the way they should. Remember to be grateful at all times, giving God the glory and with the assurance that his guidance and direction will continue. There is no limitation to the blessings that flow from him to us.
”For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.“
II Corinthians 1:5-6 NKJV
It is interesting that suffering or persecution and consolation are connected. When you receive one, you also (hopefully) get the other. So many times suffering or trials or persecution have proved to be a significant step in either moving closer to God, relying on Him more, seeing His purpose, or enabling one to draw closer to those suffering in the same way, etc. It is easier to feel that someone is sympathetic when they have indeed been through the same thing.