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TODAY someone around us may be hurting … may God use us to comfort them as He has comforted us when were in that state of sadness, despondent.

Jesus beckons us to “Come unto me …. I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

The LORD is “the God of all comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:2-5)

May the LORD Jesus Christ be praised, receive all the glory for the members of His beloved body whom He is using to comfort and encourage His body. Recently, a dear brother in Christ, reached out to edify, to comfort, to exhort, and to give thanks for the work of our LORD Jesus that is transpiring. The following response was given to him….

“May the LORD bless you richly in Christ today in all He’s called you to do and you are obediently carrying out and may He especially bestow a marked blessing on your life for your love for His beloved body and how you comfort, edify, and exhort His children. Hebrews 6:10.”

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:10

In the onset of this chapter, we have the record of when Jesus sent His disciples out to do His work. Taking care of Christ’s laborers:

“He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. 41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.” Matthew 10:40-42

Going through difficulties only enhances our ability to enjoy God and experience His comfort and blessing (James 1:2-4; Romans 8:18).

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 

The comfort of God’s love is never more realized than when His people endure suffering in this life.

Soon, “we shall ever be with the LORD” with no discomfort forever (1 Thessalonians 4:17; Revelation 21:4; 1 Corinthians 2:9).

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18

—-  There are many, many gems to be discovered in this following treasure-rich passage. I love that here the LORD reveals to us that according in proportion with our “sufferings,” so He will be our “consolation” in that hour – that season of testing (see also 1 Peter 1:5-7). And, as we are blessed by Him during our times of trial, He will use us to comfort others of His body – encouraging and ministering to them about our God who is “the Father of mercies” and “the God of all comfort”! Beloved, if you are truly His, He is really going to be there in your hour of need so just call upon Him!

Comfort Comes in the Mourning

So many clueless parents today are destroying their own children by filling them with dessert when the child hasn’t even eaten the meat and vegetables. In the same way, false leaders today are spiritually, eternally assassinating their gullible, biblically illiterate audiences by feeding them the cotton candy “best life now” gospel instead of teaching them the cross at the center of the original Gospel of Jesus (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Timothy 4:2-4).

Many who aren’t mourning (death, burial) are seeking comfort (resurrection). Not going to happen. No cross = No resurrection.

MANY WANT THE COMFORT YET REFUSE THE CROSS.

Comfort (resurrection) Comes in the Mourning (dying, death, burial).

“Blessed are they that mourn (death, the cross): for they shall be comforted (raised up).” Matthew 5:4

Those who mourn in this life are already experiencing a foretaste of glory divine – comfort from the “God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:2-5).

Many selfishly seek comfort and yet, it’s only those who find comfort in obeying Christ’s teachings who will be filled with His perpetual comfort. The quick fix is a band aid while the cross life assures a life of deep divine peace and comfort (Psalms 119:165; Matthew 5:4; Philippians 4:7).

Dare we conclude, as so many of God’s children have throughout the ages, that we never experience the LORD’s blessed love so much as when we are in the greatest times of trial?

Beloved of God, What ales you? Are you grieving? Struggling with sinfulness? Wounded? Tempted? In a fiery trial? Brokenhearted?

Who made us (spirit, heart, soul, body) from the dust of the earth and breathed into us His breath of life? (See Genesis 1:26-28.) Can He heal and comfort us? What does His Word say?

THE LORD PERSONALLY COMFORTS US IN ALL OUR AFFLICTIONS

Let’s take a look at a larger portion of this:

“Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. 8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: 9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;” 2 Corinthians 1:2-5

“Everlasting Consolation”

“Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle (Holy Scriptures). Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.” 2 Thessalonians 2:14-17

The cross is essential to experiencing divine “comfort” and “consolation.” That resurrection divine life fueling upward His people during their times of suffering, brings the greatest times/seasons of His blessed fruitfulness. Our beloved brother Joseph experienced something of that closeness to the LORD, didn’t he? – “For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction” (Genesis 41:52).

“Fruitful in the land of my affliction” is going to be our own testimony as we, like Joseph, cling and draw ever nearer to our LORD in that hour of affliction.

The reality of the comfort of His love is perhaps only a truth in our minds until we are truly tested. Then, that truth becomes a reality in our own personal lives that forges intimacy with Him such as we have never previously experienced. Then, we speak out of personal revelation to others to help them.

The story of Joseph is itself a monumental masterpiece of the comforting love of our heavenly Father (Genesis 37-50).

Of this treasured passage in 2 Corinthians 1, one believer notes:

“Notice how the consolation and comfort flows within the community of believers, stemming from affliction and suffering that flows amongst them. This is the reciprocal participation or “fellowship” in the death and resurrection of Christ (2 Corinthians 1:9).  Death equals suffering. Resurrection equals comfort.”

HE GAVE US HIS WORD TO COMFORT US

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4

HIS EMINENT RETURN COMFORTS US

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

Jesus told us that the Holy Ghost is our “Comforter”:

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.” John 14:16 

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26

“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:” John 15:26

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” John 16:7

GOOD NEWS: The “so great salvation” accomplished for us by Christ’s one sacrifice and continual intercession (John 19:30; Hebrews 2:3; 7:25; 10:12), is all the believer ever needs to appropriate for all desired comfort, healing, deliverance from addiction, sins, etc. Let no one deceive you friend, Jesus Christ, the eternal God, did a complete work. He failed in no way in His mission to redeem mankind, spirit, soul, and body (Luke 4:18; 1 John 3:8; Acts 10:38). Christ crushed the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15) and frees His children of every affliction as they call upon Him in truth (Galatians 5:1; Psalms 34:17,19; 97:10; Acts 26:18; Luke 10:17-20, etc.). He is our “very present help in trouble”!

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalms 46:1

The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of ALL their troubles.” Psalms 34:17

“MANY are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them ALL.” Psalms 34:19

LET’S LEARN GOD’S WORD TOGETHER – ONE TRUTH AT A TIME: This message was sent out to each person who is on the Moments for My Master e-mail devotional list. In supplementation to your personal daily study of God’s Word, we would love to add you and have the privilege of nourishing your heart with God’s Word (John 5:39; 1 Timothy 4:6, 16; Hebrews 5:11-14; 1 Peter 2:2). Sign up here.

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Abiding

7 Ways to Forgive [podcast]


PRAY

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Matthew 5:44

LOVE AND DO GOOD TO THE OFFENDER

“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” Romans 12:9

REFUSE TO SPEAK EVIL OF THE OFFENDER

“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” Romans 12:14

RELEASE THEM FROM YOUR PUNISHMENT

“Recompense (repay) to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19

DON’T CELEBRATE THEIR FAILURES

“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 18 Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.” Proverbs 24:17-18

TREAT THEM THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED

“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Luke 6:31

STOP DWELLING ON THE PAST

“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.” Isaiah 43:18

The blessedness of being merciful to others:

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7

The only way to prevent holding a grudge, is to simply forgive them – as God freely forgave you through the infinite price Christ paid for your sins on the cross, of which you don’t deserve (Psalms 103:10).

“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” James 5:7-9

“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:30-32

Being kind and forgiving towards others becomes simple as we look in the mirror and declare with Paul the apostle: “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing.” (Romans 7:18)

“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.” Psalms 103:10

Forgiveness becomes easy when we look in the mirror to see the person (us, me) who needs God’s mercy more than any other person alive on the earth! Memorize Ephesians 4:32 now. KJB

“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:20

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Colossians 3:12-14

Forgiveness Quotes

Forgiveness is ultra important to God. If you don’t forgive all others, you are not forgiven of your own sin and are as sure for hell as if you were already there. If you refuse to forgive you damn your own soul, non-negotiably. irrevocably.

“Forgiveness does not mean what happened is okay. It means not letting what happened take any more of your happiness.” Michelle Maros

“There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.” Bryant McGill

“Love is an act of endless forgiveness. Forgiveness is me giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me. Forgiveness is the final act of love.” Reinhold Niebuhr

“Holding a grudge doesn’t make you strong; it makes you bitter. Forgiving doesn’t make you weak; it sets you free.” unknown

Forgiveness | Fresh Start with God | Making Peace with God

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Abiding

Christ’s Non-Negotiable Original Gospel Imperative [podcast]


“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Matthew 12:30

It’s one thing to claim we are with Christ and He with us, and it’s another thing to prove we are with the Savior by adhering to His words. Jesus told us that those who are “of God” hear and obey His words (John 8:47).

If one chooses not to love Jesus enough to obey His stated terms, such a man has rejected the Son of God for the love of sinful self and will perish in his own corruption (Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 9:23-24; 14:33; 17:33; John 14:15; 1 John 2:3-6, etc.).

“Repentance is to TAKE SIDES with God against yourself. It is a CHANGE of attitude toward SELF, toward SIN, toward GOD, toward CHRIST that is so REAL that it RESULTS in a changed life. It is raising the WHITE FLAG in SURRENDER to God and turning to Christ as your only LORD and Savior. Repentance is NOT a work … works are the fruit of repentance (Ephesians 2:8-10).” Trent Austin

Only the counterfeit will get upset at this Gospel message because such a rebel wants nothing to do with taking personal responsibility for his sin, the denial of self, the crucified life to be set apart, holy, and having the Savior reign!

Notice how Jesus knits the denial of self, the daily cross, the putting off the deeds of the body, of keeping under the body (the iniquitous fallen nature) with the destiny of the eternal soul.

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” Luke 9:23-25

Jesus made it clear here that the cross is an original Gospel essential, an absolute imperative to eternal glory with Him!

Each of us proves exactly who we love the most by the way we are living! – God or self!

Everything that is happening in your life now is being allowed by God in order to get you down low into the death and burial with Christ. Read 2 Corinthians 4.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 

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Articles

The Book of Proverbs Alexander Scourby [video]


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