Praying for America--through the Psalms of David #3
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Nov 9, 2015 06:55:19 #
Another rainy day, but if we dress for it, and walk with the Lord - there will be a smile on our face.
Have a great day all, and if you have a prayer need, let me know today - please.
Have a great day all, and if you have a prayer need, let me know today - please.
Nov 9, 2015 07:13:00 #
BearK wrote:
Another rainy day, but if we dress for it, and walk with the Lord - there will be a smile on our face.
Have a great day all, and if you have a prayer need, let me know today - please.
Have a great day all, and if you have a prayer need, let me know today - please.
How true... :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Nov 9, 2015 09:37:57 #
BearK wrote:
Another rainy day, but if we dress for it, and walk with the Lord - there will be a smile on our face.
Have a great day all, and if you have a prayer need, let me know today - please.
Have a great day all, and if you have a prayer need, let me know today - please.
And we have clear and cold with highs in the low fifties.
Nov 12, 2015 08:57:43 #
no propaganda please
Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Thanksgiving: For Richer or Poorer
by Shawn McEvoy, Managing Editor, Crosswalk.com
"Christians who are poor should be glad, for God has honored them." James 1:9
The rich eat ham,
The poor eat tuna.
Doesn't take as long to cook,
So we eat soona.
--Jay Henze
The words of that heretofore unknown poem were uttered by my lifelong best friend sometime around our senior year of high school. He conjured it out of thin air while I was spending the night at his house. It was the result of one of those "I'm so tired I'm laughing at anything" sessions you'd often experience with close friends around midnight.
It was also the result of Jay's enduring awareness of the socio-economic differences between himself and many of his friends, like me, from the affluent north side of town. So whenever I think of ham, tuna, or Jay, I often think of richness and poorness as well.
Recently, thanks to a fantastic tour around the Missionary Learning Center, I was thinking about missions and outreach. It struck me as interesting that whenever a mission of mercy or evangelism is commissioned, it tends to be to an area where there is a high concentration of poverty, whether it's to India, Mexico, or inner-city Philadelphia. Well, yes, as it should be.
After all, Christ commanded us, if we loved Him, to tend to His lambs (John 21:15-17). James 2:15-16 admonishes us not to ignore those in need of food or clothing. Paul and the Apostles started churches among those who were poor (Acts 9:36; 10:4). Poverty was crippling in the time of Christ and so it continues to be now. The very fact that Jay had a roof over his head and the fish he despised came in a can rather than him having to catch it made him one of the wealthiest persons on the planet. So the holidays are certainly a time to think about - nay, physically assist - those less fortunate than ourselves (2 Corinthians 9:9).
Then again, are we missing something?
Consider James 1:9 - "Christians who are poor should be glad, for God has honored them." There are lots of ways to be poor, and Jesus told us they brought about blessing in the long run (Matthew 5:3-12). Those poor in spirit will inherit the kingdom of heaven. Those mourning loved ones will be comforted. Those who make peace rather than seeking their own profit will be called sons of God, Who chose the poor of this world to be rich in faith (James 2:5). 2 Corinthians 6:10 states: "Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything."
And what about the rich?
That's the hard part, literally. Jesus said it's very difficult for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of heaven. Those who love their life too much find it hard to lose it. James reminds us it's the rich who "oppress us and drag us into court, blaspheming the fair name by which we've been called (James 2:6-7)." The word "miserable" has at its root the word "miser." The love of money isn't just the source of evil, but also of depression and dissatisfaction.
So doesn't that mean that the rich have just as many spiritual needs, if not more, than the poor? Who will go to them? Who will train them in the joy of giving their money away and not living by comparison to others? What mission trips are planned?
I contend that untold legions of us are making such a trip this very month, back home to our families and friends, where a big ham might fill the center of the table, people will put on their fineries, and a lot of the talk will focus on the daily drudgeries of keeping our precious lives in working order to cover up the hole that's getting bigger in the soul.
We might spend a few minutes at the table saying how we're thankful we're not like others, or that we have our health, or that our family is with us - before we stuff ourselves, stare blankly at the Dallas Cowboys or Detroit Lions to avoid looking at each other, or fall asleep. Of course, you probably know someone for whom Thanksgiving is an unwelcome chore, a painful experience of dodging rejection, annoyance, questions of future or romance, and Uncle Jimbo.
Or, if you're truly rich, as I am for marrying into a godly family, there will be genuine thanks, true giving, heartfelt prayers, and corporate worship.
Whatever the case in your gathering, let me encourage you to take the love of Christ with you and accept the difficult challenge of bringing it to the wealthy this Thanksgiving. Jesus said a camel fitting through a needle's-eye was difficult, not impossible (thank goodness for most of us).
Intersecting Faith & Life: While you're together, try to figure out a way your clan can come together to do something for the impoverished among us. Without that outpouring, the warm comfort of wealth can grow stale and dry. Meanwhile, the next time you think on the cloud of poverty and those who suffer at its chill, remember that, at least in the biblical view, it carries a silver lining of comfort, inheritance, peace, and, I suppose, eating soona. And if those elements are present at your table, then you have a cornucopia indeed.
Further Reading
1 Timothy 6:6-11
Matthew 5
Being one of the blessed ones who married into a Godly family, I can appreciate this greatly.
Thanksgiving: For Richer or Poorer
by Shawn McEvoy, Managing Editor, Crosswalk.com
"Christians who are poor should be glad, for God has honored them." James 1:9
The rich eat ham,
The poor eat tuna.
Doesn't take as long to cook,
So we eat soona.
--Jay Henze
The words of that heretofore unknown poem were uttered by my lifelong best friend sometime around our senior year of high school. He conjured it out of thin air while I was spending the night at his house. It was the result of one of those "I'm so tired I'm laughing at anything" sessions you'd often experience with close friends around midnight.
It was also the result of Jay's enduring awareness of the socio-economic differences between himself and many of his friends, like me, from the affluent north side of town. So whenever I think of ham, tuna, or Jay, I often think of richness and poorness as well.
Recently, thanks to a fantastic tour around the Missionary Learning Center, I was thinking about missions and outreach. It struck me as interesting that whenever a mission of mercy or evangelism is commissioned, it tends to be to an area where there is a high concentration of poverty, whether it's to India, Mexico, or inner-city Philadelphia. Well, yes, as it should be.
After all, Christ commanded us, if we loved Him, to tend to His lambs (John 21:15-17). James 2:15-16 admonishes us not to ignore those in need of food or clothing. Paul and the Apostles started churches among those who were poor (Acts 9:36; 10:4). Poverty was crippling in the time of Christ and so it continues to be now. The very fact that Jay had a roof over his head and the fish he despised came in a can rather than him having to catch it made him one of the wealthiest persons on the planet. So the holidays are certainly a time to think about - nay, physically assist - those less fortunate than ourselves (2 Corinthians 9:9).
Then again, are we missing something?
Consider James 1:9 - "Christians who are poor should be glad, for God has honored them." There are lots of ways to be poor, and Jesus told us they brought about blessing in the long run (Matthew 5:3-12). Those poor in spirit will inherit the kingdom of heaven. Those mourning loved ones will be comforted. Those who make peace rather than seeking their own profit will be called sons of God, Who chose the poor of this world to be rich in faith (James 2:5). 2 Corinthians 6:10 states: "Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything."
And what about the rich?
That's the hard part, literally. Jesus said it's very difficult for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of heaven. Those who love their life too much find it hard to lose it. James reminds us it's the rich who "oppress us and drag us into court, blaspheming the fair name by which we've been called (James 2:6-7)." The word "miserable" has at its root the word "miser." The love of money isn't just the source of evil, but also of depression and dissatisfaction.
So doesn't that mean that the rich have just as many spiritual needs, if not more, than the poor? Who will go to them? Who will train them in the joy of giving their money away and not living by comparison to others? What mission trips are planned?
I contend that untold legions of us are making such a trip this very month, back home to our families and friends, where a big ham might fill the center of the table, people will put on their fineries, and a lot of the talk will focus on the daily drudgeries of keeping our precious lives in working order to cover up the hole that's getting bigger in the soul.
We might spend a few minutes at the table saying how we're thankful we're not like others, or that we have our health, or that our family is with us - before we stuff ourselves, stare blankly at the Dallas Cowboys or Detroit Lions to avoid looking at each other, or fall asleep. Of course, you probably know someone for whom Thanksgiving is an unwelcome chore, a painful experience of dodging rejection, annoyance, questions of future or romance, and Uncle Jimbo.
Or, if you're truly rich, as I am for marrying into a godly family, there will be genuine thanks, true giving, heartfelt prayers, and corporate worship.
Whatever the case in your gathering, let me encourage you to take the love of Christ with you and accept the difficult challenge of bringing it to the wealthy this Thanksgiving. Jesus said a camel fitting through a needle's-eye was difficult, not impossible (thank goodness for most of us).
Intersecting Faith & Life: While you're together, try to figure out a way your clan can come together to do something for the impoverished among us. Without that outpouring, the warm comfort of wealth can grow stale and dry. Meanwhile, the next time you think on the cloud of poverty and those who suffer at its chill, remember that, at least in the biblical view, it carries a silver lining of comfort, inheritance, peace, and, I suppose, eating soona. And if those elements are present at your table, then you have a cornucopia indeed.
Further Reading
1 Timothy 6:6-11
Matthew 5
Being one of the blessed ones who married into a Godly family, I can appreciate this greatly.
Nov 12, 2015 09:57:35 #
no propaganda please wrote:
Thursday, November 12, 2015 br br br Thanksgivin... (show quote)
Truly blessed to be one of Christ's children, to follow Him with love and adoration in our eyes. He is the Way - John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Amen
Nov 13, 2015 05:03:33 #
Prayer for 11/13/15
The early morning breezes sway through the treetops telling them secrets that they have seen. We hear their whispered voices, but cannot discern what they are saying. They speak to us though, but in a different language, sometimes soft, sometimes sharp, but always bringing us some message. The wind is a magical thing, it can blow from any direction, but usually continues in a westerly flow. How uplifting to walk in an open field and have the wind blow through your hair. I believe that it is the Lord's gentle touch, letting you know He is near.
As the day grows into afternoon, the wind picks up strength, sending the cotton ball clouds scudding across the sky. It blows the dry leaves over the grass like a group of children playing tag. Here and there still lie a colorful leaf that appears left out of the play. The murmur of the wind reverberates through the bare branches as it speeds across the sky, carrying its tune, how far we never know. The crispness, in the air, makes us zip up our jackets. Fall is here, we hope an Indian Summer day will follow. In due time, the Lord will let us know.
Fall is a bright colorful time, the color of the remaining leaves that flutter on the trees, fanciful yellow mums, contrast with the serious red poinsettias, with their dark green leaves. We look around and also see the dry and dying plants that have been taken away by the wind, and morning frosts. There is a warmth in the air with an edge of chill - what a contrast. Life and death in the same picture. For us, there is always life as long as we have Jesus in our hearts. This we pray in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen
The early morning breezes sway through the treetops telling them secrets that they have seen. We hear their whispered voices, but cannot discern what they are saying. They speak to us though, but in a different language, sometimes soft, sometimes sharp, but always bringing us some message. The wind is a magical thing, it can blow from any direction, but usually continues in a westerly flow. How uplifting to walk in an open field and have the wind blow through your hair. I believe that it is the Lord's gentle touch, letting you know He is near.
As the day grows into afternoon, the wind picks up strength, sending the cotton ball clouds scudding across the sky. It blows the dry leaves over the grass like a group of children playing tag. Here and there still lie a colorful leaf that appears left out of the play. The murmur of the wind reverberates through the bare branches as it speeds across the sky, carrying its tune, how far we never know. The crispness, in the air, makes us zip up our jackets. Fall is here, we hope an Indian Summer day will follow. In due time, the Lord will let us know.
Fall is a bright colorful time, the color of the remaining leaves that flutter on the trees, fanciful yellow mums, contrast with the serious red poinsettias, with their dark green leaves. We look around and also see the dry and dying plants that have been taken away by the wind, and morning frosts. There is a warmth in the air with an edge of chill - what a contrast. Life and death in the same picture. For us, there is always life as long as we have Jesus in our hearts. This we pray in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen
Nov 13, 2015 09:46:30 #
no propaganda please
Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun
here are so many things to be thankful for aren't there
I found this devotional that was inspiring to me. Hopefully others with be inspired as well
Crosswalk the Devotional
Abounding in Thanksgiving in a World of Grumbling
by Mike Pohlman
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:6-7
My family and I just completed our first full week in our new home in Richmond, Virginia after leaving Los Angeles to begin my new job. And if Im honest I cannot say Ive been abounding in thanksgiving over the last several days. No. In fact, abounding in grumbling may be the more accurate phrase to describe my disposition of late. Ive grumbled about the weather, traffic, leaves, the movers and a myriad of other things petty and not-so-petty. None of this grumbling, however, has been constructive or justified. And, most importantly, its been sinful.
To help combat this steady bombardment of grumbling I corralled our children the other night for a family time of thanksgiving. Youve probably practiced this exercise many times as well: go from person-to-person and highlight things youre thankful for (its tough to grumble when you pause to consider the many blessings in your life).
It took my nine-year-old Samuel some time to get warmed up, but eventually he offered a short list of things hes thankful for, including our new church. Anna was next. What would our seven-year-old daughter express gratitude for? Her new neighbor friends across the street and the Bible. Good stuff. Finally it was Johns turn. He echoed his big brother on some things and agreed with Anna that the neighbors are great, and then with the zeal of most six-year-old boys who love sports, Johnny thanked God for his new basketball hoop out front (and proceeded to remind me of how he beat me in 21 over the weekend, 21 to 17). As Julia left to put our newborn down for the night, I shared with the kids several things I was thankful for. But it wasn't until the next day that I realized the inadequacy of my list.
While I voiced gratitude for God generally, I failed to highlight specific attributes of God that, when I consider them, cause me to abound in thanksgiving. Driving to work the next morning I found myself asking, What is it about God that I am most grateful for?
The one attribute of God that flooded my heart and mind was His providencethe fact that He orchestrates everything in my life for His glory and my good. Its the promise of Romans 8:28: And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
In his helpful book, Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate, Jerry Bridges applies Romans 8:28 to the sin of ingratitude. He counsels: The meaning is that God causes all things to work together for good; for thingsthat is, circumstancesdo not work together for good themselves. Rather, God directs the outcome of those circumstances for our good. And what is the good God is working? Christlikeness. Indeed, all of our circumstances God uses as a means of our sanctification. I began to abound in thanksgiving as I visualized God as the great conductor over my circumstances, using them as an instrument for my growth in grace.
This Thanksgiving holiday I want me and my family to be abounding in thanksgiving. And for this to happen I know being thankful for God in a merely general sense will not suffice. We need to meditate on some particular glories of our great Godnot least of which is His sweet providence over our lives. For this I am most grateful.
Intersecting Faith & Life: Take a moment this Thanksgiving and ask yourself, What specific attribute of God am I grateful for? Perhaps youll recall His love or mercy or grace or forgiveness or patience or wrath or providence. Challenge your mind to meditate on, and prayerfully consider, some particular glory of God as a means of abounding in thanksgiving
Further Reading
Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate, Jerry Bridges
Knowing God, J.I. Packer
But God, Katherine Britton
Psalm 63:3
Lamentations 3:22
Colossians 2:13-15
Ephesians 5:20
I found this devotional that was inspiring to me. Hopefully others with be inspired as well
Crosswalk the Devotional
Abounding in Thanksgiving in a World of Grumbling
by Mike Pohlman
Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:6-7
My family and I just completed our first full week in our new home in Richmond, Virginia after leaving Los Angeles to begin my new job. And if Im honest I cannot say Ive been abounding in thanksgiving over the last several days. No. In fact, abounding in grumbling may be the more accurate phrase to describe my disposition of late. Ive grumbled about the weather, traffic, leaves, the movers and a myriad of other things petty and not-so-petty. None of this grumbling, however, has been constructive or justified. And, most importantly, its been sinful.
To help combat this steady bombardment of grumbling I corralled our children the other night for a family time of thanksgiving. Youve probably practiced this exercise many times as well: go from person-to-person and highlight things youre thankful for (its tough to grumble when you pause to consider the many blessings in your life).
It took my nine-year-old Samuel some time to get warmed up, but eventually he offered a short list of things hes thankful for, including our new church. Anna was next. What would our seven-year-old daughter express gratitude for? Her new neighbor friends across the street and the Bible. Good stuff. Finally it was Johns turn. He echoed his big brother on some things and agreed with Anna that the neighbors are great, and then with the zeal of most six-year-old boys who love sports, Johnny thanked God for his new basketball hoop out front (and proceeded to remind me of how he beat me in 21 over the weekend, 21 to 17). As Julia left to put our newborn down for the night, I shared with the kids several things I was thankful for. But it wasn't until the next day that I realized the inadequacy of my list.
While I voiced gratitude for God generally, I failed to highlight specific attributes of God that, when I consider them, cause me to abound in thanksgiving. Driving to work the next morning I found myself asking, What is it about God that I am most grateful for?
The one attribute of God that flooded my heart and mind was His providencethe fact that He orchestrates everything in my life for His glory and my good. Its the promise of Romans 8:28: And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
In his helpful book, Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate, Jerry Bridges applies Romans 8:28 to the sin of ingratitude. He counsels: The meaning is that God causes all things to work together for good; for thingsthat is, circumstancesdo not work together for good themselves. Rather, God directs the outcome of those circumstances for our good. And what is the good God is working? Christlikeness. Indeed, all of our circumstances God uses as a means of our sanctification. I began to abound in thanksgiving as I visualized God as the great conductor over my circumstances, using them as an instrument for my growth in grace.
This Thanksgiving holiday I want me and my family to be abounding in thanksgiving. And for this to happen I know being thankful for God in a merely general sense will not suffice. We need to meditate on some particular glories of our great Godnot least of which is His sweet providence over our lives. For this I am most grateful.
Intersecting Faith & Life: Take a moment this Thanksgiving and ask yourself, What specific attribute of God am I grateful for? Perhaps youll recall His love or mercy or grace or forgiveness or patience or wrath or providence. Challenge your mind to meditate on, and prayerfully consider, some particular glory of God as a means of abounding in thanksgiving
Further Reading
Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate, Jerry Bridges
Knowing God, J.I. Packer
But God, Katherine Britton
Psalm 63:3
Lamentations 3:22
Colossians 2:13-15
Ephesians 5:20
Nov 13, 2015 14:39:12 #
BearK wrote:
b color=green Prayer for 11/13/15 /color /b br... (show quote)
Amen and Amen very beautiful BearK very beautiful.
Nov 13, 2015 14:43:10 #
no propaganda please wrote:
here are so many things to be thankful for aren't ... (show quote)
Very good thank you Amen.
Nov 13, 2015 17:43:23 #
Nov 14, 2015 08:24:18 #
FIRST ANGEL - Revelation 14:6-7 ...'And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.'
Are we seeing the first Angel? Too many today, are from the church of Laodicea, not hot nor cold, but just lukewarm. I have been saying we will see blood in the streets, thanks to Obumer and his importing of Syrian (supposedly) REFUGEES. I question how many are with ISIS? Along with those, and the ones that sneak across the border, and the Somalis who are already here. Lock and load your guns, the time has come for neighborhoods to be proactive in protecting one and other.
Nursing mothers, the elderly and infirmed, will suffer. Let us be in prayer, daily, asking for His mercy and guidance. We ask O Lord, set a fire in the hearts of Christians, awaken them. In Jesus name I ask. Amen
I must add this, as we have to be strong in our faith:
Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Are we seeing the first Angel? Too many today, are from the church of Laodicea, not hot nor cold, but just lukewarm. I have been saying we will see blood in the streets, thanks to Obumer and his importing of Syrian (supposedly) REFUGEES. I question how many are with ISIS? Along with those, and the ones that sneak across the border, and the Somalis who are already here. Lock and load your guns, the time has come for neighborhoods to be proactive in protecting one and other.
Nursing mothers, the elderly and infirmed, will suffer. Let us be in prayer, daily, asking for His mercy and guidance. We ask O Lord, set a fire in the hearts of Christians, awaken them. In Jesus name I ask. Amen
I must add this, as we have to be strong in our faith:
Joshua 1:9
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Nov 14, 2015 08:44:59 #
Nov 14, 2015 09:27:11 #
Nov 16, 2015 08:57:02 #
no propaganda please
Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun
Crosswalk the Devotional
Scripture to Comfort
by Meghan Kleppinger
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:4, NAS
If you have ever suffered a broken relationship and/or heart, the loss of a loved one, or any number of other devastations, than you know about "that" pain.
It's that pain that originates in the bottom of your stomach and initially feels like a big numb ball. Later it develops into a raw gnawing that can only be equated to burning stabs of fire. It makes it way up through the intestines and finally settles in the throat, choking out all attempted spoken words and creating such an excruciating sensation that tears are sure to follow.
Like any other person who has spent more than a few days on this planet, I know "that" pain well. It comes quickly and when it does, it's difficult to believe that it will ever go away. It brings about sorrow, grief, and as it eventually begins to fade away, it brings guilt.
This has been a tough year for my family. We've lost friends and recently, just a few short weeks ago, my grandfather. I know I'm not an anomaly and that people all over the world are suffering a similar pain, so as I began to pray about what I should write about for this week, I started thinking about what has really been helpful for me during these times.
Friends and family have been great, but most of all, scripture has been comforting me. My hope is that the scripture I share with you will be beneficial to you as you grieve or that you can use it to minister to others who are suffering.
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." (John 14:27)
"And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:5)
"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed n spirit." (Psalm 34:18)
"The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:17)
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3)
"And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4)
And finally
"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
Intersecting Faith & Life: Go to the Word of God for comfort. In the words of Matthew Henry, ""The Word of God gives us great help in attaining the peace we need. It is living, very lively and active in seizing the conscience of the sinner, in cutting him to the heart, and in comforting him and binding up the wounds of the soul. It is powerful. It convinces powerfully, converts powerfully, and comforts powerfully.""
Further Reading
Revelation 21:3-5
Why Does God Comfort Those Who Mourn?
Learning True Comfort
Scripture to Comfort
by Meghan Kleppinger
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:4, NAS
If you have ever suffered a broken relationship and/or heart, the loss of a loved one, or any number of other devastations, than you know about "that" pain.
It's that pain that originates in the bottom of your stomach and initially feels like a big numb ball. Later it develops into a raw gnawing that can only be equated to burning stabs of fire. It makes it way up through the intestines and finally settles in the throat, choking out all attempted spoken words and creating such an excruciating sensation that tears are sure to follow.
Like any other person who has spent more than a few days on this planet, I know "that" pain well. It comes quickly and when it does, it's difficult to believe that it will ever go away. It brings about sorrow, grief, and as it eventually begins to fade away, it brings guilt.
This has been a tough year for my family. We've lost friends and recently, just a few short weeks ago, my grandfather. I know I'm not an anomaly and that people all over the world are suffering a similar pain, so as I began to pray about what I should write about for this week, I started thinking about what has really been helpful for me during these times.
Friends and family have been great, but most of all, scripture has been comforting me. My hope is that the scripture I share with you will be beneficial to you as you grieve or that you can use it to minister to others who are suffering.
"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." (John 14:27)
"And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:5)
"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed n spirit." (Psalm 34:18)
"The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:17)
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3)
"And He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away." (Revelation 21:4)
And finally
"For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
Intersecting Faith & Life: Go to the Word of God for comfort. In the words of Matthew Henry, ""The Word of God gives us great help in attaining the peace we need. It is living, very lively and active in seizing the conscience of the sinner, in cutting him to the heart, and in comforting him and binding up the wounds of the soul. It is powerful. It convinces powerfully, converts powerfully, and comforts powerfully.""
Further Reading
Revelation 21:3-5
Why Does God Comfort Those Who Mourn?
Learning True Comfort
Nov 16, 2015 10:00:12 #
This web site shows where large concentrations of Islamists are in several states. With sites this large, they are planning??????
http://bradleycountynews.wordpress.com/2015/02/15/tennessee-terror-camps-well-positioned-to-strike-key-cities/
http://bradleycountynews.wordpress.com/2015/02/15/tennessee-terror-camps-well-positioned-to-strike-key-cities/
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