comfort and joy
Where do you usually seek and find comfort? ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Where do you usually go for inspiration?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Have you ever pondered how dependent human beings are upon one another? I suppose this might
best be seen in the city where various people do various jobs, everyone reliant
on some others for food, water, electricity, clothing, shelter. Why is it that we accept a physical
dependence and inter-connectedness, but sometimes act as if this is not the case
emotionally and spiritually?
Jesus was clear on the point of relationship: love others as yourself, be in fellowship with, in and through Jesus, and the result is an awesome unity.
Unfortunately, a spirit of independence is strong in our culture, and
seems to have crept into the church. This attitude is contrary to our maturing in Christ.
I love the way this passage displays the importance
of relationships. Paul, a “strong
Christian”, is in need of encouragement.
He has a real and transparent relationship—even with those he
mentors—and he recognizes the mutual encouragement and benefit that results
from the relationship. His focus is not
on the choking, pressing cares of life, nor upon the potentially crushing
troubles that face him. His focus is on
the goodness of God, and on how that goodness can be seen in other believers.
Can you see the goodness of God at work in the lives
of your friends and family? How so? ______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
If you cannot see this goodnesst, is it
because God is not at work in them, or because you are focusing on the negative
aspects, or because you just really cannot see anything reflective of His hand
in their life? ______________________________________________________________________________________________
If it is the latter, what
happens to your perspective if you take into consideration the fact that God does use trials
and affliction, as well as His goodness, to draw people to Himself?
____________________________________________________
Now is a great time to recognize God’s wonderful work
in you, and in others. Be encouraged and
comforted as you note those who are seeking God, crying out to Him, loving Him,
serving Him. Be encouraged that you and
me, even with all our failings and imperfections, are being used to help teach,
train, encourage and bring to maturity other believers. God is that big, and that able. The Lord can and does use all things to work
together for good to those who love Him and are brought to life by His calling
to them.
Read
and Pray: Romans 8:15-21, 2
Corinthians 1:2-7, 2 Corinthians 13:11
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