Looking for Trouble?

thanks, Flickr

We talked about God being the Father of Compassion and the God of all Comfort - the perfect source of comfort when we are need - on Monday. Today we are going to talk about the fact that we will suffer, we will endure hard times, we will face trials. But in those trials and troubles, we are able to experience God.

For just as Christ’s [own] sufferings fall to our lot [as they overflow upon His disciples, and we share and experience them] abundantly, so through Christ comfort (consolation and encouragement) is also [shared and experienced] abundantly by us. 2 Corinthians 1:5 AMP

The overflowing of suffering AND comfort. Paul is saying that sure we will have difficulties. In fact, hardships will abound!  But just as we have an abundance of suffering, we will be overwhelmed with comfort and consolation. Ironic it seems, but as Christians the two – suffering and comfort – really do go hand in hand. Our relationship with Christ guarantees suffering, but it also guarantees His comfort!

There are many times that I find myself praying for someone who is going through a “trouble” or hardship in life. This difficult situation may be tragic, or just a temporary trial. But, God has taught me lately that when I pray for these people and their situations I am to pray that God Himself will be revealed to them. I truly believe that His word teaches that His glory is revealed through our sufferings and trials. Many think that “His glory revealed” speaks of heaven or His return. No doubt it does. However, I believe that His glory is also revealed all around us here on earth if we look for it. What is God’s glory? What are we searching for? Christian author, teacher, and speaker Beth Moore says, “God’s glory is the way He makes Himself recognizable.” 


Think of the people in the Bible that God used in extraordinary ways to accomplish His purposes and make Himself recognizable. Abraham. Moses. Daniel. Mary and Martha, sisters of Lazarus. The disciples. Paul. Can you think of one of them that did not go through a trial or some form of trouble?


In every situation above, God’s glory was ultimately revealed.  He “was recognizable” in these difficult situations to show who He is to not only the one involved in the trial, but also the spectators looking on! Difficulties that we face ultimately reveal God to us and others. They often bring an intimacy with God we have never experienced before. 



So now, I ask you, are you looking for “TROUBLE?”  Probably not.  In fact, you are probably hoping that your relationship with Christ can grow without all the difficulties and heartache.  No, we would never ask for hardships in life.  But, when troubles come, and they will, we need to meet them with the longing and the anticipation of a closer walk with the Lord.  Because on the other side of that trouble is the knowledge and experience that God has revealed Himself and shown Himself to be the God of comfort and the Father of compassion.  


I want you to know that I am praying for you today, my friend. God loves you, He has a plan for your life, and He will never leave you or forsake you. He wants to reveal Himself to you. 


Living for ONE by getting off the throne,


Kelli




Linking with Winsome Wednesday, Internet Cafe Devotions, and Getting Down with Jesus

All in All

When I tell people that my favorite book in the bible is Second Corinthians, they often look at me funny. You can tell they are scanning their scripture memorization bank to recall any verse that might be worthy of memorizing in Second Corinthians. There are others who don't even know that there was a second letter written to the church at Corinth. 


For me, these thirteen chapters hold truths and powerful statements that have been transformational in my life and ministry. If you missed the first two posts of this series, I invite you to go back and read When God has a Different Objective and There's Only Room for One. 


So, if 2 Corinthians has never been your favorite book of the bible or if you've never memorized any scripture from this book, I pray that by the end of this series, you will have been prompted by the Spirit to do so. 


So, let's jump in! The third verse in the very first chapter of 2 Corinthians will stop you in your tracks. 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  (2 Co 1:3–4)

There's so much packed in these verses, but I want to focus on the "alls" and the "any."  The God of all comfort is the One who comforts us in all our troubles. It does not say the God of some comfort is the One who comforts us in some of our troubles. Praise God, He doesn’t choose which situation in my life He will be there for me! He is always there for me.  And this verse even tells me that when I do run to others (spouse, family, friends) for comfort, guess what? He is the One who has empowered them to share it with me. The point is: God is the source of your comfort.  

I am reminded of a personal illustration. You see, if you know me, you know I enjoy talking – with just about anyone for just about any reason. Therefore, if a “trouble” comes my way, I often pick up the phone to call my Mom, or one of my closest friends to vent, and to seek the answers I want to hear. After “venting” recently to my Grandmother about a situation, she called me the next morning.  The conversation went like this:




“Hello?”
“Hey, Honey.” (She always calls me “Honey.”)
“Hey, Grandmother.”  (I always call her “Grandmother.”)
“Listen, Honey, I can’t talk long, but I just wanted to know if you were doing better today.”
“Yes, Grandmother, I am.  Thank you for letting me “vent” yesterday.”
“Well, Honey, I was listening to a pastor speak on the radio last night and I heard a very interesting comment.  In fact, I feel like the Lord wanted me to share it with you.”
“What, Grandmother?” 
“Well, this pastor said, ‘Get off the phone and go to the throne.’”
Silence.
“Ok, Honey, I’ll be going now.  I love you.” Click.
I. was. stunned.


You see, He is the source of all comfort. Our family and friends, or whomever we go to for comfort, are just the empowered distributors. Though it is great that we have people that we can go to and talk to, He would love to be your first stop for comfort. Tell Him what you are feeling. Let Him know your hurts and your fears. Tell Him how lonely you are. And when you can’t even put your thoughts into words, don’t worry; the Spirit is right there interceding on your behalf. Our Lord wants to be our Comforter, our Source of Compassion. He wants to be our All in All.  


What are you thinking right now? Do you allow Jesus to be your All in All? How has God been your source of compassion and comfort? I would love to hear your comments. In fact, as I prepare to write this book, your comments are more needed than ever. Please let me know if God moves you or if you have any insight. Reading by email? click here to go to the site to comment. If not, scroll down to comment.


Living for ONE by getting off the throne!


Kelli

Linking with: Jen  at Finding Heaven Today and

Presence Filled Fridays

We are introducing "Presence Filled Fridays" today and I am so excited to talk about Emmanuel, God with us! 

Have you ever felt like the Lord may have forgotten you? I hope that you will read this post today filled with God's Word and encouragement and learn to trust His Presence!

Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains!

For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones.

But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.”

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?

Though she may forget, I will not forget you!

See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands... Isaiah 49: 13 - 16

Shout! Rejoice! Burst into song! Why? Because we have a God who COMFORTS us. That word comfort means to breath forcibly, console, or have mercy. Our God intentionally and powerfully breathes His sweet breath of grace and mercy on us in a way that we feel it. We recognize it. We are enveloped by it.  


And the Lord has compassion (deep love, tender mercy) for HIS afflicted ones. He knows when we are depressed -- in our mind or in our circumstances. And He longs to express His deep love and tender mercy toward us if we will receive it.


But we are sometimes like Zion (Jerusalem) and say, "I feel like You have left me all alone, God.  Are You oblivious of me? Are You even aware that I exist? You seem to be blind and deaf to me and my circumstances. Have You forgotten me?"


I have been in that place. I have felt like I was no longer on the Lord's radar.  That somehow I was no longer of concern to Him. I was totally engrossed in my own situation and felt alone and abandoned. How could God forget me?


It is difficult for us to imagine a mother forgetting her child. Even more so, a mother who is nursing will be reminded by her own flesh that she has another life in need of her. But in the darkest of situations, unfortunately, it can be possible for a mother to neglect the baby at her breast. But our God will NEVER, NO NOT EVER  forget us. It is impossible for Him to forget you, friend. It is against His very nature. He is in covenant with us and He will never leave us or forsake us. Rest in the promise of His presence even when you don't feel it. Even when we don't feel that breath of comfort and tender mercy. Trust Him. Trust His Word. 


God has engraved and inscribed our individual names, our very lives on the palms of His hands. When those nails punctured our Savior's hands on the cross of Calvary, our lives were literally "cut into" his gentle, caring palms. He cannot forget us. He is our God. And we are His people. 


So what about you? Have you felt forgotten? Overwhelmed or depressed by your circumstances? Let the God of Comfort remind you that He has you etched in the palm of His hand. Rejoice knowing that He is there to comfort you, to love you deeply, to soothe you, to have mercy on you. Trust His Presence. 


Where are you today? Feeling abandoned by Him? Or maybe today you are very aware of His presence.  Please share and comment below...I would love to hear from you and pray for you. If you are reading by email, please click here to comment.


Unwrap the gift of His loving Presence today,
It is yours to unwrap!


Kelli

Linking with Soli Deo Gloria...