Tag: 2 Corinthians 1

Posted in Bible Journaling, Christian Service, Eternity, Evangelism, Uncategorized

The God of All Comfort 2020

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion 2 Comments on The God of All Comfort 2020

 I love the word of God! I love the way it speaks to my soul as if I’m sitting in a house in the town of Corinth in the year 55 A.D. and  I receive the letter of Paul. I read it as though he had written to me and I’m in that day. Wait… we are in that day. For the Bible is an eternal word, not only a word of the year  55 A.D when it was written. It’s relevance never fades. So this morning as I sit in my recliner having my morning coffee, I am comforted in these day of unrest. Unrest from a lack of sleep, unrest from concerns of the day and concerns for my “people.” I’m not facing anything close what Paul and his friends were facing.

The image above is an original art piece, not an original thought. I had seen once done similarly on instagram and I loved the thought of the arms of Christ around me. I wish the world could feel that now. Many can, but far more can’t. They have no concept of the Holy Spirit of God and how He is as present today as He was in the days leading up to His crucifixion. So, Paul writes to remind us…

2 Corinthians 1:1-12 KJV

[1] Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: [2] Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. [3] Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 

THE GOD OF ALL

Well, almost. The God of the church of Corinth, the God of Victory Baptist Church, the God of (insert your church name here). The churches of God. Not the buildings, but the people. Where ever you happen to be, as you listen to God’s words believing in the power of His Son, Jesus Christ. But not to the believers of Buddha, Mohammad or any other of the “little g” gods of this day. He is not their God, and He is not their comfort. 

When Paul talked talked to King Agrippa in Acts 26 the king said “Paul, almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” He was almost King Agrippa’s God. But almost doesn’t count in eternity. You will not “almost make it.” You’ll either be in Heaven with God, or Hell with Satan and his demons. It was Agrippa’s choice and it is ours. 

THE COMFORT OF ALL

Well almost. All those in Christ. Do you see the theme? It’s that almost that I want to ring in your ears, because it’s ringing in mine today. 

[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. [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. 

It’s my responsibility, as it was Paul’s, to share that comfort with you. I can’t give it to you without your acceptance and understanding that it comes from Christ, but I can share it with you and afford you the opportunity to experience it in your life as I do in mine. Just as we share the afflictions of this day, we too can share the same comfort. Paul said that the comfort of Christ was for “any trouble.” Do you have “any” trouble? I’ll bet you do! It may not be the COVID19 virus. It could be any number of issues, but for certain God is the comfort of you and your circumstance. 

THE HOPE OF ALL

Yes, you’ve likely fallen into line by now. “Almost” all. Those who know…

[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. 

My hope will be in the fact that you are in the hope of Christ. Paul was counting on the fact that his friends knew Christ and regardless of their circumstances, he believed they had hope.

Do your friends have hope? Many of mine do, but some do not. And that word ringing in my ears this morning is “share the hope, Shari!!!!” It’s our responsibility in life and it will be our accountability in the afterlife to answer for whether or not we have shared that hope. 

THE DELIVERANCE OF ALL

Yes, almost all. 

[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 ; [11] Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf. [12] For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.

Did you catch your part of the story? It put a shout in my soul this morning as I write myself happy! Paul thanked his friends for their part of his deliverance. Yes, to God be the glory for certain, but it was in part because of the prayers of the saints, and the salvation of many will be in part because of the prayers and sharing of the gospel of those who are in Christ Jesus today. Oh glory! That’s me. I fail a lot. But God and the angels are not counting my failures, they’re rejoicing in the saints who know Jesus because I’ve done my part. Because you too have done your part! And because of our part, there will be those who not almost, but in full know the comfort, the hope and the deliverance of God. 

Glory!!!!! Do you your part. Tell the world about Jesus. Share the gospel, either your story or that of folks like me who God has gifted the platform of grace. 

Stay safe and well friends….

Posted in Christian Service, Life Inspiration

Do You Help or Do You Hinder the Ministry?

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on Do You Help or Do You Hinder the Ministry?

chick help 2I’m nearing the 20 year mark in my ministry. What an awesome life it has been since that first day of having the Lord Jesus Christ live within my heart; encouraging, convicting and guiding my pathway. About ten years into the ministry I adopted a verse as my life verse: 2 Corinthians 2:1-2 “But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?”

There it was for me. The “I’m fine Theory” in black and white. I would strive to be an encourager to all I met and most of all the men and women who served God and this has been a blessing in my life. God has sent many notable preachers, teachers, soul-winners and ministers of the gospel across my path, allowing me to glean from them as I encouraged them. This is not a boast, it’s who God called me to be; and I have not always been successful at it. I have upon occasion discouraged a preacher or two, and have gotten in the flesh on more than one occasion when I’ve determined of myself that “I” was right, or I when I was hurt by a ministry person. Hey, don’t throw rocks, I’m human.

Because of previous hurts I guard my heart. I can quickly withdraw myself as an encourager if I feel that my help is not desired, fearing that it will be viewed as an interference rather than help, or if it will be rejected… that hurts worst of all. I’m highly opinionated… so occasionally my help comes with attitude; and rather than bringing shame to the name of Jesus by getting in the flesh I’ll just shut down before I say something I regret. As you can tell, there is conflict within and without this child of God.

Apostle Paul had great balance with his ability to encourage and energize his audience yet also bring awareness and conviction into their lives. The apostle Paul was a helper and a healer of the ministry. He said in 2 Corinthians 1:24 “Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.”

As a minister of the gospel, it’s not my job to be in charge of anyone else’s faith or position. It’s my job to help and bring joy in your life so that through faith we can stand together. To encourage you where God called you to be.

When I see Christians tearing down one another rather than encouraging and building one another up I realize why God needs people with a ministry of help… because there’s enough ministries of hindrance.

Things that hinder the ministry. I focused.

  1. Self-Importance(I know what’s best)
  2. Self-Will (I know what’s right)
  3. Self-Regard (I matter more)

Things that grow the ministry. God focused.

  1. Self-denial (God knows what’s best)
  2. Selfless (Other’s First)
  3. Self-aware (Determining my motives, is this for me? Or God?)

I speak from experience when I say that I’ve been guilty of hindering the ministry. But my hearts true desire is to grow it. So… question of the day… Do you help? Or do you hinder?

Posted in Life Inspiration, salvation

How to Make it Through a Terrible, Horrible, No Good Day

Written by talk2shari Published Discussion Leave a Comment on How to Make it Through a Terrible, Horrible, No Good Day

Chick Comfort

My husband and I recently watched Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. Don’t ask me to critique it. My attention spans can capture a commercial but as for a movie, unless it’s AMAZING, you can pretty much rely on the fact that I’ve got three other projects going while it’s running and a couple setting on the burners of my mind in case those don’t pan out. (truth)

The premise of Alexander’s story is, he’s always having a bad day and his family and their perfect lives just can’t identify. Until the day that the tables turn and Alexander is the chosen child while his families lives fall apart… then the comedy of errors is on. Life is full of bad and good days and we’re all just a phone call away in either direction. The vast majority of us go through life in a state of “Us and Our Typical, Mediocre, So So, Average Days.” Giving little thought to “No Good” days until we’re confronted with them. At least I do. I am the Queen of the “I’m Fine Theory.” Life is good until it’s not and then I’ll pretend it is to the rest of world while my inward world crashes down around me and I’m left in a puddle in the road until the Savior comes and scoops me up, comforts my soul and puts me back in the game of life.

What about you this morning? How exactly is your day? For me… I’m in need of comfort for myself and for my friends; so if you’re one of those… consider this blog for you.

2 Corinthians 1:3-6

The Source of Comfort

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

The Creator of life and He Who must stamp “approved” on any circumstance in our life is the God of all comfort. I’d be lying if I said I’d never questioned why God put me through some things in my life. I did not enjoy them, sometimes I was not sure I’d survive them. But I can honestly say that when all was said and done and I was on the other side of that horrible day, God had a purpose and it was always amazing. The harder the trial, the more amazing the end result. It’s that coal and diamond theory… pressure makes us shine.

The Science of 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.

I’m not sure how God turns a lump of coal into a diamond or makes me shine in some of the ugliest circumstances, but it happens. Although we’re the beneficiary of it, it’s not for us that that science occurs, it’s for someone else whose going through a trial of their own, thinking they’ll not survive and then low and behold God sends us  across their path, and the Science of Comfort is the word “hope.” Which could have been lost, with tragic end if we were not allowed to set before them as an example.

The Savior of Comfort

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

It is through our relationship with Christ that we identify with His death, burial and resurrection, we understand the new life we were given on the day of salvation. But also on that day of Salvation was Christ living in us and becoming a part of our lives… prospering us through Him. Christ does not joy in our suffering any more than He enjoyed enduring the cross, but He brings us through to the point of victory because on that day He creates in us something new again. Something we’ve never experienced before that will draw us closer to Him and cause us to discover a strength or gift that we did not know existed.

The Salvation of Comfort

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.

I’ve known far more Christians saved in the midst of heartache than happiness. I’ve also seen the heartache of a saint turned into happiness when they realized that their strength in the storm was what caused a lost soul to recognize the difference between the heartaches of saved and lost.

Friend… if you’re suffering today, I’m not privy to the reason but I’m privy to the Redeemer. And I know He has a purpose in your fight. If you’re not saved, that is first and foremost on your agenda to understanding. Here’s a link to help you out.

 https://thejesuschick.com/the-road-to-salvation/

If you’re a child of God and you’ve found yourself facing the trial of your life, get into the Word of God and cling to those that speak peace to your soul. And if Satan tells you not to bother… run faster, because he’s far too close. And then prepare your Victory Speech! Because God will bring you through.