Bible Study - Language of Faith (1) - Holy - Isaiah 40:25-31 - March 1, 2020

Bible Study – Language of Faith (1) – Holy – March 1, 2020


This is lesson one (1) in our series entitled “Holy Vocabulary: Unpacking the Language of Faith.”


Our focus scripture is Isaiah 40:25-31.


GOD is distinct from and above absolutely everything else.

Since GOD is beyond the comprehension of the human mind ---- GOD must be experienced through right relationship. Before JESUS the right relationship was keeping the Spirit of the Law and making acceptable, to GOD, physical sacrifices for sin. To make experiencing GOD more intimate, loving and personal, GOD sent HIS only SON to live upon earth in the flesh. JESUS had to live a sinless life and fulfill the Spirit of the Law for HIM to be the perfect sacrifice for the sins of mankind. HE did and as such, JESUS is THE intermediary between GOD and mankind to connect each person to GOD through faith in JESUS. Do you desire to know GOD? Then look to JESUS through the eyes of the Bible and faith in JESUS as revealed by the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Let’s read Isaiah 40:18-26:

¹⁸ With whom will you compare God?
What likeness will you set up for comparison with him?
¹⁹ An idol?—something that a smelter casts
and a metalworker plates with gold
and makes silver chains for?
²⁰ A poor person contributes wood for a pedestal
that will not rot.^[g]
He looks for a skilled craftsman
to set up an idol that will not fall over.

²¹ Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
Has it not been declared to you
from the beginning?
Have you not considered
the foundations of the earth?
²² God is enthroned above the circle of the earth; (Long before earthlings discovered that the earth was round.)
its inhabitants are like grasshoppers.
He stretches out the heavens like thin cloth
and spreads them out like a tent to live in. (The atmosphere that is vital to support life upon earth)
²³ He reduces princes to nothing
and makes judges of the earth like a wasteland.
²⁴ They are barely planted, barely sown,
their stem hardly takes root in the ground
when he blows on them and they wither,
and a whirlwind carries them away like stubble.

In this scripture, GOD is revealing truth through HIS prophet Isaiah. GOD’S chosen people had been in captivity in Babylon for a very long time. Why were they in captivity in a foreign land? Disobedience. Since GOD had not intervened and led them back to the land GOD had given to them, they had concluded that GOD had turned a deaf ear to them. They did not see that their plight was the result of their sin.

Sometimes we may feel that way toward GOD. The question is, “What is GOD teaching us?” What was GOD teaching HIS chosen as we read this scripture? In essence, GOD was telling them, “you descendants of Jacob/Israel have gone astray and abandoned ME. I have NOT abandoned you. You need to examine why you are in the situation you are in. Is it because of your sin and unbelief in ME? Have you abandoned ME and replaced ME with idols? You know better but you have done it anyway. I love you and placed you in the situation you are in to get your attention and bring you back into right relationship with ME! So, let’s get started on the restoration of our relationship -----"

GOD led the Prophet Isaiah to postulate the question, ¹⁸ With whom will you compare God? As we read on----
What likeness will you set up for comparison with him?

The answer is?

Let’s read Isaiah 40:25-26:

“To whom will you compare me,
or who is my equal?” asks the Holy One.
²⁶ Look up^[h] and see!
Who created these?
He brings out the stars by number;
he calls all of them by name.
Because of his great power and strength,
not one of them is missing.

Through GODS’ Prophet Isaiah, GOD asks a profound question; “To whom will you compare ME or who is MY equal?”

When Moses first encountered GOD, what did GOD tell Moses as recorded in Exodus 3:1-6:

3 Meanwhile, Moses was shepherding the flock of his father-in-law Jethro,^[a] the priest of Midian. He led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb,^[b] the mountain of God. ² Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire within a bush. As Moses looked, he saw that the bush was on fire but was not consumed. ³ So Moses thought, “I must go over and look at this remarkable sight. Why isn’t the bush burning up?”

⁴ When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from the bush, “Moses, Moses!” (GOD knew Moses by name and HE knows you by name.)

“Here I am,” he answered.

⁵ “Do not come closer,” he said. “Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” ⁶ Then he continued, “I am the God of your father,^[c] the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God.

GOD first got Moses attention using s burning bush and then calling his name. GOD established the fact that HE is the GOD of those who had lived upon earth but were now alive with HIM in eternity. When GOD saw that HE had gotten Moses’ attention, then GOD told Moses to “remove the sandals from your feet.” Why? It was because GOD wanted Moses to understand that HE was Holy and that HE had created the earth. It was the presence of GOD that made the place where Moses was standing Holy. Why? Because HE is HOLY.

GOD established that fact because Moses, through whom GOD would reveal HIS Law, had to approach HIM recognizing GOD’S Holiness.

“Moses, remove your sandals” established the manner in which mankind was to approach GOD under the Law.  GOD did not want anything material/physical to come between HIM and Moses. GOD was calling Moses to carry out HIS plan, will and purpose. Obedience to that calling was vital.

Is GOD’S call any different today? YES and NO! What is different is that as sinners, all people must come by the way of the cross. As the gospel song lyrics express, “Just as I am.” We are all sinners saved by the shed blood of the sinless sacrifice of JESUS, WHO gave HIS physical life upon the cross. Acknowledging that JESUS gave HIS sinless life for each person who will place his or her faith in HIM is what makes a person a Christian. It is CHRIST in the person that results in him or her being a Christian, not what Christian organization he or she has become a member to grow Spiritually.

JESUS fulfilled the Law and established GOD’S Grace. People of earth come to JESUS just as they are to the foot of the cross and receive Salvation by placing their faith in JESUS.

When you place your faith in JESUS you will experience the miracle of Spiritual rebirth. Instantly, you are Spiritually born into the Family of GOD to become HIS Son or Daughter and you receive eternal life and so much more.

GOD desires for all who desire the right relationship with HIM to take off that which is a barrier between HIM and the person. Are you eternally connected to GOD through faith in JESUS? If not, what do you have to remove to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart and for you to become a Spiritually born-again believer in JESUS or to come back into GOD’S fold?

GOD is very clear. HE is HOLY! There is no comparison. There is no other like HIM. But as GOD’S Child, you can come into HIS throne room 24/7. “FATHER, we need to talk.”

John 4:24

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth.”

John 14:17

He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you.

Ephesians 1:13

In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed.

2 Thessalonians 2:13

[ Stand Firm ] But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

What is unique about GOD? HE LOVES EVERY PERSON WHO WAS, IS AND WILL EVER BE. THE QUESTION IS, WILL EVERY PERSON ACKNOWLEDGE THAT LOVE BY PLACING HIS OR HER FAITH IN JESUS?

Through the Prophet Isaiah, GOD was challenging HIS chosen people to look around and see HIM through HIS handiwork. “Who created the stars and all that you see and behold?” Isaiah used the word “created” only when GOD was the subject.

The Babylonians worshipped the stars. They were astrologers. But they failed to see and understand that GOD created the Heavens and the earth. They were not to worship the physical things they saw but the ONE WHO created all that they saw.

How long has the north star been the north star? Was it visible in the earliest times? Is it visible today? The answer is yes!

Let’s read Isaiah 40:27-28:

²⁷ Jacob, why do you say,
and, Israel, why do you assert:
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
and my claim is ignored by my God”?
²⁸ Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the whole earth.
He never becomes faint or weary;
there is no limit to his understanding.

In this scripture, GOD is acknowledging that HE knows their thoughts. In essence, you descendants of Jacob. You know that Jacob wrestled with ME and I changed his name to Israel. You think that I do not know what you do or think. You think you are hidden from ME but you are mistaken. You think that I have forgotten the covenant I made with you as MY chosen people long ago on the mountain. That shows your ignorance of ME. I AM and always will be. I AM eternal and I never make a covenant to break it. Guess, who has broken covenant! It is not ME.

I AM everlasting, Creator of the whole earth. I never become faint or weary and there is no limit to MY understanding. I never change. Keep in mind that I will never leave you or forsake you! I AM the same yesterday, today and tomorrow!

GOD gives strength to those who place their faith and trust in HIM regardless of the circumstances surrounding them as we read on ----.

Here are a few reminders of WHO I AM:

The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the whole earth.
He never becomes faint or weary (Always at work 24/7);
there is no limit to his understanding (Wise and all knowing – NO LIMITS.)

WHY WOULD ANYONE NOT DESIRE TO BE IN RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?

How intimately does GOD know us? HE knows the number of hairs on our heads as recorded in Luke 12:4-7: (JESUS was teaching)

⁴ “I say to you, my friends, don’t fear those who kill the body, and after that can do nothing more. ⁵ But I will show you the one to fear: Fear him who has authority to throw people into hell after death. Yes, I say to you, this is the one to fear! ⁶ Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies?^[b] Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. 7 Indeed, the hairs of your head are all counted. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Who do you want to be leading and directing your life?

Let’s read 40:29-31:

²⁹ He gives strength to the faint
and strengthens the powerless.
³⁰ Youths may become faint and weary,
and young men stumble and fall,
³¹ but those who trust in the Lord
will renew their strength;
they will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not become weary,
they will walk and not faint.

This is a magnificent picture of GOD’S care for us as HIS Children, young or old, when we place our faith and trust in HIM. Some of us are wearing out physically but Spiritually, in CHRIST, we are growing stronger.

What does trust mean? The transfer of GOD’S power to HIS Children is based upon trust. Trust carries the idea of living confidently with eager suspense that GOD’S power will be manifested at just the right instant. Trust carries the idea of a lifeline or rope. Faith in GOD through faith in JESUS is our lifeline when we face the issues in life that are beyond our control. As I write this, we are facing the spread/containment of the coronavirus. Who is in charge? Yes, governments but who else?

In whom have we placed our trust for life? Who gives us the strength?

³¹ but those who trust in the Lord
will renew their strength;
they will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not become weary,
they will walk and not faint.

It is not a matter of age but “those who trust in the LORD.”

In whom do you place your trust?

Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Suffering (7) - How Can I Honor GOD in My Suffering - 2 Corinthians 4:6-18 - February 23, 2020

Bible Study – Suffering (7) – How Can I Honor GOD in My Suffering? – February 23, 20202


This is our seventh and final lesson in our series entitled “When Life Gets 
Hard: Big Questions About Pain and Suffering.”


Our focus scripture is 2 Corinthians 4:7-18.


Every part of life – including difficulties – is an opportunity to glorify GOD.


When we project something bad forward that we might face in life, that has not yet taken place, it seems unbearable. Thinking of losing a child or your spouse seems unbearable when you think about such an event. When I/we received the phone call that our eldest son was deceased, it was at first unbelievable. I thought at first it was a scam until I realized the call was legitimate. I was in a store and questioned the caller closely but soon realized he was legitimate and ran from the store to our car where my wife was waiting for me. My phone quickly connected to our car phone system and my wife and I received the details of the news. Such an event leaves an indelible mark on you for life. Immediately you want to know what happened and then your mind races to, who do we have to let know what has happened. There seemed to be an avalanche of things that flood through our minds. We had the blessing of knowing that our son was in Heaven with JESUS. The hurt of our sudden departure was there but the sweet assurance of knowing that all was well with him in JESUS brought peace.


In such times as these, we realize the brevity of life and how fragile life is. Eternity is but one heartbeat away.


This series of study on suffering has been thought provoking. In our first lesson I stated that “I hate pain and suffering.” But quickly we realize that sin is the result of pain and suffering. We live in a fallen world and life upon earth is but a sojourn. Life upon earth is the opportunity for every person to have a genuine encounter with GOD through faith in JESUS and to live eternally. But there are requirements.


I know this statement brings many questions. What about children conceived but never born, those who have never heard about JESUS and the list goes on. GOD is not out to see how many HE can send to Hell. HIS love compels HIM to appeal to all. Oh, good then everyone is going to Heaven? NO! Some will choose to reject JESUS as their Savior and go to Hell, the place GOD made for Satan and his followers.


To me, no person will be surprised that he or she is in Hell. GOD chooses to appeal to every person that loves HIM. That person has a choice. How do you choose?


Consider the Apostle Paul. We have studied that even though he suffered much, he remained committed to share the Good News of JESUS where ever he went. Why? Paul was in right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. Paul knew the truth. Paul had experienced GOD’S power in his life as he served HIM. Paul knew that GOD and JESUS were ONE. He knew that he was living and teaching truth. He knew that GOD would protect him from all harm until he had completed his life upon earth. It mattered not to Paul whether he was alive upon earth serving GOD or alive in Heaven serving GOD. GOD would make that choice at the instant HE chose where Paul was to serve, earth or Heaven. GOD makes that choice in the lives of all who choose to accept JESUS into their lives, as well. Let’s explore!


Let’s read 2 Corinthians 4:6-11:

⁶ For God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God’s glory in the face of Jesus Christ.

This is the key why Paul was committed to serving GOD with abandon. Paul saw, without a doubt, JESUS as the true light coming from GOD as the One and Only Savior for mankind, through faith in JESUS. JESUS paid, in full, the price for sin and through faith in JESUS every person who places his or her faith in JESUS experiences the miracle of Spiritual rebirth of being born-again into GOD’S Family. The Spiritually reborn person will never be Spiritually unborn. Every Spiritually born-again person will be in Heaven but some may be there ‘as if escaping through a wall of fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:15)

So, how did Paul look at the human body?

Treasure in Clay Jars

⁷ Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. ⁸ We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; ⁹ we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be displayed in our body. ¹¹ For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’s sake, so that Jesus’s life may also be displayed in our mortal flesh.

The Apostle Paul considered the human body as a clay jar. In his day, clay jars held important items to sustain life. They held spices, oils, herbs, seeds, etc., which were used for healing, cooking and other useful reasons to improve and sustain life. Paul was amazed that GOD chose humans in which to invest HIS eternal message of salvation and redemption from sin and eternal death.

Scripture reveals in Isaiah 64:8:

But now, O Lord,
You are our Father;
We are the clay, and You our potter;
And all we are the work of Your hand.

Humans are the most unlikely vessel for GOD to house the born-again Spirit. The human body is so fragile and can take on some many different forms and shapes. The born-again Spirit can be contained in grumps who have to be molded into Saints. The human body is subject to the peril’s life brings. The human body is deteriorating. Once a person is born, he or she will eventually die. Life is fragile and so is a jar made from clay. Once a clay jar was broken it was good only to be tossed away. They did not have superglue in that day. GOD is the only Superglue to piece back a broken vessel.

Christians are constantly dying to self as they encounter both physical and Spiritual life upon earth. Why? So, JESUS can be made visible to others. It is no longer us but CHRIST Who lives in us as Paul recorded in Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Life in JESUS is for our perfecting and to serve.

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 4:12-15:

¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life in you. ¹³ And since we have the same spirit of faith in keeping with what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke,^[b] we also believe, and therefore speak. ¹⁴ For we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you. ¹⁵ Indeed, everything is for your benefit so that, as grace extends through more and more people, it may cause thanksgiving to increase to the glory of God.

So, what did the Apostle Paul mean when he wrote “death is at work in us, but life in you?” Paul and his missionary team suffered many hardships as they ministered to others. It took its toll on them but because of the hope and joy that was in them, JESUS, and the joy of seeing others come to know JESUS as their Savior, offset their suffering.

The joy of ministering truth far exceeded any hardship they had or would experience.

I have often thought about, “What was going through Paul’s mind as he was chained to a Roman guard?” It became clear as I studied this lesson. Paul was serving GOD in whatever position or circumstance he was in. GOD would deliver him physically or if HE did not then he would be in Heaven. Paul stated it best in 2 Corinthians 5:1-8:

5 For we know that if our earthly ^[a]house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ² For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our ^[b]habitation which is from heaven, ³ if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. ⁴ For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as ^[c]a guarantee.

⁶ So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. ⁷ For we walk by faith, not by sight. ⁸ We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

In essence, the Apostle Paul was saying when we give our all to JESUS, we witness the fruit of the Spirit being manifested in those who receive JESUS as their Savior. Such joy spreads like wildfire among the community and in turn produces unspeakable joy and thanksgiving within those who have participated in such a magnificent awaking.

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18:

¹⁶ Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. ¹⁸ So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

The Apostle Paul is revealing truth to us. Yes, we humans get tired. Ministry is hard work but the rewards are beyond our wildest dreams. Satan, will attempt to discourage and destroy the ministry we are working in but Paul begs us not to give up because the rewards far out strip anything the world has to offer. All Christians need to have a Heavenly vision. Why? Paul explains it in verses 17 and 18:

¹⁷ For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. ¹⁸ So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

So how can we honor GOD in our suffering? NEVER EVER GIVE UP ON HIM.

Deuteronomy 31:6 New International Version (NIV)

⁶ Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Blessings!!!

Bible Study - Suffering (6) - Where Does Comfort Come From? - 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 - February 16, 2020

Bible Study – Suffering (6) – Where Does Comfort Come From? – February 16, 2020


This is lesson six (6) in our series entitled “When Life Gets Hard: Big Questions About Pain and Suffering.”


Our focus scripture is 2 Corinthians 1:3-11.


As GOD comforts, we are to comfort others.


To me this scripture helps define why we encounter various issues in life - born-again Christians, Christians, or humans. No one enjoys suffering or painful life situations that come our way. They are for a purpose and the greatest purpose is to draw us into the right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. Let’s explore!


The Apostle Paul opened his letter to the Christians in Corinth as we read 2 Corinthians 1:1-2:

Greeting

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, and Timothy our^[a] brother:

To the church of God at Corinth, with all the saints who are throughout Achaia.

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul established in his letter to the Christians in Corinth that he was an apostle. Some questioned Paul’s relationship with GOD through his faith in JESUS because Paul had suffered many things. As you recall the Jews considered that anyone who suffered was being punished by GOD. Paul had suffered thus GOD was punishing Paul. Paul sends to the Christians in Corinth a teaching on why Christians suffer.

Let’s us read 2 Corinthians 1:3-4a:

The God of Comfort

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. ⁴ He comforts us in all our affliction,^[b]

The Apostle Paul established the foundation for what was to follow:

GOD is YAHWEH or YHWH the Hebrew name for GOD.

GOD is the Father of JESUS.

LORD describes the born-again Christian’s relationship with GOD. HE is the commander-in-Chief of all born-again Christians.

JESUS is the personal name for GOD as the 100% sinless human.

CHRIST is anointed by GOD and is the promised Messiah.

The Father of Mercies shows undeserved mercy or grace to all who place their faith in JESUS as their Savior.

The GOD of all comfort. Comfort is more than sympathy but GOD Who comes along and is intimate with each person to encourage, help, advise, help carry our load or burden and support us as a friend. GOD is hands-on. GOD does not want anyone to go to Hell and HE does all within HIS power to appeal to every person to accept JESUS as his or her Savior and to make JESUS The LORD of his or her lives.

The Holy Spirit indwells every born-again Christian to give him or her assurance, strength, comfort and so much more as the Christian faces the issues of life. The Holy Spirit also ministers to every person to bring him or her to making the decision to accept JESUS as his or her Savior. But the final decision to either accept or reject JESUS as his or her Savior is up to each person.

I ask you to choose JESUS.

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 1:4b-7:

so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. ⁵ For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. ⁶ If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings that we suffer. ⁷ And our hope for you is firm, because we know that as you share in the sufferings, so you will also share in the comfort.

As human beings, we all face various issues in our lifetime. There are persons who are not in right relationship with GOD, others who are searching for the right relationship with GOD and still others who are in right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. GOD uses the issues in our lives to help us to focus upon our relationship to GOD but more specifically our relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS.

Christians are channels through whom GOD works. Christians are channels of blessings and comfort. Notice the words “overflow and overflows.” As Christians, GOD’S comfort flows to us. It is more than sufficient. It overflows in excess and we, in turn, minister to others as our LORD provides opportunity.

Prayers, both personal and group, are essential as you go through times when you need comforting, as well as, when GOD calls you to comfort others.

Why are we upon earth? Consider earth as GOD’S vineyard. Do you recall Ephesians 1:4-6 - ⁴ For he (GOD) chose us in him (JESUS), before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.^{[c] 5} He predestined us to be adopted as sons (daughters) through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, ⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One (JESUS).

If we are all predestined, aren’t we all saved? NO! GOD did not make us robots or machines without the right to choose. GOD made us with the freedom to choose. Just as Adam and Eve had the freedom to choose which fruit they would or would not eat in the Garden of Eden. GOD told them NOT to eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If they ate the fruit from the tree of good and evil, they WOULD DIE. Disobedience is sin. They sinned and they died. Since they are our ancestral parents, we inherited their nature, thus we die physically. But by the grace of GOD, all who place their faith in JESUS are born-again Spiritually into GOD’S Family and receive eternal life instantly. All Spiritually born-again, through faith in JESUS, instantly become GOD’S Sons or Daughters, citizens of Heaven and can instantly call GOD Father. They have all the rights and privileges of being  Sons or Daughters of GOD. Now that is Good News! 

Life upon earth is an opportunity for every person to build the right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS. Having the right relationship with GOD through faith in JESUS does NOT mean we will escape the issues that life brings our way. It does mean when the issues of life do come, we are to learn from them.

Some issues are the result of bad decisions we have made. Being in right relationship with GOD does not mean we will not stump, so-to-speak, our toe, that is to do something foolish. But when we do, GOD desires for us to learn for it. Romans 8:26-30 helps us to understand this better:

²⁶ In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us^[h] with unspoken groanings. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

²⁸ We know that all things work together^[i] for the good^[j] of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.

One point of clarification in verse 28, it alludes to things working but things do not work. It is GOD working such that “things work together” according to HIS plan, purpose and will to bring about the best result from the situation(s) that come our way as we do life upon earth.

No one likes to suffer or encounter various trying issues in life. Ask JESUS to be your strength and help you to learn from it, knowing that it is designed to bring you closer to GOD and build the right relationship with HIM so that you, in turn, may comfort others. There is a purpose. Ask GOD to reveal it to you.

When we comfort others, it does not mean that we are better than the person we are helping. We have been equipped by GOD such that we can identify with the issue or issues the person or persons are facing because we have experienced the same or something similar. We have had on-the-job- training while nestled in the arms of our LORD.

Often, because we have experienced certain issues in life, we may be equipped to council others who may be able to avoid going through a grievous issue.

Life can get overwhelming as the Apostle Paul reveals in our next scripture.

Let’s read 2 Corinthians 1:8-11:

⁸ We don’t want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, of our affliction that took place in Asia. We were completely overwhelmed—beyond our strength—so that we even despaired of life itself. ⁹ Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead. ¹⁰ He has delivered us from such a terrible death, and he will deliver us. We have put our hope in him that he will deliver us again ¹¹ while you join in helping us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our^[c] behalf for the gift that came to us through the prayers of many.

Some of the issues Paul faced were:

Riot in Ephesus led by the silversmiths, illness which Paul identified as “thorn in the flesh,” imprisonment with prospects of being executed, intense opposition from fellow Jews, being stoned, ship wrecked, etc.

Paul was “overwhelmed.” Overwhelmed refers to being crushed under a burden of enormous weight. “Beyond our strength” refers to desperate, dire situations that without GOD’S intervention it would have meant certain death.

Through these issues, Paul saw the powerful hand of GOD at work in his life. GOD delivered him then and HE will deliver him in the future.

Life can get overwhelming for those serving GOD. That is why GOD prompts HIS Children to pray for others and/or give to those facing the issues of life. In the words of Paul, “we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,” GOD is omnipotent and does the impossible. Paul could make that statement, without hesitation, because he had experienced GOD’S unspeakable power. Since GOD can raise the dead, is anything beyond the power of GOD? NO!

Have you experienced GOD in your life through faith in JESUS? If not, now is that opportunity.

So “Where Does Comfort Come From?” and why?

Blessings!!!