The Holy Bible
All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.
(Bible Translation and Location: The Message – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
Thoughts:
I was reading a book recently and the writer shared that others don't pay near as much attention to what we say, as to when they see us acting according to the advice we are freely giving to others! Similarly, when needing advice on fixing your car, don't you suppose that you would be more apt to listen to a mechanic, than the smartest professor who read a book about your car, and even about the engine? This is very much like our Christian walk. Personally, I try to be careful in using the words "I know how you feel" unless I have experienced the same symptoms as the other person is encountering, and even then their scenario could be way more severe than I ever had. It is so much more helpful to listen and gain an understanding on how you might pray for someone's needs, rather than minimizing their issue with your past experiences. Paul and Timothy are warning the Corinthian church, and God is using this experience to teach us, that no matter what we might encounter in our health, there will be others who go through very similar situations. Therefore, believe in God through the good times and through the challenging times, knowing that He can use your experience for you to personally help others. Look for/recognize His hand at work in your situation and be ready to give Him praise for His specific help, and we are to do this believing that God will grow us to use our circumstance in order to help another Brother or Sister who might develop a similar issue and who really needs someone to talk to who can identify with them. Don't you know that in the case of the mechanic mentioned above, only he can share with you the little particulars and the bumps and bruises that you can expect when doing certain repairs, because of his years of experience? Friends, when you find hope, be ready to share hope with those who are hopeless. When you experience healing, go out of your way to share that with someone who is very concerned about their medical issues. When you suffer the loss of a loved one, be ready to come alongside that mourning friend who is now experiencing loss. Don't you know that only then you can truly say "I know something about what you might be feeling, because I lost my __?___ and God worked powerfully in my life and comforted me every day – or whatever you might have experienced? God will point you to the individual(s) where He can use you. Remember, you are just a recovering sinner accepting God's help so that you might come alongside another child of His that could use your experience to help them confirm their decision and/or direction. Just let go, and let God!
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, just how You have highlighted these verses to me this morning, I believe that there are many who You have brought through life experiences who could very easily come alongside a hurting, troubled friend today. Lord, I also believe that as we show obedience in doing this, that You will give us the strength and guidance that we need to either be quiet and listen, or to share how wonderful You have been to us. The neat thing that I respect in You dear Lord, is that You know what a person is feeling, what they've been through, how much pain they are in right now, and the words they need to really refocus their life on You, in spite of their circumstance. Please keep us humble Oh Lord, so that we may be this witness and encouragement, all because of You, and nothing of ourselves. May we take this action because of what You want to see, and to encourage our friend to look to You and praise You in their storm. Lord, thank You for being my God, my Savior and soon coming King. May I learn to be a better witness of, and for, You every day in every way, and I ask this knowing that only You have power to respond to any of these requests. For I ask this in the name of Jesus, my Savior and Lord, AMEN!
FOOTNOTE: If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com so that we can pray with you and give you help and or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Any words underlined above will indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to blogger.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day's devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, Sebring, FL!
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