2 Corinthians 1-2

I find it very interesting how God works. I received a call from a friend this morning. We needed to talk about some issues that were causing some anger and resentment. We operate on the policy of "if you have anything that is bothering you, let's talk about it before it becomes a huge issue." So she did.

I sat down to pray and read scriptures before she came. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 spoke about comfort. A lot of comfort. I highlighted all the comfort in these verses:

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 ³ All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. ⁴ He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. ⁵ For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. ⁶ Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. ⁷ We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.

There is a lot of comfort here!

• God is the source of ALL comfort
  
• He comforts us
• Why? So we can comfort others - we will be able to emulate His pattern of comfort
• The more we suffer for Christ, the more God will comfort us
• Our troubles lead us to comfort others because when we are comforted, we can comfort
• This helps us to patiently endure what others suffer
• We share sufferings, and we share the comfort God gives us

The next few verses were key in preparing for my meeting:

1 Corinthians 1:9-11 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. ¹⁰ And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. ¹¹ And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.

• I do not need to rely on my flesh for this meeting.
• I can rely on my God who raises the dead. He is all powerful and can do anything.
• He will rescue us
• God answers prayers for deliverance
  

No, I wasn't in mortal danger. Here we are, two daughters of God who need understanding, comfort and guidance. We prayed before our meeting that our hearts would be opened, that we would accept each other's words and find resolution. We asked God for His presence during the meeting.

1 Corinthians 1:21 It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ...

God graced our meeting, He enabled us to stand firm in Christ. After an hour of gentle conversation, apologies, and clearing up faulty assumptions, we tearfully embraced knowing that God had grown our relationship even more.

God showed up and led us through the comforting and encouraging process of clearing up a difficult situation. Isn't He good?

John 16-17

Chapter 16 offers some very beautiful words of encouragement for us here on earth.

• We are not alone: Jesus has sent us the Comforter Who will lead us in all truth (16:7). This Comforter is described in the Amplified Bible as a (1) Counselor - Someone to counsel us when we need wisdom. (2) Helper - Someone to help us in time of need. (3) Advocate - Someone to take our side when accused falsely. (4) Intercessor - Someone who will intercede on our behalf. (5) Strengthener - Someone to give us the strength needed to overcome. (6) Standby - Someone to take our place, we can rely on Him!
  
• This same Comforter is the Spirit of Truth. He is the Truth Giving Spirit. He will guide us in the the whole Truth. These will be announced and declared to you. (16:13)
  
• The Father loves us. The Amplified Version says it this way, "For the Father Himself [tenderly] loves you because you have loved Me and have believed that I dame out from the Father. Tenderly loves us... (16:27)
  
• Jesus has overcome the world. Again, the Amplified says it this way, "...For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]" We can take courage! (16:33)
  
• We are different. We are no longer of the world just as Jesus is not of the world. We are set apart (17:16)
  
• God loves us just as much as He loves Jesus! (17:23)

I hope that these two chapters have blessed you as much as they have blessed me!