The other day I woke up with somewhat of a heavy heart. I have been with my brother, sister, nieces, great nieces and great nephews for a week. My dad, who is 87, made the trip with me. Every time we go on a trip I do wonder how many more trips we will be making.
When we face moments that are challenging, difficult, or sad, who do we turn to? As a believer we can always turn to God. He always hears us and responds. He has told us that He has given us the Holy Spirit to be our comfort.
Additionally, we are told to be the church to others. That means we are to represent Christ as He was to the people he walked with and is to us today. God speaks to us through His word, through prayer, through circumstances, and through others. Do you know of someone who needs to be comforted? Can you be God's representative to them?
The same day that I was experiencing the heavy heart, I finished praying and asking God to give us safe travel home, and to be the comfort that my family needs today when we leave family. GOD does and always will hear us and respond". I then opened my email and found the devotional below! How awesome is God!
(From Lifeway - Devotional courtesy of TQ)
And we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you concerning your faith. 1 Thessalonians 3:2
Dealing with intense opposition and the rigors of travel from city to city, Paul wanted a good friend and strong coworker like Timothy close by. No doubt he would have benefited from his companionship and encouragement.
But that was not Paul’s style. His personal comfort was second to his concern for the new believers in Thessalonica, who were struggling against threats from the enemies of the faith. Therefore, for Paul the decision was easy: Timothy, as God’s servant, must go to them to offer support and comfort.
In our day the comforters God sends to help new believers just may be us! These new believers may be other church members, coworkers, children, or grandchildren. Through our presence, testimony, prayers, and instruction, we have the opportunity to encourage someone to grow spiritually, to be strengthened against satanic assault, and to know victory in Christ. What a calling; what a mission.
Father, send me to someone to whom I can be a comforter in the faith.
Check out Jeremiah 2:1-8, Revelation 2:2-5
I never had anyone growing up to mentor or help me or teach me in how to grow into a abiding relationship with Jesus and because of that I missed out on years of growing and the joy that comes from that abundant life! We need to bring others to Christ but it can't stop there. There is a great need for discipleship.
ReplyDeleteYes He is awesome beyond words!
Angie