When the landscape of life features an unavoidable smattering of storms, it’s near impossible to comfort ourselves, much less feed others with the comfort we’ve been given…
READ 2 CORINTHIANS 1 Make notes, if you’d like, of what stands out for you. Feel free to use the “Leave a Comment” box below to also write some of your thoughts.
A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
I can’t imagine ever forgetting October 10th 2009 – the date we’d planned to divide up Mikey’s belongings. Our lovely son had passed away on August 1st, but his oldest sister had been away at sea. And so, we waited for her to return before we divided up what to keep, from the boxes in Mike’s room. October 10th was an unthinkably grievous day that loomed ominously in our calendar.[a] One last horrific task that would again, cut us to the core in a brutal way …Then… I opened my bible….
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles…” [v3]
There isn’t a person alive who can talk me into thinking that today’s chapter, ironically set for October 10th in my QuieTimes book, is mere coincidence. It’s a story among many stories in my first book Breadcrumbs in the Storm, that seemed to be like “comfort food” sustaining our strength and faith on our path to recovery. Since that day, we’ve wanted to be in a position where we can comfort those in trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from our Creator God. [v4] Like this 1st Century writer, in today’s chapter, we too were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. We too felt we’d received the sentence of death. [v8] But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves, but on our Maker who raises the dead. [v9] And so – like “manna” from heaven[b] – my Maker’s Word has fed my soul with comfort food, sustaining my life journey as I walk, one step at a time, towards His Kingdom…
Read more? … CLICK to follow “10 October – Additional Notes”
But what about your thoughts – can you tell me what today’s “breadcrumb” is? Leave a note in the “Comments” box below to tell me what you think of today’s chapter.
Finding it hard to connect with the God of all Comfort? The rest of this webpage uses Jesus’ own prayer to help…[c]
THE LORD’S PRAYER:
1. Praise: “Our Father in Heaven, how great is Your name! Your Kingdom come! Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven…”
You’re my God, and I’ll praise You! I’ll exalt You Lord, my strength and my defence. You’ve become my salvation. [Exodus 15:2]
2. Ask: “…Give us today our daily bread…”
The World: Pray for the people of Romania[d]
Your Nation: Those involved in campus ministries
Yourself: Victory over temptation
Your concerns for today
Thank-you Lord, that You’ve heard my cry for mercy. You, Lord, accept my prayer. [Psalm 6:9]
3. Admit: “…Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us…”
Help me not to turn aside from any of the commands that You’ve given me today, Father God – not to the right nor to the left, following other gods and serving other things. [Deuteronomy 28:14]
4. Protect: “…Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one…”
Thank-You, Father God, that if I acknowledge Jesus before humans today, He’s promised to acknowledge me before You in heaven. [Matthew 10:32]
“ For Yours Lord is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory for ever and ever. Amen”
When questioned, tested, tricked or in His hour of great need, Jesus spoke what was previously written in God’s Word.[e] So, the final section on this page is about memorizing the script through 10 topics. Following these will help you learn 52 portions from the bible in a year! THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE: Topic = A Good Caretaker
“Honour the Lord from your wealth, and from the first of all you produce.” [Proverbs 3:9]
[a] Matthew 27:35 and Mark 15:24
[b] Exodus 16:31-35 (Context whole chapter)
[c] Matthew 6:5-15
[d] http://www.operationworld.org/country/roma/owtext.html
[e] Matthew 4:4,6,7,10; 11:10; 21:13; and 26:24,31