Consolation Prize

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4

One More Reason

Nothing bad happens to the Christian unless God allows it. Do you believe that? If you do, you might then ask, “Why would God allow these things; why would God make us uncomfortable just so He could make us comfortable again? The verse tells us why and reminds us that our suffering is ultimately for the benefit of others.

BBB

What’s BBB? It’s my acronym for ‘Blessed to Be a Blessing’. Where in the Bible does it say that the reason for our blessing is to be a blessing to others? Right here in 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. When we have gone through a trial ‘relying’ on the Lord, come out on the other side blessed, we have been specially equipped to now share that prosperity with others.

Our Gain is Not Ours

The fact that we are blessed at all is really just a miraculous byproduct of God’s handiwork. The Father purposes to bring Himself honor, glory, and praise, but in His mercy and grace chooses to bless us as well. The truth is that everything we call blessed belongs to Him and in our striving to selfishly keep them we could likely lose them. Let us hold our blessings as if we hadn’t any knuckles.

Remember Your Baptism

Ah baptism-- the time we symbolically die to ourselves; that blessed time when we handed over the reins of our lives to the One who Reigns over our lives. Baptism also symbolizes the tribulation and comfort spoken of in 2 Corinthians, as baptism is a picture of God’s promise to us. Let us share the promise—let us comfort those who now suffer.

Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. Matthew 5:42

COMPASSION dave and the Jesus + Compassion Group (*where sponsors hang out)