God Promises His Comfort..Craig Denison Ministries

 God Promises His Comfort

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

There is only one constant in this ever-changing world, and that’s the character of our heavenly Father. The very earth itself is undergoing changes constantly. What seems the most immovable now will one day be done away with. But God is unchanging. God is unwavering. He’s completely faithful and committed to seeing through the promises he’s made you. As we look this week at the promises of God may you ground yourself in his unchanging love. May God’s character become your source and refuge—your constant and unshakable foundation.

Scripture:“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.” - 2 Corinthians 1:3

Devotional:

2 Corinthians 1:3 tells us of a wonderful aspect of God’s character, that he is “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.” In a world wrought with depression and hurt, we have a Father who is the source of all comfort. We serve the God of compassion and love. Let’s allow the truth of God’s comfort to fill us today. Let’s rest in the goodness of God’s presence and let him minister to any areas in which we feel hurt or depressed.

David tells us in Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34 comes in the context of David fleeing from Saul’s persecution. David, in this season of his life, knew all too well what it’s like to need comfort. His circumstances were anything but peaceful. But in this moment, God faithfully delivered him again from the hands of Saul. David writes, “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,  for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing” (Psalm 34:6-10). David took refuge in his faithful God and found comfort. He placed his trust in the Father of all comfort and found deliverance.

It really is true that “those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” The same God of David is your God. You are his child. Seek him today that you might “taste and see that the Lord is good!” All of us are broken. All of us are hurting. All of us need the love of our heavenly Father. Where in your life today do you feel hurt? Big or small, God cares about whatever pain you might be going through. Your Father longs to heal whatever is holding you back from fullness of life in him.

Deuteronomy 33:12 says, “The beloved of the Lord dwells in safety. The High God surrounds him all day long, and dwells between his shoulders.” You are God’s beloved. You were bought at an incredible price. He’s opening up his arms to you today, asking you to simply come and find refuge from all the hurt and pain of the world in him. He desires to hold your heart today and speak his healing love over any part of you wounded by the things of the world. Spend time in his presence today allowing the Spirit of God to mend you. Allow God to cry with you, hold you, speak to you, and draw you into his process of inner healing. God’s promised you his comfort, and he’s always faithful to deliver on his promises. All that he asks of you is to make space in your heart for him and receive. Spend time today talking with the “Father of all mercies and God of all comfort,” and experience the power of being wrapped up in the powerful and loving arms of God.

Guided Prayer:

1. Ask God to make his nearness known to you today. Receive his presence and experience his profound, limitless peace.

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Psalm 145:18

2. Open to God any part of your heart that is wounded or needs comfort. It could be the wound of a parent, spouse, friend, colleague, etc. Whatever you feel hurt by today, talk to your loving heavenly Father about it.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

3. Receive God’s comfort. So often healing comes simply by the compassionate love of God. As our Father, God suffers as we suffer. He hurts when we hurt. Let his nearness and love comfort you.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort.” 2 Corinthians 1:3

Healing takes time, but it is time well worth spending. We are not meant to go without the love and comfort of our heavenly Father. Seek out his presence. Spend time at length simply being loved by him. Make space for God to work and find out how willing and able he is to bind up and heal any area of your heart that feels broken.

Extended Reading: Psalm 34

Inviting God Into Our Pain..LYSA TERKEURST

 Inviting God Into Our Pain

LYSA TERKEURST 

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8a (ESV)

In a recent season of my life, I felt like the heartbreak I was experiencing was going to break me.

The pain hit me with such sudden and sharp force that it felt like it cut through skin and bone. And it left me wondering if I’d ever be able to function like a normal person again.

Through that season, and even now, God has been tenderly reminding me that pain itself is not the enemy. Pain is the indicator that brokenness exists.

Pain is the reminder that the real enemy is trying to take us out and bring us down by keeping us stuck in broken places. If we can grasp God’s perspective, pain can be the gift that motivates us to fight with tenacity and fierce determination, knowing there’s healing on the other side.

And in the in-between? In that desperate place where we aren’t quite on the other side of it all and our heart still feels quite raw? Even still, pain is an invitation for God to move in and replace our faltering strength with His power.

Now, I’m not writing this to throw out spiritual platitudes that sound good; I write it from the depth of a heart that knows it’s the only way. We must invite God into our pain to help us survive the desperate in-between.

The only other choice is to run from the pain by using some method of numbing. But numbing the pain — with food, achievements, drugs, alcohol or scrolling on social media — never goes to the source of the real issue to make us healthier. It only silences our screaming need for help.

We think we’re freeing ourselves from the pain when, in reality, what numbs us imprisons us. If we avoid the hurt, the hurt creates a void in us. It slowly kills the potential for our hearts to fully feel, fully connect, fully love again. It even steals the best in our relationship with God.

Pain is the sensation that indicates a transformation is needed. There’s a weakness where new strength needs to enter. And we must choose to pursue long-term strength rather than temporary relief.

So how do we get this new strength? When the deepest parts of us scream for some relief, how do we stop ourselves from chasing what will numb us? How do we stop the piercing pain of this minute, this hour?

We invite God’s closeness.

For me, during this painful season of my life, this meant praying constantly. No matter how vast our pit of despair, prayer is big enough to fill us with the realization of His presence like nothing else does.

Our key verse today (James 4:8a) reminds us that when we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. When we invite Him to come close, He always accepts our invitation.

And on the days when my heart feels hurt and my words feel quite flat, I let Scripture guide my prayers — recording His Word in my journal and then adding my own personal thoughts.

No matter where you are today … knee-deep in heartbreak, taking steps of healing or in the desperate in-between … today is a great day to invite God to come closer.

One of my personal favorite Bible passages to turn to is Psalm 91. I would love to share a verse and a prayer with you as an example for how you can prayerfully invite God into your own pain:

Verse: “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1, NIV).

Prayer: Lord, draw me close. Your Word promises when I draw close to You, You are there. I want my “drawing close” to be a permanent dwelling place. I am not alone because You are with me. I am not weak because Your strength is infused in me. I am not empty because I’m drinking daily from Your fullness. You are my dwelling place. And in You, I have shelter from every stormy circumstance and harsh reality. I’m not pretending the hard things don’t exist, but I am rejoicing in the fact that Your covering protects me and prevents those hard things from affecting me like they used to. You, the Most High, have the final say over me. You know me and love me intimately. And today I declare I will trust You in the midst of my pain. You are my everyday dwelling place, my saving grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Friend, even if you only have a few moments to draw near to God through prayer today, I promise you’ll end up feeling a lot less desperate and a lot more whole. If we let Him enter into the darkness of our hurt today, He will open wide the door to a much brighter tomorrow.

God, thank You for always being readily available to talk to me. I am thankful for the reminder that even when I am in a pit, You are with me. Your peace is just one prayer away. Thank You for being near to me during heartbreaking situations. I know healing is happening in ways I can’t even see. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Serving Christ..Dr. Charles Stanley

 Serving Christ

Dr. Charles Stanley

Matthew 25:34-40

Stop for a moment and consider the purpose of your life. Are you living to pursue your own interests or success? Does your energy revolve around your family members? Perhaps your ambition is to change the world for the better.

All of these aims—even the last one, which sounds so selfless—are futile. The only goal of lasting value and fulfillment is serving Christ. As His followers, we should model our life after His. And Mark 10:45 tells us that "even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.” We honor Him by doing likewise.

Yet, sometimes we can feel overwhelmed when we consider the amazing ways that other believers are serving the Lord. With God on His side, King David led great armies into war. Today, there are evangelists who speak to tens of thousands, and many lives are saved. How could anything we do compare to accomplishments like these? And while comparisons may discourage us, Christians use other excuses for not trying—such as a lack of experience or having the wrong personality for the task. But God’s call for each person is unique. He will provide the words, ability, and circumstances so that you can achieve what He wants done. Remember, our Father is the one who makes the difference. We are merely tools, and we’re blessed to be used by Him.

EL: Are you demonstrating your love for the Lord by serving others? Live in such a way that each evening you can tell Him, “Lord, as best I know how, I have attempted to serve Your purpose today.”

Compassion Is Love in Action... Meg Bucher

 Compassion Is Love in Action. 

By Meg Bucher

“Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” - 1 John 3:18 ESV

Losing love is hard to survive. The parts broken in a breakup are slow to piece back together. The wake of loss is a thief of comfort. Human love has an inevitable end, either by broken down relationships or the end of life here on earth. Pain hurts. Heartbreak is painful. 

Compassion is rooted in the depths of our hearts and the firmly rooted soil of our souls. When Jesus had compassion on another, He literally hurt from His core out of love for them. Perhaps in ruminating a moment on what it feels like to lose love, we can yield our hearts and minds towards compassion for others who are suffering their own losses. Endings and beginnings are hard, no matter if they are for better or worse. The middle is where most of us meander. Let’s aim not only to see and think about each other in love but to treat each other with love. 

“My little children, don’t just talk about love as an idea or theory. Make it your true way of life, and live in the pattern of gracious love.” - 1 John 3:18 The Voice

Love is scary because it requires us to put ourselves out there …risking rejection. And rejection can feel hard to survive!  Love requires an investment in our time, resources, thoughts and emotions. To love like Jesus is asking is to feel compelled with compassion towards the people in our lives and allow His love for us, and them, to flow out of our lives. 

“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” - 1 John 3:18 NLT

In a world overrun with words, let’s find a different way to love each other beyond our screens and devices. The power of an in-person smile, embrace, and live listening ear oozes of compassionate love. Christ-like love is self-sacrificing, humble, and willing. 

Intersecting Faith and Life:

“Jesus kept it simple. He taught and demonstrated that love is an action,” a Bible Connection article “Love is an Action,” explains, “Faith transforms us into people of love who live differently in the world.”

When we are willing to love others the way Jesus commands, healing will happen before our eyes. There are so many people to love in the world. There are so many people to love in our individual, day-to-day life. God is faithful to place us with other people, to love and be loved in a way that brings glory and honor to Him. 

“My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.” - 1 John 3:18-20 The Message

The Lord will make sure our hearts aren’t drained from all of the compassionate love we are lending to our neighbors. As we love and serve others, our souls are filled with contentment and joy. This is the way we are designed to live. It’s impossible to love another the way Jesus commands without Him. When we surrender our lives to Christ Jesus, His Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us. From that moment on, we are filled with the compassionate love of Christ Jesus. We have the strength, through Him and the Spirit living in us, to tap into the love of Christ and let it flow through our veins and thoughts and out into the world around us by the choices we make.

Outward-faced life. This is life within the love of Christ. While we’re busy seeking Him and loving others, the Father is always making sure we have everything we need. Life to the full. This is the life Christ died so we would live. Not full of strife, though we will experience trials. Not full of sadness, though we will cry our share of tears. But full of love. Full of fun. Full of peace which surpasses all understanding …rooted in the way we love, and are loved … by Love, Himself.

Further Reading:

• John 3:16
• 1 Corinthians 13

Which Book of the Bible Should You Read Next?..Kristi Woods

 Which Book of the Bible Should You Read Next?

By Kristi Woods

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” – 2 Timothy 3:16

Sometimes my Bible reading is alive and full – somewhat like a scenic picture bursting with color.

And some days I simply don’t know what to read or where to start. The mountain of words, verses, and books of the Bible bring rise to an overwhelmed stare.

A few books of the Bible rush to the rescue for situations like these. They help us grow. Consider the options below.

1. Calling New and Old Christians Alike!

Twelve disciples + 1 Messiah make for four fabulous Gospels. If you’re new to the Bible, why not start at the beginning of the New Testament? Seasoned Christian? It’s a solid review as well.

Allow the pages to flip to Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John. Start at the beginning, and work your way to the end.

Jesus answered, “The greatest is, ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one:  you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. Mark 12:29-30 WEB

2. No Time to Read?

Sometimes life’s schedule fills with work responsibilities, kids’ activities, workouts, a sick family member, and more. The calendar bursts at its seams. Bible reading becomes somewhat of a lost art in the mix.

In those times, what’s a person to do? Consider a short book of the Bible, one containing six or fewer chapters.

Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians are my go-to when the schedule overflows. They read with ease, packing power and applicable instruction in their short length. James, 1st , 2nd, and 3rd John, the Peters, and Jude read likewise.

In their chapters, armor, unity, and freedom dance to life. God’s love does as well. Encouragement to press on toward the goal cheers for readers. Rules for Christian households opens wide for acceptance. Everyday application awaits.

3. A Plan Sounds Great. Help!

You want a plan. You try to plan. You’re simply out of time to organize a plan. Sounds like the perfect time to consider Proverbs.

Proverbs contains 31 chapters, one for each day of the month. How easy, right? If it’s the 14th of the month, read Proverbs 14, Proverbs 15 on the 15th, and so forth. No bookmark needed!

The bonus? This method helps readers keep track of the date, too!

•  

A Prayer to Step Out of Atrophy..Meg Bucher

 A Prayer to Step Out of Atrophy

By Meg Bucher

“I will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people.” - Leviticus 26:12 NLT

Maybe like me, you’re in a current war with your physical state. The desire to be active is there, but the cooperation from a body riddled with old injuries is lacking. Atrophy is “a wasting away of the body or of an organ or part, as from defective nutrition or nerve damage. Degeneration, decline, or decrease, as from disuse.” 

Degeneration. Decline. Decrease. Disuse. The reality of those words sting, but maybe like me, you refuse to believe them, nor let them define you. Where there is a will there is a way. And all things are possible through Christ who gives me strength …right? Right! Today’s verse reminds us, God is among us. Jesus promised: 

“Be sure of this: I am with you always, , even to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:20 NLT

He said to be sure of it! Not maybe, sometimes, or conditionally. Always! Dane Ortlund, in his book, “Gentle and Lowly,” wrote: “Beyond what we are conscious of at any given moment, the Father’s tender care envelopes us with pursuing gentleness, sweetly governing every last detail of our lives. He sovereignly ordains the particular angle of the flutter of the leaf that falls from the tree and the breeze that knocked it free (Matt. 10:29-31), and he sovereignly ordains the bomb that evil minds detonate (Amons 3:6; Luke 13:1-5). But through and underneath and fueling all that washes into our lives, great and small, is the heart of a Father.” (Ortlund, 2021)

Let’s pray, today for the healing strength we need from the Lord to step out of atrophy against all odds and into the full life we are meant to live as God’s children.

Father, 
Today we are so glad that what You say is more powerful and effective than the way we think. When we see a dead end, You proclaim a part of our journey toward becoming more Christlike. Hopeless situations beyond repair, You promise good will come from. Ok, God! Help us to trust You! Because when our physical bodies are broken down and uncooperative with the way we want to activate them, frustration temps us to give in to atrophy. Degeneration. Decline. Decrease. Disuse. We get tired of fighting the good fight of our physical health … and mental battles in our thought life. We know we will experience a stunt in our spiritual growth if we do not seek You in these atrophic situations and proclaim Your victory over them. So, help us to do that, God! Rearrange our lives and thoughts to be obedient to Your will for our lives and the Truth Your Word proclaims. Establish in us healthy habits of spiritual discipline- of prayer and time Your Word. But also, time to meditate on and just be with You …free and full of peace.

Father, You are our Healer. Heal the things tempting us to give in to degeneration, decline, decrease, and disuse. Increase our trust in You, our belief in who You are, and the promises You make over our everyday lives. In the same way, we can become atrophic physically and mentally, our spiritual lives are also at stake. We can become stuck in a deep hurt, a chasm that we cannot resolve. This can cause spiritual atrophy. Degeneration. Decline. Decrease. Disuse. Oh, Father, do not let this happen to our souls. 

We pray for Your guarding of our hearts and purity of our minds. Unravel any unforgiveness in our hearts, and obliterate all bitterness, jealousy, selfishness, and pride preventing us from experiencing the full freedom we have in Christ Jesus to live our lives to the full. Take care of our enemies, as You promise. Pry them from our hands as we obediently pray for them and allow You to exact justice and mercy. We want to step out of spiritual atrophy, God, and so we yield to You and let go of our own efforts to right wrongs and mend bridges. Thank You for protecting us, God. Enliven us today physically, mentally, and soulfully, to persevere in the will You have marked out for our lives. 

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.