II Corinthians 1:3-4: "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, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."
I have personally come to realize that although I may have the title of "minister of the Word" or "executive director" of a ministry, my real purpose from God is to be relational. In the midst of those relationships, when we really care and listen, we see people who are hurting. Each of us has been wounded by the world system or the "friendly fire" of other believers. Carrolle Simcox wrote, "Gods comfort is for the comforters. His mercies are for the merciful. His consolations are for the counselors. His love is for all, but only those who love in the pattern of Christs loving can know, appreciate, and enjoy it for what it is."
Meditate On This!
Although you may have some position of power, your real ministry comes when you realize you are broken and weak. It is only God that can give direction and comfort to you and to others. Though it may be painful, try to think of a situation in your life that has crushed you. Then, think also how the Lord comforted you when no one else had the words to do so. Realize that He gave this comfort to you so you could be a comforter for someone else. Is there someone in your influence or circle of friends that needs to hear a word of comfort from you today not based on intellectual truth, but upon truth combined with experiences through which God has put you? He has broken you so that the fragrance of Him may come out and bless others.
II Corinthians 13:14: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion
of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
Recently I watched the Mets do something that not many teams do on a regular basis. A sharp one-hop bullet was fielded by John Olerud at first, and he immediately fired to second base to force the runner out. The return throw got the hitter at first, and then John fired home to get a sliding Barry Bonds at the plate . . . A TRIPLE PLAY! It was a thing of beauty for any baseball enthusiast to see! Doesn't happen every day.
The above scripture shows us three things that are also pretty amazing when we think of the love of God. First, we have the forgiveness of sins through our Lord Jesus Christ. The second great benefit of redemption is the reception of God's love. The third benefit of redemption is the "communion of the Holy Spirit."
Meditate On This!
The schedules of life can keep us so focused on tasks that we forget the great truths mentioned in this passage. Forgiveness means freedom from penalty - love gives us our sense of worth to a Holy God - and the giving of the Holy Spirit allows us to function with, and for, God in the arenas He has placed us. This week, consider the great benefits from the gracious call of God to Himself.
