2 Corinthians 1 ~ Father of mercies and God of all comfort

 

2 Corinthians 1

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

the Father of mercies 

and God of all comfort

On Monday, we were out and about. We had lunch, and because we live in the 4th largest city in the USA, restaurants are crowded, crowded, crowded with the Merry Christmas Season.  I love the word, "Christmas."  And I looked at all the diners. Plenty of families in town. Kids home from school. In Houston, they have on flip-flops and Crocs right now (until national Storm Elliott arrives). The kids looked more pleasant, but the adults looked like they had lost friends, lost a job, lost their retirement. Weary. Weary, also, the first weekend in December in Victoria, Texas. Even apartments are about half full instead of bursting a year ago. Oil.

A few of our favorite things. Not, not, not sermons with a dire message of culture woes. I don't like them. However, few of us need to be jolly and bright when we are not. Not the hap happiest season of all Christmases. We need honesty and hope. We need Comfort when people are weary.

Ok, some hope. The people, Monday evening in the grocery store, looked pleased like Christmas. 

They had plans to make something tasty and give their beloved joy. Doing. We are good at doing. The Joy of Christmas is to give. Not necessarily shopping. The Joy of Christmas is to be filled with prayer, hope and Love for those we love. Hope. This is a season. And in being deliberate about what goodness we want to bring, to give, we will, will, will be encouraged. My family has squabbled this year. Fought. I can't make someone love Jesus. I can't give them my hope. Not even in my late 5th decade of life, do they feel I can be the one Pointing out their good path in life.  I'd been quiet. They were outrageously not. So, I spoke up and when I encountered beyond rudeness, I decided it was time for family ROAR time. More than peace that is just being quiet, we have to put the good path with those we love. We can't abandon the real path for nicey, just be quiet peace.  Sure you can be just quiet if a child is jumping on a sofa and coo how cute they are with the ice cream cone jumping on the sofa. However, if the path is detour to downfall, we have to all speak up.  1 in 4 families right now aren't getting along well. Surprise. Pandemic Brain. 

We've had so many Zombie Movies. Yeah. The sarcasm of tearing flesh. Entitled. The real Entitlement is speaking up hurtfully. Entitled to Emotional Abuse. No one should feel entitled to compel, plot, coerce and wallow in giving Emotional Abuse. What is putting on the adult underpants and getting on with this?  Rude and hateful people do not have the right to be abusive. In fact, if someone is going to want to tear you down. See the truth. They are not kindness, love and joy and their opinion is not relevant, is not Significant, can't be valued and we can't be where that path is downgrading.  We should not be brought down by those who feel entitled to compel, plot, coerce and wallow in giving Emotional Abuse. We have the choice to emotionally divorce ourselves from sadists. No more room to think upon this.  Instead, find what is good and lovely and think upon this.

We have to value people who want goodness of the Lord and the best for us. 

Jesus said, sometimes in life there are divisions. Jesus didn't get along with all the people. Life. Life is the Prodigal Son until we see our Father running to say, "Welcome Home, good and faithful. Servant. Friend. Beloved."

Our lives and people change in about 5 years. It's up to us to have good relationships with good health. Discount the sadist. We have had too many punch out movies. We do NOT need punch out verbal times. And there is vast study done on dealing with sadist bullies. We don't have to give them the joy of an argument. Bye. We do not have to value their remarks.  And we can love those we love and remember brighter days. How to end the argument, pshaw, bye!

And when our heart yearns for brighter days?  Pray all that Love to Bloom in Jesus Christ.

Jesus lived in a world and government when marriage was all sorts and types. Jesus did not provoke the argument. He didn't argue about marriage and the what this and what that. Jesus said listen to His Word. Jesus didn't let the conversation degrade to salacious. Linger on the details. Nope. Instead... Love and encourage the Light of Jesus in all mankind.  Obey His Word. Love the Lord our God with all your heart, mind and soul. Love yourself! Love others as yourself!

When Jesus said in Luke 19:43, days will come. We have to see, in troubled times, the Lord is with us. We have to believe, "Give us THIS DAY." The strength we will gain being those who want to see His Blessing. Who believe God is answering Prayers if we look with Love.  Recognize the time of your visitation from God.

When Jesus spoke of trouble, He said, you all don't believe the afflicted are bad people? 

Luke 13:4 

Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam 
fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in.

Rather, we are the Prodigal Son! We see and understand our Lord.

John 9:7

Then He told him, "Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam" 
(which means "Sent") 

So the man went and washed, 

and came back seeing.

Genesis 50:20-22

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, 

to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, 

as they are today. 

So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.”

 Thus he comforted them 

and spoke kindly to them.

So Joseph remained in Egypt, he and his father's house. 

Joseph lived 110 years.

1 Thessalonians 3:6-8

Now that Timothy has come to us from you, 

and has brought us the good news of your faith and love 

and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, 

as we long to see you— for this reason, brothers, 

in all our distress and affliction 

we have been comforted about you through your faith. 

For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.

2 Thessalonians 2:15-17

So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions

 that you were taught by us, 

either by our spoken word or by our letter.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, 

who loved us and gave us eternal comfort 

and good hope through grace, 

comfort your hearts 

and establish them in every good work 

and word

Hebrews 3:14 

For we have come to share in Christ, 

if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.

Romans 10:1-21

Brothers, my heart's desire 

and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved

Abba, Father,

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to Agree in the Lord. 

Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, 
whose names are in the book of life.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. 

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests 

be made known to God. 

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, whatever is true, 
whatever is honorable, 

whatever is just, 

whatever is pure, 

whatever is lovely, 

whatever is commendable, 

if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, 

think about these things. 

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me

—practice these things, 

and the God of peace will be with you.

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, 
but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 

I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, 
having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, 

a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. 

And my God will supply every need of yours 

according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 

To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Amen in Jesus Christ.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ 

be with your spirit.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Yay Jesus