Comfort

Comfort yourselves together.

We are to comfort each other. That our Lord desires this of us should be no surprise, right? In a world where so many are selfishly bent through their flesh nature, comforting each other takes us outside of that selfishness. To give comfort is an amazing thing.

2Co 1:3  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 

2Co 1:4  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 

2Co 1:5  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. 

This is truth. For us to be able to comfort others we must ourselves be comforted by our Savior.

Suffering for Christ and comforted by Christ, all things by our Savior. This is what we must give to each other this knowledge, this truth.

1Th 5:1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 

1Th 5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 

1Th 5:3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 

1Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 

1Th 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 

1Th 5:6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 

1Th 5:7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 

1Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 

1Th 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 

1Th 5:10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 

1Th 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Please, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, teach us to comfort each other, teach us to find comfort in You. We need Your love, Your faith, Your hope, Your truth, Your salvation, Your grace, Your mercy… PLEASE. All in YOU! 

When are we made alive?

1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 

1Co 15:23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. 

1Co 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 

1Co 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 

1Co 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 

1Co 15:27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. 

1Co 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

All die.

In Christ (those who are Christs) will be made alive.

However WHEN they are made alive isn't the same.

Christ and the firstfruits are made alive first.

Mat 28:5  And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 

Mat 28:6  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 

Mat 28:7  And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. 

Mat 27:50  Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the spirit. 

Mat 27:51  And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 

Mat 27:52  And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose

Jesus rose from the dead.

When Jesus died GRAVES were opened and MANY of the SLEEPING saint rose.

Firstfruits.

Then next to be made alive will be those who rise from their graves when Jesus returns.

1Th_4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first

Now let me ask you a question- The firstfruits and Christ- then those who are Christ's at His return, are these the only ones who are raised from the dead? If so, if the Bible is to be believed, then why do people believe they rise from the dead before Christ's return?

Why are we told there is an order when in truth most people believe there is no order- you die and rise, end of story.

Jesus rising from the dead is no big deal really if that’s what people believe.  Of course you'll have some who will say, Jesus rose WITH His body, everyone else that rises they do so WITHOUT their bodies.  Their minds rise.  So where is that found in the Bible? Where is it taught that a mind rises? We do read the spirit (breath) returns to God who gave it.

Ecc_12:7  Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

(CEV)  So our bodies return to the earth, and the life-giving breath returns to God.

Don't you imagine there would be A LOT more about living after dying if that were what happens? Seriously. There are disputes about being resurrected, why if we are all resurrected spirit (ghostly)? Why isn't that plainly talked about?

Joh 11:24  Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

Joh 11:25  Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 

Joh 11:26  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 

Martha knew Lazarus would rise again in the LAST DAY.

Jesus tells her HE is the resurrection and the life and who believes in him even if they are DEAD they SHALL live.    Then Jesus goes on to say-  whoever is ALIVE and believes will NEVER die.

And then there is this--

1Th 4:16  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 

1Th 4:17  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 

AFTER the LORD RETURNS descending FROM HEAVEN- the DEAD SHALL RISE FIRST.

That does NOT say the dead will return with Christ at His coming. The Lord descends and the dead rise.

And it goes on to say those who are ALIVE when Christ returns will rise into the air.  Jesus said to Martha that whoever is alive and believes will NEVER die.  Those who are alive and believe, those who NEVER die the first time- the first death- will rise to meet Him in the air!

There are those who will NEVER EVER die the death we all face on a day to day basis.

Rev_2:11  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Rev_20:6  Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Rev_20:14  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Rev_21:8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

Nothing Without the Father.

Joh 11:41 … And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 

Joh 11:42  And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

Jesus lifted His eyes heavenward.

Jesus spoke to His Father.

Jesus thanked His Father for hearing Him.

Jesus told His Father that He always knew that His Father could hear Him at all times, but He had to say this, had to do this because He wanted people to believe that truly the God they'd known all their lives from their childhood on up was the FATHER of the declared SON before them - walking, living, breathing, teaching, performing miracles in their presence. Jesus wanted those around Him to believe that God the Father sent Him to them. 

We might think they automatically should have accepted Him, but you have to remember- a lot of these people knew Him from boyhood, some knew His earthly parents and relatives. He looked just like a normal man of the time. Jesus prayed so they would believe He was God's Son.

Jesus didn't want them simply believing in Him as a man who could do miracles of His own accord. Jesus wanted the credit to go where it needed to go- HIS FATHER.  His Father heard Him and that was why the miracle occurred. If His Father hadn't heard Him there would have been NO miracle.

Joh_8:28  Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.

I do nothing of myself - He said.

What does Jesus do - NOTHING of HIMSELF!

Joh_5:30  I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me

The WILL of the FATHER.

Jesus COULD NOT and CANNOT do anything of HIMSELF!  So why do we ever imagine we of our own selves can do anything. 

Believe.

Joh 11:40  Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 

If thou would believe.

Mat_9:28  … Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord.

Do you believe I am able to do this?

Mar_5:36  As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

Be not afraid, only believe.

Mar_9:23  Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

All things are possible to him that believes.

Mar_11:23  For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

Not doubt in our hearts…but believe.

Mar_11:24  Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Believe you receive.

Luk_8:50  But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

Fear not,  believe only.

Joh_6:29  Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Believe on  him.

Joh_7:39  But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive…

Believe on him.

Joh_9:38  And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.

I believe.  Worship Him!

Joh_14:1  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

You believe in God- believe in Jesus.

Joh_17:20  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word

Believe on Jesus through the word.

Joh_20:31  But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

These are written so you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Believe and have life through His name.

Act_8:37  And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Act_13:39  And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

All that believe are justified.

Act_15:7  And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

Should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.

Act_15:11  But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

We believe.

Act_16:31  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved, and thy house!

Lord, I believe. Help, thou my unbelief!

Please!

Cry day and night to God.

Luk 18:1  And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 

Luk 18:2  Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: 

Luk 18:3  And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 

Luk 18:4  And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 

Luk 18:5  Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. 

Luk 18:6  And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. 

Luk 18:7  And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 

Luk 18:8  I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? 

Pray- not faint.

Pray.

Crying night and day to God.

Do we cry night and day to God? We certainly have every right to do so, don't we? Seriously. This world we live in filled with sin, filled with pain, filled with death, why would we not cry night and day to God? We long for Christ to come, don't we?

2Th_3:5  And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

While we must patiently wait for our Savior's return we must also not neglect praying to this end. 

God will avenge His own elect. God's own elect will be crying day and night to Him.

To read this--  God will avenge His elect speedily- NEVERTHELESS when Jesus comes will He find faith on the earth? 

What a question to ask.  Will Jesus find faith? I pray He finds faith, I pray I have the faith I need, all by His grace, His love, His mercy.

Mar 9:23  Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 

Mar 9:24  And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. 

I believe, Lord, I believe, help Thou my unbelief!

Quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Lam 3:21  This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 

Lam 3:22  It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 

Lam 3:23  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 

Lam 3:24  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 

Lam 3:25  The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 

Lam 3:26  It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. 

The LORD has mercy on us, the LORD had compassion on us- new EVERY morning- GREAT is HIS faithfulness.

The LORD will never let us down, not ever. I can say that and believe it even though in my life I've had great disappointments, tremendous heartache, awful pain. I've been witness to tragedy, I know that life can be awful in so many ways.

The LORD does not pretend to be our friend, He doesn't pretend to care for us and then turn His back on us when we need Him most.

God is our God because He IS.

God is NOT our God because of any contrived reasoning.

God did not come into existence by my willing Him so.

Some people love to say that weak people made up a story about our creation, that God is a fictional being for those who needed someone to have control over them to keep order and such. People have delegated God into nothing more than any fictional character a person can create. Is it any wonder people want God to be the magic genie for them. How many people throughout time have turned their back on God because He didn't fulfil His so-called designated job as prayer answerer in a positive way?

We are NEVER to test God by asking HIM to prove HIMSELF by answering a prayer we have in the way we desire. That isn't acknowledging God in faith at all!

It takes a tremendously strong person of FAITH to believe in God, not a weak, faithless person.

The thing is…our strength of faith isn't measured in any kind of standard we'd fully understand. Take a mustard seed- a tiny, tiny mustard seed and that is all the faith a person needs. It's the quality of faith that matters. It’s the faith placed properly.

Truly if we can expect all manner of ill will to befall us and KNOW it doesn't mean God doesn't favor us, we can then live in true faith. We place our lives all the good, all the bad, all of it in the hands of God for His purpose. We take OURSELVES out of the equation and in our place we put faith in Christ.  In our place we PUT Christ!

As LONG as we put ourselves before Christ we will forever be lacking in quality faith.

Lam 3:21  This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. 

Lam 3:22  It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. 

Lam 3:23  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. 

Lam 3:24  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. 

Lam 3:25  The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. 

Lam 3:26  It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. 

The LORD is my portion.

May I, by the GRACE and MERCY of my LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Take no thought- Lean not unto your own understanding.

Take no thought--

-- for your life.

--for what you shall eat.

--for what you shall drink.

--for what you'll wear.

Take no thought--

-- for tomorrow.

Don't worry.   Easier said than done especially for those prone to worrying.  Faith has to become a reality for this to be possible.  We have to believe that God WILL take care of us according to HIS plan whatever that entails.

A few days ago we talked about Paul and how many beatings, imprisonments, tumultuous sea journeys, and such that he'd experienced as a Christ follower, as a faith believer. Paul didn't spend his days in worry, his nights lamenting his fate. He counted it ALL JOY.  How? Why?  Because he had faith in His Savior. If his Savior, his redeemer could suffer and even be put to a very brutal death after being tortured by the whip and a crown made of thorns, then who was he to believe that he shouldn't have to suffer?

We suffer and complain because we have that right, don't we? Everyone complains about their suffering. Oh, maybe not in the loudest of ways, but people complain. Our suffering doesn't necessarily have to be with physical pain, we complain about not having food- or the right sort of food. We complain about not having what we desire to drink and the clothes we long to wear. We even complain about tiny things. We have fresh water, but it's just not cold enough to drink. We have decent clothes but they just aren't quite fitting in with our current style. Yes, we have food, but it's not the food we are craving. Yes, we complain in what we deem our suffering- legitimate suffering or not, we lack faith, we lack trust, we lack humility and humbleness.  We are so incredibly lacking and what do we do- we cry out to God to stop our sufferings, to give us what we want and then when we continue to suffer we question whether or not God is hearing us, if He loves us. We equate our quality of life in all its aspects with how much we've been blessed by God. Rarely will you hear someone say they are blessed in their terminal disease, or their lack of money and all that entails. Yet we are BLESSED- forever BLESSED in the only way it really matters and that's with eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord! It doesn't matter whether or not we have anything at all, or if we are pain free- GOD LOVES us through it all and until we believe this we are not loving God as He loved us- unconditionally. Loving God as we watch a loved one suffer, as we watch an innocent baby or young child endure agonies is true faith not stupidity as many would have us believe. Believing that God has our ULTIMATE good in mind as we suffer in any way- even in watching others suffer- is FAITH.  We do NOT have to understand it all, we just don't! We are living for a better world, NOT this world! We are living for eternity not whatever years are allotted to us here and now pre-Christ returning. 

Truly we do need to do this--

Pro_3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

All through JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD NOW AND FOREVER!

Mat 6:25  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 

Mat 6:26  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 

Mat 6:27  Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 

Mat 6:28  And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 

Mat 6:29  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 

Mat 6:30  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 

Mat 6:31  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 

Mat 6:32  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 

Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 

Mat 6:34  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.