Who is Walking Among Us?

2 Corinthians 6
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living god; as God hath said, "I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate," saith the Lord, "And touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters?" saith the Lord Almighty.
2Corinthians 6:16-18


LET IT GLOW

Paul had a lot to say in this chapter. It's almost a mental over-load. Paul endured more than his share in order that the gospel was preached. It helped me as I read what Jerry Falwell had to say about the arrangements of phrases:

Liberty Bible Commentary:
There are 27 categories divided into 3 groups of 9 each. Here they are:
I.  Trials (verses 4-5)
     affliction (troubles), necessities (hardships), distresses (difficulties); stripes,  imprisonments, tumults;
     labors, watchings, fastings;

     NLT says,"We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We have been
     beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhausion, endured sleepless nights, and gone
     without food."

 II. Divine Provisions  (verses 6-7)
       purity (freedom from immorality), knowledge (insights to cope with difficult situations), long suffering,
       kindness, Holy Ghost, love unfeigned, the word of truth, the power of God, armor of righteousness;

       NLT says,"We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the
       Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. We faithfully preach the truth. God's power is working in
       us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense."

III. Victory Over Circumstances (verses 8-10)
        honor and dishonor, evil report and good report, deceivers, and yet true, unknown, yet well known,
        dying, live, chastened, not killed, sorrowful, rejoicing, poor, making many rich, having nothing,
        possessing all things.

       NLT says, "We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us.
       We are honost, but they call us impostors. We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live
       close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. Our hearts
       ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing,   
       yet we  have everything."

Falwell said,"Paul had learned to abound and be abased, he had learned to have much, and nothing. For he had learned, on a practical level, the lesson of our Lord in Luke 12:15 "...a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth."

I think it's all about endurance. Paul endured so much.
Endurance means a remaining  under. (from Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words)
"Endurance refers to constant strength under difficuly. In modern terms it could be described as coping successfully with life," states Shepherd's Notes.

Oh, to have only a smiggen of Paul's endurance. It is too easy to run away from our problems, ignore them, or to just give up or give in.
 Psalm 18:2 tells me the Lord is my rock, fortress, delieverer, God, strength, in whom I will trust, my buckler, horn of salvation, and high tower.
Sounds like He is what I need.


LET IT GROW

Who is walking among us? Maybe the question is "With whom are we walking?" There was a time when I walked on a track with two Christian girlfriends. We would share events of our day, our feelings, problems, and concern for each other. Beneath the surface were our values.

Paul gives us instructions in verse 14a, KJV, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers."
Williams version says it this way, "Stop forming intimate and inconsistent relations with unbelievers," while the NLT states it this way,"Don't team up with those who are unbelievers."

It sounds like to me, that Paul wants believers to marry, have business associates, and friends that are also believers. Life is hard enough when those people in our life are Christians, much less the added pressures, differences, and focus when they are unbelievers.

In verse 16c, Paul is quoting Exodus 29:45 and Leviticus 29:11 when he says,"as God hath said,' I will dwell in them,and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.' "

Liberty Bible Commentary says "in" is best rendered "among."

I want God to walk among me and my associates. How about you?


LET IT GO

Have endurance and faith in God, Who is Sovereign.

Be particular with whom I am walking through life.

Old Versus New

2 Corinthians 5
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.   2 Corinthians 5:17


LET IT GLOW

Happy New Year!

I like new things, don't you? What kind of new things do you like? I like to open a new jar of peanut butter, break the seal, and stick my spoon into the smooth, never used peanut butter. (You thought I was going to say finger, didn't ya?) I like the smell of a new car, which has only been experienced a few times, but I remember it. I like to be the first one to open new packages of items, then be the first one to use it, whatever "it" is. I especially like putting on a new outfit to wear. I makes me feel good. How about you?

Well, this is a new week of a new year. It's always good to reflect on last year-events, decisions, changes, actions, words, activities, exercise program or the lack, diet, etc. Are there things I would like to have done differently? Of course. But they can't be changed, only forgiven. Now is the time to think about new things, especially the heart and attitudes.
What's Paul talking about in our key verse, old and new things?

Matthew Henry's Commentary states:

If any man be a Christian indeed, he must be a new creature. This ought to be the care of all who profess the Christian faith, that they be new creatures; not only that they have a new name, and wear a new livery, (a uniform, especially of a servant) but that they have a new heart and new nature. And so great is the change the grace of God makes in the soul, that, as it follows, old things are passed away-old thoughts, old principles, and old practices, are passed away; and all these things must become new. The new man acts from new principles, by new rules, with new ends, and in new company.

All right then, I see that I need to let old thoughts, such as hurt feelings and words, unforgiveness, anger, stay in the past, under the blood of Jesus. "What's in the past stays in the past," someone once said. Don't carry them into the new year with me. Be motivated by love.

Next, I need some new practices, such as daily Bible reading and prayer time, praise and worship of God, my Savior. (every day, not just when it is convenient)

Get some new rules and principles to live by, which  come from the Word of God. When I find them, I'm supposed to memorize and apply them, not leave them behind in The Good Book. Remember them throughout the day.

New company means watching who I run with, not gossipers, cursers, worldly ones, but make Christian friends my company. "Evil communications corrupt good manners," says 1 Cor. 15:33.

New ends? Maybe that means I should keep my focus on my new residence-heaven, where my Savior resides, and not getting too comfortable here on earth. I tend to forget that I'm on a journey and I'm not home yet.

John Gill tells us to have " new affections, desires, delights, joys. We have new eyes to see with, new ears to hear with, new feet to walk, and new hands to work and act with."
Colossians 3:2 states, "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth."

So with new eyes I can see the spiritual needs of people; with new ears, I can hear their cry for help when it isn't spoken; with new feet, I walk where Jesus leads; with new hands, I do the work and action for Jesus, not myself.

Blackaby in Experiencing God Day-By-Day says:

Jesus has a wonderful way of restoring us when we fail Him! He does not humiliate us. He does not criticize us. He does not ask us to make a resolution to try harder. Rather, He takes us aside and asks us to reaffirm our love for Him.
As you begin a new year, you may be painfully aware that you have failed your Lord in many ways. Perhaps you were not faithful, disobeyed His Word to you, denied Him by the way you lived. Jesus does not need your resolutions, your recommitments, or your promises to try hareder this year. Jesus asks for your love. If you truly love Him, your service for Him in the new year will be of the quality that He desires.

Wow! This makes a full  backpack  for our walk of life, huh? I need some help carrying mine, tho. I have failed a lot.

Lord, help me to be sensitive to Your Spirit's leading this year. Change my heart and thoughts into ones that honor You. Keep me loving You, obeying Your Word, and loving others. Please forgive me for these sins. Bless my friends as they strive to live for You.
In Jesus name I pray. Amen


LET IT GROW

Did you know you are an ambassador?
Verse 20 says,"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."

David Guzik says:

Ambassadors for Christ: Paul sees that he serves in a foreign land as the representative of a king. The King has a message, and Paul is delivering that message as though God were pleading through him.
An ambassador doesn't speak to please his audience, but the King who sent him. He doesn't speak on his own authority; his own opinions or demands mean little. He simply says what he has been commissioned to say. He is more than a messenger; he's a representative, and the honor and reputation of his country are in his hands.

As an ambassador of Christ, what was Paul's message to us? Verse 20 tells us-be reconciled to God.

Webster's Dictionary says reconcil means to restore to fellowship, bring into agreement.

I agree with God that I'm a sinner and in need of His forgiveness. Then I ask Him for that forgiveness in Jesus' name.

Like Paul, we are ambassadors for Christ. Our message is love and forgiveness of our Savior Jesus Christ, sent to proclaim to a lost and dying world.


LET IT GO

What do I need to apply or let go? Change old  attitudes, old words, old actions int new ones.

Speak for Jesus.

Do my best to live a life that represents Him and  that of a Christian.

How Does it Seem?

2 Timothy 3-Part 1
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  2 Timothy 3:1


LET IT GLOW

Here is what Swindoll's New Testament Insights on 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus has to say:

Paul wanted Timothy to know, ginosko, which is in the present tense. It can be literally translated, "You keep on knowing this!" In other words, " Be ever mindful of this as you carry out your duties!"
What is this? In the last days perilous times shall come. It refers to the time between the birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem and His return in Jerusalem to set up His kingdom. The last days are centuries long, and they will go from bad to worse.

Perilous is a word meaning " hard to bear, troublesome, dangerous, grievous; harsh, fierce, savage: of men."
(Thayer's Lexicon)

Was Paul trying to frighten or discourage Timothy? No, he was only telling Timothy what he could expect.
"In the last days, savage times will be upon us," someone said.

The same Greek word that is used to describe the two violent demoniacs of Gadara (Matt. 8:28). This suggests that the violence of the last times will be energized by demons (1 Tim. 4:1). (Wiersbe)

Perilous can also be described as "difficult." Classical Greek used the erm to describe wild animals or a raging sea. (Swindoll)

The word times had to do with epochs, rather than clock or calendar time. Such savage, dangerous eras or epochs will increase in frequency and severity as the return of Christ approaches (verse 13). (MacArthur)

Anyway, it is going to be bad times in which to live, isn't it? Am I ready?

LET IT GROW

Since I have been a pastor's wife for 31 years, experience has taught me that "not all things, and people, are as they appear." So, not everyone in the congregation of a church is what he or she appears to be. Therefore, we must always be alert and lead by the Holy Spirit for discernment. We must be aware of the dangers and prepared to meet them, right?


What reasons did Paul give for such "savage times?"  I will answer this question by using eighteen adjectives and descriptive phrases characterizing human depravity, spoken of by Charles Swindoll in his book, which is mentioned above. However, instead of discussing all 18 today, I will divide them up. (He uses the NAS.)
 

1. Lovers of self. All of us are selfish to a degree, but this describes a deeper level of self-love. Self-lovers see everything in the world only as it affects them. Every event is viewed to bolster their own sense of superiority, significance, or safety. They seek the comfort and promotion of self above all else.
2. Lovers of money. Materialists seek wealth and possessions as a means of power, control, security, personal worth, and even love. Not that there's anything wrong with wealth, but the love of it is what we must avoid. Money-lovers are driven by greed.
3. Boastful. The Greek term describes a con artist, a vagabond who moves from town to town, making big promises, raking in money, and then disappearing overnight. The seek their own glory while providing nothing of worth to those around them.
4. Arrogant. This compound Greek word combines hyper, "over" and phaino. "appear" or "seem," to express the idea of being exalted over others. It was both possitive and negative in the Greeks' use.
5. Revilers. Our English word blasphemer comes from the Greek word blasphemos. To blaspheme is to curse, slander, or treat someone with contempt. It disrespects another.
6. Disobedient to parents. This is the first of fieve terms with the negative prefix a-, which is "dis-" or "un-". The root word is peitho, "to be convinced, be persuaded." These people who have rejected their parents' house rules, reject their counsel as well. With unresolved parent issues, they will have authority issues extending into all aspects of their lives.

All right, friend, are you still with me? We have two more lists to go, so keep walking with me through this chapter and don't go leave me here alone, please. I already have people going through my mind as I read the description by Swindoll. Now I need to ask myself if any of these apply to me personally.


LET IT GO


Be prepared for the difficult, savage times ahead. Trust Jesus and follow His Word.

Don't love myself and money to the extreme.

Don't boast and arrogant, but be humble.

Treat others with love.

Respect my parents, even though they have gone home. Teach my family to be respectful.

Containers

2 Corinthians 4
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.  2 Corinthians 4:7


LET IT GLOW

In my kitchen, there is a variety of containers made from various materials-plastic, metal, wooden, glass, china. There is a beautiful clear crystal candy dish and picher, hand cut from Yugoslavia, which my husband brought back from a mission trip to Bosnia. Those would be considered the most valuable of all. However, to me, the most valuable container, is an old, yellow glass bowl in which my mother often made homemade biscuits, cookies, and cakes. While the outside of the bowl is deteriorating in attractiveness, it still holds value to me. So it is with us. Our bodies are aging and losing strength (verse 16). It is when we allow God to fill us with His Spirit and renew our inner self that people will see a treasure of immeasurable worth, as God does.

Our key scripture uses the term "earthen vessels."

In the Liberty Bible Commentary, Falwell stated:

An earthenware jar is a brittle one. It depicts humanity in its weakness. The gospel is not a product of human genius or clever intellect. Yet it resides in men of clay, that the excellence of the power may be of God, and not of us. (verse 7)


In Romans 7:18, Paul  reminds us "For I know that in me(that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing."

Kruse said," God chose to put His light and glory in the everyday dishes, not in the fine china."

"Who's worthy to be a "container" for God's light and glory? We are all just clay pots holding an unspeakably great treasure! Why does God put such a great treasure in such weak vessels? So the greatness of the power may be of God and not of us.
In the story of Gideon, it was the breaking of vessels that made the light shine forth and bring victory to God's people. (Judges 7:20) In the rest of the chapter, Paul will show how God "breaks" His clay pots so the excellence of the power may be of God and not us, "David Guzik said in his commentary.

Blackaby states in Experiencing God Day-By-Day:

"Knowing God and having Him reside within you is a treasure of infinite value. Your relationship with God places an immeasurable value on your life. The treasures of God's wisdom and knowledge are available to you through Christ (Col.2:2-3). His love now fills you. His incomprehensible peace surrounds your heart and mind (Phil.4:7). When Jesus dwells in your life, everything available to Christ dwells within you (Eph. 3:19).
The contents of the earthen vessels, not the containers themselves, were of great value. The jars would become chipped and broken and would deteriorate over time, but nobody thought of the jar-they were interested in its contents. Paul noted that our great possession is that which God has placed within us. When people focus on us they see a frail, imperfect, and deteriorating vessel. Nothing that comes from our flesh is worthy of praise.
Don't focus on outward appearances and phusical strength, for those deteriorate. Rather, allow the Holy Spirti to convince you of the infinite treasure that is within you because of God's presence."


I am only like an everyday dish, made of clay, that wants the Lord to use for His glory.
How about you?


LET IT GROW

Verses 8-10 say,"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body."

A.W.Tozer is quoted having said,"It's doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply."
An unknown person once said,"When God wants to do an impossible task, He takes an impossible person and crushes him."

I looked up the meaning of some of the words in the above verses in the King James Dictionary:
troubled-disturbed, agitated, afflicted
distressed-suffering great pain or torture, harassed
perplexed-embarrarassed, puzzled
despair-hopeless state
persecuted-harassed by troubles or punishments unjustly inflicted
forsaken-deserted, left, abandoned
cast down-to throw down, fling or send; to drive from
destroyed-demolished, ruined, devoured swept away

So I thought that by inserting the definitions into the passage, it would better help me understand. Fill in your name if you are feeling this way.

Linda is disturbed or agitated everywhere she turns,  but not tortured; Linda is embarrassed or puzzled by this situation, but not hopeless; Linda is harassed by troubles unjustly inflicted, but not deserted; Linda is being driven from what she wants or desires; but not demolished, ruined.

Why? Maybe because of someone else's sins, things are happening to me; maybe my witness upsets someone and they want to get rid of it. Who knows why things happen? The Lord Who is Sovereign does. But because of Jesus living in me, I have hope that this situation will turn out for my good and His glory. I just keep trusting my Lord as I walk along. (Isn't there a song that says that?)
What little I suffer for the Lord in comparison to what Paul suffered!

Verse 17 tells us, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."


LET IT GO

Realize although I'm made of clay, God is working to make me fine china.

Be encouraged that this too shall pass, endure with faith in Jesus.

Wishing you a very happy New Year as we continue to travel on this country road of faith together.

Lift the Veil

2 Corinthians 3
But whenever a man turn to the Lord, the veil, is taken away. 2 Corinthians 3:16


LET IT GLOW

Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This "letter" is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. It is carved not on tablets of stone, but on human hearts. (verse 3)

In this chapter, Paul is contrasting the Old covenant with the New Covenant in verse 6-11. Here is what he said:

 Old Covenant/New Covenant:
              stone/heart
                  ink/Spirit
                 law/Spirit
           external/internal
Old Testament/New Testament
                 kills/gives life
       temporary/permanent
          legalistic/freedom
(Reference: Liberty Bible Commentary)


Our new relationship between God and man is created by Christ.
He is the fulfillment of the law.
He has provided salvation for us Gentiles.

I for one am glad.


LET IT GROW

When I got married, I wore a veil covering my face during the exchange of our vows. I was Miss Linda. After the ceremony, my new husband lifted the veil and we were pronounced Mr. and Mrs. Jesus did the same thing with the veil of my heart when He saved me.

Moses put a veil over his face because it shone. (Exodus 34:33-35) He had been in the presence of the Lord, that's why it shone. No only did the veil conceal the brightness of the glory but it also concealed the end of it. Moses lifted the veil when he conversed with the Lord.

In Shepherd's Notes:

Paul went on to apply the idea of the veil to what happened when the people of Israel read the law in his own day. The lack of God's living presence in their hearts made them unable to see what God wanted to reveal This "veil" or obstacle is removed when people turn to the Lord Christ. Christ is present and acts in believers through the Spirit.

A person who "turns to" the Lord has the "veil" covering of his or her heart removed when they get saved.
Has this happened to you?


LET IT GO

Share the One who is the New Covenant.

Help others get the veil of their heart lifted by coming to Christ as Savior.
      

Fragrances

2 Corinthians 2
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance(savour-KJV) of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance (sweet savour-KJV) of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.
2Corinthians 2:14-15 NKJV


LET IT GLOW

As a woman, I enjoy a variety of fragrances-flowers, perfumes, freshly baked goods, clean sheets, fresh air after a rain, and burning scented candles.
I've been accused of having the "nose of a bloodhound," which means my snout is sensitive to scents. I admit the size of it has its benefits. You see, I inherited both of my parents' noses-Dad's beak and Mom's  snout. I didn't have a chance, did I? Well, this is the way God made me, so that's that. (I try to take pictures head-on, not from the side view.)
Of course, there are benefits to having that kind of ability and there are disadvantages, too. I notice men's colognes, women's perfumes, babies' odors or lotions, Little Debbie plant baking goodies, smoke, candles burning, wet dogs, hay, cow pies, etc. How about you? Do you take the time to notice the scents around you?

Blackaby, in his devotional book, Experiencing God Day-By-Day said:

Whenever the Romans won a major military victory they would celebrate with a spectacular parade. The commanding general would lead the procession in a magnificent chariot, followed by his soldiers, musicians, and other officials. Then, soldiers would lead the defeated enemies through the city in bondage. As a part of the celebration, the Romans would burn fragrances on altars, filling the entire city with a pleasant aroma. The special fragrance came to symbolize victory to anyone who smelled it.

Paul used this vivid imagery to describe the effect that Christians should have in the world. God permeates our lives with the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, our lives should demonstrate to others that Christ gives us victory over our sin. Your life ought to be convincing proof that God continues to work powerfully in the lives of His people.


"Aaron and the priests were anointed with oil poured over their heads; it ran down their beards and robes, so they were all over a perfume, a sweet smell and savour," said John Wesley.

Burnt offerings, during the Old Testament times,  were a sweet aroma to God.
"We are God's pleasing aroma-our heart, our attitudes, not meat, grain, or oil," said Morgen, a lady in my Bible study group.

Is my life a sweet scent, fragrance,  to God? Or is it stinky with sin, a smelly odor?


LET IT GROW

Verses 10b-11 (NLT) say, "And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ's authority for your benefit, so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.
The  KJV uses the phrase "lest Satan should get an advantage of us." (verse 11)

This man, the offender, did a hideous sin, but truly repented of it. Paul told the church to forgive him and receive him back into the church so Satan did not gain him. The offender had said some offensive things about Paul, either directly or indirectly, but Paul forgave the man.

David Guzik said,"Don't be ignorant of Satan's schemes. He can transform himself into an angel of light. He destroys souls. He ruins churches."

In Luke 17:3, NAS, Jesus said, "If your brother sins, rebuke him; And if he repents, forgive him."

There we have it. Plain and simple. In his first letter, Paul told the Corinthian church to love, now he tells them to forgive. Should I do less? I know it's a hard thing. When people tell lies about me, do spiteful things, hurt me in other ways, it isn't easy to forgive. Only with the forgiveness of God can I forgive others. As I keep sinning, I keep needing His forgiveness. With God's love I can love them. It's our choice.


LET IT GO


Let my life be a sweet fragrance, with the love and forgiveness of Jesus in my heart to share with others.

Forgive and keep on forgiving.

Comfort

2 Corinthians 1
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. 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.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4


Background:
The city of Corinth was in Greece. It had two seaports. The city's location made it a crossroads for travel and commerce and contributed to its prosperity. Ship captains would often haul overland their cargo to the opposite side in order to avoid the rough, stormy sea.

Corinth was also known for hosting athletic events known as the Isthmian games. Every two years these event took place. Huge crowds provided great financial rewards.

This is the same church to whom Paul wrote the first apistle. Sources say that two other letters written to the same church had been lost, so this is actually the fourth letter Paul wrote to the Corinthian church. This church had some problems, which Paul addressed in the previous letter-divisions, immoral practices, a group flaunting spiritual gifts, a legalistic group, and others offering false teachings about the Resurrection. They were a multiethnic church made up of Greeks, Romans, and Jews, plus social classes of rich, poor, and slaves. Thus, it was a troubled congregation. Paul wrote this letter at a time when relations between him and the church at Corinth were strained.
(Resource: Shepherd's Notes)

Apparently, Paul's ministry, apostleship, and message were challenged. A group of false apostles were trying to influence the congregation to turn from Paul's teachings.

Titus met Paul in Macedonia with the report of the Corinthian church's warm acceptance of Paul's letter and eagerness to see him. The majority had repented of their rebellion against Paul, which was a relief and joyful news for him. (2 Cor.7:5-16)   (Resource: John MacArthur's The MacArthur Bible Handbook)

Paul wrote 2 Corinthians from Macedonia and sent it to Corinth by Titus. The 1 Corinthians letter was written while Paul was in Ephesus and carried by Titus, also.

Shepherd's Notes says,"Several relevant topics surface in Paul's second letter to the Corinthians:
suffering, ministry, leadership and authority, the nature of the gospel, and Christian giving."

Now that we have this background, let's get into the Word.


LET IT GLOW

Have you experienced a time in your life when you needed to be comforted? If we have lived very long, we all have. It may have been as a child whenever we got hurt and our parent comforted us. It may have been during the loss of a parent, the loss of a job, or a friend's hurtful words. The list can go on, can't it? Where did we turn for comfort? Was it the Lord Jesus? Was it a spouse, a parent, or a friend? After my mother passed away, I turned to the Word for strength and comfort, then to others.

In The Experiencing God Study Bible, a side note states, "God is the source of grace, peace, mercy, compassion, and comfort. (verses 2-4)

In verse 3, Paul describes the Father as the "God of all comfort." What does that mean to us?

David Guzik's Commentaries on the Bible tells us,"all comfort in the Greek is paraklesis.  In the New Testament, it means greater than soothing sympathy. It has the idea of strengthening, of helping, of making strong. God in every aspect of His being is full of comfort, strength, and help for us. One great purpose of God in comforting us is so that we can bring comfort to others. God's comfort can be given and received through others. Pride often keeps us from revealing our needs to others, so we never receive the comfort God would give us through them."

Webster's Dictionary says the meaning of comfort is "console."

Shepherd's Notes states,"He is the God of all comfort, which means that His comfort meets every need. Those with troubled hearts may find strength in Him."

How wonderful it is that I have a Savior who can comfort me, no matter what my need. All I need to do is just turn to Him.
Then He wants me to comfort others in the same situation.

Verses 4-5 in NLT state, "He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ."

In verse 4, in place of the words tribulation (KJV) or trouble (NLT), other versions use the words affliction (NAS), sorrow (Williams), suffering (Beck).

Hebrews 2:18 states, "Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are baeing tested."
To me, it sounds like whether  my burden is large or small, God is there for me.


LET IT GROW

Verse 12, NLT, states, "We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity (KJV says simplicity and godly sincerity) in all our dealings. We have depended on God's grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you.

The Greek word for simplicity means singleness; the virtue of one free from pretense and hypocrisy; not self-seeking, openness of heart manifesting itself by generosity. (King James Dictionary)
Sincerity has the same word in the Greek and its meaning.

Webster's Dictionary refers simplicity to the condition of being simple. Simple means elementary, not complicated; plain, not elaborate; pure, absolute; humble.

With those definitions, I can admit that my mind is simplictic, if there is such a word (probably it in misspelled). I like to live a plain life, trying not to pretend to be something I'm not. If I'm not happy, I'm not happy, so why pretend?

So Paul tells me that  in all my dealings, I am to be without pretense and hypocrisy, to be honest and sincere, showing God's holiness.
In other words, don't say one thing and do or be another.


LET IT GO

Seek God's comfort because it is available.

Be simple and sincere.