What Do You Say?

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. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Sometimes things happen in life to friends or family and there are not words to know how to respond or bring comfort. Recently a longtime friend of mine had the unspeakable happen which there's no need to elaborate on as God knows. In this time of her enormous grief and confusion what can you do to help? Flowers, cookie bouquet, note, phone call? Grief,tragedy,and pain are all part of life and can make us stronger. That makes some angry especially if they have lost a close friend in an accident or in war. Only time and prayer help the healing process.

Grief and trouble are all part of life. In the newly released Hollywood movie,"God's Not Dead" ,an atheist college professor has been hurt in the past and hates God and tries to get his students to do likewise. This movie is a must see in my humble opinion. I have seen it three times already.

What are you struggling to deal with in your own life?Run to God,not away from Him. 

PRAYER: Lord I love you. Forgive me if I have ever been mad or blamed you for my grief. In Jesus' name. Amen.

The Uplifter

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11(NIV)

Ever had one of those days where you just can't get yourself out of a mood? It can be caused by many factors, but never the less it is one of those times you need a bouquet of flowers, a call from a friend, a hug, or a surprise letter in the mail. Often times when I have had those moments I end up hearing something I needed to hear, such as a Bible verse on the radio, just at the right time or getting an unexpected gift. Once I actually found a palm leaf cross in a puddle outside my car door. Seeing that cross gave me renewed hope and strength. Now tell me that is not God.

If you happen to find yourself in a moment like this get out your Bible and read some Psalms. I find the verses in the 150 chapters in this book very encouraging. Another thing to do is see who else might need help or an encouraging word. Somehow getting out of our own issues and becoming involved with another is a good cure. Say a quick prayer and know God will see you through.

PRAYER: Thanks for another wonderful day you have blessed me with. Show me another that just needs a smile or bit of encouragement today. In Jesus' name. Amen.

TRAGEDY, SADNESS, AND CHRISTMAS

Christmas time is happy and joyous for most or so we might think. Many people associate a family members death around this time of year and can not seem to get past it. Death may have occurred prematurely for a young person and when it is time for Christmas, the ache of that memory of that loss lingers on.

Yesterday the unspeakable tragedy occurred when a gunman opened fire at an elementary school in Connecticut with 20 young children among those killed. The families of these children will indeed have a horrible time at Christmas this year. Who would think of killing small innocent elementary school children? It is hard to comprehend why this would even happen. Who knows? Evil is out there and it works overtime to destroy our world.
The news media will be on the bandwagon now to ban all guns. It is a fact that this world has become ultra violent. People who are against guns always use times like this to try to take them away from law abiding citizens. It is not having a gun that is the problem, but it is what is in the heart of man. It is no wonder people do evil things especially since look at what is on television and in the movie theaters these days. Why on earth does everything have to be about killing and violence? Why is it necessary to make video games depicting crime and violence? Taking prayer out of our public schools in 1963 was certainly a huge factor in the downfall of our American society as well as removing the Ten Commandments.

Why are some so offended about the name of Jesus and the word of God? First of all Satan is alive and well and working his evil schemes in the heart of mankind. The Bible says in Proverbs 18:10(NIV) that ' the name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run to it and are safe.' It is only through Jesus that you have eternal life.
There is good and evil in our world and yesterday's shootings were definitely in the very evil category. We need to pray for the families of the victims, the family of the shooter, and the entire community. Also pray for First Responders who had to come upon this unimaginable scene. Pray also for clergy and counselors in the area to use words of faith and wisdom in their counseling for the many people affected by this tragedy. Also pray for our government to not overreact to try to abolish our Second Amendment rights.

Once again we do not know why bad things happen to good people and especially to little children. This is not the time to get angry at God although many people do. They say 'why didn't you stop this Lord?' God can bring goodness out of tragedy although it may not seem so at the time.

In attempting to comfort those in grief, it is not the time to give them a bunch of Bible verses. It is time to be a friend and comfort them and pray for them.
Jeremiah 17:9 (NIV) says 'The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?' Mark 7:21(NIV) says 'for from within, out of man's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder and adultery.' You can see from reading these two Bible verses how important it is to get your heart right with God. You keep it right by feeding it a steady diet of scripture. This is how you grow in love and learn to stop hating. For now we all need to simply keep all those involved in this senseless tragedy in our prayers.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus help us keep in the word of God and stay on the path of goodness and righteousness. We know Lord you too are hurting to see little children gunned down but we also pity this shooter who obviously had some problems. Father God we ask that you work something good out of all this tragedy. In Jesus' name. Amen.

THE GOD OF COMFORT

Do you know someone who could use a little comfort right now? Maybe it is you. Are you able to comfort others when they are going through hard times? Sometimes and in some situations it is best to just be there and listen.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 says " Blessed be the   God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and   God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  For as we share abundantly in   Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too."

What exactly does it mean to comfort? Webster's dictionary defines it as "to give strength and hope to and  to ease the grief or trouble of." You can comfort friends or strangers. I think of the scenes after the horrific national disaster on September 11, 2001 which left visual memories in our brains we can never erase. During this time strangers comforted strangers. Our president was on the scene giving comfort. Words, prayers, and acts of kindness were in abundance. But it should not take a tragedy of this magnitude to wake us up to the needs of those around us.

Romans 12:15 says "Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep."  Perhaps worry less about our own problems and check into the lives of those around  you and see who needs a hug or just someone to talk too. Ask God for wisdom in how to help and what to say.

Who is it that you know who could use a word of comfort today?


PRAYER: Lord Jesus I desire to be able to reach out to a friend, family member, or stranger who needs comforted because they are emotionally or physically hurting. Help me to show your comfort to those around me. In Jesus name. Amen

IN PAIN? RUN TO GOD

 The type of pain I am referring to here is deep emotional pain or sadness. You just feel awful and like there is no end to what you are going through. Many, sadly,  end up taking their own life as they feel hopeless. Whatever it is, there is nothing worth killing yourself over. I ache for the family members of those who have chosen this way of escape. I can not even begin to imagine their immense grief or guilt.

 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 says "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 in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds in Christ." There is always a brighter day coming and a rainbow on the horizon, so to speak. The enemy, Satan,is the one who wants you to dwell on your problem and feel like there is no hope.

 Don't let go. Hang on to Jesus. He is your hope,your comfort, your strong tower and your refuge. He cares about you. Proverbs 18:10 says "The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run to it and are safe."   Are you able to let go of your hurt and pain and let God work in your life? He is waiting. Call on Him.

PRAYER: Lord if ever I am afraid I will run to you and trust you to help me through trying times. Help me Lord to resist attempts of the enemy to take my eyes off the cross and put them onto my problem. You are mighty to save and I praise your name. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link and worship God.
http://youtu.be/wAYCIRN0jYo

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS AND BE JOYFUL

Recently I saw a church sign similar to the title of my devotion. This sign is so pertinent to what has just happened in my local area that being the second outbreak of tornado's on a major scale within the same year. Not only did they hit but they struck the same area and some of the same homes were blown apart again.

 Just a couple days ago I rallied with other area volunteers  to once again, in less than a year, help  the same tornado victims who had been hurt on 27 April 2011. How do you help those who have lost their homes and possessions in not one tornado, but two in less than a year? First thing you may think is "move somewhere else for crying out loud!" Not everyone can do that, but some do. These people are stunned that a less powerful F2 or F3 hit them with a direct hit less than 12 months from the F4 or F5 that hit 27 April 2011.  How do you go on after a second devastation like this? It is almost like the 'Job Syndrome' where in the book of Job he lost it all. Get a cup of coffee and sit down and read Job. What do you say to bring comfort to these hurting people who once again have gone through immense material loss?

How do you bring hope to people who have had hopes and dreams of moving into their brand new homes with brand new possessions when the unexplainable happened and blew walls, roofs, and windows from their new homes, some of which were not even moved into yet? Why do things like this happen? How do you console them? The one good thing that most victims will say is "We at least have our lives". The best thing a helper can do besides pick up debris and possessions is to be a listening ear or give a hug and pray of course.

This time these devastating tornado's not only were not as powerful blowing debris 80 miles away, but in our area there were no tornado related deaths. Hallelujah for that! A few injured went to area hospital ER's for treatment but all in all most got away without injuries in this one. But still, there is that issue with the home being destroyed yet again. It almost makes you afraid to try build it for the third time. How do you get peace and contentment at times like these? As I looked at the same exact area that I had walked in less than 11 months ago I was shocked and had no explanation. Can you imagine the homeowners feelings?


"The Lord gives and the Lord takes away" it says in Job 1:21. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

At a time like this you really have to hang on to your faith and not run from it and be mad. In one home I helped in, there was the Bible on a table, several Christian books and multiple copies of laminated Ten Commandments. The woman was in fairly good spirits as we carried what remained out to haul away to storage.


First know that our possessions are not what make us. Next remember that there are no U Haul trucks going to the cemetery with your possessions to send to eternity with you. It is God who gives us our blessings and we are to be good stewards of them. In 1 Timothy 6:8 it tells us "But having food and clothing, we will be content with that." We think all the other things will make us happy but do they really? Proverbs 23:5 says "Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle." Well in a tornado that could be literal but in this sense it means that money is fleeting and in the big scheme of things not what life is about.  In the movie 'It's a Wonderful Life', Jimmy Stewarts' character, George Bailey, after attempting suicide because of financial problems, was saved by his angel Clarence Oddbody 2nd Class. George Bailey says to Clarence when he finds out he was sent here to help him "I know one way you can help me. You don't happen to have 8,000 bucks on you?" Clarence replies "No, we don't use money in Heaven" wherein George responds " Well, it comes in real handy down here, bud!"


Proverbs 27:24 says "for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations." 1 Timothy 6:17 tells us "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." We never know when we will lose it all. Having your life is what counts in the end. Psalm 52:7 says " Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!"

It boils down to this. Do not trust in your possessions or your wealth as they could be gone in an instant. Let God guide you and show you His perfect peace in the midst of a storm.

Matthew 10:29 says "What is the price of two sparrows--one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it." Just know the Lord is watching over you and you only need to trust Him. You are more important than the sparrows.

PRAYER: Lord help me to not trust in my home, my car, my bank account, or my possessions but you are my source of joy. Help me not be so dependent on things that if they all went away I could not have joy. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Click on link for worship in song:
http://youtu.be/xGPS8sa-bRQ

THE GRIEVING SPIRIT

Today I changed my original topic I had planned in order to honor one of my dear college friends and sorority sister Jill whose husband died unexpectedly Christmas Eve at the age of 58. This is a memorial to him, Billy, and hopefully will help others grieving a recent loss of a loved one or a continuing grief or wound that will not heal. Billy's earthly pain is gone and any suffering he had on Earth and in heaven he is promised 'no more tears, no more pain, and a heavenly body.' His children and wife hurt right now in a big way. Words will not really help them now, but the love,prayers and support of friends will ease their pain somewhat.

 Death is going to come for all of us. We can not escape it, but we never know when or what age. My younger son lost about 8 friends, 3 of which I knew, between the ages of 17 and his 26th birthday. The death of a child, baby, or young person is especially difficult. Death of anyone at any age is sad and leaves a gaping unexplained hole even though as people get up in years you expect it more. An aunt of mine also died on Christmas Eve this year and she was in her 90's and my husbands' mom died several years ago on Christmas Eve as well and she was well up in years. Still she is missed. My husband said she went home to celebrate Jesus birthday with him. Parents should never have to bury children, but it happens. By the way, God is not the one to blame although many grieving people sure get angry at Him.

In the big scheme of things nothing else is important in the world when death knocks on your door. You realize your priorities and they may change. Funerals even bring people together at times as strange as that sounds. God can use all things bad or good in life for His ultimate purposes.

Hebrews 9:27 says " it is appointed unto men once to die and after that the judgment." Ecclesiastes 3:2 tells us " there is a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot." 1 Corinthians 15:55 says "where oh death is your victory and where oh death is your sting?"

 I have known of cases where people go to doctor for something routine and something goes wrong. Do not blame the doctors. People always want someone to pin blame on a person to 'get back' at someone, be it God or a human. Sometimes things just happen and there is no explanation. Our time here on this earth is relatively short.James 4:14 says "For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." Be sure to not let a day go by where you do not tell your spouse you love them  and stop the quarrels and learn to forgive. Try to forgive those who hurt you as you may not get another chance. Life is indeed short. Too short to stay mad and hopeless. No one is promised tomorrow. We all will die be it from cancer, accidents, old age, natural causes, illness, or however. It is unavoidable. Do not sit and worry about it but live life to the fullest and make sure you know Jesus as your savior so you can spend eternity with Him.

One of my favorite Bible verses concerning death does not come from the traditional Psalm 23 you hear read at funerals but it is found in Psalm 116:15 and it says "Precious in the site of the Lord is the death of his saints". Maybe someone deeply grieving is not ready to give up their loved one but God calls it precious. Give God your grief and pain. Jesus suffered the ultimate death on the cross but rose again. Those who die in Christ we will see again in God's heavenly kingdom. Death is not the end.

We will all go to a final resting place. If you know Jesus it is heaven. Isaiah 14:3 says "When the LORD has given you rest from your pain and turmoil and the hard service with which you were made to serve". It is time for rest from the work on earth. Do not dread it but embrace it as your reward for a life well served. Death is not fun for those left behind grieving so we need to stay close to God and believe in the promise of seeing our loved ones again in glory. John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have EVERLASTING life."

Pray for this family today as they lay Billy to rest. One day we will be reunited in heaven.

PRAYER: Do you know if the Lord called you home today you are ready to meet Him? I did not say " are you baptized or are you a church member" but have you asked Jesus to be Lord of your life? We do not know the day nor hour He will return to take us home. Do not be mad at Him. He uses all things for ultimate good. Do not use that verse in Romans 8:28 to comfort any one with a loss, at least not now. Lord help me reach out to those who grieve and just be their friend and pray for them. Give me a heart of compassion for those hurting. Give me the right words to say. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on the link below to listen to a comforting song.
http://youtu.be/MN59zfhAjnI

 NOTE:May I heartily  recommend a  book by my friend Kathe Wunnenburg who has experienced the death of children. It is called 'Grieving the Loss of a Loved One'. Check Amazon to order it.

Also the book entitled 'A Twentieth Century Miracle' by Jerry Parrick which is now out of print is a true account about a man who died and came back to life only to serve the Lord. My grandma had me read it years ago.