"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 will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
2 Corinthians 1: 3-4

I pray the description of our Heavenly Father by Paul brings you the joy and comfort it gives me as I read these verses. I am sure it will, if He has been allowed to fulfill His desire to be your Comforter through the Holy Spirit, and His precious promises to each of us. My heart fills with gratitude to our ever faithful God who has proven Himself to me over and over during my life. I have learned who to run to when I am afflicted by hurtful relationships, or when I have failed miserably to represent the One I love Who always loves me unconditionally, and requires me to extend that same love to others. He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is a God full of mercy, and only He has the ability to comfort us in whatever we need comfort in. Allow this truth to encourage and comfort your heart this morning.

Of course we have to respond to His promise in faith by coming to Him and picking up His Word for Him to be able to speak to us personally. He will speak your name. We should strive to hear His voice above all others. He clearly reveals throughout scripture we are to hear Him speak to us:

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." John 10:27

To each of the churches in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 after speaking to them, and revealing their condition, He says to them:

"He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches."

We would do well to read those chapters and hear what He wants to speak in our lives personally. That is when we will find comfort through knowing the truths that set us free from the chains we cannot see.

But know you must come alone with all your heart seeking comfort from Him alone. He desires intimate time alone with you. There is nothing I value more in life than time alone with one of my children. That is when we share honestly and openly from the depths of our being. We are made in His image. He gave me my mother’s heart and often reveals to me how much He loves me through my love for my own children. That love originates from Him loving me. Just as we desire to bring comfort to our children in hurting times, how much more He desires to do the same for His children.

Until we are willing to travel the road that often is lonely as the disciples did, we cannot be comforted by the Father of mercies. We cannot give what we have never received. If you truly want to become a comfort to your family, friends, and loved ones, allow God to become your comfort, rather than seeking it from others before going to Him.

What has transpired in and out of the church today is a great thirst for comfort in these times of upheaval in our nation, but so few drink from the well of living water. Many are drying up and dying spiritually and physically. Our greatest need is always available and comes with no limitations. It is accessible to all through prayer and reading His Word, and giving Him an opportunity to speak to you personally.

He knows your name. Allow Him to call you by name as He did Mary Magdalene. (John 20:11-18) Notice Mary went to the tomb early when it was still dark. She was grieving deeply. She desperately needed comfort she could not find in the other disciples. She needed her Savior, and so do we! The others left the tomb, but not Mary. Remember Mary had many demons cast out of her by Jesus, and she had been a prostitute. She wasn’t high on the social ladder, but she was so dear to our Savior’s heart as each of us are. We are all sinners saved by a Father of mercy, and a God who longs to be the God of all comfort in our lives as He was to Mary. She didn’t recognize Him until He spoke her name. Throughout scripture there are many accounts where He called His own by name.

Afflictions are allowed in our lives to bring us closer to God the Father and Jesus our Lord, and to teach us to rely on the promised Holy Spirit Who is also called the "Comforter." Jesus ascended into heaven, so He now speaks through His Word and the Holy Spirit while we are in prayer. The voice that speaks all comfort comes from within. In John 14:26 Jesus comforted us with this promise:

"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, who the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

Give Him an opportunity to fulfill these promises by coming to Him as Mary Magdalene, and stay as long as it takes, as she did for His response. She sought Him with all her heart, and persisted, not leaving to go home as the others did. How she was rewarded! We will be too, and then we can truly comfort others with the same comfort He has comforted us with, and it will be without error.
In His love.

Teresa Roberts

Masterpiece Fitness

www.masterpiecefitness.com

276-237-6680

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