N.B.

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Psalm51:17NIV

Their insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. If only one person would show some pity; if only one would turn and comfort me. Psalm69:20NLT

These verses show a stark contrast to the happiness of the Christmas Season. The story of the baby Jesus coming as Immanuel is a tonic to dwell on, and it is important, especially as believers, that we do. However, is everyone happy at this time of year?

Make a mental note. Very many people, and some you know, will hide their broken heart behind a smile, and all I am suggesting is that we recognise that struggle, and be that one who ‘would turn and comfort’. Isn’t it good to know that God will not despise a broken and contrite heart?

It has been brought to my notice very forcefully more recently, that humanly speaking some of my friends struggle especially at this time of year, and there are many valid reasons. It makes it worse because their broken heart is polar opposite to the Christmas theme of joy and happiness, but because of that same atmosphere of laughter and fun, it makes it more difficult to express their sadness. The result is that they withdraw (behind their smile).

So, I urge you to be that desperately needed one who takes note and comes alongside to put your arm around a shoulder and say that you care. You care enough to notice, and care enough to pray to a God who came to earth to become the God-Man who understands our weaknesses, flaws and broken hearts. Have a Happier Christmas my friends!

Help?

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 receive from God. 2Cor1:3,4NIV

No one goes through this life without needing some help in the form of comfort, and let’s face it we can’t always depend on the ‘usual suspects’ to give that support. Sometimes it comes from the unlikely, or to be more accurate, the likely but from a different group or even good friends from another church.

Isn’t it good that the source of ALL comfort is God Himself, and although we may receive that Blessing from an unexpected or unlikely source, it originated directly from God.

I suppose my concern is this. If or when someone in any church fellowship is ill, or feeling overwhelmed and down, shouldn’t their church folks be the ones to step in first? I believe that our God is omniscient and when He sees one of His children in need, that comfort will be given when it is needed most, and by the best person or group. That may be from our own church, but on the other hand, it may not, and God will use the willing and available.

When you know your friend is absent from their place in church, are we first of all able, and secondly willing to step in to provide that Godly comfort? After all, God will supply that need one way or another. Another thought. What does it say about our own fellowship if we so often are not the ones stepping up to be either willing or able, because you will always hear our call? Lord, help me to be an extension of your comfort. After all…...

Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. Isaiah59:1NLT

Comfort Zone

What’s the difference between our ‘happy place’ and our ‘comfort zone’? I thought they were one and the same place, but maybe not. It seems we are allowed, perhaps even encouraged to have our personal ‘happy place’ to call our own where we can retreat from the cares of this world and rest content at least for a while. We can’t stay there forever and we know it, but it is a comfort to know our happy place is there.

On the other hand, we are oftentimes pushed to get out of our ‘comfort zone’ because it isn’t such a good place to be. We need to be uncomfortable to the point of not having one and being unsettled because it means we are not making a difference to people and the world around us. Staying in our comfort zone makes us lazy to the needs of others who are not a part of our ‘group’ or church and after all, we want them to join us. How will others know the truth if we don’t share our story with them? I get that, but…..

Can I suggest that many people have made a conscious decision to change the place they once called their comfort zone, and it had not been a good place. It may have been the only place they knew of where they could retreat to escape from the cares of this world. Maybe that comfort zone once included drugs, alcohol, nicotine, or having a double or secret life. Then having seen the difference a life in Christ can make, some of us swapped our old comfort zone to a new one which really is a comfort, and not just a temporary happy place escape. Why then should I leave the comfort zone which became my much needed retreat and yes, even my Saviour? Is it then so wrong for our ‘happy place’ to become our safe and secure ‘comfort zone’? I don’t think so. You?

Love, Life and Grief

The greatest love people can show is to die for their friends. John 15:13 ERV

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.                     2 Cor 1:4 NLT

We associate the words of Jesus about dying for our friends to be all about physical pain and death, but I would suggest there is another dimension which is equally important, evident and valid. We can also die inside, piece by piece, through emotional loss until we can become a shell of our former selves. Unless…..

I have the pleasure and honour to watch, first hand, love in action from the unlikeliest of sources, humanly speaking that is, and I am constantly humbled. It is bad enough when a health disaster hits a family, but when death and grieving happens on top of the ‘partial’ loss of a much loved spouse, how do the remainder of this family cope? The ones who remain to grieve and care seem to have an abundance of love in their hearts. So much so that they can give comfort to the one who needs it most, and only because they have already received a supernatural amount of comfort from the only one who can give it at a time like this. God.

Names are not important, and I know both of the men involved would not want that. You may know someone like this, or you may already recognise these good people. They don’t give love and care because they want the recognition, or to be noticed by their friends. No, they provide the comfort for a partly lost wife and mum, as well as the loss of a dear wife, for one reason, and one reason only. Love. They find it as natural as breathing, and it shows the heart of a loving God, living and working through them. How else can you explain it?

What happens behind that closed door may be another thing, but right where love and comfort are needed, they are freely given, without a thought of their own grief and pain. I consider it a privilege to have been counted as a friend down through many years, but most especially now. Have you ever noticed that the ones who hurt the most, also give the most? Ask anyone, but particularly think and pray for this husband and son. They know the answer. I pray that God will continue to grant the level of inner strength and peace necessary for them to continue to love and comfort for as long as they are needed. Will you join me in a loud amen?

In Common

A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. John 13:34 NIV

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. Acts 2:44 ESV

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. 2 Corinthians 1:3,4

Jesus gave the commandment to His disciples, and yes it is a command, but how did the early church do this? How did they put Jesus’ words into practice? Come to think of it, the commandment applies to us too, so how do we manage to cope?

I am familiar with the sharing of food, goods, money, trades, and all the practical things which make life easier as you become an integral part of a shared community, but is that as far as it goes? I don’t think so. People have other needs which are not as easily seen, like feelings, emotions, and anxieties, so I would suggest that Jesus meant us to ‘be there’ for our friends in Christian love. If that means sharing food and work, that is good, but we miss something when we don’t recognise that we also share in each other’s lives in full. If one of our group is absent for a week or two, do we notice? Perhaps we conveniently assume they are on holiday, or away for the weekend. I would suggest that we should care enough to check if they are ill, or going through a tough time before we make any other assumptions. Why should we do this? Because the Word of God says: 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. 2 Corinthians 1:3,4. I suggest that is reason enough.

The Journey - Untidy Bothy

You and your small walking party have done well in getting this far, but right now you all need a rest, out of the howling cold wind and rain, where you can be refreshed in a warm, dry place. There should be a wee fire going if the last users had lit one, so the small croft like building could even be warm. The spot in the distance keeps getting bigger until you are within good visible distance. What a welcome awaits.

But wait. There is no smoke from the small chimney, and that can only mean one thing. The previous owners were long gone and there would be no embers in the hearth. Closer still and the door has been left ajar. That can only mean the room will be wet and cold and feeling damp. That’s not a welcome bothy at all. You would think that other walkers and hikers would think more about others than themselves. It’s enough to make you irritable as you shake the wet off your jacket, and your fist at the world.

Church is our bothy. A welcome place of shelter where we can relax in our Father’s presence and worship Him. But what about those times when the Spirit seems to have disappeared out of the ‘open door’? The warmth and heat has gone, and it appears there is no one of like mind inside? What then?

I suggest we have a choice. Either we take a deep breath, pull our zipper up to the chin and walk on by, hoping we will find another better bothy that’s just the way we want it, OR we go inside, set the fire in the hearth, close the door to build up the heat, and take some of those wet clothes off to dry. A cup of soup from the thermos is enough to warm the cockles of your heart and give you a song in your heart. Do you see where I am going with this? When our church feels cold and unwelcoming, do we look for another warmer, better church OR do we make the effort to stir the Spirit by our presence? But why would we do that? Maybe because somebody, unknown to you, had stirred the fire just for you, so that you could find your way. Would it not be a good thing for us to do the same for another, possibly unknown, traveller who needs a warm welcome? Quite a thought!

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 receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3,4

Easy Way Out?

Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or, ‘Get up and walk’? Luke 5:23

Jesus had already decided what the greater need was, and had said this because of the great faith shown, and so the sick man’s sins were forgiven, but the Pharisees didn’t like that response. This wasn’t the first time Jesus was set up in a trap of words. If you can, put yourself in the Pharisees shoes. If you say something that is hard to prove, you have won the argument and come out on top. But if you back your claims up with something real and tangible, you will silence your critics, and that’s exactly what Jesus did. He stepped up to meet the needs of the sick man, both body AND soul.

Have you found yourself saying something that sounds nice, but there is no substance to it? How about “I hope you feel better soon”, or “I’ll pray for you”, or “Don’t worry, it will all work out, you’ll see”? In all truth and fairness, we are all guilty. Jesus, the great example, shows us the way. Don’t speak platitudes that don’t help. Do something to help the person. It may not be a big thing, but small gestures can go a long way to encourage someone who is hurting.

Why would we say something we don’t mean to carry through especially when it would mean so much to the other person? I think it would be to make ourselves look and feel better, and all the more so when we won’t be found out. Who knows if we don’t visit, or do a kindness, or even pray? Maybe not the person who needs that comforting word or action, but in all things, God knows. Is that not a good enough reason to follow your words through with action? James, the brother of Jesus says it clearly, and we would do well to heed his words.

If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled”, without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?  So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:15-17

Grace and Comfort

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8,9

If you have been in and around church for any length of time, you will have heard this verse preached on. I love the very thought of the grace of God that cared for me, and saved me, for no reason other than He loved me. It wasn’t up to me to be ‘good enough’, or to do and say the right churchy things. And all because God didn’t want any pompous human boasting.

We accept God’s grace so readily, and maybe because we didn’t have to do anything to get it. But are we as good at showing some of that same grace to others? I’m not sure we are. There are some interesting verses in 2nd Corinthians which show us the way we should act to others in sharing some of God’s same provision of love, grace, and comfort. At its root, we are told that the reason God comforts us (gives us grace) is to let us use that same comfort and pass it on to others. After all, if God is good enough to include us in His grace, should we not be as free in our giving of the same grace (comfort) He has given us?

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 receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3,4

Can't or Won't?

...not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another. Hebrews 10:25

For most of us, it’s only once a week, and only for an hour at that, but I don’t like missing that time in church. It’s my time to connect with God and those I respect and love in the Lord. It’s good to be among like minded gentle, God fearing people ”...addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart.” Ephesians 5:19

I love singing the old hymns, and (most of) the newer praise band style of worship songs. At the root of it all is the lifting of our voices to heaven and the Author of our salvation. It sounds a bit tame until it gets to the business end of the hour when the leader, pastor, or minister preaches the Word of God from the Bible, which IS “The Word of God”. Then it can get less comfortable because the Scriptures are for everybody and for every situation. There’s conviction If you need salvation, encouragement for the believer to live a better life and example of holiness, and everything in between. Sometimes it’s not so easy to be there to listen, so we choose to skip the discomfort.

I believe there is only one choice for not being in the House of God, and it’s either we can’t or we won’t go. There is no middle ground like: I don’t like the speaker, singer, people, chairs, heating, music and the list could go on. Excuses don’t count when it comes to the preaching of the Word. It’s not for the weak, cowardly, or the wooly, after all the Bible says in Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Is THAT the reason you won’t go? Afraid? Just asking!  

Chain (re)Action

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 receive from God. 1 Corinthians 1:3,4

We have a comforting and gracious God, who knows when to step in and give us His peace. When that happens we are happy to be on the receiving end, and just take. In fact, we will take any kindness that’s going, from God or anyone else. But should it stop there? Not as far as this passage is concerned.

Paul turns it on its head, and tells us to pass on God’s comfort to others. Take a moment and think. God gives comfort to us, but we are to give that same comfort away. It’s still active and real and effective when we give it to others. It’s every bit as effective as when God gave us HIS comfort. This is a chain reaction.

Will you be the one to break the chain? The old saying goes, “a chain is only as strong as its weakest link” and this is true in this case too. We are being reminded that we are not just to be takers. We must be givers too if we are to reflect the likeness of God into the lives of those around us who are hurting. Let’s face it, the words of the song, “Everybody needs compassion” are so true. Can you remember the Blessing you felt when you passed on a smile, a word, a card, a phone call to someone else? Will you be a part of the chain of Christian comfort, love and compassion, or will you be the weakest link? I pray we are all up to the challenge to keep the chain strong!

Friendship+

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. John 15:13,14 NKJV

This is a follow on to the previous Blog on ‘comfort’, so as you read you may see a continuing thread of thought. Christ’s love is supreme in that His friendship toward us, led directly to His death and resurrection. It seems that our friendship was part of His divine plan, but based on the verse we shouldn’t be surprised by that fact. Bearing in mind the standard set for us, how do we choose and rate our earthly friendships? Make a mental note of your friends and ask yourself, ‘would I die for any of them’? Probably not, although you would lay down your life for your life’s partner or children I am sure, without a second thought.

I found myself asking, how do I know who my real friends are? You can answer for yourself, but for me, one of the main characteristics is that true friends can pray for each other, but more importantly for me at least, is that we can tell each other in love, as we support one other. But what is the difference between the love of our friends and our family? In a word it is blood. In our case, family blood that runs in the veins of our children. So it is with God. We are not just ‘friends’, but friends+, in fact we are family! Therefore Christ died for us as His family, and not just as His friends.

At a human level, our earthly friends may come and go. Some real friends will leave our groups, churches, but not our lives. Not if they are true friends. This week has seen me aware of a friendship with a Godly couple which was special and supportive, but in God’s direction are now being put into another and better place, closer to family and to new (as yet unknown) friends. I wish them well, as they follow God’s Will and direction for their lives. It cannot be wrong.

We talk about God opening a door as if it is only there for us to go through into an unknown, away from the place we are comfortable. But a door has two sides, and can also be used by God to allow an (as yet) unknown friend to walk through and become visible to us, emerging from that same unknown darkness on the other side of the door. In the same way as God is in the movement of my present friends, He is also in control of those new friends He will provide. I wonder if we will recognise His moving for what it is?

So, the link between ‘comfort’ and ‘friendship’? Simply this: As we give to each one, we will benefit, and our God will not disappoint. Not those special departing friends, nor the emerging new friends either. Who knows, maybe there is also room for us to achieve that special place of ‘friendship+’, with those new God given friends, in Jesus Name! 

Comfort

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 tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Cor 1:3-5 NKJV

I was reminded of the words of this verse recently by a very good friend. There are times we all want some kind of comfort, and in Christ we have that comfort and as much as we need. In truth, human comfort will help, but it doesn’t usually fill our needs, however the comfort which comes from a firm faith in Jesus Christ, always does. We can entertain the tendency to have a pity party, which can go on for a long time, but these kinds of parties are usually lonely things, and our normal friends don’t want to join our party.

So what makes the difference in the life of a Christian? Undoubtedly it is in the selfless act of being there when needed, yes to comfort, but even more importantly is the true friend’s reminder that because we have experienced God’s comfort, so now we can tell others that we care about that the best way to receive comfort is to give that comfort away to others who also need the reminder of God’s unfailing love. It’s a circle of love. God’s love.

It’s a lesson that we don’t want to hear when we are having that pity party, is it, but essential advice nonetheless? Comfort is a bit like love. We enjoy more of it only when we give it away to others in Jesus name. What kind of person would come up with that kind of advice? Probably someone who has been where you are themselves, knows how you feel, but is a friend. A good friend, maybe a best friend, who knows they can speak the truth in love, and these kinds of friends are in short supply and special.  

I will finish with part of a famous prayer by St Francis of Assisi:

O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.