2 Corinthians1:4: "God comforts us in all our trouble so that we can comfort other people who are in every kind of trouble."
When I think of God comforting me in all my trouble, I reflect back on the many times God has been there for me during the difficult stages of my life. I remember being left home by myself and praying for His presence and comfort. When I was a young man and felt unworthy of God's love, He steered me toward a church where I felt the love of Jesus and became born again. With the death of my parents as a young man, I had to experience life without their love and support. When I was involved in a head-on crash with a drunk driver and my truck was wrapped around a telephone pole, God sent a 100 pound woman to pull me from my truck to safety.
I could go on and on about God's love and comfort in my life, but am I helping others? God has opened the door to many opportunities to comfort others. As a young man, my older brother needed a place to stay and Debbie and I took him in to live with us. Participating in Bible studies is another bonding and comforting place where we comfort each other while learning different aspects of God's word. Prayer group is also a bonding and comforting place where we turn towards God as a group to help others and our group. There is also another comforting aspect where we opened up our home to people in need of housing. One time Debbie and I felt God's peace for letting someone live in our home. Three times we we were told no by this individual, but we knew this was God's plan. Well the fourth invitation was the charm. We just knew it was God's plan for all of us.
So paying it forward is God's plan because we are the body of Christ, and I praise God for it!
Amen!!!
-Hank Majors
Discipleship Guide
THURSDAY (3/04)
2 Corinthians 1:4. What does this text tell us about how God cares for us? Additionally, what does it say about us as wounded healers, healing others.
FRIDAY (3/05)
2 Corinthians 1-7. Read and meditate upon the text, and write down your thoughts from this passage. Pray that God will give you even a deeper understanding of this text.
SATURDAY (3/06)
Psalm 119:49-50 (NIV) "Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life." How can you offer hope and comfort to someone today who is going through a difficult experience?
SUNDAY (3/07)
Psalm 27:1, 4-5 (NIV) "The LORD is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid? One thing have I asked of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock." How has the LORD been the stronghold of your life and offered you comfort at a time you felt troubled or fearful? Write a prayer of thanksgiving and share that with someone in a card or post it in our MPUMC Facebook group or e-mail your prayer for us to share.
MONDAY (3/08)
Isaiah 40:1, 28-29 (NIV) "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." How does God's promise for your comfort put you at ease during all of life's challenges? Meditate upon God's strength in your life in the midst of all of your storms.
TUESDAY (3/09)
Isaiah 49:13-"Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflictions." When have you experienced joy because the Lord has comforted you or someone close to you? How could you share this story with someone who is going through a tough time?