Introduction
1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
To the church of God which is at Corinth with all the saints who are throughout Achaia:
2Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4who 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. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. 6But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; 7and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.
8For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; 9indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead; 10who delivered us from so great a peril of death, and will deliver us, He on whom we have set our hope. And He will yet deliver us, 11you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.
Pauls introduction letter to the church at Corinth, he has a way with words! Is it no wonder Jesus chose him while on the road to Damascus?
While in training one of our homework assignments was to choose the bible verse that explains why we wanted to become a chaplain.
Here was mine:
3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4who 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.
Our trainer asked use to read our chosen verses out loud in class. After I read mine he commented,
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 was what he chose years ago also.
Within a short time he had gone home to the Lord.
So we all share sufferings, likewise we share comfort. As Christians we are to lift each other up.
One thing I have learned not to ask, "How are you?", because you will get a canned answer. It seems people that ask this generally don't want to know.
It is better to ask, "How are you holding up today?" This question tends to reveal the truth, but be prepared to listen and pray. Be prepared to provide comfort!
Yes help others through prayer, providing comfort anywhere you are able.
How can you provide comfort today?
Blessings, David
Scripture blog; http://stanfordsancutaryscripturestudies.blogspot.com
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