Got ‘Comfort’? [v169]

MARCH 2013

Got ‘Comfort’?

Last month I mentioned that I was still “hurting” from the passing of my dad—over 7 months ago. Well, I am still having those “waves” of emotions well up inside me, but I just think of some good memories to ‘comfort’ me for a bit.

As I also mentioned, though my dad’s passing ‘hurts’, I just can’t imagine going through the grief process for the loss of a child or a spouse—a much more ‘impactful’ situation than that of a parent—especially since my dad had a ‘good’ life.


So, how does one ‘cope’ with such a loss? People hurting this much definitely need words of ‘comfort’—but they need MUCH MORE than just words. They need someone who can lighten the weight of their loneliness, their broken health, and their despair. The need a reassuring ‘voice’ that firmly but gently says: “I’m here for you. I’ll be here anytime you need someone. I’m not going away. I’m here to do anything you need. We’ll get through this together.” All too often, however, this kind of comfort isn’t available.

Webster’s defines “comfort” as “soothing, consoling, or reassuring; bring cheer to; to make physically comfortable; to aid, support or encourage; and a state of ease and satisfaction of bodily wants, with freedom from pain and anxiety.”

The Wikipedia ‘article’ says that “comfort” (or being comfortable) “is a sense of physical or psychological ease, often characterized as a lack of hardship…a degree of psychological comfort can be achieved by recreating experiences that are associated with pleasant memories, such as engaging in familiar activities, maintaining the presence of familiar objects, and consumption of comfort foods. Persons who are surrounded with things that provide psychological comfort may be described as being within their ‘comfort zone.’”

Because of the personal nature of positive associations, psychological comfort is highly subjective—this is why it is so ‘tough’ for anyone, however close, to know exactly what a person needs, and when.


But, THERE IS a ‘source’ of comfort that is more ‘reliable’ than even your closest friend, family member, or spouse—and knows EXACTLY what you need, and when you need it—and you can have it for yourself!


Just before Jesus left this earth, He stated, “If you love me, and obey my commandments, I will ask the Father, and He will give you another COMFORTER, who will never leave you. He is the HOLY SPIRIT, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for Him and doesn’t recognize Him. But you know him, because He lives with you now and later will be in you [John 14:15-17].

Jesus also referred to the Holy Spirit as a “Helper” (in the Greek, the word used meant “one called alongside of”). He said, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me…“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” [John 14:1,27].

The Bible also says that God will provide His “children” a source of inner strength and peace the “transcends all understanding,” and that will sufficient to sustain one through their distress. (I can say that I have ‘felt’ this peace the past few months).


Do you need comfort today? Then, if you have not yet done so, let me encourage you to become a “child of God.” It’s not difficult, nor do you need anyone to ‘help’ you with it. Just ask Jesus, in your own words, to forgive your sins and become your Lord and Savior—He will then ‘send’ you the Holy Spirit to strengthen, reassure, encourage, and comfort you!


The Holy Spirit works ‘inside us’ to assure us of the wonderful ‘position’ that is ours as children of the living God. He does this in many ways:

– Leads us to all truth
– A permanent advocate
– Helping us discern wisdom from God
– Provides ‘power’ to equip us for good works
– Produces the image and likeness of Christ in us
– Continually ‘fills’ us with His presence

We all are greatly influenced by whatever it is that ‘fills’ us. If we are ‘filled’ with anger, we will be influenced to such an extent that we will say and do things we may later regret—and become defiant, irreverent, and rebellious toward everything.

But, if one is ‘filled’ with the Holy Spirit, they will reflect God’s moral character, and be ‘strengthened’ by His power. This person becomes more loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, king, good, faithful, gentle, and self controlled—virtues that the apostle Paul referred to as “the fruit of the Spirit” [Galatians 5:22-23].


So, how do you know if you have been, and are being ‘filled’ with the Spirit? According to Ephesians 5:19-21, a person who is filled with the Holy Spirit will know it because of four ‘evidences’ in their life: joyful fellowship; heartfelt praise; abounding gratitude; and reverent submission. A Spirit-filled person is humble, gentle, and meek (not “weak”!). They are not proud, aggressive, or self-assertive—and they have a servant’s ‘spirit’. Being filled with the Spirit is not something you would say about yourself—it would be what other people say about you!


The ‘goal’ of the Holy Spirit for us is to be more like Christ, and become ‘ambassadors’ helping others to find the liberating truth of the Gospel, and the joy of living for Christ. However, just because you ‘accept’ Jesus as you Savior, and you are ‘filled’ with the Holy Spirit, life won’t immediately become a “bowl of cherries.” But, there’s a “silver lining” in struggles. They will ‘confirm’ the Holy Spirit’s powerful ‘work’ within us, and that the energy of mourning can be ‘translated’ into some positive change, and there will be a feeling that the suffering or loss was not in vain. God has a SPECIAL INTEREST IN COMFORTING those who are willing to, in turn, be caring and comforting to others!


So, when one talks about how the Holy Spirit ‘comforts’ us, the question is NOT how much of the Spirit do WE HAVE, but how much OF US does the Spirit have!

After one receives the free ‘gift’ of the Spirit, they have a choice. They can ignore Him, or seek to be ‘filled’ daily with His presence. They can listen to the ‘voices’ of the culture around them, or can listen to the Spirit’s ‘voice’ urging them to follow the ‘way’ of Jesus. They can imitate the practices of the ‘world’ we’re a part of, or let the Spirit ‘form’ the character of Jesus in them.

The choice is yours. You can have ‘real, lasting, comfort’ RIGHT NOW!


[ Excerpts from: RBC Ministries; Dan Rogers; Pamela Rose Williams; Ken Larson ]

[ P.S.: If you would like to investigate further what the Bible says about the “most important decision”—i.e. “memory”—you will ever make, visit the following link:
http://www.TheSearchForMeaning.net/sfm_pres/sp_q12_d1_1of10.html


Blessings…
Mark


LIFE’S DEEP THOUGHTS (v169) for MARCH 2013
If you have a ‘neat’ story or some thoughts about an issue or current event that you would like me to try to respond to, I would be glad to give it a try…so, send them to me at: mbesh@comcast.net

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SPECIAL REQUEST:
Please pray for a couple of my friends that have, like my dad, also contracted cancer in the past few months: Frank Lee and Renate Roberts. Pray that they will be given the strength to successfully complete the treatments, be fully restored without any ‘remnant’, and experience a ‘comfort’ that defies explanation—so they know, for sure, that it was from God.

ThanX,
Mark

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THE COMFORTER
Having thus explained the Spirit’s office as a teacher and advocate, we now come to the translation of our version—the Comforter; and here I shall have three divisions: first, the comforter; secondly, the comfort; and thirdly, the comforted.

I. First, then, the COMFORTER. Briefly let me run over in my mind, and in your minds too, the characteristics of this glorious Comforter. Let me tell you some of the attributes of his comfort, so that you may understand how well adapted he is to your case.

The Holy Ghost is a very loving Comforter…he is a faithful Comforter…Again, he is an unwearied Comforter…how wise a Comforter is the Holy Ghost…Then mark, how safe a Comforter the Holy Ghost is…Moreover, the Holy Ghost is an active Comforter…Then, to close up, he is an ever-present Comforter…

Your God is always near you; and when you need comfort in your distress, behold the word is nigh thee; it is in thy mouth, and in thy heart. He is an ever-present help in time of trouble…

[Charles H. Spurgeon]

Entire Sermon:
http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/0005.htm

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HOLY SPIRIT, RAIN DOWN
Holy Spirit, rain down, rain down
Oh Comforter and Friend
How we need Your touch again

Holy Spirit, rain down, rain down
Let Your power fall
Let Your voice be heard
Come and change our hearts
As we stand on Your word
Holy Spirit, rain down

No eye has seen, no ear has heard
No mind can know what God has in store
So open up heaven, open it wide
Over Your church and over our lives

Holy Spirit, rain down, rain down
Oh Comforter and Friend
How we need Your touch again

Holy Spirit, rain down, rain down
Let Your power fall
Let Your voice be heard
Come and change our hearts
As we stand on Your word
Holy Spirit, rain down
[By Alvin Slaughter – Sung by Hillsong]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDUY6gMG2yM

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WELCOME, HOLY SPIRIT
Welcome Holy Spirit
We are in Your Presence
Fill us with Your Power
Live inside of me

Welcome Holy Spirit
We are in Your Presence
Fill us with Your Power
Live inside of me

Welcome Holy Spirit
We are in Your Presence
Fill us with Your Power
Live inside of me

So, welcome Holy Spirit
We are in Your Presence
Fill us with Your Power
Live inside of me

You’re the Living Water
A never drying Fountain
Comforter, my Counselor
Take complete control

Welcome Holy Spirit
We are in Your Presence
Fill us with Your Power
Live inside of me

Welcome Holy Spirit
We are in Your Presence
Fill us with Your Power
Live inside of me

You’re the Living Water
A never drying Fountain
Comforter, and Counselor
Take complete control

Welcome Holy Spirit
We are in Your Presence
Fill us with Your Power
Live inside of me

Welcome Holy Spirit
We are in Your Presence
Fill us with Your Power
Live inside of me

Welcome Holy Spirit
We are in Your Presence
Fill us with Your Power
Live inside of me

Welcome Holy Spirit
We are in Your Presence
Fill us with Your Power
Live inside of me

Fill us with Your Power
Live inside of me

Fill us with Your Power
Live inside of me

Fill us with Your Power
Live inside of me
[By Mark Condon – unknown singer]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Mi1e8q0HjA

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DEEP THOUGHT:

“Let it be distinctly understood that the person who does not have the Spirit, does not have Christ. They who do not have Christ have no pardon of their sins—no peace with God—no title to heaven—no well-grounded hope of being saved. Their religion is like the house built on the sand.”

[John C. Ryle]

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Hope you enjoyed some of these insights—share them with your friends and colleagues—so we can have a larger ‘pool’ to receive from, and more to share with! Also, remember to include your name as the “source,” if some of this wisdom is of your doing—I would like to give credit where credit is due!

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’”
[John 16:13-15].

Mark

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