"Comforting Others"

Day #5 - "A Woman of Faith" Devotional
Verse: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

{*Editor's Note: So... obviously the devil didn't want any posts today... or someone to receive a word, as there was technical difficulties posting on the original 5th of January (as you can read by my first comment below). But the devil couldn't get a foothold in our lives, as God wanted and wants to do something great! We have been blessed by 2 special conferences with 2 special men of God... they will tell you they aren't special, but it's the amazing power of God working inside of them. (which I know, but I also know they are special to me too!) ALL PRAISE & GLORY to GOD!!}

Psalm 118 tells us that 'This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it'. Our devotional today is regarding comforting others... something some of us don't usually want to play a big role in. God comforts us, brings us joy, heals us, delivers us, etc... so that we can in turn do the same or share our testimony with others. Our testimony is our 'in-your-face' example of God at work in our world today. Some people think their problems are too big for anyone to handle... but they just don't know the power of God yet! If they see God at work in our lives, and the power of God moving in us and changing us, then they will be able to blessed knowing that He will be able to do the same for them. They just need to believe...

Every day there are those around us that need comforting, or even just a smile or a hug. Now, I know some of us aren't 'huggers', but even a hand-shake or a simple gesture that tells them you recognize they are there will help them out. We have the power of God inside of us to help those around us... His love in us helps us love those around us, even those tagged as 'unlovable'. His peace inside of us can overflow and help those who need the peace of God in their stormy lives. His joy that will bubble up inside of us and ooze out can lift even the darkest of spirits. His strength inside of us can help uplift those around us that are in need of some supernatural power. We just need to be AVAILABLE! I have heard a quote by ministers or preachers alike, "God's not interested in our abilities, he wants our availability". God wants us to be obedient and available... there are simple little things called 'shoulder taps' where God might just whisper something in your ear, or tap you on the shoulder for you to stop from your busy day, and realize that there's a hurting world of people around us. The world does not revolve around us... and sometimes we think our problems are leading us to the end of the world... but really there are ALWAYS those who are worse off then us. God wants us to be a light to them... to shine the Light of His Son. A simple word of encouragement (yes, even if your gift is not encouraging or exhortation) can make a BIG difference in someone's life.

Get out there and be the 'hands and feet' of Jesus... that's not just a cute saying someone made up, that is what God wants us to do and be. He cannot physically touch others, without us first using our hands and or feet to do so. We need to GO where he sends our feet to go, and TOUCH who He tells us to touch with our hands... or be his mouth or ears and SPEAK or LISTEN (truly listen) words of affirmation and blessing. A simple testimony of what God has done for you in the past, or even just yesterday or today will help someone else out more than you know. (I am speaking to myself here too, I don't always remember to stop and help... nor share my testimonies as often as I should.) But the Word tells us that we can OVERCOME by the Blood of the Lamb, and the WORD of OUR TESTIMONY... whether it be spoken or written...

The devil is a deceiver and he will try to tell you that your life doesn't make a difference... but GOD knows (and I know) and YOU SHOULD TOO... that your life DOES make a difference! Go M.A.D. (Go Make a Difference) Be the M.E. that God has called you to be. (M.E. = Maximum Effectiveness) Are you living up to your potential? Do you know what your potential is? None of us really are, and none of us really know... but GOD does, and He will guide us and direct us down the right paths if we just TRUST in Him!

To read other 'A Woman of Faith' devotional messages, click here...
To read other devotionals regarding the M.E. you are called to be (your MAXIMUM EFFECTIVENESS) Click here...

BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!!