DAY 247 - Comfort The Downcast

**NEW link for the  14th: 13th 100 days 24 hours prayer campaign (We are going to use this 13th list leads up to the 14th. 13th from March 15 to June 22, 2013. 14th from June 22 to August 31, 2013)

Golden Verse 金句

But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 

                                                                2 Corinthians 7:6

  

 但 那 安 慰 喪 氣 之 人 的 神 藉 著 提 多 來 安 慰 了 我 們 ；

                                                                 歌 林 多 後 書 7:6

                                                                                          

Today's Reading: 2 Corinthians 7:2-16

Please read 2 Corinthians 7:2-16 and listen to what the Lord Jesus Christ would like to tell you before reading my Spiritual Journal below. If you would like to learn a simple and good way of Daily Devotion method please read my “Count Down 5” from my Devotion on Fire blog:

http://bishopsilas.blogspot.ca/2009/08/count-down-5-subject-shifting-devotion.html .

You may click this link directly for the method: Subject Shifting Devotion.pdf. 


You may begin with a song to praise the Lord and complete you devotion by singing another praise song.

Please click this link to worship with us -

I Will Run to You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s2wCVcmYOU

Chinese praise song -

祢讓我生命改變 You Transform My Life

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fbbsl9vP4uI


Please click the links to 2 Corinthians 7:2-16

Chinese 中文: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=歌 林 多 後 書 7&version=CUV

English (ESV): http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2 Corinthians 7&version=ESV

     What I got today from Jesus is: Comfort The Downcast

    What I received from Jesus today is a call to become a comforter, an encourager. See how Paul describes his situation: 

our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within.             1 Corinthians 7:5 (ESV)       

     ESV uses "afflicted" and NIV uses "harassed". Can you feel the weight of these two words? What would you feel if you were Paul?

     Being harassed outside and then have the fear inside, that is a normal situation for all Christian leaders. Why? Because the king of this world, the accuser always wants to take out the top leader from God's castle. God's castle can be a church, a Christian organization or a denomination. When the top leader is being destroyed, the devil has a better chance to demolish the whole castle.

     So, what can we do? We need to understand how important it is for mutual ministry. Titus was one of Paul's disciple. And, in the most difficult time Titus came represent all those who loved Paul to comfort Paul. Paul is the downcast!

Usually we as disciples of someone would never think that our mentors, teachers and elders need our comfort. Not at all! We all need that! I need that! 

     Next Monday, Michelle and I will fly to Regina to bring love and comfort on behalf of all ACiC and AI people to Rev. Tom Needham and his wife Rosemary. Tom got an acute leukemia two weeks ago and is now under chemo. As we read how Titus helped Paul to get over with this unrest, let's pray for Tom and Rosemary to get over with their dark time. And, let us learn how to be a channel to be used by Jesus to comfort the downcast.  

Dear Lord Jesus,

Lead us to be willing to follow Titus good example to comfort the downcast, especially those leaders who are above us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.