[Faith-talk] Good Night Message for Thursday, April 18 2013

[Paul]

Well folks, as this is being written here in the eastern part of North America, minus Newfoundland, Thursday is about to give way to Friday.  I hope and pray that, by God's matchless grace and His providential care, that you all had a good day today or that your Friday is going well, for those of you in other parts of the world.

The article I've selected for you today has no author given, but its entitled "God Wants You To Comfort Your Friends," rendered as follows:

When St. Paul was in prison, he was being watched closely by a prison guard.  Even though tightly guarded and with his arm chained, Paul kept busy writing letters.  He wrote letters to explain the Gospel and to encourage new believers, especially those facing doubts and trials in life.

Let St. Paul Help You Help and Comfort Others

God desires you to imitate St. Paul's acts of love:  "Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor" (1 Corinthians 10:24).

It would please God greatly if you would comfort friends by writing them letters.  Now, you may say you are not good at writing letters.  That's okay.  Simply copy Bible passages of encouragement and send those to your friends.  These Bible passages are the living Word of God, a powerful Word that goes to work inside people to strengthen them in a miraculous way (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

While you may never be a great missionary like St. Paul, you can do the same God-pleasing thing that this apostle did.  In spite of your many frustrations and trials in life, you too can write letters of encouragement to others.  Note how Paul was encouraging others, even while he was chained! Because of your trials, you understand what friends and family members are going through.

Pass On To Others What You receive:  Comfort!

Meditate on the words the Lord is saying to you through the apostle Paul when he writes:  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we are comforted by God" (1 Corinthians 1:3-4).

As you send the Word of God to those needing comfort, always remember that, even though man's words may be powerful to command an army or even to start a worldwide war, this word is only as strong as--and is dependent on--another man's response to it.  God's Word is completely different.  God's Word carries out what it commands, offers, and promises.  In this case, God's Word will surely comfort, encourage, and strengthen all those to whom you send it.

Let God Comfort You to Enable You

Let God comfort you with the following Word so that you have the strength to comfort others:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not seem Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:3-9).

And there you have it for today.  I count among those receiving this message a select group of people whom I affectionately call "My Special Seven." So as not to embarrass them or make others jealous, I won't give their names, but the Spirit will certainly reveal who they are to the proper people.  In any case, I hope you all enjoyed reading this piece.

And now may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob just keep us safe, individually and collectively, throughout this night or day and especially in these last days in which we live.  Your Christian friend and brother, Paul