I encourage you to look at 2 Corinthians, chapter 1 verses 3 through 7 today. In verses 3 and 4 the apostle Paul writes that God comforts us in all our tribulations, troubles, persecutions and the pressures that we come under daily. The Holy Spirit is the comforter, helper or one who pulls alongside to assist (John 14:26).

In the world we will have tribulation but God has overcome the powers of darkness in the world and we can walk victorious by faith (John 16:33). In the passage we are studying (2 Cor 1:3-7), we are assured that as we suffer tribulation and affliction, we WILL, as Christians, receive God’s comfort. In verse 4 of our text, Paul teaches us that as we receive comfort in tribulation, we can share this encouragement with others by teaching them the word and introducing them to the Holy Spirit, the comforter. Verse 6 of our text is very interesting. Paul basically doesn’t complain about his trials but rejoices in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. He also rejoices in the fact that his trials and the comfort God supplies, can serve as an example and encouragement to others. Wow, what a great attitude. In persecution and suffering Paul’s thoughts were more for others than for himself. Can we learn from this example?

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Jesus said: “Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?” (Matt 6:25; KJV). The Apostle Peter told us to cast every care on Jesus as Jesus loves us (1 Peter 5:7); that includes every care!

In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus illustrated God’s ability to care for us and to meet our need. Jesus said why would you worry? Look how God feeds the birds. They don’t even farm; God feeds them. Look at the flowers in summer time. Not even Solomon with all his wealth and resources could get clothes to match the beauty of a flower garden.

In Philippians Chapter 4 and verse 19 Paul said: “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”. Notice that God supplies all of your need according to his resources. It gets even better, Paul told us that God can do more that we can think or ask (Eph 3:20). Again, in our main passage from Mathews Gospel above, Jesus said that if we seek God and walk in obedience to him, then: “all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt 6:33). Now that’s good news, not something to worry about.

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“And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp" (Num 11:1; NKJ).

Do you ever get the impression that God doesn’t like complaining? When we complain it is like telling God that we are not happy with what he is doing in our lives. Don’t worry you are not alone, we are all guilty of complaining. I wonder how many times I have complained about the weather. Well, God’s word has some instructions for us in Philippians 2:14: "Do all things without murmurings and disputings". That’s pretty straight forward.

Complaining is making a negative confession, so next time you are tempted to complain remember to count your blessings instead and thank God for all the good things that are going on in your life. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thess 5:18). We need to determine to have thankful hearts and bring our concerns to God and let his peace fill our minds (Phil 4: 6-7), instead of the grumbling.

None of us have got this perfect yet; we are all works in progress and fortunately God is very patient with us.

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We are commanded to praise God (Ps 150). We praise him for what he does for us but more especially, for who he is: God above all gods, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, mighty God and our creator. His love never fails and his mercy endures forever.

If you look at the Greek and Hebrew words for praise, we are told to praise him with our voices (Ps 149) and uplifted hands (Ps 63:4), to rejoice with exuberance and to make a very loud noise (Ezra 3:11). In Psalm 150 we read that: "everything that hath breath" should praise the Lord (Psalm 150:6; KJV). We should praise God using all kinds of musical instruments and also with the dance (Ps 149). God says he takes pleasure in his people of praise (Ps 149).

Our praise should perhaps take a cue from God's expression of joy over us as given in Zephaniah 3:17. Here it says he rejoices over us with joy, love and singing; He dances and spins for joy with an indescribable intensity. Praise comes from the heart (John 4:23). We should praise God at all times and in all circumstances (Ps 34:1). There is power in praise because God is enthroned in the praises of his people (Ps 22:3). There is power to break every bondage that holds us, power to lift us up and open doors to set us free (Acts 16:25-26).

If you are down today, then praise God and he will lift you up.

Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others. 

 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 28:18; KJV). In Luke 10:19 the apostle records that Jesus gave us power over all the power of the enemy (satan). Again, in Matthew 10:1,8, we read that Jesus gave us power to cast out evil spirits and to heal the sick. The Greek word for power, used in our examples above, is exousia, which means authority. Jesus has given us authority over all the works of darkness; let that sink in!   

Because of his death and resurrection Jesus has all authority in heaven and earth. Jesus utterly defeated satan and all his minions; he stripped them of all power and authority (Col 2:15). As Christians, Christ dwells in us (John 17:23) and we share in his authority.

The Bible also tells us that the devil is beneath the feet of Jesus (Eph. 1:20-23) and again, because of our relationship with Christ, the devil is under our feet too.  No wonder the Bible says: “greater is he that is in you, then he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Make sure you go and use the power that God has given you today to share the gospel and undo the works of the devil; at work, at school, at home, or wherever you find yourself. If God has given you power, he will show you how and when to use it.

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Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others.