1-5 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia: Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted by God.
For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
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The Holy Spirit is the Comforter.
As we are troubled, often the Holy Spirit will remind us of a scripture or a dream or a word which helps us in our trouble. We are restored by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God and Christ.
The Holy Spirit brings this to our mind and when we agree with that WORD, our sorrow turns to joy, our discouragement turns to hope.
Example: I received Birthday Card from a woman I went to school with. In her greeting, she enclosed a note telling of all the things she had been doing and things she had planned for holidays with her husband, her daughter, her grandson and family.
I have no family and am alone.
As I was reading her note, the Holy Spirit said to me: "You are dead and your life is hid in God with Christ." (This is a verse in Colossians 3)
"That's right!" I cried out!
I rejoiced in that word. Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I rejoiced over that told me by the Holy Spirit. This is how God comforts us and turns sorrow into joy.
Example: I received Birthday Card from a woman I went to school with. In her greeting, she enclosed a note telling of all the things she had been doing and things she had planned for holidays with her husband, her daughter, her grandson and family.
I have no family and am alone.
As I was reading her note, the Holy Spirit said to me: "You are dead and your life is hid in God with Christ." (This is a verse in Colossians 3)
"That's right!" I cried out!
I rejoiced in that word. Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I rejoiced over that told me by the Holy Spirit. This is how God comforts us and turns sorrow into joy.
We are helped greatly when we stop and focus on that brought to our mind by the Holy Spirit.
I am currently undergoing a very serious problem with my house. All the plumbing, all pipes are having to be removed and replaced. It was devastating to me when I learned of this problem. God had given me a dream showing me a big problem was ahead, on the horizon. In the dream, I saw a tornado funnel cloud. It was very big and very black. I knew something was coming.
It will take 2 1/2 weeks for them to do the work. Water will be cut off for 3 days. They have to cut into sheetrock in several area so I know dust will be everywhere.
I had planned to leave my house and take my cat with me. But the thought of this really troubled me. Finally I saw I was going wrong direction. I decided to remain at my house during the work. I ordered a porta potty to use when there is no water. I have a closet where I can place it and will even be able to use it while the workers are in the house. I have set up areas away from the sink for my coffee maker and my toaster oven. And have put all supplies there so I won't have to go near the sink area. I should not be in the way of the plumbers in that area.
I needed some larger paper plates for that time and I was reminded of an area in my kitchen. I went to that area and there were paper plates just like I needed. I knew this was the Holy Spirit reminding me of this part of kitchen cabinet.
I feel God is helping me every step of the way to be ready for this plumbing work, and now I am no longer afraid nor do I have any dread of the project.
This is how the Holy Spirit helps us.
Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
I am currently undergoing a very serious problem with my house. All the plumbing, all pipes are having to be removed and replaced. It was devastating to me when I learned of this problem. God had given me a dream showing me a big problem was ahead, on the horizon. In the dream, I saw a tornado funnel cloud. It was very big and very black. I knew something was coming.
It will take 2 1/2 weeks for them to do the work. Water will be cut off for 3 days. They have to cut into sheetrock in several area so I know dust will be everywhere.
I had planned to leave my house and take my cat with me. But the thought of this really troubled me. Finally I saw I was going wrong direction. I decided to remain at my house during the work. I ordered a porta potty to use when there is no water. I have a closet where I can place it and will even be able to use it while the workers are in the house. I have set up areas away from the sink for my coffee maker and my toaster oven. And have put all supplies there so I won't have to go near the sink area. I should not be in the way of the plumbers in that area.
I needed some larger paper plates for that time and I was reminded of an area in my kitchen. I went to that area and there were paper plates just like I needed. I knew this was the Holy Spirit reminding me of this part of kitchen cabinet.
I feel God is helping me every step of the way to be ready for this plumbing work, and now I am no longer afraid nor do I have any dread of the project.
This is how the Holy Spirit helps us.
Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
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II Corinthians 1:6-10 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
And our hope for you is steadfast, knowing that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.
(If you do not partake of the suffering, then there can be no consolation for there is no suffering.)
(If you do not partake of the suffering, then there can be no consolation for there is no suffering.)
For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were pressed beyond measure, beyond strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life.
But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raiseth the dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver us, in whom we trust that He will yet deliver us.
(I believe as long as God chooses to leave us on this earth, HE will help us and give us what we need.)
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11-20 Ye also helped by praying together for us, so that for the gift bestowed upon us by means of many persons, thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience: that we have had our discourse in the world, and more abundantly toward you, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God in simplicity and godly sincerity.
For we write no other things unto you than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even to the end, as ye also have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the Day of the Lord Jesus.
And in this confidence, I was minded to come unto you before this, that ye might have a second benefit: to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come again to you on my way out of Macedonia, and be sent by you on my way toward Judea.
(Paul didn't have things like Internet and phones whereby he could talk to the church. He had to go there in person to communicate things of God with the church and we see by his writings his longing to be with the church. I, too, long to be with the church, but we are able to communicate things of God through this blog and the books on Amazon so our situation is different from Paul's situation.
Paul once told Timothy to be sure to bring "the parchments". It was obvious Paul wanted to write a letter to the church. His letters to the churches became most of our New Testament!)
When therefore I was thus minded, did I decide lightly? Or the things which I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be “yea, yea” and “nay, nay”?
But as God is true, our word toward you was not “yea” and “nay.”
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not “yea” and “nay,” but in Him was “yea.”
For all the promises of God in Him are “yea”; and in Him “amen” unto the glory of God by us.
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21-24 Now He who establisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God, who hath also put His seal upon us, and given us the pledge of the Spirit in our hearts.
Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that it was to spare you that I came not as yet unto Corinth, not that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers for your joy.
For by faith ye stand.
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