Category Archives: Life Lessons From the Word

Like-Minded Comforters

comfort

2 Corinthians 1: 3-6  “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 tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.  Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.”

Romans 15: 1-6  “We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.  For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.’  For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.  Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,  that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Be blessed ♥ Streim

What’s Love Got To Do With It? Pt.5.1

In John 21: 1-14  we read about the third and final time Jesus appeared and spent time with the disciples after His resurrection before He ascended to the Father in heaven.

It was approaching evening when Peter told several of the other disciples ” I’m going fishing”.  Thomas, Andrew (Nathanael Peter’s brother), James and John (the sons of Zebedee) got on board with him.  They fished all night and caught nothing!  How discouraging could that be?  They were probably exhausted, hungry and disappointed…
As morning approached, they saw someone standing on the shore (they didn’t know or realize that it was the Lord Jesus Christ).   Jesus asked them in such an endearing way “Children, have you caught anything?”, they responded, “No”.  Then Jesus said, “Cast your net on the other side of the boat and you will get some fish”  So they did.  But, little did they know that the net would fill so quickly with so many fish, they’d be unable to pull the net into the boat. 
Then Scripture says “The disciple whom Jesus loved– (John) said  “It’s the Lord!” (v.7)  
Immediately Peter grabbed his fisher’s coat, wrapped it about him and jumped overboard.  He was naked.  The Word doesn’t tell us why.  It’s possible he worked so hard his clothing was drenched in sweat or he maybe he quickly remembered some of the ‘unloving’ ( embarrassing) situations he created between himself and Jesus.   The other disciples who were close by in a smaller boat grabbed the net and dragged it to shore.  Arriving at the shore line, they saw Jesus standing next to a fire with some fish cooking and bread.  
The Lord Jesus told them to bring the fish they caught to Him.  By this time Peter was at the shore so he dragged the over-flowing net in.  Amazed they counted one hundred fifty-three fish and net wasn’t even torn.
Softly our Gracious Savior spoke,  “Come and dine.”
 
I can only imagine what the sense was around the fire that early morning.
In my mind’s eye I see an excitement and unexpected joy just being with the Lord Jesus again.  Plus they were weary, hungry and discouraged from fishing all night, so Jesus supplied their need by providing them with a meal.    He knew they’d toiled all night and caught nothing, so He  blessed them with a miraculous catch of 153 fish– more than they needed!  
 This teaches me three very important truths about our Lord’s gentle, giving love for us:
1.  Our Lord always knows where we are and what we are doing.  Sometimes, spiritually, we get lost… but He never leaves– He is always there.
2.  No matter how much we “toil”… there are times we will always come up empty.  Discouraged and weary, our Lord Jesus is ready to help if we just recognize that He’s with us.  He will provide for our needs and bring us comfort.
3.  When we’re lost, weary and discouraged… He is ready to give us “exceedingly, abundantly” above anything that we ask or even think. ( Ephesians 3:20)

I know these truths!  There are times when I need to be reminded, and I guess today is one of those times.  He sent me to this passage of Scripture…  I pray this may help you.  Our God is a wonderful, merciful, loving and gracious God.  This song describes, at least for me, what this Scripture lesson taught me.  ♥Streim

 
 
 
 

The Anchor of Our Soul

Anchored Faith Hebrews 6

Hebrews 6:13-20 ” For when God made a promise to Abraham, since He had no one greater by whom to swear, He swore by Himself, saying, ‘Surely I will bless you and multiply you.’  And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise.  For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation.  So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of His purpose, He guaranteed it with an oath,  so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.  We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,  where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. (ESV)

Whenever I look at the turmoil, sadness and “blasts” of fire from the trials of life, I remember that we have a Glorious Amazing Perfect God!  His promises make it possible for each of His ‘blood bought, forgiven children’ to hold fast to the “hope set before us…”; when we finally make it home!  May we praise and honor Him and always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks for a reason for the hope that lies within us!  (1 Peter 3:15) ♥ Streim