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Be Comforted John 14:16 (KJV) “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;” John 15:26 (KJV) “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:” When things go our way everything is cool. But what happens in the face of crisis? 2 Timothy 4:5 (KJV) “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” – Note: “all things” The opposite of this is to draw back from difficulty. Don’t retreat. Place your trust in God. Don’t allow problems to upset you. Face them. The Lord is allowing adversity for us to admit our helplessness so that we will depend on Him. Romans 5:3-4 (KJV) “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4And patience, experience; and experience, hope:” Although hardship is upon us, we should look forward to increased faith, patience and endurance that WILL happen as we mature in tribulation. If we are left to our own devices, we will avoid our circumstances and ignore what is happening to try and find solace that will ease the discomfort. Job 5:7 says, “Man was born for trouble.” Jesus says in John 16:33 (KJV) “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” How do we react? With good cheer! With the comfort from the Holy Spirit. There is no power in the world to hurt us: 2 Peter 2:9 (KJV) “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:” Psalm 4:1 (KJV) “Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.” When we are hemmed in and we can’t see an escape, we have no choice but to trust Father. He wants to enlarge us in the midst of problems. This will produce the maturity that He longs for . Psalm 50:15 (KJV) “And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” Nahum 1:7 (KJV) “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” Psalm 119:71 (KJV) “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” Psalm 119:143 (KJV) “Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.” FILL YOUR MINDS WITH GOD’S WORD AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE COMFORT. Psalm 119:50 (KJV) “This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.” We will come alive spiritually when we fill our minds and hearts with God’s Word Psalm 119:107 (KJV) “I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.” When we are afflicted, our Father wants us to renew our minds continually. We are to study to show ourselves approved (means-“tested by trial”) (2 Tim.2:15). Our problems are only for a season – Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV) “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” Psalm 30:5 (KJV) “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Once we learn how to react in adversity then Father will bring us through it: Psalm 94:12-13 (KJV) “Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked.” (AMP Isa.60:1) “Arise from the depression in which circumstances have kept you! Shine with the glory of God.” Are we pulled down or will we arise from the problems and let the glory shine through? Here is where we are: Times of panic Vs. Times of comfort. Our reactions are more important than our problems. Two people can face the same problems – one with the comfort of the Holy Ghost and the other with panic. It will depend on our level of spiritual maturity. The mature must come to the place they yield up their emotional state to Him. When we are in the midst of turmoil the test is, “panic or trust.” Proverbs 3:25-26 (KJV) “Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. 26For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.” We will only be able to control or be comforted in turmoil if we have deep confidence in the Lord (Luk.8:50) “Don’t be seized with fear or alarm, simply believe.” What does the Spirit do at times like this? He puts a song in our heart or a word of edification or comfort Proverbs 15:15 (KJV) “All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.” Don’t insult God by ignoring what He wants to do in you. Faith in the Word and in the Holy Ghost calms our hearts and fears. When we get the focus off us and onto the Word of Truth, the Spirit of God can control our hearts. Ecc. 8:3 says not to be panic-stricken. We can’t control our emotions in a crisis. But if we have our minds filled with His Word we will have a conscious dwelling of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Have you ever panicked to the place of being frozen. When fear grips the heart you can’t make a rational decision. Panic stops the thinking process. It also stops the voice of the Holy Ghost. You won’t hear in the wind, the earthquake or the fire, but after – the still small voice of God will revive you, if the Word is in you. This is what people are going through – they are being drained emotionally. But we must have the Word of God to calm us. Job 37:14 “Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.” “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psa.46:10) Be still and know that God is in complete control. Be comforted in the Holy Ghost and don’t allow your thoughts to be overtaken by your emotions: “Don’t be soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit nor by word…” (2 Thess.2:2) John 14:27 (KJV) “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Peace = to be in harmony with God 2 Peter 3:14 (KJV) “Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.” To be able to do this shows we are trusting Him. If we do trust Him, we will have His peace. Psalm 37:37 (KJV) “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.” Fight discouragement. This word means “lack of courage.” Numbers 21:4 says, “The people were much discouraged because of the way” (the trials). Instead of dis-courage we need en-courage. Get in courage! Do not give up hope. When we are tempted to become discouraged, we should turn to God continually until we are encouraged in the promises. -Pr. Steve August Newsletter 2002 | Be Comforted | Fear Factor part 2 of 2 Pastor's Journal August 2001 | Keeping Honor part 2 of 2 | Jaundiced Eye part 2 of 3
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Biblical Counseling for Leaders
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