Meet God, Grow in Faith, Make a Difference

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 MSG 

All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.

We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too. When we suffer for Jesus, it works out for your healing and salvation.

If we are treated well, given a helping hand and encouraging word, that also works to your benefit, spurring you on, face forward, unflinching. Your hard times are also our hard times. When we see that you're just as willing to endure the hard times as to enjoy the good times, we know you're going to make it, no doubt about it.

Romans 12:6

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.

Revelation 12:11

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony

Isaiah 58:10-11

If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun- scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. 

Luke 23:43

And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”

Give them stability.

Psalm 40:2

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 

Luke 23:43

"…today you will be with Me…”

Give Relationally

Ecclesiastes 4:12

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. 

Mark 2: 5 (NIV) When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Luke 23:43

"…in Paradise."

Give Directionally

John 14:1-2

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 

Jesus offers more than a better now. He offers a better place.