<p><span class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold">For Reading and Meditation:</span><br><span class="italic">     <span class="scriptRef" ref="2co+1:1-11">2 Corinthians 1:1-11</span></span></p><p>We continue meditating on our Lord's second Beatitude: "Blessed [or happy] are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." The word "mourn" has reference to more than just sorrowing over the death of a loved one; it includes all those experiences in life where we may feel crushed, broken or sorrowful. I feel the best translation of this verse is the one given by J. B. Phillips which I quoted yesterday. Permit me to quote it once again: "Happy are those who know what sorrow means, for they will be given courage and comfort." Why should people who are caught up in the throes of distressing and sorrowful experiences be congratulated? The conclusion of the verse gives the answer: "for they will be comforted". And what then? Out of the comfort they receive, they are able to give comfort to others. Examine the text at the top of this page again, or listen to it as J. B. Phillips paraphrases it: "For he gives us comfort in all our trials so that we in turn may be able to give the same sort of strong sympathy to others in their troubles." One of the things which often intrigues me in my work of training Christian counsellors is the fact that the best counsellors are those who have known the deepest hurts. Has the Lord allowed you to go through deep waters? Congratulations! You are a candidate for receiving the divine comfort which, in turn, will deepen your sensitivity to others and enrich your ministry in the Body of Christ. Don't, whatever you do, ask God to deliver you from painful or sorrowful experiences - they are worth much, much more than they cost. </p><p class="center-it italic bold mlr40 mtb20">Blessed Lord, help me to grasp this fact, not just with my mind, but with the whole of my spirit. I see that if I can learn this truth, my entire approach to problems can be transformed. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.</p><div class="tl-lightgrey mt20 pt20 flexbox-row-wrap jc-around"><div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">AdditionalVerses</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="joh+16:1-16">John 16:1-16</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="joh+14:26">John 14:26</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="joh+15:26">John 15:26</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="1co+14:31">1 Corinthians 14:31</span></li><li><span class="scriptRef" ref="1th+5:11-14">1 Thessalonians 5:11-14</span></li></ul></div>

<div><div class="fs-17 fg-mustard bold center-it">Questions to Consider</div><ul style="margin-top:0px"><li>From where do we receive our comfort?</li><li>What does the word 'comfort' mean to you?</li></ul></div></div>

Let a little light into your soul every day with this wonderful devotional from English pastor Selwyn Hughes.

Every Day Light with Selwyn Hughes

"' the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ' who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us '" (vv. 3-4, TLB)

<p><span class="bible-text "> <sup class="verse-num ">11 </sup>Therefore encourage one another   and build each other up,   just as in fact you are doing. </span></p>

Therefore encourage one another<cr>1</cr>  and build each other up,<cr>2</cr>  just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

 11 Therefore encourage one another   and build each other up,   just as in fact you are doing.

From Wikipedia: 

The New International Version (NIV) is an English translation of the Bible first published in 1978 by Biblica (formerly the International Bible Society). The NIV was published to meet the need for a modern translation done by Bible scholars using the earliest, highest quality manuscripts available. Of equal importance was that the Bible be expressed in broadly understood modern English.

The NIV is published by Zondervan in the United States and Hodder & Stoughton in the UK. The NIV was updated in 1984 and 2011 and has become one of the most popular and best-selling modern translations.

OT: Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia; additional sources;
NT: UBS Greek New Testament; Novum Testamentum Graece; additional sources;

New International Version

 Therefore encourage one another  and build each other up,  just as in fact you are doing.

<p><span class="bible-text ">Therefore encourage one another   and build each other up,   just as in fact you are doing. </span></p>

 Therefore encourage one another   and build each other up,   just as in fact you are doing.

Bible Verse of the Day

January 14, 2018

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV

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