Seeds Of Hope Daily Devotional: comfort

Showing posts with label comfort. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Never Out Of Touch

Marie had to stay home from school because of her measles. Her mother, knowing that the bright sunlight coming in through the window would cause her infected eyes to hurt, completely darkened the room as though it were night,

Sitting near her on the bed, her mother asked, “Are you afraid?”

“No, mother,” came the reply, “as long as you sit where I can touch you.”

Feelings of being alone or abandoned or rejected haunt each of us at one time or another. We draw feelings of strength, encouragement, hope, significance and inspiration from others. But, what do we do when we feel as though no one is with us?

When those moments come we need to claim the promise that “He will never leave us or forsake us!” That promise is unlimited, unconditional, unending and unwavering. If He says it and I accept it and believe it that ends it.

Whenever we have feelings of uneasiness or are frightened or afraid or lack the necessities of life that is God saying, “There may be no light but if you reach out to touch Me, you will always find Me available.”

Whatever need we may have, God is right there with us. No matter how far we have fallen, how often we have failed or how deep is our doubt, He’s there with us.

Prayer: Lord, we all want to be strong, filled with courage and have the ability to conquer life. How thankful we are to know that when we need You, You are there. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Never Out Of Touch

Sitting near her on the bed, her mother asked, “Are you afraid?”

“No, mother,” came the reply, “as long as you sit where I can touch you.”

Whatever need we may have, God is right there with us. No matter how far we have fallen, how often we have failed or how deep is our doubt, He’s there with us.

Prayer: Lord, we all want to be strong, filled with courage and have the ability to conquer life. How thankful we are to know that when we need You, You are there. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Friday, February 26, 2016

The Value Of Stress

A famous violin maker took his young apprentice into the forest to locate wood to make new instruments.

As they began to climb a mountain, the young apprentice pointed out some tall, strong, sturdy and healthy looking trees to the master violin maker. The old gentleman looked at the trees in passing, shook his head and kept climbing. Finally they passed the tall trees that grew half way up the mountain and came to some short, gnarled trees near the top. The trees had endured the ice of many winters and the winds that swirled around them since the time they began to grow.

As the old master began to cut down one of the trees, the young apprentice questioned him, asking, “Why these trees? The others were tall and beautiful.”

“The wood of the sheltered trees will break under the pressure of shaping the wood into violins,” said the old man. “But the trees beaten by time and nature will produce the best wood and they will make the most beautiful music.”

It is normal to question God when we are torn by trials and surrounded by storms. Why, we ask. He is making us strong “so that when others are troubled, we can pass on to them the same help and comfort God has given us.”

Prayer: Lord, when nights are long and days short, may we accept and understand that You are preparing us to minister to the needs of others when they suffer. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Crying For Help

Years ago a cargo ship was making its way through the stormy seas of the Atlantic. The waves were high, the winds fierce and the crew in fear for their lives. To add to their fright, they heard strange sounds coming from underneath the deck. They thought that they were hearing people moaning and crying for help. They were frightened and in a state of panic.

The captain, knowing that he was responsible for everything that happened on his ship, decided that he would find the source of the voices. Going below deck to the area containing the cargo, he noticed that one crate had broken loose from its straps. Each time the ship rose and fell with the waves, the sounds were loud enough to hear but not clear enough to understand.

Breaking open the crate he discovered a shipment of dolls that cried “Mama” when they were rocked back and forth by the waves. That calmed their fears.

The Psalmist wrote, “The Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help...He is close to the brokenhearted and to those crushed in spirit...and those that face troubles. He will protect them from harm.”

We all desire to escape the fears of life: pain, grief, loss, sorrow, sadness, abandonment and failure. Let’s thank God that when trouble comes, He’s there to care and comfort.

Prayer: Thank You, Savior, for Your presence in our lives, and for protecting and comforting us in the storms and stresses of life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 34:15-19 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry;

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Grace That Is Sufficient

A pastor was visiting a member of his church who had been hospitalized for many weeks. She was suffering excruciating pain. After praying with her he offered her a book and said, “This book brought me much comfort while I was ill a few years ago. You will enjoy it greatly and it will bring you much peace. It will be most helpful!”

“Thank you,” she answered. “I’m well acquainted with its contents.”

“Have you read it?” he asked.

“More than that,” she replied. “I wrote it.”

It is always comforting to be able to talk with someone who has experienced pains or problems that are similar to our own. They have been where we are and know and understand our pain or suffering, sadness or sorrow, fears and doubts, questions and concerns. There is a sense of understanding and that brings a closeness or connection.

And when we go through difficult times and are comforted by our Heavenly Father, we must realize that “God comforts us that we might comfort others who need comforting.” Often the “unwanted gifts” come from God as a “special gift” that equips us to understand, care for and help others when they “are going through the valley filled with deep shadows.”

Prayer: Help us, Father, to care for others the way you care for us. May we be open to Your grace that we may share it with those in need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Light In Dark Places

It was Jim’s birthday and his dad wanted it to be one he would long remember. So he decided to take him to the Christian book store to buy him a picture of Jesus that he could hang in his room.

Upon entering the store he said, “Son, which picture of Jesus do you want for your room? Look around carefully and then tell me which one you want.”

After looking at most of the pictures in the store very carefully, he said, “Dad, I want a picture of Jesus that will shine in my room when it is dark.”

We live in a world filled with darkness that would, if it could, put out the light of God. But this is nothing new. Jesus said, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds are evil.”

Jesus brought the light of God into a world that has been darkened by sin. But His light has a condition to it: it must be received through faith in what He did for us on the cross. Those who receive Him are made righteous.
Hear what the Psalmist said, “Light is shed upon those who are righteous - the godly.” His light dissipates the darkness of despair and brings the hope of eternal life.

In Him we are no longer victims but victors and through Him we need no longer fear the darkness and despair that surround the lost and those facing death.

It was King David who once said, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for You are with me” ... “shedding Your light.”

Prayer: What a comfort it is, Lord, to know that You are the Light of the world and will always be our Guide. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 97:11a Light shines on the righteous