The Phil Files

Here’s the precious video we used recently to emphasize 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 (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 TNIV).

Check the following videos for more blessings and a touch of humor:

Stethoscope — Christ in You the Hope of Glory (3 million views on YouTube)

Groups — What Makes up a Group?

Super First Impressions Lady – How do we welcome guests?

Super First Impressions Lady II — Somebody Needs Me!

These are done by my teammates I call Corbett and Company — Stephen Corbett and his video team at Sotuhern Hills Church of Christ..

In my Heartlight.org post today, Comfort in the Season of Mourning, I shared thoughts on 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 (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). 

How have you experienced this principle, “we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” in your life?

Were you on the receiving or sharing end of this comfort giving?

How did this bless your life?

Why do we feel that we must defend God when people who have suffered great loss?
In the book of Job, when Job’s life crashes in, sever “comforters” join him in the dust and sit in silence to share his grief. Then, after 7 days of mourning with him in silence, they open their mouths and their comfort turns into an unintended attack on Job because they feel like they have to explain why all this happened to Job.

Why do you think so many people say simplistic and unintended hurtful things to those in grief?

Why do we feel that we must defend God when people who have suffered great loss?

How is sitting and sharing people’s grief in silence better than opening our mouths?

What should we say to comfort people in their grief?

Why do we wait to DO something to help those in grief when we could go buy them groceries, wash their car, mow their lawn, baby sit their children?

If you have suffered deep loss, how did God comfort you and how did He use other people to bless you?

To you, LORD, I call;
    you are my Rock,
    do not turn a deaf ear to me.
  For if you remain silent,
    I will be like those who go down to the pit.
  Hear my cry for mercy
    as I call to you for help,
  as I lift up my hands
    toward your Most Holy Place.

  Do not drag me away with the wicked,
    with those who do evil,
  who speak cordially with their neighbors
    but harbor malice in their hearts.
  Repay them for their deeds
    and for their evil work;
  repay them for what their hands have done
    and bring back on them what they deserve.

  Because they have no regard for the deeds of the LORD
    and what his hands have done,
  he will tear them down
    and never build them up again.

  Praise be to the LORD,
    for he has heard my cry for mercy.
  The LORD is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
  My heart leaps for joy,
    and with my song I praise him.

  The LORD is the strength of his people,
    a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
  Save your people and bless your inheritance;
    be their shepherd and carry them forever.

\o/ — Comments Psalm 28: Be our shepherd and carry us forever! — \o/

In Psalm 23, David speaks of the LORD as his shepherd. I love that imagery. Even more, I love that reality. God shepherds his people. One of the great passages of comfort for God’s people is found in Isaiah:

He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
he gently leads those that have young. (Isaiah 40:11)

The image of God carrying us, of holding us close to His heart in His strong arms is comforting. Even more than just comforting, this assurance of His constant and tender care should inspire us to trust in Him and move our hearts to leap for joy.

Two convictions spring out of this that are important for me. First, my request for the LORD’s care and help are not vain wishes; they are cries for help based on what God has done in the past. Second, knowing God’s demonstrated love and care for us, I should praise Him in anticipation of His action and not simply wait till I see things happen the way I want them to happen.