Want to be happy?

Proverbs 16:20b

whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.

Sorry for the late post, friends. Comfort Part 2 should be next week. I definitely had to trust in the Lord today , as I flew down to New Orleans with my parents, and our pilot had some challenges with flying the particular plane we were in, Plus there was a small storm. Although I'm sure it probably wasn't even as dangerous as driving a car, It occured to me how frail life is. If thay pilot just had a jerk or twitch in his arm, or fell asleep at the wheel, I would not even be typing this, and you Wouldn't Be reading it either! Praise the Lord for life. Phil 4:6-7 Meditating on that today was incredibly amazing. Then realizing, that I can't die until God calls me home. Its like a mathematical equation: Trust in the Lord = happiness That's one of the ways the Bible talks about How To Be Happy. I'm typing on my phone, sobforgive the lack of organized. Thoughts please. :) God bless you all with TRUST in the LORD this week ! Landon

Comfort Part 1 - Parched or Hot Chocolate?

"Blessed be God, 

even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of mercies, 

and the God of all comfort;

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, 

that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, 

by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."

2 Cor 1:3-4

The comfort of God is so amazing,
it's a shame when Christians are stingy with it!
Every person has different areas that they're stronger in and struggling in,
But THAT"S WHY we're to comfort others!
So that we fill each other up with our extra comfort of God. :)
Wouldn't you agree He has given us plenty of comfort in so many areas for us to share?
As a follower of Christ we have the gift is salvation, and we ought to share that with those who don't have that comfort of salvation!

The word "comfort" in Greek (BlueletterBible.org) is paraklēsis, which means:

1) a calling near, summons, (esp. for help)

2) importation, supplication, entreaty

3) exhortation, admonition, encouragement

4) consolation, comfort, solace; that which affords comfort or refreshment

a) thus of the Messianic salvation (so the Rabbis call the Messiah the consoler, the comforter)

5) persuasive discourse, stirring address

a) instructive, admonitory, conciliatory, powerful hortatory discourse

Not sharing our comfort is almost like this...
A man is walking in the desert, for 1 week straight without food or water.
His motivation to keep going is his belief that there's fresh water over the next hill, but each time he gets to the top, his disappointment almost makes him fall down to his knees and give up.

You have invented a big machine called the Portable Cloud Moisturization Extractor, which can absorb all the moisture from clouds within a 1000 mile radius, and distribute the water in nice gallons to whomever.
You're floating through the desert, and see this man. He looks at you confused at what sort of interesting contraption you are operating, flying through the sky.
You know that you can give him a gallon of water, since you have a TON of water available.
But instead, you say, "Wait a second, I can't help him. I'm not having a good day. Besides, I have more important things to do. I only had 2 meals, I'm hungry, and the garbage needs to be taken out. I'm going to fly home."

Obviously, that seems very unreasonable.
But for Christians, as followers of Christ, compltely new creatures, ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor 5), and people in bonds for the gospel (Eph 6:20)... to not share the gospel with the unsaved, and to not comfort the broken hearted, the weak, fatherless, or even to not TALK or fellowship about the goodness of God to those who seem to be doing fine...
is almost like not sharing a drink of water with a dying man out in the desert.

Sharing the Comfort
However, sharing the comfort of God, is one of the most incredible things I have ever experienced.
I've been blessed to be on both ends, the giving and receiving end.
When I need comfort in a certain area, often God uses His people to comfort me. Through the sharing of a testimony, a smile, a word of encouragement, or a verse, I've been so blessed be the people who God has blessed me to be around.
Receiving the comfort of God, is like being outside in 20 degree fall weather for 3 hours in a T-shirt, and then being invited into a house with heating, and them giving you a cup of hot chocolate. :)

You can almost feel the warmth. :)

And to be on the giving end, is one of the greatest joy's of all.
Like Christmas time, when you get gifts, it's awesome. Especially the ones you REALLY want or need.
But when you get to BE the one who gave the gift, its even more awesome.

Sharing Christmas presents is awesome,
But how much better is it to be able to share the comfort of God?

I thank God for you all, for being some of those people who have shared "hot chocolate" with me. :)
My prayer is that I would grow more like Christ in that area too!

Blessed be the God of all comfort! :D

God bless you all this week,
Love in Christ,
Landon

Recommendation of the Week:
Definitely recommend Ray Comfort's series, Classic Comfort. It has over 60 audio messages, and I've been truly comforted by listening almost every day to Mr. Comfort. :) Praise God for technology, which can help.

Comfort Part 2 - Dustmite vs Gorilla

Isaiah 51:12
"I, even I, am he that comforteth you;
who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die,
and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;"

Comfort in this instance is the greek word: nacham (BlueletterBible.org)

1) to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted

a) (Niphal)

1) to be sorry, be moved to pity, have compassion

2) to be sorry, rue, suffer grief, repent

3) to comfort oneself, be comforted

4) to comfort oneself, ease oneself

b) (Piel) to comfort, console

c) (Pual) to be comforted, be consoled

d) (Hithpael)

1) to be sorry, have compassion

2) to rue, repent of

3) to comfort oneself, be comforted

4) to ease oneself

What incredible comfort that He has for us.

I can picture God saying that verse, and just wondering "What are My children even thinking! WHO do you think you are? And do you know who I am?"
It's CRAZY to think that Christians should be afraid of anything or anyone besides the Lord.

Questions:
Could a 5000 pound gorilla be terrified of an attack from a dustmite?

Should a lion be a afraid of a little lamb?
Would a Black Belt, body building, fully armed elite agent fear an assault from a new born baby?
Neither should we be afraid of puny people.
Mere man.
Humble humans.
Compared to the vast greatness of the one and only Almighty God of the universe.

Because if God is for us, who can be against us?!





God bless you all with His comfort,
Your bro in Christ Landon

Men of Valor

"Defend the poor and fatherless:

do justice to the afflicted and needy,

Deliver the poor and needy;

rid them out of the hand of the wicked."

-Psalm 82:3-4

The Challenge
Are you ready to defend those who need to be defended?
Are you ready to refrain from laughing at a crude joke, sarcastic insult, or distasteful deed when everyone else does?
Are you ready to take that to a new level, and actually stand up and say what needs to be said, even if you're shunned, and ridiculed?
Whether in a casual or a professional setting,
Politics, witnessing,  fellowshipping, working,

Whatever it is...
We need saints, and particularly men as leaders, who are willing and able to take a beating for the glory of God,
Ready to defend the poor, financially and in spirit.
And the orphans, by lack of living parents OR loving parents.
Ready to deliver or save the poor and needy.

We need to be aware of how many broken, orphaned (at least in relationship), and needy, people are right in front of us.

We need to pray for valor.

Valor is chayil in greek.
According to BlueLetterBible.org that means:

1) strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army

a) strength

b) ability, efficiency

c) wealth

d) force, army

We need to be men of valor!

Who are willing to speak the truth in love.

May that be our prayer.

Eric Ludy explains this well in his videos and sermons. http://ellerslie.com/Home.htm

God bless you all with grace and peace,

With the love of Christ,

Landon

"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:"

Ephesians 4:15

What? Better than ME?

"...but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other, better than themselves."
Paul's letter to the Philippians (Ph 2:3b)

What a mentality!
I find that sort of mindset very unnatural.
To be able to say to that any other person is BETTER than me, seems like... "hmm. Really? I must be better than some people!"

"What? Better than ME?" ;-)

The lesson God is teaching me through this verse is this:

Value Others

Essentially, learning to have "other-esteem."
Understanding that EVERY person is better than me in some area.
Realizing that I can learn something from EVERYBODY.

Also, not just in the area of learning. But also serving.
If I were to truly value others more that me, what would that look like?
Instead of the thoughts of, "Wow I'm working really hard. I'm pretty awesome. I bet God is smiling at me patting me on the back.  I can't believe no one sees how hardworking, diligent, thoughtful, and borderline 100% humble I am. Silly people."

If I was to adapt the mentality of "Wow, I'm so grateful that God has given me 2 arms and legs, a healthy body,  and a mind that thinks (at least occasionally ;-). There are so many people that work so hard. I hope to learn from their selfless example. How can I serve them better?"

Let's never stop learning to develop the attitude of gratitude.

"It's not what this church can do for you,
But what you can do for Jesus Christ and this church!"
-Eric Ludy

Recommendation of the week: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RCVp-qeXLA&feature=player_embedded
 
God bless you all! I thank God for you all!
And for all that I've learned from each of you.

Your bro in Christ,
Landon