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Post by Woody Williams on Mar 28, 2020 7:59:28 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- II Corinthians 1:3-7 ---------- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation, who consoles us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to console those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are consoled by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, so also our consolation is abundant through Christ. If we are being afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation; if we are being consoled, it is for your consolation, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we are also suffering. Our hope for you is unshaken; for we know that as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our consolation.
Devotional ---------- Consolation is the work of the Gospel. The Gospel comes with the promises of God's care, support and sustaining grace. The sufferings of Christ are abundant for us, says Paul, and our consolation is abundant in Christ. The Christian community centers its life in this consolation of the Gospel. The Christian community knows the importance of being sustained by God's grace, because the task of sharing the Gospel is a high risk adventure in the world. It is important that Christians maintain a motivation of love in its life and work together. In our woundedness and weariness the church needs to turn to God's consolation and not turn on each other in anger or frustration. Maintaining love for one another in the Gospel is still the saving word for Christian community.
Prayer ----------- Keep us focused on your love, O Lord, so that we may love one another. Amen
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