Sunday, March 3, 2019

TROUBLE

Today’s Reading: 2 Corinthians 1

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

Goreme, Turkey, is located in ancient Asia Minor. In Goreme you will find spectacular 10th- and 11th-century cave churches. There are hundreds of churches cut into the rock. This one is among the most elaborate.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verses: 2 Corinthians 1:8, 11

For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life…. you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.

 

Between writing these two letters to the believers in Corinth, Paul spent time in Asia Minor, a former Roman province. It is now Turkey. There he suffered much persecution as a result of his bold witness for Christ. He had spent much time in Corinth, establishing the Church. This very strong Apostle showed himself to also be very human. His need for the fellowship of those to whom he felt close is evident. He uses the word “comfort” six times, and the word “consolation” five times. As followers of Christ, we need each other so very much. I’ve chosen two key verses for today. They reveal Paul’s heart. He felt he could share his burdens and even his despair. He knew his Corinthian friends were praying for him and also supporting him so that he could spend full time preaching and teaching without stopping to make tents, as he had done when he planted the Church in Corinth. Other words which stand out are “faithful,” “promises,” “sealed” (denotes security), and “deposit” (indicates that the entire amount is yet to come). Paul is encouraged by the progress of the Church.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, You are building Your Church. Grant, I pray, a gift of optimism to me concerning Your Church worldwide, as well as in my home church. Thank You that there are people who care about me and pray for me, as did the Corinthian people about Paul. Amen! As 2 Corinthians 1:20 says, “Yes and in Him, Amen!”

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’m so very thankful for the notes I receive from you who read my blog. I’m greatly encouraged by you. You are doing for me what Stephanas, Fortunatis, and Achaicus did for Paul. You have “Refreshed my spirit” (1 Corinthians 16:17-18). Norma-Jean and are living with our daughter Ellen, her husband Nizar Shaheen, and three of their six children still at home.  They have built an extension onto their home for us. Our children are so good to us.  I’m encouraged by Paul to ask for your prayers, as well as your ongoing support for the ministry of Crossroads (click here for information).

Yours for the comfort and consolation we have in Christ,

David

The early Christians escaped from the persecution of the Roman Empire in the 2nd century and upon finding the underground cities in Cappadocia, they settled there (Modern Central Turkey). The gates were made in such a way in which they couldn’t be easily observed. Because they lived in the underground cities for long durations without being able to go to the surface, they developed provisions rooms, ventilation chimneys, wine production places, churches, abbeys, water wells, toilets and meeting rooms.

16 thoughts on “Sunday, March 3, 2019

  1. Wonderful photos, scripture and message, today. Such incredible cave churches–wow! God’s blessings upon thee, fellow saints in the Lord. May His hand be upon you and may you feel His incredible love, gathering with fellow Christians to hear His Word and worship Him! All for His glory–amen!!

    “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”;
    fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God;
    I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 10:9b-10 ESV

    Swing Low, Sweet Chariot By Etta James
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Thz1zDAytzU

    • amen Dale! We pray a prayer of thanksgiving for all the Lord has done for us this day! Let us pray that the walls come down between people,we are Children of the Most High God! We are His; He sees no barriers; He came to break down all the barriers; our way to God is through Jesus Christ, God’s Son who died; rose and now we have the freedom of salvation for our entire life; we are free to follow the Lord God Almighty; bless all who are Sharing the Gospel of the Good News of Jesus Christ with people who have never known about Jesus Christ, we are His Glory; we are His rightousness, PRAISE THE LORD AMEN AMEN AMEN

  2. Blessings on all you beautiful saints today! What a joy it is to be part of His eternal family. May His love fill and flow through each of us today and in the coming week.

  3. It really is amazing when you think of the underground city built without modern day tools. Where did they put the huge amount of fill -rock and earth so as not to be evidence of structural creation inside? Amazing feat! Bless all today as we expect a predicted deep cold moving into S Ontario.

    • I remember the movie of the Great Escape where the prisoners took sacks of soil from their tunnels and put them down their pant legs.They pulled a cord and released the soil in their gardens under the watchful eye of their guards.

  4. These underground cities have always amazed me too.Perhaps they carved bricks while digging and used them elsewhere or,more likely,filled in ravines.There are modern day equivalents in Australia where residents escape underground from the heat.
    Without fellowship we might not receive the encouragement to overcome the world,thus becoming discouraged.Fellowship is the mortar of the Christian world holding our walls together.”Where 2 or 3 are gathered…..I almost used this scripture ‘out of context’ so I did a google for the same reason the authour of this teaching explains.I’ve had the same questions and here they are answered:
    https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/why-the-context-of-matthew-18-20-is-important.html
    Nevertheless,fellowship is essential for growth and encouragement.IMHO.
    David continues to teach us thanks to Ron,Ann and Norma Jean.We are all blessed

  5. How wonderful and how blessed we are; not only to be able to pray for each other, but the Lord prays for each of for His highest and best.

    Great photos Reynold; thank you Ron and Anne for your faithfulness in posting this blog birthed through your Dad in obedience to God’s prompting!

    I ask for prayer for my son David who called asking for prayer; that there would be no division or confusion among all concerned. But unity, for peace of mind for David who is caught in the middle. In Jesus Name I pray/ Amen!

    Sunny day here in the west, but cold! May you be find peace and Joy on this Lord’s day!

    • Irene, I am lifting your son David to God in prayer.
      Peace I leave with you, my peace i give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

    • Irene I am praying for the situation that your son David is involved in. I am niow asking the Lord to intervene and help them all come to their senses and calmly bring this situation to an abrupt end . Our God is able to do over and above everything we ask or think. I pray this in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen. Eleanor M.

    • God bless you Irene! Yes Lord we lift up Irene’s son David; he is involved with a situation that is not pleasant and needs Your Loving Hands to untangle and bring peace; no ill will; no anger,resentment, no ego problems; please help this situation Lord to work that there would be unity and peace of mind for David.
      thank you Lord for helping David; thank you for his mom who loves You Lord and has posted a prayer for her son; God bless all parents; God bless our children Thank You Lord for all the blessings of this day amen amen amen

  6. Thank you Charlene, Eleanor M, and Sah for praying for David and the situation he has to deal with;

    Yes, for peace that passes understanding to guard his heart and mind in and through it all! Thank you Jesus for answered prayer!

  7. Prayers of healing for Susan from her cancer; from Jim and his cancer! ALL HEALING IS GONE IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR!

    Lord I need Your help! What am I to do? I am fed up with being in debt; I pray Lord You will send me $487.000.55, I will go to the bank and pay out the loan;then send money to children on March 6th/15th,birthdays of 2 of my children; others on April 8th, June 11th and Aug 1, don’t know Britneys birthday ; however Lord You do know and I am asking for Your help in paying out the loan and help my family; and invest rest for a better income and just spend time serving others; thank you Lord amen

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