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 currently 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.
What an amazing setup, the underground community! Unimaginable for me how they did that. I’ve never been to the Holy Land but if I had the opportunity, I would have liked to see this cave community! Jacob was to have his open heart surgery @ 6 am today. 6 of his children have arrived in Montreal from their Native Village along with one of his sisters. Praying for a good recovery, good care, and God’s greatest blessings on them all. His sister here in Burlington is a friend of mine. She has recently returned from the village where the burial of her son (from Covid19) took place. A difficult time for Christiana just now. Blessings all
Christiana and Jacob and family are close in thought and prayer. Lord God, hear the cries of their hearts; comfort, heal, and may You be glorified through their sorrows and Jacob’s surgery today.
Father God, we do pray for this family. Show them You are there and faithful. Bring healing, strength, comfort and salvation to each one of them, in Jesus’s name, amen
Amen
Amen!
They were not the first to hide in caves nor will they be the last.Paul trusted in God and did not stay too long in one place.He planted and let it grow then came back to water it.Thank you Ron,for staying true.God bless
Buried
The church was buried underground,
For dark forces sought them out,
But those above heard not a sound
And those below had not a doubt.
By candle light they found their way
When timeless death sought their souls
For when there was no light of day
God saved His own from hidden shoals.
So be not afraid of the night
When evil again should rise,
For God alone has endless might
And He alone is just and wise.
GW Marshall/ 3 March,2021
.
Amen!!
Amen
Amen!
Amen to all the prayers and comments above.
Jesus spoke to Thomas in
John 14: V6 Jesus told him, “I AM THE WAY, YES, AND THE TRUTH
AND THE LIFE”. No one can get to the Father except by means of Me.
Trust Jacob’s surgery went well this morning and also his recovery will go well. I have had experience with that and am reminded of it during this winter and snow removal. Had a wild day yesterday with snow and strong winds like other provinces have experienced days before. Thank God I am all blowed out now and the sun is shining. Just for interest sake, our leader to Bulgaria asked if we would like to go into Turkey where they speak of this cave is but it was voted down as would be too much of a risk at the time. With all the risks that the Apostle Paul too he certainly needed help in that rugged country.
I just got the message, Jacob is out of the surgery & recovery room! Thanks 🙏 all for your prayers. My church ⛪️ on Zoom prayed for a great recovery too & for Christiana who’s been through so much lately. Thanks. God is so good!
God tells us throughout the Bible to pray, to ask, to never to give up seeking righteousness, so Father we pray for righteous decisions to be made at both the highest and the lowest levels, in Jesus’s name, amen
https://links.billygraham.link/servlet/MailView?ms=Njk3NTc2ODkS1&r=ODQ2Nzg3OTA5NTgS1&j=MjA4MDMzODk3OAS2&mt=1&rt=0