Sunday-Monday, September 15-16, 2013
This is a first for us here as we wanted to take our two traditional Sunday and Monday themes and write about them together. On Sunday we typically focus on comfort and on Monday we focus on encouragement. In conversations I have had with some, they have told me that they thought these are the same. Perhaps they are, but I thought I would share some thoughts and let the readers decide for themselves.
A comfort can be and encouragement, and an encouragement can be a comfort, in the right situations. Comfort to me means that I have some lack, and I just need to be made whole in that area. When Jesus spoke of sending the Comforter, the Holy Spirit to not leave the people comfortless, he was referring to this lack and mourning the people would feel when He left (John 14-16). This is for me one of the best examples of comfort in the scriptures. There are also great reference is Psalms 23:4; 119:21, 50, 76; and Psalms 71:21. All use comfort in the regard. Someone is motionless, and they are in need. The provision for that need is comfort.
Encouragement is for someone that either is or is about to be in motion, or moving, whether physically, mentally, or spiritually. Take for example when Joshua was selected by God to be the one to lead the children of Israel into the promised land at the end of their trek out of Egypt. God told Moses to encourage Joshua that he could do the job (Deuteronomy 1). Moses was to say and do things that would strengthen Joshua in his action to lead the people into the land and to take the land.
If we are in need of comfort, and we receive it, that might encourage us to go on, to move towards God. And seeing someone encouraged might be a comfort to us. But they each have their own place.
Finally, let me ask, are you in lack in some area. Pray and let God send you comfort. Are you on the move in some way, or about to be, and feel some uncertainty? Pray and ask God to send you encouragement. He is both willing and able to do all these things. Praise God!
Prayer
Father, we ask that You send people comfort today. Please send us the Comforter to renew our hearts and forgive us our sins. We want to serve Jesus as our Lord and Savior. In Jesus name. Amen.
This is a first for us here as we wanted to take our two traditional Sunday and Monday themes and write about them together. On Sunday we typically focus on comfort and on Monday we focus on encouragement. In conversations I have had with some, they have told me that they thought these are the same. Perhaps they are, but I thought I would share some thoughts and let the readers decide for themselves.
A comfort can be and encouragement, and an encouragement can be a comfort, in the right situations. Comfort to me means that I have some lack, and I just need to be made whole in that area. When Jesus spoke of sending the Comforter, the Holy Spirit to not leave the people comfortless, he was referring to this lack and mourning the people would feel when He left (John 14-16). This is for me one of the best examples of comfort in the scriptures. There are also great reference is Psalms 23:4; 119:21, 50, 76; and Psalms 71:21. All use comfort in the regard. Someone is motionless, and they are in need. The provision for that need is comfort.
Encouragement is for someone that either is or is about to be in motion, or moving, whether physically, mentally, or spiritually. Take for example when Joshua was selected by God to be the one to lead the children of Israel into the promised land at the end of their trek out of Egypt. God told Moses to encourage Joshua that he could do the job (Deuteronomy 1). Moses was to say and do things that would strengthen Joshua in his action to lead the people into the land and to take the land.
If we are in need of comfort, and we receive it, that might encourage us to go on, to move towards God. And seeing someone encouraged might be a comfort to us. But they each have their own place.
Finally, let me ask, are you in lack in some area. Pray and let God send you comfort. Are you on the move in some way, or about to be, and feel some uncertainty? Pray and ask God to send you encouragement. He is both willing and able to do all these things. Praise God!
Prayer
Father, we ask that You send people comfort today. Please send us the Comforter to renew our hearts and forgive us our sins. We want to serve Jesus as our Lord and Savior. In Jesus name. Amen.