Compassion

Compassion

Jesus proved He was compassionate by suffering like us

Peter tells us to have Christ’s compassion

Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 1 Peter 3:8

So next time you lack healing or some other fullness of the Kingdom of God

Pray for your need, then turn your prayers toward the needs of others

Your need may be God’s way of keeping you a compassionate person

Pray for one another that you might be healed James 5:16

 

 

 

Compassion

 

Are you healthy?

 

 Do you have a nice home and car?

 

 Do you have the finances to pay

your bills and do the extras?

 

This is the kind of life we all want.

 

These are the things most of us pray for.

 

Certainly, God wants to wipe away your tears…

 

"Now the dwelling of God is with men,

and he will live with them.

They will be his people, and God himself

will be with them and be their God.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes.

There will be no more death or

 mourning or crying or pain,

for the old order of things has passed away."

Revelation 21:3-4

 

So, if God wants to wipe away our

tears and provide all our needs…

 

Why do we suffer?

 

Sandy and I grew up in the faith with a strong

belief that God heals and meets our needs.

 

We also have learned to go to Him with all

our needs and trust Him to meet our needs.

 

This journey has been amazing.

 

Throughout the journey,

 we have learned so much.

 

The Covid 19 pandemic has gotten

the attention of everyone in the world.

 

It has brought challenges

beyond the virus infection.

 

It has challenged world economics, as well as,

the church in how to handle being the community

of believers when distancing is the law.

 

Some believers have left churches over mask wearing.

 

It is a challenging time.

 

In November of 2020, our whole family,

19 of us, all were affected with Covid.

 

I had 2 days of a massive headache.

 

Our son, Marty, and his family took a

vacation to Florida the end of June, 2021.

 

They asked Sandy and I if we

would join them and we did.

 

We had a wonderful time.

 

Four days after we got back from Florida,

I had symptoms of Covid and tested positive.

 

Four days after that Sandy had symptoms.

 

For two weeks I was sick.

 

I prayed for healing.

 

Because I just lost a dear pastor friend

 to Covid just a week or so before my

symptoms, I too, wondered if I would die.

 

A lot of evaluation was going on

in my mind during those 2 weeks.

 

 Toward the end of my journey with Covid,

the Delta variant.

 

 I found my heart and mind focusing on others.

 

The realization that millions around the world

were going through the same affliction as me.

 

I also realized that many more

 would also suffer from Covid.

 

When we are sick,

we think about more than health.

 

I found my heart growing with compassion.

 

Compassion for people I will never know.

 

It was at this point I realized God

was at work in me through Covid.

 

I think I am compassionate person.

 

But it became clear to me,

God wanted to renew and

build compassion in my heart.

 

The English definition for ‘compassion’

 literally means “to suffer together”.

 

Health, nice house and car,

finances are all wonderful.

 

But sometimes we need to be lacking like

others, in order to become compassionate.

 

Jesus showed us He suffered like us

to let us know He is compassionate.

 

Because he himself suffered when he was tempted,

he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Hebrews 2:18

 

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —

yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence,

so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:14-16

 

Peter tells us to have Christ’s compassion…

 

Finally, all of you,

live in harmony with one another;

be sympathetic, love as brothers,

be compassionate and humble.

 1 Peter 3:8

 

So next time you lack healing or some

other fullness of the Kingdom of God…

 

Pray for your need, then turn your

prayers toward the needs of others. 

Your need may be God’s way of

keeping you a compassionate person.

 

Pray for one another that you might be healed.

James 5:16

 

 

Scripture Reading NIV

 

Hebrews 2:18-3:1

18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted,

he is able to help those who are being tempted.

 

 

 

 

Hebrews 4:14-16

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

 

 

1 Peter 3:8

8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.