Today is July 19.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit. 
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”   
  
Today’s reading is from the book of 2nd Corinthians, chapter 1.  
 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.  
 

How are you feeling today? Is there anything happening around you which is causing YOU to feel a need to be comforted? Where is it that you need the compassion of God? 
  
The Greek work for comfort in this passage refers to a “holy urging” and is used of the Lord directly motivating and inspiring believers to carry out His plan. It means not only to comfort, but to encourage, to console. You might imagine a husband helping his wife through labor and delivery, quietly and compassionately whispering words of courage and guidance to the mother-to-be. Listen to the passage again, and consider what it means that we can receive God’s comfort in this way… 
  
Most of us live or worship among people who are bruised and aching. There is a weariness in our culture. There’s a growing sense of isolation and disconnection. How might you enter into your day as a comfort-bringer? Can you ask God to give you His eyes through which to see the world around you? Can you ask God to draw your attention to someone, and to give you a prophetic word of encouragement to pass along? 
 
Music: Fix Our Eyes - Vineyard Worship:(YouTube)