God of all comfort

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

There has been a campaign in Las Vegas to move the people who are asking for a handout away from the eyes of the tourists on Las Vegas boulevard. The chamber of commerce wants the typical visitor to Las Vegas to experience the glitter and glamour of the strip and to miss the reality of the poverty that exists a short distance off “The Strip.” I often wonder how shallow and dumb they think people are?

Walking along Las Vegas boulevard could give a visitor the impression that all of Las Vegas is opulent and extravagant. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The opulence and glamour are a thin veneer covering the reality of life for many in Las Vegas. Homelessness, poverty, addiction, crime are all present. All you have to do is look beyond the glow of the neon lights. Churches in Las Vegas have seen giving drop, just as in many other communities in the USA. And they have seen the need for services, outreach, and support increase just as in many other communities in the USA. If it were left to mere humans, the need that is out there would be overwhelming. Fortunately for all who are in worship of and service to the Lord, we are not alone.  We need only look at Matthew 14 and Jesus feeding the five thousand for encouragement. When we try by ourselves, the task is insurmountable. With God all things are possible. And that is how we must proceed in our reaching out to others ministries. In serving God, and serving others, we alone will fail. But with God, we will succeed. For with God, all things are possible.

PRAYER: Almighty God, we look to You for strength and encouragement. We look to You to guide us, and supply us as we seek to accomplish Your work here on earth. You are our rock and our fortress. You give us our daily bread. And it is the name of Jesus that we pray, Amen.