Editor's note: The Rev. Charlie Chilton, a longtime contributor to The Free Lance-Star's Religion section, is retiring from writing his "Thought for the Day" column. This will be his final message to newspaper readers. Please read next week's Religion section for a story about Chilton, his contributions to the community and his thoughts on the future.

AS SOON AS you read this column, I want you to get your scissors and cut it out and place it in your Bible or some easily accessible place.

You will need this direction and help. You will need comfort or strength. You will need physical strength, emotional encouragement and family unity because the world will try to divide and conquer your household.

Psalm 23:4 is one of the first encouragers you can read: "Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." And David prays in Psalm 119:76: "May your unfailing love be my comfort."

When you find the source of the "real" thing, you hang on! As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 1:4, "In all our troubles He comforts us so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

Jesus Himself vowed in Matthew 5:4, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." This is a sure thing! It is in the Old Testament from earliest pages. Read Isaiah 49:13: "Shout for joy, O Heavens; rejoice O earth; burst into song, O mountains; For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones."

It doesn't get any better than this, regardless of the discomfort you are struggling with today. If you want to hear it from a mother's perspective, read closely from Isaiah 66:13: "As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted."

If you read the morning paper, you will see story after story of people who need spiritual and emotional comforting. These verses are urgently needed at your fingertips daily.

Maybe each time you see this list of Scriptures you can think of the saying; "one beggar telling another where he has found bread." They are self-explanatory; you will not need a companion to make sense out of these verses!.

Remember: When you see "comfort," just think "strength." Here's one more firm word from Isaiah

51:12: "I, even I, am he who comforts you, Who are you that you fear mortal men?"

PRAYER:

"Thank You, Dear God, for being our comforter daily! Amen!"

Charlie Chilton is a retired Baptist minister, missionary and Stafford County native who lives in Orange County. He may be emailed at
Email: cacfwc@gmail.com.