TOUCHED BY LOVE
If we choose to walk God’s Way of Agape, everyone around us is going to notice the way we live…and especially the way we love.
“I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, because I hear of your love, and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all the saints…” Philemon 4-5
Ephesians 5:1. Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
* In order to imitate God I must walk in love. Walking in love looks like the walk of Jesus.
Everywhere he walked he put the needs of others about his own. He never walked anywhere without the needs of others being obvious to Him, and responding to those needs immediately with Action.
Everywhere I walk I must give the fragrant smell of selflessness. When I put others about myself is an offering that pleases God.
Being a Christian isn’t about making a weekly trip to church. We need to develop the character of God so others can actually see Jesus working in a practical way.
Galatians 5: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Mark 1:41, “And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him…. and he was cleansed.”
*Only Mark records this important statement that Jesus was “moved with compassion” in the healing of this leper.
There are three other instances in the gospels when Jesus was moved with compassion which resulted in healing (Mt. 14:14; 20:34; Lk. 7:13; and once in deliverance – Mk.5:19).
The difference between seeing a person healed or not healed many times is this all-important ingredient of love.
As can be seen from Mark’s account, two things happened:
(1) the leprosy departed.
(2) the man was cleansed.
Jesus not only removed the disease but restored the damaged parts of his body. This leper was healed as soon as Jesus spoke.
The Word of God is the will of God, and it reveals that it is always God’s will to heal.
Jesus often healed people by touching them, and others received their healing as they touched Jesus.
You can transmit the power or the anointing of God through the laying on of hands. Let Him use you today to touch others.
“Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.” – Psalm 143:8 *Despite David’s many setbacks he continually sought to know and do God’s will in his life.
*Like many of us, his will got in the way of a sinless life.
“Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground” (Psalm 143:10).
Do you need direction in your life today? If so, David provides the best example of gaining direction. Set aside the morning hour to draw close to His presence. There, you will sense His unfailing love for you.
*His direction for your life will be a natural by-product of this time of communion with Him. Ask God to lead you by His Spirit today.
Lord, I pray that those I pray for will see the fruits in me for Your Glory and my joy. Ever remind me that I am Your child and I need to behave in that manner. Lord let me give the fragrant offering of selflessness everywhere I go. Help me to be attentive to the needs of others and not just sensitive to my own needs. Help me be a better listener! Amen