Heartfelt Love Help

 

Heartfelt Love Help

1 Corinthians 14: It is love, then, that you should strive for. Set your hearts on spiritual gifts, especially the gift of proclaiming God's message. ² Those who speak in strange tongues do not speak to others but to God, because no one understands them. They are speaking secret truths by the power of the Spirit. ³ But those who proclaim God's message speak to people and give them help, encouragement, and comfort. ⁴ Those who speak in strange tongues help only themselves, but those who proclaim God's message help the whole church.

 

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Feeling rotten, I must have had a disgusted look on my face because people kept asking me “Is everything alright?” Usually I was the one asking that question but this particular day was the exception. Finally, someone approached me and said “It will be alright. GOD is with you.” I guess I just needed to hear that at the time.

 

• Many people have given me encouragement when I was down.
• Many people have provided comfort for me when I was feeling low.
• Many people have used their gifts to help me in time of need.

 

Paul mentions a special act of love we are all supposed to share in. He attempts to convince everyone to use their GOD given spiritual gifts as often as possible. One gift to acquire is proclaiming GOD’s message.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to recognize that my gifts and talents come from HIM.
• GOD wants me to set my heart on helping others.
• GOD wants me to encourage, comfort and help others in their time of need.

 

We all need help, comfort and encouragement at some point. No one is above pain. BUT GOD put people around me to ease the pain and encourage me to keep going. HE knows life would be a challenge so HE not only provided the HOLY SPIRIT to me for comfort, HE provided HIM to those who believe in JESUS.

 

HE has given many people comfort and they in turn provide that comfort to others. I am grateful people have used their gifts to share GOD’s encouragement and comfort to me and others.

 

Challenge

• Have you looked at your gifts and talents lately?
• What do you feel when you hear the words “help” and “encouragement” and “comfort?”
• Will you use your GOD given gifts to provide help, encouragement and comfort to someone today?

Touched

Mark:6 ⁵³ When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there. ⁵⁴ And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, ⁵⁵ ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. ⁵⁶ Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.

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“Here is a drawing of you” the child said. As I looked at the drawing and then the child’s smile I could not contain the joy I had at that moment.

• I have had some times that brought me extreme joy.
• I have had some times that enabled me to experience delight.
• I have had some times that were very touching.

Being “touched” is a wonderful feeling. Many people touched me when they boldly spoke as they met me where I was at the time. They cared and some reached out and took me by the wing to grow me. JESUS does the same.

• JESUS enjoys when I reach out to touch HIS garment.
• JESUS loves when I do something to touch HIM.
• JESUS is touched by my words of encouragement I give to others on HIS behalf.

There are so many people who are reaching out to touch something, but unfortunately there is nothing good in what is being touched. BUT GOD is the right “something” to touch. HE can provide joy like none other. HE can fill me up when others are robbing me of peace.

JESUS is who I reach out to touch when things are not looking as great as they should. I am healed by touching JESUS’s garment.

• Do you need physical, mental, emotional or spiritual healing?
• What are you reaching out to get help from?
• Why is your heart turned from the one who loves you dearly?
• Will you turn to GOD today and watch HIM do a marvelous work in you?