Based on “Troubled, Frustrated, Afraid – Prayer Is THE Solution” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 7/14-15/12, Message #MB517; Daily Devotional #6 - “Spread the Love”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are Godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. (Galatians 6:1-3, NLT) Helping, encouraging and aiding others has always been a part of what following Christ is about. Why, all we have to do is look at the life of Jesus as a perfect example of humility and love in action. He healed, He blessed, He supplied and He gave grace to people who were overcome by sin. He never refused, judged or criticized folks who were sincerely seeking relief from their afflictions. And so it should be for us here in the 21st century! We too should be gently and humbly helping folks back onto the right path. Considering the great grace, forgiveness and compassion that we have received in our lives, you would think that we could give out just a small portion of that to other hurting people. But sometimes, like the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35), we tend to hold people accountable for the very same transgressions that we have been forgiven of committing. Maybe it’s time to lighten up and spread the love!
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): And while we’re being “super heroes of the faith” and coming to the aid of hurting people, we must remember to stay anchored to The Word of God and prayer. How often have we tried to save someone else from their dilemma by using our own common sense, and ended up falling into the same pit? But with cords of love cinched tightly to the Rock of Jesus Christ, we are well equipped to help a person climb back up into the Light. Only His Truth can restore and forgive a wayward sheep. It only takes a few episodes of being in the pits to realize that life above ground, bathed in the Light of God’s Word is where we want to be! So the next time you feel led to share your own personal opinions with a desperate soul, remember that you are only delaying the rescue and prolonging their agony!
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): This commission to rescue and restore is given to each believer. No matter how long we have been saved, or what our position may be, we are all required to give grace and forgiveness to the lost, and to the Family of God. When The Father brings someone into our lives that need His loving touch, He provides the time and the resources for restoration. None of us should be too busy, too good or too “Spiritual” to tend to the hurting folks who cross our path. When we think that we are too important to help someone, we are only fooling ourselves; we are not that important. If Jesus Christ, the Son of God could take the time in His brief three-year ministry to tend to the brokenhearted and minister grace to the lost, then certainly we, as His Spiritual siblings, can do the same. Let’s reach out, touch someone and pray, pray, pray for someone’s needs other than our own. Get off the sidelines and get into the game. And besides, it’s much more fun to play than to watch!
Cultivating (Additional Reading): 1 Timothy 2:1
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All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.
NLT = New Living Translation.