Mysty PfefferAs I continue to grow in my faith, I see no act of love is too small. Last night, a small group from my church went to sing Christmas carols to a few of our shut-in members. As I witnessed the smiles and slow seeping tears from the recipients of this gesture, I humbly realized their hearts were refreshed through us.
Comfort and joy are derived from small acts of love. A visit, a song, a card, or a phone call can relieve the weight of despair on a lonely soul. Moreover, it requires very little effort on the part of the giver.
In the apostle Paul’s letter to Philemon he says,
“I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.”
(Philemon 1:4-7)
Philemon 1 ESV – Greeting – Paul, a prisoner for Christ – Bible Gateway
Paul was hoping to be delivered from the chains of prison to be with his fellow saints. Our saints are hoping for a reprieve from health issues so they can join us again. In the meantime, they relish our prayers and any contact we can offer.
Although my small group visited shut-ins as a loving service to them, every single one of us were refreshed in Christ by going!
It’s proof my friend, when following the lead of the Holy Spirit, the gift of love works both ways!
What small acts of love have refreshed you today? I look forward to hearing them in the comments below!
The Gift of a Pure Heart
As I’ve gotten older, I realize a renewed mind and spiritual health begins with God’s example of unselfish love. Like, Him, it is steadfast and immovable.
When you and I follow Him, our love can look the same. 1 Timothy 1:5 tells us it flows from three things:
1. A pure heart
2. A good conscience
3. Sincere Faith
Putting aside everything else and focusing on His example allows us to pray for a pure heart.
A scripture I often pray when the pressure is on and I’m not feeling love, is:
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10 NIV)
A good conscience is helpful in showing steadfast love, too. So, when the Holy Spirit prompts me to act on behalf of someone, speak encouragement, or forgive for the 1000th time, I do it automatically.
Yeah, well, I pray to do it, and the more I pray, the more automatic it becomes.
Sincere faith is either there or it’s not. Although, I’m not always “feeling it,” I know that lack of feeling makes me do a heart check. Also, I know I will never do it perfectly, but I sure want my conscience pricked to remind me to do so! I talk more about that topic in Holding Fast to The Good article.
We are known by our fruit, right? The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
How about you? What is most helpful in sharing God’s steadfast love?
The Gift of Eternal Life
For me, sharing God’s steadfast love occurs the most with family, friends, writing a blog, and teaching sassy GA’s (Girls in Action).
It’s the most active path to spiritual health I can think of for myself and them!
Recently, I asked my 5th and 6th grade GA’s, “Why did Jesus have to become a man?”
The quick and cheeky response from one girl was, “So he could die on the cross, duh!”
I responded, “Well, that’s true, but that is not the answer I’m looking for.”
Another bold and impatient response followed, “To forgive us for our sins, duh!”
Ignoring the disrespectful attitude, I silently pray for God to guide me in gentleness and self-control.
The child does see the need for salvation, and she understands we all sin. Yay, for getting that clear message from all her church visits and vacation bible schools over the years!
There is hope this message of good news and the gift of eternal life becomes real to her someday. Although there is no evidence of budding fruit and the plant is still a little weak, the seeds are planted and well-watered.
With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, hopefully she realizes love is at the heart of Jesus becoming a person. She can feel tenderly cared for and internalize this message.
I explain to the girls how God loves us so much he had to send a perfect and holy person to earth and accept the punishment sin deserves.
There was no human being capable of taking on the sin of the world. It had to be born on the shoulders of God, Himself (Jesus, who is fully God and fully man).
That’s why the heart of the gospel is,
“For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Although, I had to throw a few “Duh’s” back at her in our musical candy game, my heart softened when the same cheeky girl wrote this verse on the whiteboard before she left for the night.
There is some budding fruit of God’s love in her heart and mine after all!
My friend, knowing how much God loves you and me is the key to spiritual healing and health too!
It’s what drives us to care for difficult people who are not easy to love. I’m still learning and growing as God leads me. I’d love to be sounding board and resource for you, too!
So, leave me some comments on how you share the gift of God’s eternal love!
