John 13:35 “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
I truly hope and pray that each one of us can testify to the power of God’s love in transforming our lives. The moment we believe in His Son, Jesus, that transformation begins, and our hearts are changed in such a manner that we can love others as God would—not loving conditionally, as is common with man, but with agape love—that complete, unconditional love such as God gives us. We also begin to speak as God would, using words with kindness, love, and compassion, desiring the best for others at all times. I recently read an article that so clearly demonstrates the above that I’d like to share a part of it with you. THE POWER OF LOVE by Michael Wing Epoch Times February 8, 2022 What if you saw someone about to jump off a bridge to commit suicide over a busy highway? Would you stop and open your heart to save a life? Utah man Joe Tuia’ana, 42, found himself in that situation while driving his three daughters to one of their basketball games on Saturday, Jan. 29. At around 3 p.m., they were crossing the I-15 overpass between 350 North and 760 North when Joe, a sales account manager from Lehi, spotted a young man in his early 20s in a black hoody. The run-in changed Joe’s life. ‘”He was crying and was very shaky, standing on the other side of the protective barrier fence, facing the interstate,” Joe told The Epoch Times. “He was looking down at the moving cars below while holding himself with his right hand.” Immediately, Joe knew the man was suicidal and swung his car around, parking behind the young man’s car on the bridge. He told his eldest to call the police and for his girls to stay put. “I got out of the car and immediately thought, ‘If you screw this up, not only is this young man going to die, but your daughters are going to see it happen,’” he said. “I nearly passed out due to fear and anxiety.” Joe said a small prayer, asking God to help him do the right thing. “From that point, I felt inspired to do what I thought Jesus would do: walk slowly to this young man, with your arms open to him,” said Joe. As he drew near, the young man looked over and then back to the freeway. Few words were needed, Joe knew. Just love. When close enough, I told him, ‘I love you. I love you, bro,’” Joe said. “He looked at me with fear and pain, crying so hard. With my arms open to him, I repeated, ‘I love you. I love you, bro.’” After a few minutes, he uttered softly, “help.” That was all Joe needed to hear. He jumped up, embraced the young man, and pulled him over to his side of the fence. “I held the young man in my arms like he was my own child and cried with him,” said Joe. “No words said, no questions asked. Just time for him to hug and sit with someone who loved him in peace. He was hurting and I felt like he just needed someone to love him.” Here you witness the power of God’s love expressed in simple words from one human heart to another—words that put into action true agape love. Note, however, that Joe’s words did not originate in himself, but through prayer, even his quick prayer, God listened, and the Holy Spirit inspired Joe to say just what that young man needed to save his life. Think how Joe’s words--“I love you, bro,” symbolize God’s agape love for us; no matter what we’ve done, He will always either whisper in our ears or shout into our souls, “Come to Me! I love you!” When we respond, accepting His Son Jesus as our Savior, He gives us ever so much more than physical life; He gives us life everlasting. Changed hearts, changed words, changed actions—prayer and love for others—what a difference we can make in the world when we accept Jesus as Savior and allow God to work through us in love. VERSES Proverbs 15:3 “Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time.” Proverbs 15:4 “Gentle words are a tree of life;a deceitful tongues crushes the spirit." PRAYER Father God, You are wisdom…you are LOVE…You are power. Thank you that ever since I accepted Your Son Jesus as my Savior, Your Holy Spirit has dwelt within me, giving me all I need to represent You to others. Help me now and each future moment of my life to live that out! Help me to reach out to others in their need, just as Joe did with the suicidal teen—just as You have done with each of us in our need; help me to love with Your agape love at all times. Keep working in me, growing me, changing me, and turning me more and more into your loving, compassionate, caring image. For You are my God, my only God, and I desire to honor You in all my ways! DISCLAIMER I am just an ordinary woman who loves Jesus, accepting Him as Savior at the age of thirty-two and digging into the Bible ever since. How could I possibly hope to develop a heart relationship with God and trust Him with my life if I didn't know who He is?! These devotionals are written to help you journey with Christ and grow in your heart relationship with Him. However, it is essential that you examine my words, and those of all other "teachers," with God's Holy Word. Therein lies the source of all truth! Comments are closed.
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Author Candice Mary Thomas writes about loving God and loving people! Coming to Christ at age 32 and now in her 70's, Candice knows what a difference it makes living with or without Christ as one's personal Savior. Archives
December 2022
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