How Do We Touch Others?

Sunday, February 16, 2014
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Listen while you read: "Father Lead Me Day By Day"1 (Lyrics)

Mark 12:30 – Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. (NIV)

I have been writing for the PresbyCan Daily Devotional since January, 1999, when I first was led by the Spirit to put words onto paper (via the computer). I still have a copy of that first devotional and the four responses that I received in feedback, one from Pretoria in South Africa, another from India, and two others, one from the USA, and one from Canada. You can't imagine the excitement that I felt to know how far out this ministry was reaching.

As the years rolled by, I have seen many changes and met many of the contributors to the Daily, if not in person, then through the written words that we have shared.

As I reminisce, the important factor is not what I alone contributed, but how many readers have been touched by what this ministry has contributed to help them find freedom from sorrow, shame, and the everyday hurts that come into our lives.

How do we touch others?

In just the last little while, I have had two phone calls about books of my devotionals. A gentleman called wondering if I had any books left to sell. He went on to tell me that he had found my book, My Hiding Place, in the clubhouse library, and how it had touched him in the loss of his wife. Since the book was a sellout, I scrounged around and was able to find one that was not saleable because the cover had been put on upside down.

Then just a little while afterwards, I had another call from someone else looking for the same, having borrowed my book and found comfort in a horrific situation that she was in.

As I write, I am in awe of God and how He placed me in the Daily to draw out the things that He had put on my heart so that I could reach out to others.

I pray that those reading will be touched by God in such a way as to set their words on paper.

Hebrews 4:7b – Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts. (NIV)

Prayer: Most gracious, loving Father, we pray for others to attempt to write the words that You are placing upon their hearts, so that together, we can reach out to others in need. We pray this in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

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About the author:

Anne Russell <annerussell80@gmail.com>
Brampton, Ontario, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    God bless Anne. Keep writing. Good reminder.


    THANK YOU for using your gifts in this meaningful way.


    Nice to see one from you again Anne. Thank you.


    Thank you for touching so many hearts with your words.
    God bless.


    Amen to that, Anne. It has always surprised me to see how far around the world PCC devotionals reach. Blessings to you


    Anne, you have been an inspiration to so many of us as you use your talents to share the way that God has touched you.
    Blessings.


    You touched me often too. Then I met you some years. I haven’t seen your writing for a bit, so I’m glad to hear that you are still blessing others. Keep up the inspiration!
    (BC)


    Dear Anne,
    It has been such a warm hearted message to me reading your words today, I am grateful and find your writing absolutely awesome. May God continue to bless you, as we are blessed to share as readers to enjoy your writing.


    Hi Anne
    As always a devotional that makes me think ~ haven’t heard your ‘voice’ on the daily as often this last year so hope all is well with you.
    May you continue to reach out to others through your writings.


    Thank you Anne. I haven’t contributed to the Presbyterian Devotional but in the last year though I don’t know the contributors personally I found many whose advice was a life line to me recently. I met many that had been God given advisors in our circumstance.
    We have been blessed beyond measure and are grateful.


    Dear Anne,
    What an inspiring devotional. I am not surprised that your writing has touched many lives throughout the years. It is wonderful to hear how God is still using your testimony for His glory.
    Keep writing!


    Dear Anne,
    As I read your devotional, I knew it was written by you before looking to see who had penned it. You have been an inspiration to me throughout my time of reading, then writing for the Daily. You are one of God’s chosen for this work that we do.
    May God bless you, always.


    Hi Anne,
    God is good! I am always amazed at how He uses people to touch others. Although I have never put the devotions that I have written into a book, I still never cease to be amazed at the responses that I receive from readers saying that the message touched them in some way. This is a marvellous ministry! God bless you!


    Dear Anne,
    I cannot believe it. I have not read the devotions for quit awhile and just happened to look on the computer today and read the devotion!!! I need your prayers so much right now. Our little church in a huge building is needing prayer.
    I know the Lord is looking out for us, but negative feelings are starting to get the best of some of us!!
    Since I have been trying to figure out how to get hold of you….now I can I cannot believe how fast God works!!!
    Thanks for the devotion.
    Thank you Lord for putting me in touch once again with my spiritual friends.
    Amen.


    Anne,
    What a nicely worded devotional and you are right in many ways.
    I am still a reader daily and have met many I feel I know here but we have not met in person.
    It is good to hear of their journeys and this enriches mine.
    They say one written request or voice represents many who did not write but thought the same or had the same experience.
    Blessings to you for enriching our lives and those of people the world over. Sometimes I think books should be reprinted and re promoted as time goes on because life brings similar challenges over and over but too a often to a different group.


    Hi Ann,
    This devotional really struck me powerfully because I have had similar experiences, even with some of the contributors asking my permission to copy them and use them in correctional institutions where they go to minister.
    I have also had books published, written with the sole purpose of reaching others with His message, thus bringing glory to Him.
    When they arrived at my door, the first thing I did was dedicate them to God and asked Him to direct them to the people he wanted to receive them.
    The word is such a powerful tool when touched by the hand of God.
    How thrilling it is to use a talent one has been given to bless others.
    God bless you as you continue to share His devotionals.


    Hi Anne, We always love seeing your writings. We still get the daily devotional via e-mail.
    God Bless.


    Anne, I am always blessed by your books and your devotionals. You have been blessed with a gift of writing and encouragement and you are using this gift to glorify our God. Blessings to you and Bill.


    Dear Anne,
    Yep, if we seek first the Kingdom all else follows. Sometimes we will never know the influence we may have had on others due to the influence of the Holy Spirit on us and them.
    Keep writing and seeking His purposes.
    Blessings.


    Thank you for your message Anne, which I find encouraging for my own ministry.
    I believe Father has further plans and I am trying to recognize His leading.
    I have received prophesy that “these hands” will cover the Earth. No idea how this could happen, or what form it would take, but if it is our Lord’s plan, I need discernment.
    Many Blessings in your faithful ministry.

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