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Listen while you read: "God Of Grace And God Of Glory"1 (Lyrics) |
The word "love" is used a lot these days. I've noticed young people saying, "Love you!" when they leave or part company. Love is expressed by total strangers, at times through cards or letters. So, I was wondering, what is "love"? Here is one of many definitions that I found in the dictionary: "Love is an intense feeling of affection and care towards another person."
Recently, I experienced an outpouring of love as I prepared for a major operation. PresbyCan published a couple of my devotionals about that in late December and early January, and the replies, listed below each devotional, were simply amazing! People wrote me from literally all over the world. I also put a request on the PrayerLine, to which hundreds responded. It was overwhelming, to say the least, as so many people expressed their love and prayers for both me and my wife, even though they don't know me other than through my writings. It was such a great comfort and a humbling experience. People mentioned that I was on their prayer chain and that I was being prayed for in their churches, and I thank them all.
At the end of January, Greta walked to the end of our street to get the mail. There was a parcel from Florida, USA, and it contained a teddy bear holding a heart with the word "Love" on it. On the back, there was a tag reading, "This bear has been loved and cared for by the congregation of Gulfport Presbyterian Church. It has heard the Word read, prayers prayed, songs of praise, and the sermon preached. Now it comes to you with the blessings of worship and love." It was love and prayer by total strangers — but brothers and sisters in Christ.
Love is to characterize our relationship with God, as well. Jesus told one of the scribes that this is the most important commandment:
Mark 12:29-31 – Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (NKJV)
But most of all, God's divine love for us was expressed when He sent His Son to die on the cross for all of us.
John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (NKJV)
The expression of love by so many was such a great comfort to us during difficult days. If you hear of or know someone who is struggling, please consider contacting them and telling them that you will pray for them. It will be appreciated. Believe me, I know!
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, we thank You for all the fine people who pray for each other during times of stress and difficulties. Most of all, we thank You for Your Son Jesus, Who came to comfort all of us who believe in Him. Amen.
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Thank you.
Lovely Joel.
Thanks for the encouragement, Joel.
And so it is as God Almighty has designed, blessings.
What a great devotional. Joel is another one of my favs!
Thank you for sharing. Glad to be part of this great journey we’re on.
Thanks for an encouraging word today, Joel.
Blessings and Health to you.
Yay for the Teddy Bear bearing the word from ALL of us who prayed for you and delight in reading your words today.
Hello Joel,
Thanks for another wonderful devotion. It must have been an amazing encouragement to receive so much mail. We continue to wonder how you are doing now.
Thank you for reminding us all of the power of prayer, Joel. I am realizing more and more each day that prayer is a tool given to us by God that we need to use more often. Blessings and good health to you and your family!
What a wonderful testimony of how God reaches out to bless us by using the faithfulness of people throughout the world! Thanks for sharing!
Blessings.
I love the devotions I receive each day from a good friend! They all touch my heart so much and really show me that there is really a lot of love to be shown to our loved ones, friends, and neighbors. Keep the love going and prayers going!
What a delightful gift from that congregation! We have a tradition of “Prayer Shawls” in our church, this could take us in a completely new direction!
Thanks for sharing!
(BC)
Dear Joel:
I’m glad to hear that so many people encouraged and loved you through your difficult time. I’m assuming that you are now doing well.
Blessings.
Hi Joel
Good to know you have had your surgery and on the way to recovery. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
Blessings
(On.)
Hi Joel,
Once again, a wonderful devotion. I will forward it to members of our congregation that have had you in their prayers during your surgery and recovery. I hope and pray that your reports continue to be positive.
Blessings.
Good morning, Joel,
I want you to know that the devotionals you write are a true blessing to me.
I hope your health is improving.
I introduced a few friends to the devotionals and we usually discuss them through email most days. Thanks so much for efforts that enable us to learn from your wisdom.
Greetings Joel and many thanks for another of your very thoughtful and most meaningful devotionals. Praying for someone’s situation is truly a way of showing love and care of that person as well as true faith in our Lord. It was very good news to hear that you were supported through an abundance of prayers when you were facing surgery and the comfort it gave you and your wife. What a sweet gesture that was about the teddy bear gift. The Lord sure works in so many inspiring ways. May you continue an ongoing recovery since your surgery. Blessings for these writings you submit.
Very much enjoy your devotionals. We must be about the same age, as I was six years old when the war started in 1940, and I read in one of your previous devotions that you were that age at that time.
The Lord has blessed me with good health, I am amazed that I am able to do the things that I still do.
Growing up, the 10 commandments were read every Sunday, often ending with “Love the Lord with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself ”
Wishing you the best of health.
Hello Joel~
What a beautiful experience of so much love and care!!!! Yes, it is amazing the outpouring of strangers in our time of need all because of the pure example we have to live by.
When my husband had his bypass, I could sense the prayers and God answered them also. I was thankful for them also because of being in a strange place, 5 minutes from the hospital he was in. He went into the hospital on my birthday, so other than waking up and having a coffee and small bite to eat with him on my birthday, I didn’t see him for 4 days. Just me and God!!!
Take care and God bless.
Good morning, Joel,
This is such a heartwarming devotional of how others helped you and Greta through a difficult time because you were able to open up about what you are going through. I know so many people who keep their struggles hidden and miss the support that I am sure would come their way. Why we humans do that, I do not know.
I really appreciate your sharing of the impact of all this love and prayers had on you. I really enjoyed the story of the teddy bear and that they just didn’t send you one, they had it as part of their church services, so it was filled with the Word, prayers, songs and sermons and love – what an inspiring idea.
May you continue to heal and share your wisdom with others as you have done for many years. Thank you. Blessings and prayers.
Joel,
Thank you for your special testimony of how prayer has made a difference, and how people have assured you of their prayers. I’m so thankful for answered prayer in your life and that you can give us assurance that prayer does make a difference. I have been so blessed with PresbyCan, and a 95-year-old lady got me started several years ago. It has been so good to send a quick word of encouragement and I cherish the messages that I have received back. I’m so grateful how I have come to know you and read your special messages on PresbyCan, and I have heard from others in other countries. I have been reading more prayer verses and Ephesians 6:18 has blessed me….”And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.’ (NIV). You are a great inspiration to challenge us to pray more and stay alert!
Jesus In the Lord’s Prayer exemplifies love for God and love for each other – In difficult days, the Lord’s Prayer brings comfort and hope.
Thank you for the devotional. It was a blessing and a prompting about showing love. I will try to show love in more outward ways in addition to my prayers.
Keep up the good work.
(New Brunswick)