Matthew 8: 3 "And Jesus put forth his hand, and
touched him..."
I love to sing - such as my singing is, and hear Bill
Gaither's song: "He Touched Me." First of all let me say, "I thank God
for His healing touch in my life back in 1950 for salvation - for the
healing touch of back problems, and others through the
years." Gaither's song also brings back memories of people who have
touched my life. My wife and son's commitment to help me as a minister,
sure touched my life. I thank God for their love expressed in so many
ways in action.
As I write, in part this "Comfort Zone" I would like
for us to explore the idea of becoming a "Joy Giver" - I mean, really.
There are never enough "Joy Givers. "Joy Givers" are among the most
important, most helpful, most healing people in all of life.
I will never forget a day some thirty five years ago;
I visited a woman in the local hospital, a member of the church, who
blasted me from the time I entered, and was still at it when I left. She
had been in the hospital three days, and I had not visited her. I did not
know she was in the hospital - she, I guess thought I should have.
After a few minutes, I turned to her husband and asked if I might be
excused - he said yes, and I walked out. She later apologized. That day
she was a "Joy Giver."
Thank God for those who are called to be "Joy
Givers." Let me tell you about a lady - a "Joy Giver" who touched many
lives - a true story. Her name was ____, and she showed up at
the ____ church, not knowing why, except "I've learned over the years
that the Holy Spirit moves where and when and as He will." She was
saved - united with the church - became a very faithful Christian witness
- a "Joy Giver."
Not long after she was saved, she had a massive heart
attack - drifting back and forth - it seemed between life and death. She
did make a remarkable recovery, and threw herself into living as a
disciple of Jesus. _____ was first to give - first to help in mission
causes. Life, to her was a marvelous gift to her, and she took great joy
in sharing the gift with other.
Years passed, and _____ and husband retired and moved
to _____, but she kept in touch with her former pastor and family. One
day her son called - "Mom has just died." He was broken
hearted. We wept for the joy of her life; tears came from our eyes. In
the sadness of the moment, and in the midst of tears, the clouds suddenly
parted, and streams of sunlight broke through, and a brilliant rainbow of
many colors reached out from the clouds and stretched to the roof of the
house. And it struck me in a powerful way that - in death as well as life
- _____ was still doing her best, with God, to touch our lives with joy.
You know, there is a differance between happiness and
joy. Happiness is what happens when we are well. When you achieve some
success, or reach some goal, or acquire some desire. You feel happy.
But joy is different. Joy is a gift God gives to
those whose lives are out of sort. I challenge you to go the second mile,
to be a "Joy Giver" this Advent and Christmas season, and it will bless
you as others.
><))):> In
"HIS"
Service
Bro. Roy