He Touched Me

Posted on Jun 14, 2022 in Devotional | Tags: forgiveness, God's love, God's mercy, healing, love, Matthew 8, mercy, salvation

He Touched Me

Matthew 8:1-4 – When he came down from the mountain, large crowds followed him. ²Right away a man with leprosy came up and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”³Reaching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying, “I am willing; be made clean.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. ⁴Then Jesus told him, “See that you don’t tell anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

Matthew 8:1-4 is a powerful story, for it is my own. I too heard of this Jesus, I too followed him and listened to his teachings, and I too knew I was sick and unable to be well save for his will in my life. Then Jesus did more and abundantly more for me than I was worthy of: he touched me.

He did not have to do that, for I was unclean. He gently caressed my soul and at that very moment, I was made clean. Not of my ability, but by submission to His. And like the leper, I too have desired to speak and tell of that experience since Jesus did touch me- and I have not been silent since.

Written by: Bill Crawford

June 2022

Jan '17

The Ministry Gifts

Posted on Jan 4, 2017 in Devotional, The Holy Spirit | Tags: administration, devotion, exhortation, gifts of the Spirit, giving, helps, Holy Spirit, mercy, ministry gifts, service

Jan '17

Romans 12:6-8 – Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

1 Corinthians 12:28 – And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.

Like the motivational gifts, God has provided the church ministry gifts for the edification of the body of Christ. The scripture references above from Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 list the six ministry gifts. They are service, exhortation, giving, administration, mercy, and helps. Let’s take a brief look at each of these and discover what they mean to the church.