There must be a constant, ever-present tender desire for the salvation of all. There are moments when you may not be conscious of this longing, but it springs up again instantly into consciousness as you mingle with people who do not know Christ. (Google image, Man speaking).
When you see beautiful children or youth, you long for them to grow up and live for Christ. When you see them already showing evidences of the hardening process of sin, you grieve and covet them for God.
When you see the unsaved enslaved by evil habits, you long to see Christ set them free. When you hear them blaspheme the name of Jesus, your heart bleeds and you long to bring them to our loving Christ. When you see those who evidence the presence of demonic power or control, you instantly yearn for Christ to set them free.
Love for souls is always a yearning love. The person who loves souls with Christ's agape love goes through life constantly yearning and praying brief prayers of holy longing for those about him.
There are also those sudden temporary, intense prayer burdens of yearning love which the Holy Spirit specially entrusts to those who live a life of hunger for souls.
Often this is because a particular person for whom God gives you a burden is facing a special temptation, despondency in his life, or is grievously defeated and in bondage to Satan.
The Holy Spirit so desires the salvation of this one that He pours His agape love into your heart at the very time of need and you sense an instant, heavy prayer burden.
You are blessed indeed if the Holy Spirit entrusts to you such a special prayer burden. Go instantly to prayer if at all possible. It may well be that after an hour or two of prevailing prayer or perhaps even a longer time of prayer and fasting God will break the bonds of sin and Satan and set the captive free.
At times God gives a long-term assignment and a continuing yearning love for a particular place or people. God can give such a holy burden to any pastor for the people of the community where God has placed him.
David Matheson, Scots evangelist, said of his ministry, "Never for many minutes was the thought of the conversion of souls out of my view. I have served the Lord for two and twenty years. I have sought to win souls. It has been my passion."
Dr. Oswald J. Smith of Toronto shared his love for souls in these excerpts from his diary: "Never will I be satisfied until God works in convicting power and men and women weep their way to the cross." "Oh that He would break me down and cause me to weep for the salvation of souls." "Oh, to burn out for God! All, all for Him. Jesus only! Souls! Souls! Souls! I am determined to be a winner of souls. God help me."
Oh, the irresistible power of Holy Spirit love and Holy Spirit-empowered prevailing intercession! This is our all-important need today. Each movement of the Spirit has different characteristics.
God has infinite love and infinite originality. The details will vary each time and place when God works in power and revival. But the basic principles are the same. Holy Spirit love and Holy Spirit-energized prayer are the secret and mighty preparation for Holy Spirit power and Holy Spirit harvest."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana. Creative reading style by Jean.
#31 Love for Souls is a Yearning Love
by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
(pp. 114-118) ZondervanPublishingHouse
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| (Google image) 5 reasons to pray |
Father, may we begin to understand how important it is for us to have a constant tender desire for the salvation of others.
Help us have Christ's agape love for them, yearning and praying brief or extended prayers for them to be set free from bondages that keep them enslaved to satan's lies.
The lost condition of their souls is important to You, for the Savior loves each of them. May the Holy Spirit energize our prayers in our attempts to reach them with a yearning love to help them be set free to live a life of hope now, and to live with Him for eternity.
We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Help us have Christ's agape love for them, yearning and praying brief or extended prayers for them to be set free from bondages that keep them enslaved to satan's lies.
The lost condition of their souls is important to You, for the Savior loves each of them. May the Holy Spirit energize our prayers in our attempts to reach them with a yearning love to help them be set free to live a life of hope now, and to live with Him for eternity.
We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
Today's Bible verses-
1 John 1:9 (KJV) "If we confess our sins, he is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness."
when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show
sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love
each other deeply with all your heart."
1 Peter 1:7 (KJV) "That the trial of your faith, being
much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though
it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour
and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ."
Today's quotes-
~ John Bevere- "Trials in this life will expose what is in your heart—whether the offense is toward God or others. Tests either make you bitter toward God and your peers or stronger. If you pass the test, your roots will shoot down deeper, stabilizing you and your future. If you fail, you become offended, which can lead to defilement with bitterness." (p. 100 in THE BAIT OF SATAN).~ Ron Hutchcraft- "He [Billy Graham]wanted for people what Jesus wants for us - a personal love relationship with the God who made us. Who paid the price for us on that cross. Across the country, around the world, he extended the invitation Jesus Himself extends - "Come to Me...and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). An invitation that millions point to as the beginning of being free...of being forgiven...of finally finding peace." (Check out this and more blog posts at Hutchcraft.com).
Today's question-
What stops a good relationship with God in prayer?
We'll find that it has a lot to do with how we handle problems we face. Our prayers are hindered seriously when we refuse to forgive others. Jesus is the only One who can change our bad attitudes and help us when we need to forgive others, as well as ourselves, if we're walking in a spirit of unforgiveness.
God wants us to read and hear His Word, to teach us how to live for His glory. As elect of God, we're to put on tender mercies and have love and compassion for one another. Only with Jesus' help can we do this!
What stops a good relationship with God in prayer?
We'll find that it has a lot to do with how we handle problems we face. Our prayers are hindered seriously when we refuse to forgive others. Jesus is the only One who can change our bad attitudes and help us when we need to forgive others, as well as ourselves, if we're walking in a spirit of unforgiveness.
God wants us to read and hear His Word, to teach us how to live for His glory. As elect of God, we're to put on tender mercies and have love and compassion for one another. Only with Jesus' help can we do this!
Today's special link-
Upcoming posts-
#32 Love for Souls is a Seeking Love
3/1st- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
30 of 60 Benefits of Praying in Tongues
3rd- Saturday's post by Jean Oathout
#33 You Have No Alternative but to Seek the Lost
6th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
#34 How to Seek the Lost Lovingly and Effectively
8th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
(Jean's published book)
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