Surprised by His Love

Have you ever noticed that there is something "infectious" about a group of teenagers? Their enthusiasm and zeal tend to influence everyone around them, young and old alike. If you were in any of the Tucson malls this summer, no doubt you witnessed this phenomenon first hand! The exuberance that our youth carry is indicative of their living for the moment and their faith in the future. God wants us to live in simple childlike faith, trusting Him one day at a time and free from worry about the future. It's in this place of childlike trust that we are often surprised by His love.

In July, we sent a group of youth and adults to Brazil on a short-term mission's trip. For most of them, this was their first time out of the US and on a mission's trip. The excitement and the energy of these young people was off the charts, infecting the Brazilians in a powerful way! Past the veneer of acting "cool" with their friends, were hearts full of God's compassion and love for people that were in need. What took place were moments of heaven coming to earth, surprising both our youth and those receiving ministry of God's love for them. Here are just a few of the many testimonies from our youth as they went beyond themselves to pray for the needs of others.

"A woman had a cataract on her right eye. We started praying for her, and after a few minutes I asked her if the eye was any better. She said that it was perfectly normal and that she would no longer need surgery! Gloria a Deus!"

"I was in a church and a woman came up for prayer. I prayed for God to open her eyes and show her more of His presence. She began to cry and sat down in her seat. The next day she explained to me that she had had a terrible skin disease for over a year. When she woke up that morning, her skin was completely cleared up! God is incredible!"

"A 63 year old man hurt his knee playing soccer two weeks ago. The interpreter was a young Christian, and I had him put his hands on the man's knee and pray for healing. The man had 50% pain leave and the interpreter was shocked and excited! I then said let's go for 100%! We prayed again and 100% of the pain left and he had complete movement back. That night, the young interpreter rededicated his life to the Lord because of what he saw and heard."

"One night God put on my heart that there was a woman who needed God's love. I saw myself hugging her and telling her this is what God's love feels like. When we began to minister and pray, a woman came to me. She told me she was broken hearted. I reminded her of God's love and that He would heal her. We prayed, asking God to fill her with His love and she began to cry as He healed her heart."

Jesus surprised both those receiving prayer and those praying by His love and power. You can receive His healing touch today, by responding in childlike faith. Be surprised by His love today!

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Bob Sawvelle is the Sr. Pastor at Tucson Area Christian Fellowship. He is married to Carolyn, and they have three daughters. He can be reached at 325-2045.

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