I love recipes especially the ones that work well!  The last couple of weeks I have been tweaking a bread recipe and after 3 fallen loaves I got it right. Perfect bread and everyone loved it. I made sure to document all my changes for my son in law so he would have success as well!

Passing along the perfect recipe to others is one of my passions, especially when those recipes are for success in life. So naturally those scriptural formulas or recipes that make us successful are something I am always searching for. Recently I have been on a quest to walk more deeply in the supernatural, especially in the area of healing. My desire was to find a formula to follow to walk in divine health and bring healing, both emotional and physical, to others. I am also keenly aware that we are clearly commanded to teach, preach and heal the sick. I want to walk as He did.

Matthew 4:23

And He went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news (Gospel) of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every weakness and infirmity among the people.

I may not have found the perfect recipe but I am finding as I study a principle of compassion that is a continuous thread in the life of Christ. The principle of compassion, that release of the Father’s mercy was manifest in all Jesus did, when he was feeding the hungry, teaching, preaching or ministering healing. He was motivated by compassion and from that place power flowed out to others. I see this illustrated in the following verses:

Mark 6:34  (AMPC)

34 As Jesus landed, He saw a great crowd waiting, and He was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things.

 Matthew 15:32 (AMPC)

32 Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, I have pity and sympathy and am deeply moved for the crowd, because they have been with Me now three days and they have nothing [at all left] to eat; and I am not willing to send them away hungry, lest they faint or become exhausted on the way.

Matthew 14:14 (AMPC)

14 When He went ashore and saw a great throng of people, He had compassion (pity and deep sympathy) for them and cured their sick.

Mark 1:41 (AMPC)

41 And being moved with pity and sympathy, Jesus reached out His hand and touched him, and said to him, I am willing; be made clean!

We are commanded to clothe ourselves with this same compassion as we minister.

Colossians 3:12 (NASB)

12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and [a]patience;

The Lord reminded me of a meeting I attended a number of years ago where Heidi Baker was ministering. She had a powerful message and when the call to come down from the tiered seating for prayer the seats seemed to all empty into the isles. Consequently people just could not get down to the front. I was about two thirds of the way down and 3 seats in. When I looked behind me and saw all those needing prayer I just made my way to the isle and started praying for people. They thought I was part of the prayer team and their faith was activated. I have always been thankful for being used and thought it was simply an act of obedience that God honored. However I realize now that I was motivated out of compassion when I realized that  those people would probably never make it down to the prayer team, and from that place God’s power moved.

When I am coaching a mentee with problems and pain well beyond my ability to minister I just take us both to the throne room. Every single time we are amazed at what happens! God’s power and wisdom just begins to flow. Out of a place of compassion His love and healing power moves. I stand amazed. We often laugh out loud at the miraculous work done during those calls.

I have been praying these last weeks not only for greater ministry in healing but also in sharing the gospel, an area I have been rather weak in. The Lord is showing me that although I want a ready set of apologetics it is really His heart for the lost that I am in need of. If I love those that don’t know Him that love will provide all I need to share Jesus. I just need his eyes and heart and He will provide the opportunity and the words.

Each time we are called to minister, whether it is a word of encouragement, a prayer, sharing the gospel or laying on of hands for healing let it be done from a place of compassion, where the power of Jesus flows. It is His great love that provides all we need to teach others to walk in success, preach the good news to those who need of an introduction and bring God’s healing to those oppressed in body and spirit.

The same spirit that anointed the life of Jesus will anoint us to follow His lead.

Isaiah 61 New King James Version (NKJV)

The Good News of Salvation

61 “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to [a]heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
3 To [b]console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

 

All out of a heart of compassion.