Compassion was the heartbeat of Jesus’ ministry. God loves each individual soul. God has paid the price to bring us back to Him. That price that was paid was the life of His Son, Jesus. God loves us with an everlasting love. No matter how bad we may seem, God wants to help us.
The definition of COMPASSION is “a sympathetic consciousness of another’s distress together with a desire to alleviate it.”
God has compassion for you and for me. He doesn’t just feel sorry for us, but He also wants to see our distress alleviated. He really does care about every detail of our lives, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem to us.
There are some who have lived in the world so long they believe there is no way they could ever change. Some people have so many sins in their life they feel like they are beyond repair. Some even feel like God has no place for them in His kingdom.
These people have either never known God at all, or they feel like God has forgotten them. Some people are so ashamed and burdened with guilt because of the things that have happened in their lives, that they are too embarrassed or afraid to seek help.
Don’t ever underestimate the power of God. The work that Jesus accomplished upon the cross is far greater and infinitely more powerful than any sin man could ever commit.
It doesn’t matter how far a person has gotten away from God, God can restore that person. It doesn’t matter how guilty a person feels about their life, God can remove the guilt and replace it with peace. God wants to do it. Why? Because He is a God of Compassion.
Let’s look at the words of Jesus in Luke 7:41-43: “There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denary, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which one of them will love him more? Simon answered and said, I suppose the one whom he forgave more. And He said to him, you have rightly judged.”
So you see, God can turn any situation around. When it seems we are far from God, it just gives God that much more room to work in our lives. God loves us and He has compassion for us. He will take our past failures and defeats and turn them into victory, if we will let Him.
When God created us, He created each one of us with special talents and with a special job to do in His kingdom. But in order for us to use our talents, we must first allow Him to come into our lives and be our God.
However, some people are afraid to make the decision to be a Christian. Even though God has over and over again shown us His compassion and love, many are afraid to accept Jesus as their Savior.
Don’t ever be afraid to come to God. Isaiah 1:18 says that “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
If you are feeling a “tug” on the inside of you right now that means God has a hold on you. That’s not you doing that. It is the Spirit of God trying to draw you closer to Him. Jesus said “No one can come to Me unless the Father draws them.”
If you sense God trying to draw you closer, just stop whatever it is you are doing for a minute, and open your heart up to Him! Don’t be afraid. He is a God of Compassion.
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Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.