Touching It
As our culture and technology moves forward, ease of access to information has increased tremendously. More than ever
before, we can experience the viral video from across the globe, “live” with the new reality-show household, view pictures of
long “lost” friends, and text “tweets” from ten states away.
With all of this remote access to the lives and thoughts of others comes a price we ought not to ignore. If not circumspect,
we can lose touch with a vital part of our human existence and a critical part of our Christian experience – Touching It. We
are not referring to “losing touch with reality” or “being out of touch” as in communication. We are speaking of the direct,
personal contact with those who are important to us. From loved ones to the lost; from a hard copy of our vision statement,
to our most important “touch” with the Lord, the Word is clear and gives abundant proofs of the importance of touching it.
“Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for
them of my Father which is in heaven.” [Matthew 18:19 (KJV)]
Clinically, is has been shown that when people come into physical contact with an object, a subtle feeling of ownership is
established. When individuals contact another person, there is imparted, in varying degrees, trust. In parenthood it is
referred to as bonding. In marriage it is intimacy. In marketing it is used [or misused] to create the desire to posses.
However, for the Spirit-filled person in Christ, a touch from God is the intimate experience of The Anointing. This touch
manifests God’s power for healing - spirit [divine relations], soul [mind and emotions] and body [physical well-being
including prosperity]. “Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened
me,” [Daniel 10:18 (KJV)]
This Anointed “touch” from God is pure and it is free, by grace, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Our faith is what
pleases or “touches” God. “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be
found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.”
Hebrews 11:5 (NIV)] The mutual touch of God with man, is intimacy between the Creator and His creation. Much more than
that, this spiritual touching is the adopted, redeemed child [us] experiencing intimacy with his or her loving Father.
“Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." [Galatians 4:6
(NIV)]
Touching It with regard to other people takes on many names, koinonia [Greek: fellowship], community, relationship – to
name a few. Whatever the name, the same thread of personal, heartfelt contact is at the center of each interaction . . . or at
least it should be. We are to reach into the lives of others, and likewise be available to be reached. Understanding that
Touching It cannot be effective if it is required, mandated, or written into a company policy; we can only seek the Lord for the
inspiration and motivation to reach out to others. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
compassion and the God of all comfort” [2 Corinthians 1:3 (NIV)]
The price to pay is a challenge to our comfort level, but the price we pay without Touching It, will reduce our efforts to nothing
more than a social program; one that only bandages the problem but never solves the condition. In biblical times, lepers
were “cared for” in isolated colonies; people brought food and old clothing, BUT Jesus touched the leper, healing and
cleansing him. “And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy
was cleansed.” [Matthew 8:3 (King James Version)] He allowed the woman with the issue of blood to touch Him and virtue
went forth to heal. “And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and
touched the hem of his garment” [Matthew 9:20 (King James Version)] We are to touch those who are impoverished,
hurting, sick, and/or depressed and comfort the brokenhearted.
We [as a ministry and as ministers] are limiting some of our viral connections that had the appearance of being involved,
but lacked the “touch” God desires us to have with our partners lives. Yes, it requires more dedication and time to visit
instead of call, to call instead of email, email instead of blog – but you are worth it. The Lord would have us to be relevant to
40o, rather than superficially impressive to 40,000 people.
In Christ,
Gregory and Linda Emler
As our culture and technology moves forward, ease of access to information has increased tremendously. More than ever
before, we can experience the viral video from across the globe, “live” with the new reality-show household, view pictures of
long “lost” friends, and text “tweets” from ten states away.
With all of this remote access to the lives and thoughts of others comes a price we ought not to ignore. If not circumspect,
we can lose touch with a vital part of our human existence and a critical part of our Christian experience – Touching It. We
are not referring to “losing touch with reality” or “being out of touch” as in communication. We are speaking of the direct,
personal contact with those who are important to us. From loved ones to the lost; from a hard copy of our vision statement,
to our most important “touch” with the Lord, the Word is clear and gives abundant proofs of the importance of touching it.
“Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for
them of my Father which is in heaven.” [Matthew 18:19 (KJV)]
Clinically, is has been shown that when people come into physical contact with an object, a subtle feeling of ownership is
established. When individuals contact another person, there is imparted, in varying degrees, trust. In parenthood it is
referred to as bonding. In marriage it is intimacy. In marketing it is used [or misused] to create the desire to posses.
However, for the Spirit-filled person in Christ, a touch from God is the intimate experience of The Anointing. This touch
manifests God’s power for healing - spirit [divine relations], soul [mind and emotions] and body [physical well-being
including prosperity]. “Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened
me,” [Daniel 10:18 (KJV)]
This Anointed “touch” from God is pure and it is free, by grace, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Our faith is what
pleases or “touches” God. “By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be
found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.”
Hebrews 11:5 (NIV)] The mutual touch of God with man, is intimacy between the Creator and His creation. Much more than
that, this spiritual touching is the adopted, redeemed child [us] experiencing intimacy with his or her loving Father.
“Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." [Galatians 4:6
(NIV)]
Touching It with regard to other people takes on many names, koinonia [Greek: fellowship], community, relationship – to
name a few. Whatever the name, the same thread of personal, heartfelt contact is at the center of each interaction . . . or at
least it should be. We are to reach into the lives of others, and likewise be available to be reached. Understanding that
Touching It cannot be effective if it is required, mandated, or written into a company policy; we can only seek the Lord for the
inspiration and motivation to reach out to others. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
compassion and the God of all comfort” [2 Corinthians 1:3 (NIV)]
The price to pay is a challenge to our comfort level, but the price we pay without Touching It, will reduce our efforts to nothing
more than a social program; one that only bandages the problem but never solves the condition. In biblical times, lepers
were “cared for” in isolated colonies; people brought food and old clothing, BUT Jesus touched the leper, healing and
cleansing him. “And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy
was cleansed.” [Matthew 8:3 (King James Version)] He allowed the woman with the issue of blood to touch Him and virtue
went forth to heal. “And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and
touched the hem of his garment” [Matthew 9:20 (King James Version)] We are to touch those who are impoverished,
hurting, sick, and/or depressed and comfort the brokenhearted.
We [as a ministry and as ministers] are limiting some of our viral connections that had the appearance of being involved,
but lacked the “touch” God desires us to have with our partners lives. Yes, it requires more dedication and time to visit
instead of call, to call instead of email, email instead of blog – but you are worth it. The Lord would have us to be relevant to
40o, rather than superficially impressive to 40,000 people.
In Christ,
Gregory and Linda Emler