God's spirit is on us for a reason!
the LORD has anointed me to preach
You are to take action to "preach," or to exhort, advocate and deliver publicly...
good news to the poor.
The GOOD NEWS is that with Christ, you are rich. Here's the goodies you get in HIM:
- Salvation
- Eternal Life
- Redemption / Forgiveness of Sins
- Holy Spirit
- New Life
He has sent me
Isaiah 61 is a prophetic verse that applies to Jesus Christ, but "even more things will we do" (___), and Bible verses like like this applies to you and I today.
God has sent you and me to preach the gospel to every living thing on earth. (___)
to bind up the brokenhearted,
The heart of man is the core of who we are; our foundation. A broken heart creates an insecure foundation on which to build life, thoughts, feelings and behaviors. If not healed, a broken heart can cause us to topple over. A broken heart is not stable, so it needs God's healing power to ensure safety.
God sends His healing "Balm of Gilead" (___) to our broken hearts. God, by His Spirit stops the bleeding, fills the weak spots and soothes the pain.
- Only when your heart is healed can you be all that God has called you to be.
- Only when you have a strong foundation (heart), can you get free from what ails you.
- Only when you take your broken heart to God will you get healed.
to proclaim freedom for the captives
We are a "clingy" people. Just like a baby that clings to its mother, we cling to the things and the people around us. We think these distractions will make us feel better, but in actuality, these things we cling to--and try to control--are killing us. Why? Because the earth and its contents are passing away. There is no substitute for the knowing your creator, savior and lover of your soul, Jesus Christ. Only He (the truth) remains the same today, yesterday, and forevermore.
When you understand that only Jesus Christ can fulfill you, you are no longer a captive to the things of earth which are passing away, but are free to experience the truth, the reality of God your creator and you can follow Him into your life's purpose.
Freedom comes when you face the reality that you are not your own. You are not in control. You are no longer a fool to the lies of the world.
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
Darkness is a foggy place where you aren't seeing the truth. Darkness occurs when we gloss over situations and delude ourselves into believing things are the way we want them to be. Darkness is walking in a world that's created out of our own fantasy, our own ideas of what's best for our lives. Walking in this darkness, is a prison because our own fantasies and unrealistic notions are nothing more than dignified hallucinations. The light of God, which is the truth shines down on us and illuminates His awe-inspiring creation.
Following Christ turns on the light and opens the prison walls built by our own hallucinations of how life is supposed to be.
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
Once we realize the love of the Father, the thoughts He has concerning us, the very plans He has for our lives, we understand that true blessing lies only in His will. His will is supreme regardless of whether it suits our carnal desires. His will is for us to be blessed overly and exceedingly more than we can ever ask or think. (___) Christ came that we may have life, and life more abundantly.
and the day of vengeance of our God,
Vengeance is mine, says the Lord. (__) When we come to God, He becomes our abba father, our mighty warrior, our protector. No longer do we have to fight and kick and scream to manuever this world and all it's circumstances. Once under the blood of Jesus, we are grafted into the vine (__) of Christ and we are part of the divine family of God. He fights our battles and our enemies will be in for a thumping.
to comfort all who mourn,
The word of God is a comfort to those who have an ear to hear what the spirit is saying. The acknowledgement of powerlessness and humility before the Savior King is a comfort because we are on the winning team.
and provide for those who grieve in Zion
God is a compassionate God who cares dearly for each of us that put our trust in Him. He is our fortress, (__) and our refuge (__). He will bring us many good things to substitute for the rotten things he takes away.
-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
The most basic emotional need of the heart is to know that we are loved. When you put your hope, faith and love into Jesus Christ, the supernatural love of God pours into your spirit and out of your belly flows "rivers of living water." (__) Suddenly you become a plus sign in life, giving hope, faith and love to all those around you. No matter what your circumstance, you have a crown as an heir to the throne of grace. (__)
Instead of being controlled by circumstances, our faces will be radiant with the knowledge of His unfailing love.
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
God supernaturally imparts a joy into the Spirit of His redeemed children that cannot be explained in words. This gladness is available to anyone who is willing to believe. This gladness gives one the power to praise instead of cry, to turn the other cheek, not shake the fist in anger. It is not natural for us to walk in joy and gladness, but with God all things are possible. (__)
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
Praise comes in all circumstances when you understand that the Lord God is sovereign. He is in control. We are merely sheep of His pasture. Once you face the reality of truth head on, you no longer need to control anything. Realizing that everything is beyond your control and that your life is in His hands, and that all things will work together for your good (__) is reason enough to praise in EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
An oak tree lives a long time and is seen as a sturdy, strong tree. It is not easily toppled in a storm.
a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
God blesses you with peace, love, joy and hope for all the world to see His magnificent glory.
