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Listen, Learn, Live the Way of the Lord
From Isaiah 61:1-4; 8-11: The LORD God's spirit is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim release for captives, and liberation for prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and a day of vindication for our God, to comfort all who mourn, to provide for Zion's mourners, to give them a crown in place of ashes, oil of joy in place of mourning, a mantle of praise in place of discouragement. They will be called Oaks of Righteousness, planted by the LORD to glorify himself. They will rebuild the ancient ruins; they will restore formerly deserted places; they will renew ruined cities, places deserted in generations past. I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and dishonesty. I will faithfully give them their wage, and make with them an enduring covenant. Their offspring will be known among the nations, and their descendants among the peoples. All who see them will recognize that they are a people blessed by the LORD. I surely rejoice in the LORD; my heart is joyful because of my God, because he has clothed me with clothes of victory, wrapped me in a robe of righteousness like a bridegroom in a priestly crown, and like a bride adorned in jewelry. As the earth puts out its growth, and as a garden grows its seeds, so the LORD God will grow righteousness and praise before all the nations.
The Lord Jesus stood up in worship one day and read this passage from the prophet Isaiah, and then He shocked those listening by saying that this scripture was fulfilled on that day. He was saying that the scripture was being fulfilled in Him, but those who knew Him were distracted by the fact He was the son of a carpenter. The truth is every time you and I read this and accept it and live it, the passage again is fulfilled. You and I have the awesome responsibility of sharing God's liberating truth: God's Spirit can be upon us, and we can be the bearers of the good news to the poor, to help the brokenhearted heal, to declare freedom to those held in captivities of all kinds; even freedom for those imprisoned in prisons with no locks. That is Good News.
I heard from a struggling small church last night that once a month they do a food pantry. People in that small town line up as early as 2 a.m. to make sure they receive a box of food. As this church has been doing this, the people they are helping have come to ask them for a Bible study. The sad thing is that those who help in the food distribution say they don't know how. Part of my message to them is that they do know how, for God is with them and will give them the words. Imagine how many of those lined up for physical food stand in need of the Good News? How many of those have hearts broken? How many are trapped deep in the clutches of a powerful, demonic vice? How many in the prisons of hatred, revenge, and anger? The need is there. The need is right around you as well. Open your mouth, for God has filled it with the words you can share to bring Good News to all.
PRAYER: Lord, Advent is a time of preparation for Your coming. It is also a time to remember You came a first time and left us with things to do until You return. Help us get busy. In Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Prayer Update: Alison Singleton's surgery went well, and we thank God. Thank you all for your prayers!
