Journal 5-6-14

ISAIAH 61:1-4 – “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. To proclaim the year of the Lords favor and the day of vengeance of our God to comfort all who mourn. To grant to those who mourn in Zion – to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning. The garment of praise instead of a faint spirit, that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins. They shall raise up the former devastations. They shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.”

       I am not sure if you guys are reading this in the same manner as I am or not but He is calling us to be messengers for Him. Bringing good news to those who are bound by the things that bind us, and keep us from standing in the light, our own personal prison. My prison has been dope, sex, pride, selfishness, unfaithfulness, lying, cheating, and self-absorbancy. I believe that if you are reading this it is no accident. God wants you to stand like an oak and give witness about our Lord. It is our job to be “planters of the Lord” to glorify Him. “We shall build up ancient ruins, raise up former devastations, repair ruined cities and the devastations of former generations”.
       I don’t know if you are at home or in prison, if you are struggling or not. God needs us to help Him spread His good news. Tell people who are struggling in life what an amazing God we serve. Share with them your experiences, strengths, and hopes. I have developed a heart for people with issues in their life that keep them bound and struggling. I want to see all who struggle with life become free and learn what it is to be rescued by our Lord. I need your help. Together we can make a difference in our lives, in the lives of our children, friends, family, our communities and more. God provides a hope for me today. Something I have never had before.  It’s like medicine to my soul. I will admit that sometimes when I get lazy and don’t seek His face my relationship with Him begins to feel dry, but when I put an effort into knowing Him and being obedient to His word, He fills me with all the confidence and good feelings that I could ever want. It is well worth the investment. We all have a testimony that can give glory to our God. We should share it with people who need to hear it.

Prayer

Father God, I pray you give us a spirit that makes us strong and courageous, one that shows your power and love, one that will help us control ourselves and bring you honor and glory. Thank you Jesus for loving me and showing me what it means to be your friend.

Thoughts:
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And those words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house on your gates.”