July 23

The Spirit of God, the Master, is on me because God anointed me. He sent me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners. God sent me to announce the year of his grace—a celebration of God’s destruction of our enemies—and to comfort all who mourn, To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes, Messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit. Rename them “Oaks of Righteousness” planted by God to display his glory”. Isaiah 61:1-7 (MSG)

What glorious good news is found in these powerful words of promise. For us personally, for Jesus has come to heal our broken hearts.  To release us from any captivity we may find ourselves in; places where we are held prisoner to things that own us, in all the ways that they do; and set us gloriously free!
 
He is our comfort, the One Who cares for our needs.  The Saviour Who can, and does, changes our circumstances from gloom and destruction, to hope. Holy Spirit is at work always, renewing our hearts and minds, and restoring our spirits too!
 
All of these things are Gpd’s gifts of love and something He will never cease to do. You can’t run out of, or overuse, His gifts of grace and the healing that is in His heart. Those tenderest of mercies will follow you your whole life through. He is looking for you even now, to bless you, and to help you. He is, and will always be, faithful to you.
 
Then, as the scripture declares, He anoints you—places the same ability that Jesus walks in to bring God’s Kingdom to bear—in the exact same weight and measure on you! Where there is heartbreak, you can bring hope. Where there is despair and sorrow, you can impart joy. Where sin has abounded, you can herald the good news that grace abounds even more! 
 
Dear heart, you are meant to be free, and in that freedom, to set others free as well. Receive all that is yours in abundance, from a well of healing and hope that will never run dry. Then dip your cup in that same well and see others receive this life-giving water too. 

Lift up your hands, beloved, exactly where you are, and let the Master anoint you now. Walk with Him always in the power of His transforming presence. He will lead, guide, and take all the time with you that you need; forever present, always patience, willing and eager to bring all good things to bear in your life, and to show you how to release His blessings to others in just the same way.

Prayer:

Jesus, thank You for the example You have set, and the way You lived always, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, in the fullness of the Father’s love.

You have said, Lord, that the same anointing that is upon You, is upon me as well. Lord, this seems too marvellous of a mystery for me to understand, but today Father, I receive this anointing into my life, to heal, to deliver, to restore and redeem, and I release that anointing to others as You would lead, so that they too can be free.

Oh, glorious God, how kind You are to give all that we need for life and godliness, and allow us to serve You by serving others in this way! Let the blessings flow, Lord, into my life now, and to all the generations, and beyond.
 
Let it be for Your glory Lord, for Your good pleasure, and Your praise!