The Year Of The Lord's Favor

The Spirit of the Sovereign
Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the
brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the
prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's
favor
and the day of vengeance of our
God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in
Zion-
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV Bible

To Be Known By God

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

You are being set free to be you. You can't truly be you apart from God. We live in darkness and deception. As God inhabits each part of us, we are lit up and can function in the way that we were meant to be. We were knit together in our mother's womb, and God is still at work within us. You cannot truly be you and what you are meant to be unless you are known by God.

I keep seeing a picture of someone intricately made and perfect, but they are living in darkness and not functioning. Then God begins inhabiting them, and they are filled with light. Each part was in place and ready to go. It was just waiting for the Father's touch. Then it truly comes to life and begins operating to its full potential. Each person is totally unique, and so they are amazed at what comes forth as they are being set free by God.

The Lord Will Guide You

"Now the day before Saul came, the Lord had revealed this to Samuel: And about this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him leader over my people Israel; He will deliver my people from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked upon my people, for their cry has reached me." 1 Samuel 9:15-16 NIV Bible

From Saul's perspective, he was just out looking for lost donkeys. He had learned about Samuel, the prophet, and had decided to go and ask him where to find the lost donkeys. That's it. No voice from heaven. He just felt like going to see Samuel. The truth was, that God had sent Saul to Samuel. I find this portion of scripture really encouraging. God promised to guide us continuously. He is always faithful to do just that. Approach this day with confidence. Your Lord will guide you. Let's see what adventure he sends you on today. Keep me posted.

God Is Your King

"But the people refused to listen to Samuel. No! they said. 'We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles." 1 Samuel 8:19-20 NIV Bible

We are called to be us, the one God handcrafted with awesome, unique features. We are made to live in freedom with God as our leader. It feels like if we blend in with society and follow humans and their systems we will have peace. In some form, it feels like it will be easy street. I know, because so many people say to me, "Just do it my system and you will get those perfect results. You will be wealthy, healthy, and everyone will look at you and be impressed." Don't listen. Look up to the God that loves you and has your best interest at heart. Look in his eyes and see the love there. He is your source of rest. He is your source of peace. He is your source of identity. He is the source of all you need.

You Are Chosen

"But you, O Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
you descendants of Abraham my friend,
I took you from the ends of the earth,
from the farthest corners I called you.
I said, 'You are my servant;
I have chosen you and not rejected you.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Isaiah 41:8-10 NIV Bible

Today, God would really emphasize our choseness. Society may reject us. We may even try to reject ourselves. We are not reject-able. I guess we are kind of like a non stick pan. Rejection cannot stick to us because we are not reject-able. We are wearing the armor of God's love. So, I would encourage you to live this truth. Be filled with joy because your Father in Heaven loves you. You are God's chosen one. Celebrate your choseness.

Apart From God We Can Do Nothing

God wants us to live life as his Beloved. I put on Beloved glasses. I am clothed in Beloved clothing. I eat Beloved food. I breathe Beloved air. I live in Beloved light. Life isn't so much about being good as being loved. When I am trying to be good it is based on my ability. When I live, knowing I am Beloved of God, then all of life is based on God's love. This reminds me of the scripture, "In Him we live and move and have our being." (Acts 7:28) Another is, "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." (Psalm 34:8)
I don't think God is going to give us courage for the whole day right now. It will come as we need it. He isn't going to give us a pill and send us on our way. He is going to hang out and give us grace for each situation. He doesn't want to just give us help. He wants to be our help. Apart from God we can do nothing. (John 15:5) We cannot live in the "I shoulds" or the "if onlys." We can only live in God. Then we have true life.

Beloved

"You are my Son, the Beloved; my favor rests on you." Matthew 3:17

It seems like all of us have lives filled with "if onlys." I know mine has been. If only this were different, then everything would be O.K. Sometimes that thing changes and, guess what? Another "if only" just pops up to take it's place. Remember my first blog? God told me that my purpose for existence is to be loved by him. You are his Beloved. This is your identity. This is the only "if only." No, all your trials won't go away if you live as his Beloved, but I guarantee that all of life will change for the better.

I think of yesterday's vision of Jesus leading me from joy to joy. I keep seeing it as stepping stones. Today, God is asking us to listen to the voices that say we are his Beloved. It is to be a little like a game. We are to pretend that every other voice is dangerous and we can "only" step on the stones of being God's Beloved.

Have a wonderful day, Beloved.