Wednesday, March 10, 2004

Boldness

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.
Is. 61:1-3

Isaiah the prophet was pretty bold in his proclamation when he announced these words. i understand that this is the very word of God thru man, and yet a man of human nature like me said these words to a dark and hurting world.

just as isaiah said these words, so i could also. but why do i tremble when i read this bold statement? do i not believe this declaration? do i doubt that i have been annointed by the Living God to preach, to bind wounds, to proclaim freedom, to release captives and prisoners from the grip of hell? is my faith weak? that question is just ringing thru my mind this morning.

my boss, ed, is having a meeting as i type this with a gentleman who is seeking to know the Truth. this man's life seems to be falling asunder - his marriage, his company, his very life. so i'm praying for ed to be bold in his witness, just like Isaiah. to set this man free from the chains of sin and slavery to addictions. i know ed is powerless without the Spirit of God, so my prayer is that ed will be filled with Him as Christ manifests Himself thru ed. what a wonderful way to begin a day! testifying to the faith which ed lives on a daily basis.

Repairer of broken hearts,
i give You the glory for this opportunity for ed to witness to this man. Father, i pray for You to draw this man close to Your heart this morning. let his fears be stilled with Your love. Holy Spirit, fill the room where they are meeting. let Your love radiate thru their conversations. Jesus, let him see You clearly. let his heart accept Your forgiveness and love in a new way. let this man gain a new Best Friend. Jesus, i pray for Your power to draw this scared soul back into a loving relationship with You. may the words spoken continue to convince this man of Your gift of salvation. don't let him leave here unchanged. let her heart surrender to Your lordship. may Your blood, Jesus, flow over him, cleansing him from all unrighteousness. may You fill the brokenness he feels. my heart rejoices for the work being done this day.
in Jesus' Name ~ Amen!


*Robert *Robert *Robert

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