Luke 4:15-20

Have you experienced the power of the Holy Spirit lately? Have you felt His presence and guidance in your life? Have you cried out to God asking that He send His Holy Spirit to you because you are in deep trouble and can't find your way? Does this verse below speak to you?

The Luke reading is first seen in the Old Testament book Isaiah 61:1 (NIV) 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... 

There are seasons in our lives when we find ourselves in bondage; a captive in need of release from pain and heartache. It is during this time we can call upon the Holy Spirit, begging Him to fill us with wisdom and hope; for hope is a specialty of the Holy Spirit.

When we find ourselves up against a wall, pinned to the pain of loss and brokenness, it is the Holy Spirit who will reveal a way out. One day everything is bleak and it seems as though there are no answers. We pray for help, submit to the One who has all the answers and then we close our eyes and sleep.

The morning will often bring peace and before you know what happened, answers will come. These answers may seem obvious and simple and we wonder why didn't I think of that? That is the power of the Spirit in our lives. Do you know what I am talking about, has this happened in your life?  Want to share with us?

Who is Jalen Watts-Jackson?

Life on Mission: Pray

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

 

If you Google “Jalen Watts-Jackson”, you will find pages upon pages of links. In case you don’t know, he is the Michigan State player who scored the improbable winning touchdown on a blocked punt with ten seconds left in the game against their in-state rival Michigan.

 

Immediately following the game there was a firestorm of social and traditional media activity showing the play. Since then, it has appeared on social media, You Tube, ABC’s Good Morning America, Fox News, local news and too many others to list. Word of this play, and Jalen Watts-Jackson, spread like wildfire.

 

In today’s passage, Paul wrote to the Thessalonians asking them: “Finally, dear brothers, as I come to the end of this letter, I ask you to pray for us. Pray first that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and triumph wherever it goes, winning converts everywhere as it did when it came to you.”

 

At the time, things were moving fast for Paul, so he asks the Thessalonians to pray for the rapid spread of the Gospel. Not just the spread of the Gospel, but the “rapid spread”. The same prayer can be requested for us today.

 

Consider Jalen Watts-Jackson for instance. He was injured during that final play last Saturday. He couldn’t even celebrate he was in so much pain. In fact, he both dislocated and broke his hip requiring season ending surgery the next day. His platform is sports and here is what he posted on Instagram following his surgery:

 

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Very bitter sweet end to my season. This morning I had surgery on my hip putting me out for the season. But if I got the chance I would do it all over again for my brothers. God has a plan for everyone and I will not question any obstacles I encounter on my journey”.

 

Your platform may not allow you to spread the Gospel nationally, but there are individuals that know you and will listen to you because of who you are; the kind of person you are; how you handle adversity; how you live your life; how you treat others.

 

The question then becomes, how will you handle your platform? Will you pray for the

rapid spread of the Gospel and act when opportunity knocks? The choice is yours.

 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%

20Thessalonians%203%3A1-5&version=NIV;TLB

https://www.biblegateway.com/audio/mclean/niv/2Thess.3.1-2Thess.3.5

 

 

 

 

 

Ready for a Jail Break?

What or who do you find yourself chained to today? Are you physically chained to a bed, a dialysis machine, an oxygen tank? Are you emotionally chained to a hurtful memory, a painful relationship, a grieving heart? There are times in our lives when we find we are bound to a life we did not choose for ourselves. When this happens it is necessary we also examine where our spiritual chains are are connected.

When trouble surrounds us, when pain overwhelms us, when life meets us face to face our spiritual chains need to be firmly attached to those who can pray for us. Life is dangerous, as Peter can testify. The scripture today reveals that James has been put to death and Peter is imprisoned, awaiting a trail. Peter is physically chained to his guards, but those chains will not stop God from moving.

Nothing and no one can stop the will of God. When God has a plan for you, for your life, not even being chained to two guards in a locked prison cell will contain you. When the people who love you are praying for your deliverance, God will move. Acts 12 is about the power of God; the power of prayer and why we can trust God with everything.

When I allow God to guide me, when I include God in my daily plans, my future looks bright. There are no chains that can hold me back.

Read Acts 12 here.