July 7, 2025

THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON HIM

Isaiah 61:1-4

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because of which He anointed Me. He sent Me to proclaim good news to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to preach liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind; to declare the acceptable year of the Lord, the day of recompense, and to comfort all who mourn; to give those who mourn in Zion glory instead of ashes, the oil of gladness to those who mourn; the garment of glory instead of a spirit of indifference. They shall be called generations of righteousness, the planting of the Lord for glory. They shall build the ancient deserts, raise up those formerly abandoned, and renew the desert cities that laid waste for generations.”

Encouraging Words

One of the items that has come up in the news feed lately is how the Christian Nationalist movement, which is being fed by the New Apostolic Reformation group, is that they are doing what they are doing with Donald Trump, the Republican party, and Project 2025, is to usher in the second coming of Christ. Wow! Do they have it all wrong. This passage is what Jesus read in the synagogue the day that He formally announced His first coming. He came to proclaim good news to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to preach liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind. He came to lay the foundation for His kingdom and the actions that we see from that list above are doing everything they can to destroy what He came for. Lord, have mercy! If we desire to be followers of Christ then we must be advocates of everything in this passage and living as His ambassadors. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy on those being abused and impacted by the actions of this county. Lord, have mercy on Your loved ones, Your creation.