on August 2, 2012
Luke 4:16-21 – He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."
This occasion finds Jesus back in His hometown. There in the synagogue, on the Sabbath day, He stood up and read a prophecy about Himself from Isaiah. This prophetic word identified the anointed presence of God’s Spirit upon His Chosen Vessel. The fulfillment of this prophecy provided significant evidence for His origin. Jesus personalized this passage by declaring that an evidence of the Spirit of God upon Him was the anointing to preach good news to the poor. The poor are those who are in a state of need – socially, spiritually, emotionally, financially or relationally. Their own efforts and resources have been inadequate to provide for these needs. These are the recipients of “GOD” news, and THAT news is GOOD NEWS! That is, the God of the universe has not forgotten us. We are precious to Him and He is acting on our behalf! The richest treasures of heaven are made available to those who will receive them!
This good news is especially directed to the prisoners, the blind and the oppressed. The good news for the prisoners is the proclamation of freedom! The good news for the blind is the recovery of sight! And, the good news for the oppressed is release from oppression! All of this good news for these individuals is wrapped up in the grander announcement that proclaims the season of God’s favor! This is the season announced by the angels to the shepherds at Christ’s birth – the good news of great joy that will be for all the people! The angels sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.” – (Luke 2:14). Those on whom His favor would rest are those who received His Son and believed on His name – they were given the right to receive the special favor and inheritance of God’s own children! (John 2:12,13).
This Good News – this message of God’s love and His gift of eternal life to a fallen, needy world, is still transforming lives today! Those poor among us who are prisoners of sin and Satan, fear and failure, abuse and tyranny, legalism and self-righteousness, or whatever other bondage and poverty of soul there may be, can still discover the power of God’s love and be set free, given sight and released from all oppression! While His Spirit continues to strive with man, it is still the season of God’s favor! “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news…" – Isaiah 52:7
Thursday:
- Meet together with at least 1 or 2 other believers to enter the Throne Room of Grace.
- Join our 6:00pm Thursday night prayer team.
Friday:
- Thank God for His love for the poor, the helpless, the imprisoned, the blind and the oppressed!
- Pray for the Good News families of the week: Dave & Sarah George (Nathanael, Rachael), Jonathan & Suzan George (Hannah, Abby, Jacob, Samuel), Matt & Megan George (Nicole).
Saturday:
- Praise God providing us with a choice other than one that leads to destruction.
Sunday:
- Thank God that, through Christ Jesus, we may experience the life that is eternal!
Monday:
- Celebrate the season of God’s favor! Give thanks that He has not turned His back on humans!
- Attend “In Touch” Prayer meeting at GNCC at 10:30am or join in prayer at that time.
Tuesday:
- Pray that others may be released from the chains that prohibit them from choosing any other way.
Wednesday:
- Pray that the power of the Spirit will anoint many in our day to preach Good News to the poor, so they too may experience freedom, wholeness and abundant life through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Prayer Challenge: “If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs… Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.” Deuteronomy 15:7,8,10,11.