SylviaAll of us will be walking in more of the Luke 4:18-19 ministry of Jesus as we go on with God.
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,

Because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set at liberty those who are oppressed;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."
Luke 4:18-19 NKJV

Jesus began his ministry on earth quoting from Isaiah 61:1-3. "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD ... has sent me ... 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."

Jesus defined his call and his eternal relationship with us when he quoted this passage in his first public sermon. He brings good news to us, binds up our broken heart, and comforts our mourning in our grief. These days may not feel like his goodness or his faithfulness, but his Word promises that dark clouds are under God's feet (Ps 18:9). He never stops inviting us near him to love, guide, deliver, heal, and comfort us. All we love is in his hands. He hears our prayers and our tears when there are no words. He counts them as liquid intercession, which is precious to him (Ps 56:8a). He is our Mighty Warrior and contends with those forces that contend with us (Isa 42:13; Ps 35:1).

Be blessed with a still heart, while God fights for you (Exo 14:14; Ps 46:10). Be blessed in his covenant of love that can never be taken from you (Rom 8:35,38-39; Ps. 18:19). Be blessed to know that everything is for his glory (2 Cor 4:15). He is being glorified in you.

God's promise is sure that he is able to guard what you have entrusted to him (2 Tim 1:12). Receive his covering of his sweet presence and peace that passes all understanding in all your cares. He never loses sight of whom he designed you uniquely to be and whom he designed those you love to be. His plans for you are written on the palm of the nail-pierced hands of his Son.
Be blessed to know him as your Father of compassion
and God of all comfort, who comforts you in all your cares.
2 Cor 1:3-4

Reflections to Consider

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Publications

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Music

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Audio & Video

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Favorites

  • Process +

      The finished diamond is one of the most beautiful and desirable gems. Read More
  • Not a Conscientious Objector +

    As we abide in him and he abides in us, we are receiving his life rather than creating our own Read More
  • Falling in Love With God +

    “falling in love with God,” as Boa’s subtitle for the facet explains. In this approach we attempt to enter into Read More
  • God's Dimension +

    We experience a great sense of the wonder, boldness, and overwhelming awe of God through our relationship with the Holy Read More
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Hidden Blessings

  • Praise as Warfare by Sylvia Gunter +

    Praise is adoration of God for who He is, His person, His character, His names. It is loving God because Read More
  • Followers First by Steve Tamayo, Chatham Community Church +

    What does it mean to be a Christian? Read More
  • Dallas Willard on Spiritual Formation +

    What does it mean to be a disciple, to follow the disciplines necessary to serve Jesus with our whole heart? Read More
  • Cultivating joy to proclaim the gospel +

    And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Mark 16:15 Read More
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