This past week, I have been reflecting on the words of scripture
Luke 4:18-21
“The spirit of the lord has been given to me
for he has anointed me
He has sent me to bring
good news to the poor
TO proclaim liberty to
captives
And to the blind new
sight
to set the downtrodden
free
and to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour
He then rolled up the
scroll gave it back to the assistant and sat down. And to all eyes in the
synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to speak to them. This text is being
filled today even as you listen…
Acts 1:8
You will receive power
when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses
Jesus
was filled with the power of the holy spirit when he made this bold
proclamation about his purpose before all the people in the synagogue. In order
to realise what God’s purpose for our life is, we need the holy spirit. In Acts 1:8
the Holy Spirit was promised and then given and today like Christ, we now have received
the power of the holy spirit to be his witnesses.
Our
mission as spirit filled christian is to reveal God to others.
How
we may ask? It can start by telling them about the good news. We are not to shy
away from telling others about the saving power of Jesus Christ. Are there
people in your life that you know will benefit from knowing Christ? Why not get
to know them more and share the amazing knowledge that you have of the gospel
with them.
We
have the power to heal others through our words and by our actions. This could
include outreach programs, alms giving, pastoral work etc.
The
bible says that God’s word are spirit and life. When I read the words, “the text is being
fulfilled today as you listen”.
It
made me realise that the will of God for us is to have an abundant life here. A great
life is possible as long as we trust in God’s words for us his children. When we trust
God, even when things are not going as we or others think they should. We still
have the confidence in knowing that our father will work to perfect us and bring every
situation for the greater good of us and others.
The
words of scripture that stood out to me was “to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.
In
that statement, I see God’s promises of abundant kindness and grace for me this year. I
boldly claim these year as a year of favour. His ability to help me fulfil the
desires that he has put in my heart. One of the difficulties of trying to live
according to God’s will is that you face opposition, disbelief, your own inner
fears and doubt.
Despite
the challenges, I feel I am beginning to identify more with Christ. As much as
I would want to refuse any responsibility for my own personal reasons, I am
reminded that God will grant me the graces I need. God’s year of favour is my opportunity to take on
the challenges in order to grow in spirit and draw closer to him. I see it as
God’s way of reaching out to
others, through me if only I accept my cross and follow him so that in the end
he is glorified.
The
question, I put out to you now is; What context does the scripture apply to you
today? How is it being fulfilled in your life; Are you letting God work through
you?
Prayer
Lord we have received your Holy Spirit through our baptism,
through declaration of our faith and through the hearing of your word. Help us
to activate those gifts that we have received, in order that it may lead to the
salvation of our souls and those of others for that is your will.
Amen
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