September 3, 2022 - Luke 4:18-19

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” Luke 4:18-19 NLT

Jesus, as you sat in the synagogue, reading this passage from Isaiah it confused and maddened the people there. They just saw you as an ordinary man that grew up down the street. They didn’t want to accept the truth. But Jesus you did just that. You came and proclaimed the Good News. You forgave sinners and set the captives free. You healed the sick and blind. You even raised the dead. You loved and accepted the outcasts and the unlovable. You were the perfect example for us to follow.

You have also called us to follow in your footsteps and do even greater works than you did while you were here on earth. The same Spirit of the Lord that was upon you is upon us. The Holy Spirit wants to work in us in the same manner or even in greater ways. Lord, I believe we are in a season where you want to pour your Spirit out in greater ways than we have ever seen before. It’s a season where you want to bring in the greatest harvest. You want to use us to show the world your mighty power. You have called us to live out this verse in the same way you lived it out. Help us rise to this. Work in us and transform us. Grow our wisdom, discernment, and faith. Teach us how to live a life that is grounded deeply in you and knows how to walk in the power and leading of your Spirit.

Help us move out of our comfort zones and be willing to lay aside anything that gets in the way of your purposes playing out in our lives. Help us surrender fully to your Lordship and walk in obedience to anything you ask of us. Help us do our part in leading the lost into knowing you. For you are worthy.

In Jesus name, amen.