Showing Favor - December 10, 2011
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Showing Favor
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, - Isaiah 61:1-2a
The Prophet Isaiah writes of the Suffering Servant who we now know as Jesus Christ, who comes to bring good news to the poor and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. This same Jesus did, indeed, come healing, freeing, binding up, raising from death and ultimately setting free all of humanity from sin, death and the power of the devil. Can there be any greater liberty than this?
Jesus proclaimed the year of the Lord’s favor and more than two thousand years later that favor continues to be visited on us…all of us. Why then are there still those who don’t know of this favor? Why are there still captive, imprisoned, brokenhearted and poor among us? Yes, sin and its effects still plague the human condition and perfection in relationship to God and each other is out of reach this side of heaven. However, especially at this time of year, the opportunity to show God’s favor is all around us. Listen to what Jesus says in John 14:12, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.”
Jesus has empowered us through his Holy Spirit to do even greater things than he. What excitement that should generate for you and me. We are invited to be fully involved in showing God’s favor to the sick, blind, lame, imprisoned, naked, brokenhearted, and captive among us. We live and move and have our being in Jesus Christ who has declared the Lord’s favor on us. And that favor is ours regardless of circumstance so that in all things we might experience the joy of Christ. May you seize every chance to show the favor of God to someone today. It has the power to set them free!
Prayer
Lord, thank you for your Son who has proclaimed your favor to me and all people. May I, likewise, share the great good news to those who are captive, sick, lame, poor, blind and lost so that they might live in the freedom won for all of us by Jesus, in whose name I pray, amen.
Jesus has empowered us through his Holy Spirit to do even greater things than He. What excitement that should generate for you and me. I don't think so!!!!! This is not a Biblical principal either.
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This is a section that teaches us about Praying in Jesus' Name.
Perhaps it is a matter of semantics. The Holman CSB translation has the verse as follows: "I assure you: The one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father." John 14:12
Verse 13-14 continues the emphasis where Jesus states: " Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in My name, I will do it."
So, the POWER is not from our sinful being, it is a power that is IN Christ. The SON is acting - we are his vehicle for the works to be seen by mankind today, in a living way. Not for our own personal glory, but that the Father is glorified.
Does that help clarify this principle for you?
See also Matt. 7:7-8; John 15:7-16
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Good morning Tim,
I start my day with my personal devotions around 6 am in the morning (old work habits die hard even in retirement). Several weeks ago, I had left my computer on over night and I decided to check my emails after devotions. I discovered your devos and now they have become a part of my morning devotional routine. THANKS.
Yours in the Peace and Joy of Christmas--Doug S.
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