Word of the Day
Out of the fires of life come My directives. Out of the fire of refinement comes the word GO! He has anointed you to set the captives free (Isaiah 61:1). The anointing is in you—it is on you for this purpose. Have faith in Me. Have faith and know I will back up anything and everything I have promised you. I would never ask you to do something just to watch you try, all the while withholding MY power as you fail. How foolish this would be.
Would I say you can do all things in Christ who strengthens you, and then abandon you to do it in the arm of the flesh (Philippians 4:13)? NO! Would I say forget what is past and press on to your high calling in Christ Jesus and at the same time constantly remind you of all past inadequacies and failed attempts (Philippians 3:12-13)? NO! It shall never be, so make no excuses. Since I have not condemned you, why should you condemn your own self? Don’t! It isn’t worth all the time and effort you spend on doing so and plants wrong seeds in your heart.
The time has come for you to move out of all comfortable places. Don’t trust in your own ability or lack of. Either is dangerous and expresses some form of pride. The time has come to find the captives and set them free. You are qualified because I live in you. You are My handiwork (Ephesians 2:10). Knowing My mercies are new every morning, press on to victory. I am on your side regardless.
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” (Isaiah 61:1 NIV)
Prayer
Lord, with a heart of humble praise, I thank You for the fiery times of my life. Without them I would have never learned of Your faithfulness. These lessons enable me to share with an honest heart the power of Your name. Your anointing has been refined in me and is being refined each and every time I surrender to the burning bushes of Your presence.
I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me at all times. I am not alone, but endued with power from on high. I am the temple of the Living God. I press on no matter what to my high calling in Christ Jesus. I am not afraid and I make no excuses. There is no condemnation in Christ and I do not condemn myself. Instead I confess my sin and I am forgiven. I am cleansed of all unrighteousness. The Lord is my stronghold and I do not lean on the arm of the flesh nor do I cower in corners as one who is unworthy to claim the prize. He has made me worthy and I press on to the victory. I am on the side of the Lord and He is on mine. Amen
Reflect and Journal
- Have you ever felt He asked you to do something and then left you hanging? Take time to examine your heart in this and forgive Him for any perceived failures on His part.
- In turn, have you held on to unforgiveness toward your own self for not fulfilling something you told the Lord you would do? Simply ask for forgiveness and move on. He is waiting for you to do this so you can press on toward the prize of your high calling. Remember, there is no condemnation in Him.
- He gives you the desire to obey them and the ability to carry out the very desires He gave you. How does this perspective, this truth, change everything related to what He has called you to be and do? Selah