The Spirit and Heart of Love

Isaiah 61:1b,2,3,7
"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me,
for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.
2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
3 To all who mourn he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.
7 Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor.
You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours."

These words were written by the prophet Isaiah foretelling One who would come to bring life, hope and healing to a world of broken people. People waited for hundreds of years before the arrival of the One who would be the fulfillment of the prophecy.

When Jesus Christ came, He read these words aloud, from a scroll, in a synagogue and told the people that this prophecy was being fulfilled that very day.

What He was telling them was that He was the One of whom the prophet spoke! He was the One whom the Lord had anointed! He was the One on whom the Spirit of the Lord had come! He was saying, “I am the One! I have the Spirit of the living God and I will live to reveal His incredible heart of love and life for you! It is the heart of the Spirit of the Lord to demonstrate His great love by bringing comfort, hope, freedom, favor, vindication, redemption, blessing, praise, strength, honor, prosperity, and everlasting joy to each one of you! I am filled with Him, with His Spirit and I will do what He wants to do for you with your best interests in mind - because He LOVES YOU!” So, Jesus’ life was marked by many acts of love and compassion resulting in the changing peoples’ existence.

The Spirit of the Lord is still alive and longing to live in each one of us, as He did in Jesus. His heart of love still beats to bless you! If you do not know Him, He would love to be invited into your heart and life so you can have the joy of knowing Him and experiencing the love, hope, joy, peace, freedom, redemption – life beyond your greatest imaginings – regardless of your circumstances!

If you do know Him, He is so ready to bless those around you by filling you with the same ability He gave to Jesus in order to bring His great love to those who are hurting. Ask Him to open the eyes of your heart and fill you with readiness to do whatever He would love to do. It’s amazing what a simple, genuine smile can do!