The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim 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, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
- Isaiah 61:1-3
Today is the first day of the Lenten Season, Ash Wednesday. Not all Christians observe Lent, and even fewer participate in the traditions of Ash Wednesday. But regardless let us take advantage of the reminder to have God search us and know our hearts and if there be in wickedness in us to forgive us and to lead in the way everlasting. It's important to take time and examine our lives and hearts, to test the our own spirits for the truth of God. But Ash Wednesday is a time to see our sin for what it is (death and destruction) and to be honest with ourselves about the areas where we need to do a better job of giving God control of our lives. Once that is done, it's time to get the focus of our self and back where it belongs.
Our sin and our best efforts brought failure, destruction and death. Nothing we can do can ever change that. And even been made new and clean by the grace of God we have continually dirtied up our clean slates, failed to maintain the righteousness bestowed on us and failed to even want to totally lay self will on the altar, never mind actually being able to do that. To stop in that place of powerlessness and examination of where we are and where we've been is hopelessness and despair. But we were never supposed to stay in that place. Once we understand that we need help, that we have failed and will continue to help, the Lord has always said come, look not at yourself but at Me. I have come to heal your brokenness, to set you free, to give you new life that can't be taken away, to make something beautiful out of the ashes of death and destruction of our lives.
Unshackled Life Ministries is grateful for every person that reads the daily Unshackled Moments and or listens to the messages. I want to thank those who have clicked "like" on something that blessed or ministered to them. It is encouraging to know that God is using this ministry to help and bless others. Please remember that if God used something from this ministry to help, encourage or bless you, it could also bless someone else. Would you help get the devotions to more people by sharing the Moments and messages that you read or listen to? Hitting the share button instead of or in addition to the like button will help us reach more people with the good news of freedom and the encouragement to live an Unshackled Life. Thank you and God bless.
t of despair.
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