August 31, 2011
“…. he found the place where it was written, ‘God’s Spirit is on me; he’s chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor, Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, To set the burdened and battered free, to announce, “This is God’s year to act!”‘ Luke 4:18-20 The Message
Your identity was unrolled and read by Jesus a long time ago. It hasn’t changed and it never will. God’s Spirit is to be in you and “on” you. His life changes your life to “bear a strong family likeness to Jesus and freedom from everything unlike Him”. (Oswald Chambers) Your life is to ‘preach the Message of good news’. All kinds of poor hear this Message. There are poor in spirit .. poor in possessions .. poor in great wealth .. and poor in health. What is key is that it is your life that God sends to share .. pass along .. and preach this Message. God knows the heart of every prisoner. He remembers when you were one of them. God sees behind the lives of sightless men and women. He remembers when you were that way as well. You can’t set the burdened and battered free .. But God can and does everyday. And He loves using your life to set lives free. He also loves to set you free and meet you at the tenderest points of burdens and battered bruises inside of you. Jesus didn’t just unroll a scroll. He willingly allowed His life to become unrolled for you. When this happens your life becomes a witness of one heart — one minded grace .. claiming no ownership but sharing everything. You’re called “Church” for a reason .. a God reason. It only takes a moment …
“The whole congregation of believers was united as one — one heart, one mind! They didn’t even claim ownership of their own possessions No one said, “That’s mine; you can’t have it.” They shared everything. The apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Master Jesus, and grace was on all of them.” Acts 4:32-33 The Message
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to Grace on Grace on Grace Followers of Jesus. (ken@priorityone.org)
