Monday, September 17, 2012 -- Good News For The Poor

What are we doing when we invite individuals to leave behind certain lifestyles and embrace a new way?  What hope do we have to offer those who have struggled with dark thoughts and powerfully overwhelming emotions for a long time?  What do we have to say to those who have tried over and over again to stop a certain habit, only to fall victim to it again?  What about those who have left certain destructive habits behind only to find themselves adrift and lonely and not knowing what to do with today?

Jesus Christ has an answer and we will explore these questions based on His strong affirmation that He has a solution.  This is what Jesus said:  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”  (Luke 4:18-19 NLT)

Jesus says:  “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6 NLT) That’s a pretty strong statement from someone to all of us who are used to doing things our way and basing our hopes and dreams on our own experience. 

If we are experiencing life in any way that is not what we hoped it would be, then there is some way that we are doing things on our own and some way that we are not surrendering ourselves to Jesus.  God invites us to trust in many good things that He says are real when we face troubles.  We often feel sorry for ourselves and choose to believe lies instead of standing up for something and holding onto the truth until our circumstances line up with God’s word.  Here are some examples of promises God makes to us that we can hang onto and use to change our lives in positive way.

Instead of saying, “I can’t”, God tells me that, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)

Instead of complaining that I am weak and that what I have in my life is “too much” I can affirm the truth that “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”  (Psalm 27:1 NIV)  I will display strength and take action because I know God.

Why should I allow Satan supremacy over my life when God reminds us that: “God’s Spirit is in you and is more powerful than the one that is in the world.(1 John 4:4 CEV)

Instead of worrying and fretting about how things will work out, God tells us to “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT)

(Adapted from "Why Follow Jesus" - Life with God In Recovery) Copyright 2012 Partners in Hope Recovery Society