I want to try something: in case you skimmed through today’s reading quickly, I’d like to prompt you to go back to read Isaiah 61 again. It’s okay; we all rush through at times. Maybe you’re tired and zoned out or your sweet kid asked you a question, and you didn’t quite finish it. But take a moment to see how beautiful and poetic this prophecy is. Jesus applied these very words to Himself, so we don’t want to miss them.
“He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives
and freedom to the prisoners.”
—Isaiah 61:1
Freedom. The whole story of the Bible reaches its climax in Jesus’s rescue mission to image bearers. Our souls were dead—imprisoned to sin, darkness, and deceit. My soul was dead. Yours, too, was dead. Our bondage to sin is broken the moment He opens our eyes and frees us. He requires nothing of us; we know that it is pure grace.
How often are we tempted to fall back into habits of self-righteousness? How often do we pile on guilt and shame that is not ours to bear? How often do we judge other sisters without seeing them as God sees them?
The apostle Paul keeps beating the drum of who Jesus Christ is. Whether to the Roman or Galatian Christians, he was adamant: Don’t forget. Don’t forget what He traded you for. His blood paid the bondage price to trade us from slaves of sin to slaves of righteousness, and He is the better Master.
Isaiah speaks of a crown of beauty instead of ashes, festive oil instead of mourning, and splendid clothes instead of despair (Isaiah 61:3). What does he trade in your life? Maybe you resonate with some of these blessings: Unshakeable peace instead of circumstantial anxiety, sanctifying victory over persistent sins, and worshipful thankfulness instead of guilt.
It’s interesting to me that Paul keeps using the enslavement metaphor. He explains that we are under bondage only to a new master (Romans 6:18). We are not our own. God made us, built us, and sees everything about us. Our bondage to God is freedom. He knows what makes for human flourishing and most importantly, how we can attain eternal life with Him.
I’m glad you savored Isaiah 61 again. It’s verses like this that prompts me afresh to long for our Lord’s second coming and revel in the freedom He has given us on this broken earth.
@Sharon JG- thank you for posting the update on your sister! I was thinking about her this morning and wanted to include you both in my post. Will continue praying for her!
@Lehua!! Wow!!! Praise God to see Him moving in your husband’s life. May God continue to “woo” Him as He has done for us.
@Lynne from Alabama- thank you for asking. We are doing okay :) She has been spending a lot of time with her boyfriend lately and not always home. I’m not a huge fan of him, nor are my other siblings in love with them dating… but it is nice to have some personal space when she’s not home. I’ve been trying to just remember God’s love and kindness to her when I see her. Thank you for asking. My counselor just had her baby boy. She emailed a picture! I’ve been struggling tbh, just spiritually frustrated sometimes. So I appreciate you asking and for your prayer :)
@Kristen- praise God He is trading your ashes for beauty ;) <3
TINA, thank you for sharing your testimony of how God stayed with you through the anger and grief. What a powerful testimony it is to say, “I never walk alone…He walks with me.” Praying for Gods peace to engulf you like a wave today.
KRISTINE LOUGHMAN – thank you for sharing that when you call out for help, you “know who will come to my rescue. I know I don’t have to fight alone.” That is so uplifting to me! Continuing to pray for healing from your plantar fasciitis. I have it, too, but don’t have to spend all day on my feet, like you. I have discovered some shoes that help me a lot…TheraFit. As long as I wear them all the time, the pain is less excruciating. But I have a bad habit of going barefoot at home, and I really feel the pain after a day of that. I’ll be praying for you as you report for the new school year.
SEARCHING – praying for Danica and her family.
MICHELLE PATRIE – I echo your desire for a better format for our comments so we can reply directly to each posting.
CHARLIE – praying for you and your family.
LYNN FROM ALABAMA – thank you so much for your prayers for all our requests. What a difference it makes in each person’s life to know we are being prayed for by name. As for next steps for me, I am currently taking physical therapy, hoping that better strength will result in better balance. And I’ll be seeing a neurologist on September 7 (first available appointment). I’m actually doing better since I had eye surgery, which has been a miracle and an answer from God.
MARI V – praying for positive results from your interview.
TRICIA C praying for a wonderful week of camp
SHARON, JERSEY GIRL – praying for your sisters living situation and for your nephew
CINDY HANNA – praying for Gods comfort and peace
TRACI GENDRON – praying for Gods comfort and peace, and for Him to carry you I your grief.
“We are not our own. God made us, built us, and sees everything about us. Our bondage to God is freedom. He knows what makes for human flourishing and most importantly, how we can attain eternal life with Him.”
How refreshing to see this along with the verses today and to remember that we belong to a GOOD God, He is STEADFAST, FAITHFUL, and He LOVES us dearly.
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Sisters, life has been so busy and I’ve been continuing studies on the Bible app with my mom and cousin. I wanted to CELEBRATE with you all on something I have been praying about and that you have been praying as well.
My husband and I attended one of our annual business/leadership conferences this past weekend and there’s an optional Sunday service. During the altar call, my husband stood up and I was so touched so I grabbed his hand. (I couldn’t stand since I had sprained my ankle a few days ago and was in a wheelchair.) Later last night we talked and he said he was a little out of it when the altar call took place but when he stood he didn’t fully realize what he was doing until after he stood, but that he saw how happy I was in grabbing his hand so he stayed standing. I believe it was his spirit stirring in him to stand up. We had a gentle discussion on it because I want him to accept Jesus for himself, not for me. Ladies, I am excited as God is telling me to believe and it will happen, my husband will be saved. Please pray that I continue to listen to Him as my husband and I continue to grow closer to God together and that the Holy Spirit uses me to speak to my husband about the journey, in love and grace, and without any pressure. Thank you. ❤️
No longer slaves to sin and death but slaves to righteousness and God! Hallelujah; praise God!
Reminds me of the song “no longer slaves” which is SO good and here are the beautiful lyrics!
You unravel me
With a melody
You surround me with a song
Of deliverance
From my enemies
‘Til all my fears are gone
I’m no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I’m no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
From my mother’s womb
You have chosen me
Love has called my name
I’ve been born again
Into Your family
Your blood flows through my veins
I’m no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I’m no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I’m no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I’m no longer a slave to fear
I am a child of God
I am surrounded
By the arms of the Father
I am surrounded
By songs of deliverance
We’ve been be liberated
From our bondage
We’re the sons and the daughters
Let us sing our freedom
Ooh, oooh
Ooh, oooh
Ooh, oooh
Ooh, oooh
You split the sea
So I could walk right through it
My fears are drowned in perfect love
You rescued me
So I could stand and say
I am a child of God
Galatians 5:1
**let us STAND FIRM in You. Don’t let us compromise and don’t let us become slaves or servants to anyone but You Lord!! Thank You Father. Amen!
Galatians 5:13-14
**Yes!! This!!! Amen!!!
Galatians 5:16-17
**YES!! Lord help us stay tapped and tuned into You!!! Let us follow Your lead and walk in Your Spirit!! Let us put ourselves to the side, and do only as you ask!! Nothing more, nothing less!! Amen.
Romans 6:15-23
**oh my gosh!! I LOVE how this reminds us that we are slaves to whom we obey!!! That right there keeps us in check!! Whom are we serving? I also love the reminder of produced fruit. We are either producing life or death… it’s our choice!! I am also reminded of fertile and infertile ground. Fertile ground takes work & sacrifice. It is tended, cared for and looked after.. it is soft, receptive, stable and ready!! Infertile ground doesn’t require work or sacrifice. It is forgotten, dry, wasted, untended and uncared for.. it is hard, depleted, unreceptive, and definitely not stable!! A pretty strong analogy forms when you stop and think about this in correlation with our lives and walks with God!! Are we tending to and cultivating a strong deep intimate relationship with God, or are we just hoping that something along the way sticks and takes root? Makes you think doesn’t it?! Help us Lord to cultivate uncompromised fertile ground for You, help us to be receptive to Your Truth, and to bear good & righteous fruit..so that others may see You through us!! We are Yours Father, set free from sin and enslaved to righteousness!! Thank You for helping & guiding us on this journey! To You be all the honor and glory forever! Amen.
@Sharon Jersey Girl – praying for your sister and her situation. Happy Monday ladies! Praying for all your prayer requests!
I am so blessed to be free from sin, grateful to have the love of the Father and Jesus Christ.