influence.

Isaiah 61 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Year of the LORD’s Favor 

¹ The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,
   because the LORD has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
   he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
   and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
² to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor,
    and the day of vengeance of our God;
   to comfort all who mourn;
³to grant to those who mourn in Zion—
    to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
   the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness,
   the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.

What will people become when we walk out what he as ANOINTED and SENT us to do?

                OAKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

We’re not talking about little twigs here. . .

 

Before leaving for school each morning, we would have a quick time of prayer as a family.  I probably stood there, not really praying, but fretting about whatever stresses us out at age 12, but I will always cling tightly to my mom’s words:  “Help us to be a blessing to those around us.”  Who is in your realm of influence?  Do you see them as oaks of righteousness?  I echo Paul’s prayer:

“I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!”  (Ephesians 1 in the Message)