The Year of the Lord’s Favor

by Bryan Craig 

Day 2: Anointed to Proclaim Good News 

“The Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.”  Isaiah 61:1 

A few years ago, I was in downtown Tulsa, OK, where a ministry was feeding the homeless.  They gathered the homeless people for a brief Gospel message before handing out the sack lunches.  I was observing the scene when I saw two sharply, dressed businessmen walking down the sidewalk by the gathering.  One man was interestedly looking at what was going on, while the other man looked down and seemed very uncomfortable with the sight.  I found myself feeling compassion for the uncomfortable businessman as much or more than I felt for the homeless people.  The homeless may be poor in resources, but this man appeared poor in spirit.  That’s the kind of man I like to recruit to my discipleship groups.

As we abide in Christ, and His Spirit comes alive in us, Jesus promises in John 15 that we will bear Fruit. In my men's group, we talk about how this “fruit” comes in two forms—first, it is the Fruit of the Spirit, the very characteristics of Christ: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  The second fruit, however, that is produced is the “fruit of the harvest.”  God uses our lives to bring others to Him, teaching them how to abide in Christ, so they, too, can become disciples.  Let me tell you, after leading many men and women, this is GOOD NEWS to one who has been discouraged, empty, unfulfilled, searching, hurt, confused, addicted or just uninformed.

As we are faithful to continue making disciples, we are in partnership with the Holy Spirit because we are simply doing what Jesus told us to do.  We are sharing the Good News about Him and His desire for a relationship with us.  As Rocky Fleming, the founder of my ministry, mentioned in his Anointing devotional, God anoints obedience to His Word.  We are not all called to be “Preachers”, but we are ALL, as believers, called to Make Disciples.  If you have found an intimate, abiding relationship with Christ and have become a Disciple, are you telling others about it?  I believe you have a “calling” to do so and the power of the Holy Spirit with you as you do it.  Share the Good News!