Passage of the Day:
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. 16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”[f] 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. 21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked. 23 Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.’” 24 “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown, Luke 4:14-24.
Reflection:
I was introduced to Soul-Spirit Hurts in a Sunday School class more than a decade ago. This class studied the book Restoring the Foundations which has now evolved into a ministry. Whenever you endure wounds to your soul in the form of tragedy, unhealthy relationships or an ungodly upbringing, this pain sticks with you. Soul-Spirit Hurts are often the root cause for ungodly beliefs developed by Christians over the course of their lives. Until ungodly beliefs are exposed, Christians carry around these lies throughout life affecting how you see life, react to others as well as your attitude towards God. In today’s featured passage, Jesus knew that going back to his hometown wouldn’t change people’s beliefs who knew Him as a child. When you expect a certain action, behavior or response and don’t receive this, this failed expectation can conceive a Soul-Spirit Hurt.
Prayerful Action:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls,” Matthew 11:28-29.
Refreshing Your Soul:
Restoring the Foundations devotes an entire chapter to Soul-Spirit Hurts. Soul-Spirit Hurts can open the door to demonic oppression as the apostle Paul mentions in Ephesians 4:26-27. However, Soul-Spirit Hurts can also be a byproduct of sins of the father and or generational curses. Overcoming Soul-Spirit Hurts start with a spirit of confession, James 5:16. As Christians come to God with their hurts, you can lay all of your burdens at the feet of Jesus. Healing Soul-Spirit Hurts is a long process, but if you surrender yourself with like-minded believers, you can overcome Soul-Spirit Hurts.
Song of the Day:
Stuttering for more than 20 years from birth led to my major Soul-Spirit Hurt. One of the ungodly beliefs that I developed as a teenager is that I would never be able to fully express my thoughts or verbalize what was on my heart. Accountability partners, Bible Studies and prayer groups eventually led me to finally overcome stuttering. While I can’t promise complete healing for your own Soul-Spirit Hurt, lay down all of your burdens at the feet of Jesus.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 