The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners. Isaiah 61:1-2

“The Holy Spirit is the most influential mentor in your life. He is always willing to teach and guide you in all Truth.” Alisa Hope Wagner

 

  • Do you need answers for one or more of your children today? Open your Bible and be encouraged! There is One who can bring hope!
  • Read Isaiah 61. Highlight verses one through three, and if you like, read them out loud a second time.

Jesus came from heaven to earth with a mission to set captives free, and as “believing” mothers, we are to carry on this same assignment. Our very own children are brokenhearted, poor, blind, captives, and prisoners to themselves and other things. They mourn and grieve, and we need the Lord’s anointing to help break them free from chains that keep them bound.

I’m sure you agree, our children are our greatest and most important work!

As mothers, we often forget the powerful influence we hold in our hands every day. Our extensive and complex mothering mission comes from God Himself. Though it feels daunting, we know that when He gives us earthly and heavenly possessions, He fully trusts and equips us to steward them no matter how overwhelming it may seem. God specifically hand-picked our kids, so He most assuredly will treat us fairly. He will provide us with the exact tools we need to raise them for His purpose.

Raising healthy, wholesome children takes a lot of work and patience and can’t be done in our own strength. Our comfort lies in the truth that the Holy Spirit never leaves us alone in the journey, but instead, He stays fully engaged with us. He loves our children and wants them to be free and thriving—yes, even more than we do! The Holy Spirit offers us the ability to see and hear as He does. His answers always bring lasting change and deliverance from bondage. Our natural hearing and vision are not enough; they are seriously deficient because our flesh has no good thing to offer.

We cannot set our children free all by ourselves, because apart from God, we are broken, helpless, and weak. Without His help, the chains can never be broken. We need the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Bible says He will gladly give His Spirit to those who ask (look up and read Luke 11:13).

Many parenting self-help books offer “good” or “perfect” advice and formulas for our children’s problems, but nothing can ever take the place of the Holy Spirit in our parenting. The good news is we all, as believers, have access to Him. He is the best teacher and listener ever! However, we need to empty ourselves of our wrong thinking and let Him teach us. His voice becomes more familiar when we spend time with Him, getting to know Him better, and reading His Word.

In our parenting, it is often necessary to repent and ask God to change how we feel about our children. It can be difficult to see the root cause of our child’s sinful or bad behavior when we are in the middle of a crisis or problem. Yet God, by the Holy Spirit, can reveal the root cause when all we can see is their bad conduct.

Moms, our children change when we listen to the Holy Spirit—when we offer a timely word, a firm hand with grace and truth, a listening ear, an affectionate hug, a smile, a tender touch, compassion, a soft answer, and eyes that see. Jesus helps us do all of these things effectively!

The One who sees, knows, and understands all things will anoint us to do what He so beautifully does. Asking for His advice and surrendering to His way brings breakthrough. As we release the Spirit of Jesus (by obeying His voice), He anoints us in freeing our children to walk in and experience God’s love. Together we can change the world through our children!

Jesus brings beauty for ashes, gladness instead of mourning, and garments of praise in the place of despair—all through us! With Him, we are the best answer to our children’s problems.

With Love,

Mari Jo

Questions to Ponder

  • Do you believe there is hope for your child/children today and that Jesus holds the key to your problem?
  • Do you believe that the Spirit of Jesus in you can help set your child free?
  • Can you surrender your “wants” for His will?
  • Do you believe all things are possible and that Jesus cares?
  • Ask God to help you understand His truth about the answers to all of these questions. Ask Him to help replace any lies with His truth and to fill you with hope.

Faith-Filled Idea

Repent if you have any doubt in your heart that God can change your child. Ask Jesus for forgiveness if you have been going your own way or going to others for advice before going to Him. God is more than able, dear mama.

Workers 5

 

 

Mari Jo Mast
Latest posts by Mari Jo Mast (see all)

6 Comments on “The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me”

  1. Thank you for this. <3 Praying that I would be able to see my children's hearts and that God would reveal their roots to me. Lord help me be a good steward of these precious gidts. <3

  2. This article is very powerful! So often I try to parent in my own power, but end up overwhelmed and frustrated. I’m printing this article to read again when I’m struggling with my children.

  3. Than you for the reminder that a change in my child often starts with repentance and change in me.

    There are so many voices promoting (usually harsh) parenting formulas. It is so refreshing to find encouragement to parent with grace and to seek Jesus’ way above all others. <3

    1. Hello Brenda! Thanks so much for sharing your encouragement, I appreciate your input! Yes, sadly our own imperfections & sins often show up in our own children. Repentance is a gift! Yes, Jesus’ ways are fool proof! Blessings to you today!!

  4. This is so great Mari Jo! I love how you always encourage us to look to God and not to ourselves, circumstances or people. I love your faith! Thanks so much for sharing your heart!

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