“The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed.” Luke 4:18

In today’s blog let’s examine this scripture line by line:

1. “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me”.
   1. By this Jesus meant, I speak by divine appointment and am divinely inspired by God.
2. “He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor”.
   1. To evangelize them, to make that preaching effectual; to bring it, not only to their ears, but to their hearts, and deliver them from the bondage of this world. They are lost, separated from God and in need of a savior.
3. “He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted”.
   1. Broken by the calamities of this world, whose hearts are broken through a sense of their sins, who see themselves tied and bound with chains of evil and habits.
4. “To proclaim liberty to the captives”.
   1. The gospel is a proclamation of liberty, freedom, pardon, deliverance, forgiveness, and remission.
5. “And recovery of sight to the blind”
   1. This is spiritually, physically and mentally bound and blinded by the god of this world and I (Jesus) have come to restore their sight.
6. “To set at liberty those who are oppressed”
   1. (or bruised).

The word “bruised,” (oppressed) here, evidently has the same “general” signification as “brokenhearted” or the contrite. It means those who are “pressed down” by great calamity, or whose hearts are “pressed” or “bruised” by the consciousness of sin. To set them “at liberty” is the same as to free them from this pressure, or to give them consolation. (From Barnes’ Notes)

God sent Jesus to the Earth on a mission, which was impossible to fulfill by any other person. This mission to save people was only possible by the shedding of blood. It had to be blood that was pure and not contaminated like ours. Jesus became a man, ate like us, cried like we cry, had feelings like we have and “was touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

Jesus could not reach the world on His own; He would have to live in the flesh for thousands of years to complete this mission. So He called, appointed, anointed and strengthened US with the same anointing by the Holy Spirit, to carry out the Great Commission. Hallelujah!

As Jesus, was sent on a mission by our heavenly Father He says, in John 20:21 ”As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”

The First Time I Preached
On the 18 of July 1981 I was asked to preach my first message in the open air. I had been witnessing for over a year and shared my testimony briefly to several people. I had a message prepared on the trial and crucifixion of Christ. As I stepped forward to preach I was dumbfounded, the crowd stared at me and I stared back at them, after what seemed like minutes had gone by, which was only a few seconds, these words came bellowing out of my mouth.

“The same God that anointed Jesus of Nazareth anointed Peter Rahme to preach the gospel!”

I heard myself say that, but never planned to say it, nor ever had considered that I was anointed by the same God as Jesus was. Well praise God, after that message about seventy people were saved and this started me on the road of 27 years of sharing Jesus to many parts of the world. All glory to God. What I’m saying is if God could anoint me to share the gospel He certainly can anoint you! Here are some scriptures that prove this fact:

“Now, He who is constantly confirming us more firmly in our position in and union with Christ [in conforming us to His likeness] and who anointed us is God, who also placed His seal upon us and gave us the token payment guaranteeing the payment in full of our salvation.” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (Wuest)

The anointing comes from God the Father!

“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” Acts 10:38

In our text, Jesus was anointed by God, sent and obeyed the Father, He also went about doing good and healing all.

As you’ve read the scriptures in this devotional the Holy Spirit must have been been stirring up your heart and speaking to you about what you can do to share the gospel with those who need it. I encourage you to meditate on these scriptures more and consider what the Lord’s plan is for you. The Great Commission was given to all of us and the Lord will provide everything you need to fulfill the call on your life! It is our time now to step out in faith and take up our cross to follow in the Masters footsteps. Hallelujah!

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:58

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Evangelist Peter Rahme

Mark 4:35-40 
“On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” 39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

This week I’d like to share an experience we had many years ago. We had been invited to speak at a tent meeting in Mason City, Iowa for an early evening service, and at the beginning of the service, it was hardly raining and the weather was relatively calm. The praise and worship drew to a close and the pastor invited me up to the platform to minister.

A few minutes into my message the wind started to blow furiously through the tent and I heard the noise of the tent flaps getting louder and louder but I carried on preaching. It was like the Spirit of God began to direct my message concerning the storm we were about to be faced with. Before long the anointing was flowing through me like a river. The only way to explain what happened to me is that the gift of special faith began to operate through me.

By this time the tent was flapping violently in the raging wind – it seemed like the tent was about to take off. The music sheets flew around the platform, the trees decorating the platform blew over and the music stands were blown over on the platform. People began to panic and suddenly faith turned to fear. But under the strong anointing of the Holy Spirit I continued preaching that God wants us to go through the storms of life. Ushers hammered the tent pegs deeper into the ground as the wind blew raged through the tent.

After about an hour of preaching in those conditions the wind finally calmed down and everybody realized that a mighty work of God had taken place – then we really had church. People rejoiced and many were saved, filled with the Spirit and God was glorified. Hallelujah!

Later, we were told that two funnel clouds were seen passing over the tent but didn’t touch us. Sadly, just 10 miles away there was great destruction with several buildings being torn down and destroyed! I believe God had us go into town that night to specifically stand against the destructive force of Satan (Ephesians 2:2, Luke 10:19.)

If we don’t act in faith when we see disaster around us, Satan will have a field day and create havoc before our very eyes. It is so wonderful to be used by the Lord to stop the enemy’s plans for evil. We need to take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; and apply it with the authority and ability given us by Jesus (Luke 10:19.)

You never know when God wants to put you into a situation to deliver others from the claws of destruction so we have to be extra-sensitive to the voice of the Spirit and bold to obey His command. I encourage you this week to be alert and watchful in all things and look for an opportunity to turn a storm into a miracle. Praise God!

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Evangelist Peter Rahme

“For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14-15 (AMP)

This is such a vital subject which must be taught, shared and discussed in Christian circles.

Why is forgiveness so critical? Before we were saved we broke every one of God’s laws. The word of God declares in Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” If God first reached out to us while we were still sinners, rebellious and running from Him, then why shouldn’t we show mercy towards others as well now that we’ve been forgiven?

“For there will be no mercy to those who have shown no mercy. But if you have been merciful, then God’s mercy toward you will win out over his judgment against you.” James 2:13 (TLB)

This is a word of CAUTION for every believer in Christ
If we will not forgive and release someone for their sin against us and continue to hold them in bondage, Jesus said, “…neither will your heavenly Father forgive you of your trespasses.” It’s not that God doesn’t want to forgive – He has given us His word as a guideline and will not violate it. This is a word of caution but it is also a word of exhortation and encouragement to move on to higher heights in God.

Many times we cannot understand why things are not going right for us. We struggle through life and find that we cannot make ends meet, we leave job after job blaming our employer never realizing that the problem could very well lie within us and not always with someone else. We must be honest with ourselves, search our hearts and purpose to walk in forgiveness daily.

Obedience is better than sacrifice

“Samuel replied, ‘Has the Lord as much pleasure in your burnt offerings and sacrifices as in your obedience? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. He is much more interested in your listening to him than in your offering the fat of rams to him.” 1 Samuel 15:22 (TLB)

Obedience in the Strong’s Greek concordance is defined: to hear intelligently. We must be hearers and doers of the word of God so that we will grow in His grace and mercy. To hear the voice of the Lord God and to obey Him is far better than trying to rectify our mistakes and repent for them later. God is interested in our relationship with Him just as we are with our own children.

God cannot lie
Over two thousand years ago the Lord said “You must be born again.” (John 3:3) In the Old and New Testament the Word says whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Joel 2:32, acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13)

When we were lost without God and committed all kinds of sin, we thought life had no more to offer us but the problems and pressures that came upon all of us daily. But the moment we cried out to the Lord in desperation, He came and delivered us, forgave us, and set us free; this makes Him faithful to His word.

In the Amplified Bible Hebrews 1:3 says the Son of God is upholding, maintaining, guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. Therefore if God the Son should lie once, the whole universe will turn chaotic. This is unthinkable. You see, if He didn’t lie about our salvation, then He is not lying when He says, “if you do not forgive your brother neither will my heavenly Father forgive you”.

Many of us have failed to acknowledge this truth and are walking on a minefield daily. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

When we refuse to forgive others we hold them as well as ourselves in bondage.  Jesus said in John 20:23 “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”  22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven
times, but up to seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21-23

Think of someone you have had a fallout or disagreement with and go to them or give them a call and make right with them – you will begin to walk in a new realm of victory.

I pray that the importance of repentance and forgiveness will become a daily part of our lives as we learn and grow in the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and move to a greater and new height in Him.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Evangelist Peter Rahme