...as if their life was destroyed.  It could be the loss of a loved one, a divorce, a job loss, or some sin that has crept in to destroy them.

Isaiah 61:1-3 says, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;  To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."

Look at verse three again:  "To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes..."

No matter how bad things may seem to be in your life, we can all have hope because of Jesus Christ, the Anointed One who said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."  John 10:10b Jesus offers us hope, forgiveness, joy, and freedom all because of His Resurrection Power.  This means you can have a new life that is raised from the ashes.

God bless you, I look forward to seeing you in Church Sunday!

Pastor TJ Kroll