Beauty for Ashes

April 25th, 2021 - Looking at this morning's scripture reading, Isaiah is telling us that we have been given a 'crown of beauty, a garland for our ashes'.   Jesus claims this for His ministry.   There were many broken-hearted and lost people in Jesus's time as there are in our's - the ashes that Isaiah speaks of.   The 'garland for our ashes' is the anointing of the Holy Spirit that Christ left for us to not only help ourselves but also others.   If we attempt to reach the lost without the Holy Spirit, it becomes difficult to break down barriers that have been built by mistrust, betrayal, and hurt.  It is because we attempt to mend the broken using our own ways and not God's.   But through the Holy Spirit we can to heal these broken-hearted and wounded by giving them the same hope and faith that we've received through the love of Jesus Christ.   The Holy Spirit can heal the sick, yes.   But using it to heal the lost through sharing a future made brighter by a life surrendered to Christ is a lasting tribute to what He's done in our own lives. Isaiah 61:1-4