News

These days there is news everyday and it appears to be so discouraging most of the time.  We are constantly bombarded with news whether good or bad.  And we have a choice to listen to the news whether good or bad.

Our world is so overcome right now with news of this virus, news of economy woes, news of people losing their jobs and schools closing for the school year.  We hear everyday how we must continue to social distance and we have no idea when our normal world will be accessible again.  Bad news.  Not news any of us want or any of us like.

And then there is good news.  Oh how I can use some of that!!!  Do you realize that God gives us good news everyday if we just open our eyes to it.  God says, "Do Not Fear" 365 times in the Bible. Why?  Because friends, he wants us to not be afraid but to see the good news He can provide.  And God not only supplies us good news, He has a book all about it.  The Bible!  It is full of this good news that God wants us to see. 

And not only do we have God's Word full of good news, God has filled us with moments that He wants us to share with others so that they too will hear the good news.  Our personal faith walks, our testimonies are important for sharing and spreading the gospel.  And there is no better time than now to share that good news, your testimony with others.

Jesus has commanded us in Mark 16:15 HCSB, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation".  He has commissioned us to share the good news.  The good news that God is with us.  That God loves us.  That God wants us to be with Him through eternity.  And most importantly, that God forgives us. 

I saw a quote by Doris Greig, "Those who are not yet in the family of Christ  need us to be his hands, his feet, his eyes, his ears, and his voice to help them find God's love".  We need to share the good news that we have received with those around us.  Ok, so right now, we are kinda stuck in our homes but who can you reach out to?  Who needs a text or an email reminding them of God's love?  Who needs to hear some good news?

We can't afford to sit on the sidelines because Jesus is coming back soon.  The time to be bold and step out in faith is now.  I participate in Bible Study Fellowship and we just finished up our study on Paul and the Acts of the Apostles.  I love the story of Paul.  I love the redemption God gave him when he least expected it.  I love how through that one miraculous moment with God, Paul became on fire for the gospel.  We can all learn something from Paul.  Regardless of his circumstances, his suffering or his unfair judgments, he remained constant and faithful in his trust in God.

Don't waste these days and not share the good news.  Christ has died, Christ is risen and Christ IS coming back.  We all need to hear some good news.  Focus on the good that God provides each of us.  Turn off the news that stirs fear, creates chaos and anxiety and instead spend time with our God who brings you peace.  Share the good news.  Share your testimony.  Be bold and jump in with both feet.  God doesn't expect you to save the people you share with, that's His job.  But he does expect you to plant the seeds of the good news.  Plant the seed and God will do the harvesting.

Father, as we are living a new normal help us to see the news You want us to see.  News that You love us, forgive us and desire us to be with you in eternity.  Lord, I ask that You would stir each of us to be bold and step out in faith just as Paul did.  Help us to trust You and plant the seeds for You to grow.  You bring us good news Lord.  Thank You for the good news of the gospel that we do not need to fear but can sit in the peace You provide.  Amen.