Have You Heard the Good News?

Matthew 11:5

The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

I have been thinking a lot about religious differences lately. It seems to me that there is only one religion that is based on some kind of good news. We all may know the word “gospel” actually means good news, but have we every really stopped to think about what that means deep down?

Well, the word gospel comes from the Greek word euaggelizō which means; to bring good news or glad tidings, but it also has with it this deep feeling of joy; unspeakable joy! I think that is what we have lost sight of in the culture of our day. That this news is so joyfully good! And it is just that; news. It is not a set of regulations or something to be accomplished, but something that in history has been accomplished for us. Does that make sense?

Tim Keller puts it so well in his new book “King’s Cross” when he says, “Right there you can see the difference between Christianity and all other religions, including no religion. The essence of other religions is advice; Christianity is essentially news. Other religions say, “This is what you now have to do in order to connect to God forever; this is how you have to live in order to earn your way to God.” But the gospel says, “This is what has been done in history. This is how Jesus lived and died to earn the way to God for you.” Christianity is completely different. It’s joyful news.”

It truly is such joyful news that as one comes to hear it, to believe and accept it, it is truly life changing. And out of that joy you want to be around others who believe, you want to learn more and more, you want to help and love others, you want to share the good news with a world so desperate for good news.

And in case you were wondering; just what is that good news? The good news is that we have a true Lord, Savior and King in Jesus; that we have a King that loves us so much he was willing to sacrifice all to restore our relationship with God. He sacrificed all so that our self-centered, broken, greedy, non-caring (I could go on, but you get the point) hearts are forgiven and transformed. We have a king that loves us no matter how unlovable we are, no matter our past, no matter what; and that is truly amazing grace!

So my friends may we all be spiritually raised up, able to see; to walk, to be cleansed in the joyful good news of Jesus Christ! Amen.

Grace and Peace!

Trouble

I really enjoy the music of Ray LaMontagne; his sound is a bluesy, soulful, raspy sound, one that is just right up my alley. All you have probably heard his song “Trouble”. It was a hit and has been used on one of the major insurance carrier’s commercials.

One of the first lines says; “Trouble been doggin' my soul since the day I was born.” I really think that is so true of life for all of us at least to some degree. However, some seem to think that a faithful and loving relationship with Christ should prevent this trouble. You know, I just don’t see that anywhere in the Bible. I see there may be trouble even for believers.

Tullian Tchividjian discusses this in his book, "Do I Know God”. He is discussing the promises of God and states; “Too many people fall into the trap of believing that God is some kind of cosmic genie in a bottle. Or we expect that He owes us something whenever we do something good for Him… I have found myself many times accusing God of breaking promises He never made. The truth is, God never promised to deliver us from affliction here and now, even if we are really good."

Tullian points to Psalm 46:1; God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

He points out that God is there for us while we are IN trouble, not from trouble. So it seems to me that trouble may come, but as Christians we can rest assured that we have a refuge and strength through Christ whatever may come our way. You know that is so comforting to me. The next few verses of Psalm 46 provide even more assurance and it culminates for me in the first part of verse 7; The LORD Almighty is with us.

Isn’t it so amazing that no matter the issue in front of us, the concern, the worry, we have refuge, we have strength; the Lord Almighty is with us! Amen.

Grace and Peace!

Waiting Here For You

Recently, I was just so encouraged. I came across Psalm 27:14;

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

The feeling I got was just this expectant hope; a hope worth waiting for. My Study Bible says of this verse that we should look to Him with dependence and trust and when we do we are able to be strong, to be courageous, to take heart; no matter what!

There is a new song out (new to me anyway) sung by Christy Nockels (see video below) called “Waiting Here for You” and the lyrics remind us of all the Lord has done for us and as we come to grips with that we will “wait here for you with hands lifted high in praise.” That just sums it up so well!

Father, no matter what we will wait for you.

Father, no matter what we will be strong.

Father, no matter what we will take heart.

Father, we are waiting here for You with hands lifted high in praise. Amen and Amen.

Grace and Peace!