The Good News in a Bad-News World

"Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land."
Proverbs 25:25 (NIV)

This morning, as I was preparing breakfast for my family, I heard this news from the radio that the minimum fare on a jeepney here in the Philippines is now Php8.50 from last year's Php7.50 (which is already a pain in our pockets). Previous news about high inflation rate of 11.4 percent for the past 14 years, which already resulted higher cost of living, food and basic necessities. Also, some news of earthquake felt all over the Asian Region and here in the Philippines. Not only that, countless news about government corruption and anomalies and news of some evil doings of people (like bank robberies and a fetus found inside a basket by the church altar) everywhere! I asked myself, "Where are we going to?". As I opened my daily devotional book, "Today Can Be The Best Day Of Your Life" by Harold Sala, it made clear to me that these things, good or bad, happen for a reason, and that's why the Bible is called "The Good News" for even we are bombarded by lots of "Bad News" around us we can still rely with the "The Word of God" to quench our weary souls. Now, is it just a coincidence that I have read this entry today? Well, there is no coincidence with God, it's all carefully planned out!

Here, I share what is written on my devotional book under the date July 9:

A "BAD-NEWS" WORLD

"Good news gives health to the bones," wrote a wise man long ago (Proverbs 15:30). Yet, have you noticed how little real "good news" there is anymore? First - you probably awaken to the nerve-jarring buzz of an alarm clock. Getting dressed, you turn on the radio and hear about everything bad that has happened in the night. Pick up the morning newspaper and you get the local crime report. Watch television at the end of the day and you see the most recent war zone. Is there no good news anymore? It was not without reason that the writers of Scripture began to refer to the Gospel as "The Good News!" in a bad-news world.

It is good news because it tells you that God is concerned with your life! What a contrast to the reality of life today, which leaves you with the impression that there are few who care about what happens to you.

It is also good news in a bad-news world because the Bible says there is an end to the problems confronting our world. Reading the Bible's last chapter reveals that eventually the Prince of Peace will return to rule and reign. In the meatime, the peace of God can rule in my heart, no matter how much bad news confronts me every day.

The Bible is also good news in a bad-news world because it tells you that your life can be different. That is the best news of all. With God, there is forgiveness and help. You need not be a victim of failure and sin, or live in bondage to the hostilities that imprison. You can be a new person with a hope and a future.

Finally, it is very good news because the Bible says that God is in control. It says there is alimit to how far God will allow humanity to go and will eventually step in and say, "Gentlemen, That's enough." Try the Bible. It's the best news you will ever get.


Source: Today Can Be The Best Day Of Your Life (365 Guidelines for Daily Living) by Harold Sala

The Special Gift Of A Friend

"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 6:23 (NASB)

A friend of yours came to surprise you with a gift, what would you do? Will you reach down your pocket and take some bills to pay for the gift? Or you will accept the gift and thank your friend for the very nice surprise? Of course you will accept the gift and not pay for it because if you do, you are insulting your friend.

This is very similar with what God is offering you, a free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ! He's giving it to you and you cannot pay for it. Why? Because we are sinners, even if we're not born yet, we have the curse of sin from our forefathers, even from the first man and woman that walked the earth, hence, we are not perfect.

"...everyone has sinned and is far away from God's saving presence. But by the free gift of God's grace all are put right with Him through Christ Jesus, who sets them free. God offered Him, so that by His blood He should become the means by which people's sins are forgiven through their faith in Him. ..." - Romans 3:23-26 (TEV)

As it is said, we can only be worthy of the gift of eternal life if we believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to God. Eternal life means living in the presence of the Lord in heaven after your life on earth has ended. You cannot save yourself for you have to be perfect to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. That's why God solved this problem by giving His only Son to be our Savior.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." - John 3:16 (NASB)

If you die today, do you know where your soul will be? Wouldn't it be nice to know that even while you are still alive you may have the assurance that you will go to heaven after you die? God has already given you the answer, He is giving you His gift of eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ.

Now, do you want to accept this free gift that God is offering you?

First, you must believe (have faith) that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Son of God, and He is the only way to have eternal life. You must put your trust in Him totally, 100%, and accept that you cannot save yourself.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9 (NASB)

Second, you have to ask for forgiveness of all of your sins, old and new, hidden or exposed. We have to repent from doing anything that is not acceptable in the eyes of God. Repenting means to never go back, turning your back away from sin. And God will cleanse us from all of our sins.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1John 1:9 (NASB)

Third, invite Jesus Christ to come into your life as your Lord and your Savior, acknowledge that without Him you are nothing. He has given His life for you, died for your sins on the cross and rose again to prepare a place for you in heaven. Jesus Christ is waiting for you to accept Him into your life.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me." - Revelations 3:20 (NASB)

Now if you are sure that you want to accept this free gift that God is giving you, you can pray this prayer of acceptance, as heartfelt and as true, for this is the greatest gift that you will ever receive.

"Lord God. I come to You a sinner and I humbly repent of my sins. I believe that Jesus is Lord and I believe You raised Him from the dead. I ask that Jesus will come into my life and be my Lord and Savior. I receive Jesus to change and take control of my life that I may live for Him from this day forth and from now on. Thank You Lord Jesus for saving me and cleansing me with Your precious blood. In Jesus name, Amen."

If you have truly prayed this prayer and you truly believe that Jesus Christ is now inside your heart and you have received the gift of eternal life, you are now a child of God, forever!

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life." - John 6:47 (NASB)

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.." - John 1:12 (NASB)

Now, you must be watchful because the demon will attack your thoughts and will deceive you, it will try to persuade you that you are not yet saved. You must read the Bible to strengthen your faith. I recommend that you start with the Gospel of John. And if you can find a church that is teaching the Word of God using the Bible, you can join them to learn more and to give praises to the Lord, they can also help you strengthen more your faith in the Lord.

You may also send us your name, your address and your prayer requests so that we can pray for you. You may write to us or visit us here:

Imus Conservative Baptist Church
Sampaguita Village 1, Gen. Aguinaldo Highway, Imus
4103 Cavite
Philippines

WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD! May the Lord God bless you always!

Matthew 6:25-27 ( Do Not Worry)

Matthew 6:25-27

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life^[a]?

Footnotes:

[a] Matthew 6:27 - Or single cubit to his height

Source: http://www.biblegateway.com

Prayer:
Lord, God Almighty, thank you for providing us everything that we really need in our life, you were never late and you are always on time, Oh Lord, we praise you! Please help us to bear in our minds not to be worried about anything, for you are the living God, Jehovahjireh, who loves us so much and you are our Great Provider. We bless you, Lord, and we lift your name on high!
In Jesus' name, Amen.

@};-- @};-- @};--

Isaiah 30:19b-21 (God Will Bless His People)

Isaiah 30:19b-21

19b...The Lord is compassionate, and when you cry to Him for help, He will answer you.

20 The Lord will make you go through hard times, but He Himself will be there to teach you, and you will not have to search for Him anymore.

21 If you wander off the road to the right or the left, you will hear His voice behind you saying,"Here is the road. Follow it."


Source: Good News Bible (Today's English Version)


Prayer:
Lord, our God of comfort and hope, we thank you because you know us and you love us. We ask that you will give us the strength of faith in times of trouble and that we may one day gaze upon your face and live again where there is no sorrow and tears. To you be the honor and glory forever.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

Psalm 23 - My Granpa's Favorite

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

¹ The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

² He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

³ he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.

⁴ Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, ^[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

⁶ Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Footnotes:

Psalm 23:4 - Or through the darkest valley

Source: http://bibleresources.bible.com/


Personal Note: When my grandfather, Lolo Kabaw, was still alive, he would make us recite this psalm everyday. This was his favorite psalm from the Bible and this had been true in his life. I will never forget my beloved grandfather, because through him I learned more about the power of faith in Jesus Christ and the eternal love of God. And I know right now he's looking down upon me from heaven wearing his crown of eternal life.