Welcome News

 Welcome News

1 Thessalonians 3 ⁶ Now Timothy has come back, and he has brought us the welcome news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always think well of us and that you want to see us just as much as we want to see you. 

 

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“I heard you turned into a church guy” a friend said to me in a seemingly insulting way. It did not come as a surprise to me seeing how I was fresh out of a life that I felt was regretful. While convicting, I took this as welcome news because he had heard about my change of heart.

 

• I was known for the parties I threw.
• I decided to live for the LORD, so I stopped doing what I was doing.
• I did not know people were still watching me.

 

Timothy came back with “welcome news” about the faith of the Thessalonians. They had been persecuted, yet they stood firm in their faith. They wanted to see Paul and Silas but could not so they sent their well wishes.

 

My Observations

• Welcome news is a rare thing GOD wants me to spread.
• Encouraging news is something in short supply that GOD gest excited when I give it away.
• Good News is the message of JESUS saving me, and GOD loves when I spread it.

 

“No bad news” is what many people want, but cannot find. I mean, the news is full of devastation, corruption and fear. People can’t get enough of it. Somehow humans are drawn to “train wrecks” or car accidents. I don’t know if it is a feeling of superiority that make humans want to point out that something went wrong over there. BUT GOD wants welcome news.

 

HE wants me to focus on HIS strength, HOS power and HIS deliverance. GOD shows me people who have kept the faith and want me to do the same, even through trials. I am excited that I can bring welcome news about those who have kept the faith, especially you.

 

Challenge:

• What welcome news did Timothy bring?
• How did you feel when someone brought you good news about how someone was doing?
• Will you start bringing “welcome news” so GOD’s Good News can be heard today?

All the News

All the News

Colossians 4: ⁷ Our dear friend Tychicus, who is a faithful worker and fellow servant in the Lord's work, will give you all the news about me. ⁸ That is why I am sending him to you, in order to cheer you up by telling you how all of us are getting along. ⁹ With him goes Onesimus, that dear and faithful friend, who belongs to your group. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

 

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Blurting out “Didn’t we have a great time at the club last night?” seemed inappropriate in church, but that’s what the guy asked me. I was trying to live a double or triple life. One segment I appeared to be one way another segment I appeared a different way.

 

• I tried living a segmented life.
• I wanted to “have pleasure” and “have CHRIST” and “have money” even though sometimes they conflict with one another.
• I was embarrassed that one segment of my life was exposed to another.

 

Tychicus and Onesimus were dear friends of Paul. He mentions both in other letters in the highest regard. They observed his life and were witnesses to his actions in CHRIST. Paul had given up his life to follow CHRIST fully. To him, it was more profitable to follow the LORD.

 

My Observations

• My life was given to me by the LORD for HIS purpose.
• Any part of my life that I may be ashamed of will be exposed painfully or easily.
• GOD uses my life to be an example one way or another.

 

“All the news” is scary to me. I mean, it seems like a huge amount of pressure to be “good” when I am not. Only GOD is good and I could never live up to any expectation that others may place on me by following HIM. Fortunately GOD does not require “good” people to mention HIM.

 

GOD uses sinners like me to say “I am forgiven by JESUS for all my sins, past, present and future!” By believing in JESUS, I have hope. I can now bring hope to the hopeless. No matter how much I have messed up, GOD is there. I am glad “All the news” includes JESUS forgiving me.

 

Challenge

• What news do you think the writer is speaking about?
• Do you feel you do not measure up to other people or are not meeting the expectations of those who have given their life to the LORD?
• Will you let go of your life and place the burden of perfection on the only one who is, namely JESUS today?

Good News and Bad News

John 3: ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. ¹⁹ This is the verdict: light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. ²¹ But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

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“I got some good news and some bad news for you. Which would you like to hear first?” said the mechanic. These words were never really comforting because I did not want to hear any “bad news.” I said, don’t tell me the bad news. Months later my car broke down for good.

• When I hear bad news, I sometimes forget the good news.
• When I hear bad news, I sometimes lose hope.
• When I hear bad news, my mood changes to the point where I cannot give any good news.

JESUS explains one of the most famous verses of the Bible. HE talks about the Great News of HIS arrival as a human sent to die for the rescue all of humanity.  It truly is great news! But there is some bad news. Whoever does not believe in JESUS will be condemned forever.

• GOD wants me to believe that JESUS became a human, was murdered for me and was raised from the dead, showing all power.
• GOD wants me to not be afraid of HIM exposing my sin because HE has forgiven me.
• GOD wants me to live by the truth and come into the light so all my deeds can be put in front of HIM.

Choosing GOD is easy and extremely hard. I mean HE made it so easy to accept HIM and also easy to not accept HIM. I can choose to not believe in HIM or consequences or condemnation. BUT GOD has promised great things for accepting HIM and horrible things for rejecting HIM. This is the total gospel that I believe.

• Have you accepted the need for a savior?
• Will you reject GOD and believe in yourself or other human teaching?
• Will you surrender your life to CHRIST today and allow HIM to speak good news through you today?

Amazing News Told

Luke 2: ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

¹⁵ So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. ¹⁷ Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. ¹⁸ And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. ¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

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“I have to see this for myself” I said to the messenger. I was still in a bit of shock when they said, “Your name is posted, and you have made the Dean’s List.” Considering the semester before was a disaster, I was thoroughly surprised. I told everyone!

 

• When I have great news I want to tell everyone.
• When I have some awesome news I want to tell the world.
• When I have awesome news I want to sit everyone down and tell them what is going on with me.

Being chosen by GOD was one thing, but the shepherds had to go see the amazing news for themselves. They raced to the barn and saw GOD as a baby in the dirty feed trough, just as the angels said. They told everyone of this amazing event and excitement filled the town!

• GOD wants me to spread HIS amazing news.
• GOD wants me to ignite excitement throughout the land.
• GOD wants me to be excited about HIM enough to tell others about HIM.

What was missing from this passage was complaints about the sheep or ailments of the shepherds or the shepherds not having enough of whatever their fears dictated. It was all about JESUS coming as a human to save mankind. They were excited and so should I. GOD wants me to tell people about HIS amazing news!

• Are you stuck in complaint mode?
• Do you have blame on your mind?
• Can you remove your negative language and replace it with the great news about JESUS?

Making Announcements

Luke 2: ⁸ Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. ¹⁰ Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. ¹¹ For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

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“Ball return on 15” were the words everyone in the place could hear. I finally got my chance to get on the bowling alley’s sound system and tell everyone that a bowling ball was stuck on lane 15 and someone other than me was to go and rectify the situation. I felt cool!

• There were times when I wanted to be heard.
• There were times when I wanted everyone’s attention.
• There were times when I wanted to speak in a forum where everyone could hear me.

The angel appeared for the third time with a wonderful announcement. He went to the working class shepherds who were on duty watching over sheep. There the announcement was made that GOD, born as a child, would be found in a dirty feeding trough.

Though they were terrified, he announced that they should not be afraid, rather proclaim joy because THE SAVIOR had been born.

• GOD says to me “Go and tell everyone about MY SON.”
• GOD says to me “Proclaim the great news that salvation is for all people.”
• GOD says to me “Announce JESUS as the world’s only hope.”

Being heard by people is great when I have something important to say. GOD wants the message to be about HIM rather than pointing out how great “I” think I am. HE doesn’t want me to have a crowd rather HE deserves the crowd and sometimes HE uses words through me to announce HIS greatness.

• Do you wish to be heard?
• Are you upset at something and want to tell everyone about it?
• Can you tell everyone about the Great News about JESUS today?

Facing Something Big

Mark 14: ³² Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” ³³ And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. ³⁴ Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”

³⁵ He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. ³⁶ And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”

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“You are being let go” were the unfamiliar words I heard for the first time in my career. “What?!” was my first reaction. I had no idea what to do. Trying to resolve what went wrong was impossible as they handed me awards and accolades while I walked out the door.

• ·         There have been times in my life when I have had to face something big.
• ·         There have been times in my life when it seemed like nothing was going right.
• ·         There have been times in my life when I thought the world was going to end because I put so much into a single direction.

“MY soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even unto death”, Jesus says. HE was facing tremendous pressure and cried out in sorrow. “FATHER take this away from ME!” was HIS cry. Sometimes I feel the same.

• ·         GOD says to me “I have a greater plan than the pain you are going through.”
• ·         GOD says to me “I understand your pain because I went through tremendous pain for you.”
• ·         GOD says to me “Cry out to me when you feel any pain or sorrow and I promise to comfort you.”

JESUS does a strange thing in the middle of HIS pain and sorrow. HE doesn’t give up on HIS journey rather HE gives up HIS struggle with what HE was facing. “”Take this cup away from ME; nevertheless, not what I will, but what YOU will” was the release of trying to steer things in HIS direction. In other words “Take this, it is YOURS.”

JESUS was about to take on the blame for every sin and no other human could help HIM. Even HIS own FATHER would turn HIS back on JESUS for a moment, but not for eternity. There was no saving JESUS from death. I am glad HE understands when I am full of sorrow. HE comforts me.

• ·         Are you full of pain?
• ·         Did you just get some extremely bad news?
• ·         Can you cry out to GOD with a purpose so you can give your pain to HIM rather than holding onto it?

What’s the Good News

Mark 1: ¹⁴ After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ¹⁵ “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

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Waiting and waiting, I looked for a reply. When the phone rang I could sense something great was going to happen. I could hardly keep from hollering, but I was at work. I got the job and I was moving out of the city I wanted to leave!

• Getting “Good News” feels great.
• Getting “Good News” makes me want to shout with joy.
• Getting “Good News” is something I heed when I have heard a string of bad news.

An oppressive leader had just put the one ray of hope into prison and the people knew this usually meant death for the person. John was now in jail and those who were baptized by him were probably very nervous. JESUS came out and said “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

• JESUS wants me to repent of my sins and follow HIM.
• JESUS wants me to recognize the HE IS the Good News.
• JESUS wants me to seek HIM in the middle of all the difficulties of life.

When the oppressor was really putting pressure on people JESUS knew exactly what to say. HE spread a message of true hope and that hope was in HIM. HE wants me to do the same. Many people need hope right now, not just me. HE wants me to give hope to a hopeless world. HE wants me to give the world the Good News of JESUS CHRIST.

• Do you feel down?
• Do you feel low?
• Can you accept the Great News that JESUS cares about you, your current situation and your relationship with HIM?

The GOOD NEWS and the bad news

Revelation 10: ¹⁰ I took the little scroll from the angel’s hand and ate it. It tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, my stomach turned sour. ¹¹ Then I was told, “You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.”

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Nervously I stood and walked down the aisle of our church.  Something moved me to get up and accept what was being said about CHRIST. What a sweet moment! Little did I know, the message of CHRIST wouldn’t always be an easy one to swallow.

• The GOOD NEWS is CHRIST died for me and everyone; the bad news is not everyone will accept HIM.
• The GOOD NEWS is CHRIST paid the penalty of my sin and anyone who believes; the bad news is many who say they believe have not truly put JESUS above all.
• The GOOD NEWS is CHRIST made salvation available to me and anyone else; the bad news is people will try to force their way into heaven by doing good, acting religious or trying to avoid sin.

Heaven is truly a remarkable place that I look forward to seeing those who have died before me but the reality is, I will not see everyone I thought I would see. Quite frankly there will be some who will be surprised to see me in heaven!

• GOD wants me to spread the GREAT NEWS about HIS SON to all people.
• GOD wants me to spread the GREAT NEWS about HIS SON to every nation.
• GOD wants me to spread the GREAT NEWS about HIS SON to kings of many languages.

The bad news is there will be opposition to HIS message. There will be many obstacles to my belief and temptations to pull away from GOD. Sin will look easier than serving. BUT GOD’s will, will be done!

• Are you following GOD’s way or your own way?
• Do you believe you can be good enough to get in heaven or has JESUS died for your sins?
• Is your lifestyle pleasing to GOD or can you ask HIM to help you change it?
• Won’t you seek HIS face today?

Your Calling

Luke 1:

⁷⁶ And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
   for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
⁷⁷ to give his people the knowledge of salvation
   through the forgiveness of their sins,
⁷⁸ because of the tender mercy of our God,
   by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
⁷⁹ to shine on those living in darkness
   and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

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Confusion never comes from GOD. So when I ask, “What does GOD want from me?” it is clear I’m not listening to HIM.

• When I believed JESUS “was” and “is” GOD, HE wanted me to tell people about it.
• When I believed JESUS spoke with the FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT and convinced them that HE should become human, HE wanted me to tell people about it.
• When I believed JESUS volunteered to be murdered in order to save me, HE wanted me to tell people about it.

GOD wants everyone to know about HIS message of mercy, peace and forgiveness. I have to understand that I need mercy, peace and forgiveness in order to accept the mysterious facts HE presents in the Bible.

• If I don’t think I need to be saved then there is nothing to believe in.
• If I don’t believe there is a heaven or hell then there is nothing to believe in.
• If I don’t think there is a definitive right or wrong then there is nothing to believe in.
• If I don’t believe in demons, sin or a cursed Earth then there is nothing to believe in.

I do believe in all of the above and I also believe the Bible is very real and true to its words that time is extremely short. I can follow politics, movie stars and monetary dreams which amount to nothing or I can follow GOD and receive HIS peace.

• Will you accept HIS calling to you?
• Will you tell people about the marvelous news JESUS has done for you?
• Can you drop your fears of being labeled “weird” and accept GOD’s label of “son” or “daughter?”

Great news, HE “is” alive!

1 Corinthians 15: 2By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

 

3For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.

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On Christmas Eve I stared at the fake tree with its twinkling lights in anticipation of this year’s grab. When the crack of dawn hit I said to myself “finally it’s here!” With joy I tore open my presents and played with games and toys my parents had so carefully wrapped.

 

Later that same day some of the toys were placed to the side because I was already bored with them. The same excitement, anticipation, elation and then boredom seemed to ring true for my Christian life. I mean all GOD expects me to do is tell people about HIS SON? Where is the excitement in that?

• Being bored with the “Great News” may mean I don’t really know what was done for me.
• Being bored with the “Great News” makes me look at GOD as a servant rather than my savior.
• Being bored with the “Great News” shows up in my life and others are not drawn to GOD rather they are repulsed by my hypocrisy.

I have met recovering cancer patients and alcoholics who have a new lease on life. They overcame an extreme situation and they celebrate it every moment they can. They have no shame in telling people they almost died and now they are alive!

 

GOD wants me to be excited about HIM the same as when I first realized I needed HIS SON JESUS as my savior from the penalty of my sins. Every moment I get a chance, I need to thank HIM or tell others about HIS SON.

• Telling people about JESUS is not repetitious if I truly cared for the person.
• Explaining the “Great News” in simple terms is challenging and requires thought and new approaches daily.
• Situations occur in my life and others that hinder me telling the “Great News”, this only keeps it interesting.

Yes, I no longer fit in the world and that is a fear for many. But HE has challenged me as HE challenged Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament, to keep HIS humans from rejecting JESUS as the one and only savior to eternal life.

• Are you bored with the “Great News” about JESUS?
• Is it hard for you to be excited about hearing when people accept CHRIST?
• When you go to church are you preparing yourself to spread the gospel to someone else?

Are you sent?

Romans10:14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

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Wow! This scripture came at the right time. I just got back from a missions trip to help rebuild New Orleans. It is kind of an easy way to share my faith. Sharing my faith isn't always easy.

One reason it isn't easy for me to share is because I have seen people approach me the wrong way and I don't want to do the same. Here is what I have run into in the past.

Believe or I'll force you to believe
People have approached me and started in their evangelism mode. With scriptures flying at me they assume I'm not a believer in the CHRIST. Once a person asked me if I believed in JESUS, when I said "yes" that wasn't good enough. The probing began and the scriptures flew. I was turned off immediately and I could not imagine this approach working for me, but maybe it does for someone else.

Scatter general seeds
While walking through large crowds I have run into people shouting or using bullhorns to get the message out.  Once again, this is not my style. Please note that if this is your style I'm not knocking it, I just don't prefer it. Years ago a man followed me with a bull horn and it seemed like I couldn't escape his rants. He did state the truth that if the crowd did not believe in JESUS they would go to hell! This is still not my type of approach.

Get to know you
Personally I like to get to know the person, at least a little. As I worked on hanging durable composite siding on a house this week, a man named Daryl approached me. He complimented our work and thanked me for coming to help. I noticed he was carrying a paint brush, rollers and tray so I engaged him in conversation.

The unemployed man was trying to fix up his apartment. I couldn't pull away from our schedule, but I did get the opportunity to see if he needed prayer. He said "definitely" like Troy and Sherry and Earl and others who are in need in that city.

I have come to realize I can't always share the "Great News" about CHRIST the way I want to, but I can share when the moment is right. HE has called me to be "sent" to others in my community, city, state, country and globe.

There are so many people in need right now that you don't have to go far to offer your assistance. Just stick your head out your door and you will find someone who needs prayer.

• Are you the one who JESUS has "sent?"
• Are you resisting the calling on your life to tell "that person" about the greatness of JESUS?
• Does seeing, hearing or saying the name "JESUS" make you cringe or embarrassed?
• What is stopping you from sharing?
• Can you do something small like bring someone a drink of water today just because you want them to know CHRIST?

Spread the Word! - by my Wife

John 2:35The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, "Look, the Lamb of God!" 37When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, "What do you want?" They said, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?" 39"Come," he replied, "and you will see." So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with him. It was about the tenth hour.

40Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus.
41The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, "We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). 42And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter). Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael
43The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, "Follow me." 44Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. 45Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."
46"Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" Nathanael asked. "Come and see," said Philip. 47When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false."

48"How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you." 49Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel." 50Jesus said, "You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that."

51He then added, "I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

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As technology advances, there’s no shortage of ways to spread news. We can call from land lines or cell phones, send text messages and e-mails, update our Facebook status or Twitter. We can invite people into our lives instantaneously to share our joys and sorrows. If I find a sale at Macy’s, I want to tell my friends about it. Why? Because I want them to have the opportunity to share in my good fortune. If I see a great movie, I don’t think twice about recommending it to others. I talk about how wonderful my husband and kids are. I’m not bragging when I do this, I am just so joyful that my joy spills over. When I read this passage, however, I’m reminded that I’m not seizing every opportunity to share the best thing in my life- my Savior Jesus Christ.

In this passage, when Andrew found Christ, the first thing he did was find his brother Simon to tell him. When Phillip found Christ, he went and told Nathanael. Both Simon and Nathanael had transformed lives because someone thought enough of them to share the good news about Christ.

As Easter approaches, this will be a prime opportunity to witness to others. I can share with them how God is working in my life and how he is transforming my heart. This news is just too good to keep to myself. I want others to know him also.

Let’s join together and spread the news. When you e-mail, or text or phone a friend. Let them know that GOD loves them and you do too.

Have a Blessed Day!

What are you looking for?

Luke 24:1On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " 8Then they remembered his words.

9When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

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GOD has promised so many things to humans. HE promised peace, love food places to rest, and no more tears. HE also promised that HE would rise from the dead and become king. I know about HIS resurrection, but what about the other stuff? Where is my peace, prosperity, and pleasure?

When I looked at this scripture, I see that it's very clear that humans don't quite understand GOD. HE told HIS disciples that HE would be killed and rise from the dead but they had their heart set on HIM setting up a temporary kingdom where they could enjoy life here on this cursed earth.

I do the same thing. I look for GOD to give me temporary comfort with a few trinkets here and a pile of money there. Meanwhile, GOD is saying something totally different. HE has said to me over and over "focus on MY Kingdom!" Yet I find it difficult to "believe" this is the right course of action.

Peter got up to see for himself. When he arrived at the tomb he was confused. "What happened?", he asked himself. "What Happened?!", “how could he ask that question?” you say! I probably would have asked the same question.

• When I desire life’s comforts, I forget the kingdom.
• When I lose "stuff" and feel a sense of loss, I forget the kingdom.
• When I am miserable without the "stuff", I forget the kingdom.
• When I see humans as an inconvenience, I forget the kingdom.
• When I will do "anything" to get or keep my stuff, I forget the kingdom.

Easter will be here soon. This is the holiest celebration I could possibly observe. JESUS died for me so I would not go to Hell. HE took my place and rose from the dead. HE is preparing a place for me far better than any pleasure palace earth could ever produce.

This is the promise HE has told me. It is up to me to believe. Will I act like the disciples, confused and full of disbelief? Will I stand firm and say no matter what happens to me on this planet, I will hold onto my belief that JESUS is the only way, truth and the life? I chose to believe!

• Do you believe all humans deserve to die and go to Hell?
• Do you believe GOD became a human, was murdered by religious followers and was raised from the dead to keep you from going to Hell?
• Do you believe HE will place HIS HOLY SPIRIT in anyone who believes no matter what sin they have committed?
• Are you willing to spread this GREAT NEWS about CHRIST?