GOD OF THIS CITY

SCRIPTURE

Acts 8:1b-8 (NRSV)
Philip's ministry in Samaria

That day a severe persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria. Devout men buried Stephen and made loud lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church by entering house after house; dragging off both men and women, he committed them to prison.

Now those who were scattered went from place to place, proclaiming the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them. The crowds with one accord listened eagerly to what was said by Philip, hearing and seeing the signs that he did, for unclean spirits, crying with loud shrieks, came out of many who were possessed; and many others who were paralyzed or lame were cured. So there was great joy in that city.

DEVOTION

On first glance, this scripture looks like very, very bad news! Stephen has just been martyred for his faith in Jesus! The Christian church is being persecuted. Followers of Christ are running for their lives, scattering into the countryside, fearful of imprisonment or death. Men and women are being manhandled, dragged out of their homes, and humiliated because of their faith in Jesus.

It doesn’t get much worse than this my friends, but, as always, there is still a GOOD NEWS word here.

Although human beings are acting sinful and causing great harm, God is still on the throne and God is still alive and active in the world, determined to resurrect good where there has been great evil, trauma, abuse, or distress.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve had some really bad news days and I’ve walked with others through their bad news days. I’ve seen people suffer the loss of a job, the foreclosure of a home, the sickness of a loved one, the death of a child, the failure of a business, the sexual abuse of a child, an AIDS diagnosis, and the infidelity of a spouse to name just a few.

In those devastating moments following a disaster, it often feels like all hope is lost. It feels like you will never smile or laugh again. It can even feel like God has abandoned you.

But, there is something amazing about grief. It evolves—or changes--over time. At first you may be in shock or denial, but eventually those feeling may give way to anger, a desire to bargain with God, depression, and finally, even acceptance.

There is no one way to grieve. Grief is as variable as the human beings who experience it.

Can you imagine how the Christians felt as they watched their dear friend Stephen stoned? Can you imagine how much pain was in their hearts as they watched their loved ones be “disappeared” into the jails and prisons, perhaps never to be seen again? Can you imagine how they must have felt when they fled as refugees from their homes, leaving everything behind, persecuted for their faith?

Now, they could have walked away from their faith. They could have given up on God. They could have drowned in their sorrow. But, they did not!

The scripture says that they scattered into the surrounding cities, townships, and farms and that everywhere they went they continued to share the GOOD NEWS message that God loves, gave, and saves!

Even though they had been through great hardship and must have been very sad and confused, they held on to the one thing they knew for sure—Jesus saves, and He saves to the utmost!

Philip proclaimed this GOOD NEWS and the Bible tells us that many-a-soul was saved and that many in need of healing were delivered.

I love that scripture says that Philip’s preaching brought “great joy to the city!”

Isn’t it amazing that God was able to transform the believers’ heartache, pain, betrayal and loss into great joy for entire cities?

Today, in 2009, we are still reaping the benefits of the GOOD NEWS proclamation of these early Christians! Because they endured pain and persecution with faith, God was able to use their witness as a GOOD NEWS testimony to others.

Over the many generations since the first century A.D. this story has continued to be told by human beings who, despite the challenges in their lives, believed that God is good (all the time) and all the time (God is good).

Someone told you the GOOD NEWS story and someone told me that same story too! That is why we are all here today.

I’m not going to lie to you and tell you that my life is perfect and everything is peachy keen. I have my heartache, pain, anxiety, and worry just like you and just like anyone else!

But, I am determined, by faith, to persevere through hardship, pain, and tribulation believing by faith that God is able to transform my bad news days into a GOOD NEWS testimony that will save many souls.

Look, I know in my heart of hearts that God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than we can ask or imagine. Don’t wait for your life to get perfect to share GOOD NEWS with others!

Don’t wait until all of your tears are dry, to tell somebody that Jesus gives joy in the midst of sorrow!

No, my friends, tell somebody right now! Say, “I may be going through something, but I am never alone. God is right here with me, holding my hand through it all!” When our non-Christian friends see that we are able to hold on to our faith even in turbulent times, it will be a great source of encouragement to them when they face troubled times.

Let’s bring great joy to the cities where we reside, by sharing the GOOD NEWS boldly, and even through our tears.

I wish you Jesus’ joy, my friends, even in the midst of your sorrow.

Will you commit your greatest sadness to Jesus today and will you share the GOOD NEWS despite your pain?

Lord, God, you are able to take the most desperate of circumstances and bring about GOOD NEWS for those in need of it. I know that sorrow is a part of the human condition, help me to live as joyfully as possible in the midst of it. Lord, I entrust my heart to you. Please help and heal me where necessary and inspire me to share my testimony with those in need. Your love, revealed in Christ, is amazing! Help me to share you love no matter what I may be going through. You are great, and greatly to be praised! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.



ANNOUNCEMENTS

Today is National Day of Prayer (USA). On this day Christians remember the importance of personal repentance and prayer as we pray for the leadership of our nation in seven areas: Government, Military, Media, Business, Education, Church and Family. For more information, or to find an event in your home town, click http://www.ndptf.org/home/home.html

Congratulations to the people who have recently put all of their faith in Jesus! We are so excited about your new-found faith in Jesus! You are in our thoughts and prayers!

If you would like to put all of your hope in Jesus today, please visit my blog entitled, “Putting All Your Hope In Jesus” located at
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/04/putting-all-your-hope-in-jesus.html

If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html

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Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews

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From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com