SCRIPTURE
Matthew 9:2-13 (NRSV)
Jesus forgives sin and calls sinners to service
And just then some people were carrying a paralyzed man lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven." Then some of the scribes said to themselves, "This man is blaspheming." But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Stand up and walk'? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" - he then said to the paralytic - "Stand up, take your bed and go to your home." And he stood up and went to his home. When the crowds saw it, they were filled with awe, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to human beings.
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him.
And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."
DEVOTIONAL
Today’s devotional is just chock full of spiritual nuggets that have blessed my life! Unfortunately I can't share all of them because of limited space, so I'm going to beg your pardon and jump straight to the heart of the today's GOOD NEWS message. Aren’t you glad that Jesus said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick”?
This commentary from Jesus came about after some of the Pharisees saw Jesus eating dinner with people with whom they would never have associated. In response to this shocking sight the Pharisees asked Jesus’ disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
My goodness—what a self-righteous question! Aren’t you glad that Jesus is not like those Pharisees? The Bible teaches us that time and time again Jesus chose to create intentional relationship and fellowship with people others had cast aside in judgment.
I am so glad that Jesus chooses to sup with us sinners! I am so relieved that he enjoys the company of those who are aware of their great need of him. I am so thrilled that rather than pushing us away from the table, God invites us in, again and again!
What wonderful GOOD NEWS!
Now let me say this, during the season of Lent, many of us become acutely aware of our sin-full-ness. Some of us might feel so embarrassed and ashamed that we seek to run away God. Don’t do it my friends, this is a terrible mistake!
Instead, every time you feel the desire to run away from God (which is impossible anyway), I want you to do the exact opposite for scripture teaches us that “God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love (Joel 2:13)”!
Listen, God knows everything about us and still God loves us passionately! God sees our mistakes and yet God still desperately wants to be in fellowship with us. This is why Jesus said, in response to the snide self-righteousness of the Pharisees, “Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners."
Oh! Can’t you hear the voice of Jesus calling, “Follow me”?
Look, God loves us so very, very much that God gave Jesus upon the cross to secure our eternal relationship with him! I am so excited to be called a friend of God and I know you are too!
God loves us. God gave Jesus for us. God saves us from all of our sins. My heart overflows with joy when I hear the words of Jesus, “Take heart, your sins are forgiven!”
Who do you know who has experienced the condemnation of the world? Will you invite them to fellowship with Jesus today?
Loving God, I thank you that you have invited me to your banquet table. I am honored that you choose to fellowship with me. Please help me not to stand in judgment of others, but rather to invite them to the table as well. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Today's song, "Friend of God" can be purchased by clicking the link to the right.
All of the other songs that have been shared on this blog can be purchased by clicking the words Good News Living at the top of the red box to the right. Find your favorite songs under “Pastor Yolanda’s Favorite Music.”
Would you please be kind enough to answer the one question survey to the right?
We now have enough people interested to start the Good News Living Book Club! On March 1st, I will release the title of our first book! Please mark your calendars for our very first book club meeting to be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009, at 9:00am.
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
I'VE GOT A TESTIMONY!
SCRIPTURE
2 Timothy 4:1-5 (NRSV)
2 Timothy 4:1-5 (NRSV)
Apostolic and pastoral advice for Timothy
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.
Today’s scripture for reflection is one that is extraordinarily dear to my heart! The Apostle Paul is writing to his mentee, urging him to be faithful to the work of an evangelist. Recently I was teaching a class on evangelism entitled, “Telling Our Stories: Evangelism in the 21st Century” and the group defined an evangelist as, “one who has been sent by God to share the GOOD NEWS message!”
I love this definition because it means that ALL Christians regardless of race, class, gender, or denomination are considered “evangelists” by God.
Jesus made all of us evangelists when he stated, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. (Matthew 28: 19-20a).”
This mandate from our Savior has been called “The Great Commission.” It was Jesus’ last request of us while he was on the earth! This statement was his last will and testament to The Church. In this commission Jesus instructs his disciples—all of his disciples—even us 21st Century disciples--to go out and share the GOOD NEWS with everyone we meet!
I love the urgency with which Paul approaches this work. He says to Timothy, “I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message…”
Proclaim the message, my friends! But, I can hear you saying right now, “I don’t know what to say. I don’t talk as well as my pastor. Nobody will listen to me. Sharing GOOD NEWS is for people who have been to seminary.”
Not so my friends! Everyone can be an evangelist, because everyone can share GOOD NEWS! And what is this GOOD NEWS? Well first of all it is, “God loves. God gave. God saves.” This is the “gospel in a nutshell.” Most Christians memorized it as John 3:16 when they were wee babes in Sunday School. “For God so loved the world, that God gave God’s only begotton Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life!”
This is the heart of the GOOD NEWS! God loves us more than we can ever hope or imagine and God proved it when Jesus died on the cross.
But listen, I plead with you, don’t just quote out of context Bible verses at the non-Christians who are sharing your life. Truthfully, they won’t understand what you are saying. Instead, take the time to build relationships with people--by serving them. Earn their trust by listening to them and caring for them and their families. Eventually, God will open the door for you tell your new friend about Jesus.
When this time comes, be bold. Tell your non-Christian friend about how God has blessed you, loved you, and saved you. Tell your neighbor about a time when you truly felt the love of God all around you. Remind your husband or wife about God’s generous provision for your family. Share with your co-worker just how God’s saving power has brought real joy into your life!
Sharing GOOD NEWS is easy my friends, because we ALL have a TESTIMONY! By making our evangelism personal, keeping it real, and telling our stories, God will touch the hearts of our hearers with God’s boundless love.
Listen, when people get a hold of the Truth that God loves them, it breaks open hardened hearts and sets people truly free! Everybody—no matter who they are—desires to be loved unconditionally. And there is no one, who loves us more—or better—than God!
I’ll close with this thought. Please don’t become discouraged if the people with whom you share GOOD NEWS, don’t automatically accept the reality of the free gift of salvation. Paul tells Timothy, “encourage with the utmost of patience…” God was patient with us as God romanced our hearts…let us be patient with others!
Today, since you have read this devotion, you have heard the call of God on your life to go out and make new disciples! Don’t be afraid to do the work of an evangelist, for God has promised to be with you, wherever you go, even until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20b)
Who can you share your GOOD NEWS story with today?
Holy and Righteous God, thank you for giving me a GOOD NEWS story to share! You have been so good to me, I just can’t keep it to myself. Today, I promise to tell at least one person that you love, gave, and save! Thank you for loving the whole world so well. You are amazing!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
If your denomination uses the word "evangelist" for an ordained or consecrated minister of the gospel and you have trouble applying the term to yourself, replace the word evangelist with WITNESS in today's devotional! :-)
Today's song, "I've Got A Testimony" can be purchased by clicking the link to the right. The YouTube video is incorrectly labeled. The singer is actually Rev. Clay Evans and soloist.
All of the other songs that have been shared on this blog can be purchased by clicking the words Good News Living at the top of the red box to the right. Find your favorite songs under “Pastor Yolanda’s Favorite Music.”
Would you please be kind enough to answer the one question survey to the right?
We now have enough people interested to start the Good News Living Book Club! Yay God! On the first of every month I will share a book for us to read together. On the last Saturday of every month at 9:00am CST (USA & Canada) we will have a “chat room” book club meeting. I chose 9:00am because this time will allow us to share with our brothers and sisters on the other side of the world! It will be early in the United States but evening in Africa, China, and elsewhere! Please mark your calendars for our very first book club meeting! It will be held Saturday, March 28, 2009.
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public. To leave a comment, please click “comments” at the bottom of the blog. I would be tickled to receive your feedback; I invite you to respond as you are led!
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
Thursday, February 26, 2009
I DOUBLE DARE YOU!
LENT—DAY 2
SCRIPTURE
1 John 1:3-10 (NRSV)
The apostolic message of forgiveness
We declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
DEVOTION
In today’s scripture reading the author has some very pointed words for followers of Christ. He writes, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Oh my! This sounds like terrible news.
I don’t want to lie to myself! I don’t want to deceive myself! And I know I can’t lie to, nor deceive God, Omniscient, Knower-of-All-Things.
On this second day of Lent, we might as well keep it real with ourselves and with God. Lent is all about confessing our sins and seeking God’s forgiveness.
Now you may be thinking, I’m not really a sinner. I don’t murder, steal, or commit adultery. Isn’t it easy to get into the mind set of believing that some sins and people are worse than others?
But, when we pause to think about it, I believe it is safe to say that we must arrive at a very simple conclusion; sin is sin in God’s eyes. God hates sin, but loves the sinner, and wants us to confess our sin so that God can forgive our sin and cleanse us of all unrighteousness.
So, let’s say it out loud! “I am a sinner, saved by grace. Lord, have mercy on me.”
Then insert your sins like this…
God I have sinned against you by not loving you as I should. I have sinned against you by not treating my neighbor right. I have sinned against you by not respecting my spouse the way I ought. I have sinned against you by judging and gossiping with my tongue. I have sinned against you by being impatient with your time table. I have sinned against you by turning my eyes away from injustice and prejudice. I have sinned against you by being jealous of the blessings you have chosen to bestow upon my friends. I have sinned against you by leaving so many things undone such as feeding the hungry, helping to house the homeless, or visiting the sick or imprisoned. I have sinned against you by failing to recognize your holy presence with me day by day.
Oh my! I could go on and on—and so could you. The list of our sins is long indeed! And sometimes we find it hard to make confession because we are carefully taught to cloak our sin in darkness and anonymity. But, today’s scripture reminds us of some wonderful GOOD NEWS! “God is light and in God there is no darkness at all.”
There is no such thing as true darkness my friends. God sees and hears everything that we do. So we might as well confess our wrong-doing, receive God’s forgiveness, and restore a feeling of true fellowship between ourselves and our ever-loving God.
Just think about it, my friends! God loves us so much that God gave Jesus upon the cross all in order to bring us out of darkness and into the marvelous Light! God loves us so much that God was willing to sacrifice ALL, in order to restore friendship and fellowship with us. Jesus was God’s penultimate “passing of the peace.” Isn’t this GOOD NEWS?!
If we fail to take note of our sin and to confess it before God, not only are we lying to ourselves, but we are calling God a liar—right to God’s face! God says, “all have sinned…” God can’t be wrong—RIGHT?
I know that none of us wants to call God a liar, because we know that God is Truth. Truth says we have some things to make right with God and with our neighbors. Go ahead--make things right. Tell the truth on yourself and become aware of God’s forgiveness, love, and grace. I dare you!
And one more thing…Once you are done making confession to God—go out and seek the forgiveness of the people you have wronged as well. Go tell somebody what God has done for you, my friend, I double dare ya, in Jesus Name!
What “secret” sin do you need to bring out of the darkness and into the Light on this day?
Merciful God, have mercy upon me for I have surely sinned and I have tried to hide my sin from you. How silly I have been! Please help me to stop hiding from you; I know that you love me and will help me to make things right. I agree with you today, Lord. I am a sinner in need of your grace. Thank you for forgiving me and restoring to me the joy of your salvation! You are an awesome God and I love you. Help me to share that love with others. In Jesus Name, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Fred Hammond’s “Glory to Glory,” Martha Munizzi’s “Renew Me,” and Donnie McClurkin's "Create in Me" can be purchased by clicking the words Good News Living at the top of the red box to the right. You can find your favorite songs under "Pastor Yolanda’s Favorite Music."
Would you please be kind enough to answer the one question survey to the right?
We now have enough people interested to start the Good News Living Book Club! Yay God! On the first day of every month I will share a book for us to read together. On the last Saturday of every month at 9:00am CST (USA & Canada) we will have a “chat room” book club meeting. I chose 9:00am because this time will allow us to share with our brothers and sisters on the other side of the world! It will be early in the United States but evening in Africa, China, and elsewhere! Please mark your calendars for our very first book club meeting! It will be held Saturday, March 28, 2009.
I have added a new function to the blog that allows EVERYONE to leave comments or questions! These comments are public. To leave a comment, please click “comments” at the bottom of the blog. I would be tickled to receive your feedback; I invite you to respond as you are led!
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
SCRIPTURE
1 John 1:3-10 (NRSV)
The apostolic message of forgiveness
We declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
DEVOTION
In today’s scripture reading the author has some very pointed words for followers of Christ. He writes, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Oh my! This sounds like terrible news.
I don’t want to lie to myself! I don’t want to deceive myself! And I know I can’t lie to, nor deceive God, Omniscient, Knower-of-All-Things.
On this second day of Lent, we might as well keep it real with ourselves and with God. Lent is all about confessing our sins and seeking God’s forgiveness.
Now you may be thinking, I’m not really a sinner. I don’t murder, steal, or commit adultery. Isn’t it easy to get into the mind set of believing that some sins and people are worse than others?
But, when we pause to think about it, I believe it is safe to say that we must arrive at a very simple conclusion; sin is sin in God’s eyes. God hates sin, but loves the sinner, and wants us to confess our sin so that God can forgive our sin and cleanse us of all unrighteousness.
So, let’s say it out loud! “I am a sinner, saved by grace. Lord, have mercy on me.”
Then insert your sins like this…
God I have sinned against you by not loving you as I should. I have sinned against you by not treating my neighbor right. I have sinned against you by not respecting my spouse the way I ought. I have sinned against you by judging and gossiping with my tongue. I have sinned against you by being impatient with your time table. I have sinned against you by turning my eyes away from injustice and prejudice. I have sinned against you by being jealous of the blessings you have chosen to bestow upon my friends. I have sinned against you by leaving so many things undone such as feeding the hungry, helping to house the homeless, or visiting the sick or imprisoned. I have sinned against you by failing to recognize your holy presence with me day by day.
Oh my! I could go on and on—and so could you. The list of our sins is long indeed! And sometimes we find it hard to make confession because we are carefully taught to cloak our sin in darkness and anonymity. But, today’s scripture reminds us of some wonderful GOOD NEWS! “God is light and in God there is no darkness at all.”
There is no such thing as true darkness my friends. God sees and hears everything that we do. So we might as well confess our wrong-doing, receive God’s forgiveness, and restore a feeling of true fellowship between ourselves and our ever-loving God.
Just think about it, my friends! God loves us so much that God gave Jesus upon the cross all in order to bring us out of darkness and into the marvelous Light! God loves us so much that God was willing to sacrifice ALL, in order to restore friendship and fellowship with us. Jesus was God’s penultimate “passing of the peace.” Isn’t this GOOD NEWS?!
If we fail to take note of our sin and to confess it before God, not only are we lying to ourselves, but we are calling God a liar—right to God’s face! God says, “all have sinned…” God can’t be wrong—RIGHT?
I know that none of us wants to call God a liar, because we know that God is Truth. Truth says we have some things to make right with God and with our neighbors. Go ahead--make things right. Tell the truth on yourself and become aware of God’s forgiveness, love, and grace. I dare you!
And one more thing…Once you are done making confession to God—go out and seek the forgiveness of the people you have wronged as well. Go tell somebody what God has done for you, my friend, I double dare ya, in Jesus Name!
What “secret” sin do you need to bring out of the darkness and into the Light on this day?
Merciful God, have mercy upon me for I have surely sinned and I have tried to hide my sin from you. How silly I have been! Please help me to stop hiding from you; I know that you love me and will help me to make things right. I agree with you today, Lord. I am a sinner in need of your grace. Thank you for forgiving me and restoring to me the joy of your salvation! You are an awesome God and I love you. Help me to share that love with others. In Jesus Name, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Fred Hammond’s “Glory to Glory,” Martha Munizzi’s “Renew Me,” and Donnie McClurkin's "Create in Me" can be purchased by clicking the words Good News Living at the top of the red box to the right. You can find your favorite songs under "Pastor Yolanda’s Favorite Music."
Would you please be kind enough to answer the one question survey to the right?
We now have enough people interested to start the Good News Living Book Club! Yay God! On the first day of every month I will share a book for us to read together. On the last Saturday of every month at 9:00am CST (USA & Canada) we will have a “chat room” book club meeting. I chose 9:00am because this time will allow us to share with our brothers and sisters on the other side of the world! It will be early in the United States but evening in Africa, China, and elsewhere! Please mark your calendars for our very first book club meeting! It will be held Saturday, March 28, 2009.
I have added a new function to the blog that allows EVERYONE to leave comments or questions! These comments are public. To leave a comment, please click “comments” at the bottom of the blog. I would be tickled to receive your feedback; I invite you to respond as you are led!
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
I'M NOT FEELING SO GLAMOROUS TODAY...
SCRIPTURE
Ash Wednesday
Psalm 51:1-17 (NRSV)
Plea for mercy
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are justified in your sentence
and blameless when you pass judgment.
Indeed, I was born guilty,
a sinner when my mother conceived me.
You desire truth in the inward being;
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain in me a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
Deliver me from bloodshed, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you have no delight in sacrifice;
if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Today is the first day of Lent. Christians observe Lent as a season of fasting, prayer, and repentance that lasts from now until the Saturday before Easter. During this forty days (plus Sundays), we enter into a time of consecration where we examine our hearts before God, confessing our sin, and seeking God’s forgiveness.
For some, Lent has lost its true meaning and has become the time of year when you can’t eat candy, fast food, meat, and/or watch TV. Many think that if they just “give up something” during the Lenten Season they are observing this holiest of times adequately.
Not so my friends! Whilst Lent is a time of fasting it is also a time of prayer.
In the psalm for today the writer states, “For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
Whilst fasting and prayer are good disciplines which I wholeheartedly support, today’s psalmist says that what really touches the heart of God is a person who possesses a broken and contrite heart regarding his or her sinfulness.
Wow! That’s not too glamorous is it? In our culture we are taught to always gratify the flesh, to do what feels good, to promote ourselves and to look out for Number 1. But, today we enter into a season where we stop saying, “Look at me!” and instead we declare, “Look at God!”
This is the time in the Christian calendar when we take on the mantle of humility and get real with ourselves and with God. We allow God to uncover our sin by laying ourselves bare before The One who made us, knows us, and forgives us. As we do so, God issues us the gentle reminder that we have failed to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and we have not always loved our neighbors as ourselves.
My friends, Lent is a time of repentance and tears. It is a journey with Jesus from the mountain top of transfiguration into the “valley of the shadow of death” located on Golgotha’s hill. Lent is the time of year when we get to walk with Jesus as he carries the cross to Calvary where he willingly lays down his life, becoming atonement for our sin and reconciling us to our God.
As we cry out to God for forgiveness and as we “survey the old rugged cross,” we know that God forgives us all our sin and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
In response to God’s great loving kindness and tender mercy toward us, the psalmist says, “I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you…Open my lips and my mouth will declare your praise…”
Oh yes! This is always the appropriate response to God’s love toward us revealed through the life and death of Jesus Christ—we must share GOOD NEWS by declaring God’s praise!
Isn’t it amazing that God loves us so much that God gave Jesus upon the cross that we might be saved? Isn’t it wonderful that God daily washes us, teaches us wisdom, gives us a clean heart, fills us up with the Holy Spirit, and bequeaths to us the continual joy of God’s salvation!
Oh my friends, this GOOD NEWS must be shared with others!
As we walk through this day, let us not be ashamed to tell people why we have an ashen cross upon our foreheads. Be bold as you declare, “I am a sinner, saved by God’s grace. God loves me and God loves you too!”
I look forward to walking with you during this Lenten Season.
Is there somebody who is weighed down by their past mistakes with whom you can share GOOD NEWS today?
Loving and Forgiving God, have mercy upon me. For I have surely sinned and fallen short of your glory. I have failed to love you as I ought and I certainly haven’t loved my neighbors as much as I love myself. I am not proud of my behavior and I seek your pardon. I thank you that as soon as I opened my mouth to pray this prayer, you heard the cry of my heart and forgave me. Now, please empower and equip me to go into my spheres of influence and declare your praise! In Jesus Name, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Martha Munizzi’s “Renew Me” and Donnie McClurkin's "Create in Me" can be purchased by clicking the link to the right!
If you would like to purchase the song, "Glory to Glory" by Fred Hammond it is now in the Good News Living Store under "Pastor Yolanda's Favorite Music."
Would you please be kind enough to answer the one question survey to the right?
I have added a new function to the blog that allows EVERYONE to leave comments or questions! These comments are public. To leave a comment, please click “comments” at the bottom of the blog. I would be tickled to receive your feedback; I invite you to respond as you are led!
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right! Thanks for reading and please come again.
Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
THE GREAT PARADOX
SCRIPTURE
1 Timothy 3:14-16 (NRSV)
The mystery of our religion
I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you so that, if I am delayed, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and bulwark of the truth. Without any doubt, the mystery of our religion is great:
He was revealed in flesh,
vindicated in spirit,
seen by angels,
proclaimed among Gentiles,
believed in throughout the world,
taken up in glory.
DEVOTION
HAPPY SHROVE TUESDAY! Today is the last day before the Lenten Season begins. In many countries around the world today is called, “Fat Tuesday, Pancake Day, or Mardi Gras.” Shrove comes from the word “shrive” which means “to confess.”
In short, on this last day before we begin the season of Lent—or repentance—we take the time to examine ourselves, confess our sins, become assured of our forgiveness, and celebrate with our family and friends before the fasting and prayer of Lenten Season is upon us!
In today’s scripture reading Paul writes to Timothy saying, “the mystery of our religion is great.” Then Paul goes on to detail that mystery by saying Jesus was revealed in flesh (God took on human flesh.), vindicated in spirit (Jesus performed many signs and wonders and he rose from the dead.), was seen by angels (They heralded his birth and resurrection.), proclaimed by Gentiles (Who would have believed that Gentiles were the people of God too?), believed throughout the world (Well, we are proof of that!), and taken up in glory (Jesus ascended into the skies as the disciples watched forty days after his resurrection.).
Wow! The mystery of our faith is great! For me, the greatest mystery of all is, “How could God love us so much?”
I love being a Christian and I love sharing my faith. I truly believe that the God has made the GOOD NEWS message is easy to understand and easy to share. But, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t mysterious. Mystery simply means, “Something that cannot be fully known.”
And isn’t it true that there are some mysteries to our faith! We cannot fully know how much God love us, for God loves us more than we can comprehend. We cannot fully know how much it cost Jesus to die on the cross, for we will never know the weight of such a burden. We cannot fully know just how Jesus was raised from the dead, for only God is capable of knowing the mechanics of such an awesome feat!
I could go on and on for there are many “mysteries” to our faith! But, I will stop here and remind us that although there are many things we cannot fully know about our faith, there are still plenty of things that we do know that we have privilege of sharing with others!
We do know that God loves the world—the people, the plants, the animals, the earth, the sky and the seas. We do know that God sent Jesus into the world to live, die, and live again in order to make atonement for our sin and to reconcile us with God and with each other. We do know that when we walk with Jesus—by faith—we are assured that we will not perish, but have eternal life!
This is wonderful GOOD NEWS my friends! And, it is simple. God loves. God gave. God saves. Another way of paraphrasing the GOOD NEWS is this, “Chris has died, Christ has risen, Christ shall come again!”
Let us go out into the entire world and share these very simple, yet profound statements of our faith.
Is there someone in your life who has been confused by the “mysteries of our faith?” Are you willing to share the simplicity of the GOOD NEWS message with him or her today?
Holy and Unsearchable God—you are mysterious. Your ways are not our ways and your thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). How glad I am that you chose to come to me in the simplicity of a barn and in the flesh of a carpenter’s son. I am so glad that you have helped me to understand that you love me! Help me to share this GOOD NEWS with others on this day! Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
If you would like to purchase the song, "Glory to Glory" by Fred Hammond it is now in the Good News Living Store under "Pastor Yolanda's Favorite Music."
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Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
from Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
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