Today’s title is in larger font than usual, because I indeed have "good news!"
1 Tim 6:18,19 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
It should come as no surprise to you that our world is headed for terrible times. It shouldn’t surprise you because God’s Word warns us that it will happen. And the face is that politicians can’t solve the problems, no matter what party is in power. Philosophers or philanthropists can’t do anything about it either. My friend, the truth is that only God has the remedy, and that is salvation and transformation, one life at a time.
"And it shall come to pass in all the land," Says the Lord, "That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, but one- third shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'This is My people'; And each one will say, 'The Lord is my God.'"(Zec 13:8,9) Notwithstanding, I still have "good news" for you!
There’s absolutely no doubt about it that as ungodliness increases, believers will be greatly impacted. The Apostle Paul warned us to take precautions so we don’t start following the dysfunctional choices of the godless. And one way to do this is by being sensitive to God’s work in the lives of His people. Yes, I indeed have "good news" for you!
Timothy paid attention to the way Paul handled adversity and made decisions, and you my friend, would do well to do the same! He could see that God delivered the apostle from many tough situations, so the young man chose to emulate him. Yes, like Timothy, you would be wise to observe those who are choosing God’s way. They have some "good news" for you!
I also have a word of WARNING for you: Take note of the spiritual foolishness of those living apart from Jesus, and particularly those attempting to rob you so that they can live off your money. Yes, they may be high achievers, financial successes, and even have multitudes of followers. Nevertheless, without Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they remain outside God’s family, and will hear Jesus say, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!"(Mat 7:23) Their choices reflect man’s priorities, not God’s.
My friend, you must be committed to following the Bible as your guide for life. While the book stores are filled with good books, and the internet is flooded with devotionals such as I’m writing at this moment, don’t depend upon the words of anybody, including myself; read God’s Word for yourself!!! God’s Word was written by ordinary men, under His inspiration. And He designed the Scriptures to be profitable for teaching, correction, and godly living. And that is "good news" for you!
Keep in mind that you are commanded to be ready on all occasions, to speak the name of Jesus, to share what He has done for you, and relate the "good news" to others. Yes, you are to "sanctify the Lord God in your [heart], and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed."(1 Pet 3:15,16)
And when you do, you’ll be like a light reflecting the "good news" of your Savior, to a world desperately in need of illumination.
And by the way, I have some more "good news" for you: Jesus said, "Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?"
"Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these."
"Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things."
Therefore, the "good news" is "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."(Mat 6:25-33) Not just some, but "all!"
That is "good news" indeed!
