The Good News

The Good News

When I offer a public prayer, I will sometimes pray “Thank you, God, for Jesus
and for what he has done, what he’s doing, and what he’s going to do”. It’s safe
to say that someone new to Christianity who hears that prayer may ask what does
he mean by that? This is a great question. And for those who do not know Christ .
. . it is a matter of life and death.
As Christians we believe that Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection are the
backbone of our faith and central in God’s plan for humanity. He was the
atonement and forgiveness of our sins, being man and fully God gave up his life
so that we may be saved. He was the perfect sacrifice and our redemption so that
we can have a relationship with God.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever
believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
2 Corinthians 5:21 - For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that
in him we might become the righteousness of God.
1 John 2:2 - He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for
the sins of the whole world.
Before Jesus left and went to be with God, he promised he would send a helper.
Not only that, when Jesus got there, he went to work for us! When we sin, he
intercedes for us covering us in grace and mercy. Jesus makes everything right
for us with God the father. He stands in our place and cleanses us from all
unrighteousness. Jesus also is working at making a place for us in heaven.
Jesus also said he would send a helper. The Holy Spirit was sent to give us help
and hope. The Spirit guides us and gives us strength. He empowers us so we can
build his church.
Romans 8:34 - Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died - more than
that, who was raised - who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding
for us.
Romans 8:26 - Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know
what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with
groanings too deep for words.
John 14:2-3 - In my father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I
have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place
for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be
also.
Acts 20:28 - Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the
Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he
obtained with his own blood.
Jesus will return and what he has in store for those who are in Christ is beyond
my ability to comprehend. But here is what I know: Jesus will judge us all for
what we have done. He will separate us to his left and to his right. For those who
did care to know him they will suffer eternity separated from him. They will go to
a place of torment forever.
As for the saved, we will dwell with him in heaven free from all sin. No death, no
tears, no pain, only joy everlasting. Jesus will give us our reward. We will live in
perfection with him and all the saints and angels.

Revelation 22:12 - “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me,
to repay each one for what he has done.”
Matthew 25:21 - His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant.
You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of
your master.”
Revelation 21:4 - He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be
no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the
former things have passed away.
I wrote this in the hope that it will encourage people who don’t know Jesus Christ
to get to know him, as well as strengthen those that do.
- Terry Ryan

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Conquering

On October 7, 1916, Georgia Tech’s football team crushed Cumberland’s by a
score of 222-0. That’s what you could call a devastating defeat!
In Romans eight Paul observes that Christians may encounter tribulation,
distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, and sword. He then assures us
that “in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.”
The book of Revelation was written to Christians enduring persecution to the
point of martyrdom. They were in danger of feeling completely defeated.
Through the visions given to John it was revealed that they were actually on the
winning side of a great spiritual war.
That message is the same for us today. If we follow the Lamb (Jesus) we are not
losers. With Him we will eventually overwhelmingly conquer!
- Leonard White



Most people believe most of the things they believe only
because they believe that most people believe them.

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