Tag: good news.
Christ’s main purpose
Scripture reading for March 8th: Luke 4
Key Scriptures: Luke 4:42-44 “And when it was day, He departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought Him and came to Him, and would have kept Him from leaving them, but He said to them, “I must preach the Good News of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose.: And He was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.”
After returning from the 40 days of temptation by Satan, Jesus proclaimed the anointing of the Holy Spirit on His life in His home-town synagogue. He was to proclaim “Good News” to the poor, liberty to the captives and oppressed and recovery of sight to the blind, announcing the year of God’s favor. The people there tried to stone Him, but He passed by untouched. He went to Capernaum and began to teach and heal and cast out demons. He tried going to a deserted place to be alone with the Father, but the crowds found Him and pressed Him to stay. He then announced that He must go to other towns and preach the Good News. This was the purpose that God sent Him to earth for and He was set in His heart to fulfill God’s will. More preaching in other places followed!
Matthew 11:4-5 “And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John (the Baptist) what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have the good news preached to them.””
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for doing God’s will and preaching the Good News to the poor like me. I have been given liberty and sight and walk with You in sharing the “Good News” of a merciful Savior Who cares!
Psalm 136:23-24 “It is He Who remembered us in our low estate, for His steadfast love endures forever; and rescued us from our foes, for His steadfast love endures forever; . .”
Gospel Anointing!
Scripture reading for May 20th: Acts 11, Psalm 100, Proverbs 7
Key Scriptures: Acts 11:19-21 “Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the Word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.”
Persecution broke out against the believers in Jerusalem following the stoning of Stephen. The believers were scattered and wherever they went, they ended up sharing the Word of Jesus Christ. Some spoke only to other Jews, but others spoke to Gentiles. God’s anointing was evident in that many believed and turned in repentance and faith to Jesus Christ as Lord.
Faith Confession: I believe that God’s Word is powerful to save both Jew and Gentile. Lord, let Your anointing and hand be upon me as I share each day. Let many turn to You in repentance and faith.
Psalm 100: 1-3 “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing! Know that the Lord, He is God! It is He who made us and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.”
God shows no partiality!
Scripture reading for May 17th: Acts 10, Psalm 99, Proverbs 6
Key Scriptures: Acts 10:34-38 “So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears Him and does what is right is acceptable to Him. As for the word that He sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all), you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
Peter had been sent by the Holy Spirit to share the Gospel at the home of the Gentile centurion Cornelius. As he opened his mouth to share, he noted that God shows no partiality between Jew or Gentile, but accepts all who come to Him in repentance and faith. He simply shared Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection and that forgiveness of sins was available in His Name. The Holy Spirit filled this group of Gentiles and they began to speak in tongues!
Faith Confession: God is impartial and shows mercy to all who sincerely come to Him. Help me to clearly share the Gospel with those who are open. Send me to those needing understanding of Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 6:20-22 “My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching. Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you are awake, they will talk with you.”
Blind or Seeing?
Scripture reading for April 17th: John 9, Psalm 77, Proverbs 15
Key Scriptures: John 9:35-39 “Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him He said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “And who is He, sir, that I may believe in Him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen Him, and it is He who is speaking to you.” He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped Him. Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.”
Jesus had healed a man born blind from birth. The Pharisees found it hard to believe that Jesus did this miracle and that it was authentic. They questioned the man’s parents who, from fear, sent them back to their son. He plainly told them that Jesus had healed him. For this, they threw him out of the temple. Jesus found the man and simply called him to a position of faith and a confession of that faith. Those who believed would see, and those who refused to believe would become blind.
Faith confession: Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. Thank You for opening my blind eyes to see You as Savior and Lord, the Light of the world.
Proverbs 15:30-31 “The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones. The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.”
Jesus alone saves!
Scripture reading for March 25: Luke 16, Psalm 60, Proverbs 29
Key Scriptures: Luke 16:16-17 “”The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached and everyone forces his way into it. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void.””
Jesus always taught God’s Word in truth and confronted those who were not obeying the true meaning of that Word. The Pharisees had a habit of judging Jesus and making fun of His teaching. They used the Word of God to manipulate people for money, thinking that they were superior to ordinary sinners. They judged some ‘sinners’ as unworthy of salvation. In these verses, Jesus stated that God’s Law and the Prophets writing would never become obsolete. It cannot be altered or used to force our way into God’s kingdom or to keep ‘sinners’ out. The ‘good news’ was that all sinners could receive mercy by faith in Jesus.
Faith Confession: Lord, thank You for the good news of the Gospel of Your kingdom! Help me to live a life of faith and deliver me from compromise or manipulation of Your Word!
Psalm 60:11-12 “Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! With God we shall do valiantly, it is He who will tread down our foes.”
Sharing with the Nations!
Scripture reading for March 5th: Luke 2, Psalm 46, Proverbs 15
Key Scriptures: Luke 2:10-13 “And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!””
Luke tells the story of Jesus’ birth and the announcement of an angel to the shepherds who lived and worked near Bethlehem. They were told not to be afraid but were invited to see for themselves the sign: a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. Suddenly, the heavens were alive with a mighty angel chorus praising God and pronouncing God’s blessing of peace to those on earth! Shout the good news!
Faith’s confession: Lord, I believe the good news of Jesus Christ! I believe it is for all people of all nations. Use me to share that good news!
Psalm 46:10-11: “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” The Lord of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
Saved by His Mercy!
Scripture reading for October 10th: Isaiah 39-42, Titus 3
Key Scriptures: Titus 3:4-7 g“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Our good works cannot save us. It is only Christ’s mercy and His washing through His sacrifice of His blood and body on the cross that we are made righteous and justified. This justification is by faith in Christ Jesus alone. Through grace we become heirs of the promise of eternal life in God’s holy family. Amen!
Isaiah 40:9 “Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up and fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your amazing grace and the washing from my sins by Jesus Christ. I will proclaim this “Good News” to all today. Amen!
Ambassadors for Christ
Scripture reading for August 2nd: Psalm 65-68, 2nd Corinthians 5
Key Scriptures: 2nd Corinthians 5:17-20 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them and entrusting to us the ministry of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. We implore you, on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”
When we repent and are reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ, God makes us His ambassadors to the rest of the world that is still hostile to Him. We received the gift of reconciliation and the forgiveness of our sins and share this “good news” with others. We actually represent Christ, as His ambassador and call people to come into Christ and the kingdom of heaven. What a glorious mission!
Psalm 67:1-2 “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face to shine upon us, that Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among all nations.”
Prayer: Thank You Lord for the privilege of being Your ambassador and for Your decree to share the good news with all nations and peoples. Amen!
Worthy of suffering!
Scripture reading for May 10th: 2nd Kings 17-19, Acts 5
Key Scriptures: Acts 5:40-42 “. . .They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the Name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”
The disciples were threatened with death and flogged by the Jewish leaders for preaching and healing in the Name of Jesus. They were ordered not to preach in Christ’s Name again. However, the disciples were not afraid of men but feared God. They counted the suffering for Christ as a badge of honor!
2nd Kings 19:19 “Now O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that You alone, O Lord, are God.” (King Hezekiah’s prayer at the threats of the King of Assyria.)
Prayer: Lord, thank You for these examples of the boldness and zeal of the early disciples and godly kings of Israel. May we honor You with boldness in the face of suffering. Amen.
Rejoicing in the oil of joy!
Scripture reading for December 14th: Philemon, Hebrews 1-4
Key Scriptures: Hebrews 1:8-9 “But about the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has set You above Your companions by anointing You with the oil of joy.“ (a quote from Psalm 45:6-7)
The writer to the Hebrews pointed out that God spoke prophetically through the sons of Korah concerning Jesus Christ. Christ would be God’s Son and rule on an eternal throne. Righteousness would be the scepter of His kingdom and rule. The Son, like God the Father, loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Because of this integrity of character, God anointed Jesus with the oil of joy! Hallelujah for a joy-anointed Savior who anoints His people with the Holy Spirit and joy!
Rejoicing in the anointed Jesus: “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn and provide for those who grieve in Zion–to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, . .” (Isaiah 61:1-3)