The Good News

My Bible reading this morning included these words spoken by Paul: "I have had one message for Jews and Greeks alike—the necessity of repenting from sin and turning to God, and of having faith in our Lord Jesus" (Acts 20:21). This says it all in one simple statement. What all people need is to...

• Repent from sin
• Turn to God
• Have faith in the Lord Jesus

When you do this, it does not mean that life all of a sudden becomes perfect. It does mean that God will work in your imperfect life to accomplish His perfect will!

Paul also said, “My life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God” (Acts 20:24). 

The Good News is that Jesus lived a sinless life, died on a cross, was buried, and then was resurrected so that we can be forgiven of our sins, know Him, live for Him, and spend eternity with Him! There is nothing in our lives more important than this!

Lord, Draw Us Near

Since the loss of my husband six years ago there has not been a day that I haven’t thought about him and missed him. The passage of time has eased the pain, but there are moments when I inexplicably miss him as though the loss just happened. I am thankful that those moments have become less often. 

Now, as all of us are going through a worldwide pandemic, I feel the loss of my husband keenly. I am finding how much I need to depend on the Lord. My trust in Him has not been perfected, and I will admit there are times I become overwhelmed with fear. 

I sense the Lord calling me to press into Him and His Word with a greater intensity. I believe that as we commit our lives to God and trust Him, He will use this very trying time to draw us into a deeper relationship with Him. I am convinced some good will come from this!

Sometimes we are guilty of having things in our lives to which we give a higher priority than we should. When those things are taken from us, we will come to the realization that what we have left is so much more important. As we refocus on our relationship with God, our spiritual lives will flourish and our love for those around us will grow. Reaching out to others with the love of God will become a higher priority, rather than the fulfillment of our own desires.

God help us to trust You and live to please You even in this difficult season. Let our hearts burn with an intense passion to reach lost souls. Help us to be ever mindful that the coming of the Lord is near and now is not the time to waver.