GOOD NEWS

I just finished watching a movie about Peter, one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ. Like always I wept as the movie played out the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. I admire Peter's boldness in sharing this good news with the world even when he faced his death. I like to think that if a gun was held to my head and I faced death if I didn't deny Jesus, that I would stand firm in my faith. But would I?? After all, even Peter denied Jesus 3 times. Is my faith strong enough to die for the one who died for me?? I pray that it is!! I pray that I would be willing to lose my life on earth to gain it in Heaven. I pray that I would never deny Him!

Peter challenges me to share Jesus with the world. Why would I deny someone the cure to death? Why wouldn't I tell you? If I had the cure to cancer would I keep it to myself? NO. So why would I keep this to myself? Cancer may take our earthly bodies but our souls were created to live on with our Heavenly Father if we choose to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. THAT is a truth worth shouting from the rooftops!!!

God did not intend for things to be the way they are. He created us for himself and we weren't meant to live with cancer, heartache, divorce, sexual immorality, deceit, anger, sickness, mental illness, etc... But the Devil sought to destroy this perfect world God had created. He is the ultimate deceiver and deception is exactly the tactic he used with Adam & Eve. When Adam & Eve disobeyed God and ate from the forbidden tree our world was changed drastically and the flood gates of sin and the consequences of them opened up. They could no longer walk with God in the garden as they had before. He is too holy and righteous to be in the presence of sinful beings like us. We were separated from Him. THAT is the bad news! But my friends, God made a way for us and it is an amazing truth of rescue and redemption!

Jesus was born into this world as God in the flesh. Lived among the sinfulness of the humanly flesh that is in us and yet lived a perfect life free of any sin. He was the perfect, unblemished sacrifice!  He taught love and service. He taught that to be first we must be last. He came to bring us inner peace and to offer fulfillment of our souls. He came to bridge the gap between us and the creator of the world, our Heavenly Father, God. His life was given up to be the ultimate sacrifice. All of Heaven looked away as He hung on the cross with all our filthy sins laid upon Him. He died the death we all deserve but because of a love that we simply cannot understand, He willingly gave His life up. He took our place. "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John15:13)

The beauty of all this is that all we have to do is accept this gift of atonement. When we do, God looks upon us and sees the righteousness of Jesus instead of our sin.  Jesus becomes our high priest, our intercessor. His death forever removed the barrier that separated us from God's holy presence. Praise God for setting out on a rescue mission so that we may be adopted sons and daughters and enjoy an inheritance that we were born undeserving of.  Can you imagine eternal life in a heavenly home where we will no longer experience heartache, pain, and suffering? That is the inheritance that He wants to freely give to us!

If you died today do you know what would happen to you? Are you sure beyond a shadow of a doubt that you have placed saving faith in Jesus Christ? Have you truly allowed the Holy Spirit to take up residence in your heart and dictate your path and govern your life?

Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the father except through me." Will you accept Jesus as the bridge to God the father? If you deny Him, He will deny you before God.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
 
WILL YOU COME TO HIM AND FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS??