News Worthy

Psalm 98:1

Sing a new song to the LORD,

   for He has done wonderful deeds.

He has won a mighty victory,

   by His power and holiness.  (NLT)

     Before the Lord rescued me from drowning in a sea of self-loathing and sin, the only songs I knew were of hopelessness and disdain for my existence in this miserable world.  I was unable to see any good or lasting purpose to this short life.  I was filled with confusion and plagued with depression.  I had been duped by the lies of the world, believing this life was all about me and what makes me happy.  But as I lived out this self-gratifying journey, I began to question the validity of the world's views that were shallow, short sighted, and quite meaningless when it was all said and done and then you die.  So with this foolish wisdom as my guide, I lived out its plan and in time I began to realize that the world was lying and I was empty.  I began seeking things that would numb the pain of living and the futility of it all.  I wanted to drown out the hopelessness.  Where was the joy in living?  Why did I feel there was something more, and what was I missing?  What was wrong?  Why was living so hard and futile?  For all the hard work and pain and suffering, where did lead?  What was the reward if there really was one?   Maybe it was a little contentment, a bit of happiness now and then, but in the end was it really worth it?  For no matter what I did or accomplished it was never enough to satisfy, nor did it fill the emptiness that wouldn't go away. 

     And then, out of nowhere, the Living God reached down from the glory of Heaven and pulled me from the muck of this sin-filled world and revealed what I had always longed for—the Truth and a worthwhile purpose with substance.  And the Truth finally set me free from the lies of Satan and his world.  God revealed the Good News of His forgiveness and redemption.  He cleansed my wretched life with His righteousness and blessed me with everlasting hope.  He gave me understanding of this dark world and taught me His eternal wisdom.  He healed my wounds from many years of self-destructive living. 

     The only two things this world can give you that lasts, is death and Hell.  But our gracious and loving Creator can give you your heart's delight and it's eternal.  This is Good News, my friends. News that saves lives. News that is truly worth hearing and sharing.   

                                           A Whisper of Hope

I bring you Good News…dear child, please listen.  Don’t let the world’s news drown out the only Good News that makes this difficult life worth living.  The news of this evil world corrupts.  My News brings Truth.   Worldly news brings death and destruction.   My Good News brings life.

Romans 6:6-8

Our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that

sin might lose its power in our lives.  We are no longer

slaves to sin.  For when we died with Christ we were set

free from the power of sin.  And since we died with Christ,

we know we will also share His new life.  (NLT)

           But we are looking forward to the new heavens

                      and new earth He has promised.

                                     (2 Peter 3:13)