More Good News

Jesus is the Good News who brings more good news. I tried naming some of them.

Good news: God knows what you need.
More good news: He provides them.

Good news: God hears your prayers.
More good news: He has a special way of answering them.

Good news: When you don't know what to do, God does.
More good news: Even when you think you can handle it, God knows a better way (best way, actually).

Good news: God knows you can pass any test He allows.
More good news: He provides a way for you to pass.

Good news: You can always turn to Jesus.
More good news: Jesus became human and made it more obvious that it is actually Him who turned to you.

Good news: Salvation is not for sale.
More good news: Jesus paid it in full and offers it to everyone.

Good news: God knows who you are.
More good news: He can use you.

Is That A Good Thing?

Your daughter will meet a man like you and will become her boyfriend. Is that a good thing?

I don't remember exactly where I read/heard this but I still can recall how it made me stop a while and think about the kind of man I am and was, specially "was". I guess it's not surprising for someone who have three lovely daughters.

I believe it's every father's concern that their daughters be loved by their own partner the way their mother was.

I thank God for the lesson I learned through my church's spiritual director, "As young as they are now, ask God for the perfect spouse for them." That's what I do. That's what me and my wife do. By this I am sure that no matter what happens, whoever my daughter meets, it is always a good thing because it is God's will.

"Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." - John 16:24 (NKJV, emphasis mine)

Jesus-Centered Faith

"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, 'King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.'” - Daniel 3:16-18

In Daniel chapter 2, King Nebuchadnezzar just promoted Daniel and his friends and praised their God. Daniel was able to tell the king what his dream was and its interpretation.

Daniel 3 started with the king established an image of gold and decreed that every time the people hears all kinds of music playing they should fall down and worship this image.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, being faithful to the Lord, never bowed down before this image. In verse 8, the astrologers told the king about them disobeying the king’s command. So the king called them and confirmed if it is true and reminded them of what will happen to them if they do not fall down and worship the image he set up – they will be thrown into a blazing furnace. Daniel 3:16-18 was their reply to the king that made him so angry.

Let me share with you four things about faith as modeled by Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

1. Always be on guard.

If a person (such as King Nebuchadnezzar) can praise the God we serve because of what He did through our lives and then make such a move that is against the same God he just praised, there is no reason for us to relax just because we felt the success of God's move.

It is not wrong to celebrate achievements. They came from God. What I'm saying is in your success, do not forget the one who caused you to triumph - Jesus.

Remember, most people who failed failed not during the time when they were down but during the time they were at the peak of their career. King Saul is one great example of this.

2. Stand firm on your faith but respect authorities.

Notice how Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego addressed the king... "But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up. They gave him the recognition he deserves (Your Majesty) but firmly conveyed their stand on the issue.

Your parents who do not support your faith still deserves your respect because they are your parents. Same as your friends, your employer, etc. Far more than they deserve your respect, they are souls to be won for Jesus. 

3. God knows what He is doing; God knows what to do.

I love this line from this passage: "...he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." This is a clear statement of completely entrusting the situation to God. It is a fearless declaration of "I do not always understand how my God works but I know it is always the best tailored-fit-for-my-situation move."

4. Act on your faith.

Even the devil believes in God (James 2:19). Our difference from his belief on God is our point of view. Satan shudders (James 2:19). We put our faith on God. We trust that what he does is always for our best. Jesus is our Savior. 

In every situation we are facing, always remember that whenever our faith is tested it does not mean God is unsure of us. He just wants to make us see for ourselves that through Him, we can do things we never thought we can.

May our faith always point to Jesus.

Our Place Of Comfort

"Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, 'She is going to the tomb to weep there.' Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, 'Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.'” (John 11:31, 32 NKJV)

Most of the time we expect someone who's hurt to be sad, to mourn, to release the emotion.

Mary, when everybody thought she would go to the tomb of her brother to mourn (which is definitely normal), showed there was a better place to mourn - at the feet of Jesus.

Whether she went to the tomb or to Jesus' feet, she could mourn. The only difference was, in the presence of God mourning could turn into dancing. Tomb can't do that. Only Jesus can.

Surrender everything to God. Turn to Him for anything (and for everything).

He knows what to do.