-/\/\-----------------------------------------------------------------
\ / HEARTLIGHT(R) Magazine -- http://www.heartlight.org/
--\/------------------------------------------------------------------
January 20, 2009
/--- Sponsor a Child with Compassion -----------------------\
For less than a dollar a day, you can make a powerful
difference in the life of a needy child. Click on the
following link to learn more about sponsoring a child
through Compassion!
\--- http://ads.heartlight.org/email/92/ -------------------/
=========================== TODAY'S ARTICLE ==========================
That's Good News!, by Ron Rose
Jim pulled me down close and in a desperate, worried voice he
whispered, "Is God going to zap me? I'm not sure I'm good enough."
We talked a long time about God and love and grace and forgiveness. It
was our last conversation; 48 hours later Jim punched his transfer from
this life to the next.
But, the conversation has lingered in my mind. Since that day I've had
numerous discussions about what God is like and if any body is good
enough. One friend put it this way, "It seems to me that God just sits
up there in heaven and punishes the people who are already having a
tough time on this earth." Another told me, "I think God is power and
he uses his power to dominate others. Just look at the Old Testament.
He was always angry at somebody, usually his own people." A stranger at
Starbucks added, "And, how about those Ten Commandments ... they're
impossible requirements, no wonder he never blesses anyone. No one is
good enough." "So, where is the good news?"
In the verses before the Ten Commandments, before God gives any
commandments, he introduces himself as the God who loves Israel. He
wants the best for them. God didn't sit in heaven making a list of all
the things he knows human beings like to do and then outlawing them.
But, he knows us really well. He made us. His desire was to bless us
and to call us to reflect his character and compassion. This is where
the Ten Commandments come from.
My response to the stranger at Starbucks? "I think God is saying I am
the God who loves you. I'm on your side. I got you out of slavery. I'm
the best deal you've got going. Trust me. Don't steal. Don't lie. Don't
abandon me. Don't commit adultery, because if you do, it will unleash
destructive power that will slowly overshadow you, destroying you, your
families and your society. Trust me. Don't be stupid."
Truth is, from the beginning God has known that we have to see love, to
know what it's like ... so he sent Jesus to live here and show us how
to love and forgive.
Remember that famous verse?
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever
believes in him should not perish but have eternal life [beginning
right now]. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn
the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him (John
3:16-17 ESV, comment added by author).
That's Good News!
"You are the light of the world."
We are followers of Jesus and Jesus invested in people ... all kinds of
ordinary people. They followed him day and night. They gathered on the
hillside to listen and marvel -- the oppressed, the sick, the outcast,
the losers, the lonely and the powerless. They had been denied dignity,
value, and hope. He looked into the eyes of friends and strangers alike
and announced, "The kingdom of God belongs to YOU!"
They were blessed, not because of their condition, but in spite of it.
The discounted and excluded were shocked and stunned. "What did he
say?" "Did you hear that?"
Rather than telling them how they'd failed, he declared: "You are the
salt of the earth." "But Jesus, we've been told we are the scum of the
earth." "You are the light of the world."
That's the God I follow. This is the God of love and grace and
forgiveness. And Jesus, he came to show us how to live ... right here,
right now, not just someday in heaven because God loves us now and
wants to bless us and show us how to love and forgive.
That's Good News!
---------
(c) 2009 FaithFitness and Ron Rose <ron@faithfitness.net>.
RELATED LINKS:
* Grace is Amazing
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200702/20070219_amazingrace.html
* God's Surprising Grace
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200808/20080822_grace.html
* Grace!
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200704/20070403_grace.html
* Faith Fitness
http://www.faithfitness.net
This article can be found on the web at:
http://www.heartlight.org/articles/200901/20090120_goodnews.html
=========================== FEATURED PRODUCT =========================
LOOK GREAT, FEEL GREAT: 12 KEYS TO ENJOYING A HEALTHY LIFE NOW, by Joyce Meyer
Joyce guides us to a healthier way of living, reminding us that turning
every issue over to God gives us the strength to make lasting changes.
http://shopping.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/link?250
Find more great books, CDs and videos at the Heartlight store! With
each purchase you make, you're helping to support Heartlight's
ministry. Thanks SO MUCH for your help!
HEARTLIGHT DAILY EMAIL /\/\
===============================================================\ /===
http://www.heartlight.org/ \/
Visit HEARTLIGHT on the web for even more articles, plus music,
devotionals and more for your Christian walk!
ABOUT HEARTLIGHT:
Heartlight, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) religious non-profit organization.
Donations are welcome and tax-deductible! Find out how to help!
http://www.heartlight.org/support
EDITOR: Phil Ware, phil@heartlight.org
HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE?
It's FREE! To subscribe send a blank email to:
join-heartlight@maillists.heartlight.org
HOW DO I LEAVE?
To unsubscribe send a blank email to:
heartlight-unsub@maillists.heartlight.org
STILL HAVING TROUBLE?
If our automated unsubscribe system isn't working for you,
send an email to mailmaster@heartlight.org and let us know
what list you would like to leave. We'll take care of you.
======================================================================
