Hosanna Restoration Church

When we read the Bible, we are often reminded to be mindful of the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In truth, the whole book is the good news that points to good things that are to be found in Christ. Even the bad news is good to remind us to look to the good news. So we should keep looking for the good news.

It is true that especially now, we do not hear a lot of good news and I think everyone is tired of hearing bad news. Still, Jesus is always good! His news is always good. So a simple choice is to look to Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith. If we do, we are promised that we can enter into His rest from all the rest that bombards us daily.

When I speak of things bombarding us, I am not just talking about the news or a virus or the neighbor’s dog. Perhaps the greatest thing we fight is laziness when it comes to our walk with God. We are tempted to just rest from racing rather than racing to rest. The Bible warns us not be caught dozing. Still, we are reminded that we can wake up. Jesus woke the disciples three times when He was in His biggest battle. Still, they had to deal with the fact that they had slept instead of watching.

We have all been caught sleeping. We have all said I wasn’t sleeping, but we certainly did not remember what were watching or listening to. I forget things that God has spoken to me! Paul had one answer to that problem. He told Timothy and all of us to get stirred up.

Bad news can be used to launch us back into the race as well as it can be used to get people into the race. I spoke to someone recently and he said that he never thought we would see in our country the things we are seeing right now. As much as we do not like it, we have to admit that much of the church has been dozing thinking we would always be free to worship. We sent money to missions to help others who are persecuted, but we never really thought we would face such opposition here. Well we need to wake up, get stirred up and stand for what Jesus has raised us up to stand for.

His light shines brightly in the darkness. Darkness does not like the truth. We cannot choose what part of the truth we like and we certainly cannot replace the truth we do not like with what we prefer. Just consider hot issues like abortion, marriage, gender, and etc. God was very clear on all those issues and yet even some in the church have been inclined to blend in. That is beyond dozing, that is deep sleep. I know it is no fun to be awakened from a really good sleep, but if you are sleeping or even find yourself nodding off a little; get up and run to Jesus. Race for the prize; you (we) have a higher calling. Lift Jesus higher. He is Lord of all things or not Lord at all.